RWC 2015

[timlongs]

Let's say a big Thank You to Japan. Really lit up the RWC and their attitude and play has been fantastic. Looking forward to Japan 2019.

[Joey Ramone]

Big thank-you to all the 'minnows'. They've made this tournament a raving success so far.

[anonymous-user]

Interesting that the next round are all Northern vs Southern Hemisphere matches

Quarter-finals

Saturday, 17 October: 16:00, South Africa v Wales, Twickenham Stadium, London
Saturday, 17 October: 20:00, New Zealand v France, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sunday, 18 October: 13:00, Ireland v Argentina, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sunday, 18 October: 16:00, Australia v Scotland, Twickenham Stadium, London

[anonymous-user]

timlongs said:

Let's say a big Thank You to Japan. Really lit up the RWC and their attitude and play has been fantastic. Looking forward to Japan 2019.

The 4-day turnaround against Scotland absolutely killed them - I think they would've turned the Scots over otherwise.

[hornetrider]

No one talking about SOB's unbelievably cheap shot punch in the ribs? Can't see him playing next week.

[dmitsi]

hornetrider said:

No one talking about SOB's unbelievably cheap shot punch in the ribs? Can't see him playing next week.

I can't see him playing for a few weeks now. Pointless and could end up costing Ireland a lot as he's one of the strongest players in the squad.

[Derek Smith]

hornetrider said:

No one talking about SOB's unbelievably cheap shot punch in the ribs? Can't see him playing next week.

Because, possibly, there's little to say. He'll receive a ban that will mean the end of his RWC.

Is there a milking award?

[epom]

hornetrider said:

No one talking about SOB's unbelievably cheap shot punch in the ribs? Can't see him playing next week.

Not much to say, as its pretty clear cut. There was a big wasp on the French guys shirt and he tried to save his life. Nothing to see here.

[hornetrider]

epom said:

hornetrider said:

No one talking about SOB's unbelievably cheap shot punch in the ribs? Can't see him playing next week.

Not much to say, as its pretty clear cut. There was a big wasp on the French guys shirt and he tried to save his life. Nothing to see here.

[Joey Ramone]

Derek Smith said:

Because, possibly, there's little to say. He'll receive a ban that will mean the end of his RWC.

Is there a milking award?

Depends where it hit Pape. An innocuous looking punch into the diaphragm against someone who is entirely unprepared will probably cause them to be savagely winded. Which is what looks like happened to Pape.

[Cheib]

Symbolica said:

timlongs said:

Let's say a big Thank You to Japan. Really lit up the RWC and their attitude and play has been fantastic. Looking forward to Japan 2019.

The 4-day turnaround against Scotland absolutely killed them - I think they would've turned the Scots over otherwise.

4-day turnarounds are ridiculous...it was an issue at the last RWC as it was this.

Don't know what they do about it but clearly the current system isn't fair.

[0000]

hornetrider said:

No one talking about SOB's unbelievably cheap shot punch in the ribs? Can't see him playing next week.

If he really did it in response to a wandering finger I reckon he should be allowed another free shot.

[hornetrider]

0000 said:

If he really did it in response to a wandering finger I reckon he should be allowed another free shot.

I did hear that preposterous rumour from certain Oirish rugby boards, what a load of internet bks.

[epom]

I'd be more than surprised if it was for a wandering finger. Sean O'Briens shorts tend to be pretty tight.
I'm sure we will try the ol, ah sher twas nothing really defence and if that doesn't work take the punishment.

[QuantumTokoloshi]

A great weekend of rugby, with some of the best rugby I have seen in a long time, including a no try game that was better than watching a try fest.

The really serious business starts this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed the USA v Japan game, a great exhibition for the game.

[Slaav]

0000 said:

hornetrider said:

No one talking about SOB's unbelievably cheap shot punch in the ribs? Can't see him playing next week.

If he really did it in response to a wandering finger I reckon he should be allowed another free shot.

One of the overriding principles in rugby is that retaliation always gets punished! The degree of punishment may vary on the extent of the retaliation and the degree of provocation but it gets punished!

Anybody remember Rodber getting absolutely assaulted to the extent that he had no choice but to fight back? He was sent off..... Don't think anything else happened to him but he was (from memory) alone and getting thumped.

No excuses.





Ps - not saying it is fair but I'm happy with it.

[Nom de ploom]

timlongs said:

Let's say a big Thank You to Japan. Really lit up the RWC and their attitude and play has been fantastic. Looking forward to Japan 2019.

agreed I thought Samoa were amazing against scotland and deserve a huge rap for professionalism and being such fabulous sportsmen.

as a rugby league (rhinos die hard) fan i've been impressed by the intensity and physicality of the games it haas certainly gone up a few gears in the last five years.

had to laugh yesterday when the commentator said one of the french forwards had made twelve tackles Jamie peacock made 40 for leeds against st. helens last week...

gonna miss him.

[Joey Ramone]

Nom de ploom said:

had to laugh yesterday when the commentator said one of the french forwards had made twelve tackles Jamie peacock made 40 for leeds against st. helens last week...

gonna miss him.

Fair point, and a great player. But in international Rugby Union, its the contest on the ground that really hurts. Pretty much every contested ruck is equivalent to a tackle in terms of physicality (It's where 20 stone props clear you out at a sprint), so count those as well and you'll get an equivalent figure nearer 40.

Did have a massive regard for Peacock though. Double hard bd,

[buckline]

dmitsi said:

Although the injuries are concerning I'm not too worried in that respect, the depth of the Irish squad is pretty good, and if anything they played more dynamically. More concerned with injuries regarding Munster, don't like seeing O'Mahony and Earls nursing injuries.

Ireland showed their strength today, never lost control, controlling the ball brilliantly. Their disruption to French ball was excellent and with a weeks rest they'll be confident facing Argentina.

Wish I'd been at the Millennium stadium today, it sounded immense. I've usually been there for Ireland Wales in Six nations so not got to experience that kind of noise. Quite tempted to go to Cardiff next weekend and see it.

Do it.

Cardiff was bouncing and the atmosphere of the game was like nothing else I've experienced. It was essentially an Irish party with a rugby game, by good fortune going on at the same time. I went to Ulster v Colomiers at Lansdowne back in '99 and Wales v Ireland in '09 for the Grand Slam, these games weren't a patch on yesterday. Next Sunday will be even bigger, i am sure there will be plenty of Argies around but the Irish support will be ten fold.

The whole thing is helped by the Millennium Stadium being an outstanding sporting venue. It feels small in a good way, the bars inside sell pints and when the roof is closed the noise is unreal.

Four of us have tickets for both games next weekend with Monday booked off work. I cant wait.

[Kermit power]

buckline said:

the bars inside sell pints

Do Irish rugby venues not serve pint then?

The only rugby match I've ever been to that didn't was at Wembley when the Welsh were using it as their home stadium during the building of the Millennium Stadium!