Rugby

[Ezequiel]

We will have a stand-off apparently on CRF next week saturday

[Sunny]

Originally Posted by Ezequiel We will have a stand-off apparently on CRF next week saturday

[Sunny]

Well now Ez, what are your thoughts on the tri-nations?

The All Blacks are vastly superior aren't they? They massacred The Wallabies last night!!

So far the scores are:

10 July - All Blacks 32, Springboks 12
17 July - All Blacks 31, Springboks 17
24 July - Wallabies 30, Springboks 13
Last night - Wallabies 28, All Blacks 49

The All Blacks play The Wallabies next weekend in Christchurch NZ and I expect The All Blacks to win easily.

[Ezequiel]

Yeah... I expected NZ to beat Australia but I am very disappointed with the Springbok-results this Tri-Nations.

Unbelievable squads picked, players setup out of position, 4 players were yellow-carded in 3 matches... And that's on top of the 8 players missing through injuries.

My hope is that the Natal Sharks will win the Currie Cup now and go through to play a top notch Super15 season in February

[Sunny]

Was at my parents' place last night to watch Scotland v South Africa (rugby union). Scotland won!!!! My poor old Mum was delighted as she had more or less given up on Scotland ever winning again

[Sox]

Well the six nations is about to kick off and I wonder if France can be held back this year .. anyway here is the fixture list.

RBS Six Nations Fixture Schedule 2011
Friday 4th February - Wales v England - 7.45pm
Saturday 5th February - Italy v Ireland - 2.30pm
Saturday 5th February - France v Scotland - 5pm

Saturday 12th February - England v Italy - 2.30pm
Saturday 12th February - Scotland v Wales - 5pm
Sunday 13th February - Ireland v France - 3pm

19/20 February Free

Saturday 26th February - Italy v Wales - 2.30pm
Saturday 26th February - England v France - 5pm
Sunday 27th February - Scotland v Ireland - 3pm

5/6 March Free

Saturday 12th March - Italy v France - 2.30pm
Saturday 12th March - Wales v Ireland - 5pm
Sunday 13th March - England v Scotland - 3pm

Saturday 19th March - Scotland v Italy - 2.30pm
Saturday 19th March - Ireland v England - 5pm
Saturday 19th March - France v Wales - 7.45pm

[Ezequiel]

For this years Six Nations I am visiting the following matches:

Wales-England
France-Scotland
Ireland-France
Italy-Wales
Wales-Ireland
Engeland-Scotland
Scotland-Italy


It's a lot of travelling but hey... I live in Holland so basically the longest trip is a 3 hour flight to Italy haha. I just have to experience it to the fullest while I still live in Europe.

[Sox]

Nice One Ezequiel .. any tips for favourites to win or even slam .. France look hard to beat again.

[Ezequiel]

France are hard to beat and I seriously think Wales have a chance to at least win the Triple Crown. Maybe they will miss out on the Six Nations title but they can beat the other 3 home nations no problem.

[Sox]

That sounds about right to me Ezequiel. I will be cheering England on but I don't really fancy our chances. Yeah France and Wales look the best.

[Ezequiel]

Scotland haven't won it since 1999 so in that perspective a Scottish win would do nicely but France and Wales will toss a coin to decide who wins it.

I am disappointed my fav. French player Frederic Michalak doesn't play. He was part of the Sharks-squad that won the Currie Cup in 2008 and I've been following him since.

I think for Wales, the big men to watch will be Shane Williams, James Hook and Lee Byrne (one of the best fullbacks in the world). Ireland has to hope Kearney and Bowe get their old form back and England have to hope for Ashton and Foden (Both Northampton) because I don't expect Cueto to bring it this time. Sorry about that man

Scotland's man to watch will definitely be Monster Nikki Walker and that new guy they have at centre (Ansbro if I'm correct).

It's nice to finally get started again. I am not a fan of NH club rugby. For some reason the whole Heineken Cup doesn't appeal to me. The TOP14 I follow because of my idol Francois Steyn playing there and Magners because of Ruan Pienaar playing for Ulster. Apart from that, not much.

Friday it starts in Cardiff and the real stuff for me is 2 weeks later with the Super15 (complete new format) starting off in the Southern Hemisphere. Don't know if you ever watched it but it is awesome. 5 franchises from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand who pull their players from a region take each other on. It's amazing. Du Preez, Carter, Quade Cooper, Genia, du Plessis, Matfield, Muliaina, Rokocoko and many many many more World Class players.

If you don't know it, definitely worth a try (nice word, I know haha)

[Sox]

Joe Ansbro .. yeah top player,
I have not seen that super 15 but I will look out for it .. sounds good.
Well we'll see if England can hold Wales on Friday, they will have to be on top of their game and if I'm honest I don't think the chances are good.

[Ezequiel]

One of the other issues for England is the fact they get Scotland and Italy at home. 2 definite wins which you could get in away matches. In stead of that, they visit Wales and Ireland. Visiting those teams is much more difficult than hosting them.

[Sox]

Absolutely England must make the best of the home games and get big results .. but there is not much imagination in the way we play.

[Ezequiel]

Wales have the best chances since they get the big guns at home (Ireland and England) and the definite points away in Scotland and Italy. The last match visiting France will be the decider for the title. France visits Engeland and Ireland, both very difficult opponents.

My prediction is that Wales will win the first 4 matches, France will lose at Twickenham which gives them a tiny chance of succesfully defending the title by beating Wales on the last day.