RugbyRebels

Sandydragon wrote:I think we have to be favourites for this one, although France are very capable of pulling a great performance out of the bag, especially at world cups. It also only needs a badly timed red card to bugger us up.

Assuming everyone is fit, there aren’t many selection issues, perhaps who starts at loosehead and number 8 and which out of halfpenny and Watkin is on the bench. Also, do we put Beard on the bench, I’m not sure he is fully back to fitness yet.

Numbers wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:I think we have to be favourites for this one, although France are very capable of pulling a great performance out of the bag, especially at world cups. It also only needs a badly timed red card to bugger us up.

Assuming everyone is fit, there aren’t many selection issues, perhaps who starts at loosehead and number 8 and which out of halfpenny and Watkin is on the bench. Also, do we put Beard on the bench, I’m not sure he is fully back to fitness yet.

He did look a bit off the pace, perhaps we'll stick with Shingler for this one.

normanski wrote:WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

francoisfou wrote:

normanski wrote:WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

I’ve not read anything in the French press, yet. If true, then Wales,unfortunately, will be in the semis.

Sandydragon wrote:

francoisfou wrote:

normanski wrote:WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

I’ve not read anything in the French press, yet. If true, then Wales,unfortunately, will be in the semis.

That’s not a bad achievement for a team who apparently have few good players. Although the more France are written off the more nervous I become.

francoisfou wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:

francoisfou wrote: I’ve not read anything in the French press, yet. If true, then Wales,unfortunately, will be in the semis.

That’s not a bad achievement for a team who apparently have few good players. Although the more France are written off the more nervous I become.

You’re right. Write France off at your peril! I’ve still not seen anything about Dupont’s and Penaud’s « injuries » in the French media. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on the part of walesonline? If these two key players are fit then the odds on a French win will considerably shorten!

normanski wrote:

francoisfou wrote:

Sandydragon wrote: That’s not a bad achievement for a team who apparently have few good players. Although the more France are written off the more nervous I become.

You’re right. Write France off at your peril! I’ve still not seen anything about Dupont’s and Penaud’s « injuries » in the French media. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on the part of walesonline? If these two key players are fit then the odds on a French win will considerably shorten!

You’ve made me quite nervous now and I’ve been sailing through the RWC in a state of calm!

I’ve not seen any reports in the Guardian or Times about the injuries so I assume it’s a bit of disinformation leaked to play a mind game or two.

Great game in prospect.

Sandydragon wrote:

normanski wrote:

francoisfou wrote: You’re right. Write France off at your peril! I’ve still not seen anything about Dupont’s and Penaud’s « injuries » in the French media. Maybe it’s wishful thinking on the part of walesonline? If these two key players are fit then the odds on a French win will considerably shorten!

You’ve made me quite nervous now and I’ve been sailing through the RWC in a state of calm!

I’ve not seen any reports in the Guardian or Times about the injuries so I assume it’s a bit of disinformation leaked to play a mind game or two.

Great game in prospect.

Sorry mate, but it’s not Welsh rugby without the emotion roller coaster!!!

francoisfou wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:[quote="

Sorry mate, but it’s not Welsh rugby without the emotion roller coaster!!!

So true, and you boys will need to have some Kleenex ready for Sunday!

normanski wrote:

francoisfou wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:[quote="

Sorry mate, but it’s not Welsh rugby without the emotion roller coaster!!!

So true, and you boys will need to have some Kleenex ready for Sunday!

My ‘mouchoir’ is cotton; far more sustainable than paper hankies and far more green. And that’s not because of my cold!

The danger for France is that Wales will play flat out for 80 minutes while Les Bleus seem only to concentrate for 35/40 minutes.

Really looking forward to this game.

normanski wrote:WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

francoisfou wrote:

normanski wrote:WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

The Midi Olympique/ Rugbyrama website is now saying that there are doubts about wether these two will be available. Not good news.

francoisfou wrote:

normanski wrote:WoL are saying DuPont and Penaud are doubts for France this weekend.

The Midi Olympique/ Rugbyrama website is now saying that there are doubts about whether (edit spelling!)these two will be available. Not good news.

normanski wrote:The QBE computer has predicted that Wales will win 24 - 13 against France on Saturday. (This is the one that said Wales would beat Australia by one point in the group games. In the event we did it by four!)

A 22-22 draw for England at full time with Australia winning in extra time.

NZ and SA both to win by comfortable margins.

If that’s the outcome then we will be the only NH side in the semis.

I believe England will beat Oz and that the Cherry Blossoms may surprise SA.

Can’t wait for the weekend.

Sandydragon wrote:

normanski wrote:The QBE computer has predicted that Wales will win 24 - 13 against France on Saturday. (This is the one that said Wales would beat Australia by one point in the group games. In the event we did it by four!)

A 22-22 draw for England at full time with Australia winning in extra time.

NZ and SA both to win by comfortable margins.

If that’s the outcome then we will be the only NH side in the semis.

I believe England will beat Oz and that the Cherry Blossoms may surprise SA.

Can’t wait for the weekend.

All of the games are very watchable. Ireland have beaten the All Blacks twice recently and if they can up their game then they could do so again. Japan vs South Africa is a must see. I think the Bokke will win but I predict some nervous South Africans.

Australia England should be an English win, but I do think they have just played into opposition hands a bit by dropping one of their best players from the pool stages.

We should beat France but if they turn up in style then we may not.

Can't wait!

normanski wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:

normanski wrote:The QBE computer has predicted that Wales will win 24 - 13 against France on Saturday. (This is the one that said Wales would beat Australia by one point in the group games. In the event we did it by four!)

A 22-22 draw for England at full time with Australia winning in extra time.

NZ and SA both to win by comfortable margins.

If that’s the outcome then we will be the only NH side in the semis.

I believe England will beat Oz and that the Cherry Blossoms may surprise SA.

Can’t wait for the weekend.

All of the games are very watchable. Ireland have beaten the All Blacks twice recently and if they can up their game then they could do so again. Japan vs South Africa is a must see. I think the Bokke will win but I predict some nervous South Africans.

Australia England should be an English win, but I do think they have just played into opposition hands a bit by dropping one of their best players from the pool stages.

We should beat France but if they turn up in style then we may not.

Can't wait!

Yes it’s strange putting Ford on the bench with Slade at inside centre having only 40 minutes game time before this match.

That could be a big mistake because they’re up against two really big Australian centres. Tuilagi can quite often go missing in action so perhaps the computer is right in forecasting an eighty minute draw.

While I have a few niggling thoughts about Sunday my Zen calm has returned. Only 69 hours to go!