Tag: Argentina

#RWC2015 – It boils down to this

Published on by Karl Quinney - CopywriterLeave a comment

So we’re now down to the final two matches of Rugby World Cup 2015.

Argentina and South Africa will raise the curtain on the final weekend of the Tournament tonight with a Bronze Final showdown at The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

For both, having endured the agony of losing a semi-final, it is the game no one ever wants as both Camps would easily just want to pack their bags and head home.

But, the Bronze Final / 3rd place play-off, call it what you will, is what it is and prolongs the agony.

Prediction: South Africa to win

Then tomorrow – Halloween,  the eyes of the world will return to Twickenham Stadium, as Australia and New Zealand go head to head in a Rugby World Cup Final for the first time ever.

Both sides will be looking to become the first team to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a third time with Australia looking to repeat their victory in the previous World Cup final at Twickenham, back in 1991, and New Zealand seeking to retain the title they won on home soil four years ago.

So the stage is now set for a classic showdown between two of the Game’s greatest rivals, to finish off what hasn’t been a bad tournament (except of course if you follow England)

And having correctly predicted the semi-finals in that The All Blacks would just edge South Africa and the Wallabies would beat Argentina, predicting the final itself is one too tight to call.

The All Blacks go in as slight favourites especially when you consider they have lost only three games out of 53 since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2011.

Saturday’s final at Twickenham is a sell-out with more than 80,000 fans expected to be crammed into potentially see history in the making, as will millions worldwide.

It promises to be something special.

For the record, my prediction? New Zealand to win, by between 5 and 10 points. It will be that close.

#RWC2015 – Then there was four!

Published on by Karl Quinney - CopywriterLeave a comment

What a weekend of quarter-finals in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

And I wasn’t too far off with my predictions, even if one was wrong, two were a lot closer than anticipated and the other, well, went the other way.

Continue reading “#RWC2015 – Then there was four!” →

#RWC2015 – Who has the biggest travelling support heading to England?

Published on by Karl Quinney - CopywriterLeave a comment

We’re almost 14 days in now, and it has been interesting to note the levels of support at all the matches played so far in the Rugby World Cup.

There has been criticism still and throughout the lead-up to the tournament at the high cost of ticket prices for many of the games – even the less high-profile encounters, particularly as the 2015 RWC is according to many reports set to be the most costly sporting event ever for sports fans.

But it seems it has not deterred rugby fans – particularly those arriving on these shores, in snapping up tickets to get behind their team and country at all the match day venues.

Research has revealed that tourist arrivals into England from countries that have teams playing have almost doubled (a 90% increase in fact) compared to the same period last year.

A study by online travel company Opodo has highlighted the countries that have the biggest influx of rugby supporters flying in to watch their teams during the Rugby World Cup.

And the country leading the way?

Japan with almost 20 times more tourists expected.

Puma supporters are in full force as tourist arrivals from Argentina are quoted as being 16 times higher than usual. In third place with a 450% surge in visitors flying in is the USA.

Pool B’s top supporting nations – Japan, the USA and South Africa- have a combined increase of 2600% more travelers flying in during the event.

France’s rugby team Les Bleus and Australia’s Wallabies are both attracting twice more visitors to England during the Rugby World Cup matches, meanwhile closer to home, 80% more Irish and 50% more Scottish supporters will be making a short trip in comparison to watch their teams in action.

The list of Top 10 Supporting Nations by tourist arrivals during the Rugby World Cup goes as:

  1. Japan
  2. Argentina
  3. USA
  4. Georgia
  5. South Africa
  6. Romania
  7. New Zealand
  8. Australia
  9. France
  10. Ireland

Opodo is one of Europe’s leading online travel companies, with over 440 airlines and 550,000 hotels to choose from, as well as packages, cruises, car hire and travel insurance.

Founded in the UK in 2000, it was the first European online travel company, and today is active in 14 European countries including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Austria, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden.