Pool A - New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia

[BeeGee]

On this performance, NZ can’t beat SA or Ireland. But as England showed in 07, you can improve dramatically in a month.

Not with Ian Foster as your coach.

Ah well, France played well, don't know why we kicked so much ball away particularly when down by 6.

Ask the coach.
The AB's strength has always been their ability to attack with ball in hand from any position on the field. Since Foster all they seem to do is kick possession away. Constantly.

 

[Uppercut]

I didn't think it would make much difference before the tournament, but after watching that game I would definitely prefer to meet NZ in the quarters than France.

 

[Furball]

Not with Ian Foster as your coach.

Just need an unlikely group win for Scotland and he can add 'first All Blacks coach to lose to Scotland' to his growing list of records.

 

[ripper868]

Glad Namibia got some points early, this is going to be very one way traffic it seems.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Looks effing hot out there.

Azzurri trying to take a few too many liberties that close to their 22. Oooo, did the #11 ground it? Should've slid in.

EDIT: Yup. Knee perilously close to touch though.

 

[ripper868]

Got there by the barest of margins, but good finish in the end. But yep, it seems to be baking over there, could imagine this will sap the players somewhat.

haven't heard Capuozzo's name in this game yet, seems to all be going to Ioane.

 

[ripper868]

The Sun definitely making it difficult for the Namibian back three, seem to be staring straight into it based on the shadows.

 

[wpdavid]

Congratz to France. I hope they win the whole thing.

Same. Speaking as a neutral, I'd happily see them win it.

 

[ripper868]

Anyone have Uruguay down by only 8 at half time v france on the bingo card?

 

[ripper868]

Also, I've only seen one replay, as i sit in a mcdonalafs afternsome work beers, but Toefuna has to be a red for the elbow to the head right?

 

[ripper868]

Carn Los Teros!

 

[ripper868]

Anyone have Uruguay down by only 8 at half time v france on the bingo card?

I'm gonna suggest even less had this margin at minute 72

 

[ripper868]

So ends any hope of the greatest ever upset, but Uruguay improving every cycle, which is only a good thing.

 

[Ali TT]

More **** refereeing?

 

[ripper868]

More **** refereeing?

Nah, not from my seat in the pub with no sound anyway.

 

[GotSpin]

Not bad from Uruguay at all

 

[Molehill]

Nah, not from my seat in the pub with no sound anyway.

Well I'm going to disagree. I was driving home from the gym when the incident happened. Both radio commentators thought it would be red. Got home and watched half time analysis, everyone on the TV panel were struggling to see where the mitigating circumstances were.

But it could be that we're going to see some more leniency now (which is sensible), I just hope we see consistency. Curry can consider himself very unfortunate given I reckon there were 3 more aggressive tackles than his which have made head contact and not been turned into a red (or even a yellow in one case).

 

[ripper868]

Oh that tackle, yeah I don't disagree, should of been red as its never a legal tackle, so the mitigation therefore doesn't matter.

I thought the comment was about the game more generally, and I didn't think the reffing overall was horribly biased or anything (unlike Wales/Fiji)

 

[Molehill]

Oh that tackle, yeah I don't disagree, should of been red as its never a legal tackle, so the mitigation therefore doesn't matter.

I thought the comment was about the game more generally, and I didn't think the reffing overall was horribly biased or anything (unlike Wales/Fiji)

Yeah agree, thought he made mistakes but didn't seem to favour anyone in particular. The scrums were a mess and he couldn't work out who was at fault, so he just alternated the penalties it seemed. Uruguay were very lucky not to have anyone yellow carded just before half time. If you pull a maul down that's heading for the line you should be off whether there's been a warning or not.

I also learnt that you can't kick the ball forward when driving through a ruck (as seen for the disallowed French try). Never knew that and been watching rugby for years.

 

[Furball]

I know it's a horrific injury but the ref's reaction there was pretty funny.