Wcq playoffs

 I pick:

Dr Congo over Jamaica

Iraq over Bolivia

Kosovo over Turkiye

Denmark over Czechia

Sweden over Poland

Italy over Bosnia Herzegovina

Matildas v Japan

If it rains heavily or in a sustained way,  the odds will be evened out and the Matildas can win this..

See Scotland v Wallabies at the 2015 RWC where Scotland played like crazy once it rained and almost beat us. 

In all cases they may be underdogs but the Tillies just have to believe in and back themselves!!!! 

The Five Greatest Warriors (Matthew Reilly, book 3)

1. Pooh Bear and Jack rescuing Stretch one of the best moments so far
2. Stretch's tear
3. Everyone's here - Pooh felt his heart soar
4. Roman ruins of Aroham
5. Ruins around Uqaba
6. Attack with aggression but always have a plan of retreat
7. Jesus giving 3 wisdoms to Peter 
8. Guessing coastlines of ancient landforms and matching them up with present day coastlines is pretty cool
9. Mongolia
10. A friend's loyalty lasts longer than their memory
11. Julius smiled grimly "He's not heavy, he's my brother"
12. I like how a new enemy was introduced that became the enemy of Jack's enemies
13. There's no honour among thieves
14. Good book and more interesting than the others. 3.85/5?

Six Sacred Stones (Matthew Reilly)

1. It's okay, kid. This sort of thing happens to us all the time. 
2. Chinese are attacking
3. Interesting concept of the dark sun and the top Pyramid of the capstone only being a small part of a bigger puzzle
4. Dark sun sucking all energy - net negative void
5. Hidden energy
6. Great incorporation of diagrams by Reilly
7. Earth as a machine designed to ward off an evil - truly entering the realm of scifi
8. Asteroid belt used to be a planet that was destroyed by the negative energy
9. This book is already better because it doesn't pretend its ideas aren't crazy, and the theories fit the context better
10. It was also a bit crazy to think that the seven ancient wonders could be the subject of so many traps hidden away and lasting forever (humans can't be that good..) whereas alien involvement and Sci Fi aspects are more "believable" if that makes sense
11. Mr Robertson it's time to pay your entry fee. 
12. The past civilisation theory
13. I would ask then that you honour my friend. 
14. Interesting concept of Laozi's dual trap system - teacher and student each having a pathway in Laozi's plan - witch mountain in Sichuan province
15. They spend a long time in China - 20-30% of the book??
16. A great Pyramid under Easter Island - crazy
17. Interesting journey through Africa 
18. Zoe v Warano
19. Congo, Rwanda
20. Alby's split second decision
21. Lalibela, Ethiopia 
22. Repetitive caverns and replicas of existing sites eg Ur
23. Considerably better than the first book but the same idea over and over becomes a bit boring
24. 3.7/5 say

Seven Ancient Wonders (Matthew Reilly)

1.  I know everything is exaggerated - with historical half truths - and subject to literary artistic  licence but I like the premise of this book 
2. Lots of diagrams makes it interesting too
3. It just reads like a movie - you can skip some of the action and not miss much
4. Oracle and volcano, and traps in the Sudan is a bit like Indiana Jones
5. 8 nations not allied to Old Europe or America and who don't want the powers to get powerful
6. The relationship between Lily and Jack West Jr / Huntsman
7. Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the 7 ancient wonders, was 40 storeys tall and shorter than the Great Pyramid by 29m
8. The state of Carthage approximated modern day Tunisia ..phoenicians
9. Good imagination.. first Rhodes in Sudan and then a hidden inlet in Tunisia's coastline for the lighthouse 
10. Bit unrealistic to assume imhotep vi was so good at traps that they lasted for 2000 years including retaining volcanic lava
11. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus - octagonal pilars
12. Invading Guantanamo Bay - so random
13. Matthew Reilly says cuba leases a small chunk of the south eastern coast to the us for the obscenely low rent if $2000 in gold per year - and it's true. There is a feud over it in which Cuba refuses to cash in the cheques
14. SAS folklore
15. Lost me when they went on about obelisks 
16. Analysis of ancient geography, even if there are fictional elements, is pretty cool eg Iraq
17. Interesting take on the hanging gardens of Babylon being on a stalactite
18. Hatshepsut's Mortuary temple in Luxor
19. Revenge against Judah for Doris
20. I would be honoured to call you friend
21. Daddy
22. Australians not aggressors or warmongers..
23. The world map isn't really used.. only the left side is
24. Great Sandy Desert, Death Valley
25. Better than the Tournament but chaotic. You don't really need to pay much attention and can even skip the action parts. Satisfying in its own way if you like action but there's not much substance to it. 
26. 3.3/5

