The 2015 Rugby World Cup is underway, with 20 teams competing for the William Webb Ellis Cup - a trophy named after the (alleged) inventor of rugby football. To clarify, this tournament is for Rugby Union, as opposed to Rugby League (which has its own World Cup). Japan will host the next edition of the tournament in 2019, though the current crop of the "Brave Blossoms" have already secured their place in Rugby World Cup history, courtesy of this outstanding performance against the Springboks:
Watched 3 matches so far. Great contest between New Zealand and Argentina, although there were clearly some nerves. Tough to beat Rugby Union at the top-level. After watching the All Blacks and Pumas, switching to a soccer match made that sport look quite lame, I must admit.
then again watching the dribble that was Fiji vs England made soccer watching quite entertaining when Rugby matches go bad...they are dire to watch (especially live) and I love Rugby hoping Japan beats Scotland
Great world cup so far. The Japan South Africa match was the biggest upset in world cup history by far amazing stuff. Enjoyed the France Romania game last night too. Plus had the record attendance for a Rugby world cup game between New Zealand Argentina
I do not like the short turn around tier 2 countries are expected to have between games I know Samoa raised this issue in the previous tournament
Oh well. Pretty much any sport will have it's dire games. About all you can do is hope it doesn't happen when you've shelled out for a ticket or for PPV.
France just got the biggest walloping by any team in a knock out game of a WC That was the best I have seen NZ play since the 2005 Lions series which probably means we will lose to SA next week
I thought Scotland, Wales and Ireland gave it a good fight. England and France were the biggest failure this WC, they'll have to regroup. Los Pumas are looking great. Getting our asses kicked since 2012 by the former Tri Nations at the RC is now starting to pay off. I think NZ vs Australia is the logical final, but I'd say we have a fighting chance.
Not a good weekend. I mean, sure France could be excused for losing to the All Blacks but not by a 1000 points! Namibia lost by less. Everyone said the All Blacks had come off of their peak form after struggling to beat Argentina, but in hindsight we can probably say the reason for that struggle was the Pumas are just a lot better than people thought. Once you accept that France were probably overrated before the WC and the Pumas were underrated, then all the results up to now may perfect sense. Anyway, great weekend of rugby! This is where the rugby world cup differs greatly from the football one - the knockout stage never disappoints in rugby, whereas the group stage is usually the highlight of the football WC.
Certainly. We have some excellent 19-20 years old players but they hardly play at club level because they have to compete with the likes of Giteau, Nonu etc. When they start to play on a regular basis at the age of 24 or 25 it's already too late. Our pool of player is quite simply not as large at what it used to be. Plus our players play too many games per year. They're roasted, quite simply. Another reason is Philippe Saint-Andre's incompetence : in four years he never succeeded to build a coherent game-plan. The only hope is that former Toulouse's coach Guy Novès will now be in charge, but he can't change everything by himself. Lastly, the players are also to blame : they showed no leadership, no fighting-spirit, nothing at all. That is certainly the least talented French side since decades but that can't be an excuse for not even trying to fight...
there was a hint of a resurgence before Picamoles scored but I think the devastating way Savea scored his try just before half time dented any chance Picamoles getting sin binned did not help matters the lack of flair in the french backs is alarming...take away Fofana and the rest are very meh...I remember the awesome french backs from the 90's and early 00s
Savea's try reminded me Lomu's one vs us in 1999, when he put Benazzi, N'Tamack and a couple of other players on their asses. Remember who started the action that led to the try from the end of the world ? Saint-Andre himself ! He didn't lack flair as a player, but as coach, he killed it . Top 14 is also guilty : the game is usually restricted, relying mostly on physical power. The result of it is that we have backs who can't pass the ball anymore. I'm very pessimistic for the future honestly. Guy Novès may be one of the best coach on earth but he won't be able to fix all the issues. Anyway, good luck to you guys. I usually support the All-Blacks when we don't face them of when we're out. I must admit I would happy to see Argentina going far though.
I honestly think that French flair has been killed by coaching. Coaching on the French side worrying about systems and set pieces and coaching on the other side of the ball worried about defense, defense, defense. .....................and as for referee Craig Joubert. Frankly he botched the 2011 final and he botched the quarterfinal between Scotland and Australia. To be fair to him, the play was a split second decision, but go to the TMO. Anyone who says they cannot is fooling themselves. They went to a TMO on the same play in round robin and its 1 minutes from time in a penalty kick vs scrum situation. and to dash off of the pitch...............frankly its just not good enough. South African rugby doesn't deserve his name being attached to it and the quicker we are rid of him the better.
so the final is finally the All Blacks vs Wallabies first time they meet in a final each team will play their 4th final NZ won in 87 and 11 but lost in 95 Aus won in 91 and 99 but lost in 03 Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Keven Meleamu, Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu will play their last match for NZ