Posted August 29, 20231 yr It's back our Rugby World Cup Sweepstake. pick a number 1-20 and once all numbers are selected I will draw at random the numbers. Roll of Honour: 2019- Klumzee (England) [Was the last person standing in the Sweepstake] 1. Houdini Wales 2. 3. 4. Mack- South Africa 5. King Rollo- England 6. One For Sorrow- France 7. steve201- Argentina 8. Last Dreamer- Australia 9. 10. 11. PeteFromLeeds- Scotland 12. 13. Riser Italy 14. Sarah- Japan 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Dobbo- New Zealand
September 5, 20231 yr Author Many thanks to everyone who has taken part so far, it does mean a lot, :) Draw will be on Thursday, the day before the Rugby World Cup starts.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 11. PeteFromLeeds Scotland 40-1 (Appearances 10) [best: Fourth 1991] The head coach, Gregor Townsend, identified Pool B as the tournament’s toughest after the draw, nearly three years ago, but will offer no excuses should Scotland fail to progress to the last eight. Russell has long been re-established in the set-up since falling out of favour in controversial circumstances, and the Bath-bound fly-half captained the side for the first time when they staged a spectacular comeback win against France from 18-0 down at half-time in the warm-ups. Scotland are on an upward trajectory under the impressive Townsend – but can they match the fearsome power of South Africa and Ireland?
September 7, 20231 yr Author 7. steve201 Argentina 25-1 (Appearances 10) [best: 3rd 2007] Argentina burst on to the Rugby World Cup stage in 2007, beating France on the opening night in Paris and defeating the host nation again to finish third. The current iteration of the Pumas contains a healthy blend of experience and youth: the well -travelled hooker Agustín Creevy is back for a fourth tournament at 38, as is the 34-year-old fly-half Nicolás Sánchez. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old forward Pedro Rubiolo of Newcastle, who can play lock or flanker, has forced his way into Cheika’s squad. Emiliano Boffelli, who can slot in at wing or full-back, is metronomic off the kicking tee.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 13. Riser Italy 500-1 (Appearances 10) [best: Pool Stages Every Time] A winless 2023 Six Nations followed their famous victory in Cardiff in 2022, but there is little doubt Italy are making progress under Kieran Crowley. Their improving attack posed problems for all their European opponents and that narrow defeat by France showed the Azzurri are capable of mixing it with the world’s best. The diminutive wing Ange Capuozzo continues to dazzle with his pace and nose for the try-line, while the Montpellier fly-half Paolo Garbisi is growing in stature. Losing the centre Tommaso Menoncello was a setback, but Italy still harbour hopes of inflicting a shock defeat on New Zealand or France.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 5. King Rollo England 16-1 (Appearances 10) [best: Winners 2003] We will never know what sort of shape England would be in had Eddie Jones not been sacked, but scant progress has been evident in the early stages of Steve Borthwick’s tenure. Leaky defensively and blunt in attack, the former Leicester coach’s side have also appeared physically underpowered at times. Throw in suspensions for Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola and it has been a challenging lead-in, to say the least. Can Borthwick get the best out of dangerous strike runners such as Manu Tuilagi and Henry Arundell? Something is clearly missing; England supporters are praying it will be all right on the night.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 6. One For Sorrow France 3-1jf (Appearances 10) [best: Runner-Ups 1987,2011, 2015] The shrewd stewardship of Fabien Galthié and the work of his accomplished band of coaches has transformed France into a supremely cohesive unit with a straightforward game plan. They possess an often devastating blend of attacking panache, forward power and defensive discipline, with destructive ball carriers such as the centres, Gaël Fickou and Jonathan Danty, personifying the squad’s mix of skill and strength. From the heavyweight prop Uini Atonio to the richly talented 20-year-old wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey and the ever-threatening wing Damian Penaud, Les Bleus present danger all over the pitch.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 1. Houdini Wales 40-1 (Appearances 10) [best: 3rd 1987] George North, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny have more than 100 caps, while Liam Williams is an assured presence under the high ball and clinical and imaginative in attack. Losing the veteran front-row Ken Owens to injury means Wales will be co-captained by Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake after the great Alun Wyn Jones announced his retirement from internationals. Gatland has some strong alternatives to call on such as the 21-year-old Christ Tshiunza in the pack: the Exeter forward can play in the back row or at lock. Biggar is superb at controlling from fly-half.
September 7, 20231 yr Author 4. Mack South Africa 7-2 (Appearances 8) [best: Winners 1995, 2007, 2019] As the former Ireland coach Declan Kidney once said: “You never retain anything: You give it back and try to win it again.” South Africa’s attempt at a second consecutive trophy and a record fourth is shaping up rather nicely. Competition for places in the pack is particularly fierce but the “Bomb Squad” is divided into starters and finishers, rather than first-choice picks and replacements. Handing a first Test start at outside centre to a 20-year-old in the final warm-up match could smack of desperation for anyone else. In the case of the talented Canan Moodie, it was another example of the options available to the world champions.
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