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Fiji started off so well and it looked like they were going to cause an upset. They had their chance but indiscipline and naivety cost them.
Australia will be happy enough to get the points and move on with the win despite not the best of performances by their standards. Not convinced about their chances down the line when they’ll meet stronger opponents.
France vs Argentina - magnificent game! It had everything that you would want as a watching neutral! I’m virtually speechless after watching that!
Boks looking good in the early exchanges against the All Blacks. They’re simply not letting New Zealand settle.
Wow. All Blacks just go up 2 gears in the blink of an eye.
10-3 Kiwis
Bloody hell: 17-3
Great comeback by Springboks. They may lose but this is important for their morale later in the tournament.
Well, that was a fine trio of matches to help pass a Saturday morning, Great stuff.
Heading to The Fly Half for tomorrow morning's game, Wonder what the atmosphere will be like before 1000?!!
Very good game. NZ started slowly but showed that they can just step up a couple of gears in the blink of an eye no matter how much pressure they are under. Any other nation would have struggled with that South African pressure in the opening stages.
Predicted at the start of the tournament that these two would contest the final and I’m standing by that prediction.
Overall, 3 very good, enjoyable games this morning. Great start to the World Cup! 😊
Only just spotted this post. Hope you have a great time at your games, and share your experience please! :aok:Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamesie
C'mon Scotland!!!!
Good luck Scotland.
Uphill task though. Think you will lose unfortunately.
Italy win against Namibia with a bonus point so should probably cement 3rd place in that group. Neither side looked great which was pretty much expected. Obviously both New Zealand & South Africa will be the two nations that qualify from that group (unfortunately for Scotland) but 3rd place does guarantee you a place at the next World Cup in France 2023.
Now... Come On Scotland!!!
Try for Ireland 5-0.
Not a great start, Ireland are a very good team and near the top of the rankings, I can see a humping coming here.
easy enough start, just stop the game now
Make that 7-0.
They are top.Quote:
Originally Posted by J-C
Quote:
Originally Posted by J-C
they can't get any nearer than actually being top :greengrin
Despite an injury crisis for Ireland at the back, just shows you the depth they have!
I hate losing to this lot as much as I hate losing to England. They're so good too.
12-0
This is going to be an absolute humping.
Try Ireland. Utterly brutal from Scotland. This could be a rout.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir David Gray
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabbageandribs1875
Didn't realise the were top, I thought top 3. I'm not a huge fan of Townsend as the coach, he has us playing far too open and expensive with very little emphasis on defence.
It's all just far too easy for Ireland right now, very disappointing.
12-3
17-3
My only hope from this World Cup is that our eventual failure results in Townsend being removed.
Pitiful defending again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir David Gray
Typical Townsend side, all open and attacking but zero defensive side, unless you're scoring loads of tries yourself they'll get humped from teams like this, you need to do the basics 1st like Ireland are doing.
There forwards are destroying us. We can’t cope with their power.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
Why we let Vern Cotter go, I will never know!
This is not a good start to the day. Once again, we're our own worst enemy. This could turn out to be an embarrassment.
I know almost nothing about rugby but this is embarrassing.
Why are Scotland so bad at so many top level team sports?
Ah well, onto other Sunday morning activities for me. I'm not watching us be slaughtered by an admittedly impressive Irish side.
I'm away to check out the odds of Scotland finishing below Japan and Samoa.
This Ireland team are missing many of their key players. If Scotland ever wanted a perfect opportunity to beat Ireland, today was the day.
Far to open with so many holes, it's Townsend's tactics.Quote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
He didn't want to leave and had the team playing very well, I know the players loved him as a coach. Townsend was earmarked as the next head coach, he was just earning his stripes at Glasgow.Quote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
On their day Scotland are a brilliant attacking team but Townsend has forgotten about the defensive side of the game, you cannot play this way against Ireland or they'll hammer you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sir David Gray
Just another day for Scotland
Amazing Scotland comeback in the second half, as we did against the English earlier in the year
Awful for Hamish Watson, probably Scotland's best forward - hope that's not the end of his tournament but it doesn't look great.
Ireland look like they've been playing below themselves all year and aiming to peak at the World Cup.
As usual, when the chips are down, both lady luck and the referee decisions go against you.
Half time, comprehensively gubbed so far.
19-3 half time.
Looked like ankle ligaments will be gone judging by the slow motion.Quote:
Originally Posted by mayo hibee
Lucky the scoreline isn’t heavier. Ireland are just too strong. We can’t seem to defend against their powerful forwards.
It’s been a typical Townsend performance. Not getting the basics right, can’t defend, playing way too expansively when it’s just best to keep it simple and build up a few phases.
