[Other Sport] Rugby (Union) World Cup Official Thread

[PeterT]

Enjoyed it today, grafted out a win. We are the only undefeated side left in the tournament! I even got chance to meet Itoje and Farrell after the game as they were checking out of the hotel.

I have seen us lose 3/3 to the Saffers in World Cups, including 2 finals. Chance for revenge (especially as I had to move out of my hotel in the south so they could block book it - bast*rds!)

 

[Eeyore]

South Africa and NZ to put their second teams out in the semis to keep their first choice XVs fit for the final then.

Feels like it. I think England must be one of the most unworthy semi-finalists for some time.

I'd rather play the Saffers than the French. More physical game that would suit us better. But this is still a huge mountain to climb.

Epic set of Quarter Finals. I was able to avoid the internet and watch them faux-live in my own time. A splendid weekend of rugby. Only 23 points between the winners and losers, half of those in the Argentina game.

I think we'll trouble to keep it at 23 points in one game next round.

 

[Winker]

Luckily I'm going to the Etihad next Saturday so I won't see a demoralising thrashing.

..oh...

 

[dangull]

Luckily I'm going to the Etihad next Saturday so I won't see a demoralising thrashing.

..oh...

You think Brighton may thrash City then

 

[Eeyore]

Quote of the tournament as Lawes is bundled into touch by two Fijians who would make the toughest bouncers think twice

'And Courtney Lawes is escorted of the premises' Real 'lol' moment.

 

[Finch]

I don't think this England team is anywhere near the worst in terms of ability, but I think Borthwick is an awful Head Coach.
Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Lawes, Earl, Farrell, Tuilagi, May, Daly, Smith have ability and will fight. Indeed, Borthwick could pick virtually the same team as beat New Zealand 4 years ago, apart from Anthkjy Watson. I would not write them off.

I don’t follow England closely, so this is exactly what has been confusing. On paper you shouldn’t be performing this badly, so there is always a chance when there is individual quality. Rugby is a pretty unforgiving sport though for not having your systems sorted.

 

[vegster]

Feels like it. I think England must be one of the most unworthy semi-finalists for some time.

I'd rather play the Saffers than the French. More physical game that would suit us better. But this is still a huge mountain to climb.

Epic set of Quarter Finals. I was able to avoid the internet and watch them faux-live in my own time. A splendid weekend of rugby. Only 23 points between the winners and losers, half of those in the Argentina game.

I think we'll trouble to keep it at 23 points in one game next round.

I'm not optimistic. I don't know how we are going to stop Kolbe from scoring.

 

[Brovion]

View attachment 168113
View attachment 168114
View attachment 168115View attachment 168116View attachment 168117View attachment 168118View attachment 168119

That's the football team, Olympique Marseille's, ground as well isn't it? Imagine watching Brighton play there in a European match, do you think we'll ever be able to do that? That would be insane! Li'l ol' Brighton away at Marseille!

Well that came true, so things that appear impossible, even outrageous, in sport CAN be achieved .... but England beating SA isn't going to be one of them.

 

[The Mole]

Luckily I'm going to the Etihad next Saturday so I won't see a demoralising thrashing.

..oh...

Unfortunately I’ll be able to get home in time to watch the rugby… and as my wife is South African not watching it is not an option!

 

[PeterT]

Feels like it. I think England must be one of the most unworthy semi-finalists for some time.

I'd rather play the Saffers than the French. More physical game that would suit us better. But this is still a huge mountain to climb.

Epic set of Quarter Finals. I was able to avoid the internet and watch them faux-live in my own time. A splendid weekend of rugby. Only 23 points between the winners and losers, half of those in the Argentina game.

I think we'll trouble to keep it at 23 points in one game next round.

We may have had some luck along the way, but factually we are the only team in the semi finals who hasn’t lost a game in this tournament (so far at least…..)

Argentina are far less worthy semi finalists, got hammered by an unworthy team of 14 if I remember correctly?

We are unlikely to beat South Africa, but it’s not impossible. We got to a final in 2007 with an unfancied team that built a siege mentality, so that is at least something to build on.