The Tournament (Matthew Reilly)

1.  I like how there is are references to history plus a bit of creative licence
2. "..however lamentable his English may be, he still speaks your language while you cannot speak his. To me, this gives him a considerable advantage over to you. Always pause before you criticise, and never unduly criticise one who has made an effort at something you yourself have not even attempted"
3. London a dangerous place for a rival heir
4. The knight is the Queen's greatest enemy, for while the Queen can replicate every other piece's moves, she cannot mimic the knight's leaps 
5. The knight's fork
6. Queen bishop trap
7. A bit of unnecessary sexual text
8. "Forgotten, mistreated and regularly sacrificed...pawns somehow always manage to be there at the end"
9. Austrian delegation sends a 17 year old girl as a gift despite being on bad terms
10. Michelangelo's interaction with social inferiors
11. Roger Ascham like Sherlock
12. Love the ancient household names of the 1500s - Michelangelo, Ivan the terrible, Suleiman the magnificent, Elizabeth I..
13. Dislike the sexual scenes 
14. Elizabeth concludes best not to marry and give into carnal desires
15. Themes of catholic cardinal abuse of kids - disturbing
16. Elizabeth concludes Mr Ponsonby is a servant, not on even footing
17. Sultan grins at draw rigging
18. Chess tournament is simulated warfare
19. I like the cultural references famous figures but I disliked the sex scenes (I understand why it was done though - to explain Elizabeth not marrying)
20. Ending wasn't really that satisfying
21. Good idea but execution is so so: 3?/5

