Albert Tatlock

From the 'fan zone' (giant TVs outside the main ground) in Cardiff for those who want to be part of the atmosphere but don't have a ticket. The Millenium Stadium is right in the centre of the city. https://mobile.twitter.com/simonrug/status/645293912706392064

Enjoyed it. Lots of nice ideas and a few jokes. Also a reminder of old school chum David Baker - nickname Davros.

Not looking good for the boys in red as our injury nightmare continues with more problems after the Uruguay win, plus their tactical approach was particularly brainless and execution still way below par in what should have been an 80 point at elast margin. It is going to take a backs against the wall performance of Rorke's Drift proportions to avoid a defeat against England on Saturday. Meanwhile, USA lost to Samoa - my American brother in law (from St Louis) living in Cardiff is thinking about going to see their last match against Japan - who I am still buzzing over from Saturday. In the even

Japan had a penalty to go for the draw at the death, but they went for the win! http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/19/south-africa-japan-rugby-world-cup-2015-match-report http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11876935/South-Africa-32-Japan-34-match-report-Outstanding-Japan-pull-off-the-greatest-upset-in-World-Cup-history.html Official highlights:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ghArmsJjQM Jumping around the room screaming at the TV time ...

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!! Japan take down the mighty Boks in their first ever world cup match win in over 25 years of trying. Fantastic scenes at the end. Try and catch the second half on youtube. As you can imagine Brits in the crowd took to the underdogs. Japan played smart precise rugby, retained possession brilliantly, and tackled their hearts out. SA muscled over for a couple of tries but were sloppy in conceding penalties that kept Japan within touch and kept them hopeful. The final 5 minutes were extraordinary. Earlier, another upset of a smaller scale when Georgia beat Tonga.

A mis-firing England overcome a determined but tiring and less well drilled Fiji, who squandered penalty points at important times. Was looking good for Wales as time ticked away without England scoring the fourth try for a bonus point, but they got it with the last play of the match. A sign of a good team to pull through when it counts. Not sure how many of tomorrows matches I'll get to watch live. France v Italy is the most evenly matched game for the recognised nations. Georgia v Tonga could be a nice one with little at stake in practise except pride for two evenly matched teams. On Sunda

Better than the usual arse and elbows description. Ta, but it's really all down to time zones.

Dedicated, conscientious, and with a talent for logistics. Bbop (The seventh Wilco)

New Zealand are favourites as almost always. Home advantage for England is a big boost. Australia are looking good. South Africa have been out of sorts for a year or so but the tri-nations are always in the mix. France can beat anyone on their day and have downed New Zealand twice in the past and only lost by a point in the last tournament after a virtual player mutiny against their coach. They need at least 3 good games in a row though. Ireland and Wales have an outside chance. France and Ireland benefit from being in the easier half of the draw. Only 2 from England, Australia, Wales get out

For those playing along at home, the mandatory wallchart. http://babcsf.org/images/events/2015Rugby/RWC%20Results%20Poster.pdf Also, Cardiff Castle gets a mini-makeover.

The daily commute. Actually that's a lie. Today I saw really some Fijians and and English Morris group in a dance off being filmed for a TV piece for tonight's world cup match. Also, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/doctor-who/10468029/Doctor-Who-50-things-you-didnt-know.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-prj-chicago-literary-events-gillian-flynn-20150917-story.html

You're welcome. I'll try to flag up some good matches to try and catch - usually someone will put full length versions of the best games up on YouTube. Also, there's usually a group game or two between the no hopers playing for pride that turns into a classic. You look like you should be supporting Ireland. Sort of my second team from time to time. Better strength in depth than for many years, a wiley coach, and in the easier half of the draw. Just missing B.O.D. these days for some old school magic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTdpVZAuA2U Not to mention R.O.G. too, star of one of my f

With 2 days to go before Friday's opening match England v Fiji, it's time for most of you to do some homework. I am here to help. http://rwcguide.walesonline.co.uk/index.html P.S. Do not waste time watching any pre match opening ceremony on Friday night. Any self respecting rugby fan regards on pitch entertainment with distain. Having a singer to accompany the national anthems is bad enough. What more do you need than the growing tension in the limbs as a muscle memory of playing volunteers you to take part, the desperate longing in the heart for success, and a bit of banter with the oppos

Well, sort of. Could not be bothered to start a new topic for a small tangential item I came across. http://www.mhpbooks.com/the-first-rule-of-jeff-bezoss-writers-retreat-is-dont-talk-about-jeff-bezoss-writers-retreat/ "Bezos reportedly also flew in Jeff Tweedy and Werner Herzog for entertainment." http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/21/technology/a-writerly-chill-at-bezos-fire-.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/11865587/In-pictures-The-mundane-lives-of-Stormtroopers.html

http://thegroundwewon.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I0H0ugoplo

Google "rugby HQ top 5" for some entertaining segments from an Aussie rugby TV show, with 'top 5' categorised clips from around the world. Some nice banter.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03szxdh

Doom and gloom in the valleys as 2 of our key individuals are crocked for the tournament during the last warm up game. The only positive is that it allows us to retain our transitional underdog mentality, but I do not expect the tournament to be quite what we were hoping for now. The best scrum half in the 6 nations out, and while there's an argument for saying that Dan Biggar can cover for the place kicking and Liam Williams is a more incisive attacking full back, he would have been better replacing the dreadful Cuthbert on the wing, and overall the strength in depth of our limited resources

I would guess this :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watch_the_Throne_Tour

The thread where I try to spread the gospel but get ignored. But I must fight the good fight. Just going to park it for now. BTW I believe that Australia are playing the USA in a warm up game next weekend in Chicago. So, just to get the juices flowing, here's a taste of what's at stake in the Group of Death featuring Wales, England and Australia (not to mention Fiji who might cause an upset in a match or two):- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AM4mIlYKG9s And if you ever wondered why the All Blacks are such a rugby machine, they start them young with the right attitude:- https://www.y

Agreed. BBN (Battle of New Orleans version) is the first time I've actually enjoyed it. Especially at the Roundhouse once it was just an overly loud repetitive awful mess but in this stripped down version the lyrics thrust through powerfully.