The World of Rugby Thread

[TG09]

All things related to Rugby.

Rugby World Cup is on right now , so who do you think will win it. I am going for England.

[Pleb]

There's already a World Cup thread :moop:

...or not >_>

[Lewis]

FINALS FOOTY, Salford in yet another crisis, the MILLION POUND GAME... Shitting hell it's all going off.

[Giggles]

What's the million pound game? Is that the superleague winners vs the Australian winners thing?

[Lewis]

It's the decider in the Middle Eights to see who gets into Super League next season. Bradford vs Wakefield. Hopefully Bradford win, because a decent Bradford will actually draw crowds. Wakefield are a busted bag of shit.

[Baz]

Wanky Wire fuck off

[Lewis]

The Super Eights have been such a good idea. I thought it sounded like shit at first, but we need that INTENSITY of regular big games.

Broncos vs Roosters tomorrow, and I'll miss it. :moop:

[Baz]

Can't help but agree about the Super Eights. Needs a better name though.

[Lewis]

I've been saying Leeds vs Wigan final, but Leeds are looking a bit toilet without a proper hooker (robbed against Castleford mind) and losing tomorrow might balls them right up. Imagine having to support Huddersfield as the anyone but Wigan candidate. :sick:

[TG09]

Auckland Nines is back in Feb - http://nrlaucklandnines.co.nz/ Would like to go to it, but its in Auckland and I am busy that weekend. doh!

[Baz]

Sometime told me last night that Wigan haven't lost at home for 18 months. That's not true, is it?

[Lewis]

I think it is. The RFL must be very proud.

[Lewis]

How does Wayne Bennett do it? It's basically magic.

[Lewis]

:drool:

[hfswjyr]

Went to a Harlequins game tonight. Decent enough rugby. 22-17 over London Irish.

[Lewis]

That final is going to be mega. Where is niko? Bastard.

[Ian]

I'm going to miss the England game tonight. Fucking birthday parties. :moop:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Canada have just scored try of the tournament. Italians in proper reverse tank mode now.

[Ian]

John Moonlight sounds like a werewolf in some dodgy teen novel.

Not watching though so I'll have to keep an eye out for that try.

[Samadini]

https://twitter.com/ITVRugby/status/647770552774488065

[Ian]

Tasty. :drool:

The Japan one where they cut the passes back inside and the guy ran through was ace too.

[niko_cee]

That final is going to be mega. Where is niko? Bastard.

The Cowboys better get it done for FNQ. I fucking hate the Broncos.

This season has almost entirely passed me by. I only clocked the other day that Queensland had absolutely monstered New South Wales in the last Origin game.

That Canada try was class, shame they let Italy just go up the other end and score straight away.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Canada absolutely running riot here. Italian rugby possibly coming to an end.

[Ian]

Whoever this commentator is he's been everything that's wrong with commentary in the last few minutes. Endless rabbitting about Bergamasco's career milestones, English players he debuted against, etc. while there's actual rugby being played. We know you're just reading these off a factsheet you useless arse and even if you weren't we wouldn't care anyway.

[niko_cee]

Well, you really kiboshed that Jim.

Harsh on Canada, but they had their chances. That 'accidental' knock-on when Canada had about 8 men on the overlap probably cost them the game.

[morrison]

Vermuelen is the new McCaw.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Well, you really kiboshed that Jim.

Harsh on Canada, but they had their chances. That 'accidental' knock-on when Canada had about 8 men on the overlap probably cost them the game.

It was more that Italy scored both times they attacked during the 80 minutes. Refs were terrible as usual.

I don't think the sporting gods will allow another piece of Bok hilarity unfortunately.

[Lewis]

The Cowboys better get it done for FNQ. I fucking hate the Broncos.

This season has almost entirely passed me by. I only clocked the other day that Queensland had absolutely monstered New South Wales in the last Origin game.

That Canada try was class, shame they let Italy just go up the other end and score straight away.

Yeah, but Wayne Bennett.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Did we used to get as many tries disallowed for retrospective forward passes? There seems to be one a game at the moment.

