*** The Official Rugby World Cup 2015 Thread ***

TheMightyTen said:
I just think France-New Zealand is just to close to call, the ABs just don't seem to hold any fear for the French like they do to other teams.
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As always, depends on which French side turns up, but NZ have not put in a performance anywhere near their usual standards so far. I think it will be close, but i'd go for NZ by 7 points
 
France fell apart against us in their last game. It was a stiff fight but once they started to go down at the end we rolled over them. Don't see them holding up against the all blacks.
 
Gutted about O'Connell but I was at the game in Cardiff and the atmosphere was unreal. O'Brien is the biggest loss for the Argentina game. Heaslip is a great captain assuming he has the nod and there are ver strong replacements available for Sexton and O'Connell.
 
Can't believe O'Brien has got away with only a 1 week ban for punching, yet Tuilagi got 5 weeks (reduced to 3 on appeal) for being tackled :rolleyes: The inconsistency coming from the disciplinary hearings is just ridiculous, you will be definitely come off worse if you are a so called Tier 2 nation.
 
TheMightyTen said:
Can't believe O'Brien has got away with only a 1 week ban for punching, yet Tuilagi got 5 weeks (reduced to 3 on appeal) for being tackled :rolleyes: The inconsistency coming from the disciplinary hearings is just ridiculous, you will be definitely come off worse if you are a so called Tier 2 nation.
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Not much of an excuse but Pape was committing a yellow card offence which caused the reaction from O'Brien.
 
TheMightyTen said:
What's even worse is Gray and Ford have been banned for 3 weeks for alleged tip tackling which will really screw the Scots. Absolutely no consistency :mad:
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Not impressed with those decisions although I did think Nathan Hines was very diplomatic in answering the question about whether there might be a conflict of interests with the Australian citing commissioner. I was most impressed as he never managed that level of restraint on the field... :D
 
TheMightyTen said:
What's even worse is Gray and Ford have been banned for 3 weeks for alleged tip tackling which will really screw the Scots. Absolutely no consistency :mad:
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The Tuilangi decision was odd. Only thing I can think is they've decided he'd deliberately raised the knee to hit the defender (who made a right meal of the tackle). Not sure that's the right call but if it's what they think then they have to put a harsh ban.
Scottish players again did a tackle that could have caused serious injury so copped a 3 week ban.
O'Brien threw a stupid punch into the chest of a player who was holding him. Silly act but was never dangerous as such. I think missing a world cup 1/4 final is harsh enough.

Along those lines, a 1 week ban for a player in the knock out stages of a world cup is probably worth 5-6 weeks in a regular season in terms of punishment if not more. Doubt they use that as a barometer though.
 
TheMightyTen said:
And very definitely don't let them tackle you ;)
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Exactly, just punch anyone that comes near you! :D

But they do need to sort out the consistency and relevance of some of these incidents, looking at those 3 situations - punch / tip tackle / er.. being tackled by another player? the punishments do not seem fair or proportionate imho
 
Luggs said:
I'm gutted for Japan, to win 3 games and not progress is tough. Going to make the 2019 world cup in Japan a very interesting competition though!
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Yep, I really wanted to see them go through, bit disappointed to be honest.



Also, the way the press is treating the English team is nothing short of despicable. I'd like to see those writers face up against an international rugby team and see how they fare. They might not have been on form but they certainly don't deserve the abuse they're getting.
 
Diddums said:
Yep, I really wanted to see them go through, bit disappointed to be honest.

Also, the way the press is treating the English team is nothing short of despicable. I'd like to see those writers face up against an international rugby team and see how they fare. They might not have been on form but they certainly don't deserve the abuse they're getting.
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Yeah, I always like to support the underdogs in a neutral game, but it was the open, attacking and positive manner of play that Japan delivered that blew me away. I was honestly sat there thinking "I wish England would play like this" lol

Aye, but that's the British press isn't it. Never supportive and never happier when attacking someone at their lowest point. IMHO it's a very tough call, on one hand I really like Lancaster and all the virtues he brings to the team, but stand him up against a Joe Schmidt, Graham Henry, Warren Gatland etc Even the turnaround of the Aussies in 1 year under Cheika and I just dont think he matches up at 'elite level'.

The ******s at the RFU missed a trick in Jake White last time round. White with Lancaster as an under-study could have been awesome...
 
I agree with a comment made on the Guardian about the quality of England's coaching staff. Full of recent retired players with minimal actual coaching experience and has the feel of the RFU offering jobs for the boys as per. A fresh start is needed and IMO that means bringing someone in from outside England.
 
absolutely and that's why martin Johnson never really succeeded as they still have that one of the lads in the locker room mentality. we need people that have earned their stripes and have decent and solid coaching credentials
 
Agreed, but is anyone confident anything significant will change when the post-World Cup inquest will be led by the man who appointed Lancaster? (Ian Ritchie) That's going to be totally independent and unbiased...
 
Ian Ritchie did have a reputation when he was running Wimbledon of being fairly ruthless if that was what was required. I'm quietly confident things will change if for no other reason than the pressure the RFU will be coming under from sponsors because of the under-performance and let's face it, the RFU loves money far more than Rugby Football.
 
Off to Wales tomorrow night after work to meet my brother in law and his brother in law (both French). Managed to get tickets for Saturday's game, can't wait! Should be a cracking weekend.

Arrive in Cardiff around 9pm Friday, still plenty of the night left to enjoy :D
 
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