Rugby World cup '23

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It kicked off last night, an (IMHO) appalling opening ceremony but a fantastic opening game between France and New Zealand, with France winning comfortably 27-13.

South Africa and Ireland are, I think, the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis trophy in 7 weeks time. I honestly can't see England getting out of the group, not something you would say a year or two ago, but they have been dreadful of late, Wales are going to struggle with Fiji looking good after winning in Twickenham last week, they are going to be very confident although I think Wales will beat Australia, Scotland have the Bokk to deal with but should progress. Good luck to all the home nations.
 
I've always supported Wales through good and bad years, so I hope the do ok but at least put up a good show. Otherwise I'd like top see France go all the way for their style of play.
 
I too thought it was a good game last night, though there was some post match criticism of France, but even though the All Blacks were not at their best, no team is going to have an easy ride against them.

France must be happy they have beaten their toughest pool team.

Off to watch Ireland v Romania soon.

Dave
 
Didn't catch the first half of the Ire v Rom match, watching the second half here - Ireland as expected cruising 47-8 atm. Feels more like a practice match, they obviously won't have it so handy when they face RSA or Scotland
 
Ireland can be happy with the result and there were some really good moves and play from individuals and the team, but they must be concerned about the errors - line outs and some handling errors, which if they had faced stronger opposition could have caused them a problem.

Dave
 
Tringa said:
Ireland can be happy with the result and there were some really good moves and play from individuals and the team, but they must be concerned about the errors - line outs and some handling errors, which if they had faced stronger opposition could have caused them a problem.

Dave
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They do tend to up their game Vs better opposition though, in the past year they've beaten everyone put in front of them [RSA, France, Aus, Eng, Sco, Wales etc] - it wasn't a 'perfect' game but they still scored 12 tries, with 4 players getting a brace each. I wouldn't bet against them even Vs RSA, it'll be tough but we know we can beat them on a good day
 
England were immense, who ever said they wouldn't get out of their group!!:D

Ford played his best game for ages and with 14 men they totally deserved their win. Red card was a bit harsh I felt, but thems the rules and as long as the referees are consistent there can't be much complaining. I'm very much looking forward to tonight's game, but 8;00 on a Sunday.....
 
Ford shouldn't be replaced by the robot Farrell. No comparison.
 
Pound Coin said:
Ford shouldn't be replaced by the robot Farrell. No comparison.
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I think Farrell was the one involved in dodgy pay deals as well. I thought Farrell had been banned for some matches then reinstated then banned again?
 
I did not really understand the cards. In the case of Curry the Argentinian jumped high in the air but towards the England players and landed on one; surely accidental? However, an Argentinean jumped and landed on Ford but that was less serious? A few year ago neither incident would have bothered the Referee. Yes, they need to curtail intentional dangerous play but you cannot stop all accidents unless they ban Rugby.

Farrell has always been a dangerous tackler, who seems to want to take out the opponent without considering the risks.

Dave
 
The actual season got off to a quiet start yesterday. With the RWC taking all the attention is was lovely to go to Kingsholm in the blazing sun and watch some club rugby. I've always struggled to enjoy international rugby. Much prefer watching Gloucester. Never analysed it too much, just the way it is. Although I've spoken to ardent football fans who say the same about their teams and the national team in their sport too.

Still, I shall probably tune in when it gets to the quarter final stage.
 
Pound Coin said:
Ford shouldn't be replaced by the robot Farrell. No comparison.
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Agreed, England are a better side without him. Ford completely controlled that game.
 
delb0y said:
The actual season got off to a quiet start yesterday. With the RWC taking all the attention is was lovely to go to Kingsholm in the blazing sun and watch some club rugby. I've always struggled to enjoy international rugby. Much prefer watching Gloucester. Never analysed it too much, just the way it is. Although I've spoken to ardent football fans who say the same about their teams and the national team in their sport too.

Still, I shall probably tune in when it gets to the quarter final stage.
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I will also try to get to Kingsholm some time as I failed to do so last season. I need to search out my letter which permits me to take a camera. I used to go with 3 others more regularly but one died, one divorced and one to ill to attend.

Dave
 
Congrats to England. And yeah, I think they will get out of the group now as it is one of the easier groups in the tournie, this really was the one to get done. Major pressure is off now

When did they start this odd behaviour of celebrating opposition mistakes though? Argentina gave away a penalty deep into the English half and players were high fiving as if they scored a try! They were doing this Vs Ireland in the last meeting too [and lost] It's more something I'd expect to see from US soccer players. But hey, whatever motivates
 
great game for wales tonight going down to the wire,
i see William managed to travel to France but couldn’t be arsed to go to Australia, maybe coz the girlies don’t count in his eyes
 
GG Wales, didn't see any of it because I was watching Ireland fail yet again in the footy ...

Looking over the commentary though, looks like it certainly wasn't easy, Fiji have become one of those bogey teams that can mess you up if you're not on top form
 
gjhill said:
great game for wales tonight going down to the wire,
i see William managed to travel to France but couldn’t be arsed to go to Australia, maybe coz the girlies don’t count in his eyes
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Perhaps it is because he is also aware of the costs which we have to pay.

Dave
 
Late to the party but I watched the Wales game last night. Fiji have the ability to upset big name teams and they almost did towards the end. If they hadn't have dropped and knocked that ball on in the dying seconds, they would probably have won.

Wales showed some promise though, even if they were fading in the end.
 
