RWC: AUS v ENG (Twickenham): POOL A; 6am (AEDT) Sunday 4 October

[Dewald Nel]

Well beating them about 10 times in a row.. Pretty good Reason to think were better?

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Yeah they've had a horrible run against you guys, many close games. They can put that right in a few weeks.

 

[Wales Fan]

Well beating them about 10 times in a row.. Pretty good Reason to think were better?

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Rankings are a complete load of bull anyway, does anyone actually care ?

 

[kiap]

Yeah they've had a horrible run against you guys, many close games. They can put that right in a few weeks.

Fair call.

“Sure, you might beat them ten out of ten. But NOBODY beats Wales eleven times in a row!”

 

[the plastic paddy]

Rankings are a complete load of bull anyway, does anyone actually care ?

If Gatty had cared a bit more when the seedings were made for this RWC, Wales wouldn't have found themselves in such a tough group.

 

[Dewald Nel]

If Gatty had cared a bit more when the seedings were made for this RWC, Wales wouldn't have found themselves in such a tough group.

If they were 5th/6th/7th/8th and England were 9th, they could still have ended up in the same group anyway. Or if they were ranked 2nd/3rd/4th and Australia 9th. It wasn't in their hands who got picked in their group - it was literally the luck of the draw.

Still crazy that Samoa was in the second band back then.

 

[Groucho]

Here's an article from a London journalist. Think it really shows how the fans and rugby media over there are feeling right now. And they are nervous.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/bl...a-michael-cheika-england-rugby-world-cup-2015

What is it with Pommy rugby writers? This is from the aptly named Andy Bull on the same site:

Another part of Cheika’s grand plan seems to be a studious commitment to avoid saying anything that could be construed as even vaguely controversial or provocative.

Um, yeah.

 

[Wales Fan]

If Gatty had cared a bit more when the seedings were made for this RWC, Wales wouldn't have found themselves in such a tough group.

Nothing to do with Gatland, just those greedy barstewards @ the WRU squeezing in that 4th Autumn test to fleece the supporters a little more.

 

[Chunderstruck]

I've got my Fiji jersey ready for Thursday. Actually it's a white polo on which I've artistically drawn Fiji's markings.

I'd prefer it if Fiji lose, so if we beat Eng they are straight out. Then we can enjoy our game against Wales and the poms have to play a meaningless game against Uruguay

 

[qwerty51]

I'd prefer it if Fiji lose, so if we beat Eng they are straight out. Then we can enjoy our game against Wales and the poms have to play a meaningless game against Uruguay

Yeah but that means we might not be #1 in the pool and we have to play our full strength side vs Wales. The rest would come in handy later on.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Nothing to do with Gatland, just those greedy barstewards @ the WRU squeezing in that 4th Autumn test to fleece the supporters a little more.

Fortunately they have invested some of the money in central contracts.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Yeah but that means we might not be #1 in the pool and we have to play our full strength side vs Wales. The rest would come in handy later on.

Do you think Cheika would rest players against Wales? Can't see it with a team trying to build momentum for the QF.

 

[emuarse]

If he's such a masochist wouldn't he be more likely to have a sadist bone in his body?

The masochist said to the sadist, "Hit me, hit me!", to which the sadist replied, "No".

 

[qwerty51]

If we're able to lose and still finish #1 definitely. Momentum is important but so is being fresh for the bigger games later on.

 

[KOB1987]

Do you think Cheika would rest players against Wales? Can't see it with a team trying to build momentum for the QF.

I'd say it would be the same 23 but he might rotate the bench a bit. Subject to injuries of course.

 

[the plastic paddy]

I'd say it would be the same 23 but he might rotate the bench a bit. Subject to injuries of course.

Easy to forget, of course, that so many of the Aussie players are comfortable playing in different positions. I still think Cheika will want to be sure of topping the group to avoid NZ and (probably) SA. Were SA to lose to Scotland, it could be that the Wales V Aus game could be played between two second teams looking to finish second and play Scotland rather than top and play the Saffers.

 

[Marcelo]

In the last 18 months: England, France, South Africa(almost another in South Africa), Ireland.

Australia have lost to Ireland, France and Argentina in that time. Not sure why you seem to think Australia are better than Wales then.

Without David Pocock, the best openside flanker in the world, with another head coach and without Sir Mario Ledesma at the scrum. So Australia is a different animal ATM. The only side that could beat the ABs this year.

 

[Cardiffblue]

If Gatty had cared a bit more when the seedings were made for this RWC, Wales wouldn't have found themselves in such a tough group.

In this

Nothing to do with Gatland, just those greedy barstewards @ the WRU squeezing in that 4th Autumn test to fleece the supporters a little more.

But we did win the fourth game against sa

 

[Cardiffblue]

If Gatty had cared a bit more when the seedings were made for this RWC, Wales wouldn't have found themselves in such a tough group.

True. But if your eyes are on rankings in this tournament the rule is don't come fourth

 

[Cardiffblue]

Without David Pocock, the best openside flanker in the world, with another head coach and without Sir Mario Ledesma at the scrum. So Australia is a different animal ATM. The only side that could beat the ABs this year.

Maybe true re pocock. I'm hoping Australia have improved for saturday

 

[Cardiffblue]

I'd say it would be the same 23 but he might rotate the bench a bit. Subject to injuries of course.

I think we're gonna see a Mexican standoff for who announces their team last