Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan The hunt for Webb Ellis

Eod100 · 10-08-2019 1:17pm

bilston wrote: »

You can't draw too many conclusions from today. NZ have played 40 minutes with 14 men, albeit they were a point down when Barrett was sent off.

They are still favourites for me. But they aren't as strong as the 2015 or 2011 sides.

Other thing is no team that has won the RC has won the RWC the same year

eagle eye · 10-08-2019 1:35pm

New Zealand had the balls to drop senior players before the last World Cup and bring in some young players. They need to do the same again. Ben Smith, Franks, Whitelock and Read are not as good as some of the younger players available. It's time to be ruthless again and cut the legends and bring in the best players

Yeah_Right · 10-08-2019 7:05pm

eagle eye wrote: »

New Zealand had the balls to drop senior players before the last World Cup and bring in some young players. They need to do the same again. Ben Smith, Franks, Whitelock and Read are not as good as some of the younger players available. It's time to be ruthless again and cut the legends and bring in the best players

Who would you bring in to replace those 4?

Clegg · 11-08-2019 2:15pm

Anyone watching England v Wales? England have started the game so much better than Wales. They look very sharp. Have already charged down a Davies box kick and intercepted one of his passes from the base of a ruck.

Their first try came from some huge power carries that pushes Wales back, then some excellent running lines that cut through the defence.

Stheno · 11-08-2019 2:16pm

Clegg wrote: »

Anyone watching England v Wales? England have started the game so much better than Wales. They look very sharp. Have already charged down a Davies box kick and intercepted one of his passes from the base of a ruck.

Their first try came from some huge power carries that pushes Wales back, then some excellent running lines that cut through the defence.

Yep Wales don't look settled

sydthebeat · 11-08-2019 2:19pm

Is this only on sky?

Clegg · 11-08-2019 2:20pm

14-0 to England after 15 minutes. Second try came after 4 or 5 minutes of sustained pressure on the Welsh 5 metre line. They already had a ball held up over the line. Then kept pounding away till they made it over.

Clegg · 11-08-2019 2:27pm

Wales are making mistakes they normally wouldn't. Passes not going to hand and being knocked on. Just a moment ago Liam Williams carried into contact but didn't protect the ball and knocked on.

The Wales had a lovely counterattack from their own 10 metre line. Some good passing then a ruck near the posts. About 8 England players had already scrambled back to a defensive position with no Welsh guys within 5 metres. Weren't tuned into the break.

jr86 · 11-08-2019 2:30pm

Clegg wrote: »

Anyone watching England v Wales? England have started the game so much better than Wales. They look very sharp. Have already charged down a Davies box kick and intercepted one of his passes from the base of a ruck.

Their first try came from some huge power carries that pushes Wales back, then some excellent running lines that cut through the defence.

Looking good but probably hard enough to read fully into these games?

I'm sure England supporters will be covering their eyes anytime Vunipola goes into any contact in these warm ups!!

stephen_n · 11-08-2019 2:32pm

That was incredibly lazy defending there from Billy V, slow to get up off the scrum and no real effort to track Davis.

Clegg · 11-08-2019 2:34pm

No idea what to make of Gareth Davies. Scored an incredible individual try but has been intercepted, had a kick blocked down, them was so slow for another box kick that he was essentially sacked at the base of a ruck.

Clegg · 11-08-2019 2:43pm

Tom Curry is subbed off holding his shoulder.

Gareth Anscombe has to be helped off by two physios. Looks like he hurt his knee.

stephen_n · 11-08-2019 2:43pm

Poor from Joseph there not to make the pass to Ford

Clegg · 11-08-2019 2:49pm

England scrum and mail their way to the Welsh 22. Wales manage to hold their attack up and maul them into touch. But the Welsh lineout in their 5 metre line goes too high, Cowan-Dickie intercepts and scores the try

21-7 at half time. Strange game. England definitely looked sharper for the first 20. Very strong and fast but their skills look quite good. Wales on the other hand looked very rusty with basic skills letting them down. But also look lethal on the counter attack.