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Cagey75 said:
Congrats to England. And yeah, I think they will get out of the group now as it is one of the easier groups in the tournie, this really was the one to get done. Major pressure is off now

When did they start this odd behaviour of celebrating opposition mistakes though? Argentina gave away a penalty deep into the English half and players were high fiving as if they scored a try! They were doing this Vs Ireland in the last meeting too [and lost] It's more something I'd expect to see from US soccer players. But hey, whatever motivates
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I am not sure about the specific penalty but often penalties are forced by good play. For instance when tackled a player has to release the ball normally hoping to get it back to one of his own players. But if an opposition forward moved over the tackled player to grab the ball (and it is not that easy with huge forwards trying to stop you) then he either comes away with the ball or the penalty is awarded for not releasing. Maro Itoje is particularly good at this so naturally his England team mates are keen to celebrate. Many things that happen in the scrum are hidden to most of us but the referees are looking closely.

Dave
 
Dale. said:
Late to the party but I watched the Wales game last night. Fiji have the ability to upset big name teams and they almost did towards the end. If they hadn't have dropped and knocked that ball on in the dying seconds, they would probably have won.

Wales showed some promise though, even if they were fading in the end.
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I don't think so, had they scored, the most likely outcome would have been a try in the corner as Rio Dyer and Liam Williams had him covered, their kickers had an awful night and they would have needed the conversion to win, so I would have to disagree with you there. The referee was abysmal but he refereed both sides, both the linesmen were poor too, even if one of them was Wayne Barnes, undoubtably one of the best refs in world rugby.

On a totally different note, the French fans have gone down in my opinion, booing the NZ haka and booing opposing teams anthems (I get they booed Macron) it's just showing total disrespect for others, nah that's not rugby, footie maybe, but not rugby. and whilst we are having a moan, wtf is going on with the anthems?
 
mex said:
I don't think so, had they scored, the most likely outcome would have been a try in the corner as Rio Dyer and Liam Williams had him covered, their kickers had an awful night and they would have needed the conversion to win, so I would have to disagree with you there.
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You do raise a good point in fairness, the conversion would've been awkward from there too.

Imagine the tension though if they scored the try. :runaway: I'm Welsh. :)
 
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That's OK, we won't hold it against you! (As long as you don't work for the DVLFA!!!)
 
Close one last night ( or at least closer than many would have expected) Uruguay turned up, France didn't, even though they got their win there was no bonus point.
 
Yes well It goes with out saying that I will be confident the Wallabies will prove Eddie right , A young team ,but showing promise ,see how they go against Fiji Dont write the All Blacks off and then of course the Boks !!!!
 
Unfortunately the refereeing team didn’t perform so well as the players, is this what will be remembered of this tournament?
 
I was going to make a comment about what goes on in scrums, then realised that I hadn't played rugby for about 40 years! A bit too far in the past to be relevant.
 
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Wales made hard work of that, didn't they? Handling was dire at times.

Respect for Portugal, they came to play.
 
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RSA were not going to be out-done by Ireland, beating Romania by 2 more points than we did and keeping a clean sheet ... it should be some game next week.
 
TBH, I'm enjoying the closer game between Australia and Fiji more than I did the SA/Romania drubbing.
 
Nod said:
TBH, I'm enjoying the closer game between Australia and Fiji more than I did the SA/Romania drubbing.
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Yeah same, I don't really like any completely one-sided games, the Ireland v Tonga game only got interesting for a brief spell where Tonga started to make some headway. The Ireland v RSA match though, will be very close for the full match I imagine.

Tis a funny game though, looking at the world rankings, Fiji dropped 2 places [9 down to 7th] and Aus climbed 2 [9th up to 7th] after the previous matches. One game really can make all the difference. If Fiji were to go on to win they will pretty much swap back places with Wales in between for now.
 
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Just watched the South Africa Romania game, flippin eck. :oops: :$
 
Dale. said:
Just watched the South Africa Romania game, flippin eck. :oops: :$
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Scary team ... but! Romania may well have already been deflated after the Ireland loss. And, well ... any team that concedes 158pts over 2 games will only ever flatter any opposition. I think Tonga will also beat them easily enough.
 
England vs Japan

I am not a big watcher of Rugby. .......but we are getting a real 'run for the money '.....though if I recall Japan has been a strong team for a while and certainly no pushover.

So far holding on to a lead, though not unassailable :thinking: hopefully we can win:)

PS the Steward try & Ford conversion was very satisfying:)
 
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Box Brownie said:
England vs Japan

I am not a big watcher of Rugby. .......but we are getting a real 'run for the money '.....though if I recall Japan has been a strong team for a while and certainly no pushover.

So far holding on to a lead, though not unassailable :thinking: hopefully we can win:)

PS the Steward try & Ford conversion was very satisfying:)
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Before tonight Japan were ranked 14th in the world, they might just hold that spot even after the loss as just below them in the rankings Tonga [15th] and Portugal [16th] also lost. Tonga suffered a heavier defeat to Ireland yesterday. This one England were expected to win, but they weren't too impressive, they pretty much did what they needed to do. They won't be so comfortable in the next round against any half decent team I feel.
 
Cagey75 said:
Before tonight Japan were ranked 14th in the world, they might just hold that spot even after the loss as just below them in the rankings Tonga [15th] and Portugal [16th] also lost. Tonga suffered a heavier defeat to Ireland yesterday. This one England were expected to win, but they weren't too impressive, they pretty much did what they needed to do. They won't be so comfortable in the next round against any half decent team I feel.
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I surmise you are correct for our performance prospects going forwards???
 
Yes well needless to say I am very upset regarding the Wallabies and their loss to Fiji, next Monday Land Of our Fathers Wales,
 
I always felt that Ireland, France, South Africa and NZ would be favourites but England not good enough to get very far. While the game against Argentina was good, the Japan game saw England back to their poor performance earlier this year. Still they had some poor games when they won the cup in 2003.

Dave
 
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