Mizzy Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 Japan's reward for beating the Springboks? Getting to play Scotland on only three days rest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted September 24, 2015 Author Share Posted September 24, 2015 Indeed, the second tier nations always get a rough deal with scheduling. The tournament would otherwise be unfeasibly long and there is no easy answer. The only option for them is to get high enough up in the world rankings to get seeded, but in itself that is a bit of a closed shop since they don't get to play the tier 1 nations outside world cups often enough for that to be easy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahm7j4lLl5U Sir Tom lends a hand Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted September 26, 2015 Author Share Posted September 26, 2015 An epic day of tense anticipation.The passage of time was helped by an enforced morning in work then Canada being unlucky to loose to an Italy still struggling without Paressi. Then a nervous South Africa latched on to a breakaway try that calmed them and then allowed them to surge away looking if not at their barnstorming best then at least back in the top tier.Finally, In the words of a famous headline- We win!It was not a match for the rugby purist or casual fan, but gripping. Wales had no right to win, but England let a position of pressurised dominance slip through silly penalty errors that allowed Dan Biggar to keep Wales in touch. Things looked over when Wales' injury curse continued with 3 more players forced off and the remainder having to play out of position. Then thirty seconds of magic gave Wales the lead with a miracle try to put them ahead.They will be dancing in the streets of Wales tonight, to paraphrase the late great Bill McClaren. It was like 1999 all over again.But with those injuries, is this a Pyrrhic victory? A depleted Wales could well lose to Fiji, and they still need to play Australia, who England could well bounce back to beat. It could all get very tight, but even if we don't get out of the group, there will always be this match to go down in legend. Gerry Thornley, Irish Times:Somehow, it actually lived up to the hype and the seismic sense of occasion. Maybe even bettered it. There’s bravery, and there’s this kind of Welsh bravery. Already diminished by injuries to three first-choice backs, they lost three more here and yet somehow completed a comeback from 22-12, and 25-18 with 10 minutes remaining, to conjure the try of the tournament and one of this proud rugby nation’s greatest one-off wins. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted September 27, 2015 Author Share Posted September 27, 2015 Know exactly how you felt Ioan http://www.independent.co.uk/news/hollywood-actor-ioan-gruffudd-loses-his-mind-and-clothes-as-wales-beat-england-in-rugby-world-cup-a6669126.html Australia cruised to a routine win over Uruguay, though they did themselves credit. The Aussies will cut England to shreds unless England keep it tight and boring, and then the hosts would be out. Australia could equally well do the same to Wales, but if they have already beaten England then we would still get through bar a shoke result against Fiji on Thursday. I'm taking my old boots. Every remaining able bodied Welshman is on standby. We are stretched that thin now. The USA played very well for a half before Scotland pulled away, and Ireland crushed Romania to see them remain on course for the expected decider with France in 2 weeks time. Finally, a nice touch from the All Blacks, inviting the Namibian players into their dressing room after their game last week for a few beers. A good rugby tradition to fratenise with the opposition after all the fighting is over, that doesn't happen so much at the very top level any more. The All Blacks are staying in Cardiff in preparation for their next match, and apparently did not get much sleep last night as the place went mental after the Backs to the wall victory over the English. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 A bruising hard fought and entertaining encounter in Cardiff saw Wales beat Fiji to ratchet up the pressure on England for Saturday versus Australia. However, Like Australia Wales missed out on a bonus point by only scoring two tries. Three additional ones were on offer but missed for a variety of reasons. That would surely have sunk England completely, but Wales were still showing signs of physical and emotionally fatigue after only 4 days rest since beating England. Still a hugely enjoyable time mixing with a surprising number of Fijians (including meeting injured Fijian monster Nemani Nadolo), a contingent of English supporting Fiji, and a smattering of other visitors from around the world sampling the World Cup atmosphere in the best rugby hosting city there is. Fiji had a nice reception on a lap of honour at the end (having scored the best try and caused Wales plenty of problems in the second half) and one of their players climbed into the crowd near us to meet and hug his family. Nice to see they enjoyed the occasion. They are always valued and respected guests. They will beat Uruguay next week but then leave the tournament without the major scalp they had threatened to take to further mix up the pool of death.Also saw some of the All Blacks who are staying in Cardiff for their match against Georgia tomorrow, and France had to work hard to beat Canada. Les Bleus are gradually building a title challenge, with the group decider versus Ireland looking like a cracker of a match to come. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 5, 2015 Author Share Posted October 5, 2015 A momentous weekend as hosts England crash out of the tournament to a brilliant Australian performance, which sees them installed as new favourites to win until such time as the All Blacks start firing on all cylinders. France are gathering their sense of purpose and are dark horses. Ireland scrapped their way to a win against Italy back to their obstinate selves with Paressi in the team, but Italy are now out. Argentina also looking strong and South Africa assured themselves of a quarter final place by smashing a deliberately weakened Scottish team. That might have been a mistake, since Scotland now need to beat a wounded Samoa looking for a big result from the tournament before heading home, and that could let Japan in. The final weekend of pool games beckons, with the Ireland France and Wales Australia games the headliners, but the Scotland Samoa and USA Japan games will also be exciting. Georgia might even beat Italy.By any objective assessment this is the best ever World Cup as judged by the pool stages, though many English fans would not agree of course :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 As is often the case, a pair of lesser sides fought out a great match in their own 'world cup final'. Romania stormed back from 15 - 0 down with half an hour to go to win 17 - 15.Also, Fiji played their last match, overpowering Uruguay in an entertaining match that saw Uruguay score a couple of tries themselves - their first in a World Cup since 2003. Tonight, South Africa look to secure their top of the group qualification against USA, while Georgia go for a third place finish in their group that would guarantee automatic qualification for the next world cup. They deserve it, and should beat Namibia. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 I don't get the X-ray joke. A mini chariot was shoved up someone's ass? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 7, 2015 Author Share Posted October 7, 2015 I don't get the X-ray joke. A mini chariot was shoved up someone's ass? The characteristic song of the English rugby supporters is the negro spiritual 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot', for reasons no one is entirely clear - not paralleling the Welsh supporters singing old hymns as a hangover from the devout methodist chapels in the valleys of days gone by (especially 'Bread of Heaven') that's for sure. You will hear it booming out across Twickenham from time to time. I subscribe to the theory that it originates from a drinking game with mimed rude actions to be performed while singing it. Anyway, hence 'you can stick your sweet chariot up your arse' etc. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-31147766 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Interesting. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 12, 2015 Author Share Posted October 12, 2015 Some fantastic matches over the weekend and the quarter final lineup is revealed. Except for the missing England, the eight could have been predicted, but the combinations were in doubt until the death. New Zealand still looking a bit jittery under pressure on Friday night until pulling away from Tonga in the second half, but perhaps they will be peaking at the right time. They now face France, famously twice their nemesis in 1999 and 2007, and who they only beat by a single point in the previous final 4 years ago. France never looked like overcoming a storming Ireland, buoyed by a rocking Irish crowd that had made the trip over the water to Cardiff and made the place their own. France do have the All Blacks spooked though. In winning Ireland suffered injuries to their two lost important players. 'Mr Ireland' Paul O'Connell is definitely out of the tournament. Up next they face dark horses Argentina, who have been playing well out of the limelight and could well spring a surprise.Australia somehow kept out Wales during an eight minute period when they had two players in the sin bin, Arguably Wales should have been awarded a penalty try in that period and they come away desperately disappointed and yet again, another man down in a back division torn to shreds by injury. It was a gripping match though, and they must now take positives from their performance to regroup for South Africa. Australia face Scotland, who in beating Samoa in a free flowing game on Saturday afternoon ensured that Japan could not qualify, even though Japan won 3 matches in their group. They beat USA in an entertaining encounter last night. All in all that was a great outcome for the tournament with Japan being hosts for the next World Cup in 2019. A week to draw breath and look forward to Saturday and Sunday, with the Saturday looking especially interesting. Updated electronic wallchart:- http://www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-interactive/2015/sep/07/rugby-world-cup-2015-digital-wallchart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 19, 2015 Author Share Posted October 19, 2015 A momentous quarter final weekend. First up, Wales and South Africa went at each other toe to toe slugging it out in an epic battle. Ultimately one moment of South African magic and the enduring hangover of the Welsh injury crisis gave the Saffers the win. With a couple of their more creative players available, Wales might have unlocked the South African defense, and certainly would have done so against Australia previously to have put them in the other half of the draw. But they come out of it with honour and the support of the nation. On Saturday evening, any rumours of (another) French player mutiny during the week contributing to one of their unpredictable glory days came to naught after 20 minutes. The All Blacks were imperious and for the first time announced that they were truly ready to defend their world title. South Africa will be battering them in the semi final, but won't have the artistry to overcome them based on these performances. On Sunday, that might be termed the shock of the weekend as the Pumas beat Ireland. They have been looking good, so the result was a distinct possibility, but the margin of victory was very depressing for the Irish. I do like the Argentinian fans and their passion for their team. Finally, a Scottish team offered up like lambs to the Australian slaughter somehow managed to be in the lead with a couple of minutes to go, only to be sunk by a controversial penalty decision at the death. It would be difficult to say they were the better team overall, but that was a tough way for them to go out. As a Wales supporter we know all about that kind of thing ... So for the first time ever, four southern hemisphere teams occupy the semi finals. Some sort of disaster for the British TV executives (the World Cup is always shown on commercial TV with advertising breaks) but it's hard to argue against their superiority, though the fact that Wales and England were in the same group did reduce the chances of a northern representative. I'm going to be supporting Argentina. The full back played for Cardiff last year and they are the underdogs. Don't mention Las Malvenas ... And as the saying goes, football is 90 minutes of pretending you're hurt and rugby is eighty minutes pretending you're not. Some evidence ...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/babb/11940318/Greek-stretcher-bearer-falls-over-and-drops-injured-player-twice-in-farcical-scenes.