Not so sure you can attribute basic mistakes and handling errors to Townsend. The players have got to rise to the occasion and so far they haven't.
great phases then as expected a mistake, we know the mistake will come just not when/where
And there's another one. Barclay knocks on when the line is in sight. 😡
Surely give Darcy Graham a chance. Seymour hasn’t even been mentioned.
**** sake - first Duncan Taylor, then John Barclay. Ball security is something we really seem to struggle with in general. A consequence of trying to do everything at such pace.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden Bear
it's not ALL townsend's fault, individual ****-up's as per :agree:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden Bear
You can if the tactics are to be as open and expansive as they are, this 2nd half you've seen Scotland keeping it tighter and using the shorter pass probably due to the weather. Ireland are big strong and do all the basics superbly and pounce on errors, we've lost 3 tries due to errors because the Scottish team are trying to be too open in their play.
I can't believe he's still not on - one of the best prospects we have in our rugby setup. Yet Duncan Taylor started? A guy who hasn't played international rugby in a few years due to injury? Graham was incredible in the recent summer tests - we need his pace to get any penetration here.Quote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
Or can't execute the game plan because of incompetence?Quote:
Originally Posted by J-C
i'm not too despondent, this is playing out just as i expected, a hammering beckons in the QF anyway, should we be lucky enough to progress that is
we could hope for an abandonment, but the replay would pan out the same way
easy peasy
Game, set, match. On the back of ANOTHER ****ing handling error.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden Bear
Or can't implement the game plan due to playing the top ranked team in the world, keep it tight and give Ireland nothing and do what they do and wait for a mistake, if you play so open mistakes will happen.
Look at Hibs right now, how often have we said we pass it about all nice but have huge holes in the midfield when put under pressure, that's Scotland rugby.
Funny there's few Irish handling errors, in all this rain.
Mind you, the Irish team have also had every break of the ball that they possibly could.!Quote:
Originally Posted by J-C
Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden Bear
I think the truth is somewhere between the 2 of you. Individual errors are killing us - in some instances it is incompetence, in other instances it's symptomatic of a systemic problem. All happening in the spotlight of a world class Irish side.Quote:
Originally Posted by J-C
Lasted a half then moved on to The foot of the Walk.Quote:
Originally Posted by HUTCHYHIBBY
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylar
I remember Gavin Hastings slammed the players a few years back by saying there was far too much time bulking up and getting big and not enough time spent on the training pitch doing the basics of the game, there are times like today when you can see exactly what he means, we spent hours on the pitch going through all the basics on a weekly basis.
we will probably get our customary "losers" try that we normally get against top ten teams, after ireland get their bonus point and realise the games in the bag and start pulling back a bit so not risking any unnecessary injuries
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabbageandribs1875
Ireland already have their bonus point. They have already taken off many of their best players and giving youngsters like Carty a chance to impress. Managing the game well..
Samoa Vs Japan for 2nd will be a great watch.
only 10 handling errors, progress
yet another forward pass.... ******* amateurs
not even a sniff of a losers try :( it would be appreciated if ireland send out their u15's team against us next time, nobody likes one-way traffic
Oh well, very well played Ireland. Deserved win and very good performance considering they had a few key players missing.
Scotland, nothing to say other than absolutely abysmal! Not going to rant, I’ll save that for the Hibs game this afternoon 😂
lowest points score against ireland for at least 50 years...that the studio are aware of anyway
Quote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
could be a right miserable sunday of sport :(
They're right - 16-0 February 1969.Quote:
Originally Posted by cabbageandribs1875
Quote:
Originally Posted by mayo hibee
embarrassing for all involved today
I remember from a few years ago reading that Ireland, (I presume the entire island of Ireland, ) had something like 140, 000 plus registered Rugby players compared to 35000 plus in Scotland.
A bigger choice will in theory increase the chances of producing a better national team.
The score could have been worse. I'm sure we'll do better next time. Hamish Watson will be missed big style.
Professional job done by England against Tonga.
Look a very good bet to reach the semi finals along with New Zealand and South Africa. That 4th semi final berth is wide open to anyone in England’s group or Australia’s.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabbageandribs1875
This in a nutshell! 😂
Despite Ireland's injuries, they are miles better than us. Still, I expected more than three points from it!
It looked like Ireland had at least one player going off their feet at every ruck how was that allowed?
Easy peasy win for Wales against Georgia.
Will be interesting to see how that group unfolds. Despite Fiji’s defeat to Australia on Saturday, I’m not writing them off just yet. Win this group and you avoid an England team that looks bang on form and for me, 3rd favourites for the World Cup after New Zealand & South Africa.
Samoa win against Russia in a very physical game. Still surprised how they never escaped with a red card! Some of those high tackles were extremely dangerous in my opinion.
