World Cup 2015

[Wolfshade]

Well, here it is. The world cup starting tonight. I am totes excited for it

[url]http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/[/url]

First game England vs Fiji

[daboarder]

Damn that is a stupid pool. England Wales and Australia....who thought that was a good idea

[Wolfshade]

Someone who doesn't like the Welsh?

Though unless England sort out their scrums they will be destroyed by the Ozzies and Welsh.

England should be relieved to get the bonus point last night. It wasn't a great game and they made a lot of errors. All plaudits to Fiji, England were expecting to run them off the park and it didn't happen, their defence looked tasty and they made good decisions

[Wolfshade]

Georgia vs Tonga

Quite an exciting affair. Not the greatest of games though. The second half Tongan try brought the game alive. Georgia looked strong at set phases with Tonga strong in open play. The discipline and might Georgian scrum won the game though. Or rather the indscipline of the Tongans in at the final phase.

Next up...

Ireland vs Canada

[Wolfshade]

Ireland vs Canada

Was predictable one way traffic. Lovely breakaway try from the Canadians though. Also this guy:

What a beard!
A couple of dissalowed tries on both sides, not that it hurt the Irish.

Sexton is looking on top form

Catch-up time Republic of South Africa vs Japan

[Wolfshade]

Republic of South Africa vs Japan

Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Great game, well maybe not great it was a solid game. Ill discipline didn't help giving the Japanese the initial lead. Fast forward to the end and 72 minutes in RSA had a 3 point lead that they thought was unassailable and sat back to defend. A loose kick for Japan to run back and run back they did and kept their shape and composion and just hammered and hammered away won a penalty then choosing the gutsy decision to go for a try rather than the safer three points.

South Africa will be looking at what went wrong, 1 win in 2015 it wasn't great.
Japan, 5 day turn around to face Scotland, which based on their performance could be eyeing that as a win and going to the quarter finals.

Next up

Catch-up time France vs Italy

[Wolfshade]

France vs Italy

It highlights the extensive use of the TMO. I am not sure if it is a good thing or a bad. Certainly, it is important to get things right, but it can be a little disjointed. It certainly highlights the differences to technology between rugby and football who still kinda roll with the "you're only in trouble if you get caught" mentality, but I wonder if the TMOs are making too many judgements which the linesmen could make. That being said, of all the games I think the ref had the worst game with some strange interprtations around the maul.

The game kinda fizzled out, but the french were solid though despite the scoreline it wasn't quite the all encompassing french performance.

Samoa vs USA will have to wait till tomorrow

[Wolfshade]

Samoa vs USA

A well balanced, if scrappy, affair with the eagles looking the more lively of the two sides but poor discipline hurt them and occassionally lacking direction, whereas the Samoan game plan was more direct. Both back lines were creative, Wyles try being a thing of beauty, with a wide selection of interesting kicks, thugh the eagles at time had difficulty getting out of their 22 not where you really want to be playing your rugby.

Last of the Pool B games, who would have thought Japan would be sitting at the top of the league.

Next up Wales vs Uruguay

[Wolfshade]

Wales vs Uruguay

This was only going to be one-way traffic. But fair play to the semi-professional Uruguayan squad who didn't stop playing for the whole game. Their held the defensive shape and casue problems (not least injury concerns) to the Welsh. It wasn't a pretty game or particually flowing game, the welsh just battered their way to the win.
The welsh injury problems might be very telling when the play England next as they have but 2 props for the entire game, no replacements but regulations require 2 replacements on the bench. You can only replace an injured player if they are ruled out of the tournament through injury so it might make selection headaches.

Next up last weekend match New Zealand vs Argentina

[Wolfshade]

New Zealand vs Argentia

Best game of the tournament so far. Brilliant display by the Pumas keeping shape and immaculate tackling, always chopping at the kness. Then to lead the world champions was very impressive. The all blacks frustrations were typified by two yellow cards in the first half.
The all backs coming back out in the second half continued to attack and the pumas continued with an impressive defence. Tiring the pumas eventually conceeded points, but no bonus points for the All blacks,