that's just four days after we play russia which, if we have a decent win and no injuries, is better than waiting eight days between games like the Japanese
But is it? its not a long time to recover from the clumps and thumps you know you are going to get from Russia.
Scotland playing themselves possibly into a quarter final spot. If they win this, with maybe a bonus point, then they have Russia and Japan left. Not sure that Japan could do it again, and possibly see Scotland beating them.
Personally think Japan go in favourites against Scotland. Don't think the Irish performance was a fluke at all
that's just four days after we play russia which, if we have a decent win and no injuries, is better than waiting eight days between games like the Japanese
But is it? its not a long time to recover from the clumps and thumps you know you are going to get from Russia.
we SHOULD be able be able to make a few tweaks for the russia game and i do believe, for us, if we are on a high then getting straight back into it will be good
Be great if Scotland and Japan could knock Ireland out. Is that possible?
it is possible but it would need Ireland dropping points against Samoa and/or Russia.
OR the slightly more complicated - Ireland get no bonus points, Scotland get wins and bonus points against both Russia and Japan then Japan get a win and bonus point against Samoa and a bonus point/s against scotland for scoring four tries and/or losing by less than seven (but still losing the match).
Be great if Scotland and Japan could knock Ireland out. Is that possible?
it is possible but it would need Ireland dropping points against Samoa and/or Russia.
OR the slightly more complicated - Ireland get no bonus points, Scotland get wins and bonus points against both Russia and Japan then Japan get a win and bonus point against Samoa and a bonus point/s against scotland for scoring four tries and/or losing by less than seven (but still losing the match).
Disappointing the gulf between a lot of the teams.
But hasn't that always been the case in rugby? How often do you see giant killings? Yes, we saw it, when Japan beat Ireland. Yes, we saw it 4 years ago, when Japan beat South Africa. All Blacks can play Italy 1000 times and they'll beat them 1000 times (it's only a matter of by how many points. How long did it take, before Ireland (considered a very strong team) to beat the All Blacks? One hundred and eleven years.
At the end of the day, giant killings are rare in rugby. The stronger team will always get a way to push their way across the line and score the try.
That's what makes football the best game in the world. It's low scoring. It's hard to score! The stronger team can dominate, but they still need to get the bloody ball past the keeper. The weaker team can sit back and have one chance and score.
An FA Cup alike tournament in rugby would not be worth watching.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoy watching rugby, but watching (for example) All Blacks vs Namibia hardly classifies as sport IMHO.
Disappointing the gulf between a lot of the teams.
I actually think the opposite. Compared to the early RWCs when the pool games were essentially pretty meaningless due to how big the gap was between the elite sides and the rest, I think this tournament has been very good so far.
Always going to be some mismatches but Japan are right up there with Ireland and Scotland and I think England have two big games coming against France and Argentina - could easily slip up and lose of them if not right on their game.
Teams like Georgia are pretty reasonable these days and I think they'll give Wales a game.
The main disappointment I'd agree are Samoa and Tonga but that's due to longstanding and well-publicised reasons which aren't gong to change unless World Rugby start treating them fairly and no sign of that happening anytime soon.
I think its a case of continuing to give these sides the chance to progress. After all, look at Japan now - its at a stage now where they should be pressing the RFU to join the big boys in the southern hemisphere or maybe the '7' nations
I think its a case of continuing to give these sides the chance to progress. After all, look at Japan now - its at a stage now where they should be pressing the RFU to join the big boys in the southern hemisphere or maybe the '7' nations
I’m pretty sure Romania and others have been keen to get in on the six nations and there was suggestions that they could form a second tier with relegation and promotion.
Argentina once mooted the idea of joining as well I think?
the six nations works for the countries involved and should be left alone IMHO
Another thing about this is also the rise of USA Rugby over the past decade - now the 2nd best in the World at 7's, and growing exponentially in The States - they will be a power house in 10 years time. So maybe Japan joins the Southern Hemisphere boys and USA joins the 7 Nations.
