If wanted to watch people kick goals, I'd watch the 11 man game.
If wanted to watch people kick goals, I'd watch the 11 man game.
Yeah, I don't appreciate it.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
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.
There's a new word: "recognisation".
There's a new word: "recognisation".
People, opinions are fine but I think it's quite possible to appreciate both codes and the people who play them. You'll never catch me complaining that League players don't argue with the ref, or wear shorts that are too tight, or that Union players have hugely silly beards and have usually been South Africans at some stage. Have to say that I do like the attempts by the Union authorities to speed the game up, partly or maybe even wholly influenced by the time Sexton and Farrell take over kicking. I'd also like to see a drop goal worth more than a penalty. And I also have a more bizarre suggestion which is only partly tongue-in-cheek: the basic premise of Rugby (of either code) is to get the ball across your opponents' line. So, it doesn't matter how many points you kick, if the other team scored a try and you didn't, they win!
I will be coming up with more ideas later and would like to see others' ideas ...! ;D
I can't really understand why Wales are mostly wearing black when their opponents are in white tops and pale green shorts...
I do not know why the teams can’t play in their own colours, unless there is a clash. Although do Portugal wear red?
I’d vote for shirt selling as the main reason…
I need the beeb to help me with maffs obviously.
Wales "struggle" to a 28-8 win.
The kit rules have been changed to accomodate colour blind TV spectators.
https://www.reuters.com/sports/world-rugby-breaks-with-kit-tradition-assist-colour-blind-fans-2023-09-15 (https://www.reuters.com/sports/world-rugby-breaks-with-kit-tradition-assist-colour-blind-fans-2023-09-15)
I need the beeb to help me with maffs obviously.
Wales "struggle" to a 28-8 win.
I thought the result massively flattered Wales - it did seem to be a struggle for a lot of the game.
Edit: there was a spell in which Wales lost 4 of their own line-outs consecutively.
Ireland v New Zealand OB shaping up nicely!That's a game I'd definitely watch.
Who is the awful ref for Fiji-Aus?
The TMO could sort that out?Who is the awful ref for Fiji-Aus?
I'm not sure to what you are referring because I didn't watch the match, or at least not closely. But in the England-Japan match (watching on a small screen), it seemed to me that both England's 2nd and 4th tries contained elements of forward pass. But we don't see it the way the man on the pitch does, unless it's glaringly obvious, so it must be very difficult for referees, I think.
Good grief! France are playing outrageous rugby - and it's all coming off.
If you are not watching this match, you should be.
Hmm... I wonder about that penalty kick with so few minutes left. Perhaps a kick to the corner and keep SA under pressure.
The stress is on the first syllable, if you're Samoan. But if you're Samoan, you also know where to put the unwritten letters and the glottal stops and so on.
That would match my memory. But it was, erm, 26 years ago, so memory could be fallible. Pronunciation could even change! And just for clarity, unwritten letters and glottal stops refers to the language generally not "Samoa" the word itself.The stress is on the first syllable, if you're Samoan. But if you're Samoan, you also know where to put the unwritten letters and the glottal stops and so on.
Over here it is Sar-moa with a long o as in door. Emphasis on the Sar.
That's a little ungracious. They turned up all right, to be beaten by a better side.
@peter, RL tried that about 15 years ago. Pool of death where the top three go through and then the other pools top out to make up the other qualifiers (it was league so there was some additional complication natch).
To be fair there have been less one sided massacres than there were back when england won it.
Am I the only one who thinks that there is a level of anti Farrell snobbery in the punditry?
Am I the only one who thinks that there is a level of anti Farrell snobbery in the punditry?
Yes
I just got home from my local pub, where they had assumed I would turn up and reserved a table for me right in front of the big screen.
I went in the hope we might win. That result was certainly not what I expected, nor such an inspirational young captain. Summed up by the sight of so many alleged supporters of Oz leaving the ground early.
The pub closes in a couple of weeks so it can be torn down for a new Lidl.
As for Owen Farrell, it's not snobbery. He is an arrogant, entitled dirty player.
I agree with Steph re Farrell. I was saying as much several years ago, if I can be arsed to look.
Not managed to watch any of the tournament so far but WTF has happened to Australia?
Was that him trying to pull the Irish player's head off after one try?
Am I the only one who thinks that there is a level of anti Farrell snobbery in the punditry?
Was that him trying to pull the Irish player's head off after one try?
No. The Irish player had fallen out of the back of the ruck and was trying to return to an onside position, but Farrell, in a prone position himself, grabbed the Irishman’s leg and wouldn’t let go. Eventually, after punching Farrell a few time, the Irishman staggered away anyway, wearing Farrell like a gigantic clown shoe.
Edit: the referee gave Farrell a talking to and awarded a penalty against him, but Farrell argued back in a most un-rugby like fashion.
