Rugby World Cup 2011

[Erebus Pasha]

As an aside, it's all gone quiet on the Ireland fanboi front.

Is it too soon for a massive I-told-you-so?

A good game in Dublin to be fair - very entertaining but as ever with the Irish they seem to come up short against the French. I only saw glimpses of the game as I was switching between the Tri-nations and the football matches.

Wales vs. Argentina was a strange match - the Pumas controlled the match for the first 30 minutes but Contepomi had a mare with his boot and they were error strewn with the ball in hand. When Powell went over for Wales then the boys in red never looked back.

[King Nud]

Little bit unfair on Tommaso Benvenuti to suggest his try was easily preventable.

Absolutely fantastic Italian move.

There was a missed tackle that let him through finally, a tackle that was easy to make, he Scottish player (I forget who) moved to far to his right and let Benvenuti through.

[Finnegan]

Sure but no defence is ever entirely flawless, the Scottish were back-tracking halfway across the pitch because the Italians did well to stretch them and keep the momentum going.

I'm not saying it was flawless defending but I wouldn't be overly concerned about conceding a try of that quality. To be fair to the Italians, it was very well worked.

[emotion_name]

Wales vs. Argentina was a strange match - the Pumas controlled the match for the first 30 minutes but Contepomi had a mare with his boot and they were error strewn with the ball in hand. When Powell went over for Wales then the boys in red never looked back.

It seems to be our new gameplan now, absorb pressure for awhile then make the opposition pay!

Just about worked against England last week, yesterday against Argies it worked perfectly.

Knoyle played an absolute blinder, and again North had an immense game. Powell, surprisingly, played good as well, only doing his annoying sidestep once or twice and finally started using his bulk to plough holes. The try helped his confidence no end mind.

Bennet and Kingsley Jones have gone on record today saying they doubt Byrne will make RWC squad, that he hasnt done enough, and tbh i agree with them on the last part. Byrne just hasnt hit the form expected of him, but i fear with Stoddart injured and Byrne our only specialist 15, he will make the team, whether he should be there or not.

For me, sat in the stadium, he had a shocker, one of his worst games ever.

Powell i think did enough to get his seat on the plane i reckon, the fact Gats doesnt favour Jonathan Thomas will aid Powell mind.

Its gonna be interesting to see who makes it in our backs for the RWC, i think the forwards are pretty much easy to figure out now - A.Jones, P.James, H.Bennett, D.Lydiate, B.Davies, A.W.Jones, S.Warburton, R.Jones, A.Powell, G.Jenkins, L.Charteris, M.Williams, T.Falatau, R.Hibbard

As for the backs, i think there is obvious ones like Shane Williams, Jamie Roberts, Mike Phillips, George North, Jonathan Davies but then it gets slightly harder to call - Knoyle will make it i think as back up to Phillips, and after yesterdays man of the match performance he deserves it, the boy really took his chance with that game and showed what he can do.
Hooky and Stephen Jones are definates, Priestland may squeek in as well, im not sure about 1/2p, whether it be him or Brew going (id prefer 1/2p, but with Gats you never know).

Ireland have one more warm up game left dont they? Against England, or am i imagining that?

Also worth mentioning SA got a needed result against NZ yesterday, even if they couldnt manage to score a try and needed to rely on Steyns boot for there points.

Anyways, now to wait anxiously till monday and the naming of our WC Squad!

EDIT

Well, sh!t in my mouth and hold my nose till i swallow, we only gone and picked up another RWC ending injury!

This time its Hibbard, who damaged his ankle ligaments so badly, they apparantly were completely detached from the bone!

After losing Scud (M.Rees), and now this, it seems our hookers at RWC will be 2nd choice, 4th choice and no choice, or as there otherwise known Bennett, Lloyd Burns and Ken Owens!

As if our line out wasnt bad enough as it is, and our scrum struggling (although, Adam being back gave it some more "oomph" i thought).

I wonder if we can make it to SA game without anymore injuries, but i wont hold my breath!

[emotion_name]

Double post, but i already edited my above one once, and this could do with a bump i reckons!

Anyways, Gats has named our RWC squad, some surprises as expected, but by and large its what most would have guessed! Henson has been left out, i bet he is praying Scott Williams gets injured!

Wales 30 man RWC Squad!

