Rugby world cup Japan 2019 Discussion Thread

Wales v Georgia later at 11.15am.

Wales may not have it all their own way, but they should win comfortably. Of the Home Nations I would say it expect Ireland and Wales to go furthest, semis at least But It would be nice to see a home nation in the Final itself. Many would question Ireland's No. 1ranking and ask how they are No. ! and I'd like to think they've deserved it through a lot of hard work, a good team spirit, and some very good results over the last few years.

A blow for Scotland a scan confirms the extent of Hamish Watson's knee injury sustained on Saturday, and he will play no further part in the World Cup and he is is replaced by fellow Edinburgh team mate, Magnus Bradbury, just hope he isn't out for too long

Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika criticised Fiji for referring an incident involving Reece Hodge that could see the wing suspended.

Hodge has been cited for a tackle that saw Peceli Yato concussed during the first half of Australia's 39-21 win at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday. Fiji referred the incident to see Hodge cited, with the 25-year-old set to face a hearing in Tokyo.
Cheika questioned Fiji over their approach, saying he was upset about their decision to refer Hodge.
"Probably the most disappointing thing was the Fijians," he told a news conference on Monday.

However, Cheika is confident Hodge will be cleared based on meetings coaches had with the referees' boss, citing commissioners' boss and judiciary committee boss last week.
"I think it was pretty clear that all the officials dealt with it on the day and I think if you've seen form the conjecture around the majority of footballers, rugby players from the past have said it's not an illegal tackle," he said.
"It's not clear and obvious even in that point of view so I was surprised that it was cited. Like I said after the game, I personally didn't even notice it, I didn't even see it in the game, I thought 'Hodgey' was actually lucky to get up, he got slammed.
"I'm confident that, especially after listening to the boss of the judiciaries, I think we'll get a very fair hearing, hopefully we'll get it as quickly as possible so we can get our preparations right for this week and that Reece will be free to play."

Good on Fiji in taking that step, that was a definite citing incident that Australia couldn't get away with, as I feel from what I heard in ther radio commentary he clearly laid the Fijian guy out. Whether he caught him wrong or it was a 50/50 situation, it did seem a pretty bad incident.

CURRENT SCORE:

WALES 29 GEORGIA 5

FINAL SCORE : -
WALES 43 GEORGIA 14

Thought we might see better from Georgia to be honest. Showed in the 2nd half what they are about , but were too much lacking in intensity overall! Job done for Wales, but not sure if there is a 'take - away' for the tournament as a whole, as far as they are concerned!

(22-09-2019 20:41 )babelover48 Wrote:  

(22-09-2019 12:56 )hornball Wrote:  I thought too, that Scotland were very poor! .......abject in fact! The usual helter - skelter approach, with little structure, and even when they tightened up 2nd half, they didn't really threaten much! Very one dimensional - if chaos theory doesn't work, they have nothing!! Townsend on borrowed time??, and are Scotland now being hampered by the very domestic structure set - up (almost exclusively) to assist them??

Comfortable for England against Tonga, although those that expected a 'cricket' score were sadly mistaken. This shows - yes England were not at their best - that 2nd Tier teams are continuing to improve, hence the need for structural change as discussed earlier!

One issue I have is the try England scored from the scrum after the ball was 'held - up'. This law is outdated, and unfair to defences that show the ability to scramble after being fractured initially! Surely a new law to create a turnover - effectively a defence penalty - should be the outcome??

effectively a defence penalty - should be the outcome??
I would agree, but would it be better if Union followed League's game play and limit offence possession to six tackles? teams on offence take too many 'phases' to get up field at times and was wondering if a offense possession limit probably might help speed up play?

Don't like that idea!! One of the pleasing aspects to Union is the 'organic nature of it, where unlimited phases allow for a build up which takes patience, skill and discipline to see multiple 'play the ball' as it is in league, result in getting over the line! League is gimmick ridden I think, and the 5 play the balls is one such gimmick. Building an attacking platform, only for the laws to say a team must relinquish possession by a sixth tackle kick.

Didn't think you would!!

Today it is Russia V Samoa at 11:15