11-08-2019 2:49pm

What a line out from the world number 1

stephen_n · 11-08-2019 2:49pm

Wow that was poor from the Welsh lineout, soft try to concede

11-08-2019 2:49pm

That is an appalling try to give away at this level.

schmoo2k · 11-08-2019 2:49pm

Stheno wrote: »

Yep Wales don't look settled

Going long on a defensive line-out ...

ongarite · 11-08-2019 2:50pm

LOL!
Going long on line out on your 5M line is crazy stuff.

razorblunt · 11-08-2019 3:04pm

It’s almost as if the Welsh players don’t care for the #1 ranking.

If anything today had only really confirmed how I don’t miss rugby on Sky.

armchaircoach · 11-08-2019 3:14pm

Did Anyone else's game just turn into soccer?

Clegg · 11-08-2019 3:28pm

Good to see Aaron Shingler back. First time playing since he picked up a knee injury in the 2018 Pro 14 final.

11-08-2019 3:32pm

England are blisteringly predictable. They will get on top of almost any team with that hard hitting opening 20 minutes but survive that, don't give up much of a lead and don't get rattled and they are easy pickings.

They haven't evolved at all since the South Africa tour and the Springboks in their typical relentless physical approach to the game really laid down the template to beat England.

Wales need to inject some pace and width into their game and England will open up.

razorblunt · 11-08-2019 3:34pm

Rucks still a mess, AWJ in at the side in the lead up to the latest welsh try and just now Ford taken clean out past the ruck with the AR looking on.

swiwi_ · 11-08-2019 3:45pm

Deleted User wrote: »

What a line out from the world number 1

Their reign looks like being all of about 24 hours. Not sure it will even
go down as a reign given World Rugby rankings are updated each Monday.

I guess they’ll just have to beat NZ one of these days rather than relying on other teams to do it for them...

11-08-2019 3:46pm

Between this and the Ireland game yesterday I've never seen such a lack of creativity off the set piece. Absolutely nothing being given away which is denying Wales any platform against a solid England defence.

Squidgy Black · 11-08-2019 3:47pm

That was wild. What a kick.

NeonWolf · 11-08-2019 3:57pm

NZ world number 1 again.

Clareman · 12-08-2019 1:09pm

England Squad announced

Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps) **

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)

Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps) *

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps)

George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps) *

Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 59 caps) *

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 72 caps) **

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

Joe Marler (Harlequins, 58 caps) *

Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps)

Jack Singleton (Saracens, 1 cap)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 42 caps) *

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps) *

Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons / Sale Sharks, 13 caps)

Backs: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 31 caps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps) *

George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 56 caps) *

Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)

Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 41 caps) *

Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps) *

Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped)

Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps) *

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps) *

Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 33 caps) *

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 34 caps) *

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps) **

* number of Rugby World Cup tournaments played

roverjoyce · 12-08-2019 1:21pm

This is worth a look

Very Well done

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS55e7bFVKo

thomond2006 · 12-08-2019 1:57pm

Anscombe out of RWC.

aloooof · 12-08-2019 2:13pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Anscombe out of RWC.

Another quality player down. We'll be able to make a pretty decent injured 15 before the end of the warm-ups, I fear...

ongarite · 12-08-2019 2:14pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Anscombe out of RWC.

That's a huge blow to Wales. Who will play 10 now in his place?
Biggar is OK but doesn't have the pace and flair of Anscombe.

sydthebeat · 12-08-2019 2:35pm

a bit harsh on Danny Care IMHO.

12-08-2019 2:38pm

Very disappointing for Anscombe and Wales.

I'm nervius about our trip to Twickenham, such a physical team at home, we'll likely pick up knocks.

Clegg · 12-08-2019 2:44pm

Anscombe actually played on for 5-10 minutes after sustaining the injury. Must've been in excruciating pain the whole time.

shootermacg · 12-08-2019 3:04pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Very disappointing for Anscombe and Wales.