I think its a case of continuing to give these sides the chance to progress. After all, look at Japan now - its at a stage now where they should be pressing the RFU to join the big boys in the southern hemisphere or maybe the '7' nations
I’m pretty sure Romania and others have been keen to get in on the six nations and there was suggestions that they could form a second tier with relegation and promotion.
Argentina once mooted the idea of joining as well I think?
the six nations works for the countries involved and should be left alone IMHO
Looking at the tables, Italy have lost every game for the last 4 years, it's hard to say they really deserve their place on a permanent basis
Romania have slipped down to middle table in the Euro 2nd diivsion with Georgia winning all their games. Yet Italy played Georgia at the end of last year and beat them. To me, Italy should be allowed to grow and try to get better - no point replacing them with someone who is even worse. The next ones on the rank to me are definitely Japan and USA. There is room for expansion in the 6 nations as there is always a dead weekend , and you would always have a 3 home,3 away comp, instead of 2,3 or 3,2 as it is now(bit stupid imo)- and the thought of playing USA in USA would be mouth watering for the fans. Both teams would quickly improve and get to a level of competence (judging by Japans WC performances, they may be there already).
france comfortably beat USA earlier and NZ 14-0 up against Canada after 9 or so minutes
I'd have said France weren't at all comfortable during that game. A couple of late tries skewed the scoreline but France would have to improve a lot to beat England IMO.
Yeah NZ are on a different level. That's why it's annoying to be punished for winning our group. To win world cup means going through Australia New Zealand and probably South Africa. Not going to happen.
1.) the women commentator is beyond awful saying how it’s difficult to play rugby after it’s been raining. 2.) just heard that there are 3 brothers who play for 3 different nations australia tonga fuji
1.) the women commentator is beyond awful saying how it’s difficult to play rugby after it’s been raining. 2.) just heard that there are 3 brothers who play for 3 different nations australia tonga fuji
That’s the problem if you come from a circus 🎪 family.
Comments
Well done Scotland.
OR the slightly more complicated - Ireland get no bonus points, Scotland get wins and bonus points against both Russia and Japan then Japan get a win and bonus point against Samoa and a bonus point/s against scotland for scoring four tries and/or losing by less than seven (but still losing the match).
How often do you see giant killings?
Yes, we saw it, when Japan beat Ireland.
Yes, we saw it 4 years ago, when Japan beat South Africa.
All Blacks can play Italy 1000 times and they'll beat them 1000 times (it's only a matter of by how many points.
How long did it take, before Ireland (considered a very strong team) to beat the All Blacks?
One hundred and eleven years.
At the end of the day, giant killings are rare in rugby. The stronger team will always get a way to push their way across the line and score the try.
That's what makes football the best game in the world.
It's low scoring. It's hard to score! The stronger team can dominate, but they still need to get the bloody ball past the keeper. The weaker team can sit back and have one chance and score.
An FA Cup alike tournament in rugby would not be worth watching.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoy watching rugby, but watching (for example) All Blacks vs Namibia hardly classifies as sport IMHO.
Always going to be some mismatches but Japan are right up there with Ireland and Scotland and I think England have two big games coming against France and Argentina - could easily slip up and lose of them if not right on their game.
Teams like Georgia are pretty reasonable these days and I think they'll give Wales a game.
The main disappointment I'd agree are Samoa and Tonga but that's due to longstanding and well-publicised reasons which aren't gong to change unless World Rugby start treating them fairly and no sign of that happening anytime soon.
Argentina once mooted the idea of joining as well I think?
the six nations works for the countries involved and should be left alone IMHO
To me, Italy should be allowed to grow and try to get better - no point replacing them with someone who is even worse.
The next ones on the rank to me are definitely Japan and USA. There is room for expansion in the 6 nations as there is always a dead weekend , and you would always have a 3 home,3 away comp, instead of 2,3 or 3,2 as it is now(bit stupid imo)- and the thought of playing USA in USA would be mouth watering for the fans. Both teams would quickly improve and get to a level of competence (judging by Japans WC performances, they may be there already).
New Zealand could pass 100 points at this rate!
1.) the women commentator is beyond awful saying how it’s difficult to play rugby after it’s been raining.
2.) just heard that there are 3 brothers who play for 3 different nations
australia
tonga
fuji