Rugby World Cup in Japan,

[John Saxton]

Watching with interest to see how the Wallabies will go in the Rugby World Cup.Unfortunate loss to Wales on the weekend ,hopefully finish off their Pool in at least 2nd place for a chance in the semi play-off's.

Cheers :)

[Gabriel]

Certainly seems we have pulled it together in the last few months..... A couple of years ago we would be lucky to make it past the pool matches but the boys are looking good

[Glider]

Watching with interest to see how the Wallabies will go in the Rugby World Cup

Me too! The Uruguay game tomorrow looks like being a cracker. I don't normally whinge about refs but that fend off penalty in the Wales match was just stupid. It cost us the game.

mick

[John Saxton]

Got through The Uruguay game Ok even at times without a man being sent off. TMO should stay out of the ref's ear until there's a requested need.

[Glider]

Got through The Uruguay game Ok even at times without a man being sent off. TMO should stay out of the ref's ear until there's a requested need.

Absolutely. The on-field work should be left to the ref and the touchies.

I'd like to see a lot more aggression and hunger from the forwards at the breakdown. Easy field goals are our nemesis. The backs looked terrific yesterday, especially Kurtley, but against a second tier team with another one against Georgia coming up.

mick

[John Saxton]

Agree about the forwards,they are going to up the ante come the semi play offs.Kuridrani amazing turn of speed for a big fellow.

[John Saxton]

Testing game against Georgia last night,now the Wallabies are into the quarter finals .Their match next week versus England who wont be a push-over ,the Wallabies will need to be on their top game to move into the semi's.

[Glider]

It was not a pretty game to watch. By all accounts, it was bucketing down the whole time. I've never played with a modern ball but my son tells me they can be pretty slippery; but nowhere near as a bad as the old leather balls.

I hope Kurtley isn't ruled out of next Saturday's game. He's a lynchpin.

mick

[John Saxton]

8 day turn around Coach reckons Kurtley should be Ok ,in that time testing for concussion affect will need to rule him fit of course. Keeping fingers crossed for a thumbs up from the docs.

[Glider]

I certainly hope so. Both that he's well and secondly that he'll be match ready for the poms.

I watched him play at school from about year 10 and his old 1sts coach is a good friend. Kurtley has that rare ability for situational awareness. Somehow he knows where everyone is whenever he has the ball.

Can't wait for the next game.

mick

[ian]

Who watched the game between Scotland and Japan?

They play South Africa in the quarters.

[John Saxton]

Did not see it Ian ,only the wrap up of it.I cannot see Japan getting over South Africa however they are playing well under their coach's tutelage and could cause an upset but my money is on SA.

[ian]

I'm going for Japan. As you say they are playing well -- perhaps out of their skins, perhaps not.

After the pool stage, the world rankings are:


Men's World Rugby Rankings




Top 30 rankings as of 14 October 2019


Rank
Change*
Team
Points


1
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg/23px-Flag_of_New_Zealand.svg.png New Zealand (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_national_rugby_union_team)
90.98


2
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/Flag_of_Wales_%281959%E2%80%93present%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Wales_%281959%E2%80%93present%29.svg.png Wales (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales_national_rugby_union_team)
88.87


3
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/Flag_of_England.svg/23px-Flag_of_England.svg.png England (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_national_rugby_union_team)
88.13


4
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/IRFU_flag.svg/23px-IRFU_flag.svg.png Ireland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_national_rugby_union_team)
85.93


5
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Flag_of_South_Africa.svg/23px-Flag_of_South_Africa.svg.png South Africa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team)
85.75


6
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/Flag_of_Australia_%28converted%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Australia_%28converted%29.svg.png Australia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_national_rugby_union_team)
83.52


7
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Increase2.svg/11px-Increase2.svg.png1
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9e/Flag_of_Japan.svg/23px-Flag_of_Japan.svg.png Japan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_national_rugby_union_team)
82.08


8
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Decrease2.svg/11px-Decrease2.svg.png1
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/23px-Flag_of_France.svg.png France (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_national_rugby_union_team)
81.38


9
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Flag_of_Scotland.svg/23px-Flag_of_Scotland.svg.png Scotland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_national_rugby_union_team)
79.23


10
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Steady2.svg/11px-Steady2.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Flag_of_Argentina.svg/23px-Flag_of_Argentina.svg.png Argentina (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina_national_rugby_union_team)
78.31


BUT
Japan beat No.4 Ireland
Japan beat No.9 Scotland
AND
They beat South Africa in the 2015 World Cup.

