donnyboy

why was my post edited as Im a regular poster now?

I have actually posted more than most other members since joining up and wanted members to know about a site where views on RWC was over 12,500 and over 400 replies since May 2007.

My posts usually are longer than 2 sentences and add info that may contribute to your site but I may reconsider my position.

btw,I am still awaiting my vbet winnings from the Italy Portugal game. Whos in charge here?
also, you have a member who has spammed with his first and only post! wheres the consistancy??????? I leave it to you where to find that post.

donnyboy

My predictions,

Tonights Game; Wales vs Japan. Wales by 40.

This coming weekend.

France vs Ireland. France should be able to roll Ireland up front and win well. France by 15.

England vs Samoa. Although England havent yet shown us what they are capable of, Im am picking that they will lift this week against Samoa. They should have the goods in the forwards, and Wilko should be able to keep most of the play down their end. An upset is on the cards however as the Samoans could rattle Englands game plan by targeting a few players. England by 20.

South Africa vs Tonga. The Boks have too much firepower for Tonga to deal with. South Africa by 60.

Argentina vs Namibia. Argentina will be cementing their place on top of Pool D after this game. Argentina by 70.

Australia vs Fiji. I would imagine Fiji will be saving the best squad against the Welsh for the 2nd spot in their pool. Wallabies by 40.

NZ vs Scotland. Scotland should offer some resistance by being at home, but wont be able to contain the ABs as they are starting to hit their straps now. The ABs are fielding their best team. Im not sure if Scotland is. All Blacks by 40

donnyboy

Wales vs Japan halftime score, Wales 29-11. Wales have their 4 tries already.

Japan lacking big players and height in the lineout. But scored a length of the field try, which was well constructed. Both teams guilty of turning over too much ball. James Hook making plenty of breaks thou, and scored a great try.

donnyboy

Final Wales 72 Japan 18

donnyboy

Does anyone else have an opinion or just lurkers here??

more here

donnyboy

England vs Samoa Final score ; England wins 44-22

Still some work to do here for England as it wasnt the best performance. Samoa turnovered plenty of ball and were punished in the last 10 min due to lack of fitness.

donnyboy

Steyn faces 'lengthy' biting ban


South Africa back Francois Steyn has been cited for allegedly biting Tonga winger Joseph Vaka during Saturday's World Cup game in Lens. Steyn, 20, will almost certainly miss the rest of the tournament if he is found guilty of the offence.

The alleged biting happened during an off-the-ball incident that saw both Steyn and Vaka sent to the sin-bin.

A date for a disciplinary hearing has yet to be confirmed. The offence can carry a ban of up to three years.

The International Rugby Board's recommended sentence for biting ranges from six months to three years.

The Natal Sharks star, who played in the Springboks' recent 36-0 victory over England, is rated among South Africa's brightest prospects.

South Africa have already qualified for the quarter-final stage of the tournament.

BBC News

donnyboy

Probe over World Cup rugby balls


The International Rugby Board says ball manufacturers Gilbert is launching a probe into complaints about differences between match balls and practice balls. New Zealand's Dan Carter, one of the world's most reliable goalkickers, says players have not been able to use match balls in practice.

"We've been using replica balls rather than being able to train with the balls we play with," he said.

IRB spokesman Greg Thomas said Gilbert had responded immediately to the claim.

Carter, whose career strike-rate is 80%, missed five place kicks out of nine in the All Blacks' 40-0 win over Scotland at Murrayfield despite the lack of wind.

Ireland's Ronan O'Gara and Jonny Wilkinson of England have also been inconsistent with their kicking so far in the tournament.

donnyboy

more ball saga......

Wilkinson frustrated by cup balls By Bryn Palmer

Jonny Wilkinson admits the new balls being used at the World Cup have left him feeling "helpless" on occasion.

Wilkinson kicked seven from nine attempts at goal against Samoa but said the two missed attempts moved in the air despite there being no wind.

All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter also complained after his sub-standard display against Scotland.

"I don't care if I am kicking badly as long as I know it is me and I can work on it," Wilkinson told BBC Sport.

"The difficulty can be finding the accountability. You ask yourself, 'is it me or not?'. That is what affects my concentration.

"I missed a couple of kicks against Samoa and both were very heavy. They shifted quite a way, right to left, which is quite unusual for me, with no wind.
"The next kick, you are then asking yourself, 'do I allow for that, treat it as a one-off, or do I ignore it?'

"That is the tough part, you end up playing mental games outside a game, which you don't really want to be doing.

"It is a bit like playing in a wind that you can't work out, it leaves you feeling a bit helpless."

Wilkinson is notoriously meticulous in his preparation for every facet of the game but particularly his goal-kicking, spending up two hours at a time practising.

He said it had be "an interesting few months" since the new balls were developed in the run-up to World Cup.

"People are trying to create balls that are perhaps easier for handling in the wet, or when you play night-time rugby and there is dew on the ball, but also on very dry days when your hands are very sweaty, which can be a lot worse," said Wilkinson.

"It has brought up issues with kicking the ball since the World Cup warm-up games, and it has given us a new challenge certainly.

"I have been kicking better in practice than I did against Samoa, and after the game I just wanted to get straight back out there and thought: 'let's work on it again and find a way to beat it'."

Carter's concern, meanwhile, was that he had not been allowed to practise with actual match balls between matches.

The fly-half, whose career strike-rate is 80%, missed five place kicks out of nine in the All Blacks' 40-0 win over Scotland at Murrayfield despite the lack of wind.

"We've been using replica balls rather than being able to train with the balls we play with," said Carter.

But ball manufacturers Gilbert denied teams were being forced to train with replicas.

"All of the balls provided to teams for training prior to the tournament's commencement and to the RWC Organising Committee for the 48 matches are match balls. There are no 'replica' balls," the company said in a statement.

"All Gilbert match balls are 'pre-kicked' before dispatch to allow the stitch lines to settle and the ball to find its natural shape faster after inflation.

"Whilst taking very seriously the comments made by Dan Carter and members of the New Zealand management team following the game in Scotland last weekend, Gilbert remain supremely confident in the standard of balls delivered for use in the Rugby World Cup.

"Gilbert will, of course, re-examine the balls sent back to them by the IRB [International Rugby Board] and will report should any inconsistencies be found."

Welsh legend Neil Jenkins, the world record points scorer, is the principality's kicking coach, and he added: "For me, I just think these balls should be kicked in a lot earlier than they have been.

"It's important that you play with the ball you're going to use on a Saturday to get a feel for it, especially as a kicker.

"The ball travels a lot better, it's got a much better flight if it has been kicked in, sometimes a brand new ball just doesn't fly as well."

donnyboy

Steyn cleared of 'biting' charge

South Africa utility back Francois Steyn has been cleared of biting Tonga winger Joseph Vaka during Saturday's World Cup game in Lens.

He was charged following an off-the-ball incident that saw both Steyn and Vaka sent to the sin-bin.

The judicial officer accepted 20-year-old Steyn's plea that he did not bite Vaka.

He was supported by Vaka, who said the mark on his hand could have happened by accident during the melee.