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

1.  That Potter lives is due more to my errors, than to his triumphs
2. Dudley actually is .. fond of..or concerned about Harry?
3. Moody's plan to smuggle Harry out with 7 Potters
4. Thicknesse's strategy forcing them to adopt this gambit
5. "..he'd be mad not to have a Death Eater or two keeping an eye out, it's what I'd do."
6. Harry caught Hermione's eye and looked away at once
7. Mundungus reluctantly
8. Ron, Hermione, Fred, George and Fleur are Harry's backers
9. Six doppelgangers
10. I knew Ginny was lying about that tattoo
11. Harry, your eyesight is really awful
12. Hedwig dead
13. A Grindylow in a tank..
14. We've been betrayed
15. Harry the time for Disarming is past!
16. Expelliarmus is a useful spell, Harry, but the Death Eaters seem to think it is your signature move..
17. Harry is the best hope we have. Trust him. - Dumbledore's last words
18. All right all right! But somebody betrayed us!
19. Snape cast Sectumsempra
20. Mr Weasley shouting - Harry had never heard that before
21. Ginny took his hand
22. Mad eye was right- Voldemort went for the toughest Aurors
23. We've got to trust each other. I trust all of you. I don't think anyone in this room would ever sell me to Voldemort
24. Height of dishonor to mistrust friends
25. Wand performing magic on its own
26. The unsaid things that had just passed between them..
27. Hermione’s parents life ambition to move to Australia
28. He simply could not find words important enough
29. Action horcrux books
30. Substances as destructive as Basilisk venom
31. Threw Harry a glowing look. Ginny cleared her throat loudly
32. The Will of Albus Dumbledore
33. Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches
34. Harry's birthday present watch a family possession- he doesn't need a new one!
35. She was the only real thing in the world, Ginny
36. Hermione knows her laws
37. The sword of Godric Gryffindor and a snitch
38. Dumbledore could've left them with hints re his bequests??
39. Typo "trust to"
40. Affecting
41. Ginevra (Italian Guinevere)
42. Ginny winked at Harry
43. Hermione turned and beamed at Harry
44. She's great isn't she? Always good value - on Luna
45. "I like this song," said Luna..a few seconds later she stood up and glided on to the dance floor, where she revolved on the spot, quite alone, eyes closed and waving her arms.
46. Hermione is amazing
47. Apparate very precisely on to the top step outside the front to be sure they did not see me
48. Does Harry still have the Trace?
49. Scrimgeour's final act had been to try and protect Harry
50. Remaining masked has created confusion, uncertainty and fear
51. Voldemort sown doubt and fear into those who would have defended Harry - by suggesting he killed Dumbledore
52. Register of M bornuggles - muggles being rounded up and accused of stealing magic
53. Hogwarts compulsory attendance
54. Parents shouldn't leave their kids unless they've got to
55. Harry is an annoying character
56. Dumbledore's past is an annoying topic
57. Kreacher's French onion soup
58. Harry partial to the treacle tart
59. Poor Kreacher
60. Ron a bit of an idiot
61. Harry too really, but Hermione the only sensible one
62. Ginny Neville and Luna heading up the DA
63. Flawed (and foolish) heroes but courage in the face of adversity
64. No [Dumbledore] must've known you'd always want to come back.
65. Snape's patronus the high level play 
66. All's fair in love and war
67. Aha! That's got to be Luna's house. Who else would live in a place like that 😂
68. And then he greeted death as an old friend, and went with him gladly, and, equals, they departed this life
69. Harry felt a great rush of affection for Luna- friends...friends..friends..Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville
70. A mixture of gratitude and shame welled up in Harry. Had Lupine forgiven him
71. Potterwatch!
72. The names taboo 
73. Slytherin dungeons
74. My son Draco is home..if that is Harry Potter he will know
75. Draco, if we are the ones who hand Potter over to the Dark Lord, everything will be forgiven
76. Greyback - we won't be forgetting who caught him??
77. Hermione quick thinker
78. "Thank you so much, Dobby, for rescuing me from that cellar. It's so unfair that you had to die, when you were so good and brave. I'll always remember what you did for us. I hope you're happy now." - Luna
79. Aberforth helping
80. Hermione gave a weak smile
81. You are a very odd wizard
82. If there was a wizard of whom I would believe that the did not seek personal gain...it would be you,  Harry Potter.." Griphook
83. Wand ownership logic!
84. You'll be godfather?
85. I've got to get up there...Levicorpus
86. Harry completely forgets what he's learned in charms
87. But I think they might have noticed we broke into Gringotts
88. Scream of rage of denial. Imposters? What imposters?
89. How could anyone know the Gaunt Shack
