Rugby World Cup 2011 - New Zealand

[Big Boy]

I feel like Plymouth Argyle in the results.

The Green Army have won one game in row this season - they're on the up. Hmmm...... that's one game all season

[pharvey]

Some big games on this weekend......

Starting this afternoon with the Bokke vs Samoa - a bruising encounter no doubt. Samoa lose without a bonus point, and Wales go through to the QF regardless of their result against Fiji on Sunday.

Beelzebub's XV vs The Sweaties tomorrow...... Can the Scots raise their game to beat England by 8+ depriving them of the bonus point.... and the Argies take the win to put England on a plane home?

Then comes the day... Sunday rugby!!...

Argentina vs Georgia....... a big win for the Argies and depending on the Sweaties, Beelzebub could be bringing the kids back.

God's XV vs The Islander's..... Wales aren't going to stuff things up this time around - after all, we're due in the final in a few weeks!!

Paddies vs The Pasta Munchers....... Will Ireland fall at the last hurdle after a superb win against Australia? Can't see it - but the great Cymru will take them in the QF!!

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[EDIT] Times above are China/Beijing

[dtaai-maai]

Thanks for that reminder, pharvey

Interesting result between SA and Samoa today. I didn't see the game - were SA under par or were Samoa right up there?
At least they did Wales a favour by just missing out on the bonus point - or doesn't that matter any more?

I have my seat booked for Eng v Sco tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately my Scottish neighbour is away for a few weeks. Somehow I doubt that's a coincidence.

[pharvey]

Thanks for that reminder, pharvey

Interesting result between SA and Samoa today. I didn't see the game - were SA under par or were Samoa right up there?
At least they did Wales a favour by just missing out on the bonus point - or doesn't that matter any more?

I have my seat booked for Eng v Sco tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately my Scottish neighbour is away for a few weeks. Somehow I doubt that's a coincidence.

Unfortunately I was traveling on business yesterday and have meetings this afternoon so will miss the games today and didn't get to see the SA vs Samoa game yesterday. Seems Samoa were a little unlucky and it was a hell of a bruising encounter - 1 sent off, another sin-binned.

Samoa losing without a bonus point certainly makes life a lot easier for Wales, and short of losing by 40 odd points to Fiji, we'll qualify for the QF in second place and likely to meet Ireland.

The Sweaties will no doubt raise their game for Beelzibub's XV....... will it be enough?

[pharvey]

Just managed to catch the highlights of the SA vs Samoa game before the boredom of work sets in....

I know the highlights never show the ''full story'', but Samoa looked bloody good and were incredibly unlucky. There were a few harsh decisions from Nigel ''the only gay in the village'' Owens, which truly would have impacted the result (from what I saw). The sending off of the Samoan fullback Williams had to happen, but the Jaarpie certainly made a meal of it - sorry, not done in rugby..... is reserved for Wendyball.

Samoa are out of RWC 2011, and may still have to qualify for 2015 - however, these guys are without a doubt a Tier 1 nation and should be treated and respected as such. They are far and above the Tier 2 rating they now have, and their showing in this World Cup certainly backs that up.

Russia this morning against Australia were great in the 2nd half - a little like rabbits in the headlights in the first half, but certainly made Australia work in the second. Fair play to them, some great performances....... some bizarre after match speeches with one of their players speaking fluent English with a Dublin accent But these are the teams that really make the tournament for me. Romania, Georgia, USA, Namibia (I know they were hammered, but they gave all) and many others.

I'm biased, I'm Welsh, I love rugby....... but could you see anything similar to the Tevez ''incident'' happening at the Rugby World Cup..... or in rugby in general???? Not a fecking chance!! Argentinian rugby should be proud of their players..... Argentinian football (or perhaps football as a whole) should be embarrassed by theirs.

Back to the game played in heaven... One thing with this World Cup IMHO, is that the gap between the so called Tier 2 and Tier 1 nations is closing - all great for the game without a doubt. Emerging teams need to be given the funding to keep the growth of the game going - the likes of NZ also need to sort out their ruling body...... how the hell can the world's number 1 team be broke? A Rugby World Cup without the Blackness is not a World Cup........ and if you didn't already know, NZ are talking about missing the 2015 World Cup as they can't afford it!!

[pharvey]

Half Time....... France 6 vs Tonga 13

Tonga down to 14 men though for 10 mins...... 7-8 mins to go in the 2nd half though. Unfortunately I'm not going to bloody see it as I have meetings....

[dtaai-maai]

<sigh> If the French are getting thumped I'll just have to stop working and go and see it for myself... <sigh>

[dtaai-maai]

Oh my stars, as my Auntie Marge used to say, am I glad I didn't miss that! And it could easily have been more.
Well done, Tonga!

I've no idea what the population of Tonga is, but it must be about the same as Calais!

[caller]

am I glad I didn't miss that!

I wish I was missing the England game. Awful.

[Arcadian]

Result never in doubt.

[dtaai-maai]

am I glad I didn't miss that!

I wish I was missing the England game. Awful.

I beg to differ, caller. It was another bruising encounter, and there weren't a lot of silky skills about, but I'm not sorry I watched it. England have played below par in every game so far, but they haven't lost yet. Come on, man, you're a Chelski fan, you know what I mean!
Scotland up their game about 500% when they play England. They gave it their best shot, but it wasn't quite enough.
Words like lack of cohesion and discipline spring to mind, but England played pretty well in the 2nd half (certainly by comparison to the 1st...) well enough to come back and win.
Well done Scotland, but the loss to the Argies was what did it really.

While the home countries up their game against England, England have historically tended to up their game against the southern hemisphere teams.
Christ knows, they'll have to!

Wilkinson or Flood for the QFs? Buggered if I know.

[sateeb]

Not being much of a rugby fan,I thought the most entertaining spectacle was watching Richard nurse a Soda water through the 1st half.....careful Christian or Tyke tight arse...up to you!!!!

[JimmyGreaves]

Great Irish performance today, waited for the opportunities and they eventually came. We look good, but so do the Welsh.

Let's hope that it's not as close as the 2009 Grand Slam win against the Welsh boys as I could not stand another nail biting last minute. I hope whoever wins goes on to the final and wins it

Wales have a slight advantage having already played in Wellington

[pharvey]

Great Irish performance today, waited for the opportunities and they eventually came. We look good, but so do the Welsh.

Let's hope that it's not as close as the 2009 Grand Slam win against the Welsh boys as I could not stand another nail biting last minute. I hope whoever wins goes on to the final and wins it

Wales have a slight advantage having already played in Wellington

The Paddies played well today, and fair play to them, they looked good - it's going to be a great game next weekend, but there's only going to be one winner.......... and I'm biased!! (sorry JG)

Beelzebub vs The Surrender Monkeys............ going to be a let down IMHO and either the Welsh or the ''Oirish'' will tw@t them in the Semi's.

[pharvey]

Well, the pool stages have come to an end and the QF lineup is confirmed: -

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It's been a great tournament so far, with some great play from the so-called Tier 2 teams and a couple of lucky escapes and shocks for a few of the bigger teams. France going down to Tonga surely being the upset of the tournament thus far.

England back in the news again for the wrong reasons - booze and lewd remarks setting the theme.

Samoan Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu also in hot water for continuing with some ridiculous comments on Twitter - some engagement of brain before mouth required there.

Big news with Dan Carter out of the remainder of the tournament through injury..... certainly improves the chances of opposing teams, but certainly not the way you want to see things go.

Good luck to all next weekend....... Wales taking the next step towards the final