Personally I think the loss of Ali Price is as big a blow as the loss of Hamish Watson.
We're jinxed it seems.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49803146
The two potential red cards would have had a big impact on Scotland game on Monday as both players would have been ruled out. Scotland will need to play much better as Soma will be tough a good mix of physicality and skill.Quote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
Agree not good news think a fair chance he would have started on Monday.Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden Bear
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimBHibees
Yep, definitely will need to play better. Will be interesting to see the reaction from Scotland after that Irish mauling!
TBH, I thought Russia were the better side than Samoa. Felt the scoreline flattered Samoa as was never a 25 point win. They were trailing at HT and looked 2nd best in the opening half. Gotovtsev got an early yellow for the Russians in the 2nd and Samoa took advantage of having an extra man for 10 mins and scored 2 tries during that period which practically won them that game. As we know, the two yellows they received which could have been red (2nd one should definitely have been a red) was a big moment in the game. If Samoa went down to 14 or even 13 men, I can’t see them winning that game.
So we have our first shock of the tournament! Hats off to Uruguay, every single one of those Uruguayan players were terrific!
Fiji were absolutely horrific. I’m struggling to think of one single aspect of their game that was actually pretty good. So poor in every single department.
World Rugby statement re officiating:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EFOZl6KUYAElwMo.jpg:large
Can't imagine that kind of statement ever coming from the SFA/UEFA/FIFA about their own refs.
I really feel for Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. If you look at the amount of islanders playing for other countries due to the financial draw of doing so then then they could all have pretty decent teams. Uruguay in their day were as strong as Argentina with a strong rugby tradition but I'm not sure how Argentina forged ahead and left them behindQuote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
The reason how they have pulled away from the likes of Uruguay and other similar nations is because of the following:Quote:
Originally Posted by weecounty hibby
Argentina produced one of the greatest underdog stories in RWC history. They had that incredible run in RWC 2007 when they won all their games, topping the group ahead of hosts France (who they beat on the opening night in Paris 17-12) and then they came up against the eventual winners South Africa in the semi finals. They once again beat France, in fact hammered them in the bronze final (think it was something like 34-10). From there they have performed consistently well at the past two World Cups, reaching the quarters in 2011 (at Scotland’s expense) before losing to eventual winners and hosts New Zealand. Shortly after the 2011 RWC, they were invited to join the Southern Hemisphere’s equivalent of the 6 Nations - formerly known as the Tri Nations but now called the Rugby Championship. The yearly competition means they continually test themselves against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and it has only aided their development further. 4 years later at RWC 2015 they reached the semi finals again, hammering Ireland in the quarters 43-20. They have competed in every single Rugby World Cup since it’s creation back in 1987.
Uruguay have only played in 3 World Cups (99, 03 & 15). Before the Fiji victory today, they had only won two games in their entire RWC history (Spain 03 & Georgia 11). I really hope today's victory see an upwards turn for Uruguayan rugby and they start to impose themselves on the international stage. They were really impressive today, so hopefully that upwards spiral starts today!
Two pretty much straight forward victories as expected for England and Italy.
Caught the last 30 mins of the Italian game and wasn’t surprised to see the score although I did hear Canada had a couple of good openings but lapses of concentration in the final 3rd really hurt them.
Regarding the England game, I thought USA defended really well in the opening moments of the 1st half. They really frustrated the English forwards but as anticipated in the end, England’s superior quality, fitness and experience settled the game. USA did give a good account of themselves early doors and shouldn’t be too disheartened with the result. Gary Gold looks a pretty decent coach and I think he will be managing a tier 1 nation or top domestic club in the very near future.
Also we officially had our 1st red card of the tournament and it was the correct decision. It was a shocking challenge by John Quill on Owen Farrell.
Tomorrow, no RWC matches scheduled but we’ve got some decent games at the weekend with Japan vs Ireland & Australia vs Wales the pick of the bunch.
Also Edinburgh are back in action. Kicking off the new season at home to Zebre
Not to mention the Warriors away game v the Cheetahs tomorrow night. It's on premier sports 2 at 5.55. I can't wait!Quote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
Canada dropped the ball over the line when it was easier to score.Quote:
Originally Posted by hfc rd
Ironic that the first red was for a tackle on Farrell.
Half time Japan v Ireland. Japan well in it at 9-12 and they are playing well
Japan are going to steamroller us.
Come on Japan!
Wow...Few of neighbours will be less full of themselves today! Japan were great, gonna be some game against us.
That's kick-started my interest in the rugby anyway. So refreshing by Japan.
Is that a good result for Scotland then?
Absolute scenes!!
Well we still have to beat all the other teams and get bonus points. Just makes it tighter for first but just the same for second.Quote:
Originally Posted by heretoday