Japan win 3 out of 4 matches and get knocked out.
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Japan win 3 out of 4 matches and get knocked out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
They gave us a giggle, but if you get hammered by the Jocks, you really should not get through. But it does bode well for 2019, when they host.
Bit harsh like. They did play Scotland with just three days to prepare and recover after their heroic effort against South Africa. They were within touching distance for most of the game too, just faded in the last twenty minutes or so.Quote:
Originally Posted by BritkidQuote:
Originally Posted by Master
They gave us a giggle, but if you get hammered by the Jocks, you really should not get through. But it does bode well for 2019, when they host.
I know you all missed my gloating after the Wales v England game, I wish I could have been here to provide you with this. Nonetheless, big game against the Boks tomorrow, and hope the Biggarena is enough to keep Dan knocking over those kicks regularly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnk_hp5huYQ
I am glad you were not here superheavy.
Wales gave it a go, but were outsmarted by a tough team, in what I fear maybe a clean sweep of Southern Hemisphere sides in the semis. This World Cup has shown the Northern Hemisphere has a lot of catching up to do.
4 points hell that was edge of the seat stuff,:vd: the divide is getting smaller between northern andQuote:
Originally Posted by Britkid
southern Hemisphere sides, again this world cup has been the hardest on players for injury's on
players , some good games and no doubt a few more to come.
I have enjoyed this World Cup, maybe not the results for the home sides but some really tough games
and a treat to watch.:)
Celtic naivety. You can get fired up and stuff an English side, but this week and last week shows, you always find a way to lose against the Southern Hemisphere big boys. There should be little comfort in losing by only four points; South Africa relative to New Zealand and Australia are average...Quote:
Originally Posted by Dia bando4 points hell that was edge of the seat stuff,:vd: the divide is getting smaller between northern andQuote:
Originally Posted by Britkid
southern Hemisphere sides, again this world cup has been the hardest on players for injury's on
players , some good games and no doubt a few more to come.
I have enjoyed this World Cup, maybe not the results for the home sides but some really tough games
and a treat to watch.:)
But I will agree it has been a fun world cup, not least because the improvement has been among the second tier nations; they are a lot more competitive. So there now has to be serious debate as to weather to have relegation in the Six Nations; Georgia deserve a go, maybe Romania too, and hopefully the threat of potential relegation will sharpen up Italy, Scotland and to a point England and France! Of course that will not happen, there is no way some of these countries are going to vote to probably lose six nation money for a year or two.
Could well be the case, Argentina v Ireland is where this sweep will be won or lost, and it is much closer than the Irish hope it will be. France are showing some character, but really NZ have to be a hugely strong favourite from their position at 24-6.Quote:
Originally Posted by Britkid
Quote:
Originally Posted by superheavyrhunCould well be the case, Argentina v Ireland is where this sweep will be won or lost, and it is much closer than the Irish hope it will be. France are showing some character, but really NZ have to be a hugely strong favourite from their position at 24-6.Quote:
Originally Posted by Britkid
The All Blacks are putting in a performance that is a level above anything seen so far. That is what they can do, that no one in the Northern Hemisphere can approach. Australia are the only team that might compete on this form.
The all black jersey is very expensive but looks cool cost over £50. England is half that.Quote:
Originally Posted by BritkidQuote:
Originally Posted by superheavyrhunCould well be the case, Argentina v Ireland is where this sweep will be won or lost, and it is much closer than the Irish hope it will be. France are showing some character, but really NZ have to be a hugely strong favourite from their position at 24-6.Quote:
Originally Posted by Britkid
The All Blacks are putting in a performance that is a level above anything seen so far. That is what they can do, that no one in the Northern Hemisphere can approach. Australia are the only team that might compete on this form.
Yes, but why buy a jersey that you can only wear in the privacy of your own home? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterThe all black jersey is very expensive but looks cool cost over £50. England is half that.Quote:
Originally Posted by BritkidQuote:
Originally Posted by superheavyrhunCould well be the case, Argentina v Ireland is where this sweep will be won or lost, and it is much closer than the Irish hope it will be. France are showing some character, but really NZ have to be a hugely strong favourite from their position at 24-6.Quote:
Originally Posted by Britkid
The All Blacks are putting in a performance that is a level above anything seen so far. That is what they can do, that no one in the Northern Hemisphere can approach. Australia are the only team that might compete on this form.
What are Argentina doing beating Ireland? This should not be happening.
You reckon? I would call it pick'em beforehand; and 15 minutes in an easy Argentine win. But kudos to Ireland they are showing spirit and are still very much in it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
And now Ireland...
Some rightly suggested English rugby is in crisis; this weekend has shown it is the all of the Six Nations that are not up to scratch and need a rethink.
