Rugby World Cup 2007

[miltonbentley]

MB, a NZ colt team would probably beat the England 1st team by a bigger margin biggrin.gif

Keep em coming Donny

[Donnyboy]

MB, a NZ colt team would probably beat the England 1st team by a bigger margin biggrin.gif

Keep em coming Donny

its probably closer to the truth than you realise MB, NZ rugby has some depth

Junior All Blacks

ForwardsCampbell Johnstone Clarke Dermody Corey Flynn Daniel Braid Derren Witcombe Greg Rawlinson Hoani MacDonald Jerome Kaino John Afoa Kieran Read Marty Holah Mose Tuiali'i Ross Filipo Wyatt Crockett

BacksAndrew Ellis Anthony Tuitavake Casey Laulala Cory Jane Jimmy Cowan Ma'a Nonu Rico Gear Rudi Wulf Sam Tuitupou Scott Hamilton Stephen Brett Stephen Donald Tane Tu'ipulotu

The Junior All Blacks is New Zealand's newest national team as a result of a review of the New Zealand Rugby Union's High Performance structure. Unlike the New Zealand Under 23 Junior sides of previous years, the Junior All Blacks are not an age grade side. It is in fact the second national team behind the All Blacks. Since a New Zealand Junior side was sent to Japan in 1958, they have played against a host of international sides including the British & Irish Lions, Australia, England, South Africa, Fiji and Tonga. Several players who played in New Zealand Juniors sides also ended up playing for the All Blacks. Among them were Colin Meads, Kel Tremain, Graham Mourie, Ian Kirkpatrick and Grant Fox. Junior All Blacks co-coach Colin Cooper played for the 1982 side on their Internal Tour - the team won all four matches.

Edited September 24, 2007 by Donnyboy

[Donnyboy]

going deeper..........

Under 21s

The New Zealand Under 21 team has produced many All Blacks, most recently Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, John Afoa and Luke McAlister who were part of the 2004 IRB World Championship-winning side. Another of the recent All Blacks, Sam Tuitupou, captained the side to victory at the IRB Under 21 World Championships in England in 2003. And they successfully defended their title in 2004 under the leadership of another All Black and 2003 IRB Under 21 Player of the Year Ben Atiga. New Zealand has a successful record at this age grade level having won the Under 21 tournament, previously the SANZAR/UAR competition, in 2000 and 2001. All Blacks Aaron Mauger and Richie McCaw were the captains in 2000 and 2001.

Edited September 24, 2007 by Donnyboy

[Donnyboy]

and deeper......

Under 19s

Since first competing at the annual World Under 19 championships in 1999, New Zealand has won the title four times - 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2004. On the other occasions New Zealand didn't win, it was conquered in the final in 2003 by South Africa and the semi finals in 2000, falling to Australia in a kicking competition after the score was 5-5 after normal time. In 2005, New Zealand lost in the final to South Africa 20-15 and in 2006 was beaten by Australia 17-13 in the final. Six members of the 2003 All Blacks squad at the Rugby World Cup: Richie McCaw, Aaron Mauger, Malili Muliaina, Jerry Collins, Joe Rokocoko and Ben Atiga, made it to the senior side after representing their country at the Under 19 World Championships. Two members of the 2003 Under 19 team, Liam Messam and Rudi Wulf, have more recently risen to prominence as part of the New Zealand Sevens team.

[Donnyboy]

still going deeper.....

New Zealand Maori

The New Zealand Maori has a proud history both on and off the rugby field. The team has lost only four of its 26 games played between 1994 and 2004, including beating England, Argentina, Scotland, Fiji. The Maori continued their winning form in 2004 beating England in extra time in the final of the Churchill Cup in Canada. In 2005, the New Zealand Maori team beat the touring British & Irish Lions 19-13. Maori rugby traces its origins back to the inaugural world tour that was conducted in 1888-89 by a team that became known as the New Zealand Natives. The team played an incredible 107 games across Britain, Australia and New Zealand during a journey that lasted 14 months. Since first given official status in 1910, the New Zealand Maori has produced some of world rugby's most outstanding athletes, including fullback George Nepia who played 46 games for the All Blacks from 1924-1930, halfback Sid Going who played 86 matches for his country and former All Black captain and former NZRU President Tane Norton, who represented New Zealand in 61 games, including 27 Tests.

