The Rugby World Cup kicks off today and England are currently ranked #1 in the world. Their first match is on Sunday at 13.00 (our time) against Georgia in Perth.

How does anyone rate England's chances of actually walking away with the World Cup? It often seems the case that we mess up when it comes to competitions :(

Very good chance if Wilkinson can keep fit throughout. He is so vital to Englands chances/game. I have a South African friend who ensures me South Africa will win and England will not beat them. I disagree, hope I am right.

I agree it's all down to England being able to retain their fitness. If ever we're going to win the wc I think this year is probably the best chance. I can't see SA winning unless they give the opposition food poisoning like they did when they won it.

The only other team who can hold a candle to the England team are the All Blacks.

That was all a bit disjointed, soz, but stream of conczzzzzzzzzz

Considering the (alleged) disgusting recent behaviour of of footballers I think Rugby is going to get many new fans in the near future.

'Specially as we are going to lose to Turkey.

Watched the game on Sunday - was a nice "warm up" game :P

well if we perform like we did on sunday i think weve got a damn good chance

Fletch

Watched all games so far and we are doing well. I am well happy. think we might have a chance.
And yes there will be lots of new fans especially if they keep wearing the nice new shirts they have.;) Definatly well happy.

Good nail biter today. Bet South Africa will be edgy about next week's game. It'd be nice if Samoa go through.

After England's performance against Samoa today, i really fear for our chances.

I'm not worried about Wilkinson, everyone ha they'r eoff days, this was just unfortunate.

We almost ket them have the game, thank god they sorted themselves out in the end.

Anyone else think we might be a little overconfident?

Wilf

Looking at the draw it does seem the easiest path possible.

I'd be very surprised if they failed to make the final.

Looking at our local news tonight, and saw the England team arriving on the Gold Coast today. They played a game in Brisbane last night didn't they? And won again. I don't think the Aussies are going to be a real threat somehow.

Yippe. We are in the Final.
Wierd game today, Johnny Wilkinson is a star.
Australia next Saturday, good luck England.

Well done England. Looks like a tough game in the final. I know they can win.

We're Singing for England - ENGLAND ! :thumbsup:

Originally posted by fuzzy purple
Johnny Wilkinson is a star.


Couldn't agree more. As I said before he is vital to England and it's imperative that he is fully fit for the final. How about, if England go on to win perhaps Wilkinson could lift the sports personality of the year award?

Where is anyone planning on watching it tomorrow? Personally I will probably be sat in bed drinking coffee - not very exciting, but at least I get to watch it properly and don't have to stand up for 80 minutes (as you would in Walkabout etc).

Yeah, if I manage to get up at all I won't be going to licenced premices. Far to early for that sort of thing. In fact I might even set the computer up to record it.

Sprawled on my 2-seater sofa in front of the telly with my promised breakfast delivered to the coffee table. Probably have to share the sofa with a pile of cats after a while as it's usually their preserve until a lot later.

Well I'll have to settle for Radio 5, as I will be in the car taking my daughter to a Drama session.

:mad: :( :nono: :sad: :evil: :cry:

Promised breakfast? I might have to try that one... I'll say that everyone on the forum is getting one apart from me ;)

Originally posted by Geoff
Promised breakfast? I might have to try that one... I'll say that everyone on the forum is getting one apart from me ;)
I'll ask my better half but I can't guarantee it won't be cold by the time she delivers it.

I'm not Geoff. I don't normally bother with breakfast anyway.

Hehe, in that case get her to call my "better" half and ask her to make me one... ta ;)

News...

Woodward laughs off sabotage threat
England coach Clive Woodward has brushed off yet more Pommie bashing down under. A tabloid has called on Wallaby fans to create noise outside England's team hotel in an effort to stop the players from sleeping before Saturday's Rugby World Cup final - more (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/rugby_world_cup/team_pages/england/3225936.stm)

The World Cup does have a history of alleged sabotage. Remember the final in South Africa when The All Blacks were smitten with food poisoning from the meal they had eaten the night before?

Originally posted by max
The World Cup does have a history of alleged sabotage. Remember the final in South Africa when The All Blacks were smitten with food poisoning from the meal they had eaten the night before?

