So we have made it to the quarter final stage and my oh my this is turning out to be a great world cup. The ties next weekend all look mouth watering in their own different ways.
Wales vs Ireland - The battle of the celts looks like it could be a classic encounter and with the rugby both sides are playing it could be a contender for game of the tournament. Ireland will have a bloody good go at suffocating the Welsh and trying to stop them play but I think in the end Wales will win. 28-19 Wales.
England vs France - This match up is two big rugby nations who are both really under performing, England have been doing what they usually do and playing stale rugby but managing to grind out results and get the all important wins, where as the French have just been their usual erratic selves, although this time just a bit worse! They have lost two games one of which came against a team they would be expecting to beat comfortably. This game is 50/50 and impossible to call as we don't know which French team will turn up, but I will hazard a guess at England 22 - 26 France.
Australia vs South Africa - The Battle of the Southern Hemisphere giants looks like the only match up that may rival the Wales vs Ireland game for rugby neutrals just wanting to see some good rugby. These two teams have 4 World Cups between them but will have very different teams on Sunday, South Africa have a lot of their 2007 Champions in the team and have masses of experience, whereas the Ozzies have got a very young side who love to run the ball. It will be a game of conflicting styles and if it opens up you would expect Australia to win it. Again this game is 50/50 and very hard to call but I will stick my neck out and guess Australia 21 - 23 South Africa.
New Zealand vs Argentina - This game looks like another one sided NZL mauling, doesn't it? Argentina will be boosted by the fact that they will face a Dan Carter-less New Zealand, they will attack the 10 channel whoever plays instead of him and they certainly have a better chance now he is out. You still have to say realistically though that the All Blacks will have far too much for Argentina and I expect them to win and win comfortably. New Zealand 39 - 13 Argentina.
What are your predictions for the games? and what are your opinions on them?
I for one cannot wait!! Hurry up Saturday!
Quarter Finals
posted on 5/10/11
For me I cant see a big margin in the Wales v Ireland game. 5 points either way. And with the welsh side full of young talent i see the irish experience getting the better of them Plus if wales have no ball all day long they cant play and Ireland have shown they dont give teams ball easily. Irish back row to set the standard of the day and give irish back line space to attack.
Ireland by 3ish
I know England and France have been under performing but in two very distinctly different ways. England could well get their competition back on track and all they need is for Wilco to slot his kicks. if that happens it will come together rapidly. France are a mess, they are a fractured team, they dont look like they want to be at the WC, there is rumour upon rumour that they (he players) are P'd off the Marc and who could blaim them. they wont win this. England are faltering but their problems are fixable where france are in revolution and not capable of raising their game.
South Africa to beat oz is a perfectly good call. they have surprised many with their form. Pre World cup they looked in disarray but thus far they have been pretty solid. Oz look shell shocked, they took a mental beating by Ireland and the scars run deep, they are too young and inexperienced and their lack of mental toughness has been displayed. South Africa by a score 5+/-
posted on 5/10/11
Had a little chuckle at the OP re Eng v Fr.
Called it 50/50, but still went for a Fr win. We've knocked them out of the last 2 RWCs, and lost once to them in the last 5 years.
Aus v SA tough to call, will be close.
Wal v Ire, again, close match, Wales are playing well, but have the tendency to implode, and the same can be said for Ireland, who have picked up from during the tournament.
NZ v Arg, I think it will be closer than people think. Arg are no pushovers, and there is immense pressure on NZ still. Could this be the shock result of this tournament?
posted on 5/10/11
I think the Ireland match will be won and lost in the backrow, if the Irish backrow do what they do best they will beat Wales,but if the Welsh get a foot hold and give that backline quick ball it could be hard for Irelands defence.
England vs France its a match up off amazing quick attacking rugby vs beatiing up your opponents pack and taking your kicks.If the French find any sort of form they will beat England but if the English dig in and beat that French pack they have every chance.I person ally want England to win because if Ireland beat Wales we have a much better chance of beating England over France.
posted on 6/10/11
Agreed - 3 out of 4 of these games could go either way. you can make a very good case for 7 of these teams going through to the semi's.
It will be down to who turns up on the day (particularly in respect of the French), and which team converts their chances. A bit of luck is sure to play a part as well.
If it goes to form I think Ireland, England, SA and NZ will progress - but wouldn't be surprised if none of them goes through. It's that type of weekend.
One thinks for sure it's going to be compelling stuff - I for one will be glued to the TV and can't wait!!
posted on 6/10/11
Being a tad biased Wales to beat Ireland by 5 to 7 points. Scott Williams to come off the bench for the match wining try.
If the disharmony in the French camp is true, this could work well for England, but then the French players could just play this game as they want to, forget about the team orders, similar to the English team at the last World Cup. With Mas back in for the French, i'm going to say France by 4 to 6 points.
I've said all along that if the Boks play their game they will beat the Aussies and i'm sticking with that. SA to win by 8 to 12 points.
posted on 8/10/11
So far so good, 2 out of 2, was surprised how easy it was at the end for Wales to squeeze the life out Ireland and win by 12 points. Nearly got it spot on with the French winning margin, will see who will be victorious tomorrow.