Rugby World Cup 2023

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Am I on my own in here then?

It's ok, more Steinlager for me.

[basherX]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Am I on my own in here then?

It's ok, more Steinlager for me.

I’m trying to work out why my idiot mate needs three times as much luggage as I do and exactly how to fit it into the car.

[basherX]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

basherX said:

Jordie Barretts sock said:

As I posted in the General rugby thread, I will either be very noisy or very quiet tomorrow evening.

On a scale of 1-10 how confident are you?

Honestly?

Heart says we'll win well. Head isn't quite so sure but thinks we will win. If I give it more than a moment's thought (which I'm not comfortable with ) then I am 60/40 we will win but by a lot or a little I don't know.

Depends who turns up. If we turn up like we did against the Saffies at Head Office then we're in trouble. If we turn up like we did in Auckland, we'll be fine. A lot also depends on France. If nerves get to them, they'll lose heavily.

I think it’s wide open but agree with your last point: the psychology of the French side will be a massive factor.

Hope it lives up to the billing.

[Kermit power]

biggbn said:

Once we go out, my alligances switch to the Springboks, always been my second international team. Go boks!!

Gosh, really? I don't think I've ever heard anyone claim SA as a second team before!

That's right up there with a fan of any other team claiming Sarries as their second team!

[DodgyGeezer]

basherX said:

I think it’s wide open but agree with your last point: the psychology of the French side will be a massive factor.

Hope it lives up to the billing.

I do think that having Sean E there is a very good thing for their consistency. Previous French teams would let st get on top of them, then the crowd and then implode. Northern English grit has been added so they actually seem to enjoy the grunt-work....

[basherX]

DodgyGeezer said:

basherX said:

I think it’s wide open but agree with your last point: the psychology of the French side will be a massive factor.

Hope it lives up to the billing.

I do think that having Sean E there is a very good thing for their consistency. Previous French teams would let st get on top of them, then the crowd and then implode. Northern English grit has been added so they actually seem to enjoy the grunt-work....

True. I was watching Squidge review of the French on the way home from work and you can definitely see the Edwards influence right across their four year development. He’s a brilliant coach.

[fat80b]

basherX said:

I’m trying to work out why my idiot mate needs three times as much luggage as I do and exactly how to fit it into the car.

It’s a rugby weekend - no bag required!

I’m wearing my Wales top and a Guinness hat and everything else will need to fit in my shorts pockets. (ie passport, toothbrush and phone charger). Job jobbed

[biggbn]

Kermit power said:

biggbn said:

Once we go out, my alligances switch to the Springboks, always been my second international team. Go boks!!

Gosh, really? I don't think I've ever heard anyone claim SA as a second team before!

That's right up there with a fan of any other team claiming Sarries as their second team!

Everyone else supported the bloody All Blacks, I'm a contrary old bugger! Boks haven't always had the success they are having man. I'm mid fifties so old enough to remember the rebirth of the team and the country.

[Mr Magooagain]

Nightmare start for me so far. We drove 3 hours down to Bordeaux and got parked up in a nice spot for the long weekend. Then went for a stroll around town,my mate said he feels a bit rough so went back to the truck for a sit down.
Next minute he’s turned grey and started shaking and had to leg it to the bog where he stayed for about 2 hours!
I’ve had to get him tablets to stop him being sick and crapping,and Covid test!

I had to get him back home to rest up and he’s still asleep(or dead)!

Hopefully back down to Bordeaux very early morning tomorrow for the two games!

Dog was pleased to see me though!

[basherX]

Crikey, that’s a bit rubbish. Hope your mate recovers swiftly.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

biggbn said:

Kermit power said:

biggbn said:

Once we go out, my alligances switch to the Springboks, always been my second international team. Go boks!!

Gosh, really? I don't think I've ever heard anyone claim SA as a second team before!

That's right up there with a fan of any other team claiming Sarries as their second team!

Everyone else supported the bloody All Blacks, I'm a contrary old bugger! Boks haven't always had the success they are having man. I'm mid fifties so old enough to remember the rebirth of the team and the country.

Translation: I watched that film with Morgan Freeman.

[biggbn]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

biggbn said:

Kermit power said:

biggbn said:

Once we go out, my alligances switch to the Springboks, always been my second international team. Go boks!!

Gosh, really? I don't think I've ever heard anyone claim SA as a second team before!

That's right up there with a fan of any other team claiming Sarries as their second team!

Everyone else supported the bloody All Blacks, I'm a contrary old bugger! Boks haven't always had the success they are having man. I'm mid fifties so old enough to remember the rebirth of the team and the country.

Translation: I watched that film with Morgan Freeman.

My age makes it more likely that the '74 Lions tour had passed into folklore during my impressionable years. I've never seen the film you mention, or if I have I have no recollection of it although I am aware of it. I always assumed it would be an 'americanised' version of much nastier, much dirtier real life events?

Wow, this place is friendly this morning. I'm not enough of a rugby fan to have understood the saracens reference, don't follow club rugby I'm afraid. Looking forward to the opener tonight hugely, hope for a great game as I've nae dog in the fight...and if I did I'd not mention it for fear of criticism and smartarse comments

[DodgyGeezer]

biggbn said:

Everyone else supported the bloody All Blacks, I'm a contrary old bugger! Boks haven't always had the success they are having man. I'm mid fifties so old enough to remember the rebirth of the team and the country.

being of a similar vintage (+a few years) I kinda know what you mean - someone who is always in the mix for a dream team for me is Dannie Gerber.





