The Rugby Thread
Comments
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Hardly surprising that they are unbeaten though.mrb123 said:England the only unbeaten team left!
The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
More than can be said of the cricket team.mrb123 said:England the only unbeaten team left!
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Am right that England have done relatively well to get to the semis but a lot of that is down to a very soft draw and that the semi will be the first real test against a top team?0
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Before the tournament England were ranked 8th in the world, and they've beaten the teams who were ranked 6th, 14th, 22nd, 12th and 7th.rick_chasey said:Am right that England have done relatively well to get to the semis but a lot of that is down to a very soft draw and that the semi will be the first real test against a top team?
Now they get to play the team ranked 2nd, who've lost to the team ranked 1st, and beaten the teams ranked 5th and 3rd (and 15th and 19th).0 -
More importantly, the two matches looked like they were almost different sports. England may well get absolutely annihilated.1
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I hope so, not through any dislike of England so much as a dislike for a style of rugby I hoped had died 20 years ago. As you say, it's almost a different sport to what the likes of Ireland, France or SA play (or even Fiji, Portugal and Argentina at times).kingstongraham said:More importantly, the two matches looked like they were almost different sports. England may well get absolutely annihilated.
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The draw was kind to England, but they have already beaten one of the other semi-finalists, and so are maybe punching above their weight.rick_chasey said:Am right that England have done relatively well to get to the semis but a lot of that is down to a very soft draw and that the semi will be the first real test against a top team?
Not optimistic for the Boks encounter all the same.
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I think the sport overall is better for contrasting styles, but accept this may be a minority view!Pross said:
I hope so, not through any dislike of England so much as a dislike for a style of rugby I hoped had died 20 years ago. As you say, it's almost a different sport to what the likes of Ireland, France or SA play (or even Fiji, Portugal and Argentina at times).kingstongraham said:More importantly, the two matches looked like they were almost different sports. England may well get absolutely annihilated.
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Given the draw, the absolute minimum from England was a QF, at which time they were going to play one of Wales, Australia or Fiji, and so had a very good chance of making the semis.rick_chasey said:Am right that England have done relatively well to get to the semis but a lot of that is down to a very soft draw and that the semi will be the first real test against a top team?
I'd say that no, they haven't done relatively well, but got to the point in the tournament that they should have got to.
The final would be beyond expectations.
But the style of England's play has be awful (I haven't seen yesterday), and they are in danger of wasting a generation that won 4 or 6 U20s world cups.0 -
Potential hope about Eng play is that it's very different to how SA play, so small chance of being highly distruptive.
Likelihood is an absolute steamrolling.0 -
Contrasting styles is fine, just not when one of them is really boring to watch.wallace_and_gromit said:
I think the sport overall is better for contrasting styles, but accept this may be a minority view!Pross said:
I hope so, not through any dislike of England so much as a dislike for a style of rugby I hoped had died 20 years ago. As you say, it's almost a different sport to what the likes of Ireland, France or SA play (or even Fiji, Portugal and Argentina at times).kingstongraham said:More importantly, the two matches looked like they were almost different sports. England may well get absolutely annihilated.
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I'm not sure that England do have a contrasting style to SA - it's just that SA are that much better at it.wallace_and_gromit said:
I think the sport overall is better for contrasting styles, but accept this may be a minority view!Pross said:
I hope so, not through any dislike of England so much as a dislike for a style of rugby I hoped had died 20 years ago. As you say, it's almost a different sport to what the likes of Ireland, France or SA play (or even Fiji, Portugal and Argentina at times).kingstongraham said:More importantly, the two matches looked like they were almost different sports. England may well get absolutely annihilated.
May is England's equivalent of Kolbe, and it's just not a fair comparison.1 -
I see Dupont is moaning about the referee - any idea what he thinks was wrong?0
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Just think that game was decided on a charged down conversion in the end. I’m sorry for France they have played sublime rugby, and to lose by 1 point!
Edit - Ah some French calling the charge down illegal as Kolbe started before the approach and should have been retaken.
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Hmm. Makes senseDorset_Boy said:
Given the draw, the absolute minimum from England was a QF, at which time they were going to play one of Wales, Australia or Fiji, and so had a very good chance of making the semis.rick_chasey said:Am right that England have done relatively well to get to the semis but a lot of that is down to a very soft draw and that the semi will be the first real test against a top team?
I'd say that no, they haven't done relatively well, but got to the point in the tournament that they should have got to.
The final would be beyond expectations.
But the style of England's play has be awful (I haven't seen yesterday), and they are in danger of wasting a generation that won 4 or 6 U20s world cups.
I've tried to watch a few matches but they were all so one sided I gave up.
Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?0 -
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.
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Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.0 -
I thought the style against Fiji was pretty positive? Felt like less aimless kicking away than in previous games.Pross said:
I hope so, not through any dislike of England so much as a dislike for a style of rugby I hoped had died 20 years ago. As you say, it's almost a different sport to what the likes of Ireland, France or SA play (or even Fiji, Portugal and Argentina at times).kingstongraham said:More importantly, the two matches looked like they were almost different sports. England may well get absolutely annihilated.
I suspect France, NZ, Ireland and SA would all have counted as worthy winners of winners of the competition. It's a bit of a shame the draw has ended up this way.0 -
Worth watching the highlights of the France/SA and Ireland/NZ matches if you haven't already, two of the best matches I've ever seen. Likely to be much better than either of the semi finals.rick_chasey said:
Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.2 -
I'd rewatch the whole SA/Fra match. It was awesome.rick_chasey said:
Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.0 -
The opening game France v NZ was a corker as well.kingstongraham said:
Worth watching the highlights of the France/SA and Ireland/NZ matches if you haven't already, two of the best matches I've ever seen. Likely to be much better than either of the semi finals.rick_chasey said:
Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.
