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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Rugby World Cup Finals Picks 12 views
20 October 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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Scotty Donaldson makes his final picks for the Rugby World Cup.
The final weekend of the Rugby World Cup 2011 starts on Friday night when Wales tackles Australia for the bronze medal. This match used to decide which team got automatic qualification into the next tournament and this would actually help to inspire the teams for this match which has barely anything riding on it. The teams have been named and so don't forget to get your picks in. There are still plenty of Welsh bargains available for managers to fill up their teams.
It will be interesting to see how Wales copes without a specialist open-side flanker in their usual captain Sam Warburton. I think David Pocock will be dangerous at the breakdown and will provide enough ball for the Wallabies to win with, but it will be close. Wales have been tough to beat in this tournament so far. I am going Australia by 7 points. Remember that I have only picked two correct winning teams in the finals and these are the All Blacks matches. Otherwise, I can't pick a broken nose. The teams are listed below, although notice that Australia has made several changes.
Australia vs Wales
AUSTRALIA: Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill (capt), Salesi Ma'afu, Tatafu Polota Nau, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga'a, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Radike Samo, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Rob Horne.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Ryan Jones, Toby Faletau, Dan Lydiate; Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies; Paul James, Huw Bennett, Gethin Jenkins (capt). Res: Lloyd Burns, Ryan Bevington, Alun Wyn Jones, Andy Powell, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Scott Williams.
If the All Blacks are as focussed and inspired as they were last week again this week then they should be too strong for France. Expect a stronger France team than the one that lost to the All Blacks in pool play. You can also expect a stronger match from the All Blacks. I wonder if France will stick to their kicking for territory and relying on defence game, because with the free flowing Craig Joubert as referee, I think this game will be too fluent for France who would have been hoping for a slow, referee influenced game to help them stop the All Blacks game breaking backs.
I think All Blacks by 15-20 points.
France has been named, while the All Blacks should stick to the same team that beat Australia with the possible exception of Adam Thomson on the bench instead of Jerome Kaino, although this won't be confirmed until Friday.
Don't forget to get your picks in before you go away on holiday and before the Friday night game!
France vs New Zealand
FRANCE
Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Papé, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (c), Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy, Dimitri Yachvili, Morgan Parra, Alexis Palisson, Maxime Mermoz, Aurélien Rougerie, Vincent Clerc, Maxime Médard. Reserves to be named.
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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