Anywho disaster for me this evening. The Mrs has had a change of plans and her best friend is coming over meaning I'm going to miss the whole opening stuff live Oh well, c'est la vie - that's what recording was invented for

[Kermit power]

biggbn said:

Jordie Barretts sock said:

biggbn said:

Kermit power said:

biggbn said:

Once we go out, my alligances switch to the Springboks, always been my second international team. Go boks!!

Gosh, really? I don't think I've ever heard anyone claim SA as a second team before!

That's right up there with a fan of any other team claiming Sarries as their second team!

Everyone else supported the bloody All Blacks, I'm a contrary old bugger! Boks haven't always had the success they are having man. I'm mid fifties so old enough to remember the rebirth of the team and the country.

Translation: I watched that film with Morgan Freeman.

My age makes it more likely that the '74 Lions tour had passed into folklore during my impressionable years. I've never seen the film you mention, or if I have I have no recollection of it although I am aware of it. I always assumed it would be an 'americanised' version of much nastier, much dirtier real life events?

Wow, this place is friendly this morning. I'm not enough of a rugby fan to have understood the saracens reference, don't follow club rugby I'm afraid. Looking forward to the opener tonight hugely, hope for a great game as I've nae dog in the fight...and if I did I'd not mention it for fear of criticism and smartarse comments

In simple terms, both Sarries and SA are very successful, but their success has typically owed more to the sledgehammer than to the rapier so it rarely makes for much of a scintillating spectacle for the neutral observer.

[DocJock]

DodgyGeezer said:

being of a similar vintage (+a few years) I kinda know what you mean - someone who is always in the mix for a dream team for me is Dannie Gerber.

An utterly fantastic player. Imagine having him at 13 and Jonah on the wing. Defence's worst nightmare.

[DodgyGeezer]

DocJock said:

DodgyGeezer said:

being of a similar vintage (+a few years) I kinda know what you mean - someone who is always in the mix for a dream team for me is Dannie Gerber.

An utterly fantastic player. Imagine having him at 13 and Jonah on the wing. Defence's worst nightmare.

the problem with Danny G for me is the (IMO) other standout choice in his position, a certain monsieur.... Phillipe Sella. In truth, I'd find it hard (impossible?) to choose between the 2 since my recollection of Sella is that, like Gerber, he was as hard as nails.

Like you say big Jonah would be on the one wing - what about t'other wing? Campo? Robinson? Caucaunibuca?

[Rockettvr]

Very much looking forward to tonight’s game
Has all the recipe for being a corker fingers crossed
Last 8 seems easy to predict with the only possible fly in the ointment being if Scotland can get a win against SA or Ireland to get through as a runner up. I get the feeling that they’ll make life very uncomfortable for both sides in their respective matches
England can count themselves lucky on a very favourable draw , basically they can lose the opener against Argentina, should get through by beating the rest of the group, and 1 good performance against wales or Australia neither of whom have been exactly convincing of late would see us in the semi’s !
As an Englishman I’m not sure if that would be a good or bad thing though.
Can see Ireland going well but not winners
Think France will fold under the weight of expectation at some point although I think they’ll win tonight and top their group
I’m going for a SA France final with SA winners
Never bet against the AB coming good though!

[DocJock]

DodgyGeezer said:

DocJock said:

DodgyGeezer said:

being of a similar vintage (+a few years) I kinda know what you mean - someone who is always in the mix for a dream team for me is Dannie Gerber.

An utterly fantastic player. Imagine having him at 13 and Jonah on the wing. Defence's worst nightmare.

the problem with Danny G for me is the (IMO) other standout choice in his position, a certain monsieur.... Phillipe Sella. In truth, I'd find it hard (impossible?) to choose between the 2 since my recollection of Sella is that, like Gerber, he was as hard as nails.

Like you say big Jonah would be on the one wing - what about t'other wing? Campo? Robinson? Caucaunibuca?

Rupeni C for me, although I could be presuaded to have Sella at 13 and Gerber at 14.

[DodgyGeezer]

DocJock said:

Rupeni C for me, although I could be presuaded to have Sella at 13 and Gerber at 14.

the other question is though - Rupeni C (biggest ever waste of talent?) would make it to a team of the biggest 'blown their talent', who would join him? You'd have to say a certain Mr Cips would have to be in with a shout for 10

[biggbn]

Kermit power said:

biggbn said:

Jordie Barretts sock said:

biggbn said:

Kermit power said:

biggbn said:

Once we go out, my alligances switch to the Springboks, always been my second international team. Go boks!!

Gosh, really? I don't think I've ever heard anyone claim SA as a second team before!

That's right up there with a fan of any other team claiming Sarries as their second team!

Everyone else supported the bloody All Blacks, I'm a contrary old bugger! Boks haven't always had the success they are having man. I'm mid fifties so old enough to remember the rebirth of the team and the country.

Translation: I watched that film with Morgan Freeman.

My age makes it more likely that the '74 Lions tour had passed into folklore during my impressionable years. I've never seen the film you mention, or if I have I have no recollection of it although I am aware of it. I always assumed it would be an 'americanised' version of much nastier, much dirtier real life events?

Wow, this place is friendly this morning. I'm not enough of a rugby fan to have understood the saracens reference, don't follow club rugby I'm afraid. Looking forward to the opener tonight hugely, hope for a great game as I've nae dog in the fight...and if I did I'd not mention it for fear of criticism and smartarse comments

In simple terms, both Sarries and SA are very successful, but their success has typically owed more to the sledgehammer than to the rapier so it rarely makes for much of a scintillating spectacle for the neutral observer.

Thanks for that, and that hits the nail on the head. That's WHY the South Africans are my second team, they play with a remorseless physicality that appeals to my inner, and sometimes outer, caveman!!