I've read that the England team are paranooid about been bugged by opposition teams trying to find out their tactics.

:loopy: my mad brother lol who lives in OZ says Australia will win......but i have faith that we will be the first northern hemsphire team to win the world cup :thumbsup: fingers crossed:rolleyes:

We Won! We Won! We Won! :banana: :headbang: :clap: :bigsmile: :partyhat:

Pretty much sums it for me.:D :D :D :D :D

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?
Coming for to carry me home,
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me hoooommme!!

WOOT WOOT! :thumbsup:

:thumbsup: ENGLAND WORLD CHAMPIONS :clap: :banana: :clap: :smile: :clap: :nod: I have just phoned my brother in Australia to brag about the result.20-17 :D

Caught most of it on the radio as I,m working :(

Talk about take it to the wire.

Any highlights on?

Well done England.

:banana: :partyhat: :banana:

Originally posted by Jon
I have just phoned my brother in Australia to brag about the result.20-17 Phone him again... phone him again!!! :twisted: :clap:

Edit: Yes, highlights on ITV around 4pm but it's all over the news and hopefully will be for a few days... so don't worry :)

I actually saw them lift the cup in a customers house.

We were on a delivery, the cheek of it.

:thumbsup:

Although I'm not a fan of rugby, I'm glad England have won the world cup, and above all, beaten those arrogant 'pom bashing' Aussies.

Yep well done guys, good game if not a bit close, could they have left it much later. All stars this time.

In bed with bacon butty made it better. Scared the cat though.

Darn, missed it. That'll teach me to stay in the chatroom until 4am. Thank god for the highlights.

was in a pub down london the night b4 and it was an australia fan base for rugby, n i had me england top on! (no i didnt know the type of pub when i went!)

n e way they kept telling me we were gonna lose

hope they are eating their words

What a great day and a great match. Well done England. I knew you'd do it.

Originally posted by Lickszz
What a great day and a great match. Well done England. I knew you'd do it.

Certainly a nail biting climax! I was on the M62, tears in my eyes as the ball was kicked into the stand.

looked around at other cars and was disappointed that nobody else was overcome with such emotion.

I wonder if the commentators words in the final minutes will ever be as famous as "some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over........." ?

WOW!
what a game! The atmosphere in the Walkabout was incredible.
Okay, I'm a full rugby convert...even have my own shirt now.

:D :thumbsup: :banana: :clap:

Congratulations to England. Great game, should have won by a bigger margin, but I don't care cos the Ellis cup is coming home!!!!! :partyhat:

Just read that the British Airways 'plane bringing the team home has been renamed Sweet Chariot. Excellent!

I am not here and I hope no-one is listening but......

I watched the match from a warm bed and at half time, my warm other half (mainly "better" as Saturday showed) got up and wondered off and came back with coffee and toast!

So it was victory for the English Rugby Union Team and a wonderful morning for yours truly, I wont even tell you what happened at full time....

Swing very low sweet chariot...is what I say

PS.....did anyone else but me notice that you only win the world cup under a Labour government?

xxx

As a football fan, I have to say the entire England rugby thing gave us footie fans a real showing up. Quite apart from fans who actually behave themselves and are a credit to their country rather than an embarrassment, it made a change to see players getting on with the game, respecting the referee and not whining or questioning his decision every two minutes

Also all the players interviewed came across as humble gentleman rather than spoiled, over-paid prima donnas.

I hope football learns something from this, but I doubt it somehow.

Sports Personality of the Year? May as well give Wilko the award now.

Heartbreaking but it has to go:

For sale, well used (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2362150346&category=204)

Originally posted by max
Heartbreaking but it has to go:

For sale, well used (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2362150346&category=204)
rofl, vg.

The Aussies are trying to stop Jonny winning the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award.

For the story go here:

Aussies backing Tim against Jonny (http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_843400.html?menu=)

To vote in the ballot go here:

BBC voting (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_2003/3222842.stm)

Originally posted by max
The Aussies are trying to stop Jonny winning the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award.



I think I heard this mentioned on the radio. I can't see it working. The only other person I can vision winning is Radcliffe.

I'm voting for Heskey to win it.

Would that be the Emile Heskey who plays for Liverpool and under achieves for England?