2011 Rugby World Cup

Because why NOT have a thread about it? And if no one posts on it, well, so be it.

I understand all the U.S. games will be shown on NBC, though on tape delay because the tournament's in New Zealand.

That, of course, puts the perennial World Cup underachieving All Blacks under some pretty intense pressure. For all their domination of international rugby, they've not won a World Cup since the very first one in 1987. And given that the country is in fact far too small to host a World Cup, it's probably the last one they'll ever have.

Everyone seems to expect an Australia-New Zealand final. The group stages do tend to be pretty formulaic -- the gap between the elite teams and the rest of the lot is massive. The U.S. can expect to have a chance in exactly one of its games, against Russia. South Africa and England will probably be the other two semifinalists.

 

I didn't even realize there was another favorite other than the All Blacks

 

New Zealand have a guy who sounds like he belongs on the Alabama offensive line: Sonny Bill Williams.

They also have a 29-0 first-half lead on Tonga, which is supposed to be one of the better "other" teams. Like I said, not particularly competitive in the first round.

 

Boy, didn't see that one coming.

 

Well, at least it's not in Vancouver.

 

The All Blacks are always the favorites .... to choke.

 

OK, that's fucking funny. Rampaging rugby fans would make Vancouver fans look like a walk in the park

 

Not a bad showing for the US, which lost just 22-10 to Ireland.

 

Hope the Eagles aren't too emotionally spent to get up for the Russia game. Unless the Italians really lose interest, it's their best chance for a win this year.

 

Full-match replays are available free 72 hours after each match on http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/video/

 

Wallabies looked great in the second half against Italy. They seemed to break the Italians spirit.

 

Upset for Canada! They beat Tonga 25-20.