Captain
Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES, CAPTAIN - Cap No 1,070)
DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6'2". 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
International record: 17 caps (W 8, L 9; 5 pts - 1T)
Forwards

Huw BENNETT (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,017)
DoB: 11.06.83. 6'0" / 1.83m. 16st 8lbs / 105kgs
International record: 42 caps (W 20, L 21, D 1)
Ryan BEVINGTON (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,081)
DoB: 9.12.88. 6'0"/1.82m. 17st 2lb/109kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 2, L 2)
Lloyd BURNS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,085)
DoB: 09.12.84. 6'0" / 1.83m. 17st 0lbs / 108kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)
Luke CHARTERIS (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,030)
DoB: 09.03.83. 6'9" / 2.06m. 19st 10lbs / 125kgs
International record: 25 caps (W 12, L 13)
Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,065)
DoB: 09.01.87. 6'6" / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
International record: 24 caps (W 10, L 13, D 1)
Toby FALETAU (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,082)
DoB: 12.11.90. 1.88m / 6'2". 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 3 caps (W 1, L 2)
Paul JAMES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,021)
DoB: 13.05.82. 6'1" / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
International record: 26 caps (W 10, L 15, D 1)
Gethin JENKINS (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,006)
DoB: 17.11.80. 6'2" / 1.88m. 18st 9lbs / 118kgs
International record: 76 caps (W 33, L 41, D 2; 15 pts - 3T)
Adam JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,018)
DoB: 08.03.81. 6'0" / 1.83m. 18st 12lb / 120kgs
International record: 70 caps (W 32, L 35, D 3; 10 pts - 2T)
Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,046)
DoB: 19.09.85. 6'5" / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs
International record: 52 caps (W 21, L 31; 30 pts - 6T)
Ryan JONES (OSPREYS - Cap No 1,029)
DoB: 13.03.81. 6'5" / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 53 caps (W 26, L 25, D 2; 5 pts - 1T)
Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,071)
DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6'4". 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 6, L 7, D 1)
Craig MITCHELL (EXETER CHIEFS - Cap No 1,068)
DoB: 03.05.86. 6'1" / 1.85m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs
International record: 10 caps (W 7, L 3)
Ken OWENS (SCARLETS - Uncapped)
DoB: 03.01.87. 6'1" / 1.86m. 17st 8lbs / 112kgs
International record: Uncapped
Andy POWELL (SALE SHARKS - Cap No 1,061)
DoB: 23.08.81. 6'4" / 1.94m. 18st 0lbs / 114kgs
International record: 18 caps (W 9, L 9; 5 pts - 1T)

Backs

Aled BREW (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS - Cap No 1,051)
DoB: 09.08.86. 6.0" / 1.83m. 15st 2lbs / 96kgs
International record: 7 caps (W 2, L 4, D 1; 5 pts - 1T)
Lee BYRNE (ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE - Cap No 1,041)
DoB: 01.06.80. 6'3" / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs
International record: 44 caps (W 18, L 24, D 2; 45 pts - 9T)
Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,066)
DoB: 05.04.88. 6'1" / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
International record: 14 caps (W 7, L 7; 10 pts - 2T)
Leigh HALFPENNY (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,060)
DoB: 22.12.88. 5'10" / 1.77m. 13st 2lbs / 83kgs
International record: 20 caps (W 8, L 12; 62 pts - 7T, 9PG)
James HOOK (PERPIGNAN - Cap No 1,047)
DoB: 27.06.85. 6'0" / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
International record: 54 caps (W 23, L 29, D 2; 303 pts - 12T, 39C, 51PG, 4DG)
Stephen JONES (SCARLETS - Cap No 966)
DoB: 08.12.77. 6'1" / 1.86m. 14st 7lbs / 92kgs
International record: 100 caps (W 40, L 56, D 3; 889 pts - 7T, 142C, 184PG, 6DG)
Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,076)
DoB: 02.06.90. 6'1" / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
International record: 5 caps (W 2, L 3)
George NORTH (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,078)
DoB: 13.04.92. 6'4" / 1.92m. 16st 5lbs / 104kgs
International record: 8 caps (W 2, L 5, D 1; 30 pts - 6T)
Mike PHILLIPS (BAYONNE - Cap No 1,022)
DoB: 29.08.82. 6'3" / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
International record: 54 caps (W 25, L 27, D 2; 30 pts - 6T)
Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,080)
DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6'0". 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 4 caps (W 2, L 2; 10 pts - 2C, 2PG)
Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,057)
DoB: 08.11.86. 6'4" / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
International record: 32 caps (W 15, L 17; 10 pts - 2T)
Lloyd WILLIAMS (CARDIFF BLUES - Cap No 1,087)
DoB: 30.11.89. 6'0" / 1.83m. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
International record: 1 cap (W 1)
Scott WILLIAMS (SCARLETS - Cap No 1,084)
DoB: 10.10.90. 6'0" / 1.83m. 15st 3lbs / 97kgs
International record: International record: 4 caps (W 2, L 2)
Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS - Cap No 976)
DoB: 26.02.77. 5'7" / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
International record: 81 caps (W 39, L 40, D 2; 270 pts - 54T)


