Official Rugby Thread

[marc71178]

Those seems to be the murmurings coming out of the camp, yes.

I would say good, because I'd like to see them play as a unit, but unfortunately I fear the worst if that is the case!

[Smudge]

If it's our top team, don't be surprised to see a 30-point gap after 80 minutes.

[Tim]

oooo don't let that comment come back to bite you!

On current form, you'd expect the AB's to at least win..but 30 points is a big punt.

[Smudge]

oooo don't let that comment come back to bite you!

On current form, you'd expect the AB's to at least win..but 30 points is a big punt.

I predicted (on another forum) 20+-point wins over Wales and Ireland, and I've got full confidence in this side. England cannot expect to win the amount of ball they did against Australia, and they seriously don't know how to use it.

[marc71178]

I'd say he was on the mark with it to be honest...

[Linda]

If it's our top team, don't be surprised to see a 30-point gap after 80 minutes.

If theres one thing Id like to see right now, its that.

[Smudge]

If theres one thing Id like to see right now, its that.

Why's that?

[Linda]

Why's that?

Over the past couple of months its come to my attention just how disgusting English people are when they (occasionally) win...

[Smudge]

Over the past couple of months its come to my attention just how disgusting English people are when they (occasionally) win...

But I'm disgusting all the time yet you still seem to like New Zealanders...

[Tim]

I dunno mate, we're talking about Twickenham here.

Still, I'll be one of the first to congratulate you if your prediction is correct.

[marc71178]

I expect a heavy defeat to be honest.

I mean we only beat the Aussies because they had their families on tour with them (or was it bad refereeing or was it injuries?! )

[Chubb]

Whenever I watch the All Blacks in action I thank fate for contriving that my father was born in Waipukurau, giving me an excuse to support them.

[BoyBrumby]

I'd be interested to see what the spread for Saturday is. I'd be surprised if it's as high as 30 tho.

Obviously if NZ get anything like parity of posession we're right up against it. I can't see the ABs scrum being as poor as Oz's was, but with Vickery & Sheridan there we're going to ask questions of anyone up front.

Our backs are somewhat less of a cause for optimism. Tindall certainly isn't a 12, I think the Oz game showed that. The big prob we have now is that since Greenwood's legs went we don't have a natural inside centre worthy of the name. Our best option is probably Barkley who's essentially a fly-half slumming it.

I take NZ by about two scores (12-15 points sounds about right).

[KennyD]

I expect a heavy defeat to be honest.

I mean we only beat the Aussies because they had their families on tour with them (or was it bad refereeing or was it injuries?! )

It was because George Gregan was playing instead of me.

[BoyBrumby]

From the beeb's website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugb...al/4439358.stm

M Muliaina; D Howlett, T Umaga (capt), A Mauger, S Sivivatu; Dan Carter, B Kelleher; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, C Hayman, C Jack, A Williams, J Collins, R McCaw, R So'oialo.

Replacements: A Hore, N Tialata, J Eaton, M Tuialai'i, P Weepu, J Rokocoko, L MacDonald.

With Oliver not considered it looks like something not unadjacent to a full-strength pick. I'm really trying to see a cause for optimism, but am failing.