Almost half a million worldwide visitors are expected at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, which kicks off in London on Friday.
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Australia have a really good coach in Michael Cheika, but is Stephen Moore a World Cup-winning captain? In Pool A, England, the tournament hosts, come up against Australia and Wales – who play their games against Uruguay and Fiji at their own Millennium Stadium, the only venue outwith England. Unfortunately it also meant that France went on to face the All Blacks in the quarter final, and we all know what happened there. Much more than the points, though, was the destruction he wrought in the minds of his opponents, reducing them to utter despair. We have to take advantage of that and not to play like they do. For Lomu, personally, the story turned more tragic. “We’re wanting to start this tournament on the right note with the win but we’ll have to play extremely well in order to do that”.
Owen Franks confirmed a long running rumour in rugby circles that the morning after the All Blacks won the last World Cup the two brothers went to the gym.
“I didn’t think I would perform the haka again”, Lomu said. The All Blacks powerhouse already boasts an incredible try-scoring record and with Argentina the only side likely to offer the defending champions some resistance in Pool C, Savea should have plenty of opportunities to touch down out wide. It was, however, a tenuous link; there was little to nurture it in the absence of live TV broadcast (or even archival footage), and one depended on video cassettes sent over by indulgent relatives living overseas.
“There’s more of a focus on what I’m doing now, because my days are numbered, the end’s coming, so I’m just going to give it everything I’ve got for this last time”, he said.
In exchange for their names and emails (handy!), users who approached the machine played fairly simple rugby-related games.
The holders, who start their defence against Argentina at Wembley on Sunday, are ready for what many believe will be the most competitive World Cup so far.
World Cup victor Jonah Lomu has claimed that hosts England must handle the pressure of the home fans if they are to stand a chance in this year’s tournament. While the Pumas recently added the Springboks to their list of scalps, the All Blacks remain the one side against whom the South Americans have not yet tasted victory.
For the current Rugby World Cup, the TAB says 30,000 have entered its free punt at the $1 million competition.
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Argentina have lost six of their seven opening games at Rugby World Cups. But in the last four years New Zealand have had a cooperative principle and a tactical subtlety that few sides can match.
