The Quarters - who will it be ?

[bayrep]

What does everyone think about the coming games?

Eng vs Wales - I would like to think that Wales could pull an upset here especially they played like they did against NZ, but in the end I think Eng will hold it in tight and never give Wales the chance to have ago. Eng by 15

NZ vs SA - Has to be a flip of the coin this one, NZ seem uncertain in the mid field and a couple of injuries I could see SA getting up. But being kiwi I cant bring my self to go against them and SA might have had their big game against Samoa so NZ by 12.

Aus vs Sco - For Aus this will be a walk in the park, Sco have been pathetic and were very lucky to even make the quarters. For Aus even though they have been raked over the coals in the media I still think they are about 5 steps ahead of Sco so Aus by 30.

Frn vs Ire - It wouldn’t surprise me that Ire got up and won this one. Ire has had tough games against Aus and Arg and has kept improving through the pool matches to get close to upsetting Aus. Were as Frn have looked good in the pool games have not had a tough game. I think Frn have enough class to grind a win out so Frn by 5.

 

[bazza]

England
Australia
NZ
France

Why would there be an upset now?

Unpredictable French would be the only one of concern but they seem to take Wrold Cups seriously

 

[Dean Moriarty]

England vs Wales - Wales, I think, will do a Samoa. Not in the sense that they will worry England, but in that they have had their great performance and will be neutralised by England, who now know exactly what the Welsh have got. Eng by 20

NZ vs SA - SA will win the forward battle by a bit, NZ will win the backs battle by miles. Unless the ABs have the mother of all off days, they will win this one. NZ by 10

Aus vs Scotland - Hardly worth talking about. Scotland are lucky to be there, while Australia have come through the toughest group. A lot of questions can be asked of this Wallabies side but the Scots won't be the ones to do it. Aus by 30.

France vs Ireland - The game of the round. France are an unknown quantity for two reasons. First, because they always are - no other team has the capacity to change from brilliant and poor so quickly. And second, because they really haven't been tested, having come through such a poor group. In the end, I think the latter will count against them - Ireland have had two tough games to get them up to speed while the French haven't. The loss of Hickie takes some speed out of our backline, while it remains to be seen whether O'Gara brings his kicking boots this week. But we've beaten them in 3 of the last 4 years and I still back us to win this one. Ireland by 5.

 

[Auckland4ever]

Eng v Wales - Wales will put up a spirited fight, but I can see England wearing them down & winning by a fairly big margin.

NZ v SA - If you go by what a lot of talkback callers are saying in NZ, SA will send us packing. If we dont tighten up our defence around the ruck & start tackling with authority like we did in the Tri-Nations, the ABs could be in big trouble. Brad Thorn is being used as an impact player off the bench instead of starting, which IMO is a good thing. I thought he got showed up a few times on defence(though wasnt alone) against the Welsh, but there is no questioning his strength on attack. If we hold parity in the forwards, & dont have a miserable time with our kicks at goal & lineouts, I think we will have too much in the backs, esp. late in the game. ABs by 12.

Aus v Scotland - Hmmm, I wonder . . .Aus by heaps

Fra v Ire - As much as I want Ireland to win & given their preparation, It may well happen, my gut says France. You just know the French are going to choke sometime, but I dont think it will be this game. France by <=10.

 

[weasel]

England v Wales- 29-8
NZ v South Africa- 27-34
Australia v Scotland 38-6
France v Ireland 27-22

 

[The Colonel]

NZ v SA - If you go by what a lot of talkback callers are saying in NZ, SA will send us packing. If we dont tighten up our defence around the ruck & start tackling with authority like we did in the Tri-Nations, the ABs could be in big trouble. Brad Thorn is being used as an impact player off the bench instead of starting, which IMO is a good thing. I thought he got showed up a few times on defence(though wasnt alone) against the Welsh, but there is no questioning his strength on attack. If we hold parity in the forwards, & dont have a miserable time with our kicks at goal & lineouts, I think we will have too much in the backs, esp. late in the game. ABs by 12.

Too much in the backs and they will mis Van Niekirk more than they think. That said for Australia's sake I'd like to see the Kiwis falter but I think they are far too strong.


England and Kiwis for the final I think - especially if the Aussies keep playing Rogers and Sailor ahead of Latham and Tuqiri. Dropping Roff for Tuqiri was is the biggest joke!

 

[zulu]

The quarters will be as competitive as the pool matches. SA v NZ should be the best of the bunch.

 

[AliN]

England v Wales - England by 17
NZ v South Africa - Toughest to call, AB's by 3
Australia v Scotland - Aussie by 24
France v Ireland - French by 7

 

[Stevo_G]

eng
nz
aus
ireland

 

[bazza]

England
Australia
NZ
France

Why would there be an upset now?

Unpredictable French would be the only one of concern but they seem to take Wrold Cups seriously

I was right (of course).

If you want the secret to my RU tipping success here it is:
Go to the sports TAB web site and see what team is favourite and pick that team. It's been 100% right so far

 

[Lucas]

Disappointed with the Irish, thought they were a good chance to beat the French. Wales too should have beaten England in the end.

Australia to beat New Zealand
England to beat France

Australia to beat England. Simple.

 

[bazza]

Disappointed with the Irish, thought they were a good chance to beat the French. Wales too should have beaten England in the end.

Australia to beat New Zealand
England to beat France

Australia to beat England. Simple.

Using my tested method of tipping

NZ and England

 

[bayrep]

Disappointed with the Irish, thought they were a good chance to beat the French. Wales too should have beaten England in the end.

Australia to beat New Zealand
England to beat France

Australia to beat England. Simple.

I think that is just blind hope , NZ has had the wood over Aus over the last year and Frn have been looking like the form team in this comp.

NZ vs Frn in the final.