2015 Rugby World Cup **Potential spoilers**

[swee'pea99]

Australia have looked relentlessly good. The All Blacks are obviously the other main contenders, and at times have certainly looked the part, though at others they have looked a bit ragged for ABs - loose passes, fumbled catches, the kind of stuff you see from most teams, but not as a rule from them. I certainly agree with the comment re Japan - they've definitely been the stars of the show so far, and it does seem a shame that even with three wins they're out.

 

[Aperitif]

Man of the match O'Brien warms up...Joe Schmidt's summary is funny "His fist was not closed...I think he was being held..."

 

[AndyRM]

It's sad that Japan, who've played some of the best rugby of this tournament are going home after winning three games, and yet Scotland, who have certainly not impressed as much overall, go through, also with three wins... those are the breaks, but I can't help think that it would have been different with better scheduling, (or one more penalty for Samoa!).

Australia have impressed me the most so far. What they did against Wales wasn't entertaining but it was the kind of clinical and disciplined game that makes the difference between being talented and being winners.

One more penalty for Samoa?! They were lucky not to concede 5 more than they did, and keep 15 men on the park, though I will admit that Wilson was lucky not to get a red.

 

[Aperitif]

Unfortunately your opinion differs from the referee and the TMO (not that it means they are correct) but they saw no issue worthy of a yellow card. So be it.

On ITV Player, the incident is 1.47.07 seconds into their broadcast, about 66 minutes into the actual match. Lots of advert breaks, of course, but Hogg saw exactly where his initial knock-on was going and spoiled the tournament for Japan! Still on course for a France v Australia final though...

 

[fimm]

Have they been doing different things with the TMO for the World Cup? My OH was watching the Scotland game (I couldn't...) and said that at one point the TMO called up the on-field ref about something or another, which I'm sure they don't normally do.
(My parents and sister were at St James' Park: they enjoyed themselves I think!)

 

[AndyRM]

On ITV Player, the incident is 1.47.07 seconds into their broadcast, about 66 minutes into the actual match. Lots of advert breaks, of course, but Hogg saw exactly where his initial knock-on was going and spoiled the tournament for Japan! Still on course for a France v Australia final though...

Scheduling spoiled Japan's World Cup. It could have been different if we'd been playing them rather than Samoa on Saturday.

They've improved hugely over the last decade (there's no way anyone is giving them 100 point doings these days), assuming that continues and with home advantage next time I can see them doing very well.

Can't see France in the final. They turned into a disorganised shambles when things weren't going their way yesterday. Richie McCaw is capable of that sort of disruption on his own...

 

[martint235]

Scheduling spoiled Japan's World Cup. It could have been different if we'd been playing them rather than Samoa on Saturday.

They've improved hugely over the last decade (there's no way anyone is giving them 100 point doings these days), assuming that continues and with home advantage next time I can see them doing very well.

Can't see France in the final. They turned into a disorganised shambles when things weren't going their way yesterday. Richie McCaw is capable of that sort of disruption on his own...

You forget that France, more than any other team I've ever seen play, have an ability to just turn up with exactly the same team that you saw play fairly useless rugby yesterday and play such sublime and imaginative rugby that they literally blow sides away. You just have to hope that's their next game

 

[AndyRM]

You forget that France, more than any other team I've ever seen play, have an ability to just turn up with exactly the same team that you saw play fairly useless rugby yesterday and play such sublime and imaginative rugby that they literally blow sides away. You just have to hope that's their next game

I've not forgotten, but I've seen more of the ridiculous than the sublime recently.

I quite like the ridiculous too if I'm honest. It always seems like they're about to set up a wee table on the pitch and crack out the red wine and Gauloises as they have an earnest discussion about the validity of Camus' position in 'The Rebel'.

 

[User33236]

On ITV Player, the incident is 1.47.07 seconds into their broadcast, about 66 minutes into the actual match. Lots of advert breaks, of course, but Hogg saw exactly where his initial knock-on was going and spoiled the tournament for Japan! Still on course for a France v Australia final though...

And probably also spolied for those England fans who didn't want to see us progress further than they did.

 

[Aperitif]

You imagine the English fans give a toss about Scotland?

 

[User33236]

You imagine the English fans give a toss about Scotland?

A large % or my work colleagues certainly do.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

The next round of scheduling for Scotland

 

[AndyRM]

I wonder what odds you'd get on an all Northern Hemsiphere semi. With the hapless minnows out there's an outside chance!

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Scheduling spoiled Japan's World Cup...

Getting their arses handed to them on a plate by Scotland didnae help them much either nor did the inability to score any bonus points.

 

[AndyRM]

Getting their arses handed to them on a plate by Scotland didnae help them much either nor did the inability to score any bonus points.

Very true. I'm being generous as this seems to have become a Japan love fest and I wanted to fit in, rather than being a mean Scot who'd spoiled it for everyone...