Conquer Club

7 weeks of real contact sport (the best on the planet)....great.

My take on the All Blacks v Tonga game....I think Tonga acquitted themselves well. As usual it was quite physical and enjoyable watching their style of play in open game.

My feeling is that the All Blacks need to ensure they don't fall to the temptation of abandonment in game play when they have a good lead on. I saw many moves by them which would have been punished severely by a major national team. Let's see how they get on when the knock out stages start.

Interesting that the spread markets had Tonga requiring 47.5 points head start at worst and the handicaps went up to 80 points. When I checked early on it was evens the two with a 47.5 handicap...I was tempted to back Tonga at those prices with that kind of start...wish I had now. I did find it odd that they only lost by 31 points at the close.

Are you a fruitcake of the kiwi kind?

Not too much excitement in the group stage as there are two clear leaders in each pool, but there will be some good games like NZ-France. The All-Blacks have had a hard time vs Les Bleus in recent world cups, I'll be up late watching this one.

General_Tao wrote:Are you a fruitcake of the kiwi kind?

Not too much excitement in the group stage as there are two clear leaders in each pool, but there will be some good games like NZ-France. The All-Blacks have had a hard time vs Les Bleus in recent world cups, I'll be up late watching this one.

Very droll.

I imagine you will be up very late! I have to be up at stupid-oclock to see some of the matches I want to see (and perhaps trade in during play).

I understand what you mean about the pool matches but there is sometimes an upset which adds a little spice. For interest these are the prices being traded for the outright winner as of now:

NZ 1.74
Aus 5.0
S Africa 11.0
England 17.5
France 20.0
Ireland 60.0
Wales 110.0
Argentina 370.0
the rest 1000.0

I fancy England's price to shorten by at least 50% during the event so may take a position to sell later and double my money....

Classic play from the Pumas against England. Good call getting Ben Young on late in the game.

Watched Scotland play Romania. Slightly stuttering play from Scotland, only really asserting at the death.

Pleased to see Fiji play some great running game with a couple of ex 'sevens' players in the line up, Namibia didn't have a chance once they really opened up.

Japan tried manfully to hold France back, even giving a frisson of excitement when it looked like they may just pull away in points, but France came back in doubly strong and it ended pretty much as expected.

Have taken a position on a NZ v England final at 7.6 in the markets. Also lumped in on England being the top 6 nations team at 2.7

England down to 16.0 now to win.

the minor games aren't shown on free to air tv in australia & as the rugby league's finals series is also on the world cup games have a delayed telecast. i think the game in 90 minutes is england v pumas which will start at 10:30 here, so still a decent time.

there is a lot of expectation in australia leading into this event but most of it is we expect the all blacks to choke again.

After England's performance vs the Pumas I'm surprised their odds have shortened (though of course they are now favourites to win their group and thus avoid the ABs in the 1/4 finals, so this had to be factored in). As much as I love England and wish them to go all the way I just don't see it and still feel strongly that Martin Johnson was the wrong man for the job. A good player but a bit of a thicko, and behind the scenes pulling the strings you need people with nous who can read the game well and see the opposition's weaknesses. Forwards seldom ever do. I foresee all the teams from the British Isles getting hammered by the Tri Nations teams in this series, with only the French offering a glimmer of hope for some attacking edge-of-your-seat rugby from a northern hemisphere team. Definitely a decent bet at 20-1 if you fancy a decent return.

As for the All Blacks' failure to impress in the 2nd half against Tonga? I put it down to reserved play against a very physical team. Why exert oneself to hammer the oppo 80-7 and risk injury at such an early stage of the competition. Secure the win and just put up the shutters. They're still a class apart (regrettably).

p.s. Schedule works like a charm here in HK.

1st game 9.00am - champagne brekky
2nd game - Elevenses
3rd game - boozy lunch
4th game (4.30pm) - wine and nibbles
6.30pm - The Simpsons

Life's a bitch.

Wales v The Boks was gripping. So close and yet so far for Wales once again

Just got back home after watching it. What an advert for rugby! Brilliant game. Feel gutted for the Welsh though to lose so narrowly (and after all that possession they enjoyed).

Was unfortunate, but the blow was cushioned by the fact that I was watching it in bed on my brand new 47 inch TV, that I bought yesterday

And I thought I was the ultimate couch potato, but that wins by a country mile.