Am I the only one who thinks that there is a level of anti Farrell snobbery in the punditry?
What would this snobbery be based on?
Owen Farrell is from Wigan and was a league player until his teens.
Owen Farrell is from Wigan and was a league player until his teens.
George Ford's background is similar (but with some public school thrown in later).
Ford: calm, almost flawless kicking, responds to the ref.
Farrell: 'interesting ' tackling, which has resulted in a red card already. Argues with the ref. Hectors the ref about play by the other team. Clearly has a massive ego, but then so does Faf de Klerk. He, however, doesn't push back against the ref like that.
Owen Farrell is from Wigan and was a league player until his teens.
George Ford's background is similar (but with some public school thrown in later).
Ford and Farrell both went to the same school, St George's Harpenden, as did Maro Itoje.
See earlier replies!
His tackling has been, interesting… Armless, even.
I think his game choices are limited, and this was shown up by Ford being in his place.
I have to say, "No." But I suppose (although I haven't watched most of the no-hopers) that there is always the hope that a surprise might be sprung but that quickly evaporates. I have to say, though, that I thoroughly enjoyed watching the no-hopers Wales walloping the Australian/Samoans. And I'd have no trouble at all watching South Africa, France or New Zealand getting thrashed by a huge score. So I suppose it comes back to what good it does for those "small" nations.
But (in short!) - no.
I have to say, "No." But I suppose (although I haven't watched most of the no-hopers) that there is always the hope that a surprise might be sprung but that quickly evaporates. I have to say, though, that I thoroughly enjoyed watching the no-hopers Wales walloping the Australian/Samoans. And I'd have no trouble at all watching South Africa, France or New Zealand getting thrashed by a huge score. So I suppose it comes back to what good it does for those "small" nations.
But (in short!) - no.
Do you now include Portugal in those no hoper's, or Australia?
I have to say, "No." But I suppose (although I haven't watched most of the no-hopers) that there is always the hope that a surprise might be sprung but that quickly evaporates. I have to say, though, that I thoroughly enjoyed watching the no-hopers Wales walloping the Australian/Samoans. And I'd have no trouble at all watching South Africa, France or New Zealand getting thrashed by a huge score. So I suppose it comes back to what good it does for those "small" nations.
But (in short!) - no.
Do you now include Portugal in those no hoper's, or Australia?
?? So who's walloped Portugal, then - I must have missed that. Fairly acceptable scoreline between them and Australia, I would have thought.
In the face (ha!) of some very stiff opposition, I'd like to nominate the Uruguay tight-head prop as the owner of Best Beard for this World Cup.Can you write to him, enclosing a signed photograph of your good self and a Tilley hat?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Diego-arbelo.jpg)
Are the French crowd singing "Eau, Jeremy Corbyn"?
Maybe Georgia could replace England?
Wilkinson started it with his extended "wishy-washy" hands pre-kick routine and things have only got worse. A very good new rule IMO.
Wilkinson started it with his extended "wishy-washy" hands pre-kick routine and things have only got worse. A very good new rule IMO.
Certainly. Is it game-wide or just for the World Cup? (I can imagine the TV company protesting at the time it takes for nothing to happen, although I suppose they could have run commercials during Farrell's preparation).
Law 8.8d Conversion: (The kicker) takes the kick within 90 seconds (playing time) from the time the try was awarded, even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again. Sanction: Kick is disallowed.
Law 8.21 Penalty Kick: The kick must be taken within 60 seconds (playing time) from the time the team indicated their intention to do so, even if the ball rolls over and has to be placed again. Sanction: Kick is disallowed, and a scrum is awarded.
Can someone please let me know: is it possible for the current game to manufacture a result that will eliminate South Africa?
Can someone please let me know: is it possible for the current game to manufacture a result that will eliminate South Africa?Yes, a big Scotland win, with Ireland losing but scoring a bonus point would do. Three teams on 15 points, Scotland top on points difference (to break the 3-way tie), Ireland second by virtue of beating SA (to break the remaining 2-way tie).
Every time I see players like that, I'm so glad I've retired.
While part of me is rooting for plucky little Portugal I really want Fiji to win just so Australia have to go home early :demon::thumbsup:
That'll do! Portugal get their win and Fiji go through.Excellent result all round.
When do we get to witness England balls it all up v Fiji? ;)
While part of me is rooting for plucky little Portugal I really want Fiji to win just so Australia have to go home early :demon:You got what you wanted, on all accounts.
While part of me is rooting for plucky little Portugal I really want Fiji to win just so Australia have to go home early :demon:You got what you wanted, on all accounts.
When do we get to witness England balls it all up v Fiji? ;)
When do we get to witness England balls it all up v Fiji? ;)
The day after Wales will absolutely thrash Argentina.
That Fiji - Portugal game last night was the best of the tournament so far.
Bets for Portugal relegating Italy from the 6-nations?