[Donnyboy]

shall I carry on?

Sevens

New Zealand Sevens was born in 1983, when the first full international side was sent to the famous Hong Kong tournament. New Zealand won their first Hong Kong title in 1986 and went on to win the inaugural IRB World Sevens Series in 2000 and in each of the next five years. In addition, the New Zealand Sevens side won gold medals at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games. In 2005, the team also won its sixth IRB Sevens title in a row and won a seventh title in 2007

[Donnyboy]

maybe a couple more

Heartland XV

The New Zealand Heartland XV, formerly known as the New Zealand Divisional XV, was established in 1988 to expose players from Divisions Two and Three in the Air New Zealand NPC to rugby at a higher level. In 2006, AA Rewards Heartland Championship replaced the former Air New Zealand NPC Divisions Two and Three, and the competition has given more players the chance to push for national honours. The first New Zealand Heartland XV side toured the Pacific Islands and they played six games (which they won), including matches against Tonga and Fiji. The team has been the launching pad of many All Blacks' careers including Carlos Spencer and Justin Marshall. Other players who made appearances for the New Zealand Heartland XV early in their careers include Jeff Wilson, Todd Blackadder, Norm Hewitt Simon Culhane and Matthew Cooper.

[Donnyboy]

last one

NZ Schools

Many All Blacks made their mark in the New Zealand Schools side, most notably Doug Howlett, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hayman and Andrew Hore, all of whom played in the 1996 side that beat Australia 31-22. Hore was the captain back then. And over the years, many more future All Blacks impressed at New Zealand Schools level - Aaron Mauger, Malili Muliaina and Jerry Collins were just three who made the 1998 squad. In recent years, Joe Rokocoko (2000-2002), Sam Tuitupou (2000), Ben Atiga (2000-2002), Jamie Mackintosh (2002-2003) and Liam Messam (2001-2002) came to the fore. Mackintosh went on to captain the New Zealand Under 19 side to World Cup victory in South Africa in 2004 while Messam led the New Zealand Sevens team to its fifth IRB World Series title in the same year. New Zealand Schools has lost only one of their last 24 games, against France Under 19 in Paris in 2002.

[Donnyboy]

one for the girls....

Black Ferns

The Black Ferns became an official NZRU national side in 1992 after paying their own way to the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup in Wales. Their Women's Rugby World Cup titles in 1998, 2002 and again in 2006 underline New Zealand's dominance in international women's rugby and reflect the burgeoning provincial, club and school scene. In addition to three world titles, the Black Ferns also won the 2004 Churchill Cup tournament in Edmonton by beating England in the final. They followed that up with a win over Canada in the final of the 2005 Canada Cup.

[Donnyboy]

I wonder how many bandages he wears for the game against Canada. He probably comes out looking like the mummy as he straps up his elbows as well and sometimes in head gear

Larkham in line for shock return

Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham could return to action following his knee operation as early as Saturday.

The 33-year-old went under the knife just over a week ago after his knee locked up during kicking practice.

It was thought he would not be fit until the quarter-finals but he now hopes to play 20 minutes as a replacement against Canada.

"Providing everything goes well I'd like to have a hit out and get a bit of confidence," said Larkham. "Straight after the operation I didn't have any swelling or any pain and I got stuck into the rehab. "I was pretty confident as soon as I got out of hospital. The fact I could walk out of the hospital was a good sign."

[Donnyboy]

not good news for the Irish lads, hope he comes right.

O'Driscoll injury scare for Irish

Brian O'Driscoll is one of four injury concerns for Ireland ahead of Sunday's crunch World Cup clash with Argentina.

The Leinster centre limped off during Monday's training session after taking a bang on his right knee.

Munster hooker Jerry Flannery is also a worry after suffering a shoulder injury in a heavy collision with Simon Best.

Fly-half Ronan O'Gara (calf) and full-back Girvan Dempsey (collarbone) sat out training with injuries picked up in Friday's 25-3 defeat by France.

