blonde poker forum

New zealand are clear favourites as they should be.

England - We are so close to "clicking" and have been for the last 18 months. If we do click, and become a little more clinical,  we really could challenge for the title. A very dangerous back 3 who will tear teams apart with the correct service. Id personally still love to see Cipriani in the squad for something different afyerter 60 minutes if we are behind.

Ireland - A very solid team with great defense. And with Jonny Sextons boot, will be tough to beat. Think they just lack a little bit of quality to worry the big teams.

Wales - Very inconsistent as of late. But on their day a back line which could be very verg dangerous. Would you like to tackle a rampaging George North?

Scotland - Wey we needed somebody to make up the numbers.

COME ON ENGLAND!!

With Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny looking likely to miss the tournament, England's path to the quarters just got a lot easier. Not sure I can ever remember a more destructive warm up game for a country.

Such a miserable game that for Wales. Watching the replay and hearing Martyn Williams say "should Gatland take off halfpenny now as he's such an important player" about 10 mins before he got injured was such a sigh.

If Biggar can avoid the yips and L Williams is fit it's not quite the disaster people are making it out to be though. Webb arguably a much bigger loss.

Are you Barbour jacket wearing swing lowers not a bit worried about your set piece? Lineout was a shambles against France and you lost TWO against the head against Ireland!

Can't remember the last time our line out was great to be honest, must be over 8 years.

And the scrum was very worrying, as its normally something we are very good at.

Think the 15 that started on Saturday were the 15 that Lancaster felt were going to start against Fiji next Friday. Anyone think there may be changes?

In London on the Friday on opening night & couldn't believe how much tickets are? The cheapest I can find is £250? Really?

At this short notice for a world cup game, who's fans are middle class upwards, that price is no surprise tbh

I thought they would be more expensive tbh given it is the opening game of the World Cup.  Posh boys sport.  They could probably sell 60,000 corporate hospitality packages for these games never mind just normal tickets.

basic tickets for georgia v namibia and tonga at the king power are £50

£250 for twickenham and the opening game? standard in the context of a tournament which is over-priced for fans

That 250 looks way more reasonable than Georgia/Namibia.  Surely that isn't ever selling out?

it isn't at the moment

i am local, and would go at £25, but me and my two lads at £50 a pop?

no thanks

Lmao at the Georgia game pricing.  Idiots.

If your two lads go to school in the area prolly wait until the inevitable 'free tickets for schools'...

I'm also close to the KP; cheapest tickets left for the two weekend games are £65 and £115 with no discounts for kids.

TV it is then.

On the subject of 'exorbitant' pricing, how do we think the equivalent football matches would be priced if England hosted a football World Cup?

I'm only playing devil's advocate here, as I accept the cost of tickets is fairly prohibitive, but I think the "posh boy's sport"/"middle class fans" chat (whilst obviously accurate) isn't really why tickets are dear.

I went to Euro 96 and am sure the ticket prices were reasonable.  I went to the Olympics with my mother/wife and kid and it really wasn't expensive.  I think we only paid more than £50 for the Athletics. 

Georgia/Namibia would be in line with some of the 2nd ranking/qualifying type events where you could get tickets for £20 with discounts for kids.

Twickenham has always been difficult/expensive because of the corporates.  Certainly my impression.  Though you can get tickets easy enough for non 6 nation games like the rugby sevens. 

You could have bought £75 tickets at Twickenham and £20 tickets at Leicester with discounts for kids?

https://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com/site/assets/FixtureList.pdf (https://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com/site/assets/FixtureList.pdf)

After all I said, some of these games don't look wildly overpriced unless you are a category a ticket kind of guy.

The difficulty is that the Cat C/D tickets for good/big games were like hen's teeth. I'm not sure how many of each there were (?) but they were clearly heavily oversubscribed, as one would expect, and as evidenced by the results of the ticket ballots. As a result people become disillusioned (perhaps understandably) at the 'true' cost of attending a game.

Securing tickets has definitely been possible mind, but realistically only at Cat A/B....and even then finding pairs and upwards very tough. I have bought all mine through the official site and got a good run of games, but to call the tickets 'cheap' would certainly be a stretch.

A ten match ticket for the Matches at Wembley & White City in the 1966 World Cup cost £3/10/-

That's about £60 in today's money...

The final itself was 10/-

Tickets for some of the games were still available after the tournament started. My Dad had a block ticket for England's group games and the QF, and bought extras for the France game to take my Cousin and me. My first of maybe 50 England games at Wembley, still never been for a club game.

Tickets are way higher for Twickenham and Millenium than usual. And they are normally ridiculously high.

But with Twickenham, as a non rugby club member who is unlikely to get corporate hospitality, the normal prices are just theoretical.  To secure tickets for a 6 nations game I am realistically looking at hundreds of pounds?  If I want to see England play football it is much easier. 

This is just my impression, and it is one of the reasons I have no interest in supporting the england rugby union team.

Hmm. It's not quite that bleak, and I say that as no big fan of the RFU as you might expect. Wales is basically the same in that you pretty much need to be a member of a club to get tickets. Which while massively open to corruption and favourtism does have its merits.

But yeah, it's a bit restrictive for the casual fan who wants to experience it. Sadly with the slow demise of club rugby in Wales it's a lot easier to get a ticket for the 6N than it used to be.

Wales drift to 25/1 following news that Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb will miss the World Cup http://bit.ly/RWCodds 

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/COX_I9pWcAA3xhP.png)

its a great shame that halfpenny will miss it, one of the great full backs in the game, universally admired

Webb a much bigger loss IMO

Halfpenny is a bit like a blessing and a curse. Williams, North and pleasejustanyonewhoisn'tcuthbert is a hell of a back three. So long as Biggar can kick his goals it's arguably a more potent attacking force.

Already starting to get excited now. This is the absolute BEST sporting event in the world for me  ;letsparty;

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXppMqUVMYE

Got to be the most meaningless group stages of any major competition in any global world championships of any sport surely?.  So many total mismatches.   The 1/4 finals onwards is awesome though even as a non rugby fan.

Cricket runs it close?

U kiwi or summat? England have Wales and Aussies mate, some exciting shit there for starters!!

I was talking generally over the last 3 or 4 WC's watching it.  Didn't know this year's groups.  That is a pretty exciting group tbf. 

The best bit about the group stages is backing 1/100 favs which literally can't lose (who are getting 80 points starts on teh hcap) because such huge favs in rugby because of the possession and scoring system just can't get beat yet firms always offer 1/50 or 1/100 on them outright in these types of matches.

Generally yes, but the RWC when it comes around every 4 years is heads and tails above everything else for excitement for me, more so if I think we have a shot of winning it which I think we do because of home advantage.

Number one sporting moment for me ever? Wilko in Sydney, I mean I watch that occasionally again from time to time and still think how utterly amazing it was!!! And Jason Robinson's try!

you NEED to look at my tournament preview, out on Monday, sir

no links, no more...you know where to find it!

OK cheers.  Why no links any more?  Politics?

lot of people seemed not to like it, so easier not to

Ooooh had to watch it just now, was in the mood. Elton Flatley had a huge pair of nads nailing some of the kicks he did under pressure to keeps the Aussies in the game a couple of times.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weSB8ZmNNi8

Just pre Johnny drop as Daws makes the break you see one of the most intelligent bits of rugby in high pressure.

Johnson, realising Johnny is in the pocket already but his scrum half is under a ruck, picks and drives to set up his best feed player for the highest percentage play. So smart.

.

Im still waiting for my call like.

The creativity of Michalak, the pace of Habana and the left peg of Sir Jonny.

All whilst scrummaging like a stallion with a pint of smooth in me hand.

Resales have been good today.

Picked up a Cat D Winner Group B (SA) Vs Eng/Aus/Wales quarter at £95

Then two singles to the first semi - likely All Blacks Vs SA/Eng/Aus at £125 a pop

Strong!!

Not worked it out, could England play in either semi or is only one possible?

Single seats for England v Wales.......but £215. To pull the trigger or not.... ;carlocitrone;

Either possible - it's dependent on where we finish in the group.

Big big group of expats taking over a bike shop and having beer brought from pub next door for the opener.

Cannnnnnotttt waitttt

Going for pints, then a curry then pints whilst watching the rugby.

If Carlsberg did Fridays...i'd tell them to piss off and get me a pint of smooth

volunteers for commentary on friday night anyone?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPA4s_AWgAA6FEV.jpg)

Are they only playing a front row of 2 like?

It's ballsy but I dont think it will work.

Yes let's go!

