Knockout Stage - General Discussion

[flibbertyjibber]

Ireland
England
South Africa
New Zealand

England v New Zealand final with NZ winning comfortably.

[TT Boy]

Wales
England
Aus
NZ

Wales have been impressive all WC and look a good outside bet to reach their first WC final. Think Aus with Beale and Pocock fit will be too much for South Africa, especially with Frans Steyn gone. England France could be the cripple fight. NZ even without Carter should find a severely injury hit Argie side not much trouble. Roll on next week.

[Uppercut]

It's a bit of a shame we don't get to see any games between sides who don't face off often until the final. Great from an Irish perspective, although I don't know if I could take losing a World Cup semi-final to England..

[Quaggas]

Finally, someone worth defeating. (am ignoring Wales here, but just saw Arthur and had to use the Saxon King's line)

[_Ed_]

Decided to cough up for a ticket to the NZ-Argentina game. In the cheap(ish) seats, so I hope the weather's better on Sunday than it is today.

[social]

Wales
Australia (won 5 of the last 6 against the Saffies)
England
ABs

Final a battle of the sheep-shaggers with the southern hemisphere mob winning pretty handily after a tight first 50 or so

[JBH001]

Ireland
England
South Africa
New Zealand

AB/South Africa v Ireland final.

I hope Australia goes down well, they need parity up front to do anything.

[ripper868]

Wales
France
Australia
Argentina (bout time they win one - best they've done is a draw)

[Hurricane]

I can't deal with losing to Argentina - I will turn in my passport for a refund.

[Quaggas]

Bakkies likely out

[Meridio]

Have been trying to persuade my flatmates to go to one of the quarters this weekend, but had no luck (they're all students and say they can't afford it). Both games would be good to go to and are hard to pick, but if the weather stays as it has been all week here in Wellington it's hard to see Australia getting up.

Anyway, had previously been thinking an NZ-France final was on the cards, resulting in endless articles about history repeating itself etc., but they're looking decidedly rubbish. So are England, mind, but for them playing well doesn't seem to be a prerequisite to winning.

[Somerset]

ABs havenamed their squad for the Argentina QF with Dagg, Guildford and Kahui all unavailable to various injuries. That means SBW plays on the wing and opens up a bench spot for Cruden. Forwards pick themselves.

Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Cory Jane, Mils Muliaina

Replacements: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Victor Vito, Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Cruden, Isaia Toeava

[Somerset]

Decided to cough up for a ticket to the NZ-Argentina game. In the cheap(ish) seats, so I hope the weather's better on Sunday than it is today.

Weather's looking pretty good for Auckland over the weekend so you might be in luck. Wellington expected to get some rain on Saturday for Wales vs Ireland but be fine for the Sunday match.

[Hurricane]

I believe that France will get up over England primarily because they have the better kicker. Discuss...

[Athlai]

Didn't expect to see Cruden on the bench so soon.