The training had a third victim - Ulster scrum-half Issac Boss recieved three stitches to a cut above his left eye.

An Ireland spokesman said none of the injuries during the session are serious enough to rule the players out of selection for the game in Paris.

O'Gara and Dempsey were injured in Friday's 25-3 defeat by France.

Flannery was floored by the impact with Ulster hooker Best before returning to his feet several minutes later.

An ice pack was placed on his shoulder and he took no further part in the session in Bordeaux.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan names his team for the Paris showdown with Argentina at lunchtime on Tuesday.

The Irish will have to score four tries and beat Argentina by more than seven points in their final match to reach the quarter-finals.

The defeat by France followed unconvincing wins over Namibia and Georgia in Pool D.

[Donnyboy]

lets hope so

note the similiar jerseys in the photo

NZ will improve, warns So'oialo

By Phil Harlow

BBC Sport at Murrayfield

All Blacks number eight Rodney So'oialo insists the tournament favourites still have plenty of room for improvement at the Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand scored six tries in their 40-0 win against a largely second-string Scotland but a series of try-scoring opportunities went begging.

"There was a tendency to not fully concentrate on basics, like catching the ball," said So'oialo.

"We'll look at it and make sure it's a lot better the next time we play."

So'oialo conceded the errors were down to a "lack of focus" and he added: "We can't afford to make those mistakes in the rest of the tournament."

New Zealand are odds on to win the tournament but doubts persist over whether their relatively straightforward pool - comprising Scotland, Italy, Portugal and Romania - will leave them ill-prepared for the likely challenge of hosts France in the last eight.

But So'oialo stuck resolutely to the party line, insisting that his side had their sights firmly set on Romania's challenge on Saturday.

"Our next game against Romania isn't so easy," said the 28-year-old. "Their forwards are very big and very physical, so we'll concentrate on that before anything else."

Scotland coach Frank Hadden decided to rest several front-line players for the clash with the All Blacks in order to preserve their energies for the pivotal match with Italy on Saturday.

But So'oialo played down suggestions that the relative weakness of Scotland's line-up had cheapened New Zealand's emphatic win.

"We play whatever team comes out in front of us," he stated.

"We were just there to do what we're good at - and what we've been training to do all week. It's an international team, so they are good enough to be there.

"The Scottish players have a lot of passion, especially at home. All teams have their weaknesses and we did our homework and exploited certain areas.

"But Scotland have a lot of heart and that came through."

New Zealand hooker Anton Oliver admitted the All Blacks would have been punished for their errors by top-rate opposition.

"The first 20 minutes or so was right on the job, everything was done well, but I think we might have to be a bit more structured in the way we play it," he said.

"The better teams will have a better defence and be fast and convert some of those mistakes that we made here into points.

"One of the main attributes that will win this World Cup is making as few mistakes as possible. If we keep on making as many as here then we won't win it. "Scotland were pretty good. I've played here a few times and Scotland have never rolled over. They've got a lot of character but we made life hard for ourselves with a lot of inaccuracies."

[Donnyboy]

Predictions mid week,

Canada vs Japan: skill wise they are very close, but Japan may have the edge in speed. But Canada in height and weight. Canada by 12.

Romania vs Portugal: another evenly matched game. Best guess-Romania by 5.

Georgia vs Namibia: who knows? Best guess Geormibia by 5

Samoa vs USA: disappointing RWC for both teams esp so for Samoa who I thought were going to be the ones to upset England. But Tonga has been the one to surprise, by going so close against the Boks. Samoa by 12.

[miltonbentley]

Gosh Donny were you bored last night lots of All Black propaganda there

This is the only one that counts so please keep on topic or I will have to report you to the mods

Canada vs Japan: - Canada to have way too much power in the tank by 20

Romania vs Portugal - would like to see this one but way too late. Agree that Rpmania will win by 12

Georgia vs Namibia - Georgia to have a stormer by 25

Samoa v USA - USA to catch the backlash from Samoa's disappointing WC and lose by 18

[miltonbentley]

Abit more on that kit fiasco in the NZ/Scotland game

The All Blacks were asked to change their jerseys during the halftime break of their match against Scotland to end a farcical clash of colours in yesterday's Rugby World Cup match in Edinburgh.