That Fiji - Portugal game last night was the best of the tournament so far.
Bets for Portugal relegating Italy from the 6-nations?
But I echo the congratulations for Portugal. It was possibly the most exciting game, but I wouldn't call it the best. Too many mistakes by both sides.
That Fiji - Portugal game last night was the best of the tournament so far.
Bets for Portugal relegating Italy from the 6-nations?
They need a 2-division league.
Div 1: France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Div 2. England, Georgia, Italy, Portugal
:demon:
That Fiji - Portugal game last night was the best of the tournament so far.
Bets for Portugal relegating Italy from the 6-nations?
They need a 2-division league.
Div 1: France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Div 2. England, Georgia, Italy, Portugal
:demon:
Seriously?
You think England are good enough for the second tier?
That Fiji - Portugal game last night was the best of the tournament so far.
Bets for Portugal relegating Italy from the 6-nations?
They need a 2-division league.
Div 1: France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales
Div 2.England[Team playing Farrell at 10], Georgia, Italy, Portugal
:demon:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/11/steve-borthwick-owen-farrell-george-ford-england-fiji-rugby-world-cup
Borthwick seems set to choose Farrell and drop Ford. An interesting decision...
Have Scotland changed their anthem, or did the French just play it wrong?
I didn't see who the offical crooner was, but the last four notes to the words "to think again" has always had a falling whole tone between "to" and "think", giving it a very modal sound. I'm pretty sure that tonight it was a falling semitone.
Have Scotland changed their anthem, or did the French just play it wrong?
I didn't see who the offical crooner was, but the last four notes to the words "to think again" has always had a falling whole tone between "to" and "think", giving it a very modal sound. I'm pretty sure that tonight it was a falling semitone.
I'm guessing (having not heard it) that this is something to do with playing "Flower of Scotland" on bagpipes, which are not fully chromatic. The original tune has a note that the bagpipes can't play, so we are used to hearing the bagpipe-friendly version. However if bagpipes are not being used, you can hear the original version.
PS I like Flower of Scotland as a song but I think its use as a "national anthem" is crass - is there any other anthem that actually insults another nation?
Pretty sure it was sung at Murrayfield in the late 1970's
Pretty sure it was sung at Murrayfield in the late 1970's
1990 according to this: https://www.france24.com/en/20100203-rugby-six-nations-murrayfield-flowers-scotland-england-mark-owen-europe-sport
Back on topic.... it looks like Farrell will play instead of Ford tomorrow.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67095694 (https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67095694)
The song was adopted as the pre-game anthem for the 1990 Five Nations Championship, first non-officially for the initial home game against France,[6] then for the deciding match between Scotland and England at Murrayfield, which Scotland won 13–7 to win the Grand Slam.[7][8] The Scottish Football Association adopted "Flower of Scotland" as its pre-game national anthem in 1997[9] although it was first used by them in 1993.
Don't thing I've ever seen a ref sub before...
Wales are playing badly and Argentina are struggling to beat them. Whoever gets through ought to be soundly thrashed in the semifinal.
And ref-sub - I'm sure I've seen one involving Spreadbury before, can't remember though whether he went off or was the replacement - groin injury during a sprint. Same thing happened to me in a 7's tournament, sprinted after a winger and something went twang, luckily he was in the clear and I didn't need to make a decision.
Fuck.Ireland and Wales
All the rankings are is what has happened, not what is about to happen.
Great performance & result for NZ
I'm delighted given that my daughter has NZ citizenship and her husbands family are all NZ based.
I'm always perplexed by the seeming love in that UK TV coverage has for Ireland uniquely as a foreign country
Large glass of Springbank 21YO being poured
Great performance & result for NZ
I'm delighted given that my daughter has NZ citizenship and her husbands family are all NZ based.
I'm always perplexed by the seeming love in that UK TV coverage has for Ireland uniquely as a foreign country
Large glass of Springbank 21YO being poured
Great performance & result for NZ
I'm delighted given that my daughter has NZ citizenship and her husbands family are all NZ based.
I'm always perplexed by the seeming love in that UK TV coverage has for Ireland uniquely as a foreign country
Large glass of Springbank 21YO being poured
My daughter has Aussie citizenship, her husband's a kiwi and they live in Auckland. She supports Wales, more avidly than I do, and I think NZ is her second team.
I don't particularly know why others do, but my support for Wales, Ireland & Scotland ahead of England is that the first three have, over centuries, been fucked over by the fourth that there's a certain Celtic solidarity at play.
Can’t see England beating either of these!Agreed. Their only chance is to pick an effective interference tactic.
Can’t see England beating either of these!
If NZ:RSA final - NZ will need to up their game to get near to tonight's level.
Eh le merde.
