Rugby World Cup

[mistermagic]

Wales deserved to win in my book. South Africa got a lucky break and without that would have been knocked out. They show much less penetration than Australia and NZ. Even Ireland have impressed me more than the South Africans. They do have a superb penalty taker though.

NZ took us apart and deservedly so. Not only are we not as good as in other World Cups we don't seem to surpass ourselves when it matters. In truth we didn't play badly but NZ are something. I don't I remember them playing this good at a World Cup for a very long time. Savea was just monstrous at the back and for his tries.
All the pundits are now blaming the state of our rugby now and some are saying that there are too many foreigners in our league. I just think we got beaten by a side that is much better than us.

Ireland vs Argentina and Australia vs Scotland today. Looking forward.

 

[Super_horns]

I presume France played like a side who wanted their coach out.

Such a contrast to the Welsh in defeat..

Going to be a great semi in South Africa and New Zealand.

 

[Baz]

France really were at the end of their current cycle. They need a massive overhaul going forward, much like England do. Scotland and Wales probably hit their expectations and Ireland have a massive chance to make the final as on their day they can see off Australia, that's assuming they turn up for the Argentina game.

Plus on that NZ performance you have to fancy them to turn over SA as long as they don't give away far too many soft penalties like Wales did.

 

[Nath]

Come on Ireland!

 

[Super_horns]

Good game in Cardiff.

Ireland really fighting back after Argentina stormed into a strong lead.

 

[slaphead]

Great game so far in Cardiff, but Argentina should be down to 14. If the prop didn't go for the first bit of foul play, then the second should have done for him. Bottled by the ref I'm afraid.

Talking of NZ, it was quite simply the most complete team performance I've seen from any team, in any sport, ever.

 

[Master D]

Ireland failing on the big stage yet again.

 

[Abertawe]

Can anyone pinpoint as to why the southern hemisphere are so superior?

 

[RavenBish]

Can anyone pinpoint as to why the southern hemisphere are so superior?

Football.

Social class is also irrelevant in those countries when it comes to Union. Here it still obviously remains a very public school thing, which limits the potential somewhat.

 

[SALTIRE]

Don't worry lads we'll show you all how it's done

 

[Veggie Legs]

Don't worry lads we'll show you all how it's done

Doing it so far. Scotland barely had for the ball for the first ten minutes but they've been superb since.

 

[Veggie Legs]

Going to be a great semi in South Africa and New Zealand.

NZ should win that comfortably, I don't think South Africa are a particularly good team at the moment. Full strength Wales would definitely have beaten them yesterday. Argentina v Australia (probably) is much more interesting.

 

[RavenBish]

Based on this, Australia will really need Folau and Pocock back if they make it to the Semis.

 

[mistermagic]

I presume France played like a side who wanted their coach out.

Such a contrast to the Welsh in defeat..

Going to be a great semi in South Africa and New Zealand.

Not really. Saint-André's contract is up this summer and the replacement has already been chosen. Thought the players gave it a good go but New Zealand were just ridiculously good. Especially the passing.
Shame that Ireland got knocked out by the Argentines. Currently 32-27 to Australia with 10 minutes to go. Must say the Scots look good and the Aussies don't look like anything special. The fact that their kicker didn't score a single point in the first half has to be worrying if they want to have any chance against Argentina.

 

[Abertawe]

Hang on Scotland

 

[GodsGift]

New Zealand were superb, but the French didn't put up too much of a battle. They allowed them to play.

The Scots now in their element with the rain coming down!

 

[Baz]

Would love it if it was Scotland vs Argies semi final, who would have thought that at the start of the day?

 

[Stevencc]

Don't worry lads we'll show you all how it's done

Don't do it, Salty.

 

[Abertawe]

Bit of a bastard that.

 

[GodsGift]

Twickenham's gonna' get smashed up.

 

[Modernist]

That's so tough, fair play to the Aussies, nerves of steel.

 

[Nath]

Very disappointed with our performance today. We started far too slow and didn't get the basics right. Basically the complete opposite to how we usually start games. Argentina came out all guns blazing, and deservedly took a big lead. Whilst we fought back well, we simply left ourselves with too much to do. Definitely missed our big players when the going got tough. Credit to Argentina though. They were excellent.

 

[RavenBish]

Great day of Rugby. Tough to decide what's funnier, Ireland getting turned over by Argentina 43-20 or Scotland losing so late on.

All Blacks to lose this, no-one will beat them unless they beat themselves, although we knew that weeks ago.

 

[Captain Scumbag]

Oh, FFS, Scotland. Line out in the 79th minute. Your own throw. On the verge of knocking the most dislikable sporting nation on Earth out of the RWC. Drecht conditions. Why throw it to the back? Why even allow the potential for a poor decision. No use blaming Joubert (don't think ref can use the TMO to review the award of a penalty). Just control the fucking ball.

I mean, they were brilliant, but AARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

Gutted.

 

[mistermagic]

Oh, FFS, Scotland. Line out in the 79th minute. Your own throw. On the verge of knocking the most dislikable sporting nation on Earth out of the RWC. Drecht conditions. Why throw it to the back? Why even allow the potential for a poor decision. No use blaming Joubert (don't think ref can use the TMO to review the award of a penalty). Just control the fucking ball.

I mean, they were brilliant, but AARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

Gutted.

You've always taken a liking to the fellas down under, Scumbag.

 

[Super_horns]

Typically Scottish in a way!

Snatch defeat from the jaws of a a famous win albeit harshly.

 

[Master D]

You just knew they'd fuck that lineout up, comes down to thinking logically when the pressure is on. All they needed to do was get the ball safely in hand, if its in hand you are in control of your own destiny from there. I honestly think these moments are the reason the SH have prevailed, they just execute better decisions in the heat of the moment. And of course, they've got some superb individual players which helps.

 

[big mean bunny]

I have pretty much seen nothing of the Rugby world cup and barely noticed it's been on, however I am sick of videos of the haka being all over my facebook. Why are people so impressed by it? Is it just me who finds it boring and about as intimidating as Morris dancing? I made this to piss someone off and they said I don't get it because I was a football pheasant. I presume he meant peasant, however maybe he was calling me a moronic flightless bird that rich folk shoot?...

 

[RavenBish]

You just knew they'd fuck that lineout up, comes down to thinking logically when the pressure is on. All they needed to do was get the ball safely in hand, if its in hand you are in control of your own destiny from there. I honestly think these moments are the reason the SH have prevailed, they just execute better decisions in the heat of the moment. And of course, they've got some superb individual players which helps.

Not really sure that's a great argument when Australia essentially lost because a tighthead prop decided to pass his way out of his own half in torrential rain when leading with 5 minutes to go.

 

[SALTIRE]

Typically Scottish in a way!

Snatch defeat from the jaws of a a famous win albeit harshly.

Indeed, I was saying it after 75 mins when we were leading that the Aussies would win. Its what we do.