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Well Portugal look up for it. Australia looked beaten in the anthems
Hmmm - I wasn't going to bother watching - seen enough mismatches.
Portuguese tight head was right, Aussie loose head didn't take the pressure.
C'mon Portugal 😃
Oops 🙂 when do we start feeling sorry for Australia?
Woo hoo!!!
If the scores remain the same at full time...
Damn! That possible red card is so disappointing for the game.
Thankfully as a neutral, yellow is much better.
It should remain yellow. Low force, passive (ish) tackle, possibly indirect contact.
We not checking Aussie head shots, two phases before the turnover that led to the try.
It should remain yellow. Low force, passive (ish) tackle, possibly indirect contact.
That was my initial thought, but I was swayed by the experts 🤷🤦
Forward pass on the right wing. No checks at all
Guass - its driving me crackers the stupidity of the commentators over the cards and bunker system. they just have no idea how the protocol works and its feeding fans complaints
Agreed. Also, about 30% of all they say is pure pish. I don't know how they get their jobs.
The yellow/red looked to go through the shoulder. Probably didn't even warrant a yellow. But the bunker makes it an easy option. Which massively disadvantages a team. I'm afraid Joy is not being at her best.
I've started making dinner could only take the first 20or so.
Adamson is always picky and very rules based. I think It was yellow but only that
Tmo is making it up
I only saw the second half.... Australia looked awful again.
They've got the Lions in 2025, and they'll be lucky to not lose every game to nil on current form. Then they've got the RWC 27, at best they can hope to scrape a QF with minimal interest from the home crowd ...leaving the remaining teams bar NZ (and maybe Fiji) watching games with a 10 hour time difference. Not a great situation for rugby as a whole.
Skimming the aus game the tmo and ref are clearly at odds over the pen/try it's a try or deliberate knock on.
Commentary is utter dribble 63 mins gone por have a pen and he suggests a kick at goal.
Up to 66mins so far and Australia are setting up penalties as line of defense they look awful
Getting seriously peed off with the pundits and commentators who seem to have decided that Ireland and South Africa will be in the quarter finals from their group. Last time I looked it's still undecided....
Who do we petition so we can have a set of games for the 3rd place teams to playoff for a ‘B’ final?
The games could be held mid-week in the run up to each main weekend.
The ‘lesser’ teams get more time in the tournament for experience against competitive opposition. The fans get more games from the fun teams. The organisers and sponsors sell more tickets.
This was done in an earlier WC. Cup bowl and plate competitions. made a lot of sense. IIRC top 2 in the groups went into the main comp for the cup, 3rd in pools into the bowl, 4th in pools for the plate
I don't know why it was changed
seem to have decided that Ireland and South Africa will be in the quarter finals from their group
Pretty much a sealed deal. No way are Scotland going to Bonus point beat Ireland, but leave them with a losers BP.
It doesn't matter, second in the group will face France and I can't see either team besting France.
The Aussie game was horrible rugby. Cynical, bad faith rugby and the main defence was penalties. Portugal played an honourable game despite this and by the end I was booing Jones as well.
top 2 in the groups went into the main comp for the cup, 3rd in pools into the bowl, 4th in pools for the plate
I don’t know why it was changed
No-one unpacked the dishwasher.
This was done in an earlier WC
Don't remember that.
The ‘lesser’ teams get more time in the tournament for experience against competitive opposition
No way to refer to Scotchland and Australia
I suspect we will get the bonus point against ireland but a last minute kick gives them a bonus point that puts us out. that would be the Scots way
LOlz @ Molgrips!
No TJ we'll be two points up with 90secs to go then the ref cockles his ankle and Craig Joubert comes on. We lose by 30 points.
Yep, I teach most of that team. He's gutted.
Also played with the ref at Gala a long time ago.
Last round of the pool games starting tonight. Will New Zealand do to Uruguay what they did to Italy and put them to the sword looking for 100 points plus?
Will Italy be able to shake up France without Dupont?
Can Scotland beat Ireland for the 1st time in ages.
Has to be Wales and Fiji going through from Pool C no matter how much we like Portugals style of play surely.
England are through but how will they show up against the Samoans.
Japan or Argentina to make it.
I think New Zealand and France will both win comfortably but not big margins.
Scotland could manage that wonderful feat of beating Ireland but not by enough to go through (heart leading head here I'll admit)
Fiji should be too good for Portugal but could be a cracker of a match.
England win with a couple of card either side
Japan have improved and I hope they can beat the Pumas
What are your thoughts
more England discipline issues
more England discipline issues
How true.
Well, Curry & Farrell back in so back to the doldrums with 1 centre with the Farrell politics to great to leave him out, he must have some dodgy photos of the RFU Christmas party. Ford at 10, Steward back in.
To be fair to Curry we know he's a good player and needs the game time.
I expect Scotland v Ireland to be a very ill-tempered game. POM seems particularly (if perhaps somewhat understandably) disliked there. I expect to see Sexton targeted too, though that’s nothing new.
POM seems particularly (if perhaps somewhat understandably) disliked there
Its not so much that as POM hates Glasgow 🙂 Scotland only by association. He has bad blood with one or two of the Glasgow lads after an ill tempered game many years ago. I think it was Mbawza Ritchie got under his skin. 🙂
I think he is a great player. Scotland could do with someone with his determination never to take a backward step.
I think it will be a fierce game but not dirty. Head say Ireland by at least ten and controlling the game. Heart says Scotland winning by 2 points thus not going thru 🙂 Scot;land have to not get drawn into a slugfest but need to play fast and kick well. We won't tire them out moving them around but we are quicker and have a better back 3 - tho irelands back 3 is hardly a weakpoint.. Its the only advantage we have slight tho it is.
