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Scotland / Russia
Its all fairly simple - we need a bonus point win. this is basically our second team. some serious questions to be answered:
Will Batman ( Ryan Wilson) start a fight?
Will the Russians mock Beakers ( Duncan Taylors) hair?
Will haircut ( Hastings) be Finn mk 2? and if so which Finn?
Anyone else more than a little nervous about tomorrow?
Yes, although its now today....nervous as hell.
You should beat Tonga surely?
Scotlands forwards look like they all took rohipnol before kick off!
And the backs should have washed the grease off their hands after their bacon butties! If Wales come out so poorly I'll be crying.
Anyone else more than a little nervous about tomorrow?
Yes, although its now today….nervous as hell.
Me too, sick in my stomach. More so than against Australia.
Whilst a Scotland win keeps their group exciting and I hope they do win, Russia have given a good account of themselves so far and I hope they have a good game.
AA - three tries in 20 mins? totally dominating?
Some days you get all the luck the ball bounces for you. This looks like one of those days.
40 mins to get the bonus point and lets try to get our PD up as well.
Listening to big Jim in the studio through bleary eyes of a long night I thought they had got in Rob Warner for a second 😀 Now I can’t unsee or unhear it. “How did he make that tackle with balls that big” ... "Laidlaw has done more for Scottish rugby than Osama Bin Laden has done for terrorism"... you get the gist. I need some sleep before the Wales match!
Darcy Graham is the man! gives wee George the easiest of run ins. Thats the bonus point. Now get Graham off to save him for Japan
Scotland are world beaters again I see!
😉
It's certainly going well, can't help feel that the mistakes we're making would be punished by a better team though.
Russia look absolutely rubbish!
Looks like Scotland are going to rack up a big old score line today.
Russia have been competitive in their games to date but look knackered and coming up agaisnt a team wanting to play quickly is going to kill them.
Had the misfortune of listening to the first few minutes in the radio...the commentary was awful. People talk about Guscott, Jiffy and Moore being biased but those two clowns took it to a whole new level. Jesus.
Absolutly CFH right now we can beat anyone. Sunday its
I’m not sure anyone thinks we’d be doing this against the ABs - although it’s Scotland,so who can tell!
Nel looked positively agoraphobic in that much space 🙂
Games like this show that they should have had some kind of secondry competition and maybe the finalists make it to the world cup proper,whats the point of games like this except for the Russian players to remember and Scottish fans to think their team aren't just flat track bullies.
Ditch jockey - it was rather funny.
Mikey - russia have stood up well in the tournament so far. A game too far for them perhaps and Scotland played the game at a speed they could not cope with
this WC has had far less total mismatches than in previous. No 100+ pt victories
this WC has had far less total mismatches than in previous. No 100+ pt victories
We haven't seen New Zealand versus Japan or Scotland yet!
No fear of NZ here. SA scares me much more.
and Scottish fans to think their team aren’t just flat track bullies.
Surely that win was pretty much the definition of a flat track bully?
No fear of NZ here. SA scares me much more.
That's kinda like saying you're more scared of a grizzly bear than a gorilla. Either way, you're ****ed.
SAs monster forwards will smash scotland softies up front. NZ - we have a better chance of matching them up front ( even if its still only a vague chance) we were within one pass going to hand of beating NZ last time we played and the NZ coach said scotland was the toughest game on that tour. Its about styles of play. SA style we cannot cope with right now, NZ we can cope with better. NZ kick a lot and we counter a lot
All academic tho 'cos it will be japan not scotland. Scotland will beat japan but japan will get at least one bonus point. Thats my prediction
Scotland are hard to figure out. We were absolutely dog shit against Ireland, it was like they hadn't got off the plane.
Next game fairly well dominated Samoa (who aren't a bad side and gave Japan a better game)
Today ran 9 tries past Russia. Russia were poor, their defense in the 2nd half was non existent. Barclay's try was an absolute joke, he walked the ball under the post from 10 meters no one was interested in tackling him!
To be honest though I think those two games are flattering Scotland, give an attack minded side with talented and pacy backs time and space and they will rip you apart. Up against a side with a better organised defense and a much faster line speed I think the errors will creep back in.
I'm really looking forward to Sunday's game but I don't think we can draw too many conclusions from the game against Russia today
Yikes...
I think I may wasted £5 on Wales. 😂
Stressed now!
Wales will be fine - they'll be given a scare but Wales will do enough to win. They'll go back to basics and their set piece will do the work.
The BBC live score page is down. Are they worried about the effect it will have on Welsh people.
The Fijian offloads are really bloody good.
Josh Adams should have got his feet bound when he got to Japan!!
Ooooh! My £5 might last another game.
What a cracking game!
Fiji have looked amazing and infuriating all at the same time. Big worry for Wales is at what cost has the game been in terms of injuries.
Never in doubt.
Erm...
What a game!
