jr86 wrote: » It doesn't always work like that though SA are completely different opponents to France, could be different conditions etc Every game is different, I expect Wales to raise it, but whether it's enough remains to be seen
joseywhales wrote: » They are not beating nzl if they played 10 times in this form.
penybont exile wrote: » Maybe consult a Welsh / English dictionary .......
joseywhales wrote: » Jesus Schmidt is some man, responsible for appointments at all levels in provincial rugby aswell as coaching the national team, he must be receiving 2-3 salaries with all of these jobs he holds simultaneously
sydthebeat wrote: » I assume that's your version of sassanach?
FrancieBrady wrote: » Wales beat a bad Aussie team, then looked less than convincing against Fiji and Uruguay and got a massive stroke of luck getting past a brain dead French team aided by a dodgy ref decision. A fool and their money? Francie ain't no fool!
jr86 wrote: » Think his point is that France were even worse in 2011 until the semis I recall a poor enough English side huffing and puffing their way to the final in 07 too Form is more applicable to league format than cup competitions. Had this been a league format of the top 10 in the world Wales would probably finish around 4th on form But in a cup competition there's always a chance
callaway92 wrote: » Co-commentator on Eir talking about 6 Nations taking things out of the teams even though the Rugby Championship is the same length and requires more travel etc. I would say potentially the teams maybe out too much emphasis on the 6 Nations, particularly in a World Cup year.
ScissorPaperRock wrote: » It has to be said, Wales' resolve is quite impressive. They really never look like they're worried when they're behind. And to keep that kind of focus after losing a key member of their coaching team just after arriving in Japan is also impressive.
FrancieBrady wrote: » I'd have loved us to have met that SA team. We should never have lost to Japan. That was the real end of our WC
AbusesToilets wrote: » Goddamn France, they had that one in the bag, with an ounce of composure. Why would you not put 8 into the scrum 5m out from the opponents try line? They were miles better than Wales, in every facet bar decision making.
penybont exile wrote: » The most important bit .....
AbusesToilets wrote: » Truth, the Welsh team have got probably the most dog and heart out of any I've seen in a long time, bar perhaps NZ. They're well worth their win. Congrats. Is Davies back for the semi? Your inability to generate scores will bite in the end I think. Can't always hope for a mistake from the opposition to steal a score.
fryup wrote: » wales looked jaded, today
penybont exile wrote: » Agree ....... Time to rest up this week ..... maybe even forget about rugby for a couple of days ............... Not easy with what could be a career defining game coming down the pike. SA will carry the expectation ..... we will carry the hope .........time for WG, the coaches & backroom staff to pull one more rabbit out of the proverbial hat.
FrancieBrady wrote: » Main worry for Wales is that SA looked to be getting stronger rather than fading in that game. They very effectively put Japan to the sword.
penybont exile wrote: » SA just kept it on an even keel. Japan faded ..... as they did against Scotland .... The Scots just were not good enough to take advantage of it.
penybont exile wrote: » .... and TBH Japan flattered to deceive today. For all the easy on the eye stuff they never looked like scoring a try.
PokeHerKing wrote: » It pains me to say but England are favourites to win it imo. NZ are very beatable. England have the power and pace to do them. Hopefully I'm wrong!
Cosmo Kramer wrote: » Possibly going against the grain but I think the elimination of Japan is good for the tournament. Hugely favourable refereeing yet again today yet they still lost by 20 points plus. Applying the rules differently to them just because they are hosts massively devalues the whole competition. I don't think they're actually any better than the likes of Fiji or Tonga once the laws are applied to them the same as everyone else. There's also not much of a structure in Japan to build on this tournament and the Sunwolves are being disbanded, so I expect they will soon be forgotten about as a rugby force and will return to their previous levels of mediocrity.