Common England

Shipped a single seat for the Wales game, wasn't going to bother but I'm not sure I'll ever get chance to see England play in a World Cup game again so thought fk it....

Score predictions?

41-13 England for me. Based on nothing other than those are numbers I like.

I have two Eng vs Wales tickets for sale if anyone wants to make an offer for the pair.

Would have had 'em face value mate, couple of my mates weren't keen on sitting on their own hence why I ended up with a single seat.

How much, feel free to pm

I am going to bet the underdog with the handicap in all group games. Very scientific.

The big day has arrived.

If you are going to Twickenham tonight, please remember that many of the local roads are closed, in particular, the main A316, the dual carriageway which bisects Twickenham & The Stoop. The usual Stoop car parks are closed, too, "Media Only".

There are RWC banners everywhere, & the Stadium looks amazing, all dressed up, ditto the nearby roads.

Shuttle buses are laid on to take spectators to & from Waterloo, & Kempton Park, the latter being used as a car park.

Local pubs will be closing early, much to the annoyance of the landlords, who were hoping the RWC would give trade a boost. The Stadium Bars will remain open until late.   

On a less than bright note, I only realised yesterday that the host broadcaster is ITV4.

Not sure they have the expertise, in front of or behind the cameras, but let's hope they surprise us.

This painting of Chris Robshaw........



(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPIogvhW8AAZ_Hy.jpg)



....is by Henry Fraser, a paralysed former player, who uses a brush clenched between his teeth to paint.


(http://c.files.bbci.co.uk/EECA/production/_85603116_85603115.jpg)


(http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TpfcFBhclyI/0.jpg)


(http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/727730/stream_img.jpg)

Henry received this e-mail on July 15th this year, & posted it on his Twitter feed. ( @henryfraser0 )



(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJtNy6uWUAATaM3.jpg)



Henry replied......


Woke up to this email.

All I achieve from now will be because of the motivation you have given me. Thank you Laura 😚

Imagine taking the time out to write an email like that to another person just to make them feel bad.
How sad is that? 

I know nothing about rugby but have drawn South Africa in a sweepstake. Realistic chance?

Not too bad, after the all blacks in the next tier of teams that have a shot.

There was single tickets popping up all week for tonight's match, was sorely tempted but as they were £300 and I'm going next week anyway I managed to resist.... /:-|

St Pancras this morning was rammed with French supporters coming off the Eurostar, busiest I've ever seen the station.

Friend of mine has 2 tix for the Scotland v Samoa game at St. James's Park 10th oct, face value of 150 for both. Let me know if anyone wants them.

Ditto. Worked pretty well last time around. Generally people still just assume the big teams are gonna smash everyone else off the park.

Cardiff castle.

(http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg486/rubbish247/12042629_1054625337889464_2099884888289733601_n_zpskzanurjn.jpg) (http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/rubbish247/media/12042629_1054625337889464_2099884888289733601_n_zpskzanurjn.jpg.html)

Pulled the second favourite for me. They may start slow with lots of players coming back from injury but because they will piss their group you'll likely have a very fun Quarter Final vs England/Australia/Wales

ready for the opening ceremony

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPM4lkpW8AALzED.jpg)

If I watch much more of this Opening Ceremony crap, I might just throw up.

My misery will be complete if John Inverdale starts with his condescending waffle.

.....and right on cue, it's John Inverdale.

Guess I deserved that for tempting fate.

Midget Jason Robinson stood in between those two monsters  rotflmfao rotflmfao rotflmfao

What a shame, that looked a great try until we saw the slow motion.

Deserved to be a try.

Yes, they get there eventually.

Let's hope they can't play that bad again this WC....

Fiji stuck to their plan really well and played incred. 9 turnovers says it all. Play like that next time out and we'll be in trouble. I don't think we will though.

Yeah my mate reckons that 75% of games went to the handicap dog last time in group matches.
1 for 1 so far :)

I only watch Six Nations generally, but I'm keen to watch as much of the RWC as possible.

Two comments from last night.

The dialogue between the TMO (Televised Match Official) & the Referee was clearly intended to be heard by viewers, but it seemed very quiet. Presumably just a one-off glitch, which they will fix for today onwards, or is it always that bad?

More importantly, whilst I love the idea of in-game technology being widely used - football with get there eventually, at present they just have goal-line thing - I thought it slowed the natural pace & tempo of the game down terribly last night. The first half ran 25% longer than it should - 10 minutes.

It all seemed a bit odd, too. The referee, in full view of 80,000, & hundreds of thousands of viewers, stood there like a little boy in class who had been naughty, awaiting the decision from the technology van & TMO.  Made him look pretty silly, I thought, & undermined his authority somewhat.

My main concern though was how it seemed to take the flow & tempo out of the game. If it is going to be like that for every game, that's a big negative. 



See also......


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11876172/Twitter-rages-as-the-TMO-hampers-Rugby-World-Cup-opener.html
(http://news.images.itv.com/image/file/772807/stream_img.jpg)

The number of TMO referrals was a joke yesterda, sure fire way to turn off casual fans. Should only be allowed for tries in my opinion and even then, only if the ref really isn't sure. I thought the decision to overturn the Fiji score in the corner - though clearly correct - was a joke. Once the decision has been made, it should be final. Questionable as to whether they would have showed the same angle pre-conversion if it wasn't the host nation.

They need to sort that one out asap, and I mean now before the next game. As Wilko said on TV they need a protocol to follow.

Having watched the game again this morning, I genuinely believe England are going to struggle to get out of the group. England conceded an incredible amount of turnovers against a pretty modest Fiji pack and did not create many of their own. Australia and Wales have 4 of the best turnover creators on the planet in Hooper, Pocock, Warburton and Tiperic. They will have a field day against this English pack and their backs will be much more organised than the Fijians. More than ever the stubborn decision to leave Armitage over in France is looking foolish.

and while we are griping, shut the heck up when the fijians are doing the cibi, the all balcks are doing the haka, samoans, tongans etc

i don't want to hear 80,000 ra-ra's singing a frankly incongruous negro spiritual while one of the greatest specatcles in sport is drowned out, as last night

and while we are at stop singing swing low entirely. utterly ridiculous

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/rugby-world-cup-why-its-time-for-england-to-stop-singing-swing-low-sweet-chariot-10505568.html

but mainly, shut up while the cibi and the haka are on. its fantastic, don't ruin it

Nah drown the fuckers out and make them feel intimidated  ;sark;

Well if they play like that again they won't for sure.....

not likely

a bit like cockerill and hewitt

challenge it, fire them up and get smashed or just respectfully accept the challenge and enjoy the spectacle?

Doesn't matter what song they sing, the wall of noise and support fires our boys up also, don't give an inch, stuff the spectacle..

got to celebrate the cultural diversity that these war dances bring

a really good haka is spine tingling. a great sporting moment

i want to listen to them, not have them drowned out

Never gonna happen, team noise wins  ;danafish;

Glad you mentioned that, as I was going to ask, but felt foolish.

As a casual fan, the way I saw it, the try had been awarded. We know that, because the referee did not demur, & they were about to kick for the conversion.

Then, just before the kick was taken, in comes TMO.

What would have happened if the conversion had been taken & THEN they spotted the infringement?

At what point is a decision deemed final?

That's the point there a isn't one an official point the decision is final, never seen that happen before.

the application of the laws is wonky..but the answer is once the conversion is taken thats it

in contrast my view is that if the referee awards the try and chooses not to refer that should be it

what if the big screen operator chooses to show the questionable try of the away team and then not of the home team later on? its open to abuse

TMO is generally a good thing but its close to being applied far too widely.

for example last night there is a potential foul play, and play goes on as its unspotted by the ref. several minutes later he is asked to look at the big screen. unnecessary. ping the ref in his ear to stop play as soon as it happens not several minutes later

 

I don't believe the TMO would abuse it in that or any other way. But it's a bit like the HUD debate, there would be a perception that they would.

As to your last para, that was the infringement in the ruck, I assume? It just seemed ridiculous to spot it so late. Again, where is the line drawn? 30 seconds later, 1 minute later, 5 minutes later, after play ends?

not the TMO abusing it, the big screen operator. the stadium has staff that operate it

(not saying its likely, but its at least possible)


as to a line being drawn, there isn't one. this is why a 40 minute half takes 54 minutes.....