England v France on hold. Developing...
England would still top group wouldnt they?
England would still top group wouldnt they?
Assuming that all the Saturday and Sunday games are cancelled, each team would get 2 points. England would still top Pool C. NZ would overtake SA at the top of Pool B. Japan would top Pool A, ahead of Ireland. Australia could still pick up 5 points on Friday though, so they might sneak ahead of Wales in Pool D. But it will all depend on how the different parts of the country are affected. Wales vs Uruguay and Ireland vs Samoa are down south, so probably not affected.
I really hope for the sake of the tournament the Scotland / Japan game is not cancelled. Its should be a showcase for the game and while Japan deserve their chance to go thru and my bet would be they will go thru I am sure no one wants it that way.
Most of the other games would not decide qualifiers only position ( bar wales???)
Don't they have a stadium with a roof?
Don’t they have a stadium with a roof?
Might struggle playing all of the games in one stadium...
They're looking at moving certain games, including England's which could be played with no crowds, under a roof.
It's not just about the games per se, if this weather really hits it will shut down everything. I've been in HK when a big one rolled in, whole place goes on lockdown basically.
Can't be worse than Scotstoun on a November evening
Just watched the Wales v Fiji game. Bloody hell. I was expecting a tough game, but not necessarily having to wait until the 72nd minute before I could relax.
I’m happy with how Wales played as Fiji were immense. I don’t know who was man of the match, but from a Wales perspective I thought Biggar, Adams and Moriarty played very well, Gareth Davies too.
Is it worth watching the Scotland v Russia game now that I know the score?
I don’t know who was man of the match
Semi Radradra. Was tearing it up from the very start. Sublime rugby.
I don’t know who was man of the match
Semi Radradra. Was tearing it up from the very start. Sublime rugby.
Thanks. Fair enough, he’s an incredible player. However, I was wondering as it’s not often given to a player on the losing side.
from a Wales perspective I thought Biggar, Adams and Moriarty played very well, Gareth Davies too.
Biggar kills our attacking game, Adams missed two tackles that led to tries.
Radradra was awesome as was the 8 whose name I forget. Have to watch it properly again.
Fiji 8
Bill Mcmata. Plays for Edinburgh
Gauss Scotland game was not much of a contest but fun to watch Scotland running in a few tries
iji 8
Bill Mcmata. Plays for Edinburgh
Thats the one!
Nonu signs for San Diego in the MLR.
They're picking up some massive names.
I suspect he may not be playing for Edinburgh much longer. someone will offer him big bucks
Funny story with Bill Mata. He signed for Edinburgh after discussing it with other Fijians who have played in Scotland. He didn't really know where he was going. His wife asked " where is Edinburgh" he replied " Somewhere near london" His wife was also somewhat disconcerted with the first winter!
His wife asked ” where is Edinburgh” he replied ” Somewhere near london” His wife was also somewhat disconcerted with the first winter!
Sounds like she talked to a Londoner first! 😂
Daily Hate is apparently reporting that England France game is off
Storm Haggis.
Yup, decision on Scotland game today according to the English Times.
NZ-Ita officially cancelled. Eng-Fra officially cancelled. Ire-Sam to go ahead. Jap-Sco decision to be made on Sunday morning.
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/update
More rest for England and France but neither have had a hard close game yet, wonder how it will play out.
Aw crap. I agreed to meet the SiL on the condition we meet in a pub with the rugby on. Arse.
France Argentina not a tough game? Only watched it in the background, but second half was a decent game if I remember correctly?
Obviously this is just rugby and pales in significance to the safety of everyone in the region so please don't take this as me getting my priorities all wrong but...
FFS, was this really a surprise? They've had years to put contingencies in place (new locations, played behind closed doors, rescheduling, etc). They are having a tournament in typhoon season. WTF did they expect to happen?
I would have thought the Scots would be delighted at the prospect of the game being cancelled.
It'll surely spare them the embarrassment of being schooled by Japan?
Surely they must be able to find a stadium out of the firing line for Japan/Scotland?
There are plans in place. knockout stages there are alternative days for matches but its impossible to do for all the pool matches
Namaste Not really . We want it played - not because we are confident of a win, far from it. But because its the right thing to do and should be a cracker of a game. Its the game that most fans of any country have had marked as the game of the pool stages
impossible to do for all the pool matches
If it's genuinely impossible to put any contingency plans in place (new venue, behind closed doors, etc) then don't have a tournament in typhoon season.
