FIJI Qualify

Fiji scraped passed the Cook Islands 108 - 6, so the group is almost complete.

yeah the size difference was huge. Cook Islanders arent generally very tall and that sure showed. Nadolo dwarfed his opposites as he strolled through.

Fiji join Australia, England and Wales in the pool stages.

Two places to be decided, Africa 1 and Play-off winner.

Africa 1 will be decided by the winner of the 2014 Africa Cup Division 1A this week and is between Kenya, Madigascar, Namibia and Zimbabwe, with games today, Wednesday and next Sunday.

The runner up will play Russia in a play-off. The winner of that match will play the winner of Uruguay vs Hong Kong for a place in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. First play-off games will be on the first weekend of August, the final play-off game will be a two-legged affair in September/October.

Africa 1 will join NZ, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia, while the play-off winner will join Australia, England, Wales and now Fiji.

If Namibia do it again Wales will be in the same group as Fiji and Namibia again like 2011, in fact this is the 3rd time Wales and Fiji have been in the same group.

I think Madagascar has a good chance.

Biltong wrote:I think Madagascar has a good chance.

That's got to be the dream, fingers crossed.

Showing live on the irb site today BST 11.00 & 13.00;

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2072112.html#rugby+mad+out+africa+into+world+cup

kingelderfield wrote:Showing live on the irb site today BST 11.00 & 13.00

It's not exactly top quality, but it's pretty fun to watch. Good size crowd too.

No fairytale for the Cook Islands, with their 500 registered players.

Scores on the doors anyone?

Kenya 29-22 Namibia
Zimbabwe 57-22 Madagascar

Lowlandbrit wrote:Kenya 29-22 Namibia
Zimbabwe 57-22 Madagascar

Cheers LLB, would be great too see a new team qualify

kingelderfield wrote:

Lowlandbrit wrote:Kenya 29-22 Namibia
Zimbabwe 57-22 Madagascar

Cheers LLB, would be great too see a new team qualify

Personally was hoping for Madagascar. Any team which can draw 30,000+ to a national match certainly has enough of a Rugby culture to add something to a RWC. That is part of what this tournament is all about. They probably would have had a slim chance for any wins, but their fans would likely have been something different I am sure. On the other hand Fiji probably has their aim 4-square on you-know-who (hint: the country in the Fijian cross hairs likes dragons, daffodils, leeks, and the colour red). Certainly not me i the line of fire: Personally, I don't mind dragons, are neutral about daffodils, don't like the effing leek which is a weed in the lawn which is actually a bulb. Only way to exterminate the rat-bastards is to tediously pull 'em out by the bulb below the root, The colour red belongs on proper wine, on fine young ladies who stroll the village square in late evening offering an usual and intimate level of comfort, "hey big guy, you want a date? The colour Red belongs on my TR6, being loverly restored.

doctor_grey wrote:Personally was hoping for Madagascar.

Think a lot of people were, but they lacked a bit of organisation in defence and Zimbabwe had a couple of players they just couldn't deal with. Wouldn't expect their other games to be much different. Namibia-Zimbabwe on Wednesday will be a big game, if Namibia win they probably go into the repechage, if Zimbabwe win it sets up their game with Kenya on Sunday nicely to decide automatic qualification.

I also back Fiji to make the second stage.
 
I mean, just check this glorious madness out from 3 weeks ago:

 
Perhaps I'm biased because Matawalu and Big Naka play for Glasgow, but that is wonderful stuff to watch.

I'm going to stick my neck out and predict that Nakarawa will be one of the players of the year in the Pro12.

He is so athletic, so quick, and his skill set is ridiculous - I've never seen a forward who can offload one-handed like he does.

Im hoping Kenya will qualify.

George Carlin wrote:
 
Perhaps I'm biased because Matawalu and Big Naka play for Glasgow, but that is wonderful stuff to watch.

Yes...it's because you are biased. That is shyte rugby of the highest order!

.....................

SecretFly wrote:

George Carlin wrote:
 
Perhaps I'm biased because Matawalu and Big Naka play for Glasgow, but that is wonderful stuff to watch.

Yes...it's because you are biased.  That is shyte rugby of the highest order!

.....................  

  I am Scottish, so anything looks good to me, really.

I was expecting Fiji to win, but not by such a huge margin, but then again Cook Islands only have a tiny population.

Second round results from Africa:
Kenya 34-0 Madagascar
Namibia 24-20 Zimbabwe

Kenya's rise to the top of African rugby has been quite astonishing and has gone under the radar too.

In 2006 they lost 84-12 to Namibia and are now on the verge of qualifying for the WC. Their 7s team has also been doing remarkable well.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Kenya's rise to the top of African rugby has been quite astonishing and has gone under the radar too.

In 2006 they lost 84-12 to Namibia and are now on the verge of qualifying for the WC. Their 7s team has also been doing remarkable well.

But they have had a fairly successful 7's team for quite a while. You could also possibly argue that there is another team at the top of African rugby but I think I know what you mean  

Zimbabwe currently 25-10 up against Kenya with 10 minutes left, and in a position to qualify.

COME ON ZIMBABWE!!

Final score: Zimbabwe 28-10 Kenya

Note: For some reason, the result is being reported as 27-10. This is an error. The scoreboard on the live coverage was wrong - Zimbabwe with 25 points and then score a penalty.

Well done Namibia. I thought they had slipped down the African rankings but they pulled it off.