Seems a bit much to stop singing songs because of their origin.  By singing it people aren't ever using it to show their support for slavery.  Both my kids have come home singing baa baa black sheep (and every other colour sheep).  It also has a dubious origins, but I am not going to get hung up with it.  Where do we stop?  Refusing to dance to hip hop and stand in respect for the black protest movement instead?  I do like the haka though, shame if it gets drowned out.  Talking offensive, are we going to discuss the hakarena.  It was introduced by a giggling newsreader the other day, "some might find this offensive", no kidding.

Anyway the word negro jars more to me than the singing of the song.  Feels like a word we should stop using even if the context may be right before spiritual.  Sure black spiritual would work just as well. 

Discuss, though maybe on another thread

the hakerana is horrible.

matt dawson would clearly do anything for money. pillock

Good article in the telegraph about Dawson and this nonsense about why it makes people who hate rugby hate it even more.

Have only seen the name and that was enough for me never watch it again.

I expect you will like the Telegraph article

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11872204/Matt-Dawson-the-great-Hakarena-irritant-who-will-never-be-truly-important-enough-to-hate.html (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11872204/Matt-Dawson-the-great-Hakarena-irritant-who-will-never-be-truly-important-enough-to-hate.html)

Good shout Arbboy

http://newsthump.com/2015/09/18/dull-middle-class-men-to-spend-six-weeks-boring-on-about-sport-they-dont-understand/

Bit of a rub for the woodsey's of the world!  :D

Nigel Owens to TMO

'shall i tell you what i see'

TMO then insists on further replay.

Get on with it, Owens had made decision

georgia beat tonga, the first (modest) upset is in the books

We were discussing then at work this week.  A couple of weeks ago they were ranked ahead of Italy.  A few I know have adopted them and are going to see all their matches as they are all close together in the south west.  All their players seemed very chuffed at the end.  Good to see. 

Should have took the 7500/1 e/w!

georgia are hard men. one of the best scrums in the competition

huge win because if they can finish 3rd in the pool they automatically qualify for the next one

"Beyoncé could walk into Kingsholm giving out £50 notes and she wouldn't be as popular as Gorgodze right now. #mobbed #TGAvGEO"

Loved the bit on 79.50 when the Georgian kicker seemed unaware he should be just kicking it out and had to be stopped and pointed in the right direction. 

I'm with Woodsey on this one, wouldn't even watch 'em prancing about if I was playing.

Do you ever really get big upsets in the Rugger?

I'm cheering for Japan here, do the underdogs ever win because I've never seen it in my limited experience.

No i think it is impossible for a team who are 40 point dogs or bigger to actually win a game of rugby.  Backing these teams at 1/100 to win is literally stealing money.  The combination of possesion/terrority and 15 man a side game (one player getting injured just has such little impact on the game) all combine to make shocks literally impossible imo.

I take it most of the smaller teams like Japan are amateurs with normal jobs most of the time?

fitness and professionalism: can't lose especially now wingers are like the second rows of 20 years ago

the scoring system also, if you concede a try you have to kick it back to the other try....allows scores to be run up

not in all cases, but some. some of the japanese players are pros and the japanese corporates pay big bucks to get overseas players into the domestic game. problem is that domestic game isn't competitive enough to prepare you to win world cup games

Have any players ever declined to take part in the Haka? I wonder what would happen if you got picked for the ABs but decided you didn't want to do the silly dance. Would they drop you automatically? If you're an average player, maybe. But what if you were a world-beater?

Nervous 10 mins here for argue

Japan were just 6 inches from beating South Africa.

Minutes left, Japan still have possession.

Good luck to the TMO sorting that one out.

Think its 3 from 3 now.

Japan beat South Africa.

Incredible.

The last 20 minutes were thrilling for us casual viewers.

wow

they just kept coming back

never been a shock like that in the rcw

So.....yes

Anyone got Japan in a double with WHam?

66-1 winners!

hadn't won a world cup game for 24 years

incredible

Sick read you should gamble for a living  rotflmfao


Don't fuck with the rugby gods mother fucker, they just gave me that gift so I could stick one back in your eye!!!  rotflmfao ;yippee; ;sark; ;cheerleader; ;danafish; ;danafish;

calling it a silly dance is a bit disrespectful

very very important cultural significance to the nation. the haka is glorious.

Amazing game!! Was way more excited in that last 20 mins than I was in the England game yesterday, that's what's this shits all about  ;applause; ;applause;

What a cracking game of rugby that was.

The Haka that NZ do is a fantastic sight, really adds to the match.

Japan turns down a draw against SA - who would have expected that?

Well done them.

Bad news for Scotland.

That was a ballsy play eh?  Well done to them

It's the absolute percentage play to go for the line with SA on a yellow. In a group game you're not expected to win anyway. If it's knockout rugby it's different but 1pt for losing less than 7pts than 2pts for the draw they absolutely must try and cross the line for 4pts.

Absolutely brilliant performance and deserved winners.

Nothing lose really, why the hell not?

Sure. I wasn't saying they shouldn't. Just that at the start they probably would have been delighted to get a draw and now they had done so well they were willing to pass on it cos they believed they could get the win against one of the world's top teams.

They did have something to lose - a draw against South Africa would have been the greatest result in their history. But yeah, go for it, espec with the extra man.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTUrjfM4-Sg

Is the France game on tele?

Ah, my bad itv4.   Always the same, post then find It!

Yup - ITV4, Graham.

2nd lifetime 1.01 loser.  2nd biggest ever losing bet in 20 years.  First ever pre game 1.01 loser.  Might have to upgrade my 'impossible to win' range to 50 points!  40 must be too low.  Incredible what i can get beat when i post on this forum.  Literally the first game after making the statement.  Japan were 250/1 pre game on betfair.  got another 1.01 cert for everyone tonight.  lolazza will be back with a new account. 

wonga and ocean finance must be busy with man city losing at 1/4 as well.  

You got owned muthafucka, suck it up!!  ;nana;

Wtf with this TMO shit again! They need to sort this out....

Cheers woodsey.  Nothing like a fellow tory's support when you are being carried out on a stretcher!

A bit of French shoving" followed by "going up illegally" in the next sentence.

What a game!

Was at the SA Vs Japan match today, sat in the corner where they went over for the final try.

Incredible game, great crowd (bar a couple of idiots) and a truly phenomenal performance by Japan who played out of their boots. Genuine UL to Arbboy - I largely agree with your stance on buying money on big teams Vs minnows....though I suppose today raises the question of the gap being closed. I actually though Japan were the better team today - did a lot well and a couple of cracking moves. Well done to Eddie Jones.

Was at the Amex today. Only WC game i had tickets for and probably the best atmosphere i've been in at a sport event. Incredible stuff.

Sorry mate, didn't clock till just now that you had lost a lump. Was just intended as a bit of banter not a genuine rub about losing a wedge  :(

No worries bud.  It happens.  It was a wedge though!  I can take banter with the best of them.  I had enough practice.

Someone must have backed Japan at 250/1+ surely just on my ability alone to get things beat on this site when i put short ones up.  Reckon Marky has paid for vegas with a fiver on at 250/1 and keeping quiet!

amazing, what a match you had there.

out of interest, how much was a ticket?

They were cat D tickets, row b in the south stand - just behind the posts that Japan were attacking first half. My brother in law got the tickets and i believe they were £15!

Eng v Aus and Wales tickets been popping up all night, mostly singles. Got an Aussie one myself, couldn't resist it, an excuse to go to London is always welcome for me.......

Were you an egg chasing player in ur early years Woodsey?  What standard did you play?  Or just a fan?

Can't believe I missed it. Been at a bloody wedding all day.

I wish I had!!! Could have paid for a wedding today and still had change!!

Yep was for sure, decent school/uni player. Problem I had was I was good at 4 or 5 sports, rugby, squash, shot putt, discus and Javelin. At uni just loved playing squash the most so went with that really....fat fuck now so the truck loads of sport I did in my younger years did me the world of good lol.

Yeah was a shame to see your post. I'm sure most people shared your analysis but wouldn't have the conviction to follow it up. At least there are a bunch of similar matches left still to claw a few % back.

South Africa has now played international rugby against 25 teams and has a positive win/loss record against all of them except two - New Zealand and Japan.

Rugby for newbies  ;danafish;

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV4ZVYVYtyw

the south african sports minister has his say

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPb0-y6WcAAHQWO.jpg)

Japan are still 6/1 v Scotland tomorrow despite being ranked above them.

Stat of the day: total caps of 5x All Black replacement forwards v Namibia = 550,

England starting XV v Fiji = 444

I think there is still a lot of juice in this backing the underdog on the handicap.
I haven't done all the matches but I'm 6 wins from 7 at the moment with only Japan against Scotland letting me down. And that was probably a mistake taking just +16, which would have been a lot higher before the SA win. Scotland may have covered in any case.

