Who will you be supporting instead of England.

[Sandstorm]

Is this a safe space to admit that I don't really care as long as Ireland don't win it and preferably they go out before or at the QF?

SA and Scotland vs France and NZ in the 1/4 finals.

And a Scotland - SA final.

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

[Slick]

SA and Scotland vs France and NZ in the 1/4 finals.

And a Scotland - SA final.

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

Consider it done, it's Scotland.

[Jock42]

And a Scotland - SA final.

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

Consider it done, it's Scotland.

Surely we'd need Adam called up for that.

[Slick]

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

Consider it done, it's Scotland.

Surely we'd need Adam called up for that.

FFS Jock, that dagger to my heart just came flying back. I'd managed to forget dancing and screaming in the stadium because it looked like it had gone over from our angle, only to slowly realise the rest of the stadium was not dancing and screaming.

[OomStruisbaai]

In terms of ranking the teams I think it would be funniest to see do badly, I’d say it goes:
Ireland
Wales
South Africa
NZ
Australia
Scotland

So I guess there’s my answer, England have reduced me to purely watching games out of spite in an attempt to feel something, anything

Great to have you on board.

The internal logic of my spite based world cup dictates that it would be funnier for Scotland to do well as it would mean at least one of Ireland and SA have done badly, and they are more spiteable. So I suppose it’s time to point out my great, great grandad was from Selkirk and get on the bandwagon

After so many finals and playing boring rugby like England, here I was thinking you have a special place for my beloved Springbokkie.

[Lobby]

I'm half Irish so it should be an easy choice, but I'd prefer France to win, not least because the Swarm would be unbearable if Ireland can get beyond the Quarter Finals. France are also playing some of the best rugby at the moment, so it would be great to see them go all the way.

In truth though, I won't be supporting any other teams, other than wanting the underdogs do well and watch teams playing attractive, positive rugby rather than dire rubbish served up by England for the past three years.

The only exceptions are that I will always want Australia, Wales and Scotland to lose, preferably in the most embarrassing and comical way.

[average joe]

And a Scotland - SA final.

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

Consider it done, it's Scotland.

Only if Craig Joubert can be the ref.

[Slick]

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

Consider it done, it's Scotland.

Only if Craig Joubert can be the ref.

Och, dinnae...

[ASMO]

SA and Scotland vs France and NZ in the 1/4 finals.

And a Scotland - SA final.

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

Torq would wank himself into a coma if that happenned

[Torquemada 1420]

And a Scotland - SA final.

Sexy


Edit: Any chance Finn can miss a sitter in front of the poles to lose by 2 points?

Torq would wank himself into a coma if that happenned

If Sco made the final, I'd have already died from shock. They have the least chance of all given their draw.

[average joe]

Consider it done, it's Scotland.

Only if Craig Joubert can be the ref.

Och, dinnae...

How no?

[tc27]

Supporting whatever team winning any particular match produces the best banter.

For example Scotland to win all their pool games before going out with a wimper in the quarter final.

The Boks 7-1 split blowing up in their faces with a slew of unlikely backs injuries in the first few minutes.

[Monk]

In terms of ranking the teams I think it would be funniest to see do badly, I’d say it goes:
Ireland
Wales
South Africa
NZ
Australia
Scotland

So I guess there’s my answer, England have reduced me to purely watching games out of spite in an attempt to feel something, anything

TBF it will be hilarious to see any of the top 4 crash and burn.

[JM2K6]

Supporting whatever team winning any particular match produces the best banter.

For example Scotland to win all their pool games before going out with a wimper in the quarter final.

The Boks 7-1 split blowing up in their faces with a slew of unlikely backs injuries in the first few minutes.

Think they only did 7-1 because of a late injury tbh, I don't expect to see it happen in a serious game

[Camroc2]

The internal logic of my spite based world cup dictates that it would be funnier for Scotland to do well as it would mean at least one of Ireland and SA have done badly, and they are more spiteable. So I suppose it’s time to point out my great, great grandad was from Selkirk and get on the bandwagon

Is this a safe space to admit that I don't really care as long as Ireland don't win it and preferably they go out before or at the QF?

There is no safe space from The Swarm.

Damned straight, Seft.

Thanks for the heads up about Slick, btw.

[Slick]

Is this a safe space to admit that I don't really care as long as Ireland don't win it and preferably they go out before or at the QF?

There is no safe space from The Swarm.

Damned straight, Seft.