[niko_cee]

No, but that's because there has been a 20 year moratorium on the 'flat pass'.

It was getting silly and it is time enough something was done.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This would have been 50+ if they could kick at goal.

We'd better not foul up this evening.

[Lewis]

I refuse to accept that Prince William actually supports Wales.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we lose this it will be because Chris Robshaw just hasn't been in enough adverts.

[Disco]

Courtney Lawes gave away a penalty? What a shock.

[Disco]

My dad will be seething with all this kicking in open play.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd LOVE IT if we converted this into a proper, fuck off victory. We won't though.

[Disco]

It's not Scotland, Wales are actually dangerous with the ball.

[TG09]

Lots of injuries now for Wales

[Jimmy Floyd]

I take it they can call up replacements into the squad?

[Lewis]

England's BOTTLER streak coming out again.

[TG09]

Yep they will have a few in the replacements

[Davgooner]

Look at the fucking inbreds going mental.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Drop goal bollocks coming up.

A draw makes it interesting.

[TG09]

Important 5 mins, no mistakes from England now.

[Disco]

Once you know the ref is going to be a dick about the tackler rolling away why would you keep getting caught out? Thrown away a relatively simple win here.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The last 20 minutes from England have been an absolute disgrace.

[Disco]

Always. Take. The. Fucking. Points.

[Lewis]

That was pathetic. Whoever dropped it off the line-out should be sent home as well.

[hfswjyr]

Ahahahhahahahaha

[TG09]

Always. Take. The. Fucking. Points.

True that, silly move to go for the win with a few mins to go.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I didn't mind them sending it into the corner. It was just the worst lineout ever.

The other turning point was that fucking ridiculous late tackle penalty which Farrell gave away when Wales were out for the count on their own line.

[GS]

Superb.

[Pleb]

Once we win against the Aussies all of this shite will be forgotten.

[Lewis]

Burgess did shit all going forward, but he kept Jamie Roberts locked up all night. He comes off, and Roberts starts scattering plebs all over the show.

[Dquincy]

England got what they deserved...fuck all.

Totally understand going for the win at the end, but even three of us sitting on a couch who don't play rugby knew what England were going to attempt from the line out.

Then the knock on from the following line out from Wigglesworth summed it all up.

Well done Wales, deserved it.

[Blitz]

This sets up a very spicy Eng vs Aus then. It might also be one of the only times I've ever rooted for Australia in sport. Might not be also, only time will tell...

[ItalAussie]

I enjoy seeing England lose as much as the next Australian, but I can't help but think that this result drops Australia's chances of progressing from the group quite substantially. Probably third-favourites to get out of the pot, which is worrying.

But oddly, it might also improve our chances of winning the group and sneaking into the easy side of the knockouts.

[Queenslander]

http://cdn.greenandgoldrugby.com/804F73/gagr/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/original.jpg



There really needs to be a spider cam above every English scrum.

[Dquincy]

Queenslander, why?

[Queenslander]

Number 1 Joe Marler is boring on that 45 degree angle. Not driving straight is cheating because it gives an unfair advantage as it prevents the opposition tight head getting a fair straight push and it's really dangerous. All part of the dark arts of front row srummaging and England aren't the only team that do it but have a habit of getting away with murder at the moment.

All Black Tony Woodcock is a rotten for it.

Look at the Italian number one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3su4_5rJJw4

[niko_cee]

The two turning points in the game were not finding touch off that penalty towards the end of the first half (which would have given England a platform to go in 13-17 points ahead and effectively have the match won) and conceding the penalty when Wales were scrambling on their own line - was it really for a late hit? Impressively shambolic from England. They should have won with ease. Can you sack a coach mid World Cup?

[Disco]

Because Australians never bend the rules in search of an advantage. :harold:

[Queenslander]

Care to show an example of what this current Australian team are up too?

[Disco]

Seriously?

The same thing as everyone else, whatever you can get away with.

[niko_cee]

Joe Marler is a fucking pleb though.

