Rugby World Cup 2019

[paul_e]

That is a fantastic result for the World Cup, ranks up there with Japan beating South Africa at the last World Cup.

This is bigger I'd say, SA were struggling a bit in 2015 anyway, Ireland were number 1 ranked in the world 3 weeks ago and came into the tournament with genuine aspirations to win it.

[cdbearsfan]

I'd say it's bigger because it feels less like a one-off shock and more like part of the ongoing development of the Japanese game. For a few World Cups there have been nine teams battling for eight QF spots. I think that might be up to ten for this tournament and the next few.

Is there anyway they could find room in the schedules to add Japan to the Four Nations?

[PaulWinch again]

Namibia are the poorest side I’ve seen

[paul_e]

I'd say it's bigger because it feels less like a one-off shock and more like part of the ongoing development of the Japanese game. For a few World Cups there have been nine teams battling for eight QF spots. I think that might be up to ten for this tournament and the next few.

Is there anyway they could find room in the schedules to add Japan to the Four Nations?

Japan and the us are joining the championship (former tri-nations).

Edit - looks like it's japan and then either the us or fiji. There was some debate about making it 2 6 tier leagues and adding all the pacific island teams, namibia, uruguay and canada but i think that idea is dead.

[Damo70]

I have had a little bet on Australia to win the tournament at 18/1 for a bit of interest.

[Axl Rose]

I'd say it's bigger because it feels less like a one-off shock and more like part of the ongoing development of the Japanese game. For a few World Cups there have been nine teams battling for eight QF spots. I think that might be up to ten for this tournament and the next few.

Is there anyway they could find room in the schedules to add Japan to the Four Nations?

Japan and the us are joining the championship (former tri-nations).

Edit - looks like it's japan and then either the us or fiji. There was some debate about making it 2 6 tier leagues and adding all the pacific island teams, namibia, uruguay and canada but i think that idea is dead.

Is that confirmed that Japan are joining, Paul? Just I haven't seen any confirmation of that, yet. Not here in Japan, anyway.

[Lastfootstamper]

I'm watching the Japan game on demand. 68 gone. Did anyone at any point check how many players they'd got on the pitch, cos it seems like way more than 15! Incredible display.

[Axl Rose]

Japanese TV coverage of the world cup is unbearable. As with football and any other big event, they've got dreadful boy band members and crusty old celebrities doing the studio analysis and interviewing players after the game.

It's like watching a group of kids on Christmas morning. If the kids were pretending to like Christmas. And getting paid a kings ransom to do so.

[paul_e]

I'd say it's bigger because it feels less like a one-off shock and more like part of the ongoing development of the Japanese game. For a few World Cups there have been nine teams battling for eight QF spots. I think that might be up to ten for this tournament and the next few.

Is there anyway they could find room in the schedules to add Japan to the Four Nations?

Japan and the us are joining the championship (former tri-nations).

Edit - looks like it's japan and then either the us or fiji. There was some debate about making it 2 6 tier leagues and adding all the pacific island teams, namibia, uruguay and canada but i think that idea is dead.

Is that confirmed that Japan are joining, Paul? Just I haven't seen any confirmation of that, yet. Not here in Japan, anyway.

It was a few years ago, and then they started trying to push the silly world league thing. Now that's dead the conversation is starting up again and I think the result today, along with the popularity of the tournmament so far, make it a case of when not if. The real change is that Fiji are now considered a better option than the US by many, largely because the latter are struggling to turn improvements in the 7 into improvements in the 15man game.

[Axl Rose]

I'd say it's bigger because it feels less like a one-off shock and more like part of the ongoing development of the Japanese game. For a few World Cups there have been nine teams battling for eight QF spots. I think that might be up to ten for this tournament and the next few.

Is there anyway they could find room in the schedules to add Japan to the Four Nations?

Japan and the us are joining the championship (former tri-nations).

Edit - looks like it's japan and then either the us or fiji. There was some debate about making it 2 6 tier leagues and adding all the pacific island teams, namibia, uruguay and canada but i think that idea is dead.

Is that confirmed that Japan are joining, Paul? Just I haven't seen any confirmation of that, yet. Not here in Japan, anyway.

It was a few years ago, and then they started trying to push the silly world league thing. Now that's dead the conversation is starting up again and I think the result today, along with the popularity of the tournmament so far, make it a case of when not if. The real change is that Fiji are now considered a better option than the US by many, largely because the latter are struggling to turn improvements in the 7 into improvements in the 15man game.

Ah, ok. I think it'd be good for the Japanese rugby team, and the popularity of the sport in general. It's still way behind baseball and football, but may pick up because of the World Cup.

Funnily enough, the university I work at here is where Michael Leitch studied, so rugby is a big deal for this school. I've even seen him jogging and walking his dog in and around campus. I'll stop him one of these days and get a photo.

[Meanwood Villa]

Good start to Aus-Wales

[Meanwood Villa]

Bit one sided now. Wales turning up against a southern hemisphere team in the WC for once. Fair play to them.

[OzVilla]

Aussie tv former players going mental about the referee at the end of that half, the word disgrace being used a lot.

[Meanwood Villa]

Another comeback. Wales really on the rack here but still got the lead.

[Meanwood Villa]

Wales hang on. It's strange how often a team gets close with a comeback only to let the other team back in. See also Argentina v France.