International Rugby Board communications manager Greg Thomas, speaking on Radio Sport this morning, revealed the attempt failed because the All Blacks' traditional black strip had not been taken with them from their French base.

Thomas did admit the jersies were confusing and said a similar colour clash would not happen again.

"The match commissioner looked at the jersies before the match and thought they were quite different," Thomas said.

However, soon after the game got underway IRB officials realised the patchwork on the jersies made them difficult to differentiate the teams, particularly from side on.

Full story here

[Captain Chaos]

Abit more on that kit fiasco in the NZ/Scotland game

The All Blacks were asked to change their jerseys during the halftime break of their match against Scotland to end a farcical clash of colours in yesterday's Rugby World Cup match in Edinburgh.

International Rugby Board communications manager Greg Thomas, speaking on Radio Sport this morning, revealed the attempt failed because the All Blacks' traditional black strip had not been taken with them from their French base.

Thomas did admit the jersies were confusing and said a similar colour clash would not happen again.

"The match commissioner looked at the jersies before the match and thought they were quite different," Thomas said.

However, soon after the game got underway IRB officials realised the patchwork on the jersies made them difficult to differentiate the teams, particularly from side on.

Full story here

Weren't they playing at Murrayfield - in which case doesn't traditionally the home team change it's jersey in rugby (civilized game, unlike football )? Or is it the case that all the stadia are 'chartered' out to RWC so I suppose the Enzedders could have been deemed the 'home' team. Anyone know?

Disappointing game anyhow - scoreline flattered the Ill Blicks against Scotland 'B' .... that strength in depth won't do you much good if you leave it all home in NZ Donny

[Donnyboy]

Abit more on that kit fiasco in the NZ/Scotland game

The All Blacks were asked to change their jerseys during the halftime break of their match against Scotland to end a farcical clash of colours in yesterday's Rugby World Cup match in Edinburgh.

International Rugby Board communications manager Greg Thomas, speaking on Radio Sport this morning, revealed the attempt failed because the All Blacks' traditional black strip had not been taken with them from their French base.

Thomas did admit the jersies were confusing and said a similar colour clash would not happen again.

"The match commissioner looked at the jersies before the match and thought they were quite different," Thomas said.

However, soon after the game got underway IRB officials realised the patchwork on the jersies made them difficult to differentiate the teams, particularly from side on.

Full story here

Weren't they playing at Murrayfield - in which case doesn't traditionally the home team change it's jersey in rugby (civilized game, unlike football )? Or is it the case that all the stadia are 'chartered' out to RWC so I suppose the Enzedders could have been deemed the 'home' team. Anyone know?

Disappointing game anyhow - scoreline flattered the Ill Blicks against Scotland 'B' .... that strength in depth won't do you much good if you leave it all home in NZ Donny

yes, unfortunately we cant bring 60 players on tour like Sir Clive did on the Lions tour 2 years ago

how could Scotland be playing away in their own country? I hate the look of all those patch jerseys with different colours, The All Blacks usually play (away) with the white strip when playing opposition with a dark strip.

it was a disappointing game vs Scotland, but a few good things did come from it. McDonald was replaced by Nick Evans early in the 1st half and played brilliantly. Scrums were solid and defense was good. And if you note, the other 2 big teams had minor hiccups as well this weekend. Notably the Boks with their 2nd team against a spirited Tongan team whom nearly won. It was the saving grace of the 1st choice Bok players coming on early in the 2nd half that probably saved the teams embrassment of losing to a minnow team.

[miltonbentley]

one for the girls....

Black Ferns

The Black Ferns became an official NZRU national side in 1992 after paying their own way to the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup in Wales. Their Women's Rugby World Cup titles in 1998, 2002 and again in 2006 underline New Zealand's dominance in international women's rugby and reflect the burgeoning provincial, club and school scene. In addition to three world titles, the Black Ferns also won the 2004 Churchill Cup tournament in Edmonton by beating England in the final. They followed that up with a win over Canada in the final of the 2005 Canada Cup.

