Amazulu

Without knowing the actual lineup I reckon 4 or 5 would start out of a total of 7-8 in the squad. Like I said, the current team does not represent the nation of NZ - more a variety of Pacific nations.

rugbymatt

all the same blood as far as most are concerned, so many Maori left NZ to live away over the years that its hard to define.

Its also worth noting that this has been the most "national" side in many years.............Choking isn't a Kiwi thing, its more of an Island thing, you only have to look at Samoa, Tonga, Fiji to see that.

Amazulu

Fair point but international rugby (and all international sports really) should be about nations and not race or ethnic grouping.

Buzzy--Bee

I think whether SA have a chance or not largely depends on whether they or England win Pool A, and therefore who they subsequently play in the quarter finals.

Buzzy

rugbymatt

Win?

They will be lucky to make it through the stage!!

Amazulu

Partly agree but realistically in WC terms the only 4 who can win it - Pacific Islanders (aka All Blacks), Wally-bies, France and SA - can all beat each other on the day. It's happened so often in the past.

Buzzy--Bee

That's as may be, I'd like to think the current world champions have a chance however my point was that whether SA win the overall cup depends to a large extent on whether they come first or second in Pool A.

Buzzy

rugbymatt

What??


The All Blacks have it and you know they do.



7 Recent international pundits were all asked for their predictions on the result.................all 7 said...............The All Blacks.


Dan Carter is THE best fly half in the world.....Carl Hayman is THE best best tighthead...................Richie Mcaw is without doubt THE best No 7!!.......the list is endless, and we haven't even mentioned Rokocoko, Mulliaina, Sivivatu, Howlet.................


40 odd games before a defeat against SA, for a re-run. That's a very real record!

Amazulu

McCaw is also the biggest cheater in world rugby.
All this means nothing - it's how you do on the day that matters.
Dublin 1991 - ABs favourites. Look what happened.
Jo'burg 1995 - ABs were by far and away the outright favourites. Lomu was this great sensation. Look what happened.
London 1999 - ABs were cruising against France, absolutely destroying them. Look what happened. This is one if the best games of rugby I've ever seen btw.
Sydney 2003 - ABs again favourites. Look what happened. They handed England the WC that's what happened.

On the big day the ABs choke. The history is there for all to see.

Chokers.

rugbymatt

4 games in well over 100, nice statistics.

Mcaw? A cheat?

You are going to have to explain how the IRPA player of the year is a cheat?!

and don't get me started on the SA final!!!!!!

Amazulu

Big day.
Big game.
Choke.

Dried Graze

Thanks for the Vic time conversion. Do you know which matches are being shown and which are not? I heard only half of the pool matches were being shown and then, not all live. WTF? I would like to see how teams progress, or not as the case may be. What's the problem showing the other half? Had they released this (lack of) information earlier, I would have subscribed to satellite tv.

chrispy

Here we go again.. i have a sense of deja vu here.. my monies (not much admittedly) is on Namibia They have never won anything so the odds suggest it is their year

Amazulu

For those of you fortunate enough to be in Perth, today's West Australian has a RWC supplement that lists all the broadcast times on 10 and Foxtel.

Buzzy--Bee

This website has details of which are being shown on Channel 10 etc

http://www.rugby.com.au/default.aspx?s=rwc-telecast

Buzzy