I think Byrne is a very lucky boy to be included, after rewatching the argie game i cant believe how bad he was - kicking away 1st phase ball, kicking poorly as well, messed up a clear overlap by throwing a miss pass - he needs to sort his game out sharpish. No real shockers on wings, fly halves or centres - Gats obviously doesnt wanna gamble on Henson so Williams gets the nod. At No.9 im surprised Lloyd Williams goes ahead of R.Rees, considering Lloyd is Blues No.2 to Rees, but there we go, Gats knows best (apparantly), and all that.

Again no surprises in the props, im so glad Gethin has been named as it must mean rumours about his retirement were just that - rumours. Hookers were decided by injuries, and right now is our weakest area imo, locks was an obvious one and no worries on only 3 being named as R.Jones can fill in on second row when needed. I think Powells game on weekend convinced Gats to take him, i hope NZ dont have many golf carts

So within that group is the 15 to play Bokkies on 11th September, i think injuries permitting it will be

1.G.Jenkins
2.A.Jones
3.H.Bennett
4.B.Davies
5.A.W.Jones
6.D.Lydiate
7.S.Warburton
8.T.Faletau
9.M.Phillips
10.J.Hook
11.S.Williams
12.J.Davies
13.J.Roberts
14.G.North
15.L.Byrne

Personally id rather see Ryan at 8 and Priestland at 15, but i dont think Gats will go that way.

[♔DARTH LEGO♔]

So within that group is the 15 to play Bokkies on 11th September

Shame... you think the newbies will take the loss well?

[emotion_name]

well, stranger things have happened at a RWC than us beating holders in our opening game!

(im being optimistic, can you tell? )

From looking at SA v NZ this weekend, SA just couldnt cross the line and score a try - our defense is rock solid, im pretty confident we can hold them off, its if we can be clinical enough to take any chances we create.

All i hope is we dont play really well against SA, lose, everyone think "we can do well playing like that", then collapse against the islanders and go home early again. Im sure Gats wont let that happen though.

Im gonna be an optimistic patriot and say Wales to win against SA.

Ill go further, ill be a delusional patriot and say Wales to not lose a pool stage game and go through top of there pool!

[Plantagenet Knight]

My money is on New Zealand.

I would love to say England, but I just can't see us getting past the semis this WC.

[emotion_name]

Samoa and Bokkies have named there RWC squads now as well.

Samoa

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Ole Avei, Maurie Faasavalu, Census Johnston, Filipo Lavea Levi, Daniel Leo, Logovi'i Mulipola, Ti'i Paulo, Anthony Perenise, Manaia Salavea, Mahonri Schwalger, George Stowers, Sakaria Taulafo, Joe Tekori, Kane Thompson, Ofisa Treviranus, Taiasina Tuifua.
Backs: Kahn Fotuali'i, David Lemi, Johhny Leota, Seilala Mapusua, Eliota Sapolu Fuimaono, Tasesa Lavea, Augustino Poluleuligaga, George Pisi, Tusi Pisi, James So'oialo, Jeremy Sua, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Alesana Tuilagi, Paul Williams.

South Africa

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Backs
Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Pat Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Morné Steyn.
Forwards
Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brüssow, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Johann Muller, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde.

[ivan_the_terrible]

I see South Africa is still bent on killing any exciting elements in the sport. Which is a shame because they clearly have the talent to play a proper attacking style.

It's unfortunate that this sort of anti-attacking approach has been proven to be very effective in the past, and can still clearly work even with the rule changes.

Drop goals should be reduced to 1 point imo, to be used only in breaking deadlocks. Too late for this world cup, of course.

[emotion_name]

Some more RWC squads confirmed.

