How Good

[jc155776]

Has the world cup been so far??

I was ULTRA impressed with the fight shown by Namibia (have never enjoyed snealy field goals more then that before!) Romania (brutal forward pack) and Japan.

Wales and Argentina played their guts out as well.

For me the world cup is about the minnows and the gap is getting smaller every four years which is great. I really hope we avoid some blowouts unlike previous years.

Hoping Samoa can spring some upsets as well.

 

[skeepe]

Wales were robbed, IMO. Hook's penalty was inside the posts.

 

[jargan83]

That penalty not being given was criminal. The ball never even went outside the post!

Time to send the match officials to OPSM

 

[Rod]

I was at the game and cheering for Wales but I thought it went over the top of the post. The news over here did a thing last night where they virtually extended the post and they reckon it would have hit the post if the posts were higher. Obviously not 100% accurate but combined with the original vision good enough for me, the ball certainly curves back in but I reckon this is just after it goes past the posts.

 

[Butters]

Been a quality tournament so far. Hasn't been a bad game apart from maybe the opener.

 

[Warrior@Heart]

Must say all the teams showed up with nice shiny new jerseys too.

 

[Timbo]

I knew the minnows were getting better, but I'm shocked as to how good they've gotten in the interveneing 4 years.

Romania were pushing for inclusion in the (then) Five Nations in the 80s before the Romanian revolution, they could go close now.

But the big, BIG thing is - there's far less ex-pats playing for the minnows than in the past, combine that with the fact that the minnow sides are now comprised largely of full time professionals as opposed to 15 amateurs like in past tournaments.

Even the USA - the elusive Holy Grail of sports administrators - are massively improved. They said the other night that the USA Rugby Super League was going full time professional in the next 18 months as well!

The Wallabies, Poms, Blacks and les Bleu's still may be light years ahead, the gulf is narrowing. Considerably.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Been a quality tournament so far. Hasn't been a bad game apart from maybe the opener.

What was wrong with the opener? Brilliant attack from the ABs in the first half, awesome defence and forward effort from the Tongans in the second. If I was to pick a worst game I'd cite England-Argentina but at least it was close.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

But the big, BIG thing is - there's far less ex-pats playing for the minnows than in the past, combine that with the fact that the minnow sides are now comprised largely of full time professionals as opposed to 15 amateurs like in past tournaments.

Interesting fact- Romania and Georgia are the only squads with no imports.

 

[Knownothing]

Interesting fact- Romania and Georgia are the only squads with no imports.

The entire Romanian front row were widely picked as the best in their positions in the opening round. Pity they don't have any backs.

 

[Butters]

What was wrong with the opener? Brilliant attack from the ABs in the first half, awesome defence and forward effort from the Tongans in the second. If I was to pick a worst game I'd cite England-Argentina but at least it was close.

The game was over by half time.

 

[Mr Angry]

Is Canada supposed to beat Tonga - cause they did!

 

[Thomas]

Go canada!

 

[Parra]

Is Canada supposed to beat Tonga - cause they did!

They have form.

 

[Timbo]

That Canada/Tonga game was brilliant.

This Scotland/Georgia game isn't far behind.

Apparently in the new US league, which will be fully professional, Canada will have teams included - meaning BOTH countries are going full time pro.

Does anyone have any info on it?

 

[Twizzle]

Oh Canada

 

[Thomas]

Scotland are now officially a Tier 2 nation.

 

[Parra]

Scotland are now officially a Tier 2 nation.

Steadfast refusal to hold onto the ball.

 

[Parra]

Samoan fullback ripped off . That was a top hit.

Rugby has never got the balance right between no shoulder charging and the front on upright hit.

 

[Big Sam]

The 'minnows' have been wonderful so far however the suits at the IRB have done them no favours.

It's bordering on the criminal that sides like Canada and Georgia have to back up after only 4 days against teams that have had a full week to recover. It's as though the IRB don't want them to succeed lest they disturb the established order.

I hope the prevailing attitude changes soon though. Down the track I'd like to see the Tier 1 nations touring North America and Eastern Europe instead of the usual UK/Southern Hemisphere tours. And wouldn't it be great to see some form of Promotion/Relegation in the Six Nations? I reckon even England and France would struggle playing in Russia and Georgia in mid-February.