Could this be the most competitive Rugby World cup yet...?

Gooseberry wrote:

TJ wrote:In order to do well ie semis or better in the WC you need a settled coaching team, a settled team selection, streength in depth ie a whole second team who can come in with no drop in quality and a couple of real world class players in key po9sitions. Wales simply do not have the depth to do well at the WC.  Also weak in a couple of key areas.  

England 2007, France 2011.

Which of those did Wales have last time that they wont have this time/ They are more settled and more experienced now than they were going into that world cup, and have less liability hot heads. Did they have that much depth last time around? Its only really tighthead where they are lacking a strong bench player.

They were in a tough group last time with a third team who played well enough to have qualified from other pools, ad only missed out on the final by a gnats whisker.

I wouldnt put them in the top 3 in the world but its wrong to rule out second rate teams from making the finals, it happens more often than not because of the way the tournament is structured.

The big issue though fr those in Pool A is that finishing second in itself is no easy task, and then if you do you are likely to face New Zealand in the quarters and SA in the semis which is pretty much a death sentence. So winning the pool is pretty much a must do for making the final, then you (possibly) "only" have to get past Ireland to reach the final.

Given that SA and NZ are likely winners of their groups and the way the draw is only one will make the final. So the door is open for someone else, but Ireland have a much easier route there than Wales or England do. They are also the most successful of those  sides in recent months.

On that basis they are a better bet for the final than Wales are, but i woudlnt rule out the Welsh or Englandish either. Or Australia. Itll probably be France though just to confound everyone (again)

I guess the point is reaching the final is pretty open, theres quite a few teams capable of doing it especially with the best two sides likely meeting in the semis. The winner though is very much likely to be NZ or SA

Gooseberry wrote:
The big issue though fr those in Pool A is that finishing second in itself is no easy task, and then if you do you are likely to face New Zealand in the quarters and SA in the semis which is pretty much a death sentence. So winning the pool is pretty much a must do for making the final, then you (possibly) "only" have to get past Ireland to reach the final.

Given that SA and NZ are likely winners of their groups and the way the draw is only one will make the final. So the door is open for someone else, but Ireland have a much easier route there than Wales or England do. They are also the most successful of those  sides in recent months.

Biltong wrote:How many times have Wales come close to beating the Boks and and failed?

Biltong wrote:You mean the one win, and the others Wales failed

Biltong wrote:Since 2012

SA 38-16 WALES
SA 24- 15 WALES
SA 31-30 WALES
SA 6-12 WALES

Gwlad wrote:

Biltong wrote:Since 2012

SA 38-16 WALES
SA 24- 15 WALES
SA 31-30 WALES
SA 6-12 WALES

Obvoious trend: losing badly then marginally then winning. Great stats to rely on to suggest SA are the better side at the moment and going forward

SA have bigger problems with Samoa first methinks

Biltong wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Biltong wrote:Since 2012

SA 38-16 WALES
SA 24- 15 WALES
SA 31-30 WALES
SA 6-12 WALES

Obvoious trend: losing badly then marginally then winning. Great stats to rely on to suggest SA are the better side at the moment and going forward

SA have bigger problems with Samoa first methinks

Yep, come world cup time our slide will be truly in effect.

Gwlad wrote:

Biltong wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Biltong wrote:Since 2012

SA 38-16 WALES
SA 24- 15 WALES
SA 31-30 WALES
SA 6-12 WALES

Obvoious trend: losing badly then marginally then winning. Great stats to rely on to suggest SA are the better side at the moment and going forward

SA have bigger problems with Samoa first methinks

Yep, come world cup time our slide will be truly in effect.

I'd say after last years 4 Nations and a poor autumn that it already is.

MMaaxx wrote:Speaking of Samoa they somehow have a very proud record against Wales of 4 wins in 9 (including the last match at fortress Millenium Stadium Cardiff), maybe a good thing Wales does not have them in their group too....it is a record even better than Argentina's surprising 1 win in 3 record against the mighty Welsh. UNBELIEVABLE.

Perhaps luckily for Wales they don't face Japan either (considering all that matters is the most recent result right?) who recently thrashed them, as having Fiji (who are known to cause Wales all sorts of problems at RWC's) is bad enough....never mind England (Where Wales have somehow lost 2 in a row) or Australia (Who are on an extremely lucky 10 match winning streak against Wales' finest).

I mean, of course 'on their day' Wales can beat anyone and everyone even a 'World XV' (effectively a World XV B Team as most of the A team would be overrun with Welsh players obviously) wouldn't really stand a chance.

All I know is that the Boks and AB's are thanking the rugby gods that they have the good fortune of missing the all powerful Welsh red machine in the group stages. The thought of meeting Wales 'on their day' is terrifying....good luck to Australia and England....they are really going to need it.

MMaaxx wrote:Biltong, the wins Aus, Eng, Samoa, Argentina, Fiji and Japan have managed over the very impressive Welsh has really filled me with optimism. I am a believer now! Alleluia! Miracles do clearly happen and perhaps this will be the most competitive RWC ever! It can be done! Maybe just maybe the Boks can sneak it (as in 95 and 07). It really can be done! Can I get an Amen?

Biltong wrote:

Amen