Rugby World Cup 2023

[Rebelda]

You know what would really cheer me up

 

[starfish]

Its Italys best chance to beat them.

 

[Rebelda]

Nm

 

[two sheds]

Am loving this crowd - 'ooooooh' when there's a hit, applause when there's good play (particularly by Italians). I read a few days ago that French crowds do a lot of booing but not heard anything yet. Perhaps there's a boo-suppression filter.

 

[two sheds]

that's some try

 

[Petcha]

This could be the first 100+ game

 

[Petcha]

Looks at the ABs bench which will come on with 20 to go

 

[starfish]

So much for that thought then

 

[two sheds]

You were right though - was their best chance when it was 0-0

Fuck the Italians look dispirited

 

[Petcha]

I actually don't like these sort of games. I mean it's a pleasure to watch a great side do great things but it's not a great advert for the game.

 

[Rebelda]

I actually don't like these sort of games. I mean it's a pleasure to watch a great side do great things but it's not a great advert for the game.

I don't see them as great things in that context though. I might watch Ireland v RSA again

 

[Petcha]

I don't see them as great things in that context though. I might watch Ireland v RSA again

Italy aren't that bad a side. New Zealand are playing out of their skins here. I don't think many teams could keep up at the moment.

 

[starfish]

I actually don't like these sort of games. I mean it's a pleasure to watch a great side do great things but it's not a great advert for the game.

Theyre both tier 1.

 

[two sheds]

Yeh I'm sure I've watched Italy get better and better over the years. They must have thought they could do well after France beating NZ.

I may not watch second half though

 

[Petcha]

Yeh I'm sure I've watched Italy get better and better over the years. They must have thought they could do well after France beating NZ.

I may not watch second half though

Well there might be records broken. Aaron Smith's already got a hat trick (i think). And he's greedy.

 

[starfish]

Whats happened tonight is the ABs have turned up & clicked. It helps that they are playing the worst of the tier one teams, who havent turned up.

 

[Rebelda]

Italy aren't that bad a side. New Zealand are playing out of their skins here. I don't think many teams could keep up at the moment.

No I don't think Italy are a bad side at all but they're not on form tonight so far. I'm in a shite mood though, so reserve the right to undermine NZ pulling their socks up at my favourite underdog

 

[Elpenor]

NZ, hard to tell how good they are tbh as they can flat track bully a weak or demoralised side very effectively.

What they haven’t had an answer to of late is against a team that basically gets the boot on the all blacks throat and starves them of opportunities, can absorb, nullify and respond to the AB attack, and can make it an arm wrestle (England 2019, Ireland of late, SA on their day). Basically stop them playing like New Zealand.

Or sometimes perhaps a team that play on an emotional high far above the NZ team (Ireland in Chicago 2016 after Foley’s death, France on the opening night a few weeks ago, Argentina for their recent wins).

Important to note that either way it’s hard to back up the performance again but particularly for the emotion… see Ireland in Dublin in 2016, and Argentina being hammered the week after beating New Zealand last year…

This makes Ireland winning last year in New Zealand so very impressive. Coming from 0-1 down to win 2-1 away from home.

The likely QF lineup of Ireland v New Zealand is compelling. I think Ireland have the game to beat New Zealand but the questions will be the Irish QF hoodoo and how much emotional energy have Ireland already burned with the South Africa win, as I think NZ will be quite fresh from that perspective. The winner could then come a cropper in the semi as they’ll be playing teams from the “easier” half of the draw.

 

[Petcha]

No I don't think Italy are a bad side at all but they're not on form tonight so far. I'm in a shite mood though, so reserve the right to undermine NZ pulling their socks up at my favourite underdog

I love Italy. But my ex is Italian and I know is watching this. So I'm quite enjoying it. I'm calling a century. 110-3.

 

[Petcha]

NZ, hard to tell how good they are tbh as they can flat track bully a weak or demoralised side very effectively.

What they haven’t had an answer to of late is against a team that basically gets the boot on the all blacks throat and starves them of opportunities, can absorb, hullify and respond to the AB attack, and can make it an arm wrestle (England 2019, Ireland of late, SA on their day). Basically stop them playing like New Zealand.

Or sometimes perhaps a team that play on an emotional high far above the NZ team (Ireland in Chicago 2016 after Foley’s death, France on the opening night a few weeks ago, Argentina for their recent wins).

Important to note that either way it’s hard to back up the performance again but particularly for the emotion… see Ireland in Dublin in 2016, and Argentina being hammered the week after beating New Zealand last year…

This makes Ireland winning last year in New Zealand so very impressive. Coming from 0-1 down to win 2-1 away from home.

The likely QF lineup of Ireland v New Zealand is compelling. I think Ireland have the game to beat New Zealand but the questions will be the Irish QF hoodoo and how much emotional energy have Ireland already burned with the South Africa win, as I think NZ will be quite fresh from that perspective. The winner could then come a cropper in the semi as they’ll be playing teams from the “easier” half of the draw.

The key for me has been the return of Jordie Barrett. I remember years ago his coaches at the Hurricanes claiming he was actually better than his brother. I can kind of see that tonight. He's everywhere.

 

[two sheds]

Italy all over them this half

 

[Bingoman]

Italy all over them this half

I hold on to the prediction and see if Italy can put a few more points on the board first

 

[two sheds]

I hold on to the prediction and see if Italy can put a few more points on the board first

errr which prediction?

 

[Petcha]

This co-commentator has got three decisions blatantly wrong. I don't actually know who he is.

 

[Bingoman]

errr which prediction?

My apologies I thought you were making a prediction

 

[planetgeli]

It's a bit like watching the Harlem Globetrotters but it's also a bit embarrassing.

 

[Petcha]

It's a bit like watching the Harlem Globetrotters but it's also a bit embarrassing.

Yes, I think thats an apt description. Being able to bring on McKenzie as a little flourish. Absurd.

 

[Bingoman]

I feel sorry for the Italian fans watching this embarrassing show

 

[Elpenor]

Hope they can keep it less than a ton

 

[Elpenor]

Yes Italy last score of the game