Rugby Union World Cup - France 2023

(09-09-2023 19:45 )Snooks Wrote:  I'm going for the reverse psychology strategy of predicting an England loss

Works every time

3 drop goals in one half too .

England weren't great, but Argentina were abject, and an embarrassment! I don't agree with some part time followers of rugby suggesting that such performances (they were referring to Georgia etc, but same rule applies) should mean the RWC reducing numbers to more - or - less the 'elite', but it adds ammo to their gun for sure!

Totally delighted to be wrong about this 14 man England performance.

Where was the leaking defense, where was the bad mistakes that has dogged there previous matches and where were all the conceeded penalties.

It was Argentina who were playing like the England of the past few matches. They just totally imploded.

Where as England being a man down played for each other. Top show.

Day two results:

Italy 52-8 Namibia
Ireland 82-8 Romania
Australia 35-15 Georgia
England 27-10 Argentina

Credit to England when plan a failed within minutes then kept it very simple and the argies were awful
Whilst Ireland made Romania suffer so much in that heat
Whilst australia and italy did plenty of damage

Credit to Chile for a more than decent showing against Japan in their first outing at the World Cup! What looked like a comfortable day for Japan, belies the contribution from the Chileans who, themselves, put together some good match savvy phases and a fair degree of rugby smarts overall. They need experience and regular game time!

Next up, can Scotland live up to the 'contenders' tag that many have placed on them?? Couldn't have asked for a more stern test to prove, or dispel, the validity of the level of 'expectation' placed on their shoulders this time around

I am not sure Scotland (or Wales) strengthened their claim to go far in this tournament. Wales can count themselves lucky that beside the 15 on the park, and the 8 replacements, they also had M Carley in their corner! Instead of being a surly sergeant major type all the time, he might want to concentrate on getting decisions correct! J Peiper has been the best ref so far! Scotland, yes up against the powerhouse South Africans, showed their usual fast paced 'chaos theory' but were out muscled in every facet of the game

Tom Curry was handed a two match ban for being sent off in the Georgia match.

It should give the cut on his head time to heal.

FRANCE V URUGUAY

Uruguay made a few people sit up and take notice last time around! Unlikely to trouble Les Bleus, but if they can avoid a cricket score, and fire a few shots themselves (France are not Fiji obviously) then job done in a way!

Uruguay have had opportunities and even a lead at one stage in the match but France have an eight point lead as I type with around 15 mins left.