Argentina are the real deal, if they sort out the lineout and have a bit of luck, on this performance they could do the Aussies next week.
Scotland could pull this off!!!!
Maybe not. :(
I think that the Six Nations teams in the quarters all had plenty of courage showing in their performances, apart from France, but I think Argentina have come on in leaps and bounds since joining the Rugby Championship, and they might give the Aussies a run for their money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Scotland were brave, but like Wales they just couldn't hang on for the win.
'Plenty of courage' really is not a defence anymore. In this era there should be at least parity with the Hemispheres; indeed money wise it should be argued Northern Hemisphere dominance. Something is very wrong with our rugby...Quote:
Originally Posted by superheavyrhunI think that the Six Nations teams in the quarters all had plenty of courage showing in their performances, apart from France, but I think Argentina have come on in leaps and bounds since joining the Rugby Championship, and they might give the Aussies a run for their money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Scotland were brave, but like Wales they just couldn't hang on for the win.
Money and numbers don't buy everything, Britkid :)
As sadly we have found out to, ironically, our cost! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by X
Rugby body admits that ref was wrong and banned from semi final as punishment.Quote:
Originally Posted by superheavyrhunI think that the Six Nations teams in the quarters all had plenty of courage showing in their performances, apart from France, but I think Argentina have come on in leaps and bounds since joining the Rugby Championship, and they might give the Aussies a run for their money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
Scotland were brave, but like Wales they just couldn't hang on for the win.
It does look like the referees call was wrong, but the Scots aren't covering themselves with glory with all their bleating.
They played very well (against a very shoddy Australia display. England and Wales would have likely won had the Wallabies performed like that against them)
However, the fact remains that Scotland had the game by the scruff of the neck. They had a throw from their own line out with three minutes to go. Any quality team would have thrown short, retained the ball and wound down the clock.
They botched their own line out badly, just as England did against Wales. It was that failure of execution that cost them the game, as they should not have ended up in a position where a tough decision may have gone against them at the death.
Six good and 6 bad things about the 2015 World Cup so far ........
- Australia's defence against Wales when two men down.
- Japan. Also the so called lesser teams being much more competitive
- Group A. It's about time the group stage became a real part of the knock out stages!
- Argentina's improvement. They are in the semis totally on merit
- at least 8 utterly thrilling games (so far!)
- the spirit in which the players still play the game
- ITV's very very poor coverage of the tournament
- Injuries, especially to Wales. 10 players out!!!
- No Northern Hemisphere teams in the semi finals at a NH World Cup.
- World Rugby throwing Craig Joubert under a bus and not backing him
- Unfair scheduling to Tier 2 nations. Japan having a 2 day turnaround between the Springboks and Scotland
- The disgusting media feeding frenzy when England went out
So, the All Blacks beat the Boks with what essentially came down to a great third quarter from NZ. South Africa were probably the better side for much of the game, but they just didn't have the cutting edge to put NZ to the sword. Good game, interesting at times, scrappy at times, but you've got to think the All Blacks are taking home the trophy again.
A bit closer than I thought it would be. Fair dues to South Africa, after the Japan calamity they have finally shown their excellence, because they were struggling to get out of third gear before today.
I think New Zealand beat... Argentina in the final. I know Pocock is back for the Aussies, but I still think the Argentinians will scrape through in a brutal war, maybe by less than three points too.
No way Argentina get into the final
You do not think?Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
I think their backs are at least the equals of the Aussies, and if they can play with the tempo they showed against the Irish and get the ref on side, thus limiting Pocock's game, then I think they can edge it.
Either way I think it will be close.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BritkidYou do not think?Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
I think their backs are at least the equals of the Aussies, and if they can play with the tempo they showed against the Irish and get the ref on side, thus limiting Pocock's game, then I think they can edge it.
Either way I think it will be close.
Told you! :p
But seriously; so it is New Zealand Vs Australia. Overall Australia have been more consistent, but New Zealand had that one awesome performance against French, that would beat everyone. The Aussies have beaten New Zealand this year and with Hooper and Pocock on fire it will be a match, but I still cannot bring myself to pick against the All Blacks.
Good final last night NZ were a class act but the Aussies put up a fight and nearly came back. Think I will but the All Black jersey as it looks cool. :cool:
Six weeks of Rugby and the All Blacks win... 95% could have told you that before it started!
Seriously though, an excellent tournament with the brilliance of the Southern Hemisphere shining through.
The inquests for the North must be, but will not be serious.
Personally I have come to the conclusion that England should pull out the six nations (leaving a space open for Georgia), freeing up a few weeks in the English season and thus being able to finish the season a month early and play the Southern Hemisphere sides in May/June every year, perhaps with a view to joining the Four Nation tournament.