Rugby World Cup 2019

[cdbearsfan]

Who are the little faces in the numbers on the South African shirts?

[Axl Rose]

Who are the little faces in the numbers on the South African shirts?

Looks pretty cool doesn't it. They might be ex great players?

[cdbearsfan]

Looks like it's winners of a draw. I quite like the fact that each number has different faces.

https://www.springboks.rugby/en/pages/faces-on-numbers

[Axl Rose]

Looks like it's winners of a draw. I quite like the fact that each number has different faces.

https://www.springboks.rugby/en/pages/faces-on-numbers

Similar idea down the Villa would be good.

[cdbearsfan]

I could really annoy my Blose supporting mate by buying him a Villa shirt with "GREALISH" written on it and my face grinning back at him from the numbers.

[paul_e]

So, I don't think there's much between the teams in the 2 semi-finals.

England have more power than NZ and both teams are excellent at the set-piece, the breakdown and at running in broken field. Where New Zealand have an edge is in their off-loading game which is superb and can see them get through teams where there shouldn't be any space. It will be a game decided by attacking brilliance.

SA vs Wales couldn't be more different, both teams are built around an aggressive defence and counter-attacking. This game will be decided by who looks after possession better.

I couldn't pick the winner in either but I suspect the winner of the Eng/NZ game will be big favourites for the final.

[UK Redsox]

Why didn't it get to the TV replay, just arrogance by the on field umpire?

Right call for me, it was a bad tackle and he lifted him but he didn't land on his head and wasn't pushed into the floor, I'm fine with the on-field official making the call so long as they get it right and he did there.

Moving on this is a superb game, SA defence has been exceptional so far and will probably be enough to take them over the line but Japan are giving it everything and it'll only take a missed tackle or 2 to turn this on it's head.

A quick and correct decision by my fellow Forester. The player wasn’t driven into the ground or dropped on his head.

Not everything needs to be TMO’d

[Meanwood Villa]

NZ v SA final I think. NZ to win.

[luke:lamf]

And you're right mate, a very tough crowd. I've been sent to the shops for more alcohol.

So, hard-drinking rugby-loving Japanese models eh ? If they, or you, ever find yourselves in France and want another round-eye from Hinckley who likes Guns 'N' Roses for company...

[luke:lamf]

Yup, hard to see past NZ for the title, although I would expect SA to run them closer than England, who I think won't live with NZ in a Keegan-esque "we'll score more tries than you" contest.

A bit cheesed off the French lock was so stupid and took them out of it - would have been nice to get the kids into rugby via the nationalistic route (rugby on the telly has been met with unmitigated, but ignored, whining so far.)

[Axl Rose]

And you're right mate, a very tough crowd. I've been sent to the shops for more alcohol.

So, hard-drinking rugby-loving Japanese models eh ? If they, or you, ever find yourselves in France and want another round-eye from Hinckley who likes Guns 'N' Roses for company...

Haha. That's amazing mate. Funnily enough, I grew up in the village of Barlestone, and spent many a time in Hinckley as a teen, working university holidays at the big Tesco factory near Triumph. Parents now live just outside Nuneaton.

If you ever find yourself in Japan, let me know! A round eye. I just got it.

[Jon Crofts]

France have got a bright future with that team, it’s just a shame a lack of discipline cost them because they were the far better team today. I do hope wales get thumped next week because they really don’t deserve it based on their performance.

[wittonwarrior]

France have got a bright future with that team, it’s just a shame a lack of discipline cost them because they were the far better team today. I do hope wales get thumped next week because they really don’t deserve it based on their performance.

To be fair they were amazing when they played the Aussies

[Jon Crofts]

France have got a bright future with that team, it’s just a shame a lack of discipline cost them because they were the far better team today. I do hope wales get thumped next week because they really don’t deserve it based on their performance.

To be fair they were amazing when they played the Aussies

They flatter to deceive, they remind me of England under Stuart Lancaster, brilliant one week and huff and puff the next.

[UK Redsox]

Peyper left out of officiating lineup for the semis after his elbow photo with some Wales fans.

Nige to ref Eng v NZ and Garces to ref Wales v SA