So my money's on a Japan win.

[John Saxton]

All those teams listed are Tier 1 teams ,they would not be considered in that grouping unless they were competitive.Japan has to my belief has upped the ante with good coaching on the ethos of comparitive challenge.I believe they will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.I don't feel that South Africa will go into this knock out stage with their tails between their legs.
SA on the Tier 1 listing is listed as #2 with a rank range of 1-7,Japan has a rank range of 7-15 not necessarily a guide in WC matches, but they like any team here can have a bad hair day where nothing suits.
One has to remember that Japan has an home audience to play to whereas SA do not.SA beat NZ in NZ one of the recent rugby championship games something not to be overlooked on their build up to the WC.

[Glider]

I'm going for Japan too. I love their enthusiasm and open play. I suspect their home ground advantage is a powerful influence and there'll be heavy pressure from Rugby Japan to do well for the promotion of the game. No risk, they're the underdogs against the Boks and they're definitely outweighed and outclassed. However I've seen a lot of other factors affecting teams which I'll never understand as a spectator. I really hope the Blossoms are not flogged and I'd love to see them get up against the Saffas.

Meantime we have our own job to do beating the Poms. The numbers are against us but we have the spirit to punch above our weight.

mick

[Glider]

Well, the boys gave it their best shot. I suspect those intercepts were not flukes but a weakness Eddie Jones has seen to be exploited. Still, Johnny May is a terrific player so good luck to him.

Still some good Rugby to watch.

mick

[derekcohen]

Mick, I was going to comment about the interceptions. It seems to me that the Wallabies give away at least one, often two, tries every game through interceptions. The passes are woeful ... slow, arced loops just waiting to be fielded. Or the opposing backline is lying shallow and this is ignored (where are the grubber kicks?). It is heart-breaking to see chances missed, but it must be so demoralising to give away points like this.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Glider]

Quite right, Derek. Every opposing coach studies the videos. I groan every time I see one of those slow looping shallow passes. I shan't reveal what I say when we are intercepted once again.

I missed the Japan - Boks game because Channel 10 broadcast Wales v France and I have no Foxtel at the farm. Probably a better match but I like the Blossoms' spirit. The result was entirely predictable.

I suppose I must now barrack for the Blacks. After all, they are Anzac partners.

mick

[John Saxton]

The NZ/England game is going to be a real good match to watch as will be the Wales /South Africa match.I had reservations on Japan over SA although the Japanese are a good running side they are only as good as the opposition allows,so good kudos to SA putting in a good combined defensive effort with an offensive effort to match.Wales were very lucky to get over the French & would not have done so I feel if the French chap had not been red carded over a brain fade.

I am also going for the AB's but probably by about 9points hope to proven right .

[Glider]

It takes a great team to make a good team look ordinary. That's the story of last night's disappointing performance.

What now? Barrack for Wales, I guess. Hopefully we'll see a cracker game this evening.

mick

[Lappa]

It’s probably put Eddie Jones out of reach for Aust Rugby as well.

[John Saxton]

England / South Africa the two best teams here to do battle ,I think England have their heads & attitude in in the right space .SA need to to show that they can penetrate a good defensive side ,win the ball at the break down be show discipline within the side to limit penalties.
England with a chance here, but I'd like to the cup come back to the Southern Hemisphere.

[Glider]

I've decided to barrack for whichever team plays the more attractive rugby. Guys, can we please not have a pick and drive, box kicking fest in search of territory and penalties? Like it or not, you're actually playing for the fans' enjoyment; all of us. Win at any cost also means fewer bums on seats as we saw when Dingo Deans was coaching the Wallabies.

Otherwise my default position is to support the Poms. OK...it's come to this and now I've said it! A small acknowledgement of thanks that they sent my ancestor to a better country instead of leaving the convicts behind and setting sail themselves.

mick :)

[rustynail]

Tight rugby wins international games. That's why England is were they are. You can't score points without the ball. When you've got it, keep it.
When you haven't, get it. Rugby is hard work. To be successful you need to reverse this.

[John Saxton]

For the community of South Africa to see their team win is a morale boosting thing that I am glad to see.The better team came to play and what a game they did give us .

[Glider]

Agreed, John. Other family duties intervened so I was only able to watch the second half But what a half it was!

The spirit and camaraderie shown by the Boks after the game was heart warming. One team and one country. Good on them!

I guess now I can finally move on from the 1971 test at the old Sydney Sports Ground during that infamous tour.

mick