[Queenslander]

:rosebud:

Yeah fair point. I mention it mainly because i can see Marler's boring earning shitty penalties against us.

I take issue with the boring because it gives the illusion that England are a dominant scrummaging side when in reality they benefit from shit referring.

But yes we benefit from breakdown interpretation when it comes to Hooper and Pocock.

[Waffdon]

Soz, but: lololololololololol.

[Lewis]

Gareth Edwards reckons we BOTTLED IT. There we have it.

[ItalAussie]

USA giving Scotland a little bit of a scare. They'll get through it though.

[Waffdon]

10 changes. To be expected. Just trolling the poor fuckers - Bonus point again as well.

[The Merse]

Decent win. The downer is the knock to Russell. He's without peer in the Scotland 10 ranks, so that's a major worry.

Like this McFarland at 6 for USA, I can understand how they left Todd Clever at home*

*well, Japan

[Ian]

Lovely try, that.

[Lewis]

Wayne Bennett winning Coach of the Year: 'The things that won 28 years ago still work today'. :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fiji have just scored the most Fijian try in history. Came from about a thousand metres out, dancing through tackles, basketball offloads. Fucking magical stuff.

17-13 to Wales...

[Lewis]

What is this idiot doing lining that kick up?

[Lewis]

Fuck off Wigan. On the other hand, Huddersfield taking fifty people to the Grand Final isn't a great look. Hmm...

[Baz]

As much as it pains me, I hope Wigan win.

Obviously hopefully Saints do too; even my bias aside I think it'd make for a better final than if Leeds do.

If by some miracle it ends up as Huddersfield-Leeds, I won't even bother to find out the result, nevermind watch it.

[Lewis]

Why? Especially since Wigan would probably bum Saints this time round.

[Baz]

Better game though, innit. And I don't know any Huddersfield fans.

Pity Warrington have gone toss, cos that'd be the best final considering I'm on a pubcrawl in Warrington when the finals on. Plus, revenge and that.

[TG09]

What channel is the new Zealand game on, trying to use kodi to stream it

[Lewis]

ITV?

First-half drop-goals are the sign of a good game. :cool:

[TG09]

I couldnt find it in Kodi, only the SkySports channel

[Lewis]

Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!) Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!) Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!) Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!)

And so on. [Sir] Kevin Sinfield. :drool:

[niko_cee]

I still don't really understand how Pools B and C in the world cup have come about. How are they so infested with shite by comparison to the other groups? Fiji, who are going to come 4th in their group, would probably come 2nd in either of those.

[Queenslander]

I still don't really understand how Pools B and C in the world cup have come about. How are they so infested with shite by comparison to the other groups? Fiji, who are going to come 4th in their group, would probably come 2nd in either of those.

The groups were drawn on rankings from 2 years ago.

[niko_cee]

But even then how? Which of England, Wales or Australia were in a lower grouping than Scotland? That group is wall to wall shite. New Zealand's isn't much better, but I can accept Argentina may have wormed their way into 'tier 2' status somehow. Unless it was just Top 4 teams and then draw the rest, which I have a feeling has been the approach in the past.

[Queenslander]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Rugby_World_Cup#Draw

Wales were ranked 9th.

Both Wales and Scotland lost more than they won in the games just before the draw.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_end-of-year_rugby_union_internationals#Bledisloe_Cup_.E2. 80.93_Part_3

[Jimmy Floyd]

Georgia, subject to beating Namibia which they should do, will qualify automatically for the next one of these, thus making their efforts in whatever the second tier European thing is pretty pointless. Should we not make Italy/Scotland/the wooden spoon team play off against them for the Six Nations place? Italy in particular are bringing very little to the party nowadays.

[Queenslander]

I would like to see Georgia play more 1st tier teams. They have the potential to make the next step IMO.

[Lee]

Georgia, subject to beating Namibia which they should do, will qualify automatically for the next one of these, thus making their efforts in whatever the second tier European thing is pretty pointless. Should we not make Italy/Scotland/the wooden spoon team play off against them for the Six Nations place? Italy in particular are bringing very little to the party nowadays.

