Unless you're actively following the RWC, you wouldn't know it was still on, it's barely mentioned on the news since we dropped out.
The best game I have seen by a long way. The way Samoa played I had to want them to win that game, they gave everything in that first half.
Agree. 60+points and a one score win. You don't have to be an aficionado to appreciate the skill, physicality and flair of the Samoans. The gap between the tiers is narrowing all the time. Some wider comments. 1. Surely the tmo system has shown its worth. A number of decisions were clarified in this match which were wrong on first impression. Off the ball incidents which the ref had not seen were picked up and dealt with. 2. Stopping the clock is the way forward. No more "fergie time" or uncertainty about where those extra minutes came from. We all know how much is left. 3. The subs position is ridiculous. Surely managing stamina and fatigue is part of the games skill set. Wholesale replacement in the final minutes disrupts the flow and prevents fitter sides pushing home their advantage. 4. Taking a yellow card for team is much more significant when you are off the field for a period. Rugby is a different game from soccer in that predictability of bounce and movement produces more opportunities for spontaneity, so the two games, both of which I love are not directly comparable. However has footie got something to learn from rugby's rules innovations.
The gap is indeed narrowing - but Samoa aren't any sort of example of that. This Samoa team isn't as good as the team they had in the Nineties. Samoa's RWC record is actually getting worse... Year(s) Result 1987 Did not participate 1991 Quarterfinals 1995 Quarterfinals 1999 Quarterfinal play-offs 2003 Pool stage 2007 Pool stage 2011 Pool stage
So Scotland just manage to squeeze past Samoa 36-33 the Welsh couldn't beat the 13 men of Australia as the Aussies run out 15-6 winners. It seems my welsh mates have disappeared somewhere as none seem to be posting much on FB right now! So now England and their final game against part-timers Uruguay, still trying to make my mind up as wether to watch it.
Well small consolation, but at least they turned up today. England 60- 3 Uruguay. Tomorrows games: 1200: Argentina v Namibia. KP Stadium. 1430: Italy v Romania. Sandy Park. 1645: France v Ireland. Millennium Stadium. 2000: USA v Japan. Kingsholme Stadium. Glouscester.
Thought this would have been a close game, Romania had chances just couldn't get it over the line. Still 40 mins to go.
France v Ireland is usually entertaining, and this one hasn't dissapointed. The Irish look to have done enough.
Ok, Romania played an outstanding second half, Italy only just managed the win, FT 32-22. Currently the Irish are having a fantastic game beating the French 24-9 .
Good luck to them tbh. Good luck to Gib tonight as well. Unlikely I know but that would be a great end to this week.
So with the Irish beating the French this is how the QF look: 17 Oct. South Africa v Wales. Twickenham. New Zealand v France. Millennium Stadium. 18 Oct. Argentina v Ireland. Millennium Stadium. Australia v Scotland. Twickenham. Still to play are Japan v USA.
What a great game, Japan run out 28-18 winners, but fair play to the septics, they ' made a fist of it'. It's been a delight watching all the tier 2 countries, especially Japan, Georgia, Romania and Samoa. Look forward to the Japanese World Cup so we can see how much more they close the gap. Over a fifth of the Japanese nation tuned in to watch their games. I think all the nations that leave the RWC have themselves proud (with one obvious exception). So to the QF's.
