Who is your 2nd favourite rugby nation?

First topic message reminder :

Other than your own wonderful nation, who is 2nd in command? Please don't cheat! Evil beady eye is watching.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Italy's national anthem is one of the best there is.

But the Marseillaise is the best.

Yep, agreed. No anthem comes close to the French one. It's properly combative and stirring

I voted for Ireland, but I hope they don't win on Saturday.

Argie fan wrote:I voted for Ireland, but I hope they don't win on Saturday.

I voted for Argentina but I hope they dont win on Saturday.

I support England first (being English and all) but I have joint seconds - Scotland and Italy. Scotland because I live there and have a Scottish wife and Italy because I used to love supporting them as underdogs when they first joined the 6 nations. Since then my brother has married an Italian and I've been to games out there and I just really like them.

When Scotland play Italy I support the team with the ball!

GunsGerms wrote:

Argie fan wrote:I voted for Ireland, but I hope they don't win on Saturday.

I voted for Argentina but I hope they dont win on Saturday.

LOL..

Italy for me. But that's got more to do with HC/Amlin away trip. Fantastic hosts.

Il Canto degli Italiani (i think???) is really good and the best bit is that you can make up your own lyrics, i mean anything at all, and it fits with the tune and sounds great! Brilliant.

I like the 'oi' which comes at the end of the italian anthem!

Best bit of the Italian anthem (all together now!)

da dada, da dada, dadadadadadada!

'oi', yeah that bit is Cockney Italian Café talk

I suppose they could be saying 'Si'...

Where is the Cypriot Rugby option.
How can you not choose The Moufflons as your second team!

They are going for the record - 17 international wins in a row against Slovenia.

Gotta be Scotland my wife used to work in a chip shop some Scott's went in there on a Friday 1 was arguing with his wife. He put my wife on the phone to tell her he was in Wales. He'd came all the way down for the match without telling her where he was going

Mofflons - mwahahah ! been a while since I saw one in the Cyprus mountains.

gregortree wrote:Mofflons - mwahahah ! been a while since I saw one in the Cyprus mountains.

*MOUFLON

Rog

New Zealand, closely followed by France and Australia. Doesn't mean I like their fans though.

Oz and of the NH Wales- similar in population to us and some real famous/ infamous moments in history- Deans try, The Geoff Wheel penalty*, the Welsh contribution to the 71 Lions and 73 Baabaas match etc, JPR battered and bruised in the Brigend match in 78 I think it was etc, little Bennet trying to keep Hiiginson on the field on one tour match etc...

*(Affectionately known in Wales as the Haden dive)

Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc and I was there at the rebirth of Oz rugby- 3rd test 1978 at Eden park when Cornelson got his 4 tries (and never to be heard of again).

SA would be next, more for the huge respect as a no holds barred machine. Sadly not the greatest in terms of individual talent for a side so prominent but nonetheless as a team always the biggest challenge for us.

France still in the lead. Allez les Bleues !

France

Boring answer but NZ

Because its like watching the rugby equivalent of the current Spain/Barcelona football team, beautiful and clinical

Taylorman wrote:Oz and of the NH Wales- similar in population to us and some real famous/ infamous moments in history- Deans try, The Geoff Wheel penalty*, the Welsh contribution to the 71 Lions and 73 Baabaas match etc, JPR battered and bruised in the Brigend match in 78 I think it was etc, little Bennet trying to keep Hiiginson on the field on one tour match etc...

*(Affectionately known in Wales as the Haden dive)

Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc and I was there at the rebirth of Oz rugby- 3rd test 1978 at Eden park when Cornelson got his 4 tries (and never to be heard of again).

SA would be next, more for the huge respect as a no holds barred machine. Sadly not the greatest in terms of individual talent for a side so prominent but nonetheless as a team always the biggest challenge for us.

Who is similar in population? When I last met some Australian friends I asked just how populated is your country; they said the population is over 20 million people. A quick search seems to back this up; http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?opendocument. So how does that compare with NZ (5 million-ish) and Wales (just under 3 million)? Not a pedant. Just see the 'similar population' quote go around quite often. Maybe not so often after this day .

France are like Forrest Gumps box of chocolates.
You never know what you gunna git.
Which is their great charm for me, plus their dazzling play.

SA. Have some old friends I've not seen for a while, used to love watching and playing rugby with. Brutally honest and funnily aggressive.

England! They are always my second favourite to whoever they are playing!

No this is just some joke.