8 out of 11 covers so far

bit trickier to cover with 4 day turnarounds from game 2 onwards though

Why do rugby teams announce their line ups so far in advance of the match?

48 Hours beforehand

obviously compared to football this is way in advance, not most sports though?

England's #RWC2015 win v Fiji was most watched sporting event of the year, average 7.8m peaked at 9.4m.

Crikey - ITV must be chuffed with that.

NFL teams don't even name their starting line up.

Baseball, a couple of hours, same with basketball.

Cricket is the morning of the match.

48 hours seems uniquely early.

I thought the starting pitcher was named fairly early in baseball.

The pitcher is (although it is subject to change).

The entire lineup isn't know til just before the first pitch.

west ham united next year. olympic stadium converted

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPr2XSDWgAA5_PM.jpg)

Farrell over Ford? Answers on a postcard..... :s

better defence?

with joseph out he is left to pick from barritt, burgess and slade in the midfield

really has no choice but to go battering ram and play it tight. thats farrell

ford with joseph is a far more threatening combo, but possibly not a game for that

should be a one score game?

All of this.

Makes far more sense to play 12 man rugby in this game and that's Farrell's job.

I worry about Farrells game intelligence tbh.

You're right about Joseph though, I think if he plays, Ford plays.

Probably a one score game.

Looking forward to seeing Mike Brown again. Good for Wales that L. Williams back at 15 and a fan as well of his namesake in the centres. Actually the more I think about that, the more I think Farrell makes sense.

As you were...*ahem*

(http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i413/buzzharvey22/RWC.jpg) (http://s1092.photobucket.com/user/buzzharvey22/media/RWC.jpg.html)

Quite interesting. I've been moaned at for years from a Welsh supporter (ironically born in England and supports English football team) who said it isn't right how many foreigners are in the England team.

Who are the 3 in the England team does anybody know?

Barret
Vunipola x2?

a big moment for the Namibians

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPsfvXxWoAAZgvb.jpg)

58-14 - did that cover the handicap?

No. The handicap was over 70.

Ouch!

Sonny Bill in a league of his own against that midfield. Glorious player to watch when he's on one.

Amazing how often so far the handicaps have not covered. Our man who is betting the unders must be doing pretty well.

Who do you fancy to win it, hector?

I have backed Australia as I think they are the value. None of the teams have yet put in an impressive performance though.

nothing like good support

RSA Min of Sport ‏@MbalulaFikile

Best of luck for our boys today - a WIN is non negotiable-

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CP0XM9ZUYAAvY3s.jpg)

Refereeing in Italy v Canada was dire.

Now for the big one. So excited.

Won't get any headlines with this back three, but Robshaw is having a magnificent game.

Just chops wood all day. So good. very very underrated imo.

Would be nice if the referee doesn't let Jamie Roberts hold on to the ball for three weeks in the tackle.

Have the laws on crossing changed because there have been a number of questionable ones from both teams in this game.

England need to sort their game management out. Penalty count far too high again.

What heart by Wales. They deserve a result.

As a neutral, have really enjoyed this Eng-Wales match.

Wouldn't be surprised if it ends in a draw.

Wales lead, what a turn round considering their injuries.

England have been the better team by some distance but their inability to manage the game and the penalty count looks like costing them this game.

To go from the corner from there is madness.

First half was a bit flat, but thoroughly enjoyed the second half.

Are England out now?

Completely disagree. Win the line out, drive inside and you can win the game. If that doesn't work, two phases and back to either of the two kickers on the pitch to tie it up.  

Far more sense than a 50% chance of a tie.

Go and win the game.

Had to kick it. Completely disagree on Robshaw btw.so limited. Give me a genuine fetcher at 7. Wales were immense. What heart

Not quite sure what those of you complimenting Robshaw were watching. Was outplayed and out captained by Warburton. Sure he is a lovely bloke but not even close to being good enough to being an England 7. Every club back rower in England can tackle a lot, occasionally you have to win the ball. Gave away a criminal penalty in the second half which was the only time he got near a breakdown all night. Warburton got pinged once, incorrectly, in the last minute.

To lose to what was essentially a Wales 2nd XV by the end, is inexcusable.

Would love to see someone run the maths on that call to relinquish the draw.

Who is rugby's Nate Silver?

it was the wrong call. Even if he misses you get the 22 drop out back for a last attack.

aPart from the last sentence, completely right. What him get killed at the breakdown by Hooper and pocock next week .Robshaw is a 6.

Given the exertion in this game, and the injuries, could Fiji do Wales on Thursday?

I also think a draw was good enough for England as they got the extra point vs Fiji.  So they draw, they get two chances to get through.  By beating Australia or by that extra point.  Now they have only one?

What is the tie breaker in the group? Head to head or point diff? That is the key factor surely in the decision.

Great game.

Points, head to head, points diff, bonus points

no because you can call replacements up

Great kicking by both Farrell and Biggar.

Surely that means taking the draw is so important as the tie breaker is going to fuck you if the Aussies beat Wales and the tie breaker comes into play? Talking as a simpleton on holiday with little knowledge of the sport.

I think he gets a lot of stick because people associate him with the player he was when he first started. He's not a dynamic ball winner like Moody or Richard Hill but he leads from the front, is first or second man to every tackle from 1 to 80 and pulls the team together.

We lost impetus at the hour mark and gave far too many penalties away, but it's a young, inexperienced side by these standards and that will happen. Lancaster is building a good team, but this is a game England should have won by ten.

Tal you are meant to peak at a world cup. The inexperience is completely avoidable in squad selection. Burgess isn't a test 12, I am more creative with a passthan barritt. Our best 7 is exiled in France. Armitage. Wales have teak tough winners like warbs, awj, north. Biggar was top class tonight. England went missing when it counted.

So depressed.

Poor decision making from England Farrell is 80% of the time going to make that kick

Barritt and Burgess were gambles for sure. He wanted beef in the middle and 12 man rugby. We all agree it should have worked tonight and it did for an hour. Wales were on the ropes and we didn't capitalise. That had nothing to do with whether Burgess can kick or whether Robshaw steals enough at the breakdown. Dropping the ball, getting offside and running into red shirts without support are basic errors which combined to cost England a deserved win.

But that's sport. Wales wanted it more in that last bit and England will have to learn quickly because they'll get mullered by the aussies if they don't. 

At the risk of seeming interested in the tournament, why/how are England still second favs?

If they lose to Australia, aren't they out before the knockout stages?

I said to my best friend ( who's English) this morning that 3/1 Wales to win was ridic price & he should get on but obv being a fish he never believed, engerland at 1/3 was ridic.

Think it's a bit more advanced with bonus points etc for four tries than a typical soccer type group stages at the World Cup but even so I was with you I was expecting England to be around the 12/1 mark after that performance.

Is it just me or compared to 2003 how many of the England team could the average serious sports fan name who don't have rugby as one of their fav sports ? I could name the entire team pretty much in 2003 even before they won the World Cup. I wouldn't get anywhere near that now.

We're gonna click. No sweat boys.

Maybe against Uruguay.

England had no right being second favourites from the off (I said it on TfT pre-tournament) and won't get out of the group (as I said after the Fiji game in this thread). They simply haven't got enough talent, experience, coaching acumen or onfield nous to beat the other top tier teams in the group. The only thing they have got going for them is a fervent home crowd - which actually seemed way more passionate than the average twickenham game, but sadly that won't be enough to beat teams who do all the other bits and pieces better.

When you have a back three who have scored all the tries and made hundreds of meters in the warm up games and Fiji game, why would you then pick a midfield combination that effectively nullifies that?! If you were confident in your team, you'd pick a team to play to its strengths, not one designed to combat the opposition's - especially at home.

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CP3HPZFWsAAiquw.jpg)

We've drifted from 7/2 to 8's, so it's not like the defeat went unnoticed! Now 3rd favs. Aussies 2nd fav's, still have to play England and a depleted Wales side to get out of the group. Lack of bonus point v Fiji could work against them. Saffers 4th favs despite getting beat off Japan. Ireland next up, given they won the 6 nations and look to have had a steady warm-up process to peak at the right time, it could be argued they should be shorter. When they meet France that will stir things up. More injuries to Wales mean it'll be a miracle for them to win it outright, then you're into Argies/Scotland who aren't going to win it.

Basically its just a one-team book, you're either with the All Blacks or against them. Everyone bar them has downsides, credible threats look a bit thin on the ground at the moment.

Don't understand Will's position, for someone who was born in and grew up in England.

