Official Rugby Thread

[Ali TT]

African teams that aren't South Africa are 0-35 with one no result (Canada v Namibia game victim to the typhoon in 2019) in the rugby world cup. 23 of those games saw the opponent rack up at least 50 points.

 

[Heboric]

Yeah its always nice to beat the old enemy in a final, but we will have to wait and see how the players make an impact for the Boks. England and France juniors has won it multiple times and havent really done anything for their senior side.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

NPC is back.

Waikato scored 2 tries in the final 3 mins to bear Auckland with Lima Sopoaga getting the winner.

Southland v Otago is the big one this w/end.
Tasman have a stacked team and might win the comp.

 

[Heboric]

First off I know it wasnt the proper full New Zealand ladies team, but that was still quite a win for the Bok ladies.

 

[Dendarii]

First off I know it wasnt the proper full New Zealand ladies team, but that was still quite a win for the Bok ladies.

I think giving Swys the coaching job was a very good move. He's got a great rugby brain, and it's a far less stressful position than the previous ones he's held. So it's ideal for him and it seems to be paying dividends.

 

[Molehill]

I'm not saying that the Women's Rugby World Cup is going to be predictable, but current bookies odds are:

England 4-11
NZ 5-2
Canada 6-1
France 12-1

50-1 and upwards the rest.

If the draw plays out, then it'll be Eng v France and NZ v Canada in the semis.

Most interesting pool games likely to be NZ v Ireland, Wales v Scotland, SA v Italy, Aus v USA.

 

[Howe_zat]

I'm not saying that the Women's Rugby World Cup is going to be predictable, but current bookies odds are:

England 4-11
NZ 5-2
Canada 6-1
France 12-1

50-1 and upwards the rest.

If the draw plays out, then it'll be Eng v France and NZ v Canada in the semis.

Most interesting pool games likely to be NZ v Ireland, Wales v Scotland, SA v Italy, Aus v USA.

It's been a two horse race for a while now with 5 of the last 6 finals being NZ beating England and the other (2014) being the one where NZ randomly crashed out to Ireland before making the semis. Add that to it being in England and the home side being as good as they've ever been over the last few years and here we are.

Kicker is, England still haven't beaten the kiwis in a world cup game ever. Their last 4 losses (in between 80 odd wins) are the 2017 cup final to NZ, 2018 6N decider in France, a 2019 test against NZ and the 2021 world cup final also against NZ.

 

[Howe_zat]

There are some warm up matches on Saturday, England have picked a full strength side for what is normally a proper test for them, which is playing in Paris. That'll probably be a good judge of where they're at going in to the cup, which you probably can't say of the 90 point win against Spain last week.

 

[Molehill]

It's been a two horse race for a while now with 5 of the last 6 finals being NZ beating England and the other (2014) being the one where NZ randomly crashed out to Ireland before making the semis. Add that to it being in England and the home side being as good as they've ever been over the last few years and here we are.

Kicker is, England still haven't beaten the kiwis in a world cup game ever. Their last 4 losses (in between 80 odd wins) are the 2017 cup final to NZ, 2018 6N decider in France, a 2019 test against NZ and the 2021 world cup final also against NZ.

Of course, under the new rules England would probably have won in 2021, only having to play 20 mins without their winger instead of an hour.

England were a bit ropey in that 6 Nations decider against France at Twickenham earlier this year, although they were missing a few key players (need to keep Kildunne fit this time).

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Of course, under the new rules England would probably have won in 2021, only having to play 20 mins without their winger instead of an hour.

I'd happily take that if it meant NZ only lost SBW for 20 mins against the 2017 Lions (2nd test) and Cane for 20 v SA in the last men's final.

 

[Molehill]

I'd happily take that if it meant NZ only lost SBW for 20 mins against the 2017 Lions (2nd test) and Cane for 20 v SA in the last men's final.

Wouldn't SBW still be a full red?

 

[ripper868]

Something about Kerevi v Wales in 2019 as well if we are going down this road.

 

[Molehill]

Something about Kerevi v Wales in 2019 as well if we are going down this road.

Good point, that was clearly the only thing which prevented Australia winning the 2019 World Cup.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Lol, at "we would have won if the rules if the game were different".

 

[ripper868]

Good point, that was clearly the only thing which prevented Australia winning the 2019 World Cup.

I am glad we are aligned on this undeniable fact. I look forward to the next 'Whistle Watch' with Nigel Owens and Ugo Monye's very unscripted, unrehearsed and honest opinions on the matter that are in no way influenced by World Rugby.

 

[Molehill]

Lol, at "we would have won if the rules if the game were different".

And yet it was incidents like those mentioned which have brought about the rule change.