World Cup in Japan - Rugby Union

[Woody]

Got to love thrashing the Aussies

[FD2]

Imagine the crowing if the score was the other way round!

[TheGreenGoblin]

Zoot alors, ze French throw ze game away with a stupid foul and ze Welsh go through but on their form I see nothing but a defeat in their next match in my crystal ball!

I can't see the Japanese beating the South Africans (famous last words) today buut I still have a feeling in my water that we are looking at an England, All Black final.

[4mastacker]

Well done to Wales for ensuring the Ffffrench will be on their way home soon. Plus a little help from a red card.

[ian16th]

I can't see the Japanese beating the South Africans (famous last words) today buut I still have a feeling in my water that we are looking at an England, All Black final.

Not really, seeing as they meet in a semi-final.

[Capetonian]

I expect the French will be calling 'foul' and appealing.
The Welsh are not my favourite people, but in this, well done Wales!

[TheGreenGoblin]

Not really, seeing as they meet in a semi-final.

Which quarter final I am watching as I type.

[FD2]

Goblin - the first semi-final will be between England and New Zealand. The other will be between Wales and Japan or South Africa.

Wales should have beaten the French by a bigger margin, seeing how poor France are this time, and also to stand a chance against England or New Zealand in the final. Cymru am byth!

I can't see Japan beating South Africa but who knows? Banzai!

[TheGreenGoblin]

Japan are playing an enormous game! This is going to be close.

[TheGreenGoblin]

Goblin - the first semi-final will be between England and New Zealand. The other will be between Wales and Japan or South Africa.

My apologies to you and ian16th, I had assumed, erroneously, that we could see the wonder of a New Zealand, England final.

[Woody]

Looks like I'm going to be in ZA for the semi finals next weekend☺

[TheGreenGoblin]

SA to beat Wales. New Zealand to beat England.

New Zealand to beat South Africa (again)!

[ian16th]

Wales to beat SA
NZ to beat England

NZ to mollify Wales by a record World Cup Final score.

[larsssnowpharter]

I've just re-watched the England v Australia match and feel the NZ v England is likely to be the real final.

Many would favour the All Blacks but I was totally impressed by the England front 5 performance against Oz who were, admittedly, in Hara Kiri mode.

Should be a helluva game.

[FD2]

Old habits die hard for the Frogs. Pretty Boy Rougerie has a rummage around McCaw's's eyes in the 2011 final. Pity it wasn't seen at the time and the fop red carded. I know McCaw pushed the rules a lot of the time but...





Now Aaron Wainwright gets the elbow:


https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rug ... es-to-team

It's not a game for pansies but it's a really stupid thing to do in the RWC when your team is in the lead in a quarter final.

My bet's on South Africa to win the semi against Wales and NZ to win against England, on their form so far.

[FD2]

Larsss - agree it will be a great game. The beers are in!

[TheGreenGoblin]

I expect the French will be calling 'foul' and appealing.

SA ref Jaco Peyper heats the French brûlée

[FD2]

Thanks Goblin - almost inevitable really. French Rugby Federation vice president Dr Serge Simon described the photo as “shocking”.

Great offence takers the French. I expect he'll say the red card should be wiped off the records, for such an insult to a fine upstanding player and that anyway the poor man's elbow just happened to slip accidentally. "Boof! These accidents 'appen sometime." As sometimes 'appens the French team turned up in disarray, squabbling over the removal of their captain and threatening to mutiny. A great pity as they can play a fine game when they keep their sh*t together.

[TheGreenGoblin]

James Haskell et al with some profane and humourous comments and predictions on the upcoming rugby fiesta this weekend...

Not to be played at work or in front of maiden aunts...

[TheGreenGoblin]

Thanks Goblin - almost inevitable really. French Rugby Federation vice president Dr Serge Simon described the photo as “shocking”.

Great offence takers the French. I expect he'll say the red card should be wiped off the records, for such an insult to a fine upstanding player and that anyway the poor man's elbow just happened to slip accidentally. "Boof! These accidents 'appen sometime." As sometimes 'appens the French team turned up in disarray, squabbling over the removal of their captain and threatening to mutiny. A great pity as they can play a fine game when they keep their sh*t together.

Warren Gatland speaks some sense about this "bouhaha"...



Haskell et al on the same subject... (comes with a maiden aunt warning)

https://www.ruck.co.uk/watch-james-hask ... ntroversy/

(Excerpt from the video in the previous post)...