The next Prince of Wales....

Fucks sake, have a hangover to match too.... :'(

Get back on the booze, I'm organising a celebration party in St Albans.

He does have some kind of role with the WRU, but he has kinda changed his tune over the years.

(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44246000/jpg/_44246796_princewilliam_get416x300.jpg)

20 minutes in, and Scotland trail 6-10 to the USA.

Half Time - USA lead 13-6.

Should be a good 2nd half.

took the whole of the first half before scotland turned up but looked ok once we got going

Anyone know how the "unders" bet would be doing if backed in all games so far?

18 of 23 underdogs have covered the spread, if that is what you are asking

Aye cheers Tiighty.

Think defenses all over the world are getting better as teams are getting fitter, even the minnows.

thats true, but some of the tier one sides have been profligate. just taking yesterday's games, despite being knackered wales butchered two tries in the first half yesterday and were a hand under the ball away from covering at the end. france wanted to play sevens for much of the second half last night and didn't have much accuracy in their attacking game. earlier in the week tonga's kicking game was extremely weak, as was their fringe defence.

hopefully world rugby will support the likes of japan, canada, romania etc and give them more games against the top sides before 2019 then the pool stages should be more competitive still. these sides need exposure to playing better opponents regularly

and a lot can be done on scheduling. the tier 2 teams are consistently asked to play 4 days after the previous game.

i also didn't agree with wales having home games in an England world cup

what would the score have been yesterday if it was Wales-Fiji at (for the sake of argument) Sandy Park or Franklins Gardens?

Wales have been really good though, tremendous coaching and leadership to get through those injuries to the position they are in

Why are the RWC games in Leicester played at the football stadium, not Welford Road?

Money, presumably?

Shame really, with Welford Road being such a bastion of English Rugby.

It was a weird and very quiet atmosphere at the Millennium Stadium yesterday. I'm not really sure it did Wales any favours.

Going to the game again tomorrow, better not be disappointed again!!!  ;cheerleader; ;cheerleader; ;cheerleader;

it is a shame

capacity. welford road is being redeveloped at one end currently

same reason as games at mk dons, villa park, newcastle etc etc

the few games at gloucester, exeter etc have had really good atmospheres, rugby heartlands, traditional grounds etc

welford road yesterday

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQToCYfWgAAGqgQ.jpg)

Another dodgy performance from the ABs.

Ireland and France now working out how they can engineer finishing second in the group so they get the easier QF against New Zealand.

Anybody know the referee tomorrow? If it's a half reasonable ref, England will get annihilated at the breakdown and will lose.

It's Romain Poite.

+ northern hemisphere
- French
+ actually knows the scrum
- actually knows the scrum!! Eddie Jones has said Poite tends to over favour the team who wins the first scrum and this is where we should have more than the Aussies.
- At the breakdown he favours the defending team which causes problems when Australia have two of the best snafflers in the game in Pocock and Thingymajig.
+ he is seemingly not impressed with Aus at breakdown/rolling maul.

Less than one score in it, and England to win a nail biter by three for me.

Heading off down to twickers again shortly, down let me down again lads ffs!!! Don't think I could take the disappointment of not getting our of the group  :'(

announcing your pre-engagement indeed. (get in the sea)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/england-rugbys-chris-robshaws-girlfriend-6563883

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQYA7NSWgAAakk1.jpg)

Wales got home games because they agreed to vote for England to get the World Cup whilst Scotland voted for France. I think it's called horse trading?

I feel sorry for Fiji. Any other group and they'd be there or thereabouts to make it to the Quarters. Likewise England  ;)

Don't know if you know Twickenham well. If going for a few beers check out the swan down on the river. Sussex arms place to go for ales.town centre pubs are poor at best of times and will be heaving today.rawalpindi if going for a curry.

Mate of mine sent me some beers from the Twickenham Brewery itself. They were absolutely spot on.

Yeah I lived in Twickers for 3 years when I was at uni, know every pub and nook and cranny  ;)

Actually I like to have beers usually by Richmond bridge then get the bus over there.

Prob changed a bit since the 70s though, Woodsey ;)


Used to drink around Isleworth/Twickenham, when I was living in Brentford, but can't for the life of me remember the pubs.

Good curry house in Brentford though, just off the high street, and looks out over the river.

Woodsey would probably like the Iron Bridge, as it's got a Thai restaurant in house ;D

1992, not that old ya fucker  ;tracet;  :) :)

;D

Have a good one mate.

No one else tempted to just smash Australia? Kinda surprised they are underdogs, expected a pick em game.

No (http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q665/B_Paulsen/Happy%20Faces/Happy%20Faces%20Animated/icon_smile_nono_zpsade1bbd0.gif) (http://s1353.photobucket.com/user/B_Paulsen/media/Happy%20Faces/Happy%20Faces%20Animated/icon_smile_nono_zpsade1bbd0.gif.html)

Probably the defining game of Robshaw career tonight. Can't see him retaining the captaincy if he loses. Surely would never play 7 again.

Great try. Deserved.

Another excellent try.

#PrayForWoodsey

David Pocock is incredible. Best first half from any player in this tournament thus far.

The Robshaw bashers will be out in force again but that's exactly how I read it, rinswun. We don't have Richard Hill playing for us anymore, granted, but Pocock is a colossus.

Burgess for Barritt, please. No guts no glory.

Absolutely this and also the ref has had a shocker favouring an inept England team. First 30 mins borderline disgraceful.

Richard hill was a 6 too. Pocock is incredible. Hooper not far behind. We need to find and play a fetcher, but have no answer at the breakdown

Naivety of another level.

Talk all week about not being isolated at the breakdown and we keep hospital passing and Pocock and Hooper are having a field day.

Any back row would be having some joy vs England today but we are making it easy for two absolute monsters. Unforgivable.

I meant Hill in his breakdown and turnover ability. We haven't replaced him

Agreed, Pocock's top line is fantastic and he has plenty of heel leads.

Sorry, wrong thread.

Pocock on this firm would be taking anyone apart but England really haven't helped themselves. I'd have loved to have seen Stefan Armitage front up against him.

Annoyingly funny...dahhhhhling...

This place-kicker eying up a conversion reminds ne of El Blondie eyeing up a pot-sized bet way back when.

One thing Robshaw is world class at is moaning at the ref. Disagree that this is a yellow for Farrell though.

Perfectly entitled to moan! Poite gets three looks at it, decides it's a penalty and then has the TMO change his mind for no reason.

Killed the game.

Ref has been terrible (every En scrum infringement pen Aus, every Aus infringement reset scrum for starters) but no one to blame but ourselves.

Let Australia mug us off.

He's been at it since the first minute though. Has to antagonize a referee in my opinion.

Cipriani said not one Aussie would get in the England team. In my opinion, the only England player who'd get in the Australian team is Anthony Watson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP8sofAN4xc

First international RU game for ages. As a spectacle, it seems to have got worse than when I stopped watching - so unseemly all the high pitched squeals from the aussies and kissing each other when they win a penalty.

Disagree, feel he's ref'd it fine. If anything, been overly generous to us.

Now I know what you guys see in Rugby Union.

Thoroughly enjoyed that.

Sat in pub with Irish, Aussies, NZers, Welsh and Scots and not one of them thought Poite had a good game. I'm convinced this isn't me being Rose tinted because I don't think a decent ref would have made a difference because we went absolutely missing .

Thought polite was excellent. Pinged marler a plenty, which were all correct

Launchbury motm over pocock and Foley? Absolutely hilarious

SCD for you next, Keith.

Britain's Got Talent, too.

Clears throat...

So, a new coach, Robshaw out, Armitage back in the team, a more energetic, disciplined unit, making use of a talented squad.

Fancy us for Japan?

Worth watching it back tomorrow. I'm convinced you'll change your mind.

I just found out Kirsty Gallacher is on this series.

I approve.

"Just found out"?

Call!

You've been trolling following the thread eagerly since it began!

:D

Would anyone like to explain to me why Channel 5 is now showing at 10:30 Michael Buble's Christmas Special?

"Well, the rugby is over darling, and I did say we'd watch what you wanted to watch after that...but really?"

(http://www.etonline.com/media/photo/2014/12/24120754/640_Michael_Buble_Christmas.jpg)

Gutted...proper gutted, Aussies deserved it though and I shook the hands of the Aussies around me too....they ain't the classiest bunch but they won fair and square so hey ho need to suck it up a bit....

Get this poof shite out of this thread end of.....

really 2015 or 1970?

Any year....

Get this homophobic bullshit out of this millennium.