More rest for England and France but neither have had a hard close game yet, wonder how it will play out.
it is a shame and safety first but I think AA’s implication here is right. England need more of a test, and they’ve some players that need game time to get into this World Cup. They’ve just been denied that. To me that makes the Aus game just that bit harder and there are connotations which could affect us.
e.g. If Billy V goes off quickly then Wilson has little game time. Farrell is ill currently and although Ford seems to be playing well he’s not really been under pressure yet and we know that’s where he cracks. Slade Mako & Nowell not really had much time. These are quality players but to come into a knockout with Australia like this makes me nervous, especially if they keep their bench as per the Wales game.
its the right thing to do and should be a cracker of a game. Its the game that most fans of any country have had marked as the game of the pool stages
Well I don't see NZ and England complaining - despite both missing out on a good hit-out and entering the quarters somewhat undercooked. I think the most anticipated game of the pool stages was SA/NZ although that seems like a very long time ago now.
Hey, I'd like to see the Scotland v Japan game go ahead too. As you say, it should be a cracker. However, the "right thing" to do is abide by the rules, the saftey issues and the tournament director.
However, the “right thing” to do is abide by the rules, the saftey issues and the tournament director.
No. The right thing to do would have been to have contingency plans in place. They've had enough time.
NMbuzz, how many times have Japan beaten Scotland in a test match? For somebody telling another poster to get a life about not liking England you spend a lot of time trying to troll us. What's wrong; is your arse still sore after the last 2 Calcutta cups?
I'm a bit torn with this. I do think its highly unfair should Scotland / Japan be called off and Japan go through without having played the crucial decider. But if Italy can go out in that fashion, then its only fair I suppose. (Yep Italy didn't really have a chance, but the rules are the rules I suppose).
But I do get the point that there has been years to make plans. It is typhoon season, albeit coming towards the end, however planning should have catered for this possibility. I actually think the organisers have gotten away with it, could you imagine if other teams needed to ensure they progressed by playing. I think because the neautrals will want Japan to go through, the noise won't be as bad as if the scenario was England, France or Wales going out because they were unable to play their last game due to weather and fan safety concerns. No offense to Scotland, but I'd say a large number of people see them as similar to Italy, just below Tier 1.
I did chuckle about Japan vs Scotland being the game most fans have marked of the group stages. Maybe in Japan and Scotland it is.....Wales vs Australia, NZ vs SA, England vs France? Anyway I digress.
BruceWee - there are contingency plans in place including the possibility of moving games - its just its impractical to have spare days for game in the pool stages.
Woodster - thats what I have seen said by many. Two teams with all out attacking styles, evenly matched and its the hosts chance to go thru
Scotland beloww teir 1? Who has the calcutta cup?
It’s a bummer the game has been called off. I think we need a decent run out plus if we do progress further, we’ll never hear the end of how much rest we’ve had etc.
My main concern is Australia. We’ve do well against them in recent times however they’ve had a coupe of tough games so should be fully battle hardened. Hmmmm.
What’s wrong; is your arse still sore after the last 2 Calcutta cups?
Ha ha! Actually, it's still sore from 1990!
As I'm surrounded by Scots I feel that it's my patriotic duty, as an Englishman, to wind them up as much as possible.
Seems to be working......... 😉
There is a name for that, Eh TJ?
I did chuckle about Japan vs Scotland being the game most fans have marked of the group stages. Maybe in Japan and Scotland it is…..Wales vs Australia, NZ vs SA, England vs France? Anyway I digress.
I think even before the tournament started it looked as if the Japan v Scotland game would be crucial in deciding who out of the two and possibly Ireland as well would go through. Along with the relatively close strength of the teams, I for one was certainly looking forward to this game as much as any.
Whilst I like to troll Scotland fans a little, I feel hugely for them should the game be abandoned. The game could easily go either way. We’ve all been looking forward to this competition for years and it’s a lousy way to go out. Also, from a selfish point of view, if Scotland go out because the game is abandoned we will still be hearing about it in 2051!
We’ve all been looking forward to this competition for years and it’s a lousy way to go out.
True but if they'd actually bothered to turn up against Ireland instead of putting in one of the most abject performances I've ever seen from a Scottish team then they wouldn't be in this position - would they?
Besides - the game may still go ahead. They're not deciding until Sunday morning apparently.
Scotland will hopefully redeem themselves and earn the reward of a quarter-final against the ABs(!)
True but if they’d actually bothered to turn up against Ireland instead of putting in one of the most abject performances I’ve ever seen from a Scottish team then they wouldn’t be in this position – would they?
They didn’t play well, but Ireland were number 1 in the World at the time iirc. You don’t have to be the best in your group to go through. Nobody is suggesting SA should not go through.
If Scotland don’t go through because of a cancelled game, I will feel for them hugely.
They didn’t play well, but Ireland were number 1 in the World at the time iirc.
That may have been so but the fact is Ireland were a long way from being no1 on the pitch. 2 hammerings by England and totally embarrassed by Wales in the 6N. Their subsequent defeat to Japan showed exactly how good they weren't.
If the Scotland side who drew with England had turned up they'd have run Ireland off the pitch.
I think any Scotland fan will tell you the game against Ireland was awful. worst one for a while. given that Japan beat them we should at least have given them a game!