Going to be rough for America probably.

I like the home teams chances.

Thoughts?

Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2015

I'm a proud South African and will be supporting my team accordingly!!

However, on paper I think NZ is probably strongest, although they always seem to be so going in and then struggle in crunch time. Maybe this tourney is where they finally shed that persona?....

Anyway, excited about it all the same! Miss seeing rugby in the US and this is one of the few tourneys that'll be in bars :-)

The aussies are building, spring box's will struggle away from home where they get a good run from the ref's......expect one of the finalist from the North. hemisphere probably france....they like playing in New zealand when they bring their A team!

dates, please?

9th September - 23rd October

Went to the US/Canada game in Denver (Thanks Eddie O'Sullivan!). Broke down the game film with the staff afterwards. To put it bluntly, Ireland is going to destroy us in the first game of pool play. We should have beat up on Japan, but did the exact same thing defensively vs Japan as we did with Canada. Everyone is chip kicking over us and our wings/fullback are pretty much always out of position. Offensively, we put together some nice phases, but get to the 10m line and lose it damn near every time due to knock-ons or just sloppy play.

Malifa HAS to go!! Thats the biggest problem in my opinion. Not the only one though.

I think we have been doing too many kicks and the backline play looks painfully unimaginative. I think we have regressed every match since the 1st Canada game.

Dont ask me why but Im still optimistic abouta good showing in New Zealand. I have absolutely no reason to be, just a dreamer I guess.

USA is going to have a tough hill to climb. If they don't pull it off then I'm rooting for Ireland, my second home team.

Universal Sports is showing some of the matches live in the early hours but will also have replays within a few hours of match time.

Naturally be rooting for US but Scotland would be my back-up team.

I think we should all agree to add ***SPOILER***
if we plan on discussing a certain game. Especially with the games being early everyone will be watching them at different times.

agree, definitely need spoiler alerts.

For those who do not already know, Malifa will not be starting against Ireland!

***SPOILER***

Just watched first match on NBC. Very inspiring play from the boys in red, white, and blue. I think they'll be able to take care of Russia easily. Who knows, maybe we can sneak another "W" in Auckland?

Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2015

***** Spoiler *****

Gutsy performance. Definitely exceeded expectations, especially after watching the games leading into the RWC. Pains me to think of what could have been had we not shanked the first attempt at the posts to pull even or given up that try leading into the 2nd half. Either way though, the US couldn't get things going on offense.

If they play the same kind of inspired rugby they did today, they'll take care of Russia, which is unfortunately, all people are really asking of them this year.

Maybe 2015 with the batch of young players in the college ranks now... You are already seeing some of them among the Eagles, such as Hawley, Scully, Pati, Mokate, etc...

I was mostly happy with the result for the U.S., with a few exceptions. NZ and Ireland are my non-U.S. teams, so that might color my perception of the match a little.

***SPOILER***

Well if the first weekend in the books I am pleased with the performance from the Eagles. It does pain me to think what could have been. Ireland was definitely not on their game. The defense we had was amazing! Some of those hits were bone crushing!

I am a little worried going forward because it doesnt seem like we can manufacture any points off sustained drives or creative back line play. The scrum needs SERIOUS work! Hopefully we get all that worked out for Russia.

The first half of the All Blacks game was some of the most entertaining rugby I've seen. Gonna be hard to stop the New Zealand back-line!

Anyone gonna be up at 2:30 to watch Russia get beat down?

***SPOILER***








WOW!! What an improvement for the Eagles. Everybody stepped up and performed. The only complaint is that we needed to come away with more points. Spent too much time with the ball and territory to not have more points on the board.

Hope Clever doesnt get a suspension for that late shoulder-check. We need him for the Aussies.

Getting ready for Ireland v Wales.