Pool C - Australia, Ireland, Italy, Russia, United States

[ripper868]

Underdone Ioane > Medium-Rare Mitchell/JOC IMO

[ripper868]

good fight by the ruskis but terrible execution at the lineout cost them. Would have been fantastic if they stole a draw at the death there.

[centurymaker]

American captain is a ****.
(disgraceful behaviour)

[Somerset]

American captain is a ****.
(disgraceful behaviour)

I think Clever's great, his shoulder charge was a bit unnecessary but I've seen a lot worse. He had another very impressive match in leading his side, and the tight five of the US was excellent. They seemed to struggle in the set piece against Ireland on the weekend but really put the Russians under huge pressure, particularly at the lineout. Bit surprised that the Russians chose not to start with Adam Byrnes, their only player with Super Rugby experience.

[centurymaker]

I think Clever's great, his shoulder charge was a bit unnecessary but I've seen a lot worse. He had another very impressive match in leading his side, and the tight five of the US was excellent. They seemed to struggle in the set piece against Ireland on the weekend but really put the Russians under huge pressure, particularly at the lineout. Bit surprised that the Russians chose not to start with Adam Byrnes, their only player with Super Rugby experience.

well I missed the first 60 mins of the game.

[ripper868]

Thought the American scrum was average tbh - Russia obviously forgot aout the lineout at training. Looking forward to The game against the Paddy's.

[BoyBrumby]

I think Clever's great, his shoulder charge was a bit unnecessary but I've seen a lot worse. He had another very impressive match in leading his side, and the tight five of the US was excellent. They seemed to struggle in the set piece against Ireland on the weekend but really put the Russians under huge pressure, particularly at the lineout. Bit surprised that the Russians chose not to start with Adam Byrnes, their only player with Super Rugby experience.

Hmm, spot the ringer.

I guess it's because he's a hooker and the Ruskies' captain is a rake too.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Good suggestion in the Dom Post this morning. Take the teams that finish 3/4 in the group stages and let them have their own knock-out "Shield" competition. You've brought these smaller teams all the way over here, why not? Reckon you'd get a full house for a Shield final.

Would give the little teams a bit more to play for in the last couple of round robin games. 5th placed team goes home.

[marc71178]

Don't the 3rd place teams qualify for the next World Cup as it stands so they do have something to play for?

[ripper868]

Hmm, spot the ringer.

I guess it's because he's a hooker and the Ruskies' captain is a rake too.

Brumbers - Byrnes is a 2nd Rower - least he was at the Reds in 2010

[centurymaker]

Good suggestion in the Dom Post this morning. Take the teams that finish 3/4 in the group stages and let them have their own knock-out "Shield" competition. You've brought these smaller teams all the way over here, why not? Reckon you'd get a full house for a Shield final.

Would give the little teams a bit more to play for in the last couple of round robin games. 5th placed team goes home.

agree.
someone suggested that in The Telegraph aswell.

[Somerset]

Good suggestion in the Dom Post this morning. Take the teams that finish 3/4 in the group stages and let them have their own knock-out "Shield" competition. You've brought these smaller teams all the way over here, why not? Reckon you'd get a full house for a Shield final.

Would give the little teams a bit more to play for in the last couple of round robin games. 5th placed team goes home.

I quite like that idea. Even if you took just the teams that finished third in each pool and had them play off, it'd still raise some interest. Theres relatively large gaps between the knockout matches so you could schedule those matches in those gaps without any clashes.

[Hurricane]

Good suggestion in the Dom Post this morning. Take the teams that finish 3/4 in the group stages and let them have their own knock-out "Shield" competition. You've brought these smaller teams all the way over here, why not? Reckon you'd get a full house for a Shield final.

Would give the little teams a bit more to play for in the last couple of round robin games. 5th placed team goes home.

Two thumbs up

[TT Boy]

No Pocock for the Aussies. Ireland have a chance.

[BoyBrumby]

No Pocock for the Aussies. Ireland have a chance.

Feck. A zip for me dream team then.