2015 Rugby World Cup thread

[Slava]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

In a nut shell:




The tops nations can handle a tighter schedule. Look at the team that NZ is trotting out, 12 changes from their top team that faced the Arrgies. The second string for NZ would out the fear of god into many nation's top team.

More often than not the minnows get boned on the schedule, as opposed to the top tier nations.

Sure but then the issue isn't really balance and fairness is it? Its no different than what we see with Canada playing hockey at the olympics. We could ice two squads and destroy a lot of the Norways and Germanys of the hockey world there.
I mean sure when you have the luxury of a Sonnybill Williams coming off your bench its incredible. But what do you say when those countries are facing those 3-4 day turns and the big draws in terms of TV and tickets start getting injured and knocked out because of that? I'm all for trying to keep things even, but at the end of the day they need viewers of one sort or another. Rugby needs those top tier teams to be involved for sure.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sure but then the issue isn't really balance and fairness is it? Its no different than what we see with Canada playing hockey at the olympics. We could ice two squads and destroy a lot of the Norways and Germanys of the hockey world there.
I mean sure when you have the luxury of a Sonnybill Williams coming off your bench its incredible. But what do you say when those countries are facing those 3-4 day turns and the big draws in terms of TV and tickets start getting injured and knocked out because of that? I'm all for trying to keep things even, but at the end of the day they need viewers of one sort or another. Rugby needs those top tier teams to be involved for sure.

Yeah, I see both sides, but you can't let the fear of injury drive decisions. Look at Huget's injury. That would happen anytime.

As much as Rugby needs the top tier, they need to grow the game. You grow the game buy giving the minnows a fighting chance. Rugby is a peculiar sport when it comes to fans. Most are truly fans of the sport as much as they are fans of the sport first then their country.

I look at it this way.

I would rather watch a close Minnows v top tier B side game than a minnows v top tier A side blow out. I believe that if the sport is to grow then they need to make it attractive to the "growing" markets.

The difference between a set up like Canada and any of the top 6 teams is massive.

[Party Elephant]

Thoughts on the other games today anyone?

I got to see the whole France Romania game and France were very flat. They broke it open with two tries while Romania were a man down, then couldn't do much of anything until the last 15 minutes or so when their squad depth could finally overpower the tired Romanians. Like Japan the other day Romania played very confidently and took some risks. I liked the call they made early on to go for a try instead of taking an easy penalty, they made it over the line but couldn't get the ball down. I'm hoping that the French don't wake up until after they play Canada!

I feel a bit bad for Fiji as they have put in two very strong games against England and Australia but have come up empty handed. Had they not been drawn in the pool of death they mightve had a good shot at the quarters but that's the nature of these tournaments.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Party Elephant

Thoughts on the other games today anyone?

I got to see the whole France Romania game and France were very flat. They broke it open with two tries while Romania were a man down, then couldn't do much of anything until the last 15 minutes or so when their squad depth could finally overpower the tired Romanians. Like Japan the other day Romania played very confidently and took some risks. I liked the call they made early on to go for a try instead of taking an easy penalty, they made it over the line but couldn't get the ball down. I'm hoping that the French don't wake up until after they play Canada!

I feel a bit bad for Fiji as they have put in two very strong games against England and Australia but have come up empty handed. Had they not been drawn in the pool of death they mightve had a good shot at the quarters but that's the nature of these tournaments.

Pocock, I don't think there is a better player at the breakdown than he is currently playing the game of rugby. Just amazing. It was a joy to watch.

[GomerPile]

Just a heads up - iTV out of the UK has a full streaming service for their station. If you sign up of their on demand service, you can watch all of the games on delay or live. All you need to do is google a post code in the UK. Very easy, not illegal and good quality streams.

Now - the loudest cheer to date for me was the Namibian try last night against the All Blacks. What an effort, that is why I love the RWC so much. 50,000 people in the stadium new the effort and cheered those boys on to likely the biggest try in Namibian rugby history. Watched it again this morning.

Getting way to excited for the game/atmosphere tomorrow in Leeds! Go Canada!

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by GomerPile

Just a heads up - iTV out of the UK has a full streaming service for their station. If you sign up of their on demand service, you can watch all of the games on delay or live. All you need to do is google a post code in the UK. Very easy, not illegal and good quality streams.

Now - the loudest cheer to date for me was the Namibian try last night against the All Blacks. What an effort, that is why I love the RWC so much. 50,000 people in the stadium new the effort and cheered those boys on to likely the biggest try in Namibian rugby history. Watched it again this morning.

Getting way to excited for the game/atmosphere tomorrow in Leeds! Go Canada!

Probably about on part with the cheers for Japan when they won. I love how the crowds are getting behind the underdogs!

[FireGilbert]

Go Canada Go!

[FireGilbert]

What a try! Perfect start.

[FireGilbert]

Well the 10-0 lead turned into 13-10 Italy at halftime. What an exciting half though, Canada has a real chance in this game.

[Zarley]

Unfortunate penalty just before half. Good match so far though.

[Party Elephant]

I don't regret waking up at 1:30 for this, but it is a bit of a heartbreaker. Oh well, off to work now.

[FireGilbert]

Too bad It was a great effort from Canada but too many errors in attacking territory cost them what should have been a win. I guess a bonus point against a Six Nations team is pretty good though.

[Zarley]

Good match, Canada really had a chance to win there but just didn't have the execution. I wish we would've gone for the try rather than take the three points at the end though.

[Codes]

Great effort by Canada, but a lot of errors.

Anyone catch the Flames jersey in the crowd?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Codes

Great effort by Canada, but a lot of errors.

Anyone catch the Flames jersey in the crowd?

That may have been Slava.

God I love Rugby refereeing. I wish it was like that for all sports.

[Locke]

Samoa putting in an awesome show of relentless last-ditch defending. Amazing stuff.

[Locke]

Haha! I was thinking: That dude in the ruck is pretty clearly wearing jeans...

Yeah, that was a fan on the pitch.

[Bagor]

Doesn't get much better than that for The Welsh.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Doesn't get much better than that for The Welsh.

This is huge. If they Pommies don't beat the Wallabies that is it, end of the World Cup for them, and at home.

Happy happy day for the Welsh, well deserved, they bent but didn't break.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Locke

That may have been Slava.

God I love Rugby refereeing. I wish it was like that for all sports.

Yeah it is a lovely thing.

Nigel Owens, a gay man, one of the top refs in rugby.