Ireland

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Rory Best, Tony Buckley, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Leo Cullen, Stephen Ferris, Jerry Flannery, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Denis Leamy, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, David Wallace.
Backs: Tommy Bowe, Isaac Boss, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Geordan Murphy, Conor Murray, Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace.

Im surprised Fitzgerald and O'Leary werent included, considering the experience of them both, especially Fitzgerald who is a British Lion!

USA

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Inaki Basauri, Chris Biller, Todd Clever (captain), Pat Danahy, Eric Fry, JJ Gagiano, Nic Johnson, Scott LaValla, Mike MacDonald, Brian McClenahan, Mate Moeakiola, Shawn Pittman, Hayden Smith, Louis Stanfill, Phil Thiel, John van der Giessen.
Backs: Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Colin Hawley, Nese Malifa, Taku Ngwenya, James Paterson, Mike Petri, Blaine Scully, Junior Sifa, Andrew Suniula, Roland Suniula, Kevin Swiryn, Tim Usasz, Chris Wyles

All Blacks

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Adam Thomson, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Victor Vito.

Backs: Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu and Sonny Bill Williams

A few very surprising exclusions for New Zealand, most noticeably Hosea Gear, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Ben Smith. Its worth mentioning the team Graham Henry has picked is the most experienced AB squad ever, with 1137 Tests between them, 9 players on 50+ Caps and 5 players in 3rd World Cup and another 7 in 2nd World Cup. Could this be there time?

France

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Fabien Barcella, Julien Bonnaire, Luc Ducalcon, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Imanol Harinordoquy, Guilhem Guirado, Nicolas Mas, Romain Millo-Chluski, Raphael Lakafia, Lionel Nallet, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Pascal Pape, Louis Picamoles, Julien Pierre, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski.
Backs: Vincent Clerc, Patrice Estebanez, Cédric Heymans, David Marty, Maxime Médard, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson, Morgan Parra, Aurélien Rougerie, David Skrela, Damien Traille, Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili

Again, im surprised there is no spot for 84-cap veteran Sylvain Marconnet, i thought Chabal would be included also, but who knows what goes on in Lievremonts head these days?

Scotland

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Allan Jacobsen, Alastair Kellock (captain), Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon.
Backs: Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Ruaridh Jackson, Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Chris Paterson

Kudos to Paterson, who will become the first Scotsman to play at 4 seperate RWC.


Anyways, thats about all i know atm, if anyone else knows a few teams that have named squads, please enlighten us!

[emotion_name]

Argentina

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Patricio Albacete, Marcos Iván Ayerza, Maximiliano Bustos, Alejandro Campos, Manuel Carizza, Agustin Creevy, Julio Farias Cabello, Juan Figallo, Mariano Galarza, Alvaro Galindo, Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe, Mario Ledesma, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Rodrigo Roncero, Martín Scelzo, Leonardo Vicente Senatore, Tomas Vallejos.
Backs: Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Gonzalo Camacho, Felipe Contepomi, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Agustin Gosio, Juan José Imhoff, Alfredo Lalanne, Martín Rodriguez, Federico Nicolás Sanchez, Gonzalo Tiesi, Nicolás Vergallo

I thought Juan Martín Hernández would have been named, apparantly he hasnt recovered from injury though!

Australia

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Backs: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Drew Mitchell, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Nick Phipps, Luke Burgess, Will Genia.
Forwards: Ben McCalman, Radike Samo, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Scott Higginbotham, James Horwill (capt), Rob Simmons, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Sekope Kepu, James Slipper, Salesi Ma'afu, Stephen Moore, Saia Faingaa, Tatafu Polota-Nau

Im very, very surprised Matt Giteau misses out, not sure on Horwill replacing Rocky as Capt either, but we shall see.

Canada

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Ryan Hamilton, Pat Riordan (captain), Hubert Buydens, Scott Franklin, Jason Marshall, Andrew Tiedemann, Frank Walsh, Jamie Cudmore, Brian Erichsen, Tyler Hotson, Aaron Carpenter, Nanyak Dala, Adam Kleeberger, Jeremy Kyne, Chauncey O'Toole, Jebb Sinclair.

Backs: Ed Fairhurst, Jamie Mackenzie, Sean White, Nathan Hirayama, Ander Monro, Ryan Smith, Conor Trainor, Phil Mackenzie, Mike Scholz, DTH van der Merwe, Ciaran Hearn, Taylor Paris, Matt Evans, James Pritchard

England

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Nick Easter, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Courtney Lawes, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody (captain), Tom Palmer, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan, Matt Stevens, Steve Thompson, David Wilson, Tom Wood.