Thanks for the heads up about Slick, btw.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Who will I be supporting instead of England? Everyone.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

England then perhaps the underdog on the day, but really anyone who plays some interesting rugby. It'd be nice to support England as the team playing interesting rugby, but you clearly can't have everything

[_Os_]

It seems I'm the only one that wants a Springbok v England final.

[Sandstorm]

It seems I'm the only one that wants a Springbok v England final.

Every Saffer wants that. However even a Pakistani bookie wouldn’t give you odds on that one…..

[_Os_]

It seems I'm the only one that wants a Springbok v England final.

Every Saffer wants that. However even a Pakistani bookie wouldn’t give you odds on that one…..

It's the Rugby World Cup's classic final match. Somehow, against the odds, it must happen.

Springboks v England final = 11th most likely final match at 22/1

[sockwithaticket]

Stop being impatient, you're next due to beat us in the final in 2031.

[Cartman]

If not the Bok* then France definitely
They are owed

*I like how the kiwis refer to us as the Bok, not the Boks

[_Os_]

Stop being impatient, you're next due to beat us in the final in 2031.

Fuck.

[Guy Smiley]

Who will I be supporting instead of England? Everyone.

It's whoever they're playing, right?

[Sandstorm]

If not the Bok* then France definitely
They are owed

*I like how the kiwis refer to us as the Bok, not the Boks

Meh, France used billionaires and imports to improve their Rugby over the last decade. Just because they’re appearing to be nice and extra-French this year, don’t be fooled!!

[sockwithaticket]

Stop being impatient, you're next due to beat us in the final in 2031.

Fuck.

That doesn't mean you can't beat anyone else in the final, but your triumphs over England to win the cup are coming at 12 year intervals.

As an aside I really don't see England being anywhere near good enough to reach the final, even with how favourable our side of the draw is being knocked out in the quarters seems most likely on current form. If we do go all the way it'll be a fluke and will paper over the cracks much like 2007 and give us four years of Johnno-lite bumbling through yeoman like performances that are occasionally good enough to give a proper side a game.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Stop being impatient, you're next due to beat us in the final in 2031.

Fuck.

That doesn't mean you can't beat anyone else in the final, but your triumphs over England to win the cup are coming at 12 year intervals.

As an aside I really don't see England being anywhere near good enough to reach the final, even with how favourable our side of the draw is being knocked out in the quarters seems most likely on current form. If we do go all the way it'll be a fluke and will paper over the cracks much like 2007 and give us four years of Johnno-lite bumbling through yeoman like performances that are occasionally good enough to give a proper side a game.

But would a poor performance really deliver an improvement? We were awful in the run up to and at the 2015 WC, and look where we are now

What are the changes that are practically possible in English rugby given the participants, how does that help those participants, and how would it feed into the test scene? And all of that in light of some challenging financials in the game

[sockwithaticket]

Fuck.

That doesn't mean you can't beat anyone else in the final, but your triumphs over England to win the cup are coming at 12 year intervals.

As an aside I really don't see England being anywhere near good enough to reach the final, even with how favourable our side of the draw is being knocked out in the quarters seems most likely on current form. If we do go all the way it'll be a fluke and will paper over the cracks much like 2007 and give us four years of Johnno-lite bumbling through yeoman like performances that are occasionally good enough to give a proper side a game.

But would a poor performance really deliver an improvement? We were awful in the run up to and at the 2015 WC, and look where we are now

What are the changes that are practically possible in English rugby given the participants, how does that help those participants, and how would it feed into the test scene? And all of that in light of some challenging financials in the game

Possibly not, but it ought to make it a lot more difficult for the incompetents at the RFU to pretend everything's fine.

It could also force a rethink on tactics. I think it's clear how Borthwick wants to play, but we simply don't have the cattle to be poundshop South Africa, so coming up with a different plan that tries to make use of the pacy outside backs and somewhat mobile back five forwards we have access may yield better results. At the very least it could drag us back into trying to play entertaining rugby. That's something the fans and by extension the RFU's struggling coffers desperately need. Twickenham will not keep filling up to watch the national side play boring, losing rugby.

[laurent]

If not the Bok* then France definitely
They are owed

*I like how the kiwis refer to us as the Bok, not the Boks

Meh, France used billionaires and imports to improve their Rugby over the last decade. Just because they’re appearing to be nice and extra-French this year, don’t be fooled!!

triple U 20 World champ ...

[JM2K6]

Fuck.

That doesn't mean you can't beat anyone else in the final, but your triumphs over England to win the cup are coming at 12 year intervals.

