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Most bookies over here seem to think it'll be a stroll in the park for the All Blacks. The Pumas put up a pretty good show against France, though. The home side's match with Ireland in a fortnight will be some spectacle.

France must have been playing within the rules to lose to Argentina
Either that or their just shite compared to their great run at all cost teams of yesteryear

It will either be a spectacle of a nightmare

I've not been following the teams for the past few years so have no idea of who is really up for it.Ireland used to be number 2 in the world not that long ago

I suspect the winner will either be NZ or SA with some entertaining match ups after the group stage when the minnows are sent home with their tales between their legs

A lot will depend on injuries. With a fully fit squad, the Irish would give any side a decent match. But they went off the boil earlier this year, so it's hard to tell what we'll get.

France might have preferred a match against minnows for their opener, just to calm the nerves. They missed easy penalties in the second half, but were vulnerable on the counter.

No ideas on who will win, but three of the four semi-finalists will probably be from the southern hemisphere.

Anything is possible in 1 off matches

Realistically there are only 10 nations in the tournament of which 6 have the goods to win it if history is anything to go by

New Zealand are streets ahead of the rest but 1 off matches makes them vulnerable

South Africa are just plain dirty and stoop to any level to win so can never be written off

Australia are way off the mark relying on too many ageing stars and underdone players returning from injury or other nocturnal activities

I'd lump Wales,Ireland & England together in that anything is possible

France are always the dark horse in every tournament

Argentina as they proved against France can cause the occasional upset but usually never get passed the quarters

Italy & Scotland make up the numbers

of course I haven't been following the game that closely so I could well be said to be talking out of my proverbial...lol

The big shock on the opening day with the highly underrated Pumas beating the very nervous French. The All Blacks and Wallabies walloping Italy and Japan respectively. England were woeful against the USA.

The South Africa v Samoa game was very dirty game with plenty of late and high tackles going in - mainly by the Samoans. It was a surprise that no one was sent off!

Wales came from behind to beat a determined Canada side and Scotland got about 5 out of 10 in beating newbies to the RWC Portugal.

warren zevon rip wrote:

> Trumpton wrote:
>
> > Scotland got about 5 out of 10 in beating newbies to the RWC
> > Portugal.
>
> Scotland were fine, just a little careless with handling. A
> chap from my old school sored a try for them! Well done!

Which one? Lamont, Dewey, Lawson, Southwell, Brown, Ford?

> And come on Namibia - wonderful country!

Do you have insight about Namibia then Wazz?

Btw, Ireland wobbled to a 32-17 win over Namibia.

There's another hurdle ahead for France.
If they are the runner-up in Pool D they are likely to play the All Blacks in Cardiff.

Mart