Rugby...

[Stretch]

If he is out we will miss his ability to break the line..but we certainly won't miss his rush defence...which seems to be more and more often nowdays

[Shebeen]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=336939639822991&set=vb.246371612213128&type=2&theater

 

first ten seconds set up for a big hit

Edited December 2, 2014 by Shebeen

[Shebeen]

BTW, at current form I back England to win group A, followed by Australia.  So we have a good chance of meeting Aus in the quarters, followed by the All Blacks in the semis.  This could possibly (definitely) mean that it will be a southern vs northern final.  At the moment, I would recon an Ireland vs New Zealand final.  I just don't see us there in the finals.  Easy group, but tough road to the finals.

If we go with 'form/ratings' as such - with winners/runners up in order.

 

Pool A

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Flag_of_England.svg/23px-Flag_of_England.svg.png England

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_Australia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Australia.svg.png Australia (could exchange Wales in this place)

 

Pool B

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg/23px-Flag_of_South_Africa.svg.png South Africa

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Flag_of_Scotland.svg/23px-Flag_of_Scotland.svg.png Scotland

 

Pool C

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg/23px-Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg.png New Zealand

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Flag_of_Argentina.svg/23px-Flag_of_Argentina.svg.png Argentina

 

Pool D (this is a coin toss between who wins on the day)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/23px-Flag_of_France.svg.png France

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/IRFU_flag.svg/23px-IRFU_flag.svg.png Ireland

 

 

Then the top half of the knock out draw is:

 New Zealand

 Ireland

 South Africa

 Australia

 

the bottom half is:

 England

 Scotland

 Argentina

 France

 

 

Going to say it here, but it could WELL be in the bok interest in coming second in the pool...nothing wrong with losing to the reigning olympic champs surely(we don't play in the final round of matches)?? 

[dev null]

It seems then the playoffs will be lopsided, just like the last world cup.  With the top half being very tough to get through.  NZ don't have a good world cup record, and could easily falter against Ireland in that setup.  Here is the interesting bit though: say Ireland end up first in their group, and France second, then it will be NZ against France in the quarters.  Not sure the Kiwis are looking forward to that one, given their WC record against France.

 

This draw seems to favour England the most though, also being the hosts.  Anybody for a conspiracy theory?

['Dale]

I see Fransie Steyn is back in the mix for Sharks for Super Rugby, and I reckon be back in contention for WC

 

With JdV injured, it's a key move

[DJ84]

I see Fransie Steyn is back in the mix for Sharks for Super Rugby, and I reckon be back in contention for WC

 

With JdV injured, it's a key move

Its the only move!

[Frosty]

.

Edited December 2, 2014 by geraldm24

[Shebeen]

 

 

This draw seems to favour England the most though, also being the hosts.  Anybody for a conspiracy theory?

do you blame them?

they're giving wales home games for the pool, except their head to head being at twickers.

also there's no chance of wales playing their 1/4 at millenium and as both options from their pool are at twickers.

[dev null]

do you blame them?

they're giving wales home games for the pool, except their head to head being at twickers.

also there's no chance of wales playing their 1/4 at millenium and as both options from their pool are at twickers.

 

On the other hand, they might just implode like Brazil at home and under pressure to perform. 

 

I get the idea that after the WC we will all be sick of hearing Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

['Dale]

Journo' Gavin Rich is positive about the Bok's Tour to the Northern hemisphere:

 

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/blogs/gavin-rich/Boks_learned_quite_a_lot_actually

Edited December 3, 2014 by Huez

['Dale]

Nice insights from former player and coach Brendan Venter

 

http://www.supersport.com/rugby/blogs/brendan-venter/Boks_must_think_outside_the_box

[scotty]

Might want to add and give Whiteley more game time, after all he was the most effective S15 defender this year.

 

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Whiteley-best-Super-Rugby-defender-20141204

[GLuvsMtb]

Might want to add and give Whiteley more game time, after all he was the most effective S15 defender this year.

 

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Whiteley-best-Super-Rugby-defender-20141204

Its slim pickings when that is the only award a SA player received. We probably would only have 2 or 3 players in a Super Rugby combined team.

['Dale]

Dubai 7s

 

What a Cup semi victory over the KIWIS

 

28-0

 

Kwagga Smith, what a player - wow

['Dale]

And Kwaggaa Smith what was possibly a match saving tackle

What athleticism shown wow

 

Blitzies take the Dubai Sevens Cup

['Dale]

How was Senatla's sheer pace at the 7s

 

Wow!

 

Bring on the PE Sevens