I don't really have a second favourite but if I had to choose it would be Australia. I'd pick Australia because of the historical links and because they always punch above their weight and are innovative.

"innovative" and "punch above their weight" is an interesting description. Most people prefer to describe them as despicable under-handed cheats.

Sorry LB.

I used to quite like NZ and then you get posters like greyghost and it can really put you off a side.

anotherworldofpain wrote: "innovative" and "punch above their weight" is an interesting description. Most people prefer to describe them as despicable under-handed arming, canary yellow, shrilly nasal, sweaty, loud mouthed, exaggerating, okerish, boorish, hard-to-understand-what-they-are-saying, convict-origin cheats.

Sorry LB.

That's OK mate.

Fixed your (or most people's) description of us for the benefit of others. I'm sure I missed a few 'choice' adjectives.

Well that'll be Australia because i grew up there. They're technically my 2nd but they feel closer to first than 2nd team. So my 3rd team would be SA, I love their fans and I love their style of rugby!

Morgannwg wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Oz and of the NH Wales- similar in population to us and some real famous/ infamous moments in history- Deans try, The Geoff Wheel penalty*, the Welsh contribution to the 71 Lions and 73 Baabaas match etc, JPR battered and bruised in the Brigend match in 78 I think it was etc, little Bennet trying to keep Hiiginson on the field on one tour match etc...

*(Affectionately known in Wales as the Haden dive)

Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc and I was there at the rebirth of Oz rugby- 3rd test 1978 at Eden park when Cornelson got his 4 tries (and never to be heard of again).

SA would be next, more for the huge respect as a no holds barred machine. Sadly not the greatest in terms of individual talent for a side so prominent but nonetheless as a team always the biggest challenge for us.

Who is similar in population? When I last met some Australian friends I asked just how populated is your country; they said the population is over 20 million people. A quick search seems to back this up; http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?opendocument. So how does that compare with NZ (5 million-ish) and Wales (just under 3 million)? Not a pedant. Just see the 'similar population' quote go around quite often. Maybe not so often after this day .

I was meaning Wales, we have just passed 4,444,444 but I did think Wales had more than 3 million...is that not similar? compared to say, China?

I thought you compared both of us to Aus. Yes that is similar I guess. The two rugby teams are not so similar, much to my disgust.

Morgs, Taylorman is a unless I read his location wrong (could be the 'Somerset' Wellington). And was referring to to NZ/Wales in terms of comparable populations.

The 'Oz' bit is his second team. I hope I've got that lot right.

Ah, ok. Clarified already.

Scotland - cause they try and have a good bunch of fans. Used to be Wales until 2009 when I joined 606 and was put off by the bickering and vitriol.

Id have to have Ireland as a second team due to being half Irish. Other than that I find it hard to pick another. Love how Australia do so well with no scrum against NZ and SA.
I've got to admire New Zealand for how they play the game so well.
France are so unpredictable I can see how so many have them as a second team, when they play well they are a joy to watch.
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga are always going to entertain as are Japan in their way.

You know what, I just love rugby. Every team that's not my own country (Wales) is my second team.






Well apart from one

Taylorman wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Oz and of the NH Wales- similar in population to us and some real famous/ infamous moments in history- Deans try, The Geoff Wheel penalty*, the Welsh contribution to the 71 Lions and 73 Baabaas match etc, JPR battered and bruised in the Brigend match in 78 I think it was etc, little Bennet trying to keep Hiiginson on the field on one tour match etc...

*(Affectionately known in Wales as the Haden dive)

Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc and I was there at the rebirth of Oz rugby- 3rd test 1978 at Eden park when Cornelson got his 4 tries (and never to be heard of again).

SA would be next, more for the huge respect as a no holds barred machine. Sadly not the greatest in terms of individual talent for a side so prominent but nonetheless as a team always the biggest challenge for us.

Who is similar in population? When I last met some Australian friends I asked just how populated is your country; they said the population is over 20 million people. A quick search seems to back this up; http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?opendocument. So how does that compare with NZ (5 million-ish) and Wales (just under 3 million)? Not a pedant. Just see the 'similar population' quote go around quite often. Maybe not so often after this day .

I was meaning Wales, we have just passed 4,444,444 but I did think Wales had more than 3 million...is that not similar? compared to say, China?

In 12 minutes, according to the ABS, Australia will have a population of 22,820,000 exactly.

