Rugby World Cup 2019

[cdbearsfan]

Yes, third place teams qualify for 2023. In the very unlikely event that France finish below third, they'll qualify anyway as hosts.

Only half-watching today's game but it seems that Russia were right in it at half-time but failed to capitalise on playing against fourteen then thirteen men. Samoa battered them after the break.

[paul_e]

Yes, third place teams qualify for 2023. In the very unlikely event that France finish below third, they'll qualify anyway as hosts.

Only half-watching today's game but it seems that Russia were right in it at half-time but failed to capitalise on playing against fourteen then thirteen men. Samoa battered them after the break.

4 day turn around from their first game was the difference, Russia were fucked by half time and they only came back into it slightly when Samoa had 5 tries and were easing off the gas. The 2 yellows (the 2nd was a clear red, the first 50/50 red/yellow) were a leveller for a while but I doubt they'd have won even if they'd played out against 14 (13 would've been too big a difference though).

I have a teeny tiny worry for England as well but thankfully we're 'only' playing the US and we've only got 5 players starting from the Tonga 15. I suspect Billy V, Marler and Curry will only last a little over half the game and the bench suggests Watson and Farrell will be on for Daly and Ford pretty early as well. Fiji  and Italy also have a short turnaround but again, only playing Uruguay and Canada so won't be too upset. as it's a good chance to rotate.

[cdbearsfan]

It's ludicrous that the differing turnaround times still haven't been addressed. Just play every match from Friday to Monday and have a minimum six day turnaround between games. The tournament would only have to be about one week longer so no great loss. Be better for fans in terms of not having to take time off work, too, and better for TV fans in inconvenient timezones.

[paul_e]

I agree 1 group per day friday to monday and then double up on the last week saturday and sunday, means the tournament lasts 8 weeks but given the world rugby safeguarding around rest days, etc it would just be sensible.

[cdbearsfan]

UPSET!

[paul_e]

And that shows how much of a leveller the scheduling can be.

[UK Redsox]

Well done the Urus

Yes, it's an upset, but all it means is that Fiji are in a bit of danger of not finishing third in their group. The tournament is set up so as to avoid any real jeopardy for the top teams.

[paul_e]

Italy looked good this morning, Canada were weak in defence but it was still a strong performance and guarantees them 3rd in the group.

England vs the US 19-0 at half time and looking very easy, complete dominance in the scrum and maul and disrupting their line out means they've never really had a foothold in the game. If England can keep this up it'll end up with 60-70 points on the board.

[paul_e]

Red card coming here, fucking awful shot but the US 7, clear shoulder charge to Farrell's face.

[paul_e]

England eased off a bit once they had 5-6 but it was still a big, and professional win.

[UK Redsox]

Red card coming here, fucking awful shot but the US 7, clear shoulder charge to Farrell's face.

Did you see the Francis hit Paul ?

I haven't yet but BBC text commentary suggests a possible citing and ban

[paul_e]

Red card coming here, fucking awful shot but the US 7, clear shoulder charge to Farrell's face.

Did you see the Francis hit Paul ?

I haven't yet but BBC text commentary suggests a possible citing and ban

I think a ban would be harsh but a yellow at the time wouldn't have been a terrible decision, there was another US player who made a similar hit and I'd say the same for him as well but in both cases they had their arms down and wrapped properly and there was no intent to hurt the opponent. The one that was a red had absolutely no mitigating factors, it was fucking awful, I've seen a broken jaw from a similar hits so he gets absolutely no sympathy from me for seeing his tournament over after 3/4s of a game (he'll get a 5-6 week ban I suspect).

[UK Redsox]

The Aussie bloke got a three match ban, so I suspect that'll end up being the standard now for the tournament.

[paul_e]

The Aussie bloke got a three match ban, so I suspect that'll end up being the standard now for the tournament.

I agree, but he was trying to make a legitimate tackle and just got it badly wrong, the one today isn't the same.

the coverage starts about 1.43 (which is when the video should start if you click it) see what you think.


Just for clarity, the Francis one is so minor (comparatively) that they don't even include it on those highlights.

[luke:lamf]

I don't watch enough rugby to know how severe it is of a "crime", but the shoulder barge looked bad without being awful, to my eyes.

Tbh, I thought England were pretty poor today. Loads of errors against limited opposition, with Heinz looking particularly poor. French commentators seem to love Genge and Cokanasiga.