RWC 2015

[a311]

I think Wales will struggle against the Saffers if that's the way the draw goes. I don't remember much of the Autumn international last year when Wales beat them, if you can contain and/or negate their physicality and stay in touch you're always in with a shout later on as their all big fkers and can tire if you can turn them a lot. They tend to get have a pretty low error count.

Enjoyed the Namibia game, thought they might sneak it.....

[phil_cardiff]

Symbolica said:

Honestly those of you that follow clubs in the AP don't know how lucky you are. Every fking week we get this total gobste Clancy in the Pro12 and he's NEVER improved.

In fact, I think he's getting worse.

The pro12 is a disgraceful waste of time. I hate almost every bit of it.

[dmitsi]

Big respect to Namibia there, they played their hearts out. I've been loving Georgia this WC but I really wanted Namibia to steal the win.

I'm loving this world cup.

[irocfan]

just finished watching G/N game... man that was a nail-biter. That being said though G should have walked that some appalling handling errors there (though once the ball did stick their 12 & 15, I think, were pretty tasty)

[prand]

dmitsi said:

Big respect to Namibia there, they played their hearts out. I've been loving Georgia this WC but I really wanted Namibia to steal the win.

I'm loving this world cup.

Shame there's no plate comp for those not progressing from the group stages that could be played midweek while we wait for quarters/semis/ final, it would be good to see these teams who have really turned up going for it in knockout rounds. Crowds would enjoy these games too.

Would have given England a chance for some silverware too (for coming 9th, lol)

[a311]

prand said:

Shame there's no plate comp for those not progressing from the group stages that could be played midweek while we wait for quarters/semis/ final, it would be good to see these teams who have really turned up going for it in knockout rounds. Crowds would enjoy these games too.

Would have given England a chance for some silverware too (for coming 9th, lol)

I was thinking this very same thing, I'd bet given the crowds they'd get good turn outs for these games too.

[Derek Smith]

dmitsi said:

I'm loving this world cup.

It has been good, hasn't it. I'm not sure ITV will agree, given their investment, but I hope the viewing figures stay up as I think they've put on a great show.

What's not to like so far?

[Zyp]

Derek Smith said:

What's not to like so far?

The Aussies and the Welsh?

[hornetrider]

Tips starts, Clart starts, North in the centre, Liam on the wing, Anscombe at 15.

Gats gets ballsy. I like it.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Not what I was expecting. Why has Gethin been dropped from the squad altogether? Can understand James to start for his scrummaging, but would have expected Gethin to at least be on the bench!

[GravelBen]

Did Tuilagi really get a 5 week ban because someone was a bit clumsy tackling him? I'd call it a joke, but I don't find it very funny.

http://www.globalrfu.com/wood-tuilagi-world-rugbys...

[hornetrider]

Gethin is the only slightly strange one for me as we'll miss his unbelievable work rate at the breakdown. I think he's missed out for a rest tbh, as well as the fact he's potentially a perceived pen at scrumwang. I'd have also had him on the bench for turnovers in the last 20. I guess the thinking is with two 7s we've got enough jackal.

[hornetrider]

GravelBen said:

Did Tuilagi really get a 5 week ban because someone was a bit clumsy tackling him? I'd call it a joke, but I don't find it very funny.

http://www.globalrfu.com/wood-tuilagi-world-rugbys...

I disagree actually. He knew exactly what he was doing, jumped into that leading with an artifically raised knee to the face, very nasty.

[timlongs]

hornetrider said:

GravelBen said:

Did Tuilagi really get a 5 week ban because someone was a bit clumsy tackling him? I'd call it a joke, but I don't find it very funny.

http://www.globalrfu.com/wood-tuilagi-world-rugbys...

I disagree actually. He knew exactly what he was doing, jumped into that leading with an artifically raised knee to the face, very nasty.

Rubbish, I think pretty much everyone in the rugby world disagrees with you. Should have only been a warning at best.

[anonymous-user]

hornetrider said:

I disagree actually. He knew exactly what he was doing, jumped into that leading with an artifically raised knee to the face, very nasty.

I can't agree with that. if they are going to ban people for raising the knee like that they need to give everyone a bit of notice rather than banning someone as a way of making a point. I really can't see that he was trying to "knee him in he head"

did you see Ugo Monye's tweet?

"Hearing Alesana has been retrospectively banned for 50yrs for running over the top of people for the last decade"

[GravelBen]

hornetrider said:

I disagree actually. He knew exactly what he was doing, jumped into that leading with an artifically raised knee to the face, very nasty.

Jumped into it? I didn't see any jump, just running and a would-be tackler getting flattened.

I watched it another 3 times and still can't see anything resembling a jump.

[hornetrider]

GravelBen said:

Jumped into it? I didn't see any jump, just running and a would-be tackler getting flattened.

I watched it another 3 times and still can't see anything resembling a jump.

Well, by jump I mean he's switched his stride pattern and then raised his knee artificially in order to clatter straight into the tacklers head.

In my view that's a deliberate act.

[Zyp]

I showed the video of that to my 10 year old lad and asked him what he thought - poor tackling technique was his first thought, and I agree.

Tuilagi appears to be pushing off from that leg hence the knee is a bit higher.

[dom9]

Not sure I see it, either... Surprised they even bothered to look at it.

[Slaav]

prand said:

dmitsi said:

Big respect to Namibia there, they played their hearts out. I've been loving Georgia this WC but I really wanted Namibia to steal the win.

I'm loving this world cup.

Shame there's no plate comp for those not progressing from the group stages that could be played midweek while we wait for quarters/semis/ final, it would be good to see these teams who have really turned up going for it in knockout rounds. Crowds would enjoy these games too.

Would have given England a chance for some silverware too (for coming 9th, lol)

From memory - and I am often wrong..... England's last RWC bid (which went to NZ?) had a two tier tournament overall. At that time, the 'minnows' were getting creamed and the mismatches were potentially ruining the tournament and may even put off newbies.

England proposed a radical plan/tourney whereby there were effectively 4 pools of 4 (or similar) from the top 16 teams and then another similar tourney for the next 16 teams. The idea being that the winners or top couple from the 'junior' RWC would then be guaranteed a place at the top table next time around - or similar.

The plan was to hold the smaller tourney at the Premiership grounds and really introduce the genuine minnows to 1st class facilities and give them all a genuine World stage to play on etc. Funding would go through the roof for these teams effectively and that would ensure the Global health of the sport?

I was also explaining to SLaavette in the car this morning that 7s tournaments the world over always seem to have Plate and even Shield comps running alongside the main cup matches - keeps everybody happy and still involved right up to near the end of the competition - and keeps spectators awake whilst the poor sods recover off the pitches.

I really don't see why we couldn't do similar in the RWC!