Being a nasty ***** doesn't discriminate. He's not racist or homophobic, just unbelievably stupid.

I mean Woodsey, of course.

Chaps, will you put your pitchforks and torches away, please?

On his way back from a pretty emotional game, maybe a beverage or two to wash it down...

It's a daft choice of language, but I'd be amazed if Woodsey has meant anything by it. If anyone's allowed to take offense at the implication, it's me, and I don't.

Let's not have another hounding like with leethefish, please. It's not helpful and it's as unsavoury and unwelcome a set of behaviours as any silly post. We're better than that, I hope.

May we get back to the rugby, please?

I was really sorry to see Lee go but I don't think anyone hounded him. I just think that a lot of people held an opinion that was different to his and said so.

Back on topic - Lancaster and Robshaw. Do they stay in their roles? Yes/No and why?

neither

Robshaw isn't a test number 7 for me. good club player, no more

Lancaster's squad and test selections for the RWC have been haphazard. the international game now works in 4 year cycles, build for 2019 with a top notch probably southern hemisphere coach

Chris Robshaw match stats: six tackles, five carries, three metres made, two passes, no turnovers

Pocock comparative stats: nine tackles, six carries, 14m made, four passes, two offloads, three turnovers


i know we are comparing apples with camambert, but having no fetcher in the team is a killer

number one priority is to find and nurture a test class number 7

loved this pic from yesterday

Japan are probably going to win three pool games and not qualify

have lit up the tournament, were sensational yesterday

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQZn-V6W8AEXTlr.jpg)

the other extreme of what a result can do

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQa7m2kWIAAk8iy.jpg)


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQa-Y11U8AAnq4c.png)

I don't see a future for either of them in the England set up. First of all I would like to see the people who decided to give Lancaster a contract until 2020 publicly lampooned and removed from their roles at the RFU.

Just, poof as in girlie shite is what I meant, couldn't really give a fuck if the usual nit pickers stick their oar in about the odd word they don't like, they can go do one.

Anyway, back to the rugby as you say...

I suppose this is a bit aftertimey, but the way the England Team have embraced commercialism troubled me, adverts galore featuring the players (some of them very good adverts, too), & even Prince Whatsit attending training sessions.

That's not the single-minded focus that wins World Cups, imo.

Sir Alf Ramsey - who never had a team of world beaters, but he did have a team of focussed players - would never have allowed all that palaver.

another great pic

(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03462/Lancaster8_3462689k.jpg)

some of these are a bit after-timey, but the decision not to pick players playing overseas (when the english game operates with a salary cap and the french game doesn't) was a biggie. Australia got this right for Giteau etc

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11910126/10-things-Stuart-Lancaster-got-wrong-as-England-crashed-out-of-Rugby-World-Cup-2015.html

this was one of the moments of the world cup for me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=21&v=_K0ts859I4w

Might be a bit aftertimey but hard to disagree. A worrying lack of leadership both on and off the field imo. There have been a lot of tired platitudes over the last four years and no inkling of any progress. He spoke yesterday like a man who knew he wasn't going to be in charge in the Six Nations and I can't see how he can be allowed to continue.

Feel for Robshaw but he also has to go. A couple of Quins supporting friends of mine have been contesting that he's not even the best 7 at Quins for the past couple of years. Incredible that he was put in this position really.

And it's the Aussies that lack class....

'Nit pickers' instead of the usual 'PC wankers' eh? He must be mellowing.

Pissed off about this, I needed PC Wankers for a line in Woodsey bingo. 

brilliant stuff

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3259799/England-Rugby-World-Cup-2015-post-mortem-Late-collapse-vs-Wales-midfield-uncertainty-questions-need-answering-Sir-Clive-Woodward.html

Both have got to go, both out of depth at this level imo.
I'm pretty sure every rugby fan knows there are plenty of options better than Robshaw, who just doesn't have the performance level against the top teams.

Needs a complete review of selection policy too. Absolute farce that players that play abroad and expand their rugby playing experience are barred from selection.

Lancaster very similar to Moores (England cricket), is all about the data. He fills the players heads with 6 or 7 game plans depending on what the score is and how much time is left of the clock. A lot of the fuck ups seen regularly are due to the players not really knowing what system they are meant to be playing at particular points in the game.

Their best performance recently, against France, they didn't get given any plans except go out and play like you do for your clubs. Of course was the most exciting display by far.

I feel sorry for Robshaw. He should never have been in that position. He's standing there saying he let his country down. How could he not? He should never have been there as a 7 and England captain in the first place.

For all that's been talked about the World Cup and Lancaster I'm amazed how little has been said about the decision to drop Ford. I think because Farrell did a good job at being Farrell (the only job he can do) it sort of got ignored. But THE difference between a decent and a potentially great England back line was Ford in the last 12 months. Why on earth they dropped him I have literally no idea. I just don't get it.

Ford got the backline going all six nations but had a stinker in the warm up game in Paris

for whatever reason, lancaster seems to have lost his nerve at that point

the irony now is that having had one playmaker in the team for the wales defeat (would have been two if jospeh wasn't injured), we've picked four for the game against uruguay when we are out

for all the talk of stategic reviews etc the simple fact is he picked an inexperienced squad, minus some players based in france too and then picked odd teams in the tournament. even Brugess thinks he is a six, mike ford certainly does.

Leicester mid game today

nice

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQpfR_OVEAATdC7.jpg)

Ian Ritchie, the RFU Chief Exec, has announced a searching review of England's performance in the World Cup.

In announcing this, he made it cleat that the coaching staff, who all have 6 year contracts, & the decision not to select players based in France, will not be part of the review.

a fatal error

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQsrIHuXAAE1roW.jpg)

Huh?  They are having a review of the disaster and Lancaster and Farrell have no accountability whatsoever?  The guy doing the review is excluding the management from it?  Is this Ritchie guy a complete idiot?

It was in today's Times, & it said exactly that, but I don't have a Times Online subscription, so I can't C & P it. I was fully agogged.

Tighty may be able to C & P it, he has the online sub, which strikes me as lacking a little in class.

"White Star Line have announced a wide-ranging, comprehensive and searching inquiry into the Titanic disaster.

However, the performance of the captain and the fella whose job it was to look out for icebergs will not fall within the remit of the report."

Wey they wouldn't have been much use after the titantic sunk to be fair.

What a mess. Someone needs to undertake an independent review of Ritchie's performance. It's unbelievable that they could even contemplate a review of this debacle without assessing the coaching team's performance or selection policy. If they are ignoring those things, what exactly are they reviewing?!

Need to review their choice of appropriate adjectives in press releases. 

south africa are hitting their stride

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQu48WSWwAADMPA.jpg)

they were knocking back the americans several yards each tackle. very powerful.

South Africa were very good and hugely strong in contact but I felt the game was very poorly (unevenly) reffed. South Africa were being allowed to hold on for an extra second on the ground in both attack and defence and they were allowed to creep offside whereas the USA were getting dinged when they were onside at times. He let the breakdowns get really scrappy too.

Nigel Owens and Poite streets ahead with JP Doyle next best imo.

I've not been massively impressed with South Africa so far. They are a bit like Wales in that they have a Plan A and that's it. The USA offered no threat at all and allowed them to play what was essentially a much worse version of themselves at their own game.

Stuart Lancaster says he's received several PMs from people who support him.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/08/england-stuart-lancaster-messages-support-rugby-world-cup

New Zealand very poor so far this evening. If the referee was half way competent, Tonga would be within four points.

Could genuinely be a shock given the way this is going.

Wow if I wasn't Scottish I think that might have been the most exciting group game ever, as a Scot all I can say is blooming hell that was close.

Wasn't the a US defence with 13 men fantastic? Brilliant match winning stuff

Reminded me of England in New Zealand in the summer of 2003. Incredible resilience. They are the real deal.

Past the 80-minute mark, Australia nine points ahead, with the put-in, so the game was over, or would be after five seconds play.

And Wales bring on a substitute?

He looked at the scrum, folded down his socks and walked off again.

The worst refereed game I've ever seen in sport. Including the replacement Zebra's in Seattle.

Relentless cheating and great defence worked for Australia. I really think NZ won't win, there are betting opportunities now.

ENGLAND lol, hilariously shit at rugby.

Stella o' clock :D

:-)

Pats-7 is like stealing tomorrow.

You don't want to be drinking Stella after waking from a week's coma.

All in!

I could do with stealing some back, after Newmarket today.

I don't want to be drinking it full stop ;D

Liam Williams ruled out for rest of tournament and Jamie Roberts has to pass a concussion test. Jeez, you couldn't make it up.

