Author Topic: Rugby World Cup 2023 in France (Read 18662 times)

Jaded · « **on:** 09 September, 2023, 09:47:26 am »

So, the Hosts do something never done before - beat the All Blacks in a pool match.

For tonight's match I have carefully prepared a hiding place behind the sofa. Although, apparently, the predictions are that England will surprise everyone and play above all expectations at this World Cup.

Peter · « **Reply #1 on:** 09 September, 2023, 11:58:01 am »

They could play a long way above expectations and still lose!

Basil · « **Reply #2 on:** 09 September, 2023, 08:05:32 pm »

Why are England pretending to be France?

Jaded · « **Reply #3 on:** 09 September, 2023, 08:21:27 pm »

First Red Card in a World Cup…

ElyDave · « **Reply #4 on:** 09 September, 2023, 08:43:38 pm »

Shades of Jannie de Beer

Steph · « **Reply #5 on:** 09 September, 2023, 08:56:40 pm »

Nice to see that my preference for Ford over 'Red' Farrell was justified.

Wonderful kicking.

ElyDave · « **Reply #6 on:** 09 September, 2023, 09:45:06 pm »

Both England scrum halves having monster games as well

ElyDave · « **Reply #7 on:** 09 September, 2023, 09:59:13 pm »

Hmm, odd that the best England performance in a long time comes without their captain

fd3 · « **Reply #8 on:** 09 September, 2023, 10:58:04 pm »

If wanted to watch people kick goals, I'd watch the 11 man game.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #9 on:** 09 September, 2023, 11:27:13 pm »

I watched a bit of it and thought the commentary was rubbish.

Jaded · « **Reply #10 on:** 09 September, 2023, 11:32:26 pm »

Yes, at one point they announced it was 27-3 when it was only 24-3. Mind you, The Guardian had that score too…

Jaded · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 September, 2023, 11:34:40 pm »

Quote from: fd3 on 09 September, 2023, 10:58:04 pm

If wanted to watch people kick goals, I'd watch the 11 man game.

Going for the long penalty, and then the drop goals were masterstrokes. Designed to put the team that should have though it was on top onto the back foot instead.

fd3 · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 September, 2023, 12:22:33 am »

Watching paint dry...

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 September, 2023, 01:55:43 am »

Bloody USAnians want me to pay Actual Cash Money to watch it

I'm FUMMIN!

(FUMMS)

Still, the French, Italians and Aussies hereabouts will be happy too.

ElyDave · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 September, 2023, 06:03:37 am »

Quote from: fd3 on 09 September, 2023, 10:58:04 pm

If wanted to watch people kick goals, I'd watch the 11 man game.

That was an absolute masterclass, George Fords job application, showing why Owen Farrell has absolutely no place at fly half, or even in this team. There's no chance of him being adaptable enough to flip to that strategy.

If you can't appreciate that genius, yes, you should be watching football, or maybe tiddlywinks

T42 · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 September, 2023, 08:16:44 am »

Points difference notwithstanding, Ireland could have shown a little bit of mercy to Rumania.

fd3 · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 September, 2023, 11:06:33 am »

Quote from: ElyDave on 10 September, 2023, 06:03:37 am

Quote from: fd3 on 09 September, 2023, 10:58:04 pm
If wanted to watch people kick goals, I'd watch the 11 man game.

That was an absolute masterclass, George Fords job application, showing why Owen Farrell has absolutely no place at fly half, or even in this team. There's no chance of him being adaptable enough to flip to that strategy.

If you can't appreciate that genius, yes, you should be watching football, or maybe tiddlywinks

Yeah, I don't appreciate it.

Steph · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 September, 2023, 04:49:14 pm »

A general comment.

I played a lot of rugby. I started out at flanker, moved to wing due to my speed, back to flanker and then to prop. Each role has its skills and its own flavour of excitement. The problem for so many non-players is that back play is relatively easy to understand, whereas a lot of forward play is obscure, in more than one way.

Watch how the pack reacts to a prop who has just outplayed his opposite in the scrum. Most people outside the game won't have spotted the detail, much less understood it, but they can see and enjoy spectacular running and tackling.

That dichotomy is why I prefer Union to League, because League is so much more one-dimensional. RL has its moments, but there is much more variety in RU.

On a far more basic factor, the backs don't get to do all that pretty-pretty running unless that dark and obscure work by the forwards is done. And drop-goals are far from boring.

Peter · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 September, 2023, 04:51:52 pm »

I've personally not had a lot of experience of [referee] Angus Gardner but watching him, he seems like a referee who goes with the team with power.

Talk about get your (possibly actionable) bleating in early. This is from a Scottish international "pundit" before the game has even started. Probably going to be a regular pundit because he has the gift of making contradictory statements.

Steph · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 September, 2023, 05:49:13 pm »

Further to my last comment, Scotland's pack has just demolished the Sarffrickans in a scrum. Technique, power, control, and all without moving more than three yards. Result: three points on the scoreboard.

Re Peter's comment on the ref, I am enjoying his style. In a way, He reminds me of Norling--talking to all the players, clear about what he wants, eloquent in communicating it and done with a decent helping of smiles. I would like to see the Scots win this one, and can't really call myself fully neutral (I don't believe in the silly "I will always support two teams" stuff)

On another note (and avoiding that head-to-head business) I was actually unsurprised when Russell was penalised for a no-arms challenge.

This game is either going to go to a sudden explosion of running scores or a much nastier explosion of violence.

ElyDave · « **Reply #20 on:** 10 September, 2023, 06:33:19 pm »

Quote from: Steph on 10 September, 2023, 04:49:14 pm

A general comment.

I played a lot of rugby. I started out at flanker, moved to wing due to my speed, back to flanker and then to prop. Each role has its skills and its own flavour of excitement. The problem for so many non-players is that back play is relatively easy to understand, whereas a lot of forward play is obscure, in more than one way.

Watch how the pack reacts to a prop who has just outplayed his opposite in the scrum. Most people outside the game won't have spotted the detail, much less understood it, but they can see and enjoy spectacular running and tackling.

That dichotomy is why I prefer Union to League, because League is so much more one-dimensional. RL has its moments, but there is much more variety in RU.

On a far more basic factor, the backs don't get to do all that pretty-pretty running unless that dark and obscure work by the forwards is done. And drop-goals are far from boring.

Similar background here, started at flanker, moved to centre, a few odd games at full back and scrum half thrown in as well. I then switched to refereeing, but gave it up when I started travelling with work.

So far the refereeing has been good for me, in the main, most giving very clear comms on the decisions. Have to agree on you RU over RL every time, I once tried to explain to a RL referee why the tactical kicking actually had a relevance, because line-out and scrum are actual contests

Steph · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 September, 2023, 06:48:31 pm »

Well, neither the points deluge nor the violence came along, so ignore my punditry! I was expecting something like the old Springbok attitude.

The head-to-head thing looks like becoming a real issue. As far as I could see, there was no malice in Curry's clash (though I do suspect his subsequent bandage was more for effect than necessity), but that clash in the last game was pretty much the same thing. And no card...

Basil · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 September, 2023, 08:11:04 pm »

All the pubs in Llandysul have ordered in loads of extra sofas for us to watch the game from behind.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #23 on:** 10 September, 2023, 09:17:10 pm »

There's a new word: "recognisation".

Wowbagger · « **Reply #24 on:** 10 September, 2023, 10:02:19 pm »

That was close.