2011 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches

**S.E.Arising** · 05-08-2011, 10:03

Saturday, 6 August 2011

England v Wales, 14:30
Scotland v Ireland, 14:15

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 05-08-2011, 15:02

Hate to say this but I think we could be in for a bit of a hiding tomorrow. It's all a bit embarrassing in my opinion with the Henson situation, I think most fans want us to fail at the World Cup because of him. We've had players the other week training really hard in Poland while he was off doing some shitty programme for Channel 5, where's the sense in that? It's a total embarrassment, why not give a youngster a chance. Luckily he's not in the 22 for tomorrow. Another thing that I don't agree with is giving Warburton the captaincy, whilst I think he's cracking talent I don't think he should be lumbered with being captain, should be given to a more experienced member of the team. Saying that Matthew Rees is more experienced but I don't like him as captain either.

Hopefully my old teammate Scott Williams gets on again tomorrow and wins the game. Wishful thinking.

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 13-08-2011, 17:06

Wales won 19-9 v England today, a lot better than I thought when I wrote that ^^^.

Our young players provided most encouragment, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau and my old mate Scott Williams all impressing. Very encouraging performance, defensively brilliant.

**LollyT** · 13-08-2011, 17:48

And the countdown is on, all gonna kick off in Auckland CBD on the 9th...can't wait

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 13-08-2011, 18:33

I'd be in "can't wait" mode if the games weren't on so bloody early in the morning over here.

**LollyT** · 13-08-2011, 19:21

I can relate to that, I have to record all the premiership games because of the time difference.....nice to have the Rugby World Cup on home turf

**S.E.Arising** · 14-08-2011, 11:51

Same old England. Dominate up front but lack the creative spark in the backline. The centre pairing is a worry for Johnson. The Welsh defense was excellent though their job was made slightly easier due to the inept performances of England's backs.

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 14-08-2011, 19:33

Banahan's chance would have been a try had it been Ashton in my opinion.

Our front row wasn't first choice, got Lions props to come back next week. I think that was one area we were quite poor in yesterday. Lineout not great either but first choice hooker not in or first choice second rows.

**LollyT** · 15-08-2011, 00:03

Nice Close game between Wallbies and Springboks over the weekend in the Tri-Nations, neither side is looking as comfortable as they would like.

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 15-08-2011, 00:26

Didn't see the game but you Kiwis must be loving it. Looking firm favourites at the moment for the World Cup... I do say this every World Cup though.

**LollyT** · 15-08-2011, 02:43

Originally Posted by JSNFRMN_MUFC

Didn't see the game but you Kiwis must be loving it. Looking firm favourites at the moment for the World Cup... I do say this every World Cup though.

Only a Kiwi by location, a little bit torn as to who I am actually supporting come World Cup time!

**IrishManc.** · 17-08-2011, 14:57

I think Irelands chances of doing anything at this world cup depend on the fitness of key players - D'arcy, O'Driscoll, Ferris, Bowe, Kearney and O'Connell have all had knocks so hopefully they will overcome them. A fully fit Ireland 15 is actually very strong but one or 2 injuries particularly to someone like O'Driscoll or O'Connell and then we're fucked...... Still maintain though Irelands back row (if fit) of Ferris, O'Brien and Heaslip is one of the strongest in the competition if not the strongest. Austalia with Elsom and Pocock might have something to say about that but I really feel if Ferris is fit we could beat anybody........ expect New Zealand..

**LollyT** · 19-08-2011, 03:31

Looking forward to the AB v Springbok game this weekend, what the with F1 on and football, here's for a great weekend of sport

**S.E.Arising** · 20-08-2011, 08:54

Wales v Argentina, 14:30
Ireland v France, 17:00
Scotland v Italy, 17:00

Tri-Nations Series
South Africa v New Zealand, 16:05

**LollyT** · 21-08-2011, 11:00

oh dear....Kiwi's are not happy, what a scrappy bunch the AB's looked. I have been informed by my boss that I am not to mention the rugby for the whole week!

**Pieman** · 21-08-2011, 21:24

I totally agree. No one can deny Mike Tindall would walk through fire for the team, however he is just a plain old fashioned crash centre. His passing is woeful and his positional play not much better, I lost count of the number of times he drifted towards the wing leaving the winger with no room to manoeuvre.

Matters were not helped by the fact that the wingers seemed rooted to the spot , I can't remember them coming of their wing once

Harpie has also failed to impress. England could still be playing now and still not score a try through the backs,

Don't panic we've still got two week.

**S.E.Arising** · 21-08-2011, 21:27

Hello Pieman, welcome to the forum. Are you looking forward to the World Cup? Shame about the early kick offs.

**Spalletti** · 22-08-2011, 06:27

Be afraid, the 'mighty' Springboks beat the New Zealand B Team by a few points....

**Pieman** · 23-08-2011, 21:32

Originally Posted by S.E.Arising

Hello Pieman, welcome to the forum. Are you looking forward to the World Cup? Shame about the early kick offs.

Thank you for the welcome. Yes, I will probably go to my local club and watch it with my mates, it's a great atmosphere. However, as you say its a little early in the morning, the first few pints will be bumping into my cornflakes.

To be honest as it stands I am not holding my breath as far as Englad's chances are concerned.

**IrishManc.** · 24-08-2011, 02:27

O'Leary and Fitzgerald left out for Ireland, and rightly so. Slightly surprised England have dropped Flutey but he has been struggling for form and fitness. I've just seen that Scott Thomas, lad Jason mentioned he knew, has been included in the Wales squad. The rest of the squads I amn't too surprised by... France leaving out Domingo is a weird one but the French coach is a bit of a nutter. Heard somewhere Hernandez hasn't been picked for Argentina ? Might be wrong there I'm not sure

**JSNFRMN_MUFC** · 24-08-2011, 22:49

Scott has been very impressive in the Warm Up games. Rightly on the plane to NZ ahead of The Bachelor. Biggest surprise for me was no Martyn Williams as while he hasn't played much, he played well vs Argentina and his experience is vital and I think we'll miss that against South Africa and the Islanders. Jonathan Thomas also a bit of a surprise as he's the line out specialist and that's one area where we're lacking. If I was the opposition coach, i'd be telling my team to kick it in the corner all the time as we're without our first choice hooker too.