Rugby union?

[MikeTheNative]

Pretty sure we can despatch Fiji. Beyond that...?

Feel the same about Wales. Reasonbly confident about Argentina but while I do think Wales will give the winner of NZ/Ire a game, just can't see them winning that.

 

[Mint8]

The annoying thing is you just know (assuming England beat Fiji and then get knocked out) that the RFU will be congratulating themselves on the team getting to the SF stage.

 

[gpuerrilla]

I dunno, I think Eddie Jones' team exiting at the group stage kind of backs up England were stagnating and are now paying for time wasted instead of a proper clearout after the last WC.

 

[Troezar]

I dunno, I think Eddie Jones' team exiting at the group stage kind of backs up England were stagnating and are now paying for time wasted instead of a proper clearout after the last WC.

They aren't looking too clever under the current one either. I think some responsibility lies with the players. They aren't hungry enough, like football the money is in the club game.

 

[PlacidCasual]

They aren't looking too clever under the current one either. I think some responsibility lies with the players. They aren't hungry enough, like football the money is in the club game.

I don't know about the reason but I agree England don't look hungry enough.

 

[hood1971]

There are reports that Farrell will start at 10, with Smith at 15. As Humphrey would say - it's a brave decision. Smith to cover Farrell's inability to get the backline attacking I guess. I would have thought Ford at 10, Lawrence at 12 and Stewart at 15 makes most sense.

Anyway some cracking games on the weekend.

 

[Mint8]

Farrell instead of Ford is an awful decision.

England have looked a better team without Farrall. He is way past his best and only a matter of time until he does another of his speciality head - high tackles.

 

[PlacidCasual]

I can just about acknowledge that for a Fiji game where big runners are going to be coming down the 10 channel all match this is the correct decision. Smith is then there to act as the playmaker from fullback. But I would question why Young's is not starting rather than Mitchell for this game. Of the 3 scrum halves we brought with us he is the one most suited to an attritional defensive game that requires accurate box kicking. He would partner better with Farrell. If we plan to play at some pace with Ford or Smith at flyhalf then Mitchell or Care is the better choice to start.

Our team selection reflects a muddled approach to strategy if you ask me. If Farrell is 10 when we get tot eh Semi Final though then we're boned because we can't rely on an attritional defensive plan to beat whomever we might get, we do need to score some points.


To be honest I'm reaching the point where winning and losing is less of a concern to me than seeming some decent rugby. France and New Zealand are probably the only teams I've enjoyed watching for a number of years now with the occasional England flash in the pan. I honestly would rather England were cavalier also rans than dull also rans.

 

[hood1971]

To be honest I'm reaching the point where winning and losing is less of a concern to me than seeming some decent rugby. France and New Zealand are probably the only teams I've enjoyed watching for a number of years now with the occasional England flash in the pan. I honestly would rather England were cavalier also rans than dull also rans.

I have been blown away with Irelands game recently. The fact that they make the game look so simply is the greatness. Every player is looking for the smallest gap, not only for themselves but for rest of the line. Their 1st try against Scotland was a thing of beauty, even though it seems no one has done anything special.
Andy Farrell has crafted a team who work for each other, and are scarily efficient on attack. And on top of that they survived the South Africa power, and as a saffer I could only applaud their effort.

 

[Troezar]

I have been blown away with Irelands game recently. The fact that they make the game look so simply is the greatness. Every player is looking for the smallest gap, not only for themselves but for rest of the line. Their 1st try against Scotland was a thing of beauty, even though it seems no one has done anything special.
Andy Farrell has crafted a team who work for each other, and are scarily efficient on attack. And on top of that they survived the South Africa power, and as a saffer I could only applaud their effort.

I've got my fingers crossed for SA in case England lose, they're my backup plan! As long as they don't play us as the wife has a habit of winning when we do. The in-laws do go very quiet when England beat SA though

 

[PlacidCasual]

@hood1971 I am in no way denying how good Ireland are the results speak for themselves. I just don't find myself enjoying watching them play. I'd rather watch Japan 9 times out of 10.

 

[Mr Jack]

Someone didn't attach those numbers properly!

 

[Alice In Wonderland]

Someone didn't attach those numbers properly!

They're terrible!

It's so distracting as well.

 

[Reuben klang]

Decent half that.

Can’t see Wales losing it from here though.

 

[Alice In Wonderland]

Definitely can't see Argentina winning either.

Wales have impressed me throughout the world Cup in comparison to how they played during the last 6 nations.

I like them doing well.

 

[Psycho Ned]

Argie player did go down like a sack of **** there but probably was a penalty!

 

[SpeedFreak]

There was no attempt to wrap, not sure how the ref has concluded that.

 

[SpeedFreak]

I'll give the ref credit. He was relatively consistent.

 

[Reuben klang]

That TMO there is brilliant. Really wish they done that in football.

 

[Psycho Ned]

That TMO there is brilliant. Really wish they done that in football.

This is what makes the ham fisted way football has gone about it even more baffling, they've got sports like Cricket and rugby that have had like 20 years of experience of how to communicate this stuff and seem to have just totally ignored the lessons learnt by them and gone off on their own ideas.