As an aside I really don't see England being anywhere near good enough to reach the final, even with how favourable our side of the draw is being knocked out in the quarters seems most likely on current form. If we do go all the way it'll be a fluke and will paper over the cracks much like 2007 and give us four years of Johnno-lite bumbling through yeoman like performances that are occasionally good enough to give a proper side a game.

But would a poor performance really deliver an improvement? We were awful in the run up to and at the 2015 WC, and look where we are now

What are the changes that are practically possible in English rugby given the participants, how does that help those participants, and how would it feed into the test scene? And all of that in light of some challenging financials in the game

Post 2015 we did then go on a record-equalling winning streak, whitewashed Australia away, won 3 6Ns including a Grand Slam, and made the final of the rugby world cup having marmalised Australia and New Zealand along the way.

I think, no matter what your opinions on the core problems within English rugby, that that counts as "an improvement".

[Sandstorm]

If not the Bok* then France definitely
They are owed

*I like how the kiwis refer to us as the Bok, not the Boks

Meh, France used billionaires and imports to improve their Rugby over the last decade. Just because they’re appearing to be nice and extra-French this year, don’t be fooled!!

triple U 20 World champ ...

Supplements..

[LoveOfTheGame]

If not the Bok* then France definitely
They are owed

*I like how the kiwis refer to us as the Bok, not the Boks

The players also sometimes refer to us as "Africa". Which is a bit weird, but anyway.

[Raggs]

Once England are out, Fiji if they make it through. If not, no one really, but I'll try and watch the big 4s games regardless (Ire, Fra, SA, NZ) as they tend to be good to watch.

[Ovals]

It always struck me as the pinnacle of hubris..that people call them England supporters, instead of English supporters?

Who the fuck not English, and outside of England, support England in anything?

Yet this is a normal thing to do for any national team, although you'd be more likely to use "fans" than "supporters".

Scotland fans, France fans, Fiji fans, Georgia fans etc.

Any hubris relating to English rugby definitely doesn't come from this!

I've got a real aversion to using the word "fans", always use supporters. Don't know what it is. Maybe supporters just sounds more solid.

I'm an England Rugby Supporter - but definitely not a England Rugby Fan.

[Line6 HXFX]

Look I am sure it all started because Laurence Dillaglio didn't like the word" English".
As well as the word " Dominant "(if the English get on top for 2 minutes) he constantly uses the word "England" instead of English.
England Rugby, instead of English Rugby.
England Supporters..instead of English supporters.
The England Rugby team..instead of The English rugby team..
No one says France supporters, Wales Supporters, Australia Supporters. Even dillaglio calls them French, Welsh, Australian..

I am often reminded of that Alf Garnet sketch where he just repeats the words "oh England", in various tones of surprise, longing and loss.

But more sinisterly the English sporting press always say "England football fans were rioting last night" (ie people who may or may not have been English) instead of English football fans"..
But whenever Cardiff or Swansea fans (who litterally could be anyone living in Cardiff or Swansea) go on a dust up, they are described as Welsh.

I am not chippy etc..but it winds me up that some Marketing or PR department actually thought about this stuff.

[inactionman]

Look I am sure it all started because Laurence Dillaglio didn't like the word" English".
As well as the word " Dominant "(if the English get on top for 2 minutes) he constantly uses the word "England" instead of English.
England Rugby, instead of English Rugby.
England Supporters..instead of English supporters.
The England Rugby team..instead of The English rugby team..
No one says France supporters, Wales Supporters, Australia Supporters. Even dillaglio calls them French, Welsh, Australian..

I am often reminded of that Alf Garnet sketch where he just repeats the words "oh England", in various tones of surprise, longing and loss.

But more sinisterly the English sporting press always say "England football fans were rioting last night" (ie people who may or may not have been English) instead of English football fans"..
But whenever Cardiff or Swansea fans (who litterally could be anyone living in Cardiff or Swansea) go on a dust up, they are described as Welsh.

I am not chippy etc..but it winds me up that some Marketing or PR department actually thought about this stuff.

Deeply sinister

[Line6 HXFX]

Yup.
Sinister As Fuck.
They always say "England fans were rioting last night".

No they weren't they were f'king English fans!!!


The do this intentionally, just to piss me off.

Gawd dammit...I am not chippy!!

[Hugo]

Ireland to make it out of the quarter finals.

Having studied the draw for the first time - to be honest these days I am very much a lapsed rugby fan - I will definitely be supporting Ireland to make it to at least the semis. They have got to come out of the hardest pool and would have to beat the All Blacks or France on home soil in the quarters. I'm 100% hoping that happens.