I agree, guess we expected too much from IRE after they have been sublime over recent years.
Still believe the All Blacks are beatable, more so this tournament but their production line is something that keeps producing and producing and producing amazing players.
Oz vs WAL been the best match so far.
Aus v Wales was a proper test match. NZ v SA was also good quality. Hopefully Eng v Arg will be a contest tomorrow. I think England have the best hope of the NH teams. But you're right, All Blacks are beatable, but you need to be at your best to do it !
ENG are moving the ball a lot faster this time round, very All Blacks style.NZ/SA was a beast of a match too, totally. All the NH countries have a good chance of progressing deep. NZ don't like playing France or the Italians, they seem to struggle (must be a mind thing) but like you say, you need to more than brilliant to beat the NZ on the day, everything needs to go in your favor.. everything.
Duw, Duw, boy bach. Go to your room and no supper for you!data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7
Enjoyed the SA Italy match today, even though it was one sided it was very enjoyable. Barnes had a really good game as ref but I think Italy were lucky to get away with just one red card for a spear tackle. Big concern for SA is the injury to wonder wing Kolbe who scored a brace of tries.
Mother Nature has intervened in Japan with England v France cancelled, both teams being awarded 2 points. At risk is Scotland v Japan which would be a real shame as it takes away Scotland's chance of progressing to the Quarters.
Although both England and France were through to the Quarters it's done neither team any favours, certainly not England that have not really had a test in the competition and that fact could work against them. Australia will meet them and will certainly want revenge against a top northern hemisphere country and England recent reputation of folding during important games and that lack of intense competition should place the Wallabies as favourites.
If you were France would you really want battle hardened Wales in the Quarters. What a game that was against Fiji. A few years ago Wales would have lost that match, now they are capable of reaching the Final.
Any games I should watch fully?
I've missed most, and only seen the score orhighlights for some, which don't always show the whole picture:like Tonga v France; or Namibia v NZ (which I did watch, but those first 20-30 mins).
Pity about the cancellations, was looking forwards to see Canada v Namibia, and both pool A games.
I think there has been just four stand out games, two of which involve Wales. One's to watch are Ireland/Japan, New Zealand/South Africa, Wales/Australia, Wales/Fiji and perhaps France/Argentina. Most of the others have been rather one sided.
If it goes ahead then Japan/Scotland should be rather intriguing.
Anyone else think they should have tried to rearrange the cancelled games. I think it crazy that 4 years of planning can be ruined by weather.....conveniently the host nation will go through top of the group.
I'm not sure it's so practical to do so.
I also heard that part of the agreement was that any games that couldn't take place would not be rearranged and a draw declared.
So if Scotland's game can't take place, there's nothing they can do.
Would they decide the final the same way?
Not good enough IMO. Regardless of the sport you always want to see the home nation doing well as it keeps the crowds interested but there have been some iffy decisions during play to Japans benefit. with them not being penalised, while others are for the same thing and now this.