You can't comment on Etihad other than you can't spell it.

The main issue with Etihad has been the grass and getting it right; which they haven't quite. However, sliding roof and hosts footy, cricket, union, league, speedway, concerts etc.

Respond to BB. He posed the question. I really could care less about its grass.

That's our tactic. Get your own

Have you been to an AFL final with an over 100K crowd and sampled the atmosphere? I've been at a few 90K + cricket events there and the atmosphere was fantastic; friends went to the Liverpool friendly and said the atmosphere (one of the biggest ever 'You'll never walk alone' choirs) was first rate. Probably not as good as singing a negro spiritual at Twickers but there you go. Headline in my Scotland on Sunday last Sunday - WHEELS FALL OFF CHARIOT.

I'm responding to Mr Expert on Stadia. Etihad probably satisfies your formula and criteria but they haven't got playing surface right is my point.

Yes I already made that gag in one of these rugby threads. You are a bit slow off the mark.

The point being is you haven't been to anywhere other than Melbourne which categorically means you are in no position to have a discussion on world sporting venues. Whatever the stats on the internet say and whatever your friends say (who may be living in the same box as you) are irrelevant. You've never experienced anywhere else.

I've been to 2 sold out Ashes boxing day tests at the MCG and it isn't even a patch on the fun and atmosphere you get at a Sydney New Years test or an Ashes test at the Oval or in Birmingham. Its all about the stadium design. Its just too big, you are too far away and leaks to much atmosphere

As I keep reminding you, do get out more.

France NZ quarter. These 2 have world cup history.

They were. It was a quality game all round.

We'd also like to see them give SA a run for its money.

Yes, and let's hope France have been reserving their best performance for that game. :f ingerscrossed:

Indeed. Anything can happen with the French.

Your opinions don't equal gospel and opinions don't equal fact; they are open for disagreement. If you think I've just been (and played) at the MCG then it confirms to me that you spent that Spanish holiday at Tossa de Mar.

So tell us all the rugby, football and cricket venues you've ever been to outside Melbourne.

You should try a holiday in Spain ..... oh I forgot ..... a non English speaking country is outside the comfort zone.

I'll let you keep thinking I live in a 'Melbourne bubble'.

Getting back to my original point about the effect of England's exit which you disputed:

England’s exit from the Rugby World Cup is a disaster for business – and could see a £3.5billion loss to the country’s economy, experts have warned. The wheels came off the home nation’s sweet chariot in the disastrous 33-13 capitulation to Australia, our biggest ever defeat to the Wallabies at Twickenham.
It was grim news not just for millions of rugby fans, but for pubs, clubs, shops and restaurants around the country. It was billed as the ‘half a billion pound match’ in terms of the predicted revenue for our hospitality industry, if England could have pulled off victory to stay in the tournament. But defeat means the loss of that revenue - with another £3bn billion expected to be wiped off the value of shares.

Been to Spain, been to Portugal, been to the Canaries, been to the Azores, been to France, been to Germany, been to Belgium, been to Austria, been to Czech Republic, been to the Netherlands, been to Turkey, been to Denmark .............. been to New Zealand, been to Singapore, been to Malaysia, been to Hong Kong, been to China, been to Thailand, been to India, ............enough non English speaking countries for you and sufficiently out of Melbourne?

Any football, rugby or cricket stadiums?

Murrayfield each time Australia has played Scotland since the late 80's; Hampden Park more times than you've had hot breakfasts for Australia vs Scotland WC play-off, SC semi's and finals and Scotland internationals, Cardiff Arms Park for a Welsh international when in Cardiff on tennis duty, Ibrox, Celtic Park, Brunton Park (CUFC), St James Park (NUFC), many Scottish football grounds.................. SCG, Adelaide Oval and Bellerive. Etihad and AAMI Park countless times to watch footy, soccer and rugby. FWIW the most 'atmosphere' I've experienced is the Old Firm matches at Ibrox and Celtic Park. However, most of that is non-religious people using religion as an excuse to impart their ignorance and prejudice to create 'atmosphere'.

I will put my hand up and say I haven't been to a test match in England but I've been to Lords, Old Trafford and Twickers when away on tennis on non-match days. I know somehow you'll claim your 'hypothetical high ground' over this. I don't mention these in any way to brag; merely in response to your inane suggestion that I haven't been anywhere but the MCG.

I'm quietly confident we can do well in this RWC but I fear the neighbours across the Tasman and the Saffers (despite losing to Japan) who will provide sterner tests if we get past Scotland which we should on paper.

I pose a question. I've been to St James' Park for footy and definitely no alcohol is allowed in the crowd; watching Scotland's last 2 games there I couldn't help but notice all the glass bottles. One rule for footy fans and another for the better class of rugger chap?