Rugby World Cup 2015
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We keep being told what football can learn from rugby. Well despite FIFA's drawing-pin-in-a-piece-of-paper ranking system, I think the egg chasers can learn about seeding and competition draws.
Hosts are seeds, always.
That aside, how could France be in pot 1 and England not?
Since 2010 England have finished above France in the six nations six times out of seven. Head to head over the same period it's 5 England wins to 4 France.
In the world rankings, since September 2011 France have been above England and in the top four for just seven months, the last time until the past couple of weeks being January 2013. even today, with England at an all time low in 8th, France have exactly the same ranking score, although they are above England in the table for reasons I really can't be bothered to find out.
Staging a draw almost three years before the competition is due to start is beyond parody, especially given the facts above.3 -
Mate, the competition goes on for about 28 weeks, its a bore-fest.Algarveaddick said:We keep being told what football can learn from rugby. Well despite FIFA's drawing-pin-in-a-piece-of-paper ranking system, I think the egg chasers can learn about seeding and competition draws.
Hosts are seeds, always.
That aside, how could France be in pot 1 and England not?
Since 2010 England have finished above France in the six nations six times out of seven. Head to head over the same period it's 5 England wins to 4 France.
In the world rankings, since September 2011 France have been above England and in the top four for just seven months, the last time until the past couple of weeks being January 2013. even today, with England at an all time low in 8th, France have exactly the same ranking score, although they are above England in the table for reasons I really can't be bothered to find out.
Staging a draw almost three years before the competition is due to start is beyond parody, especially given the facts above.
We keep being told how hard rugby players are, play every 3 or 4 days then. You don't need a week off.3 -
France were in the last RWC final.
Hosts should be seeds, especially if there's only one host.
Staging the draw early is very strange.0 -
Ireland were superb on Sunday, the French never came close to winning. It will be a monster game against Argentina and despite what I typed above, Ireland must be favourites now to get into the semis along with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, despite possibly losing three experienced regulars including Capn. O'Connell.
The Irish squad is united, talented, committed AND wonderfully well managed and coached. Compare with hapless, disunited, clueless and terribly coached England, Rumour has it that the Duke of Lancaster and his absolutely fucking useless staff, namely Father Farrell, Woodenhead Rowntree and Back Alley Catt will all be retained. Only in England could a lack of any modicum of talent and an absolutely rubbish record be so unjustly rewarded.2 -
Surely not,that would be crazy ...which means it will probably happen I suppose.Lincsaddick said:Ireland were superb on Sunday, the French never came close to winning. It will be a monster game against Argentina and despite what I typed above, Ireland must be favourites now to get into the semis along with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, despite possibly losing three experienced regulars including Capn. O'Connell.
The Irish squad is united, talented, committed AND wonderfully well managed and coached. Compare with hapless, disunited, clueless and terribly coached England, Rumour has it that the Duke of Lancaster and his absolutely fucking useless staff, namely Father Farrell, Woodenhead Rowntree and Back Alley Catt will all be retained. Only in England could a lack of any modicum of talent and an absolutely rubbish record be so unjustly rewarded.1 -
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Add to those three O'Brien. His man of the match performance could be his last as he was cited for the first minute punch on Pape. Hearing is tomorrow, but I'd be surprised if it isn't at least a one game ban.Lincsaddick said:Ireland were superb on Sunday, the French never came close to winning. It will be a monster game against Argentina and despite what I typed above, Ireland must be favourites now to get into the semis along with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, despite possibly losing three experienced regulars including Capn. O'Connell.
Couldn't see any mitigating aggro from Pape. Only thing in his favour was that it was open hand, rather than fist. God knows what damage he would have done if he'd hit him properly!0 -
Perhaps it's the intensity and physical nature of the game that requires the rest and recovery ? They are monsters these days and getting hit by one if them must smart a bit.ValleyGary said:
Mate, the competition goes on for about 28 weeks, its a bore-fest.Algarveaddick said:We keep being told what football can learn from rugby. Well despite FIFA's drawing-pin-in-a-piece-of-paper ranking system, I think the egg chasers can learn about seeding and competition draws.
Hosts are seeds, always.
That aside, how could France be in pot 1 and England not?
