yoshi Posted October 6, 2015 Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 Can't believe Canada throwing that away, was really hoping they (or the US) could bring North America its first win in ages. Also the first game so far in proper rugby weather - dark, cold, & tipping down 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 Can't believe Canada throwing that away, was really hoping they (or the US) could bring North America its first win in ages. Also the first game so far in proper rugby weather - dark, cold, & tipping down Annoying because physically there is no excuse. Canada always seems to fall short everytime. Here in NZ commentators are now criticising World Rugby over the pool draws for 2015. Pool A really cropping it as three top tier teams and one top tier contender were piled in together. And as history as proved...a disaster for the host nation, revenue, image and credability. Meanwhile Pool C contained the number one team and not alot of serious competition. Leaving fans and viewers short changed and the All Blacks treating the pool as little more than a tactics and methods training camp. Roll on Quarter Finals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 A ho hum result. SOUTH AFRICA 62 - United States 0 This is the reason why you don't want a larger tournament. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durban Sandshark Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 Right--I still personally don't mind the expansion to 24 and thus have 4-team groups--but the gap among rugby nations at this stage, even from those that didn't quite make it like Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Portugal, Spain, and South Korea, is still significant. And Russia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, The Netherlands, Morocco, Chile, and Germany Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 The rise of the minnows... What a game, good to see. GEORGIA 17 - Nambia 16. Georgia have qualified for 2019 RWC Nambia really gave it their all but 3 yellow cards doesn't help. Good learnings for the future. Georgia equally had a terrible game with far too many errors. Still great to see two teams that have a real chance for growth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoshi Posted October 7, 2015 Report Share Posted October 7, 2015 Two very contrasting views of the future of the cup...first wipeout not good for US, won't help the work to get rugby established there. And Namibia, what a shame. Georgia deserved it on play, but how wonderful it would've been to see Namibia get that win 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durban Sandshark Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 It takes time. Lots of time for the USA to take the next level. Not a good look for USA Rugby and its pedigree wishes, I know. Take a look at what happened at Chicago's Soldier Field against the All-Blacks. Springboks is worse though IMO because of the greater significance. Surely there's plenty of depth and it will grow over time but little, as I say, quality and top level international experience in club and national teams. In other words, US rugby won't whither and die soon after this. Too bad Jacques Burger won't get the Namibians that first win to leave England on a high note Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I'm dissapointed in USA and to a lesser extent, Canada and their performance at this cup. At the previous event they really looked like achieving better results this cup. Getting sick and tired of hearing "USA the sleeping giant". They have been playing rugby since it's conception and are the current Olympic champions. With all that Ivy League pedigree behind it, and the $$$ to boot, no excuses anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durban Sandshark Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 Get a better group draw. When I saw the grouping they were in, I instantly knew they weren't going to make it. Even with Japan, winning surely with an eye towards a better showing as hosts next time. Would Americans care more if it got more mainstream sports coverage with the NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, and MLB with the MLS and WNBA during the summer to a lesser extent. There's a pecking order that exists when it comes with mainstram US sports along the rarely changing mainstream sports/entertainment tastes that get structural as well economic. Not to mention the American preference of liking and watching and supporting proven winners or serious contenders in sports. It'll be great if there's a top-level American rugby union league soon that can develop and deepen the domestic rugby talent for USA Rugby particularly internationally while growing organically with a solid TV contract for years. There's a proposed Major Rugby Football League in the works playing showcase exhibitions around the nation to get people excited and talking, but that's rugby league, I think, not rugby union. This league can't instantly catch up with the Top 14, D2, Super Rugby, ABSA Currie Cup, Italy Lega, or the Aviva Premiership interms of talent, but it's not the main point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Problem is that Sevens is priority due to it's Olympic status and, unsurprisingly USA Rugby are focused on defending their title... Even after this Cup, NZs focus will swing right over to Sevens and so will other tier One and Two sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durban Sandshark Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Exactly and USA Rugby gets funding from the USOC for Sevens with its Olympic status As for Canada, the best rugby union team in North America, they couldn't build on the success from the last RWC. Seems impotent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 One match today... New Zealand v Tonga. Halftime NZL 14 - TGA 3 As expected a tough hard match with a strong Tonga really unwinding the All Blacks. And the grounds keeper at St James Park will be tearing his hair out as both team tear up the famous pitch to pieces...and still 40 mins to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtherRob Posted October 9, 2015 Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) And the grounds keeper at St James Park will be tearing his hair out as both team tear up the famous pitch to pieces...and still 40 mins to go. Yep, with the pitch in that state it'll be difficult for Newcastle to implement their usual free flowing passing styl.... Edited October 9, 2015 by Rob. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2015 Full-time at St James Park. NEW ZEALAND 47 - Tonga 9 All Blacks got going in the second half and opened up after Tonga lost a player due to a dangerous bodyslam tackle on Dan Carter. Ma'a Nonu scored a try in his 100 test for New Zealand and presented with his silver cap. Now the grounds keeper will be left patching up the grass after being plowed up by both teams. P.s. What stupid place to mount the big screen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOtherRob Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 So....Scotland Samoa is fun! Unless you're Scottish or Samoan, I suspect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 So....Scotland Samoa is fun! Unless you're Scottish or Samoan, I suspect. Both teams have cooled their heels in the second half so far... Oops...spoke too soon...neck and neck at three quarter mark 26 - 26 Darn...this game is hard to keep up...Scotland infront 29-26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 Fulltime at St James Park SCOTLAND 36 - Samoa 33. Probabily the second best cliffhanger match of the tournament. Scotland go through to the Quarters denying Japan that right...and Samoa knew it, hence why they saved the best till last, but it wasn't enough. Next up, match of the day, Australia v Wales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 Pool of Death...Who gets to play who next week? Australia v Wales in their unbelievable first/second positioning test. Half time Australia noses out in front 9 - 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 Hard slog to the end. AUSTRALIA 15 - Wales 6. There we go... Good effort both teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoshi Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 The best defensive display ever. How could Wales not get through when they only had 13...Warren's gotta get them thinking that it's not over - play like that next week & they can beat the Springboks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 The space filler at ManCity. Half time... England 21 - Uruguay 3 If England win this ...they qualify for 2019...tuuuurrrtang! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 ENGLAND 60 - Uruguay 3 Too little...far too late. Hopefully we wont hear "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" for a while. If ever. Was a cheesy gimmick from the 1991 World Cup that RFU allowed to boost what was then still early days as they were to host the second tournament...Which was pretty good. "Gotta run run run with the ball"...(opening verse) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 Another Pool wrap up game...and proving the gulf between the first tier and newbies... ARGENTINA 64 - Namibia 14. Good effort from Namibia at their first cup. Definitly a future worth developing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 Full time in Exeter ITALY 32 - Romania 22 Another good match and great to see Romania giving it to first tier Italy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexjc Posted October 11, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 (edited) Pool D top of the table...who ends up with the All Blacks in Cardiff next weekend...or gets the easy ride with Argentina the next day... IRELAND 24 - France 9 History repeats in Cardiff next weekend. Ireland making sure it wasn't going to be them facing New Zealand. Edited October 11, 2015 by Alexjc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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