The crowd trouble occurred in the first half and a video emerged of scuffling in the stands with one supporter picked up and launched several rows forward. It is believed the unsavoury scenes were sparked because a group of fans in Lord Nelson costumes were wearing hats that obscured other supporters’ views of the pitch. It is understood that stewards swiftly attended to the scuffling and multiple supporters were ejected.
QuoteThe crowd trouble occurred in the first half and a video emerged of scuffling in the stands with one supporter picked up and launched several rows forward. It is believed the unsavoury scenes were sparked because a group of fans in Lord Nelson costumes were wearing hats that obscured other supporters’ views of the pitch. It is understood that stewards swiftly attended to the scuffling and multiple supporters were ejected.
Is it not possibly just a twattish thing to do to turn up to a rugby match in France dressed as Nelson?
QuoteThe crowd trouble occurred in the first half and a video emerged of scuffling in the stands with one supporter picked up and launched several rows forward. It is believed the unsavoury scenes were sparked because a group of fans in Lord Nelson costumes were wearing hats that obscured other supporters’ views of the pitch. It is understood that stewards swiftly attended to the scuffling and multiple supporters were ejected.
Is it not possibly just a twattish thing to do to turn up to a rugby match in France dressed as Nelson?
From https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/15/steve-borthwick-shrugs-off-england-critics-i-dont-care-what-people-think
I shall be serving Humble Pie in the matter of Owen Farrell in a moment or two. I shall be having a huge slice and I expect several people on here to join me. I feel very sorry for George Ford but today Owen Farrell has dug England out of a huge hole and thumbed his nose at us all.
This the same Farrell that very nearly lost the game with that cynical foul right at the end?
Ignoring that bit...
Fuck, what a game! I was struck by one post-match scene, where two of the players were seen exchanging shirts.
I shall be serving Humble Pie in the matter of Owen Farrell in a moment or two. I shall be having a huge slice and I expect several people on here to join me. I feel very sorry for George Ford but today Owen Farrell has dug England out of a huge hole and thumbed his nose at us all.
Really? I was listening to it on R5 and thinking "has he fucked it up again with a stupid penalty?"
He just doesn't seem to learn
Possibly someone the D. Heil made up in order to avoid being sued?
Oh, I recall well the Quinnell family. It was Derek who laid on the scoring pass for Gareth Edwards' "a dramatic start" (C. Morgan, 1973) although I never thought the pass was actually intended for Edwards: there was another Barbarian to his left - I've forgotten who* - and Edwards burst through at tremendous speed.Possibly someone the D. Heil made up in order to avoid being sued?
His name is Scott. He and his father and brother are rather famous in our country.
Now, in reply to 'Farfetched', I predict the final as a NZ/SA affair. Both England and Argentina will be thumped.
ETA I forgot Scott's uncle, who is also rather well known, and was King for a while.
I totally forgot that there was a semifinal this evening.
QuoteThe crowd trouble occurred in the first half and a video emerged of scuffling in the stands with one supporter picked up and launched several rows forward. It is believed the unsavoury scenes were sparked because a group of fans in Lord Nelson costumes were wearing hats that obscured other supporters’ views of the pitch. It is understood that stewards swiftly attended to the scuffling and multiple supporters were ejected.
Is it not possibly just a twattish thing to do to turn up to a rugby match in France dressed as Nelson?
From https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/15/steve-borthwick-shrugs-off-england-critics-i-dont-care-what-people-think
Even worse in a SF! But you were accidentally right - he did it in the QF, too. And I think your conclusion is probably correct, too. It's not as if England are ahead and clear.
Even worse in a SF! But you were accidentally right - he did it in the QF, too. And I think your conclusion is probably correct, too. It's not as if England are ahead and clear.
Yes, that was a key point in a pre-game briefing - I'll tell you why I've made a decision, that doens't make it a debate.
And yes, SF, not QF
Agreed, can't argue with the outcome. A last minute drop would have been a fairytale, but a fair result overall.
I'd have to wonder how many times we've had two from the same pool meet in the last 4?
Last 4 = Final and 3rd playoff?
England v Argentina, again - exacty where we began this
Last 4 = Final and 3rd playoff?
England v Argentina, again - exacty where we began this
Ah, I misunderstood. I think of the last 4 as teams still in with a chance of the cup. Teams from the same pool can't meet in the semi.
I watched one moment in the game where SA had a penalty. It may have been the one that won the game for ZA. In it, England were peeped for lifting out in the front row. When you see it from the 'spider cam', it is the SA tighthead who is at such an angle he was absolutely illegal, and him who should have been penalised.
I speak as a former prop.
If the Saffers play the first 60’ of the final the way they played yesterday it won’t matter what they do in the last 20, because New Toyland will already be about forty points ahead.
It was SA's inferior kicking against Ireland that lost them the game. They missed a fair few kicks.
That has to be in the bottom couple of worst finals!
And Ireland the only team to beat SA...