Rugby world cup - great weekends worth of rugby

h0ughy (David) · #1 09-09-2011, 09:57 PM

Well i just caught some of the opening ceremony and now (rather delayed) the game between Tonga and New Zealand....... and there are 48 matches to see over the next few weeks......

wavelandscott (Scott) · #2 10-09-2011, 01:53 AM

Although the time zone is a killer, I am very excited to get the RWC started...

I hope the Aussie Team does well. My whole family is wearing green and gold today in tribute...

The USA is gunning for win #4 in the RWC and may have actually a chance to find it...I sure wish I was there!

Saturn%5 (Graeme) · #3 10-09-2011, 08:58 AM

World cup should be great to watch, also the nrl finals, at last decent screening times down here in Tas, and dare i say it go Knights

ngcles · #4 10-09-2011, 10:13 AM

Hi Scott,

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

I hope the Aussie Team does well. My whole family is wearing green and gold today in tribute...

The USA is gunning for win #4 in the RWC and may have actually a chance to find it...I sure wish I was there!

Well Scott, who are you going to cheer for when the Wallabies play the USA on the 23rd of September ?? Win 4 for the USA will probably come against Russia in the pool matches on 15th September -- won't that be a war and a half!

I am looking forward to the rugby-fest too. The Kiwi's start deserved favorites as they have consistently been the best team in world rugby for the last several years at least. But, the Wallabies have shown that they are beatable. Will the All-Blacks get their traditional world-cup wobbles? One thing I think this world cup will highlight will the the gap between northern and southern hemisphere rugby.

Best,

Les D

AstralTraveller (David) · #5 10-09-2011, 11:03 AM

Carn the Wallabies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngcles

One thing I think this world cup will highlight will the the gap between northern and southern hemisphere rugby.

It might also highlight the difference between northern and southern referees - something of which Australia could fall foul.

BTW Test cricket's not such a bad game either, is it Susy.

h0ughy (David) · #6 10-09-2011, 11:31 AM

gee i think the all blacks need to be renamed the wobblys - pretty average against Tonga

wavelandscott (Scott) · #7 10-09-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ngcles

Hi Scott,

Well Scott, who are you going to cheer for when the Wallabies play the USA on the 23rd of September ?? Win 4 for the USA will probably come against Russia in the pool matches on 15th September -- won't that be a war and a half!

Best,

Les D

On the 23rd it will be the green and gold and a hope no one is injured...on the 15th it is all red white and blue...

FJA (Faith) · #8 10-09-2011, 07:45 PM

England are appallingly bad, 3-9 down against Argentina and Jonny Wilkinson has missed three penalty kicks. This is as bad as I've seen England who look like the All Blacks in their changed strip but aren't playing like them. Architects of their own downfall...

FJA (Faith) · #9 10-09-2011, 08:26 PM

That was close, but England have GOT to improve for the rest of the tournament.

A streaker in the early second half was more entertaining than the dross served up in the game.

h0ughy (David) · #10 11-09-2011, 12:01 AM

bugger i was hoping for argentina to win - they deserved it

FJA (Faith) · #11 11-09-2011, 12:57 AM

They did, but England finally got their act together in the last quarter.

That. Was. Dross.

*If I heard (or read) an Aussie ever saying they hoped England would win, I would be calling a doctor.

ngcles · #12 11-09-2011, 11:38 AM

Hi All

Quote:

Originally Posted by FJA

England are appallingly bad, 3-9 down against Argentina and Jonny Wilkinson has missed three penalty kicks. This is as bad as I've seen England who look like the All Blacks in their changed strip but aren't playing like them. Architects of their own downfall...

Yes it was a very ordinary diplay by the Poms (that's an understatement) and the black jerseys are just all wrong for them -- very shallow attempt by the poms to garner some support playing in NZ. They were fortunate to get away with a narrow victory. Both teams played very negative rugby riddled with errors (despite the good conditions) and nobody seemed to be able to kick goals. Big alarm-bells ringing in the England camp this morning I'd think.

The other thing that annoyed me was that it was replayed so late in the night and consequently Ch 9 shoved 10 gazillion ads in there. Surely it could have had a much earlier slot and/or live on GEM or GO.

Very nice new all-weather stadium at Dunedin but its kinda sad that Carisbrook (aka "the house of pain") is now gone as a venue.