Since 2010 England have finished above France in the six nations six times out of seven. Head to head over the same period it's 5 England wins to 4 France.
In the world rankings, since September 2011 France have been above England and in the top four for just seven months, the last time until the past couple of weeks being January 2013. even today, with England at an all time low in 8th, France have exactly the same ranking score, although they are above England in the table for reasons I really can't be bothered to find out.
Staging a draw almost three years before the competition is due to start is beyond parody, especially given the facts above.
We keep being told how hard rugby players are, play every 3 or 4 days then. You don't need a week off.0 -
O'Brien was immense yesterday, gotta feel for O'Connell what a way to finish your international career.Also bad news for Munster in European Cup.0
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O'Connell is off to Toulon for next seasonnorthstandsteve said:O'Brien was immense yesterday, gotta feel for O'Connell what a way to finish your international career.Also bad news for Munster in European Cup.
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yer read that this morning but O'Mahoney out for Munster is a big miss as well.0
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True, forgot about O'Mahoney.northstandsteve said:yer read that this morning but O'Mahoney out for Munster is a big miss as well.
Losing O'Brien (as is expected) and O'Mahoney from a back row is massive. Fingers crossed O'Brien only gets a week ban so he's back for the semi, should they get past the Argies. Suspect he'll be out for 3/4 weeks though.0 -
None at all - don't you read the social media quotes from anti-football rugger buggers telling you how incredibly tough the players are compared with footballers, Tel?TelMc32 said:
Add to those three O'Brien. His man of the match performance could be his last as he was cited for the first minute punch on Pape. Hearing is tomorrow, but I'd be surprised if it isn't at least a one game ban.Lincsaddick said:Ireland were superb on Sunday, the French never came close to winning. It will be a monster game against Argentina and despite what I typed above, Ireland must be favourites now to get into the semis along with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, despite possibly losing three experienced regulars including Capn. O'Connell.
Couldn't see any mitigating aggro from Pape. Only thing in his favour was that it was open hand, rather than fist. God knows what damage he would have done if he'd hit him properly!1 -
On a different note...I've just spotted the resemblance between Aussie second row, Dean Mumm, and a certain Dale Stephens....
Anyone else see it?!1 -
The verdict is in and O'Brien has been banned for one week, which was reduced from two weeks because of his previous disciplinary record.0
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34510438guinnessaddick said:The verdict is in and O'Brien has been banned for one week, which was reduced from two weeks because of his previous disciplinary record.
Scotland have Ford and Gray banned for the rest of the tournament. But then as they're playing Australia, a one match ban would have had the same effect!3 -
Thought he wanted to go North? Brighton was one thing, but Australia?!Addickforlife said:On a different note...I've just spotted the resemblance between Aussie second row, Dean Mumm, and a certain Dale Stephens....
Anyone else see it?!3 -
i cant believe this tournament is still on. Theres only about 6 countries who are any good, surely it could have been sorted out over a fortnight and let Rugger get back to being supported by fifty people and a dog. If it wasnt for the Times dedicating page after page on it you would never know it hadnt finished.
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The citings and consequent bans handed out have been the one terrible aspect of this world cup. The difference between the Tier 1 and 2 teams is shocking.guinnessaddick said:The verdict is in and O'Brien has been banned for one week, which was reduced from two weeks because of his previous disciplinary record.
O'Brien gets a week for a punch, Hooper gets a week for a deliberate no arms clear out, and Pocock gets away with a deliberate knee. Meanwhile Tuilagi of Samoa gets 5 weeks for running into someone. Complete joke.
Don't get me wrong I'm happy O'Brien only got a week, as want Ireland to do well, but it is highly biased.1 -
Was Hooper the take out of Brown ?
How did the ref miss that and what would a yellow card have meant to the result at that time ?0 - Sponsored links:
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if they do lose to Australia everyone can get back to supporting Eng...land... oh...killerandflash said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34510438guinnessaddick said:The verdict is in and O'Brien has been banned for one week, which was reduced from two weeks because of his previous disciplinary record.
Scotland have Ford and Gray banned for the rest of the tournament. But then as they're playing Australia, a one match ban would have had the same effect!