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted October 26, 2015 Author Share Posted October 26, 2015 We now know that next Saturday's final will see the All Blacks take on the Wallabies, a mouth watering prospect and though possibly predictable, well deserved for both and probably the best possible match up for the neutral. The Boks huffed, puffed and bashed and whilst formidable never looked like breaking through the NZ defense, relying on penalties to stay in touch. Whilst only losing by a couple of points, they never quite looked to have the beating of NZ. On Sunday Argentina were cavalier to the point of self destruction in the first 20 minutes, but their wonderful approach has endeared them to the neutrals. It was a much more open game than the first semi-final, and remarkably the Pumas stayed within a score and were pressing at the close until Australia applied the coup de grâce. They had plenty of line breaks but many times a lack of support or handling errors when close to the Australian line let them down. The romantics choice for the final went down with honour, and the truth is that Australia stand a much better chance of beating New Zealand to make it a more open, competitive final. They were the last team to beat the All Blacks a few months ago.At the same time on Sunday as the rugby was playing at Twickenham, there was also a televised American football game from Wembley with the Jaguars and someone else. I flicked back and forth a few times to compare. There was a time when I did get into it (last when John Elway was involved) but that was only ever watching the highlights. In real time there are too many stoppages for me. All I managed to see yesterday were bunches of people walking around high fiving each other and coaches shouting into microphones. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 A sense of emptiness this morning as this great tournament has come to an end with what has generally been acknowledged to be the best ever final. From the glorious Japanese win on the first weekend to Saturdays fairy tale farewell to the All Black greats of Dan Carter and Ritchie McCaw it has been enthralling. The first half of the final saw New Zealand totally dominate but with only a small advantage in penalties taken and the Australians determinedly battling on - until the final play of the half that is, when the All blacks scored a wonderful team try. Within a couple of minutes of the start of the second half they did it again and things looked all over (at around 21 - 3 if memory serves). Then a yellow card for the NZ full back saw an Australian revival that brought them two tries of their own in ten minutes. Game on, but Dan Carter stroked over a masterful drop goal to stretch the lead to 7 points and a breakaway try was the killer blow to take things well out of Australia's reach. Rightly the best team of the past 5 or 6 years won, and it is hard to quite fathom how someone under as much pressure and with as much national recognition in his own country as Dan Carter remains such a humble (and intelligent) man performing acts of athletic poetry whilst involved in such a brutal sport. He missed New Zealand's last world cup triumph through injury, but can now bow out with the ultimate title he deserves. Nice touches from the All blacks included an impromptu haka during their lap of honour, and Sonny Bill Williams giving his cup winners medal away to a random teenage boy who had somehow evaded security to join them on the pitch. Nice loosing captain's words from Stephen Moore too. Roll on Japan 2019. However, only three months until the Six Nations kicks off, and on the domestic front, there are rumours about plans to take some English Premiership or Irish/Welsh Pro12 teams tp play odd fixtures in the USA - like the NFL Wembley thing in reverse. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Winston Legthigh Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 Thanks for taking he time to indulge us with your write-ups. You were my only link to the Cup, and I enjoyed it through your words. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted November 3, 2015 Author Share Posted November 3, 2015 Thanks for taking he time to indulge us with your write-ups. You were my only link to the Cup, and I enjoyed it through your words. In case you have the time and interest, the following matches among many are now up on Youtube:- South Africa v Japanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIXcEWrGtsM Wales v Englandhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m-m3mcPZ-o (no commentary on this one strangely) New Zealand v Australia finalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koraots4D3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted November 10, 2015 Author Share Posted November 10, 2015 USA to get its first fledgling professional league:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34769880 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Smith Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Former teammates of Jonah Lomu performed a Haka at his funeral as the casket entered the stadium. The pall bearers looked like they were crying. Touching tribute and very sad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 Former teammates of Jonah Lomu performed a Haka at his funeral as the casket entered the stadium. The pall bearers looked like they were crying. Touching tribute and very sad. Yes, and so close after the death of Jerry Collins too. Met him once at a reception for the Barbarian team in the late noughties (company I worked for sponsored them at that time). Not the sharpest tool in the box but a nice guy. Here's a little segment below that includes the story of him famously turning out for Barnstaple Second team whilst on holiday after the shock exit of the All Blacks from the 2007 world cup. He was well liked in Wales as he played for the Ospreys for a few years and was often foudn turning up at some local rugby club to have a drink with the locals.As for Jonah, another gentle giant. He played a handful of games for Cardiff in 2005 when trying to make a comeback after the initial onset of his illness. His brother also stayed in Wales for a while and played for a local lower league team. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8227958.stm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted March 7, 2016 Author Share Posted March 7, 2016 5 days to go until Wales visit Twickenham for what looks like being the Six Nations decider. Memories of last autumn and here's hoping for the same result. Something to get in the mood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7iS18wUglY The same day, London Irish play one of their Premiership fixtures in New Jersey. Will be interesting to see how popular it turns out to be. A cursory glance at ticketing and it looks a bit pricey? http://www.london-irish.com/news/lets-turn-new-jersey-green%2C-says-london-irishs-luke-narraway/bp757/ Also, possible visit by the Lions on their way to NZ next year. http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/british-irish-lions-consider-us-warm-up-match-en-route-to-new-zealand-tour-1.2089985 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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