Abit more on that kit fiasco in the NZ/Scotland game

The All Blacks were asked to change their jerseys during the halftime break of their match against Scotland to end a farcical clash of colours in yesterday's Rugby World Cup match in Edinburgh.

International Rugby Board communications manager Greg Thomas, speaking on Radio Sport this morning, revealed the attempt failed because the All Blacks' traditional black strip had not been taken with them from their French base.

Thomas did admit the jersies were confusing and said a similar colour clash would not happen again.

"The match commissioner looked at the jersies before the match and thought they were quite different," Thomas said.

However, soon after the game got underway IRB officials realised the patchwork on the jersies made them difficult to differentiate the teams, particularly from side on.

Full story here

Weren't they playing at Murrayfield - in which case doesn't traditionally the home team change it's jersey in rugby (civilized game, unlike football )? Or is it the case that all the stadia are 'chartered' out to RWC so I suppose the Enzedders could have been deemed the 'home' team. Anyone know?

Disappointing game anyhow - scoreline flattered the Ill Blicks against Scotland 'B' .... that strength in depth won't do you much good if you leave it all home in NZ Donny

I agree with Captain. Donny perhaps some of that strength in depth from the Black Ferns will help.

[Donnyboy]

I agree with Captain Donny perhaps some of that strength in depth from the Black Ferns will help.

it is unlikely that we will need them as we dont envisage facing England in the semis

[Donnyboy]

another bad bok

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

Edited September 25, 2007 by Donnyboy

[Donnyboy]

that explains it

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.

Edited September 25, 2007 by Donnyboy

[miltonbentley]

[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."

Edited September 25, 2007 by Donnyboy

[Donnyboy]

this will be a crucial loss for the Wallabies

More surgery for Aussie Larkham

Australia fly-half Stephen Larkham could be ruled out for the rest of the World Cup after undergoing a second operation on his knee. Larkham was hoping to play against Canada on Saturday after recovering from his first operation last week.

But the 33-year-old's knee became infected and he had arthoscopic surgery on Monday.

He is now almost certain to miss Australia's quarter-final against either England or Tonga on 6 October.

The 33-year-old first went under the knife just over a week ago after his knee locked up during kicking practice.

And the earliest he is now likely to return is in the semi-finals in Paris in mid-October if Australia reach that stage and the injury heals in time.

[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.

[Donnyboy]

Japan vs Canada 12-12 fulltime

[Donnyboy]

Romania vs Portugal fulltime. Romania win 14-10

didnt watch all the game, but was woken up by the thunder

[chavy]

Romania vs Portugal fulltime. Romania win 14-10

didnt watch all the game, but was woken up by the thunder

I watched this & Portugal were unlucky to lose this one but they ran out of steam right at the end & couldn't hold out. Shame really as majority of the crowd & me included were really rooting for the Portugese.

[miltonbentley]

Didn't see either of the two games last night.

Samoa v USA tonight - The battle to avoid last spot i the group. Samoa will be bitterly disappointed with their world cup but I suspect they will have too much firepower for the US. The Americans will however compete hard. Samoa by 8.

.

[miltonbentley]

Current Wold Rankings

1(1) NEW ZEALAND93.38

2(2) AUSTRALIA87.73

3(3) SOUTH AFRICA86.44

4(4) ARGENTINA84.82

5(5) FRANCE84.63

6(6) IRELAND79.62

7(7) ENGLAND79.058

(8) WALES76.83

9(9) ITALY75.65

10(10) SCOTLAND74.95

11(11) FIJI73.07

12(12) TONGA72.56

13(13) SAMOA70.66

14(14) CANADA67.50

15(15) ROMANIA66.51

16(16) GEORGIA66.38

17(17) USA65.26

18(18) JAPAN64.79

19(19) RUSSIA64.37

20(20) URUGUAY62.66

21(21) SPAIN62.32

22(22) PORTUGAL62.03

23(23) KOREA58.02

24(24) NAMIBIA57.15

I scoped down so all the teams at the World Cup are included. Thailand incidentally are at 74. The full list is here

My question is this who do you think has either underperformed or excelled themselves in the World Cup so far?