We're now down to our second choice scrum half, third choice full back and fifth choice outside centre. We've also got a Winger so out of form he wouldn't get into a district level team and have dispensed with a British Lion tight head and pinned our hopes on a player who looks like he should be propping up the bar (not Samson Lee the other one).

Can't wait to see what team Gatland announces for South Africa. Any more injuries and I might get a call up.

Shane Williams still looks in decent nick...

https://twitter.com/ShaneWilliams11/status/653197932993335296

http://m.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34511847

Former Scotland international John Beattie told BBC Radio 5 live: "I would red card props at the first scrum collapse and reduce each team to 13 straight away. Longer scrums mean players stay stronger for longer and it is a collision game."

What?

Madness

Pretty sure what he's done there is reinvent rugby league

Laid out on a stretcher with a blown hamstring isn't the way he deserved to go, but Paul O'Connell's Test career is over.

A mighty warrior. What a player he is/was

(http://img.rasset.ie/00082a24-642.jpg)

Can anyone understand how Sean O'Brien hasn't been banned for the rest of WC yet? He's been in the hearing for 7 hours. What could they possibly be discussing?

One week ban. Scenes!

I like the guy and think he's a great player but it's crazy. 3 month ban would seem about right.

It seems incredibly lenient for a fairly open and shut case.

Great player. Got off v v lightly here

 Ford, Gray O’Brien decisions make a mockery of the World Cup http://bit.ly/1LNjwdS

To recap: Alesana Tuilagi got a five week ban for running. Gray and Ford got a three week ban for a dangerous tackle that was very marginal, and in no way deliberate. Michael Hooper got a one week ban for deliberately and dangerously smashing Mike Brown with his shoulder. Sean O’Brien got a one week ban for a deliberate punch.

Yep

you can certainly add the disciplinary process to scheduling for legitimate gripes for this world cup for tier 2 nations. now add Scotland too.

Same thing

What are rugby people's opinion of Wayne Barnes's performance in the SA v Wales game earlier?

I barely understand the rules so am in no position to comment but on Twitter opinion was split between 'give him the final now' and 'GREASEFIRE HOPE YOU DIE OF AIDS'

Here on Irish TV Liam Toland is taking every opportunity to basically say that Richie McCaw is cooked at an international level.

And is there a worse unpunished cheat in the history of sport?

They might be good but their cheating accommodated by one of the better ref's in the world got out of hand again tonight.

3 knock on's by Du Preez missed in the phases before a  penalty/drop goal and the scrum for the try has issues, mainly wtf is their loosehead prop doing?

Overall best ref in the WC.

Great game in real life today, supporting the Pumasa tomorrow here!!!

No surprise if Australia sets some scoring records today.

By the time the mismatch finishes, Scotland might be regretting that Samoa didn't find another three points, so someone else could take the thrashing.

Seb Coe?  ;scarymoment;

This concept is interesting.

As a sportsman would you rather bow out early of a competition, with dignity in tact, or go as far as possible but go out by being smashed to smitherines.

No idea on the gap between the two sides. But seen as the breaks between games are quite short (as I am led to believe), that some teams are just looking to get over the line in some games? I would expect this could be similar?

watch it Murray, since when were you an authority on rugby ?

for the winning south african score, what did people think about cutherbert's decision to come off his wing and take vermuelen? it looked like he might be slipping the davies tackle and only a brilliant offload did for them.

was he right to come or should he have stayed?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRiNrNJXIAA1bXU.jpg)

And i thought to myself, watching julian savea bulldoze french defenders on top of his speed last night, what a fantastic NFL running back he would make

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRjEnOGXAAA_tQ-.jpg)

Yeah, you may well be right. Australia may ease off to save themselves for the next game.



You can rub it in later, Micky, after you've sent them back to Rooland.

thought sam was fantastic yesterday

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRihj9nWEAEkBBu.jpg)

shaun edwards is a genius imo. the defensive plan was brilliant, had them in it all the way and nearly pulled it off despite being decimated by injuries

Pumas sensational with ball in hand, what as difference since the joined the rugby championship

huge difference between the sides from the two hemispheres in terms of finding space, giving a pass and pace

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRmVZPYWEAEnl88.png)



down to Scotland to salvage some pride then...

mind you, this is the only sport where you can support a hemisphere.

aggregate score north 52 south 128 through three quarter finals

Great news Scotland must be best team in Europe as we are last team remaining

can i use my one time for a hold please

Basic mistake at our own line out cost us. Absolutely gutted

Wow unlucky. What a performance

Devastating for Scotland. Another awful refereeing performance though - or officiating, more accurately. The sinning sinbinning for the deliberate knock on was the worst decision of this World Cup. Final penalty wasn't even a Scottish knock on either.

Obviously was a knock on but touched an Aussie so should have been a scrum. The deliberate knock was an interesting one, the pass he was trying to intercept was forward, by quite a long way. Bad refereeing really game back to haunt rugby after an excellent 4/5 years.

I thought Joubert was bad for boTh sides. Reffed the aussies off the park at scrum time too. The last pen was a scrum.

*not sure if serious.gif*

He would have been an absolute miracle worker to have caught that one. It wasn't 100% clear cut, but in real time it looked deliberate and still did in slow mo. Plus bear in mind he was out of position with drew mitchell outside him almost certain to score.

I think the decision was OK. The execution of the wrap tackle was horrendous. If you're going to do that then use your massive arms to wrap him up don't just sort of limply charge into him and put your hand on his chest.

As a fledgling rugby fan it had put me right off. They overuse TMO in the tournament and then the ref today decides he doesn't need it for the Aus penalty?  Mindless

Seems ludicrous that 3 points can be awarded to one team for something so slight/trivial/non deliberate. Also, seems bizarre to design a game that depends so much on referees guessing what happened, titwank is what it is

I don't think you can use the TMO for that. Only for scoring plays or foul play (as in yellow card offences etc) I think. Am sure tighty would know.

And I do agree that some of the penalty awards are out of balance to what caused them. I don't think there should be ANY penalties given at scrums. Always a free kick.

no one knows the rules anyway

If they made the pitch a yard shorter, there would be a lot more tries.


(stolen from Andy Ward on Twitter)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRndAlDW0AABUb3.png)

but the ref can't refer an offside to the TMO

"The TMO can be used only in the following circumstances..." http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/96575

the ref made a marginal wrong call (basically he guessed) but a number of ex-pros are spouting off without understanding the tournament rules

They do sometimes ask about offside when a try is scored, I assume that's OK to ask at that point then?

Once a try has been scored yes, back a couple of phases as joubert did for the disallowed ashley-cooper try where he checked the knock on at the ruck

there is a lot in this i think, and clear parallels with the premier league and the england national football team

france has it especially bad (no salary cap, attract a lot of foreign players near the end of their careers, freezes young players out) but you also see it across the english premiership, the pro 12 etc

coach Steve Hansen says 'foreign players' are destroying European rugby

http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/world-cup/69550-hansen-criticises-european-model

Premiership is the oddest one of all in my view. RFU won't allow players from outside the Prem in the England side, but the league is stuffed full of non-English players in absolutely key positions. Baffling.

World Rugby says Joubert got it wrong.

"The appropriate decision should have been scrum to Australia for knock-on"

 http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/115761


well played, so you appoint official & give him tech tools, then deny him ability to use them. Then you use those tech tools to tell him he was wrong

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRv0XFIUcAAymJQ.jpg)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRwQfDCWcAAtb3k.jpg)

I don't find the ref's decision a problem, I don't care whether they go to the TMO for none, some or all decisions.

Just don't get why there's any kind of decision to be made when an egg shaped ball bounces around unpredictably and some poor sod happens to have it land in his arms.

'Aah Sir, you've made a schoolboy error, you appear to have instinctively caught a ball that was bouncing around erotically a few seconds ago, that'll be 3 points and 50 lashings - tally ho and bums to the wall chaps'

Agree with your point, def lolled at erotically tho:D

the NZ hacker has moved on in the last 42 years

http://www.facebook.com/PatDivillyFit/videos/926169580791358/

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSGXv7jWIAAMElu.jpg)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSGUNPXWIAA0W3e.jpg)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSGRuW3WEAAkWZP.jpg)

Rooting for the Argies today  ;cheerleader;

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSLlhw7WoAEfv2c.jpg)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSLlCUoWcAAyTnn.jpg)


Predictions for the final?

who wins? close game? open game?

