The Rugby Thread

[PET]

Can any of you tell me why the World Cup draw was made 3 years ago?

It would seem to have been a totally crass decision because had it been say 12 months ago then the so called "group of death" could not have happened.

[JimmyGreaves]

Can any of you tell me why the World Cup draw was made 3 years ago?

It would seem to have been a totally crass decision because had it been say 12 months ago then the so called "group of death" could not have happened.

It's about time England had a hard time in the group stages, whether football or rugby they always seem to get it easy. The rankings are always changing, Maybe get good system in place. Would it have made any difference to NZ? I think not

Crying over spilt milk comes to mind!!

[PET]

Can any of you tell me why the World Cup draw was made 3 years ago?

It would seem to have been a totally crass decision because had it been say 12 months ago then the so called "group of death" could not have happened.

It's about time England had a hard time in the group stages, whether football or rugby they always seem to get it easy. The rankings are always changing, Maybe get good system in place. Would it have made any difference to NZ? I think not

Crying over spilt milk comes to mind!!

So you cannot answer the question and as for England always getting easy groups' in rugby or soccer evidence over the last 3 world cups ?

It is still blindingly obvious that 3 years is stupid - that was the point.

[musungu]

I think the issue of the draw is about how can 4 of the top nine rated countries find themselves in the same group ( I believe Fiji are in this bracket) There may well have been other draws which may have looked easier in other sports but it would be difficult IMO to find one that is so out of kilter at the actual start of a competition.

England have only themselves to blame for losing a 'won' game against Wales - whatever the results I would have still felt it to be grossly unfair whoever of the three missed out.

[pharvey]

Why 3 years ago - God knows.... the reason for the teams, well that one lies at Gatland's feet in my book. He picked 2nd/3rd teams for tour matches which actually contributed towards IRB rankings. As such, we lost several of these games and our ranking dropped to 2nd/3rd tier basically. Should the draw have been taken last year for example, Wales' ranking was vastly different and there would not have been 4 top 9/10 teams in the same group!!

[Big Boy]

Personally, I don't care if it was 3 years or 3 weeks ago. In fact I think I prefer it the way it was. Rather than go through the drag of the first round, easily guessing most of the results, this put some excitement in to Round 1. Even though England were not good enough, there are still a couple of decent teams left in the tournament, and there'll be excitement at either end of the competition.

[redzonerocker]

Looking at the draw and seeing the performances, you have to wonder how Samoa managed to be in pot 2
Had they exchanged places with Wales it would have been a fairer indication and draw.

It's not crying over spilt milk but making the draw based on rankings 3 years ago is pretty daft by anyone's standards.

But I agree with Big Boy, still some cracking games to come even though we're not involved.

[pharvey]

Romania vs Canada was certainly a cracking one today!!

[PeteC]

The Cinderella team of the tournament for sure. They still have a chance at the quarterfinals as I expect them to beat the USA. It's then up to the Scotland/Samoa match. Even if all that doesn't happen, they've made a name for themselves. Pete

Japan's Rugby World Cup success breaks world TV viewing record

"A record 25 million Japanese stayed up late to watch their team demolish Samoa in their third game of the Rugby World Cup, in the latest demonstration of the country’s newfound love of the sport."

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/o ... ing-record

[PeteC]

This should be an advantage for Wales, even though the Wales coach dismisses it. I've watched the guy many times this past season with the Waratahs of the Super 15 and I scratched my head several times about whether his style is simply aggressive, or cheap shots seeing what he can get away with. Pete

Michael Hooper to miss Wales game

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/34443308

[pharvey]

^ No two ways about it Pete - a big loss to Australia.

It's down to who we pick in the front row though that will determine our chances IMHO - I'm guessing we'll go with Samson Lee at Tight-Head, but whether to go with Gethin Jenkins or Thomas Francis at Loose-Head. Gethin has been stuffed out of sight in the scrum so far to be honest, but he does get through a lot of work around the field.....

Against Australia though - we need a scrum! And as mentioned above, with Hooper out we may just get an advantage in the backrow.

Saturday is another big game, with the winners likely to take on Scotland in the quarters, the losers likely to face South Africa....... I know who I'd prefer (no offence to Scotland!!).

[arcadianagain]

In view of recent results I suggest the rugby thread be discontinued until after the World Cup final.

[pharvey]

How pathetic could you possibly be??!! An embarrassment to rugby.... And no, I'm not being biased!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ifies.html

[PeteC]

The same happened in the NFL when the SF quarterback wore Beats(sp) when the league was sponsoring Bose. All hell broke loose. The sub article at that link about Sam Burgess disturbs me more. Pure snobbery...nothing more. Pete

[pharvey]

Burgess simply hasn't been given enough time in union - and quite frankly I don't think center is his position. Bath have played him in the back-row, and I think he's far more suited there - again though, he needs time. He's undoubtedly a very talented sportsman, but let's be fair he's only had one season in rugby union!