Rugby World Cup 2023

[two sheds]

Shame they've been superb for England, I do like watching May on a run

 

[Ax^]

hmm only just back in how did Wales get on

 

[Elpenor]

Shame they've been superb for England, I do like watching May on a run

May hasn’t been the same for a few years. Farrell I’ve not been convinced about for a while. Too many of the team - those two included - are on the downhill of their career having peaked in 2019

 

[fucthest8]

Shame they've been superb for England,

They have.
That's the problem.
As Elpenor says above, 2019 was the peak for a lot of these guys, specifically that NZ semifinal.
Jonny May individual try against Ireland in the following 6 nations will forever be one of my favourite tries. But that, was that.

 

[planetgeli]

hmm only just back in how did Wales get on

Up and down but easy in the end. Result flattered them, they had a bad 20 minutes either side of half time.

 

[Elpenor]

They have.
That's the problem.
As Elpenor says above, 2019 was the peak for a lot of these guys, specifically that NZ semifinal.
Jonny May individual try against Ireland in the following 6 nations will forever be one of my favourite tries. But that, was that.

He got 2 blinders against France in 2020 6N too. But yeah his pace has gone and while he had skills beyond his pace you can’t play wing without pace

Few if any of the 2019 players are better than they were 4 years ago - Genge definitely but he wasn’t a starter back then.

Some are about the same standard, some a lot worse (partly form, partly age).

 

[two sheds]

Yeh and Farrell got his record today so a good time to bow out.

 

[two sheds]

It's sort of reassuring to see Itoje play but he didn't stand out today either.

 

[Elpenor]

He still needs another 28 to overtake Wilkinson for test, rather than England, points as JW has more for the Lions.

 

[Elpenor]

I notice that Faletau is out of the World Cup, that’s a blow for Wales. Did he need to play today? Possibly his last appearance for Wales too

Edit also Sanjay Williams and Anscombe have knocks. Not sure if terminal ones for the tournament though

 

[flypanam]

Scotland will win if Ringrose gets injured. As we’ve no 13 on the bench, Bundee would have to go to 13.

 

[starfish]

This is it. Front up. Play the games of your lives or we go home.

 

[Elpenor]

I don’t have a great track record for predictions but I think Scotland have a less than 10% chance of winning and 1% to go through

With that said Scotland like to play in an open way and they’ll need to score tries tonight

 

[Elpenor]

What a start

 

[two sheds]

Scotland looking energetic though

 

[Ax^]

lucky on that high tackle..

 

[Elpenor]

Finn Russell getting the double pump out tonight

 

[Elpenor]

Defence and line speed and counter ruck by Ireland hard to live with

 

[Rebelda]

Who's failed a HAI? I was fetching the dinner and missed it.

 

[flypanam]

Kinghorn

 

[Elpenor]

Hansen off now too

 

[Rebelda]

Kinghorn

Oh bless his heart just seen him in tears on the bench. Must be gutting.

Is it going to be one of those games where we end up with a 35 year old hooking and VdF lobbing the ball in?

 

[flypanam]

What is Hansen off for? Is it HIA?

 

[Elpenor]

Oh dear.

Scotland have managed 3 points in almost 3 halves of rugby against the tier 1 teams in their pool

 

[flypanam]

We’re throughout see you on Sat NZ!

 

[Elpenor]

Reverse pass by the loosehead! Ireland playing festival rugby

 

[Rebelda]

What is Hansen off for? Is it HIA?

He was given the clear but didn't feel right to come back on. Don't know if it was head or what though. Presumably half time will tell those of us not paying enough attention

 

[planetgeli]

We’re throughout see you on Sat NZ!

Ireland v Nz and France v S Africa feels much more like semi finals than quarters but that's the way the cookie crumbles/draw works out.

 

[Aladdin]

Woohoo...

 

[Elpenor]

Ireland v Nz and France v S Africa feels much more like semi finals than quarters but that's the way the cookie crumbles/draw works out.

Agree. But it means a France v Ireland final is a possibility which I think every neutral would want to see - guaranteed new winner, all NH final and the two best teams playing against each other