Pool D - Fiji, Nambia, Samoa, South Africa, Wales
 

10 September 2011
15:30 Fiji v Namibia Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

11 September 2011
20:30 South Africa v Wales Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

14 September 2011
14:30 Samoa v Namibia Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

17 September 2011
18:00 South Africa v Fiji Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

18 September 2011
15:30 Wales v Samoa Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

22 September 2011
20:00 South Africa v Namibia North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

25 September 2011
15:30 Fiji v Samoa Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

26 September 2011
19:30 Wales v Namibia Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

30 September 2011
20:30 South Africa v Samoa North Harbour Stadium, Auckland
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

2 October 2011
18:00 Wales v Fiji Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Men of Harlech, march to glory,
Victory is hovering o'er ye,
Bright-eyed freedom stands before ye,
Hear ye not her call?

Scratch that.

Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven
Feed me till I want no more (want no more)
Feeeeeed me till I want no more!

Now wanting to watch the last few rousing frames of Zulu.

Apart from Namibia - it looks like a wonderful pool

Wales will lose to either Fiji, Samoa or both. In fact, I'm so confident of this, I think I'll bet on it.

Choice of the groups by quite a way for my pound. Whilst SA should win it there are three teams with a proper shout at second.

Absolute agreement with Heef too, the Taffs have an awful record against the pacific islands in world cups. Lost to Western Samoa (as was) in 1991 & Manu Samoa in 1999 and obviously yer Fijians last time round. Think one of them a great shout at knocking them over again.

Samoa coming off arguably their best ever result too, second string Wobblies or not.

Based on your domestic rugby tipping form I'll back Wales to top the group then. :ph34r:

In all seriousness, certainly the pool with the most interest. As I've mentioned already I'd love for one of the Islands to make it past the group stage and in Samoa and Fiji, and a vulnerable Welsh side to face, they're certainly a chance.

Probably the best group :D

Hopefully Samoa can get something out of there game against Wales and knock them out!

What is it with people butchering the SA national anthem? There was this in 2009: Stoned man sings National Anthem - YouTube

Now at the release of their squad yesterday, there was this: Ard Matthews (Just Jinjer) Screws up South Africa National Anthem - YouTube

TBF, every anthem has been butchered at one stage or another.

Anyone see that Penalty goal buy the Namibia 10?

55 metres - solid! and the 45 metre droppy as well.

Loved the drop goals.

Tried to get through the main bits of this game this evening, the Namibian flyhalf Kotze looked very impressive and composed - think he equalled the record for most dropkicks in a WC match behind De Beer in 1999. Also not a bad outing for the Fijian wing Goneva, with four tries to his name - throws those people betting on tournament top try scorer into a bit of a dilemna.

Wales putting up a decent effort in the 1st half especially after conceding the try so early. Pretty attritional stuff from both sides but still quite absorbing.

Thought the floodgates might open after they went behind so early on, but the Leekists have really fronted up to Johnny Bok.

Definitely still in this.

Get inn just jumped out my chair

The saffies look lost