RWC 2015 - build-up thread

Coburger · 05-07-2015 3:17pm

What possible upsets may occur amongst the top teams in the tournament?

Pool A
Very hard to call. I think both Australia and England will go through but what order I have no idea. Wales are ranked above Australia at the moment but it would be more of an upset if they beat the Ozzies.

Pool B
Scotland will find it tough against Samoa and Japan (here's taking if for granted South Africa will win). Could Japan have the beating of them?

Pool C
No upset on the cards for this one.

Pool D
Who knows with this group? I'd say France and Ireland to go through but no idea who will come first and second. I wonder how good Canada and Romania will be against Italy (ranked two and three places respectively behind Italy in current rankings)?

Podge_irl · 05-07-2015 3:22pm

I think Wales are more likely to beat England than Australia, but honestly I think they're in trouble. It's always hard to know with the PI teams, they get a lot more time together leading up to the world cups so are at their best. Samoa could certainly trouble Scotland, but I find it hard to see them actually beating them. Japan are a non-runner.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 05-07-2015 3:52pm

With ITV having the rights in the UK I assume we won't be able to see that here now we've had the horrific UTV Ireland forced on us. TV3 is the only option for viewing?

P_1 · 05-07-2015 3:54pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

With ITV having the rights in the UK I assume we won't be able to see that here now we've had the horrific UTV Ireland forced on us. TV3 is the only option for viewing?

Feck you're right :mad:

bilston · 05-07-2015 3:58pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

With ITV having the rights in the UK I assume we won't be able to see that here now we've had the horrific UTV Ireland forced on us. TV3 is the only option for viewing?

Is UTV Ireland different to UTV? ITV's coverage will be on UTV and ITV4 in NI.

I assume you can probably get ITV4 still down South? Though the big games will all be on ITV1 I imagine.

ITV's team is a mix of BBC, Sky and BT commentators (Harrison and Mullins), presenters (Inverdale and Doyle) and analysts (BOD, Dallaglio,Woodward and Wilkinson) plus plenty of others.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 05-07-2015 4:20pm

bilston wrote: »

Is UTV Ireland different to UTV? ITV's coverage will be on UTV and ITV4 in NI.

I assume you can probably get ITV4 still down South? Though the big games will all be on ITV1 I imagine.

ITV's team is a mix of BBC, Sky and BT commentators (Harrison and Mullins), presenters (Inverdale and Doyle) and analysts (BOD, Dallaglio,Woodward and Wilkinson) plus plenty of others.

UTV Ireland came into existence at the start of the year and is a completely different entity to UTV (the Ulster regional version of ITV)
If you're in the Republic you only get the new UTV Ireland now which is completely useless. So far any sports they've shown where it's also been on ITV 4 is blocked here if an Irish station has the rights. The French Open tennis for example is shown on ITV and mainly on ITV 4 during the week but because Setanta Ireland has the rights to show it here the ITV 4 channel is blocked for the duration of the broadcast. Same goes for the odd football match that might be shown on ITV 4.

So yeah... I'm pretty sure we're stuck with TV3 down here. Who knows, they might be alright, but they don't have anywhere near the lineup ITV has.

EDIT: The last paragraph of this article confirms it

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/ireland-s-six-nations-win-boosts-tv3-s-world-cup-campaign-1.2156372

05-07-2015 5:15pm

Coburger wrote: »

What possible upsets may occur amongst the top teams in the tournament?

Pool A
Very hard to call. I think both Australia and England will go through but what order I have no idea. Wales are ranked above Australia at the moment but it would be more of an upset if they beat the Ozzies.

Pool B
Scotland will find it tough against Samoa and Japan (here's taking if for granted South Africa will win). Could Japan have the beating of them?

Pool C
No upset on the cards for this one.

Pool D
Who knows with this group? I'd say France and Ireland to go through but no idea who will come first and second. I wonder how good Canada and Romania will be against Italy (ranked two and three places respectively behind Italy in current rankings)?

I was discussing pool A with a mate the other week and honestly, England could struggle in my opinion.

They will be under intense pressure and have have been a bit mentally frail at times over the last two seasons.

I think if France have won all their games by the time we face them this would be the best outcome. Hard to call it but I think we can beat them and with the game being played in the millenium there should be good Irish support.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 05-07-2015 6:17pm

Looks like James O'Connor could make the Wallabies squad yet...