New zealand

26 - 15

Nigel Owens to referee Saturday's final.

excellent

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSQAvLbWcAAEtkr.png)

The man is truly one of the best things in rugby.

Prediction? NZ by 20. Think Australia will find this a game too far after a very very tough tournament.

Saw someone post saying Nigel Owens for SPOTY not sure if he can win it but in my eyes he should.

Ive lost count of the amount of people that are none rugby (and rugby) fans before this world cup and saying that Owens has really helped them understand what is happening in the game and most importantly at breakdowns.

He is immense, and so witty and keeps the game alive.

Good luck to him in the final, I hope he has a great game to top of a great world cup.

I am hoping for a close one but think NZ by 10 or more.

Sam Burgess on verge of making return to Rabbitohs, according to Channel Nine in Australia. http://skysports.tv/rXA95c 

this is good

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06hh344/nigel-owens-true-to-myself

Anybody got any idea what's going with this ref. 5 stonewall penalties missed on SA in half an hour, 2 vs Argentina, 5 miles forward passes missed on SA, two knock on's at the base again. It's as though he's only actually watching circa 50% of the game.

Such a pity, someone must have told SA the TMO wouldn't be looking at foul play. Some great careers end in a sad, clown based comedy.

First time I watched a 3/4th place play off 1987, last time I watched a 3/4th place 2015. What a fucking shambles.
(and I watch Saracen's almost every week, so I'm not desperate to be entertained) The referee has just been asleep in so many key spots, SA would have won anyway.

I think camera angles have got to you a bit. I did back SA though.

I wouldn't moan money based, out of a silly sense of misplaced pride. I just think the game I was brought up to love is diminished in a spot like that. 10/2 penalty count while it was competitive, he wasn't watching the same game.

and he ignored a ton of offences the other way too, just a shambles. The RWC long term would be so much better without that game, share 3rd.

Technically incorrect - think of the money honey. There is not a single other reason than the income it generates.

Get your point completely, though, have never & will never watch a "losers play-off".

would like to see a plate competition

all unseeded pool non qualifiers go into a knockout competition. final played the night before the final

more experience for the tier two countries. winner of the plate goes straight into the next world cup....

Twickenham in the 30s

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11027121_1001211163302169_8524032699703234210_n.jpg?oh=6980bec1afd778359ded443f49aa898d&oe=56ADC434)

its an impressive rebuild, the modern stadium but what character it had in the old days

RWC 2015 been best attended RWC EVER. 2,477,805 people at 48 games, avg 51,621 a game. That's 95.8% capacity. At avg of £104.17 a ticket.

Shits just got interesting

thought that was a great final

one of the all time great teams with 6 or 7 all time greats in the side

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSqfr06XAAA44uu.jpg)

Superb game.

It was an OK game but only in spite of the refereeing. All of the AB''s first four scores have massive and obvious offence's in the build up. After that it stopped being a game of rugby and became a shambles.

and I don't mean small niggly things. The two accidental off-sides are calling NO's integrity in to question, ruined a good RWC.

For the avoidance of doubt that it was close. Watch it again, twice a Kiwi ball carrier smashed in to the back of his own player in open field, how was this ignored?  A total farce, in baseball it would be a struck from the stats with a squiggle. The offence when it happens is amongst the most obvious in all of sport.

When an offside player cannot avoid being touched by the ball or by a team-mate carrying it, the player is accidentally offside. If the player’s team gains no advantage from this, play continues. If the player’s team gains an advantage, a scrum is formed with the opposing team throwing in the ball.12

Looking forward to  rewatching it. Watching it first time round, I didn't notice anything particularly untoward and I rate Owens as the best in the world. Will report back tomorrow but sounds like a wallet moan.

Yep, this. A wonderfully refereed WC has been damaged by last night and tonight. As it happens penalties should have been awarded both times, they scored specifically because of the obstruction once and immediately after in the second instance. I thought the ref, who I've been calling the best in the world for 5-6 years, was absolutely dreadful. Just as an additional example, the forward pass for the 3rd penalty is incredible, you need a specific angle to be sure it's further sideways than forward.

Not a penny on the game or either team. I'll save the wallet moan for the bizarre extra time in the first half at SB.

I couldn't disagree with you more really. He felt they didn't gain any material advantage I assume and therefore letting play continue was the correct decision. But I haven't watched it back and he may have made a mistake. Either way it's marginal and he was very good all game I thought. He certainly made no difference at all to the result and I doubt you will find many people to agree with you.

Doesn't mean you're wrong of course. But didn't want people thinking I agreed :)

the forward pass was a refereeing error, but the TMO didn't call them back for it either

the accidental offsides are judgement calls. Owens tries to keep it flowing. Didn't think they were glaring mistakes at all, all down to interpretation

I respect your opinion. Going to watch it again :-)

I respect your opinion too, let's have another look. 

i also thought mitchell was offside from genia's box kick in behind for what became the kuridrani try. TMO didn't want to look at that either

I thought they basically took out TMO intervention for last 2 games and the games suffered for it. Smith, lovely fella that he is obviously is was lucky with the tip (Warburton).

Yeah you may well be right there. Bit damned if they damned if they don't with TMO

tbf, you're previous posts wouldn't suggest it was wonderfully refereed throughout

Your (sic) making some big assumption's. Poor old Nigel can't referee NZ fairly, he's a fan. Happy to have an evidence based discussion that NZ are the worst cheats in the history of professional team sport.

fwiw, Nirvana is my favourite ever Blonde poster.

Respec

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1efwKglwZU

That's nothing.

Ashley Cole once gave away his Community Shield runners up medal.

On my local radio station this morning, presenter said Kevin Keegan once gave him a pen lol

I'd have loved that. LOVED IT.

Its worth a lot Bro, made me happy anyway :-)

So Eddie Jones is the new England coach. My first thoughts were, shit he's going to make them really good. I certainly think he will get the best out of the backs. But then I remembered his international record with Australia, and looked at England's fixtures for the 6N. I wonder if they get a bit shorter they might be a decent value lay.

I think he will make a big impact, whether enough will be in time for this year's 6N i don't know

but there are easy selection wins for starters. He's on record as saying that Robshaw is "lacking" for international rugby so presume that means a new captain and a genuine number 7 and an approach to get turnovers and quick ball

Ford-Slade-Joseph at 10-12-13 will create loads and we know there is talent out wide

maybe eliott daly and christian wade will get a look in too

take the player base, and a coach who will pick on merit and i'd say things will progress fast.

Former Australia captain David Campese, who played 101 times for the Wallabies, says opting for a foreign coach like Jones, who he feels is no improvement on Lancaster, shows that England are "desperate".


 rotflmfao rotflmfao rotflmfao

Unlike him to have a pop at England...

Agree with Tighty. England potentially have an incredible side. I'm not 100% sure Eddie Jones is the right man, but he will certainly get that backline purring.

Alun

without looking at prices (some bookmakers have them up but not on oddschecker)

who would you have in the frame to be next England captain, and who would you pick?

I haven't looked, but am struggling to think of many obvious candidates. Can't really see any of the backs as captain at the current time.

Seems like one of the regulars from 4-8 seems most likely. Tom Wood was always mentioned before as was Launchbury. One of them I would guess?

TBH personally I'm not sure who it would be. England have suffered in the past from captains who didn't really justify their place so it needs to be someone world class in their position.

one bookmaker has george ford 6/4

another has Launchbury 6/4

both, as young players, would "skip a generation" in terms of England players being captain (past tom wood, mike brown etc) and potentially be in situ til the 2019 world cup

personally i see Launchbury as far more likely. could be a world class player, and doesn't have to worry about running a game, kicking the goals as Ford would have to

always like my captain to be a forward (the martin johnson "fuck he's big" creed at the coin toss!)

Martin Johnson is hands down the best captain I can remember from any northern hemisphere team, so that's some (literal) big shoes to fill. Tough to avoid the comparisons for Launchbury, but agree he would probably be my choice.

10 as a captain just doesn't seem very England, and Ford at that. 6/4 surely a huge lay there unless they have some inside info. Mike Brown also seems way too volatile to be a captain, and surely is just based on who do we think will play every game if fit.

There really aren't many obvious leaders in the current team so I'd maybe actually go for Wood in the short term, especially as Launchbury isn't even a 100% guaranteed starter.

I don't see any great improvement coming for england. The problem with england is a lack of natural rugby intelligence throughout the squad. Sure, they are big and fit, but at the top level you need to make quick correct decisions and we don't do that. As for the next captain well  we have a big problem there. I would look at Waldrom as a stop gap solution for the 6 nations and start scouring the player base for someone who can inspire.