WINTER Rugby Tours - Prediction League

[Toni]

Disappointingly I read today AWJ saying that being able to match the ABs intensity "wouldn't happen overnight". That's true I know, but the game has been professional for 15 years and we're still a full 40 minutes away from matching them. What are they doing that we're unable to cotton onto, or is it just, as I believe it is, all in the top 2 inches - our players are simply not mentally strong enough?

Whatever it is, let's hope they can pull off a miracle on the weekend!

[pharvey]

I think it's fair to say that I allowed patriotism to blind me last weekend whilst predicting Wales to win by 3 points - yeah right, when Beelzibub's back lawn get's a tad cool......

That said, there will be no repeat this weekend and I have earnestly studied the current form of both teams, pitch condition, forecasted climate conditions as well as the idiosyncrasies of both the referee and linesmen..... I therefore confidently predict Wales by 2!!

Ireland to come close, but to fall short to an improved Australian performance.
A brave performance by Italy, but simply outclassed in the final quarter.
Tough match for the French, but they run out comfortable and worthy winners.

The yellow cap is mine.......

Good luck to all

[Toni]

Just turned on the radio and listened to the last 15 minutes of the 1st half. 13-3 to the ABs at half time, but how annoying that another moment of ill discipline gets us a yellow card seconds before the whistle. When will these players learn? Fearing the worst for the 2nd half!

[Toni]

Didn't turn out too bad in the end. Listened to the game on the internet via NZ sport radio, and the boys played the full 80 at last. And we scored our 1st try against the ABs in 5 years, and the NZ commentator called Jamie Roberts the best inside centre in the world! He must have played well to get a recommendation like that from a kiwi!

[pharvey]

Actually, pretty decent display by Wales, despite a few "muppet moments" giving away several very kickable penalties - not to mention the yellow card for Byrne. Thankfully, Wales only shipped 6 points during that period, defending bl**dy well. Very soft try in the final minute was very disappointing after all the hard work Wales had put into defence and in Roberts' try.

Really missed a play-maker/line-breaker as in Hook or Williams on this tour. Jamie Roberts had a good game, but "best inside center in the world" is pushing it a bit despite my loyalty and bias towards Wales! Would love to have seen Martin Williams and Gethin Jenkins there also.......

All in all, a good performance by Wales, and much improved on last week - finally turning up for the full 80.

Pity NZ are in a different bl**dy league

On a final note, Kaplan is an utter plonker - 2 yellows given in the 2nd half (1 each to Wales and NZ) were completely unnecessary. Referring of the scrums was a joke at times

Anyway....... bring on Australia vs Ireland

[pharvey]

Wow..... The French implode on the rugby pitch as well

I was expecting Argentina to be fully up for the game and to give the surrender monkeys a hard, hard game........ but for them to kick Les Bleus'collective @rses 41-13

Excellent win for the Pumas - the only downside Oz and Pete take the spoils

Congrats on winning the round guys

[pharvey]

And congrats to Oz on YET ANOTHER title...... Damn, thought there was another couple of games next week! That's my excuse for not finishing 1st, and I'm sticking to it!

Bring on the Currie Cup and Tri-Nations!!

[PeteC]

Yes, congratulations to Oz once again! It can't last forever, we're gonna gettcha sooner or later. Pete