Cheika has him doing a specialised fitness program

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/australia-rugby/james-oconnor-to-work-on-speed-michael-cheika-20150705-gi5bp5.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Swiwi. · 05-07-2015 7:59pm

Coburger wrote: »

What possible upsets may occur amongst the top teams in the tournament?

Pool A
Very hard to call. I think both Australia and England will go through but what order I have no idea. Wales are ranked above Australia at the moment but it would be more of an upset if they beat the Ozzies.

Pool B
Scotland will find it tough against Samoa and Japan (here's taking if for granted South Africa will win). Could Japan have the beating of them?

Pool C
No upset on the cards for this one.

Pool D
Who knows with this group? I'd say France and Ireland to go through but no idea who will come first and second. I wonder how good Canada and Romania will be against Italy (ranked two and three places respectively behind Italy in current rankings)?

Scotland vs Samoa is probably the only pool upset on the cards. I reckon Samoa will do it.

DrFloppy · 05-07-2015 9:36pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

So yeah... I'm pretty sure we're stuck with TV3 down here.

:eek:

Do TV3 even broadcast in HD yet? I'm not sure they do?

The Lost Sheep · 05-07-2015 9:41pm

DrFloppy wrote: »

:eek:

Do TV3 even broadcast in HD yet? I'm not sure they do?

It's launching in August in time for the world cup

Teferi · 05-07-2015 9:42pm

DrFloppy wrote: »

:eek:

Do TV3 even broadcast in HD yet? I'm not sure they do?

Part of the broadcasting rights is that it is in HD so TV3 are in the process of upgrading. They'll have it for the WC.

Wang King · 05-07-2015 9:54pm

Itv is available on sky in the "other channels" options if you don't wish to watch tv3

Synode · 06-07-2015 9:56am

Yeh anyone with Sky can watch the old ITV. Us UPC customers are screwed though

The Pheasant2 · 06-07-2015 11:01am

Wang King wrote: »

Itv is available on sky in the "other channels" options if you don't wish to watch tv3

I KNEW IT! Now I know I'm not crazy - a month or so ago my Dad wanted to watch something on ITV and was pissed that sky didn't have it; and I insisted that I'd definitely got ITV on sky somewhere before.

But since it's not listed in the regular guide I had to sit there questioning my sanity while he smugly demonstrated there was no ITV on sky...I'll remember to throw that in his face as soon as I get back from Thailand in a month

Wang King · 06-07-2015 11:04am

The Pheasant2 wrote: »

I KNEW IT! Now I know I'm not crazy - a month or so ago my Dad wanted to watch something on ITV and was pissed that sky didn't have it; and I insisted that I'd definitely got ITV on sky somewhere before.

But since it's not listed in the regular guide I had to sit there questioning my sanity while he smugly demonstrated there was no ITV on sky...I'll remember to throw that in his face as soon as I get back from Thailand in a month

If you really want to upset him bring back a ladyboy and introduce her as your new bride..... Itv will be the least of his worries then!

aimee1 · 06-07-2015 12:35pm

Duane vermeulen to have neck surgery this week according to sky. Might miss RWC

sydthebeat · 06-07-2015 1:39pm

http://www.balls.ie/rugby/nick-cummins-world-cup/299744?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

Honey badger with a chance to break into rwc squad.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 06-07-2015 3:58pm

Kane Douglas has been called up to the Wllabies squad from Leinster. That's an interesting one, considering he hasn't played since April, was it? He doesn't meet the new criteria for overseas players either. Interesting to see what's going on there.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/13689.php#.VZqXB_lVikq

Kiwi_knock · 06-07-2015 4:05pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Kane Douglas has been called up to the Wllabies squad from Leinster. That's an interesting one, considering he hasn't played since April, was it?

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/13689.php#.VZqXB_lVikq

The 60 caps and 7 years requirement has quickly been thrown out the window. Surprised the exception is being made for him as he is very average but Cheika has said before that Douglas is world class so he obviously has forced the Australian Union to made the exception. Can only see this decision frustrating a lot of Aussie players who have committed to staying in the country, Luke Jones, in particular, must be wondering what he did to annoy Cheika.

b.gud · 06-07-2015 4:07pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Kane Douglas has been called up to the Wllabies squad from Leinster. That's an interesting one, considering he hasn't played since April, was it? He doesn't meet the new criteria for overseas players either. Interesting to see what's going on there.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/13689.php#.VZqXB_lVikq

Even when he's gone I can still get a laugh outta MOC

“But the policy the ARU are running with is that guys who aren’t playing Super Rugby and aren’t on Super Rugby contracts aren’t permitted to play for Australia.