Best,

Les D

Gem (Grant) · #13 11-09-2011, 11:47 AM

Despite being of Scottish descent, and usually having Scotland as my secondary team - I couldn't help but barrack for Romania as they NEARLY did it to the Scots. 24-21 up with ten minutes to go! Go the underdog!!!

AstralTraveller (David) · #14 11-09-2011, 12:14 PM

Much as I hate to side with the Kiwis, Poms in black is just wrong. What where they thinking? Sorry but there is only one team with the right to wear black and that's the chokers across the ditch.

As for the game, staying up was a waste of sleep. Neither team looked like they know what a try-line is and played with the all urgency of a Sunday siesta. The pumas battered away at 9-man rugby. England did try to run on occasions but they were less inventive than a schoolyard insult. Simply passing along the backline with no decoys or change of angle won't scare professional teams. Yet last year England played good inventive rugby that made Aust look flat - what happened?? Is it the return of the goal-kicking robot? Both teams also need to learn this century's the breakdown rules. How many penalties were conceded by tacklers hanging on, players not releasing the ball, entering from the side or playing the ball while on the ground?

So, having shot my mouth off about other teams shortcomings I hope the Wallabies don't embarrass me.

andrew2008 · #15 11-09-2011, 02:23 PM

Wobs 6 - 6 Italy at half time.

Bit worried there hasnt been an upset after a couple of close calls so far and really hope this isnt the first. Not watching it but from the commentary on the official app it looks like our discipline has been terrible and there defence very solid.

Gem (Grant) · #16 11-09-2011, 05:05 PM

Solid perforance. Perfect hit out to start up with. Enjoying this World Cup already!!

mithrandir (Andrew) · #17 11-09-2011, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrew2008

Wobs 6 - 6 Italy at half time.

Bit worried there hasnt been an upset after a couple of close calls so far and really hope this isnt the first. Not watching it but from the commentary on the official app it looks like our discipline has been terrible and there defence very solid.

It must have been me turning on the TV just after half time that turned 6-6 into 32-6.

FJA (Faith) · #18 11-09-2011, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

Much as I hate to side with the Kiwis, Poms in black is just wrong. What where they thinking? Sorry but there is only one team with the right to wear black and that's the chokers across the ditch.

As for the game, staying up was a waste of sleep. Neither team looked like they know what a try-line is and played with the all urgency of a Sunday siesta. The pumas battered away at 9-man rugby. England did try to run on occasions but they were less inventive than a schoolyard insult. Simply passing along the backline with no decoys or change of angle won't scare professional teams. Yet last year England played good inventive rugby that made Aust look flat - what happened?? Is it the return of the goal-kicking robot? Both teams also need to learn this century's the breakdown rules. How many penalties were conceded by tacklers hanging on, players not releasing the ball, entering from the side or playing the ball while on the ground?

So, having shot my mouth off about other teams shortcomings I hope the Wallabies don't embarrass me.

All the 'bigger teams' have struggled so far - nerves? SA struggled against Wales this morning (evening) and scraped a win, although Wales are no mugs. Even Wallabies were up against it into the second half.

As for our team in black, I agree, it looks wrong. If you're going to look like the ABs, at least try and play like them! I also hope that England haven't reverted to the boring kicking game, just trying to win penalties. Please, England, white kit for the next game...

Ric · #19 12-09-2011, 01:13 AM

There has been some great rugby from what I have seen so far.

No real surprises as yet but there may be a few to come though.

AstralTraveller (David) · #20 12-09-2011, 10:34 AM

I thought the Aust Ilaty game was a good hit out for us. Italy are a good looking team and I'm surprised they haven't won more matches in the Six Nations. Perhaps they did overuse the box kick but then Aust kept dropping it so why wouldn't you? At times they showed some attacking flair and they could easily have had the first try - and then who knows what could have happened?

The ref blew the pea out of his whistle for the first 15 minutes. I understand they are trying to set a standard and that is fair enough but there was no continuity in the play. In the second quarter Aust got their pick and drive game going forward and started to look good, even though they didn't crack Italy until the second half. If they can keep control and string phases together they'll worry every team.

Quade Cooper has a bit of the Campo about him. Inventive, sometimes brilliant but also prone to goosing up. It cost us 3 points this time in a match that wasn't close. I just hope he doesn't gift any points to any of the major teams latter in the tournament, it could really cost us. As far as I know theree were no injuries so we will be at full strength next week against Ireland. I reckon O'Connor will be back in the starting 15.