Rugby World Cup 2015

[zero000]

Bit late with this thread, but never mind. Who does everyone have as the favourite? I really think Australia might sneak it this year.

England were very fortunate yesterday too, a lot of favourable decisions by the officials, but that's home advantage for you.

[TheGayTent]

Ignoring the all blacks and england, I think the springboks will go well.

Thought England went just about perfectly last night. Won with a bonus point without playing well, and no injuries.

Edited September 19, 2015 by TheGayTent

[pink_triangle]

I think in terms of quality world rugby isn't great at present, but that has resulted in a more competitive tournament. My one prediction is wales will do badly!

[TheGayTent]

My one prediction is wales will do badly!

Fingers crossed !

[pink_triangle]

The group stages are just about getting the business done,with the least possible effort.

No way england were going to lose that game.

Hard to look beyond the all blacks. I know they generally find a way to mess up, but I'm thinking the monkey may be off their back now.

[zero000]

I think in terms of quality world rugby isn't great at present, but that has resulted in a more competitive tournament. My one prediction is wales will do badly!

Agreed unfortunately. If Wales don't beat England next week, then we haven't got a chance of beating Australia and getting out of the group.

[mjsell]

All blacks

Ireland

England

Australia

South Africa

In that order. Wales, Scotland and France don't have a chance. One of Fiji or Argentina will cause a real upset before this tournament is over

[TheGayTent]

Ireland

NZ will feel the pressure until they win it outside of their own country.

[zero000]

As an aside the itv coverage is awful. That comment about the Fijian villages yesterday was borderline racist.

[Bisque]

I'm still a little drunk from last night. I'll reserve judgement on predictions until I've seen the top 4 play & I've sobered up.

[Bisque]

Any itv sports coverage is always always terrible.

They are terrible.

 

I remember being Gillispied on snakebite & black down the SU watching this, I didn't want to be there & the only thing interesting in the whole 90 minutes was f'ed as under dogs Everton scored the only goal of the match.

[zero000]

Any itv sports coverage is always always terrible.

Very true. Unfortunately they're sharing the 6 nations coverage with BBC next year and will be showing half of the games.

[TheGayTent]

Ireland play all blacks in QF if they finish second in their group.

To be fair, if he thinks Ireland are 2nd favourites one would assume he thinks they'll win their Pool. Which is a strong possibility.

[philipsteak]

Very true. Unfortunately they're sharing the 6 nations coverage with BBC next year and will be showing half of the games.

It was either that or Sky getting them, so small mercies

[The Nal]

That was unreal from Japan!

[pink_triangle]

I guess if you are going to mess up in a meaningful match, the first game is probably the best to do it.  A shock always adds to a tournament, so happy for Japan.

[zero000]

Amazing effort from Japan, they haven't won a game in the WC since 1991! 

[atomised]

Was at the south Africa vs Japan game. What an experience, from all the talk before of it being a stroll in the park for the South Africans to that finish. Awesome

[philipsteak]

I may be wrong but I thought six nations matches were one of the sportijg events that wasn't allowed to be shown by sky exclusively, along with fa cup final, grand national and Wimbledon.

 

According to this, the six nations opened it up to bids from pay tv, BBC realised they couldn't afford to take them on, so did a deal with ITV

 

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jul/09/bbc-itv-join-forces-sky-six-nations

[ThomThomDrum]

I think the springboks will go well.

They may wanna step it up a little more

[TheGayTent]

They may wanna step it up a little more

Yes, great wasn't it! They'll still qualify mind

[Wooderson]

TGT what's your next prediction

[TheGayTent]

TGT what's your next prediction

Ireland to win the Cup

[mjsell]

From your link "as the championship is a category B sporting event, it would have had to agree to highlights being shown on terrestrial television."

I thought it was a category A. Further googling shows these as the category A games that must be shown live on terrestrial.

Olympic games

Football world cup

Football European Championship

FA Cup final

Scottish FA Cup final (in Scotland)

Grand National

The Derby

Wimbledon finals

Rugby League Challenge Cup final

Rugby Union World Cup final

I thought the Olympics coverage has been sold to a non-terrestrial channel? Or have I made that up? I swear I remember reading that it had gone to a really random channel like sci-fi or something similarly strange

Edit: it was discovery. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33311902

Edited September 20, 2015 by mjsell

[Wooderson]

Ireland to win the Cup

Haha