Rugby world cup fever

[Hurricane]

Watched Invictus last night which got me in the mood for the rugby world cup. I made a post about this earlier but can't find it.

Here are the groups

Group A
New Zealand
France
Tonga
Canada
Japan

Group B
Argentina
England
Scotland
Georgia
Romania

Group C

Australia
Ireland
Italy
Russia
United States

Group D

South Africa
Wales
Fiji
Samoa
Namibia

Winner Pool C
vs
Runner-up Pool D

Winner Pool B
vs
Runner-up Pool A

Winner Pool D
vs
Runner-up Pool C

Winner Pool A
vs
Runner-up Pool B

[BoyBrumby]

Group D looks a cracker. On their days either Fiji or Samoa could knock off the leekists and I'd imagine both will be backed by good sized ex-pat and 1st generation supporters in NZ. Not to mention the "neutrals".

If we win Group B (and we should on current form) looks like we'll probably get les bleus. Tricky.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I expect the Auckland Rugby World Cup will be a massive let down. Already annoyed that they've reduced the NPC season to accommodate this.

[flibbertyjibber]

Oh good, we get to send the Sweaty Socks home early before we inevitably beat the French to reach another semi.

[Somerset]

Very much looking forward to the WC given it'll be the first one I'll get to watch in NZ, not having been born when we won the tournament in 87'. I studied the groups a few months ago and it was quite clear that group D was the toughest of the pools. At the time I remember thinking that would actually benefit the South Africans having tougher non-3N/6N opposition in the form of Samoa and Fiji than, say, New Zealand, who have the weaker Tongans and Canadians as the 3rd and 4th ranked teams in their pool.

[Athlai]

Group D is going to be so awesome. Group B may have a bit of drama too.

[Hurricane]

I remember after the last world cup there was talk about including Argentina in the tri nations. But here we are 4 years later and there is nothing definite in the pipeline. Hope they go well again.

[Smudge]

I remember after the last world cup there was talk about including Argentina in the tri nations. But here we are 4 years later and there is nothing definite in the pipeline.

Goodness me. Were you hiding under a rock last year?

Argentina cleared for 2012 Four Nations

[Hurricane]

Goodness me. Were you hiding under a rock last year?

Argentina cleared for 2012 Four Nations

Thanks for setting me straight.

[Hurricane]

Looking forward to One network news tonight - something about England threatening to wear black jerseys for the RWC - wtf?

England players 'wannabes' in black jerseys - PM | Stuff.co.nz

[ripper868]

Yep - that'll be two teams in black going out at the Semi final stages then...

[benchmark00]

Hoping to overcome our traditional rivals Russia.

[Somerset]

To be completely honest, I couldn't care less what colour England's away kit is; black, pink, green, whatever. Obviously I'm fully aware of the tradition behind the AB jersey but that shouldn't give the All Blacks an exclusive right to that colour jersey. Either way England would only need the alternate jersey if they face another team playing in white, and unless they're forced to change against Argentina, or in some unlikely scenario face Fiji, thats not going to eventuate.

[BoyBrumby]

I think we're being cocks over it, tbh. The RFU does have form in this regard.

Being cocks, I mean, not stealing other countries' iconic kits. We usually just steal their players.

EyeThangEwe. I'm here all week.Try the chicken Kiev. Now here's the lovely Debbie on the spoons. Take it away Debs...

[HeathDavisSpeed]

It's probably fair. About a quarter of their team are Kiwis these days, so the all black would probably be the next most apt colour after the lillywhite.