I thought that and was reading about whether anything like that had been proposed. It looks like a fair few are coming around to that way of thinking, or at least the idea that tier one nations should be playing the top tier two nations as part of their autumn schedules to aid the development of the latter.

Some proposals go further than that with straight promotion and relegation being suggested and even expansion into a bigger northern hemisphere competition (two tier with promotion/relegation) including Georgia, Romania, the US and Canada and leaving a way in for other developing countries like Spain and Portugal.

The biggest arguments I could find against was that Georgia (and others) would bring less money to the table than any of the current competitors, that Rome is a better away day for fans than Tblisi, and that the international is too busy to accommodate any additional matches.

[Baz]

Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!) Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!) Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!) Yorkshire! (Yorkshire!)

And so on. [Sir] Kevin Sinfield. :drool:Yeah yeah :moop:

[Lewis]

Keiron Cunningham went up in my estimation after the match (although I may have been associating him with Sean Long, who nobody likes). Leeds look a bit knackered, so it's on Paul Aiton to don Wigan by himself.

[Ian]

that Rome is a better away day for fans than Tblisi

I'm sure the cheap booze and threat of imminent Russian invasion would spice things up for the lads.

[The Merse]

I thought that and was reading about whether anything like that had been proposed. It looks like a fair few are coming around to that way of thinking, or at least the idea that tier one nations should be playing the top tier two nations as part of their autumn schedules to aid the development of the latter.

Some proposals go further than that with straight promotion and relegation being suggested and even expansion into a bigger northern hemisphere competition (two tier with promotion/relegation) including Georgia, Romania, the US and Canada and leaving a way in for other developing countries like Spain and Portugal.

The biggest arguments I could find against was that Georgia (and others) would bring less money to the table than any of the current competitors, that Rome is a better away day for fans than Tblisi, and that the international is too busy to accommodate any additional matches.

Romania were originally the big candidates to expand the 5 Nations, back in their glory days under Caucescu.

Can't see any shake up for a while but a decent North American and Eastern Competition would help expand the game.

[Giggles]

Just caught the highlights of the Leeds game. Gutted I missed it, looked like a stormer.

[Baz]

Yeah, Wigan will probably boss it next weekend, sadly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Commentators calling this Samoan war dance a 'cultural challenge' instead of a war dance is a bit grim.

Kind of hoping for a Samoan win here so they can dunk Scotland in the following game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Samoa with the worst 20 minutes of anyone at the tournament so far. Japan smashing them and down to 13 men.

[Ian]

Yep, pretty poor stuff. I like Japan but I'd thought this might be a bit of a ding-dong.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Japan might regret not capitalising on this. They should be 30 ahead.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Qualification isn't actually in Japanese hands, despite all the excitement. If Scotland and South Africa win their games to form they will go out in third.

[hfswjyr]

Can't believe Japan didn't go for the bonus points there.

Also, getting a bit sick of the ITV commentator (the main one, not Shane Williams) being incredibly biased towards Japan. Sure, it's a nice story, but you don't have to put Samoa down at every opportunity as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Considering Japan to be beating Samoa an underdog triumph is slightly laughable in itself. How many resources must have been pumped into there in the last 20 years compared to Samoa?

[Ian]

Mon the sweaties.

[niko_cee]

Samoa, second seeds. It's mind bottling.

The jocks can almost put the saffas out here, can't they? Have they even bothered putting out a full strength side though?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why do they do the draw 2-3 years before the actual tournament anyway?

[The Merse]

Samoa, second seeds. It's mind bottling.

The jocks can almost put the saffas out here, can't they? Have they even bothered putting out a full strength side though?

It's not a bad XV - Finn Russel is the big absentee, but is injured for now, hopefully back for Samoa. Duncan Weir will probably make a hash of 10 - I'd have preferred Peter Horne in.

Vernon is a freight train on his day, but we've lost a little in terms of distribution in midfield. Oh if Alex Dunbar were fit for the WC.

