ABs by 7
ABs by 7
Who would be best for the Boks? I think the ABs. In part because a defeat as big as Twickenham lingers and the ABs found no solutions during the game. But also because France isn’t the real enemy and the sentiment will hugely favor France. The Boks are never good in the bad guy role and they won’t be as up for France.
That would be a game worth watching and the winner would deserve the title of Champion.
Some great rugby in the offing JW. Sorry to hear Jordie is hurt. Best wishes to you guys. And I hope we meet in the finals, if the permutations allow,
Yes, this RWC could be one of the best Moz. Hopefully not lessened by injuries and questionable calls.
I simply can't decide the bigger danger ................. the ABs wanting revenge after their record defeat or a rampant French outfit on their home patch.
Ek wietie watte .
Cumon Frogs!!!!
A perfect opener to the WC really.
I do think the ref will be the Frogs 16th man on Friday though.
I don't know...I'm intuitive, will have to wait for what my heart tells me while watching the match...probably France...they're still the underdog...despite playing at home.
France by 11
France are going to be electric on Friday night.
If the ABs manage to contain them it'll be a good show.
Honestly, there's no way you play France at home in the first game of a WC and don't shit bricks all week until the game.
Will be nice to see how the ABs respond.
It's easy to say they'll bounce back and take revenge for last week's defeat...but it's gonna take a lot of doing in this particular instance. A whole lot.
For my money, the ABs have their backs against the wall. If they do respond well it's gonna be a cracker of a game.
Going by the forecasts in this forum the AB vs France is a fence sitting job with the odd poster making a call. Fair enough I say but for mine I'm going with the ABs who some are calling out as the worst AB side in a WC. Some in the media are even calling out the Rugby Championships as being a farce.
I'm not convinced, although they're a young side I'm tipping them to beat the French. On French soil it's going to be tough but the ABs would have had a wakeup call after the Bok loss and they'd be a lot better prepared plus I read the sting of their record loss as great motivation. No-one should underestimate Kiwi rugby pride and culture.
In a tight one ABs by 5
France are a better team than Ireland. We got the rub of the green when we beat them this year and it was a close run battle. They are playing at home which gives them a huge advantage. They have not played well in the warm ups but do not underestimate them.
I would have expected them to comfortably beat the ABs were it not for their recent injuries. Ntamack is a serious loss but they have depth in the area, the main loss for them is Danty. They are not as strong in depth in the centre.
Without the injuries, they were the team I wanted to avoid the most and expected them to win the world cup. Their forwards are stronger than Ireland and can match SA (not the 7:1 split) and their backs are better.
I'm starting to favour NZ...Frogs getting too windgat.
...I wish NZ gives them a good old Southern Hemisphere snotklap.!
You're gonna be disappointed to the tune of about 15 points on Friday, Draad ;)
In part because a defeat as big as Twickenham lingers and the ABs found no solutions during the game.
That is taking a lot from a preparation game.
Rugby is such a confidential game that teams are forced to face each other two weeks before the starting tournament.
RWCs only start in the quarter finals.
NZ has a wonderful ramp to it. First fgame against FR, no stakes, decides nothing.then NA, then IT then UR with a rest week that fits well.
NZ will be well fit to commit fully in a quarter finals against SA rugby.
Best chances remains FR especially as they are collecting injuries as flies.
I think I want the AB’s to win but not convinced
"You're gonna be disappointed to the tune of about 15 points on Friday, Draad 
Maybe it depends how the game turns out...I think the Boks would benefit psychologically if a team they demolished recently goes on to beat one of the favourites at home...
Well, I want us to win all our pool games. It is more a question who do we want to face.
I do believe France was robbed in the 2011 final and the fact that the final score was 6-7 or something like that.
SA hasn’t won back to back games against NZ since 2009. So I don’t if we will be mentally prepared to face them. I’m not worried about France.
My question is, if the boks are on form and we are strong contenders after the pool stages.
But I don’t want to say we are guaranteed finalist. We could reach the semis and get knocked out by Aus, Wales, Arg or even England.
I guess I want France to win
The French injuries have made quite an impact on a lot of predictions for this opening game, as well as the the odds of France winning this world cup
I really can’t decide on this one.
Looking forward to it but I’m unsure on who I want to win.
A NZer onna radio this morning ............ 'the ABs will beat France, cos they have no choice, but win'.
Last I heard one could choose to "try to win".
I like both teams as rugby nations. I don't really have a preference.
As for who I think will win, this French side is probably the best balanced team at the tournament and they are definitely capable of finally winning a RWC . . . but they are under immense pressure as the host nation in front of very demanding and unforgiving home crowds. I just have a feeling.
The All Blacks have relatively little pressure on them given the thumping 2 weeks ago and the low expectations from Kiwis.
On Superbru I went ABs by 5.
All South Africans will be watching this game with great interest as these are the two teams we'll have to beat ourselves if we're to defend our RWC title. One in the quarters and the other in the final. Not sure which order I prefer.
Game on...NZ vs Bok final would be epic, but France crashing out in the quarters will be heartbreaking too...fck!
Betting odds have shifted in favor of France but its close : 1.98 for France.
Let's hope that ref doesn't screw the game up.
All I want is a mostly card free game where both teams get to go at it and the best side wins...without stupid or biased reffing.
Perhaps I'm negative but I seriously think the ref is blow the ABs completely out of the game tomorrow.
And I'll be just as pissed off as the Kiwis if that happens.
I suppose it depends on if the Boks win the group pool stage, and who finishes 1st and 2nd from the All Blacks and French.
Assuming the Boks get to the quarters, I would rather they play the All Blacks in the quarters over the French. (at least on present form).
The French have a forward pack that could nullify the Boks, particularly on home soil.
If the Bok pack does not start well, it gives the opposition a chance to stamp their game plan on the match.
I agree Plum (on the hope we have a fair game),
I notice my expectations of the ABs games is different from many prior world cups: in the past I just hoped small things didn't stop us as I expected our performance to be very good with the potential of a few glitches. Now I just hope we can put on a good performance but this needs the big things to go well (enough control in the forwards, a good strategic kicking game to mute the oppositions aggressive defense in the backs).
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