Rugby World Cup

Surprised nobody's mentioned it yet but FWIW I think it's been brilliant so far. A few surprise wins, massive support from the fans, and the sense that England are improving, possibly enough to avoid complete humiliation when they come up against decent opposition. Enjoyed whupping the US of A. Next up against the Pumas on Saturday hopefully to put me in a good mood for a cheeky week in Kos that I'll be starting that afternoon.
Kiwis are a machine which always intrigues me considering the entire population is half that of London - must be something in the water. They'll be out to demolish Canada later this morning.
Liking it so far and there's been some excellent rugby played.

Enjoyed Japan beating Ireland, and Wales v Australia was a cracker too.

Fact is I'm more a RL fan. I'm off to Wigan on Friday to see if Salford can make it to the Grand Final.

What's happened to the TV coverage? All the early games were on ITV and there was a highlights programme but couldn't see the Kiwis yesterday and can't see France v the USA today.

Fuck me - we're in the final!
What a performance from the England lads. I for one was up at the crack of ten thirty yesterday morning to watch the recording, careful not to see the live game/score before I started watching and it was an absolute treat - especially as the All Blacks have been positioned as the out and out favourites from the beginning.
But England played the perfect game with the perfect plan - albeit masterminded by an Australian.
Whether it's Wales or South Africa in the final is irrelevant - I just hope it's not one of those where a team takes out the favourites and then flops - which happens frequently.

It's South Africa after a dour war against an underwhelming Wales. We can win this.

I watched us in the semi final against the all blacks.  We were very good, looking forward to the final.

BoltonTillIDie wrote:I watched us in the semi final against the all blacks.  We were very good, looking forward to the final.

It was one of those games when we took a lead against the World Champions and spent the rest of the game wondering when they'd get their act together and batter us - which they didn't. Happy days.

Awesome performance against the All Blacks. Such a shame for Wales who came so close. It seems the Southern Hemisphere sides are no longer invincible, in fact they look positively mortal now. Come on England!

Some great attacking play, especially by England and Japan. The game has moved on recently to a new level of excitement involving brilliant handling and running. Boring S.A. will try to disrupt with positional kicking and physical power without finesse.

okocha wrote: Boring S.A. will try to disrupt with positional kicking and physical power without finesse.

I only hope England can avoid an "after the Lord Mayor's show" performance and replicate something like what they did on Saturday which should be enough to bring the World Cup home.

I see that England were fined over £2k for "not following the correct protocol" during New Zealand's haka prior to the semi-final. OK they were taking the piss, but the thing that surprises me is that the rugby authorities actually have a protocol for how the other team behave when the Kiwis do their shouty gurning.
Does any other team have a challenge dance or is this a rule the authorities have created just for NZ?
And could England start doing some aggressive morris dancing?

Big day has arrived, come on!

SA absolutely bullying England first half. Now worried their little winger will take advantage as we tire.

Don’t like rugby anyway ha

Best team won.

It was always going to be a game where two completely different playing styles were going to try to impose their game plan from the start and I reckon England goose was cooked when Sinckler had to retire after just 2 minutes. From then on SA dominated every scrum and maul winning 5 penalties and denying England any hope of building an attacking platform. Add to that some sloppy play and they were crushed. As predicted they ran in a couple of tries at the end to rub salt in as the tired England defence gave way.
Maybe, just maybe with Sinckler at tighthead prop they could have held back the SA scrum, but it wasn't to be. Well done SA.

I watched England play Ukraine at footie yesterday and fell asleep. Woke up in time to watch England play Argentina at rugby though. What a performance that was.

The Princess of Wales played a blinder too.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12499795/Kate-Middleton-beams-looks-elegant-white-watches-England-play-against-Argentina-Rugby-World-Cup-France.html

Ten Bobsworth wrote:I watched England play Ukraine at footie yesterday and fell asleep. Woke up in time to watch England play Argentina at rugby though. What a performance that was.

The Princess of Wales played a blinder too.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12499795/Kate-Middleton-beams-looks-elegant-white-watches-England-play-against-Argentina-Rugby-World-Cup-France.html

I almost read that article.

Then thought better of it. I had better things to do, like nailing my scrotum to the kitchen table.

boltonbonce wrote:
I almost read that article.

Then thought better of it. I had better things to do, like nailing my scrotum to the kitchen table.

I thought you’d like it Boncey. Young William chose well, didn’t he just?

Ten Bobsworth wrote:The Princess of Wales played a blinder too.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12499795/Kate-Middleton-beams-looks-elegant-white-watches-England-play-against-Argentina-Rugby-World-Cup-France.html

I'm surprised you're a royalist Bob, I thought they'd be ripe for a financial going over. At least Marcus Rashford earns his own money and doesn't ask the taxpayer to fork out for a £2k outfit to wear to the rugby. She could have gone to Primark.