I particularly like how we can improve vastly!

Aussies' will be a tough game. They've not had a bad season and they've a few talented players!

Ireland VS NZ should be good. I'm sure they'll make Ireland look ordinary, which seems to be the case with them as late - hope they can prove me wrong!

Well they played Canada last, that can always set a team back. Creates bad habits when you play bad opponents (no offense to Canada but they really were bad).

I haven't seen the All Blacks play lately, last time i saw them they didn't look very sharp, but it's so like them. One minute they look like they are about to give up a try and all of a sudden they score one themselves.

England has so much speed now with the new backs, a little experience could do wonders for their decision making also.

Wales VS Canada tonight. Expecting to give them a right tuning and cannot wait to see Stoddart rip Canada apart along with the likes of halfpenny. But more so Stoddart, he is an oxe at attacking, just sadly a fish at defending

It's on the red button in England if anyone is interested. C'mon Wales!

(Over 50,00 tickets sold and still rising, that's amazing)

I can't get myself to talk about that perfomance it was so bad, so I'm gonna bed

I'll say one thing.
That Welsh team out there tonight, if any of you read this, go and take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror before going to bed.

I have no need to say anything, you summed it up!

Don't know what's wrong with the Welsh team at the moment...........

Some big games today. Hopefully England can turn over the old foe, although we normally save it for the big games so don't be surprised if we get a smashing. Depends obviously on the team put out! The forwards need a big game, less ball turned over, although so long as the backs get good running ball I should imagine a few scores today from both sides.

Ireland VS NZ - It would be about time they beat NZ. I'm going for NZ win by 40 points!

The Ospreys is what is wrong with Wales. I'm amazed how Gatland and co have got them to play some half decent rugby at times. Then there is a tiny feeling inside me that is worried about their ego, but it's unlikely after watching the interviews etc...

I think this is a massive game for England, as big as the 6nations games. Currently 5th in the world and with seeding being introduced for the World Cup draw a win here will see you sitting nicely, where as a smashing, really won't My predictions are rubbish, especially if you read this thread back But I think it is going to be a really tight match and I'm actually looking forward to watching England play for the first time with all these exciting youngsters.

Ireland could do it. I haven't seen the all blacks team, but if it's like last weeks and they repeat that performance I think Ireland have as good a chance as ever.

Good luck the NH

Scotland and South Africa getting really close, we just need a penalty or something at least!!!

Scotland gave away to many penalities and missed to many, same for England really. Scotland done themselves proud and have something to build on but should be very dissapointed not to win after going 10-0 up and really blew it just like Wales last week.. They've lost their place in the second seeding pot for the world cup now, so can expect a very tough group in the RWC.

I was very dissapointed with England, had no direction and just looked clueless. Australia just sat back, with a cup of tea and just kept the scoreboard ticking over. As a Welsh man, Australia look nothing special aslong as you give them no space, they're pretty rubbish at tackling.
England, even though they have lots of youngsters and talent, just look boring and so one dimensional and stupid. Really was expecting more with all the hype they've recieved, a welcome reality check I would have thought.

One game left now, c'mon Ireland !!

Edited at 16:52 Sat 15/11/08 (GMT)

watching Ireland n All Blacks right now, sloppy game, mistakes all over the place. Ireland is looking brilliant at times but rubbish overall as expected.

Yep both teams making way to many mistakes and is making for an appaling spectacle.
Really dissapointed by Ireland, shocking kicking game and forcing silly passes. New Zealand don't look much either mind, Ireland being a spent force after 60 minutes is what gave New Zealand the lead, not so much good play which I'm sure will frustrate the Irish.

Overall not a good weekend for International rugby

Team of the weekend? I'll start it off and you can all rip into it. (Home nations only, can help us who have bad memory when we come to talk about the Lions also)

1 - Yapp
2 - Ford
3 - Murray
4 - Gough
5 - Hines
6 - Croft
7 - Wallace
8 - Hogg
9 - Blair
10 - The women who serves burgers at the Millenium Stadium
11 - Lamont
12 - Flutey
13 - O'Driscoll
14 - Halfpenny
15 - Armitage


None of those put in memorable performances and most are just best of a bad bunch, just look at fly half to work that out.


But the best performance and home international team of the week are Scotland.

Couldn't squeeze Nonu in there? :P He was most consistent player for the all blacks...I don't believe i'll ever say that again in my life.

It was intended to be only home nation players, if I was to include all the SH players that team would be completely different

Agreed about Nonu. This season he seems to have matured quite alot.

Edited at 08:59 Sun 16/11/08 (GMT)

Lol yeah should've realized that! I just thought it welsh bias :P jk
Yeah matured and bulked up since a year ago...
Wales vs NZ coming Saturday, how lopsided you think that might be?
I think ABs will play much better than against the Irish, well I couldn't expect players with that kind of talent to play worse than they did, but anyway I think Wales gonna have a tough time in this one.
Also Ireland against Argentina, that's gonna be a good one if Ireland cleans up it's act, too many silly mistakes against NZ, they just need to settle down.
Scotland vs Canada...10 tries to none?

Edited at 03:03 Tue 18/11/08 (GMT)

]

This weekend is really interesting..

If Argentina beat Ireland and the Scots can beat the Canadians, then Ireland could drop out of the top 8, giving Scotland 8th back. That means Ireland will not be in the top two seeding groups. (The top seeding group is top 4, second group 5-8 and third 8-12) If Wales beat New Zealand and other results go their way, then they could climb to fourth, the same goes for England and France.

The draw takes place on the 1st of December so these games are crucial, especially for those who can drop out of the top 8, Wales and France can do that if they get thumped. England are safe and fighting for 4th, however Ireland and Scotland are under serious pressure.

Thought I'd clear that up.

This weekend, the only contest will be the haka, Wales apparently have something planned in response. I will reserve judgment till I see the team, but we need loads of luck, best performances ever and loads more than loads of luck

57-6 New Zeland I think.

As for the others...

I think England will take South Africa, Ireland will beat Argentina and Scotland beat Canada by a good 40 points and Australia might beat France by 10-20 points.

I just really hope that this weekend of rugby is better than last weekends really poor showing in all matches. Let's hope we have some exciting games

I thought the Scotland game was awsome to watch! The rugby was the good, the situation was exciting.

Hope England can do the boks over - we all know we're the real champions............


I think your right about Wales - however I think playing NZ is what you need. It might just bring out the best in you!

A preview to Welsh response to the Haka.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AhfvtJhNJx4





The red mist is taking over, Wales by 50+ Wooo

Disgusting............ that's all I have to say about that!

Wales should beat New Zealand - they should of beat SA too though. Lets hope they put some pride into this half of the world cause no other team will!


EDIT: Don't think the score lines give any of the games real credit. Hope to see a few of the SA players cited after the England game, dirty dangerous play and nothing done about it as usual. Don't know what happened with Wales, but they should of had a bigger lead at half time - a real shame this series is turning out to be.


Edited at 19:02 Sat 22/11/08 (GMT)

Ireland, Ireland together standing tallll...and so on