Starts tonight with a cracker of an opener with hosts France taking on New Zealand. Wish I was neutral so I coud properly enjoy a game that could well prove to be a classic.
Instead of course I'll be rooting for France. I'll be delighted with a 9 - 6 game as long as les bleus win
Seven bloody weeks of it FFS!!!
Come on Kiwis, show the Cocks who's top bird!
A good first game if a little nervy. I see the Kiwis are getting pulled up for things they used to get away with in the past. They don't look anywhere near as good as they used too.
Support French Rugby Union and you're a Nazi
https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news-vichy-france-rugby-league-22146/
Not the team they were for sure. France seemed there for the taking and NZ would have fully capitalised in the past but they seemed unsure of themselves. France gained confidence as a result and were deserved winners in the end.
With both teams certain to go through it was essentially a glorified friendly with no teal advantage to be gained from finishing 1st or 2nd. Not sure how important that psychological edge will prove but France have it!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 08, 2023, 10:27:31 PMSupport French Rugby Union and you're a Nazi
https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/brexit-news-vichy-france-rugby-league-22146/
Fascinating stuff! Thanks for sharing.
I always knew that le jeu a trieze was less popular than union but didn't know why.
Not sure I'd draw the same conclusion as you, mind!
These decisions (Curry's red card) are ruining Rugby for me. In fact it could have easily have been a red card for the Argentinian if that was the case - he came off worse so not his fault - eh?
More inconsistency. A more deliberate head on head collision from SA's Keir wasn't even looked at today against Scotland. This stuff really needs sorting out.
A super game between Wales and Fiji yesterday. If that poor Fiji winger had just caught the ball instead of knocking on right at the death they would have beaten Wales. Either way it was the most exciting game so far. A shout out to Chile too, who were surprisingly good against Japan.
Fiji beating Australia - wowsers - the last time was 69 years ago.
I've never been able to understand fully the myriad rules. It seems those that play don't either!
Can't see why knocking the ball forward with the head can now not be used more creatively to gain advantage
Blimey, Wales were pretty good today but Australia were awful in every aspect - may be it's the Eddie Jones effect.
I don't often give up on a game, but watching Ireland embarrass Scotland was one tonight. I know Ireland are number 1 but the Scots were dire - especially in a game they had to win. In saying that England earlier were an embarrassment too despite a very lucky win.
Hmm, so England are the only UK/Ireland team to reach the semi finals. And for those who say they've had an easy run, 2 of the teams from their group are in the SF (England and Argentina). I doubt they'll make the final though with France or SA to come.
France v South Africa QF - The best half of Rugby Union I've ever seen. Just incredible by both sides. The yellow card for SA on half time could be telling, but I really can't call this one. Either way, England will lose in the SF.
This probably sounds bitter but something is wrong when the best 4 teams in the World meet in the quarter finals. The NZ vs Ireland and S. Africa vs France games were the pinnacle of World rugby. Everything that comes now is sn anti- climax
In terms of the game tonight, France were brilliant in the first half and really should have been further ahead at half time. Unfortunately they were undone by the South African high kicking game from where they scored all their tries. The South African scrum just got stronger and stronger as the game wore on. France did all they could to hold on but mistakes crept in and that told in the end.
A titanic battle, worthy of a final.
Quote from: dom on October 15, 2023, 09:59:26 PMThis probably sounds bitter but something is wrong when the best 4 teams in the World meet in the quarter finals. The NZ vs Ireland and S. Africa vs France games were the pinnacle of World rugby. Everything that comes now is sn anti- climax
It sounds very bitter :)
The Paddies are out GREAT!!!!
The Frogs are out GREAT!!!!
Does it all matter? NO!!! It's only Rugger.
Continuing the bitterness theme, the only thing that will give me any satisfaction in the rest of this tournament is for England to get absolutely tonked in the semi-final. Hopefully S Africa get at least 40 points next Saturday evening with England in single figures
^ Well that didn't happen. England undone by a couple of dubious scrum penalties and that's what SA needed to win. The best side lost in my opinion. Hopefully NZ will stuff the South Africans next week.
The conditions and England ferocity really prevented SA from taking control. Fair play to England they found form as the tournament went on. The rugby football union do really have questions to answer though as to how the best 4 teams met in the quarters and not the semis. Wrong semis, right final at least
Incredible drama at the end but how I wish it was easier to understand the rules and refereeing decisions. When the ref has to spend considerable time explaining his calls to the players, it's too complicated. I don't think there can be any other sport where so many watching have so little idea of what's going on :-\