Taylorman wrote:

Morgannwg wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Oz and of the NH Wales- similar in population to us and some real famous/ infamous moments in history- Deans try, The Geoff Wheel penalty*, the Welsh contribution to the 71 Lions and 73 Baabaas match etc, JPR battered and bruised in the Brigend match in 78 I think it was etc, little Bennet trying to keep Hiiginson on the field on one tour match etc...

*(Affectionately known in Wales as the Haden dive)

Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc and I was there at the rebirth of Oz rugby- 3rd test 1978 at Eden park when Cornelson got his 4 tries (and never to be heard of again).

SA would be next, more for the huge respect as a no holds barred machine. Sadly not the greatest in terms of individual talent for a side so prominent but nonetheless as a team always the biggest challenge for us.

Who is similar in population? When I last met some Australian friends I asked just how populated is your country; they said the population is over 20 million people. A quick search seems to back this up; http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/1647509ef7e25faaca2568a900154b63?opendocument. So how does that compare with NZ (5 million-ish) and Wales (just under 3 million)? Not a pedant. Just see the 'similar population' quote go around quite often. Maybe not so often after this day .

I was meaning Wales, we have just passed 4,444,444 but I did think Wales had more than 3 million...is that not similar? compared to say, China?

Population of Yorkshire is around 4.5M. Not as into union, but big on 'rugby'

Italy will be my second favourite if I can find a pub to watch the games...!

bsando wrote:Well that'll be Australia because i grew up there. They're technically my 2nd but they feel closer to first than 2nd team. So my 3rd team would be SA, I love their fans and I love their style of rugby!

Somebody likes south African rugby, Somebody likes south Africans rugby.......




OK, just a little.

Taylorman wrote:Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc

That's what makes the Wallabies my favourite southern hemisphere side. Since 1984 when I first saw them play, they've always had footballers and they've always been so inventive in their back play.

Stephen Larkham was a fine player as well, he never looked quick but he would ghost past defenders.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc

That's what makes the Wallabies my favourite southern hemisphere side. Since 1984 when I first saw them play, they've always had footballers and they've always been so inventive in their back play.

Stephen Larkham was a fine player as well, he never looked quick but he would ghost past defenders.

you bunch of fairies.

Rugby is a man's game, it is all about the bash, the break and the hit.

Samoa unquestionably. Love the physicality with which they play. Obviously the London Irish players they have had playing for them over the years helps.

Biltong wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc

That's what makes the Wallabies my favourite southern hemisphere side. Since 1984 when I first saw them play, they've always had footballers and they've always been so inventive in their back play.

Stephen Larkham was a fine player as well, he never looked quick but he would ghost past defenders.

you bunch of fairies.

Rugby is a man's game, it is all about the bash, the break and the hit.

Biltong wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc

That's what makes the Wallabies my favourite southern hemisphere side. Since 1984 when I first saw them play, they've always had footballers and they've always been so inventive in their back play.

Stephen Larkham was a fine player as well, he never looked quick but he would ghost past defenders.

you bunch of fairies.

Rugby is a man's game, it is all about the bash, the break and the hit.

This partially explains why i have seen Boks stylee Rugby described as 'a catapault behind a wall of advancing steel'.

I like the Springboks, too. I became fascinated with South Africa and its rugby after the Lions tour of 1997.

AlastairW wrote:

Biltong wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Oz for the obscenely talented backs over the years- Campese, Horan, Little, Ella, Farr-Jones, Gregan, Cooper etc

That's what makes the Wallabies my favourite southern hemisphere side. Since 1984 when I first saw them play, they've always had footballers and they've always been so inventive in their back play.

Stephen Larkham was a fine player as well, he never looked quick but he would ghost past defenders.

you bunch of fairies.

Rugby is a man's game, it is all about the bash, the break and the hit.

This partially explains why i have seen Boks stylee Rugby described as 'a catapault behind a wall of advancing steel'.

Just a shame the enigneer of that catapult has not invented accuracy yet.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:I like the Springboks, too. I became fascinated with South Africa and its rugby after the Lions tour of 1997.

too late now, you should have said that first, nobody likes to be third choice.

It's true though Biltong, I had a bit of a rugby / country crush. I wanted to move to Pretoria and follow Northern Transvaal, as they were then. I even got a Linguaphone tape to learn Afrikaans.

They are pretty much the same today LP, not much have changed, although the dominance that Naas botha and the bulls had during that era is not as prevelant now. The sharks in my view has become THE rugby force in SA, regardless of the fact that they haven't won the super XV yet.

The culture of the Bulls and Pretoria is still pretty much what is was then.