“Unless they change their policy, Kane will be with us. He’ll be with us for the next couple of seasons and certainly the World Cup, which will be really important for us.

“If they did change the regulations, which is incredibly unlikely, he would play, he would be selected and we’d crack on as usual. It’s a situation we had with Zane Kirchner last year. If he’s selected to play for his nation, there’s nothing we can do.

“The exemption and changing of ARU policy has massive ramifications for Super Rugby and the game in Australia. I can’t see it happening.”

Source http://the42.ie/1934435

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 06-07-2015 4:08pm

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

The 60 caps and 7 years requirement has quickly been thrown out the window. Surprised the exception is being made for him as he is very average but Cheika has said before that Douglas is world class so he obviously has forced the Australian Union to made the exception. Can only see this decision frustrating a lot of Aussie players who have committed to staying in the country, Luke Jones, in particular, must be wondering what he did to annoy Cheika.

There were stories floating around for a few days that they were trying to get him to commit to playing for an Australian side next season in exchange for an international call up. That Leinster release makes it sound as if they're not having any of that. They're happy to let him go but fully expect him back.

matthew8 · 06-07-2015 4:15pm

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

The 60 caps and 7 years requirement has quickly been thrown out the window. Surprised the exception is being made for him as he is very average but Cheika has said before that Douglas is world class so he obviously has forced the Australian Union to made the exception. Can only see this decision frustrating a lot of Aussie players who have committed to staying in the country, Luke Jones, in particular, must be wondering what he did to annoy Cheika.

It's very selfish short term thinking from Cheika. If you're good enough the rules don't apply to you. Can only increase the exodus of Australian players to Europe. Stabbing his own players in the back too.

sydneybound · 06-07-2015 4:21pm

From what I heard his missus is pregnant and they both want to come home, don't blame them. He's looking for a Super Rugby contract now to get him in the Australia squad.

thomond2006 · 06-07-2015 4:43pm

So the 60 cap rule is now meaningless?

Swiwi. · 06-07-2015 6:13pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

So the 60 cap rule is now meaningless?

Not if he has somehow managed to get out of his Leinster contract and signs on with an Aussie franchise, which was also in the small print of that new agreement - from memory if you commit to the next 2 seasons in Australia, despite not playing there currently, you are eligible for Aussie again.

I'm not the person to know if he has got out of his Leinster deal, though.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 06-07-2015 6:16pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

Not if he has somehow managed to get out of his Leinster contract and signs on with an Aussie franchise, which was also in the small print of that new agreement - from memory if you commit to the next 2 seasons in Australia, despite not playing there currently, you are eligible for Aussie again.

I'm not the person to know if he has got out of his Leinster deal, though.

The statement from Leinster heavily implies that they've been negotiating that very issue for a few weeks with the Aussies. They make it pretty clear though that they expect him back though.

Swiwi. · 06-07-2015 6:21pm

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

The statement from Leinster heavily implies that they've been negotiating that very issue for a few weeks with the Aussies. They make it pretty clear though that they expect him back though.

We shall see. There is zero chance Aussie will include him if he's going back to Leinster, otherwise their new contract thingee is not worth the paper it's printed on...so if he plays for Aussie he's not coming back to Leinster imo.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO · 06-07-2015 6:28pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

We shall see. There is zero chance Aussie will include him if he's going back to Leinster, otherwise their new contract thingee is not worth the paper it's printed on...so if he plays for Aussie he's not coming back to Leinster imo.

I agree completely. I wonder could it be Leinster just hedging their bets. If he doesn't come back they look like they've been hard done by rather than just letting one of their main players leave.

Podge_irl · 06-07-2015 6:28pm

Douglas playing makes absolutely zero sense in the context of the new rules. He's not exactly a superstar either - if he plays either he's leaving Leinster or they're tearing up the new rules.

RWC 2015 - build-up thread

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