No better way to spend a Sunday, Italian Grand Prix next

USA beat Russia in their pool match. Surprisingly it was a good match.

My preference is the Sevens, but I'm catching a few of these matches. I watched some of Ireland pushing USA around and wonder if an improving Canadian team can make their presence felt in Pool A against the All Blacks (or France)?

Ireland 15 Australia 6


WOW

Gypsys Kiss wrote:Ireland 15 Australia 6


WOW

Everyone said i was mad when i said Ireland could do something at the world cup. Who's laughing now, eh?

The way the draw has opened up we really have a shot of getting into the final now, best Irish result EVER in ANY sport and i was at the Ireland/England match in Bangalore at the cricket world cup.

World Cup of golf, 1997, Kiawah Island, USA. 'Twas a good day for the Paddys.

But yeah....cracking result today vs Oz. Good on 'em.

Chariot of Fire wrote:. 'Twas a good day for the Paddys.

But yeah....cracking result today vs Oz. Good on 'em.

Ireland v the Wallabies was gripping. Some fantastic play by the front 5. Once 60 minutes had passed Ireland seemed nailed on with their passion and fast play. Unfortunately the Wallabies scrum was, once again, very much their weak point.

This result has certainly shaken up the markets with Australia going out to 9.2 from around 5.0. Ireland have shortened dramatically, they had touched 120.0 but the price has crashed to between 25.0 and 28.0 also it has impacted other parts of the market as layers balance their books with England shortening (having slipped back to 17.0) to 14.0

I have been asked to post the latest prices available based on my original list, here they are (original price first, current price 2nd)

NZ 1.74/1.64
Aus 5.0/9.2
S Africa 11.0/13.5
England 17.5/14.0
France 20.0/17.0
Ireland 60.0/25.0
Wales 110.0/36.0
Argentina 370.0/260.0
Samoa -/200.0
Scotland -/460.0
the rest 1000.0/1000.0

I'm looking at the Pools and wondering how points are determined?
All Blacks, 2 wins = 10 pts
Scots. 2 wins = 9 pts
Paddys, 2 wins = 8 pts
Springbok, 2 wins = 9 pts

Thanks Gypsy

oVo wrote:I'm looking at the Pools and wondering how points are determined?
All Blacks, 2 wins = 10 pts
Scots. 2 wins = 9 pts
Paddys, 2 wins = 8 pts
Spring Box, 2 wins = 9 pts

4 points for a win, with an extra point for scoring 4 tries(I think its 4). Losers also get a point in they finish within 7 point of the game winner.

Should be some interesting match-ups in the 1/4 finals now, with Ireland becoming favourites to win their group (and thus avoid SA). My predictions are:

Ireland vs Wales
England vs France
SA vs Aus
NZ vs Arg

Semis
Ireland vs England/France
SA vs NZ

Final
England/France vs NZ

As you can see, I'm torn between the result of England/France. Would love it to be England, but see France doing well if their backs fire. On the other hand, if it rains, England for sure.

As a Springbok fan I must admit we are starting to come good but thanks to the Irish we have a really difficult path now.

I notice no one is mentioning the Welsh going far - they really looked good against us and if they get a good result tomorrow - i would almost back them to make the final.

I still beleive it will be one the Tri-Nations teams lifting Webb Ellis at the end though.

Gypsys Kiss wrote:

oVo wrote:I'm looking at the Pools and wondering how points are determined?
All Blacks, 2 wins = 10 pts
Scots. 2 wins = 9 pts
Paddys, 2 wins = 8 pts
Spring Box, 2 wins = 9 pts

4 points for a win, with an extra point for scoring 4 tries(I think its 4). Losers also get a point in they finish within 7 point of the game winner.

Spot on:

If a team scores four or more tries in a match, they get an extra point tacked on to any others received for a that match, ie.win (4 points), draw (2 points). Losing by seven points or less within the winners score carries a bonus point to the losers.

if ireland get through to the semis they wont lose to england(the irish passion will kick in) but if they are against france in the semis i can see them losing. honestly though i cant see anyone beating the all blacks, they dominate the sport and it will be a shock if they dont win(atleast to me it wil be).