Backs: Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Mark Cueto, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Shontayne Hape, Joe Simpson, Mike Tindall, Manu Tuilagi, Richard Wigglesworth, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs

Hmmm, no Flutey in the squad, screams "boring forwards play" killing the game and strangling the life out of opposition to me. Tuilagi is a good call mind, he deserves a shot. Shame about Danny Care missing out, but uncapped Joe Simpson who replaces him wont mind that. Is it a concern that England lack a genuine openside flanker as well?

Italy

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Andrea Lo Cicero, Salvatore Perugini, Tommaso D’Apice, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Fabio Ongaro, Marco Bortolami, Carlo Antonio del Fava, Quintin Geldenhuys, Cornelius van Zyl, Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Paul Derbyshire, Sergio Parisse (Captain), Alessandro Zanni.
Backs: Pablo Canavosio, Edoardo Gori, Fabio Semenzato, Ricardo Bocchino, Luciano Orquera, Tommaso Benvenuti, Mirco Bergamasco, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Andrea Masi, Luke McLean, Matteo Pratichetti, Alberto Sgarbi, Giulio Toniolatti

Not much to say here tbh, they be glad Mauro Bergamasco is back fit and playing, and i think Nick Mallett has also said after RWC he is stepping down as Italy coach, to be replaced by Jacques Brunel.

Japan

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Hisateru Hirashima, Naoki Kawamata, Yusuke Aoki, Shota Horie, Hiroki Yuhara, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Nozomu Fujita, Hitoshi Ono, Toshizumi Kitagawa, Luke Thompson, Justin Ives, Takashi Kikutani (captain), Michael Leitch, Sione Vatuvei, Ryukoliniasi Holani, Itaru Taniguchi.
Backs: Fumiaki Tanaka, Tomoki Yoshida, Atsushi Hiwasa, James Arlidge, Murray Williams (Toyota Industries Shuttles), Yuta Imamura, Ryan Nicholas, Koji Taira, Alisi Tupuailai, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kosuke Endo, Takehisa Usuzuki, Shaun Webb, Taihei Ueda

Former All Black - John Kirwan - is coach of Japan and has set them target of beating Canada and Tonga, hoping it will be enough to secure 3rd place and auto qualification for 2015.

Russia

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Forwards: Denis Antonov, Vladimir Botvinnikov, Adam Byrnes, Artem Fatakhov, Andrey Garbuzov, Viatcheslav Grachev, Victor Gresev, Alexander Khrokin, Vladislav Korshunov (captain), Evgenii Matveev, Andrey Ostrikov, Sergey Popov, Ivan Prishchepenko, Mikhail Sidorov, Alexey Travkin, Valeriy Tsnobiladze, Alexander Voytov.
Backs: Vasily Artemyev, Mikhail Babaev, Andrey Bykanov, Igor Galinovskiy, Igor Klyuchnikov, Yury Kushnarev, Andrey Kuzin, Alexey Makovetskiy, Vladimir Ostroushko, Konstantin Rachkov, Alexander Shakirov, Denis Simplikevich, Alexander Yanyushkin

Russia's 1st ever RWC appearance, should be interesting to see how they fare. All i really know about the Ruskies is there coaching set-up, which is headed by Nikolay Nerush and includes former Wales flanker and Sale coach Kingsley Jones as team director; Henry Paul, a dual international with New Zealand rugby league and England rugby union, is the backs coach; and Welshman Darren Morris, a British and Irish Lion, is the scrum coach.

Hehehe, i may be tempted to support them, if they get anymore welshies involved!

[Halbard]

This is my first thread gone sticky!

Ireland Vs England tomorrow! Lets fry the English.

[Erebus Pasha]

Not surprised with Hernandez missing out having not played any Rugby for a while. I don't think he's played a test for Argentina in two years anyway.

Was surprised about Australia's choices - but I think Rocky Elsom's form and fitness hasn't been great and Deans stated that he wanted to take some of the pressure away. Elsom's a strong character but I was surprised that Deans did it just before the World Cup. Giteau unfortunately paid the price for the Wallabies loss against Samoa some time back, but he's an experienced back and can play in a variety of positions.

[emotion_name]

Not surprised with Hernandez missing out having not played any Rugby for a while. I don't think he's played a test for Argentina in two years anyway.

