The Rugby Thread

[dtaai-maai]

Hoping for a good, competitive game between Scotland and Ireland.

So much for that after 1 minute...

[pharvey]

Hoping for a good, competitive game between Scotland and Ireland.

So much for that after 1 minute...

A tad worse at HT!

[pharvey]

Sunday's match between Japan and Argentina could be interesting with the winner set to play Wales in the Quarter Finals

Interesting? An understatement to say the least - what a game!! Far better than Ireland vs Scotland which I thought was going to be the highlight of the weekend's matches.

[pharvey]

Late on parade (again).... Apologies.

HHF/Superbru League Positions After Round 5 (Ignore places 1-3): -
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Next up......

The RWC reaches the "business end" of matters as the Quarter Finals are set to be played this weekend

Some will argue that with the draw being made 3 years ago that the "True Final" will be played a couple of rounds early... But hey, why worry if you're the world's best?

Anywho: -

Saturday 14.10
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Sunday 15.10
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NOTE: All Times BST. Live Coverage on ITV1/ITVX

[pharvey]

[dtaai-maai]

That's hilarious! Instant hero status!! On the lash for aboot 5 weeks!

[dtaai-maai]

Looking forward to the weekend's quarter final games, they should all be worth watching. It's astonishing that England have a good chance of ending up in the quarter finals...

[pharvey]

That's hilarious! Instant hero status!! On the lash for aboot 5 weeks!

And the man still insists on getting "Pisshed"!!

Looking forward to the weekend's quarter final games, they should all be worth watching. It's astonishing that England have a good chance of ending up in the quarter finals...

Hate to say it (and I truly do - they're already there ) - Chances are, they'll reach the Semi's.

Mentioning the Semi's: -

Wales vs Argentina

The Pumas have not been firing on all cylinders, but certainly came good against a fiery Japan - better and better as the tournament moves on. Both sides with significant injuries - the BIG ones in the Backrow... Obviously I'm biased, but Wales to get through!!

Ireland vs New Zealand

Christ, a Quarter Final?!! Many would say this is the final - if you're good enough, you'll win it!! For me, NZ will edge it.

England vs Fiji

Fiji put in a cracking performance against Wales in their opening game, but have been very poor since then - scraping through to the QF's. The Lillywhites have their own issues - pretty dire against Samoa and (Welsh passion aside) deserved to lose.
They'll have too much for Fiji I'm sure, BUT....... As a Welshman I can only hope

France vs South Africa

Another one that could have been the final. Wow, this for me is too close to call - SA will be pi$$ed off though from a loss in the Pool matches, and I honestly think (despite Les Bleus' home advantage) they'll take it!!

Cracking rugby ahead!!

[dtaai-maai]

Chances are, they'll reach the Semi's.

Yes yes yes, that's clearly what I meant to say. Honestly it's so disappointing that some younger forum members fail to have any sympathy for their elders (and betters) who have temprorary lapses of concentration...

[pharvey]

Yes yes yes, that's clearly what I meant to say. Honestly it's so disappointing that some younger forum members fail to have any sympathy for their elders (and betters) who have temprorary lapses of concentration...

Oh I have feck all sympathy for the delusional - temporary or not

Now, the potential of a Third Place Play Off is unfortunately very real..... But we all know which way that would go (should Wales for some unfathomable reason fail to reach the Final) !!

[pharvey]

Not long to go now...... Don't forget to make your HHF/Superbru Picks!!

Good news for Wales with both Biggar and Liam Williams back - have to feel for Ascombe though, how unluck has he been with injuries??!! Faletau is a huge blow, but we do have strength in depth in the Backrow. LRZ to claim "Top Try Scorer" spot...
Wales win of course...

The Lillywhites have gone for Farrell at 10 and Pretty boy Marcus "I want a 'tash" Smith at 15 - the latter could be interesting to say the least, but why oh why drop George Ford at 10? Unbelievable IMHO.... England will go for a very quick start to "crack" Fiji - but, remember what happened at HQ not so long ago!!
Lillywhite win (unfortunately)

Antoine Dupont comes back in for France, but is this a mistake? Class player no doubt, but is it too early from such a serious injury? SA are playing mind games, but both teams are incredibly physical and passions will be running high. All the makings of a classic match, hopefully not remembered for the wrong reasons...
SA to break the host's hearts - a 3 point win for the Boks!!

The "Blackness" vs Ireland..... Hell, the World Number 1 vs the World's most successful team of all time - this is going to be a cracker!! Ireland look unbeatable at the moment and have no fear of NZ.... BUT have some injuries - Lowe in particular which could cost them.
NZ win in a +/- 5 point game!

Roll on the weekend!!

[dtaai-maai]

Dupont was pictured in training yesterday...

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[Lost]

It's coming home.

Edit: wrong thread.

[Lost]

On a serious note, the two games I watched today far surpass most footie games in regards to entertainment, grit, fight-to-the-death determination. Hell of a show!

Fine margins, the same.

[Big Boy]

Watching my first game of this World Cup. My first time watching rugby since Rugby Pass stopped broadcasting to Thailand.

Well, after all of the stuff written about England rugby on this thread over the last few years, I think England are still looking as strong as ever (based on the first half only, so far). I am well impressed so far.