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This adds so much to the Rugby World Cup thread, I can easily see why Henry has 'Liked' it.Halix said:i cant believe this tournament is still on. Theres only about 6 countries who are any good, surely it could have been sorted out over a fortnight and let Rugger get back to being supported by fifty people and a dog. If it wasnt for the Times dedicating page after page on it you would never know it hadnt finished.
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Sorry, ARTHUR, Sorry what I meant to say,-
Thank goodness this tournament is still on, I have no idea that New Zealand will win it. It is a good job it wasnt possible to play it over just a fortnight, because the MASSIVE tv audiences (4.1 Million for England at prime time saturday on ITV!) will have nothing else to watch and talk about wherever you go. If only the Times and other papers could promote it better, then even more people will be watching it and then reporting favorably (and apparantly only positively) on a FOOTBALL forum site.
I think thats what I meant, sorry for the earlier draft.1 -
Yeh it was. And makes it even more annoying that he got a week ban for it, so effectively the panel saying it is a yellow card offence. If he'd been carded then god knows what would have happened, but I'd bet it would have made our task rather easier!PL54 said:Was Hooper the take out of Brown ?
How did the ref miss that and what would a yellow card have meant to the result at that time ?0 -
You don't like it , great. Don't need to come on this thread then do you.Halix said:Sorry, ARTHUR, Sorry what I meant to say,-
Thank goodness this tournament is still on, I have no idea that New Zealand will win it. It is a good job it wasnt possible to play it over just a fortnight, because the MASSIVE tv audiences (4.1 Million for England at prime time saturday on ITV!) will have nothing else to watch and talk about wherever you go. If only the Times and other papers could promote it better, then even more people will be watching it and then reporting favorably (and apparantly only positively) on a FOOTBALL forum site.
I think thats what I meant to say, sorry for the earlier typo.
How do you think those who can't stand football feel when our world cup is on, or when those who hate tennis feel when Wimbledon is on.
You are supposedly a sports fan, can't you respect other sports while they are for a small period of time in the limelight over football.6 -
So I get it, my negative comments are not welcome by the Rugby police. Is it only acceptable to be favourable to Rugby in order to participate in a conversation? Am I wrong to comment that the tournament is far too long and could have been more interesting and relevant if it was held over a shorter period?
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Re-read your reply to Arthur, and try and tell me that was meant in a constructive, not sarcastic way. Then maybe try and make your point again properly, and people may listen.Halix said:So I get it, my negative comments are not welcome by the Rugby police. Is it only acceptable to be favourable to Rugby in order to participate in a conversation? Am I wrong to comment that the tournament is far too long and could have been more interesting and relevant if it was held over a shorter period?
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Both the England Wales and England Australia matches drew in audiences of more than 10m.
1.8m people have attended live games so far, with 95% of tickets sold out (at high prices too for many matches)
Slightly more than 50 people and a dog...
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I find it rather sad anyone with a sporting interest does not appreciate the sporting endeavour on display at this Rugby World Cup.
Rugby may not be your game but it is the game of millions of people round the world who have as much right to watch their "heroes" perform on a world stage. It is a team sport and at the highest level a very competitive physically and mentally demanding sport capable of producing moments of great excitement and no little skill.
I would have thought most followers of any team sport would have at least gained something from watching a comparable sport, but maybe it just says more about the modern day football fan. Certainly the idea such a physically demanding sporting competition being completed within 2 weeks shows a glaring lack of knowledge of the game.
In terms of popularity I believe that attendances for the pool games achieved 95% of ticket availability.
In terms of sporting excellence the physicality of the modern professional rugby union game is without question. The level of dedication and competitive spirit shown by the players of the leading nations in developing the physique, speed and/or strength to play with such ferocity is worthy of appreciation alone.
All for a fraction of the financial reward available in other sports.
The catalogue of mounting injuries is testimony the brutality of some of the games. Wales alone for example has had 10 injury withdrawals from their competition training squad.
The technical skills and flair on display, some from even the tier 2 squads have been similarly impressive generating displays of attacking rugby and impressive ball skills.
For me it has been one of the best festivals of team sport in recent memory.
It is just a huge shame the English coaching set up pulled back from "attacking" the competition in favour of more defensive approach. With the right selections they could have done very well.8 -
Grapevine coming up trumps once again with the post of the thread.1
