Rugby World Cup 2011 - Page 12 - Clubhouse

bos1

10/10/2011 at 23:48

[*coughweexpectedtofinishlowerthananaltarboystrousersonretreatsoeverythingsabonuscough*]

Re Johnson; I'm Irish. Robinson is competent. The Defense rests.

Edited: 10/10/2011 at 23:52

Ratzer

11/10/2011 at 08:35

Same France team.

Yachvili to be splatted.

Well, at least they've all played together once before!

Little Nemo - waving, not drowning!

11/10/2011 at 08:57

*coughWhereHaveAllTheEnglishPostersGone?cough*

I'm surprised ML isn't starting some of his bigger players, Palisson looks tiny compared to some of the Welsh players.

So are all you Irish, English and Scottish fans backing Wales now? Can I tempt any of you to support France?

fat buddha

11/10/2011 at 09:00

I suspect the Sais will be supporting France, the Celts supporting Wales.

at least Gatland knows what side he now needs to pick - I suspect he won't make any changes either

Ratzer

11/10/2011 at 09:01

I would guess that any otherwise non-partisan Irish and Scottish fans would either be supporting Wales or simply hoping for a great match, and then supporting whoever gets to the final.

The English haven't realised the competition is still on for another week and a half.

bos1

11/10/2011 at 09:29

I''d like to see a northern hemisphere team win, be it Wales or Fr. Up to now Wales have played better rugby than France so they look a better bet than France.

yeo

11/10/2011 at 09:31

An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman walked into a bar. The Welshman was still in NZ

I'm English

I'll be supporting Wales

bos1

11/10/2011 at 09:42

An Irishman and a Scotsman walked into a bar.
The Englishman was already there, having commenced the imbibing of intoxicating beverages the previous night.

M.r Zuvai

pirate

11/10/2011 at 10:08

I reckon most English will be supporting the Welsh

still reckon the Kiwi's will win it

good effort on your predictions buddha - Pocock's a beast - if Zimbabwe could keep hold of their players we would have a semi decent team by now

David Jones 39

12/10/2011 at 09:40

Bad news is that Rhys Priestland looks increasingly likely to miss the semi-final. A blow, as he has had an excellent tournament so far and has been particularly effective in setting up those outside him, in particular Jamie Roberts.

I'd expect Hook to "get the nod" in his place and that will give him an unbeatable opportunity in his favourite position, so could be very exciting.

Worse news for the AB's is that there are rumours Richie McCaw won't be fit for Sunday.

fat buddha

12/10/2011 at 09:47

this made me smile

For Sale: 1 Chariot, please contact Martin Johnson.

followed by the rumour that Tuilagi jumped off the ferry to look for a sunken chariot

that's a bummer about Priestland but at least with Jones and Hook we have some good cover at No 10. McCaw will be missed by NZ if he doesn't play with Pocock snaffling around at the breakdowns

David Jones 39

12/10/2011 at 17:07

Whatever happens, I don't think it will be anything like as bad as our only previous semi-final appearance in 1987 !

We were absolutely "smashed" by New Zealand (something like 60 odd points if memory serves).

Have to say that the NZ pack of that year remains the best I've ever seen - Shelford, Fitzpatrick, McDowell, Michael Jones et al.

Great opportunity on Saturday and could be a classic.

Ratzer

12/10/2011 at 19:35

News on Priestland isn't good, but at least it gives Gatland an opportunity to put Hooky in at 10 without ruffling any feathers. I'm sure Rhys will be fine for the Final.

AB's will miss McCaw and give Aus a superb opportunity. Hmm, wind-up?

I am so looking forward to Saturday!

An Irishman and a Scotsman walked into a bar to find the Englishman already in the drink.

An Irishman and a Scotsman walked into a bar, having left the Englishman in his room harassing the staff.

An Irishman and a Scotsman walked into a bar to tell the Englishman his chariot had come to carry him home...

Ratzer

13/10/2011 at 08:23

Same XV except Hook in at 10. It's not the most pleasant way to happen for Priestland, but I stand by my comments that Hook should be in there against France. He is far more worrying when running at you. Can he release the guys outside him as well as Rhys? I'm sure Warren's had him practising moves with Jamie Roberts all week (except Tuesday). I hope that those guys who are going into the game carrying little niggles are properly fit. We have second row, back row and centre cover, but three wings and the utility full back are all on the pitch. It'll be interesting if George North pulls up for any reason.

France's weakness remains that 9-10 combo, and Yachvili is carrying a niggle too. The nature of his knock does mean he probably won't be quite as quick on his feet as he was previously. Certainly if he hands kicking duties to Parra then he doesn't trust his own leg. That could be interesting.

Now I just have to figure out how I'm getting to the stadium. Bad enough I've got to be in town on Sunday morning too!

fat buddha

13/10/2011 at 09:27

for distraught English rugby fans - the RFU has set up a helpline. call 0845 101010 - that's 0845 won nothing won nothing won nothing.

shame about Priestland but Hook will do a good job

Little Nemo - waving, not drowning!

13/10/2011 at 10:20

2 days to go!

*wibble*

Looks like I'll be the only one supporting the French

M.r Zuvai

pirate

13/10/2011 at 10:26

fat buddha wrote (see)

for distraught English rugby fans - the RFU has set up a helpline. call 0845 101010 - that's 0845 won nothing won nothing won nothing. shame about Priestland but Hook will do a good job

I'm all for a good mocking! especially the English!
however, they have actually won the world cup............ and as of yet the welsh haven't ....

Little Nemo - waving, not drowning!

14/10/2011 at 13:38

So where is everyone watching this tomorrow? Pub, home, Millennium Stadium?

I'll be at home with coffee and toast. I'll have scared the cat off my lap by about 5 mins. in by shouting at the TV

Good luck to all 4 teams and ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!

fat buddha

14/10/2011 at 13:43

I'll be watching in a hotel in Warwick

goddam wish I was at the Millenium Stadium though - the atmosphere there is going to be awesome

bonne chance Nemo - but you're going to lose...

Little Nemo - waving, not drowning!

14/10/2011 at 13:53

Apparently there will be more people watching it in the Millennium than in Eden Park!