Ritchie and POM will have a frank exchange of views at some point for sure 🙂
France are looking good here
I'd love to see France win the World Cup (assuming Wales don't 😂)
This is what rugby should be (yes i know Italy are shit)....not the turgid garbage that Ireland and South Africa play
This is what rugby should be
Indeed, Ospreys 28 Cardiff 26 at fulltime.
indeed, Ospreys 28 Cardiff 26 at fulltime
😂
What have I missed re England discipline issues?
nothing yet. Its what we bet happens this weekend
I didn't think the France game was any good. Italy didn't really turn up France not really magnifique. Training match intensity.
With a bit of luck Farrell will get a red for a high tackle and we can resume with the slightly better Seconds team.
It will be interesting to see if Curry keeps Ludlum out, Earl and Lawes are nailed on to the other two back row positions. But Jonny May, a shadow of his former self and shouldn’t be on the pitch IMO. We also appear to have both a defensive and attacking full back these days, something that has worked well for the team. I quite agree with Smith being on the bench to come on when everyone gets tired and open up defenses what with being able to play several positions. We lose a dedicated wing by accommodating Farrell, but Marchant is decent cover. <br /><br />
I say all that with the expectation that’s there is only two more England games to watch, a close win v Samoa raising more questions that answers about Farrells inclusion, then a loss to whomever to exit the competition.
Scotland will go out. We have two possibilities:
Agonizing near miss going out on points difference. Heroic failure again.
Steamrollered by the mighty green machine
I have my pillow fort behind the sofa ready
Scotland to win by seven points, although the rugby team have a long way to go to catch the fitba team when it comes to heroic and agonising failure.
Right, do I squeeze a ride in now before the Wales game or give up watching England and ride after when I've got more time?
then a loss to whomever to exit the competition.
Fiji most likely unless Wales implode this afternoon, which is always a possibility.
Ì'm with stevenmenmuir Scotland win but not by enough. They do show up some hitherto unexposed weaknesses in the Irish team which gives their next opponents hope.
Can only ask that the Scots gie it laldy on the pitch
Hopefully an exciting afternoon of rugby awaits.
Scotland will go out.
I fear that unless Ireland receive two red cards in the first half, I cannot see Scotland troubling Ireland at all. [Even with one red card I think Ireland would win comfortably].
Before the start of the tournament it was difficult to tell if Wales might lose all their games or make it through to the semi-finals. I cannot see Wales losing today - maybe if we had to win, then I'd be less confident.
England to win comfortably today too.
Fiji most likely unless Wales implode this afternoon, which is always a possibility.
I think England would rather play Fiji at this point, England & Fiji seem to be on opposing sides of ascendancy*/descendancy in the competition. Dare I say it, Wales would be tough for England.
Albeit marginally in Englands case.
Anscombe out, Costelow in 😱
Thank goodness we don't have to win - I'm not sure how my nerves would cope. This always felt like a risk with Anscombe it seemed. At least it didn't happen in the knock out stages. It will be good to see how he gets on. Not sure who's backup(?).
Feels like there are cards coming on this game 😱
Squeaky bum time!
Well, this was all too predictable 😱
Good game. Wales are looking much stronger than I expected given run into world cup - apart from defence of broken field or generally unstructured attacking play which is absolutely pants.
Faletau out of the World Cup with a broken arm 🙁
Terrible for him and an awful blow for Wales.
Liam Williams also a concern apparently.
Gorgeous play by Samoa there for their first try.
Faletau out of the World Cup with a broken arm
Shit, he's our best player.
Samoa playing beautifully for another entry to England's 22. I have my fingers crossed for Farrell to pick up that game-changing red card to turn this around.
Oh, my that ?2nd try was amazing
Holy shit Samoa!
England on the ropes, why are they all walking around like there're in a daze?
Edit 2 mins later....Cricket score coming...
Shit, he’s our best player.
Indeed 😭😭.
Wales suffered due to injuries in the last world cup.
Samoa to put 100 on England? 😜😜
Hats a bollocks decision, should be clear and obvious to turn over decision
Urgh, I think Samoa have been robbed there from the Itoje tap back.
TMO is making this a hard game to get into they seem to just want to be in the game.
Goodness, England are hard to watch these days.
I think this is hard for England now. Samoa have their tails up, and are 40 minutes away from history and automatic qualification in 4 yrs time. What a story that could be for them.
I hope Samoa win because Taumateine has truly wonderful hair. It's a strong look.
Owen Farrell is such a bellend. He’s consistently let his team down for the last few years. What does he actually bring to England?
Well, that was great from Farrell.... not
Quite. The subs all focussed on keeping Farrel on rather than keeping a flatter attacking team with Ford/Lawrence/Marchant.
The pro England commentry thats doesn't quite know how shit they are gets more grating every game. Bring back Brian Moore.... lol.
And to highlight Farrells bellendery, the only player in the world to miss the shot clock. FFS!
I have never seen the master race look less masterful and I have been watching them since the 80’s. Did you give Borthwick a long contract?
Well at least now I know, it's a scrum when you exceed the shot clock...
England so ponderous. Just so off the necessary pace, huffing and puffing up front and no creativity in the backs.
I'm not sure brace got the spider cam hit correct. It should have gone back to where the kick was struck surely?
Otherwise Samoa, who caught it, were disadvantaged even though they were equally affected by the camera hit
I enjoyed that. Result in doubt the whole way thru. Talk about grinding out a win tho. Samoa one knock on from history at the end.
Care has had worse days in an England shirt