I'm nervius about our trip to Twickenham, such a physical team at home, we'll likely pick up knocks.

I'd be throwing cannon fodder at that game, can't afford to be losing our top picks to injury.

Burkie1203 · 12-08-2019 3:04pm

McKenzie SOB Leavy Anscombe Faletau already out
Add in Ghiraldini too

Retallick is a doubt?

Dubinusa · 12-08-2019 3:24pm

England look really strong as do the Boks.
That could be the final!

molloyjh · 12-08-2019 3:35pm

Its still over 2 months to the QFs. Teams dont need to start peaking until then. Loads and loads of time yet for things to change.

Eod100 · 12-08-2019 3:37pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

England look really strong as do the Boks.
That could be the final!

Likely playing Wales or Australia so guess "easier" draw but then again Australia beat NZ at weekend and Wales beat England in 6N. Kinda puts a different context on the warm-up games with England potentially playing Wales in a QF.

andymx11 · 13-08-2019 7:48pm

Some cracking games in round 1 but not really much ground for any major upsets. When I say upsets I mean Japan beating South Africa not Scotland beating Ireland!

Argentina might overturn France but that’s not an upset.

Could Namibia put it up to Italy? Probably not..

swiwi_ · 13-08-2019 8:14pm

This puppy is worth a watch. Will be interesting to see how Georgia fare, they have a tough enough pool and their match against Fiji will probably be crucial for securing 3rd spot and automatic qualification for 2023.

14-08-2019 1:45pm

Trying to put together some kind of betting game amongst 6 people for the world cup. Any ideas? The more convoluted, the better. So far I have; three teams each. Drop the bottom two teams (Namibia and Uruguay). Rest divided into three tiers by their odds on winning the entire thing.

New Zealand
South Africa
England
Ireland
Wales
Australia

Scotland
France
Argentina
Japan
Fiji
Italy

Georgia
Samoa
Tonga
Russia
USA
Canada

Get one team from each. Head-to-heads count towards your own total score. Ideally you don't want to be against your own team. Not sure how to handle that aspect.

dr.kenneth noisewater · 14-08-2019 4:37pm

Maybe a predictions competition? each game and by how much with bonus points for closeness to the score. everyone picks the winner, finalist, top scorer and top try scorer beforehand

Yeah_Right · 14-08-2019 4:54pm

Speaking of bonus points, at the RWC are they using the French and SH version or the UK, Pro 14, Heineken Cup version?

letsgo2018 · 14-08-2019 6:24pm

Not a big Rugby fan but will probably watch along and soak up the atmosphere. Am I right in saying the expectations of ireland arent as high as they were last year and the teams form has dwindled

The Lost Sheep · 14-08-2019 8:42pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Speaking of bonus points, at the RWC are they using the French and SH version or the UK, Pro 14, Heineken Cup version?

UK version.

letsgo2018 wrote: »

Not a big Rugby fan but will probably watch along and soak up the atmosphere. Am I right in saying the expectations of ireland arent as high as they were last year and the teams form has dwindled

ultimately still Hope's to get to at least a semi final which is all we need...

molloyjh · 15-08-2019 11:59am

Wales squad for the weekend. Not much rotation there. Gatland might be pushing his luck here a bit with these selections. Will he rotate for the games against us or go strong there too?

https://twitter.com/SunJonnyFordham/status/1161942055209320448?s=08

sydthebeat · 15-08-2019 12:10pm

molloyjh wrote: »

Wales squad for the weekend. Not much rotation there. Gatland might be pushing his luck here a bit with these selections. Will he rotate for the games against us or go strong there too?

https://twitter.com/SunJonnyFordham/status/1161942055209320448?s=08

Schmidt and Gatland have already talked and agreed as to how they are going to line up and approaches those 2 games

id expect plenty of experimentation and pretty lacklustre performances

Rugby World Cup 2019 Japan The hunt for Webb Ellis

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