Alfresco

Discussion and predictions.

The Springboks need to beat New Zilland in their first game, and then to go on to win it.

I predict three southern hemisphere teams and one northern hemisphere will make the semi finals and a southern hemisphere to win, but hopefully not the all blokes.

Beoz

Can't see the wallabies making the semi's.

Alfresco

Hmmm. They did beat the All Blacks once this year, so anything is possible with them.

Amazulu

Things looking better for the Bokke this year - they seem more settled and cohesive. How good would it be to be in Japan - the best country to visit in Asia - for this. Yokohama is a cracking city and the Japanese will have organised this well

Who's showing the WC in Australia? If it's Foxtel, ITV Hub (available via a simple DNS redirect) is streaming all the games. Okay, you have to watch a few stupid UK ads but worth it for a free service

Beoz

Ha ha ha ha ...... have you tried to get accommodation?

Buzzy--Bee

We're going to be watching all the Australian, English and New Zealand matches. I've been trying to buy a Rugby top for my wife. Admittedly it's an All Blacks top, she is a born and bred Kiwi after all, but I can't even find Wallabies tops. In our local Westfield there is of course a huge shop that sells all things AFL. There is also a shop that sells all things Basketball. But even visiting the Adidas shop, who make the All Blacks gear, results in a response " we don't get much call for Rugby merchandise" . Rebel sport have 2 XXL size All Blacks tops and 1 Wallabies top. My wife ain't XXL. Another shop that resells all sports gear had nothing. DFO Adidas had nothing.

So considering Rugby is only the 6th most popular mens sport in Australia after AFL, Soccer, Rugby League, Basketball and Cricket I think we punch well above our weight.

This could end up being a very interesting World Cup, several teams are playing well - Ireland, Wales, England, South Africa can be added to the potential winners as well as the New Zealanders and the Australians.

Amazulu

Obviously not as I ain't going (!) but I reckon that if you'd booked your accommodation well in advance, you'd be sorted. Also, the beauty of Japan is that they have an insanely integrated and efficient public transport system, so you'd easily be able to get get digs well away from the venues and have little problem getting there

Beoz

The accommodation was a ball ache to get from the moment the ticket ballots were decided.

Amazulu

Sure but any city hosting a huge international sporting event is going to have issues with accommodation. I know London did in 2012

Retirednow

What’s Rugby??

Kim67

The thing that will keep our neighbors awake all night because of the screaming and swearing coming from our house for the next month.

Beoz

All afternoon and evening. It's in Japan. Similar time zone.

Kim67

But if the Wallabies beat the Sprinboks or visaversa, the expletives carry on all night lol.

DeadVim

Retirednow

Thank god for the AFL & NRL