90. How could the boy know about the cave?
91. Hogwarts deepest secrets of that place
92. Nagini
93. Return to each of his hiding places and redouble protection.
94. Voldemort panics page 444
95. Death eaters ready for Harry at Hogsmeade 
96. Caterwauling charm - alert system
97. You know who's won
98. Barman
99. Traffic Potions and poisons 
100. Barman sent dobby
101. Aberforth bought Sirius' mirror
102. Harry accepted that he had not been told everything that he wanted to know and he simply had to trust
103. "You know what to do. " - Ariana
104. Neville with long hair gave a roar of delight .. and yelled "I knew you'd come! I knew it, Harry"
105. "I don't know how to thank you. You've saved our lives twice."
106. She sent me a letter telling me she was proud of me, that I'm my parent's son, and to keep it up
107. I don't want any Carrows supporters 
108. Gamps law of elemental transfiguration 
109. Everyone in here's proven they're loyal to Dumbledore - loyal to you
110. Harry forgot how beautiful Ginny was
111. Aberforth's bar turned into a railway station
112. Harry's old girlfriend- his mouth fell open
113. You've got to stop this. What did you call b then all back for. This is insane
114. Well there's her lost diadem..I told you about it remember Harry?
115. Cho had got to her feet, but Ginny said rather fiercely,  "No, Luna will take Harry, won't you Luna?"
116. Cho sat down, looking disappointed
117. Hmm what do you think Harry? What isn't there a password? Oh no give got to answer a question.. that way you learn, you see?
118. Potter belongs in my house!! Beneath the disbelief and anger, Harry heard a little strain of pride in her voice, and affection for Minerva McGonagall gushed up inside him
119.  McGonagall saw Luna and Harry?
120. You'll back me up or you'll pay the price. And he spat in her face
121. You shouldn't have done that. Crucio
122. You're acting on Dumbledore's orders. 
123. We shall secure the school..
124. Three cats
125. But we can hold him up
126. If any of those do are over age rush to stay and fight, I think they ought to be given a chance
127. Man the boundaries,protect us,  do your duty to our school
128. Percy - Am I too late?
129. I'm sorry Dad
130. I have great respect for the teachers of Hogwarts.
131. You have until midnight
132. Weak plot point - Ron hissing parseltongue
133. IF WE DIE FOR THEM ILL KILL YOU HARRY
134. Fiendfyre 
135. Think of something happy
136. We're all still here. We're still fighting. Come on now
137. Lily and Snape best friends
138. My word Severus that I shall never reveal the best of you?
139. To give Voldemort what appears to be valuable information but withholding the essentials is a job I would entrust to nobody but you
140. After all this time? Always.
141. The mudblood - do not use that word (Snape learned)
142. Bit of a weird use of the resurrection stone 
143. Invisibility cloak is a hallow
144. It is a curious thing.. those best suited to power are those who have never sought it
145. Why did you have to make it so difficult?
146. How did Hagrid not feel Harry's heartbeat
147. Harry stays silent
148. McGonagall's scream.. and Ron, Hermione and Ginny's screams are worse
149. Neville pulls the sword out but the hat on his head was a bit contrived??
150. Kreacher
151. Bellatrix's smile faltered vs Mrs Weasley
152. Confronting Voldemort with truths the best part
153. Think and try for some remorse Riddle
154. Hilarious that Harry's trademark spell is expelliarmus 
155. I'd want some peace and quiet if it were me - Luna LOL.
156. I'll distract them all
157. Hilarious that his last thought is about Kreacher giving him a sandwich
158. Some people hated the epilogue
159. I didn't like it either
160. It probably evens out and I'd say it's a solid 4.9/5 because it ties everything together
161. There were moments of real tension and crazy stuff which is the best the series ever had but by the same token I didn't really like some aspects like Dumbledore's past.
162. So harry didn't conquer death in the way the deathly hallows story is told. Or what people perceived. He embraced death. That's what they meant by being master of death. But it was his blood in Voldemort (a "horcrux" for Harry - "For a fleeting instant, Harry thought he saw a gleam of something like triumph in Dumbledore’s eyes." - Goblet of Fire (Chapter 36, "The Parting of the Ways"), Voldemort's soul in Harry being a target and the elder wand being his that prevented him from dying
163. Lots of Christian concepts re resurrection  
164. The series as a whole - probably a 4.85/5 - it's pretty cool that the invisibility cloak being a legendary artifact was foreshadowed as early as book 1 and is what links Harry to the youngest Peverell...whereas in book 6 Marvalo's ring links Voldemort to the second brother. And that Rowling already hinted at horcruxes as early as book 2..