Yeah, its a risk and reward thing, you risk taking him but hope to get some rewards out of it. Obv argies thought it was too much, same sort of thing as Wales with Gethin Jenkins - he hasnt played since January, and is only hopeful of making our 2nd game against Samoa, if he gets recurrence of injury then he on his way home and it unsettles the squad - thats the risk. The reward is if he gets over the injury and plays, its Gethin bloody Jenkins!

Was surprised about Australia's choices - but I think Rocky Elsom's form and fitness hasn't been great and Deans stated that he wanted to take some of the pressure away. Elsom's a strong character but I was surprised that Deans did it just before the World Cup. Giteau unfortunately paid the price for the Wallabies loss against Samoa some time back, but he's an experienced back and can play in a variety of positions.

Same here, stripping him of captaincy right before RWC seems a bit tactless, but as you said, Elsoms a strng character and now we shall see how strong.

I still think leaving Giteau out is a huge mistake mind.

[Erebus Pasha]

Yeah, its a risk and reward thing, you risk taking him but hope to get some rewards out of it. Obv argies thought it was too much, same sort of thing as Wales with Gethin Jenkins - he hasnt played since January, and is only hopeful of making our 2nd game against Samoa, if he gets recurrence of injury then he on his way home and it unsettles the squad - thats the risk. The reward is if he gets over the injury and plays, its Gethin bloody Jenkins!

I see your point but I do see it as more of a risk thing with Argentina though. After Fourie Du Preez, 'El Mago' was probably the the player of the tournament in 2007. He is the kind of player that Argentina would build their team around. If they had taken him and he wasn't fit enough then it upsets the balance of the whole team and would leave them unsettled. Of course it's sad though not to see a player of his talent there though. Mind you Felipe Contepomi is not a bad replacement at fly-half!

Same here, stripping him of captaincy right before RWC seems a bit tactless, but as you said, Elsoms a strng character and now we shall see how strong.

I still think leaving Giteau out is a huge mistake mind.

If they had done it last year then I can understand but it risks unsettling team harmony just before a major tournament. I know they are all grown men but sometimes it can take the smallest things if you know what I mean. Leaving Giteau out is a mistake because he is experienced and can play a variety of positions (although he's strongest at centre), but I think he's far and away the best place kicker that the Wallabies have too.

[emotion_name]

Indeed Contepomi is not a bad replacement, but his place kicking was all over the show when they played us! Argies could have been 9-0 up within 30 minutes, yet he missed some absolute sitters. Was there first game in awhile mind, although i dont see why that would effect his place kicking.

I fancy AB for this one, i really do. I know its said every RWC, and they never match up to expectations, but they just got an aura about them this time. Plus its a very, very experienced squad Graham has named, that and home field advantage its hard to look beyond them.

[Erebus Pasha]

Indeed Contepomi is not a bad replacement, but his place kicking was all over the show when they played us! Argies could have been 9-0 up within 30 minutes, yet he missed some absolute sitters. Was there first game in awhile mind, although i dont see why that would effect his place kicking.

Well that was the thing you see, Argentina being 9-0 after 30 minutes or so would've been tough for Wales to come back from especially given the Pumas control of the game at the time. But Powell ran in that try and that was that basically. I'm surprised by the Pumas warm-up schedule really - they have only played Wales which shows really that their board is still rather amateurish in it's approach. If they were better prepared then I would fancy the Pumas to go far again.

Contepomi is one of the better place kickers out there so him missing sitters like that was a surprise. Mind you if he doesn't fancy it then the full-back Martin Rodriguez isn't a bad kicker either.

I fancy AB for this one, i really do. I know its said every RWC, and they never match up to expectations, but they just got an aura about them this time. Plus its a very, very experienced squad Graham has named, that and home field advantage its hard to look beyond them.

Yes I'm hoping they don't, but in reality I don't think there is much stopping the All Blacks running away with it. They just look far better than everyone else out there when at full strength. Like you said, they are very experienced and they know all the tricks in the book on how to frustrate the opposition.

[emotion_name]

they have only played Wales which shows really that their board is still rather amateurish in it's approach. If they were better prepared then I would fancy the Pumas to go far again.

Well, apparantly no-one wanted to play them, except us!

No one wants to lose a RWC game, which is why top 3 finishers from last RWC were avoided!

[Halbard]

can any1 get a stream for Ireland VS England today? No channel in Portugal is broadcasting it.