The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

With about 6 minutes to go a Wales medic came on and took off a player who was complaining to high heavens about being taken off. Who, why and was he a key player? They showed him on the bench and he was furious, and in disbelief. Further, did his substitute have anything to do with the blown coverage a minute later when SAF scored the last try? Pete

[dtaai-maai]

1. Biggar
2. Head injury (Nothing wring with me, Doc, I can see both your heads)
3. Oh yes
4. No, that was the winger (Cuthbert?)

[PeteC]

Thanks.

[pharvey]

I thought Wales were on a suicide mission in the first 20 minutes (and I'm sorry pharvey, but you can't blame Barnes for that!), and it turned out that those first 12 points, all unnecessary gifts to SA, lost them the match

I agree, unnecessary and very silly penalties - and indeed Wales were treading the line - I don't blame Barnes for that, and nowhere in my post do I say so. What I am saying (as are many others), is that the first 2 penalties were extremely harsh/borderline to say the least. That cost us 6 points.

[EDIT] And no, not Sour Grapes - as I also said, SA were deserved winners.

[arcadianagain]

Two great marches for the neutrals. NZ are relentless and would appear to be unbeatable, but we`ll see. I watched the matches on Sky Sports Italy which had the option of no commentary so with no wittering by "expert" I could hear the referees and the way they controlled the games, constantly giving their reasons for their decisions and not allowing foul play to spoil the games.

[pharvey]

With about 6 minutes to go a Wales medic came on and took off a player who was complaining to high heavens about being taken off. Who, why and was he a key player? They showed him on the bench and he was furious, and in disbelief. Further, did his substitute have anything to do with the blown coverage a minute later when SAF scored the last try? Pete

Dear God Pete - I thought more of you!!

Biggar has been the stand out 10 of the tournament. Absolutely pivotal to Wales' game and progression to the Quarters. As DM says, he was taken off for "Concussion Analysis" - and was certainly not happy about it.... I agreed with him!! Despite the abuse I've thrown at his replacement (Priestland), he did nothing but good for the short time he was on.

4. No, that was the winger (Cuthbert?)

Yes, Cuthbert and as I've said many times, he's a bl**dy liability at the moment and shouldn't have been in the squad, let alone on the field of play. Unfortunately, our injury list dictated.......

[pharvey]

Deleted

[pharvey]

The whole of France has got to be suffering this morning after that absolute drubbing by The Blackness... OUCH!! I may just make a couple of phone-calls across the channel this morning..

You knew it was going to be a comfortable win, but 50 points!! A new RWC record as the biggest winning/losing margin in the Quarter Finals - no surprise there then!!

Not sure you can use it as any comparison or indication as to Wales' "standing", but it'll certainly be interesting to see how the Bokke do against them - unfortunately I'm off to Russia for work (not love) so will likely miss it

On to today..... The Bog Trotters vs Fauklander Wannabes has to be the "Match of the Day". IMHO this is going to be a very tight affair which could go either way. A little while ago, I would have comfortably put the Men in Green to go through to the semi's - BUT they've been hit hard with injuries (and a short ban), which changes things.

The Pumas are no mugs and have been learning their trade in the Championship .... Ireland beware!!

Sweaties vs The Crims: - The Green and Golds are without Pollock and Folau, which is a great boost for the Men in Skirts as is the ability to select Gray and Ford. I truly wish the guys north of the border the very best, but it's just not going to be enough....... I fear it's going to be a slightly one-sided affair - I hope I'm wrong.

[pharvey]

Well, that wasn't even close really - The Paddies were panned....

We now face the very likely scenario of the quartet of Championship Rugby teams in the semi's..... not one representative from the northern hemisphere!! We really do have to do something - only Wales so far, looked like getting anywhere near.

Taking zero away from the Argies, Ireland looked .... well, cr@p. Must be a little worrying for how they are to go forward without the likes of POC.

[pharvey]

I have to say that embarrassingly, I'd written the Scots off And I humbly appologise . Quite frankly I'm not too sure they should have lost - ref again I'm afraid!! There's a couple of decisions that need to be looked at - as in the Wales vs Aus game, a couple of VERY close calls to say the least...... It really does anoy me, when the refs go to the the 3rd or "TV Ref" for virtually everything obvious, then make a BIG, BIG decisions by themselves.... more often than not getting it wrong!!

Rather than a Quartet of Southern Hemisphere sides in the Semi's, we could have had a couple of Celtic teams!!

[PeteC]

^ Agreed. I hate to see a game, in any sport, end the way Scotland and Australia did. I read the ref ran from the pitch when it was over. Guilty conscience I guess. Very sad. Pete

[dtaai-maai]

Feel really bad for Scotland. Nobody gave them a chance, but they so nearly (and should have!) won it.

The penalty decision is naturally the main talking point, but the yellow card for deliberate knock on also deserves a big mention. Very harsh.

It really does anoy me, when the refs go to the the 3rd or "TV Ref" for virtually everything obvious, then make a BIG, BIG decisions by themselves.... more often than not getting it wrong!!

A statement came from somewhere (presumably the IRB) that the TMO can't be used to decide whether or not a penalty should be awarded (as opposed to a try, presumably). That's blatant nonsense. If it is included in the laws, then it's been largely ignored on dozens of occasions throughout the World Cup so far.

I read the ref ran from the pitch when it was over. Guilty conscience I guess. Very sad. Pete

I read this too. Very strange, what did he think was going to happen? A mass lynching? No doubt a statement will be issued in due course that he was injured and needed urgent treatment. Or needed the bathroom. Or that the laws state that referees can't remain on the pitch after the final whistle...

[dtaai-maai]

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/96575

Clarification on the role of the TMO at Rugby World Cup 2015

[Takiap]

Well, I would have lost my money if I had placed a bet on the Ireland vs. Argentina game.

As for Scotland, I think they have every reason to be proud, and I bet the Aussies are rattled.

Right now I would be feeling a bit more comfortable if we (SA) were to face Australia next weekend rather than facing the All Blacks. I obviously hope we beat them, but I don't think I'd be willing to bet money on it.

As for Australia vs. Argentina.....I hope Argentina can pull it off, but I'm not all that confident.

Am I right in thinking Ireland and Wales will face each other for bronze? If so, my money would be on Wales, but I do think it is likely to be a really good game that could go either way.

[dtaai-maai]

Am I right in thinking Ireland and Wales will face each other for bronze?

No, that will be the Aussies or the Argies v. your lot!