Rugby World Cup 2023

[Petcha]

How long have they had to rest between this and the last game

6 days. It's criminal.

 

[Petcha]

I quite like that the Argies have dressed up as PSG for the occasion

 

[starfish]

Im glad Ben Kay explained that because it was exactly what i was thinking.

 

[two sheds]

yeh forward I thought

 

[Petcha]

That was a yard forward i assume the TMO has his feet up having a beer watching porn or something. Speaking of which that's not a bad call

 

[Petcha]

this is a beautiful article

Mandela, Lomu and a Rugby World Cup final that went beyond sport

On 24 June 1995, New Zealand and South Africa walked out at Ellis Park for a historic Rugby World Cup final. On Saturday in Paris they meet again

www.theguardian.com

 

[Elpenor]

Quite like the back row makeup of this England side. Borthwick won’t go with it as he wants a big 6

Clive Knobhead saying don’t play smith at 15, he’s not a full back despite calling for it a few weeks ago. Retire please Clive

 

[Elpenor]

Game on, Argentina in the lead

 

[Elpenor]

Dan has missed tackles, missed his man in line out and knocked on. He’ll be hooked shortly… was what I’d written before he charged down and got the try

 

[starfish]

Is that the first time Arundell has touched the ball?

 

[Elpenor]

That’s what happens if you punch Farrell in training

 

[starfish]

That’s what happens if you punch Farrell in training

If i ever meet him drinks are on me.

 

[two sheds]

Argentina more exciting when they have the ball.

i.e. more exciting than England when they have the ball, not more exciting when they have the ball than when they don't have the ball. Although that's also true of course

 

[Elpenor]

England desperately need a decent attack coach, they’re devoid of any strategy, the constant kicking is so boring but it’s also so very ineffective in the attacking 22.

It’s really a forced option as they can’t produce any quick ball from rucks as they can’t unlock defences any other way eg through passing or running

 

[starfish]

How much for Andy Farrell.

 

[Elpenor]

Think I went to the better England v Argentina game at the World Cup, even though this one had a bronze medal at stake

 

[fucthest8]

New motto: "Not as shit as Argentina"

 

[A380]

So I was out and didn’t see the match only the score. Is it worth watching?

 

[Elpenor]

No, even the highlights would be a stretch

 

[Smangus]

More turgid strategy, you would think in a 3/4th place game they might be a bit more ambitious. But oh no, same formulaic kicking shite. Meh to England and Borthwick.

 

[stavros]

I looked up the odds for tonight earlier, and the ABs are marginal favourites. I'm guessing this is largely due to having had a day extra to prepare, as I had thought the Boks were regarded as slightly better.

 

[Elpenor]

Also relative ease of New Zealand Semi v me the Boks having two almighty battles for a 1 point victory

 

[Elpenor]

Final coverage just started.

Seems it’s time to wear a poppy, including (controversially?) BOD

 

[Ax^]

can you imagine him be allowed on itv without a poppy

withstanding that I'd not wear a poppy

but both my great grandfathers served in the first world war

coming home must of been an experience for them both

 

[Elpenor]

Yeah I suppose it’s a case of no poppy no play

 

[Ax^]

Yeah I suppose it’s a case of no poppy no play

the poppy wearing is odd thing as if you remember a few years ago about English footballer being banned from having a poppy on their shirts and the bullshit around it

was caused by an English complaint about the Ireland team having a shirt celebrating the 1916 Easter rising

We do have a poppy rage thread in here well

 

[Petcha]

Pissing with rain. Surely that'll suit the saffas.

 

[Elpenor]

First tick off the bingo card

The Haka referred to as “sporting theatre”

 

[Elpenor]

If New Zealand win it’s 100% down to the decision they made after their losses last year, sacking some coaches and bringing in the ex Ireland coach Joe Schmidt (great organiser of the attacking / defensive systems) and Jason Ryan the Canterbury forwards coach. Ian Foster is the head coach those two appointments have been the turnaround

 

[Elpenor]

Second tick of the bingo card is “iconic image of Nelson Mandela in a springbok shirt”