 

[jakarta]

The All Blacks and Springboks are both going to do it by at least 20 points.

Shame both Semis are going to be so one-sided after the brilliant 4 games over the weekend...

 

[Eeyore]

We may have had some luck along the way, but factually we are the only team in the semi finals who hasn’t lost a game in this tournament (so far at least…..)

Argentina are far less worthy semi finalists, got hammered by an unworthy team of 14 if I remember correctly?

We are unlikely to beat South Africa, but it’s not impossible. We got to a final in 2007 with an unfancied team that built a siege mentality, so that is at least something to build on.

No I agree mate, England can only beat who is front of them.

This weekend's games were so enjoyable. But I really feel that the best teams in the tournament by far, France, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand, were done by the draw. And it's all because of that draw being made three years ago. Had it been done last year we wouldn't have had all top five ranked teams in the same half.

But I'll just go Potter now. It is what it is.

If England beat the Saffers and New Zealand then they will deserve to win it. I wonder what odds we would get on that.

 

[Brian Fantana]

I don’t follow England closely, so this is exactly what has been confusing. On paper you shouldn’t be performing this badly, so there is always a chance when there is individual quality. Rugby is a pretty unforgiving sport though for not having your systems sorted.

The thing I find very odd is that Borthwick (and the rest of the coaches currently with England) turned around a Leicester Tigers side that narrowly avoided being relegated in successive seasons and won a Premiership title with them. Running the show for them on the field was George Ford, who also ran the show in the Argentina game in this WC. And yet, he goes straight back to Farrell as soon as he's available, despite him not being as good a kicker and also being prone to utterly daft moments.

England are a miles better team when George Ford plays.

 

[Iggle Piggle]

No I agree mate, England can only beat who is front of them.

This weekend's games were so enjoyable. But I really feel that the best teams in the tournament by far, France, Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand, were done by the draw. And it's all because of that draw being made three years ago. Had it been done last year we wouldn't have had all top five ranked teams in the same half.

But I'll just go Potter now. It is what it is.

If England beat the Saffers and New Zealand then they will deserve to win it. I wonder what odds we would get on that.

16-1 is the answer to the question you posed. That is actually longer than the odds before the tournament started (or at least when I last checked pre tournament)

 

[Questions]

We may have had some luck along the way, but factually we are the only team in the semi finals who hasn’t lost a game in this tournament (so far at least…..)

Argentina are far less worthy semi finalists, got hammered by an unworthy team of 14 if I remember correctly?

We are unlikely to beat South Africa, but it’s not impossible. We got to a final in 2007 with an unfancied team that built a siege mentality, so that is at least something to build on.

We got walloped 36 nil in the group game against them as well. We put on a fair showing in the final

 

[Berty23]

Sport is a funny beast. A dodgy saffer tackle early which means we play 14 and kick them to death. You never know.

That said I expect us to get hammered and for us to have 14 men.

 

[Brian Fantana]

Sport is a funny beast. A dodgy saffer tackle early which means we play 14 and kick them to death. You never know.

That said I expect us to get hammered and for us to have 14 men.

Like the Etzebeth one yesterday. Could have gone either way.

Our best chance will be going back to Steward at full back, picking Ford and Farrell and hoping that Ben Earl has another game like he did yesterday.

 

[Eeyore]

Sport is a funny beast. A dodgy saffer tackle early which means we play 14 and kick them to death. You never know.

That said I expect us to get hammered and for us to have 14 men.

We could do a sweepstake on how long Tom Curry lasts.

 

[PeterT]

We got walloped 36 nil in the group game against them as well. We put on a fair showing in the final

Yes I know mate, I went to both of those games. I got laughed at when I said I had tickets for the final after seeing us lose 36-0 in the group game, but for the width of a gnat’s John Thomas and a French referee we’d have gone on and won the finaL I could see us having one great performance in us, but I doubt we’d have 2. And we’d need a great performance to win either of these games.

 

[dazzer6666]

Surely that's an illegal tackle on the lad in the gilet and jeans ?