Bad news for Scotland if this is the case
Wales now lower than Georgia in the world rankings.
That made me laugh out loud, but is also devastatingly accurate.
It's funny to listen to him. He's like the guy who heard some of the team selection through a closed door and is trying to recall the bits he overheard.
Italy probably don't give a fuk if Wales get a bonus point or not. Sending the fans home celebrating is most likely far more important than the difference between 5th or 6th come mid March.
Just watching Steve Borthwick attempting to portray an enthusiastic assuredness for his backline tinkering, absolutely convinces me he is utterly out of his depth as head coach of a test team. He's a spoofer.
It was pretty much at the touch line and their main kicker had already gone off.
Certainly not the hardest kick but not straightforward.
Wales will need at least four points from three tough games to make that bonus point even matter. And that's assuming Italy get no more points.
It was near the touch line, not an easy kick and Allen was off the pitch.
They just conceded a penalty try as they completely folded defensively.
If they'd gone for it and missed it with it staying live, they'd be called idiots for not seeing out the game.
It’s a part of the reason. That team can’t do the basics, kicking, discipline etc.
That has sweet FA to do with outside factors.
The ones they missed were long range. One from inside their own half. This one just outside the 22 iirc. And it would have to miss and not go dead for Wales to run it back. If it's scored, it's game over.
But yeah, probably their thinking. They played very conservatively all day.
They missed three penalties in the game already, two which didn't go dead. They were down to 13 men.
Absolutely the right call to end the game.
No he tapped it before.
It will serve them right if Wales finish above them by a point or PD
That's what I asked in my edited post above.
They were well close enough for the ball to go dead, bar hitting the post.
Italy caused their own problems. They were comfortably containing Wales' attack in the middle of the pitch but went after turnovers and gave away penalties. Giving a sucker a chance.
Completely lost the plot there. Just intent on getting to 80 minutes without conceding and didn't see the big picture.
he kicked that penalty at the end straight into touch didn’t he?
Should have had the lineout.
Ball comes off the post and Wales get it back. Wales are likely to get nothing else from this 6n so it makes no difference to Italy
They've 13 men. If it didn't go dead, Wales would run the ball and they could draw the game. Would be lunacy to go for it.
Well the ref was correct in those calls. Italy would have only themselves to blame if they lost that.
Why not take 3 and deny Wales the bonus point?
Why wouldn't they take the points and deny Wales the bonus point!?
Italy are their own worst enemies
The referee is giving Wales every chance to try and level this game. Penalty try given and Italy down to 13.
Italy win a penalty and hang on to win by 7. Why didn't they kick at the posts instead of kicking it out of play?
You are right it's not an "excuse".
But it is a reason and they are totally different things. What happens behind the scenes is vitally important and examples of that are forever appearing in sport.
The mismanagement of the professional era by some of the great rugby nations is astounding and I have a morbid excitement about finally seeing one of them totally go to the wall.
Italy are doing their best to blow this.
Two YCs for Italy in quick succession. Pulling down mauls successively. Stupid stuff.
If they miss this 3 pointer they deserve nothing
A well coached URC team would do better tbh.
Glenn Newman (NZ) adjudges it a YC only. Hmmm …
still advantage
THat is a double movement