The semi-finals might potentially be one sided as well. Hope not.0 -
Makes sense. Was tight for sure, he made a slight movement with his body to start the kick before Kolbe got moving, but borderline.secretsqirrel said:Just think that game was decided on a charged down conversion in the end. I’m sorry for France they have played sublime rugby, and to lose by 1 point!
Edit - Ah some French calling the charge down illegal as Kolbe started before the approach and should have been retaken.
Law says that he is not allowed to cross the touch line until "the kicker moves in any direction to begin their approach to kick". I reckon his charge was fine.0 -
Final penalty was given the wrong way - right hand on ground well before left hand went for the ball, so not supoorting body weight.kingstongraham said:I see Dupont is moaning about the referee - any idea what he thinks was wrong?
Colby almost certainly started the chargedown before the kicker moved.
Etzebeth deliberate knock on not given - no attempt to catch, just to block the pass, with men outside, so should have been yellow.
Etzebeth head on head would have been red at the start of tournament, no mitigation, so probably still should have been red.
Highly likely the Saffa backs spent much of the game offside.
Couple of knock ons in the tackle not given that resulted in big territory gains for the Saffas.
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If I was a rugby fan I probably would but the jeopardy is probably more interesting to me; not so fun when you know the result.shirley_basso said:
I'd rewatch the whole SA/Fra match. It was awesome.rick_chasey said:
Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.0 -
The first half was one of the best halves of rugby ever played.rick_chasey said:
If I was a rugby fan I probably would but the jeopardy is probably more interesting to me; not so fun when you know the result.shirley_basso said:
I'd rewatch the whole SA/Fra match. It was awesome.rick_chasey said:
Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.0 -
So true. 99% of the excitement comes from the live situation. Watching "after the fact" is little more than mildly diverting turbo fodder in my experience. (I watched my video of the 2003 final many times before I succumbed to new technology.)rick_chasey said:
If I was a rugby fan I probably would but the jeopardy is probably more interesting to me; not so fun when you know the result.shirley_basso said:
I'd rewatch the whole SA/Fra match. It was awesome.rick_chasey said:
Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.0 -
That's pretty much exactly how I saw the game.Dorset_Boy said:
Final penalty was given the wrong way - right hand on ground well before left hand went for the ball, so not supoorting body weight.kingstongraham said:I see Dupont is moaning about the referee - any idea what he thinks was wrong?
Colby almost certainly started the chargedown before the kicker moved.
Etzebeth deliberate knock on not given - no attempt to catch, just to block the pass, with men outside, so should have been yellow.
Etzebeth head on head would have been red at the start of tournament, no mitigation, so probably still should have been red.
Highly likely the Saffa backs spent much of the game offside.
Couple of knock ons in the tackle not given that resulted in big territory gains for the Saffas.
I know folks are writing off England, but weren't we all doing that at the last world cup, against NZ?
It's a one off, knock out match after all..."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Anything can happen.blazing_saddles said:
That's pretty much exactly how I saw the game.Dorset_Boy said:
Final penalty was given the wrong way - right hand on ground well before left hand went for the ball, so not supoorting body weight.kingstongraham said:I see Dupont is moaning about the referee - any idea what he thinks was wrong?
Colby almost certainly started the chargedown before the kicker moved.
Etzebeth deliberate knock on not given - no attempt to catch, just to block the pass, with men outside, so should have been yellow.
Etzebeth head on head would have been red at the start of tournament, no mitigation, so probably still should have been red.
Highly likely the Saffa backs spent much of the game offside.
Couple of knock ons in the tackle not given that resulted in big territory gains for the Saffas.
I know folks are writing off England, but weren't we all doing that at the last world cup, against NZ?
It's a one off, knock out match after all...
We are discussing the likely outcome.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Not much interest in the very short debate about what is likely to happen as the BoKs are a "racing certainty". Hence the interest is in discussing unlikely but possible scenarios.pblakeney said:
Anything can happen.blazing_saddles said:
That's pretty much exactly how I saw the game.Dorset_Boy said:
Final penalty was given the wrong way - right hand on ground well before left hand went for the ball, so not supoorting body weight.kingstongraham said:I see Dupont is moaning about the referee - any idea what he thinks was wrong?
Colby almost certainly started the chargedown before the kicker moved.
Etzebeth deliberate knock on not given - no attempt to catch, just to block the pass, with men outside, so should have been yellow.
Etzebeth head on head would have been red at the start of tournament, no mitigation, so probably still should have been red.
Highly likely the Saffa backs spent much of the game offside.
Couple of knock ons in the tackle not given that resulted in big territory gains for the Saffas.
I know folks are writing off England, but weren't we all doing that at the last world cup, against NZ?
It's a one off, knock out match after all...
We are discussing the likely outcome.
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I agree, both of those games were absolutely brilliant - I hadn't been following RWC that closely and I felt lucky to be watching those two!kingstongraham said:
Worth watching the highlights of the France/SA and Ireland/NZ matches if you haven't already, two of the best matches I've ever seen. Likely to be much better than either of the semi finals.rick_chasey said:
Yeah. I'll try to tune in for the semis. thanks.wallace_and_gromit said:
Fairly standard since late 90s / early 2000s, I think.rick_chasey said:Is this a relatively new expansion for the world cup?
It's a problem for RWC cf footy world cup as there are so few meaningful matches until the QFs and there realistically has to be long gaps between matches to allow the bruises etc. to subside.0