Gordon Reid is probably a necessary LH addition just due to his size and the weight of the Bokke pack.


Also- boggling as opposed to bottling surely!? Samoa are a traditionally very successful team - yes, they've been shit this time around but when four Tuilagi's were running a mock alongside Brian Lima and Earl Va'a, they were a great side.

[Ian]

boggling as opposed to bottling surely!?

I think you need to stop putting correct spelling on a peddle stool.

[niko_cee]

Anchorman.

[niko_cee]

I half hope the jocks get shoed here and then done in by Samoa. Chance to win the group foregone in favour of being out.

[The Merse]

I think you need to stop putting correct spelling on a peddle stool.

:D

I normally don't, as I'm, a big culprit with these phone posts, but I really wondered if it's an Antipodean thing in this instance.

[The Merse]

I half hope the jocks get shoed here and then done in by Samoa. Chance to win the group foregone in favour of being out.

???

What does that mean - in favour of being out?

[niko_cee]

Who are you calling antipodean?

*dusts off string vest*

[Ian]

I half hope the jocks get shoed here and then done in by Samoa. Chance to win the group foregone in favour of being out.

Bit harsh just because Merse corrected your spelling.

[The Merse]

You're in Australia right?

[niko_cee]

Naw me pal.

A much smaller island.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't want to be too hard on our porridge eating friends, but they really are shite.

[Ian]

Rubbish.

Might actually stick Chelsea/Southampton on which wasn't the plan at all.

[The Merse]

Safferball exposes us like nothing else. Gatland ball too. Hence, modern international rugby is a complete cunt for a Scotland fan. I forgive Meyer and SAF for that, it's their game, I even forgive England stepping five years backwards.

Glasgow play in an adventurous league where we chuck the ball around and win the thing, against the Welsh and the Irish. Then those same Welsh and Irish players get together for their countries and spend all day with shitty maul after maul (something must be done for the good of the game - there's no legal antidote in the current game), up and unders that exploit the ridiculousness of the current rule around challenging off the ground and centres with no playmaking ability whatsoever that might as well have an 8 on their back.

Fuck it. Fuck Gatland, fuck that Schmidt has changed from taken everything he did at Leinster to revolutionise Irish defensive capabilities whilst narrowing the scope of their attack, that Heyneke Meyer continues the fine tradition of meathead Safferball and that Lancaster cannot hold a fucking candle to Ashton to the detriment of the whole NH game, never mind that France cannot field a single player with an iota of the flair that was a part of every member of their back 9-15 in the 80's and 90's.

[Waffdon]

Merse :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why the fuck are they kicking for the corner on 42 minutes with their jenga lineout?

That's better.

[Lewis]

You're after league, mate. I think you know it deep down as well. You can still dress like a pleb at the grounds if that's what you're worried about.

[Lewis]

Speaking of plebs, if we lose tonight than Stuart Lancaster should be sacked in the tunnel. No bullshit. No 'Ooh, well if Dylan Hartley wasn't a fat moron...' Sacked.

[Ian]

That's a try, that is.

[The Merse]

You're after league, mate. I think you know it deep down as well. You can still dress like a pleb at the grounds if that's what you're worried about.

If league actually had positions, a break down, srummaging, size differentials, bigger pitches, etc.

If anything league has helped kill a lot of Union leagues. Too much insistence on defensive structures that were imported from League and too much insistence on hitting man as opposed to space. The latter being the most frustrating.

[The Merse]

Lovely try. This side always has a great counter in it at least.

Seymours in my ESPN team too :D

[niko_cee]

Really can't beat a good interception try. Mon you useless haggis bastards.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is Nigel Owens actually the best ref by miles, or does he just seem it to my untrained eye?

[The Merse]

No need for that at all.

Fucking Laidlaw. Pyrgos or Hidalgo Clyne are the better options in the squad and Cussiter, who didn't even make the squad is far superior (and a bloody Lion) but every Scotland coach for the last 5 years has wanked over his 'Rugby Brain'.

Pensive piece of shite. He's not even a real fucking Borderer, stylistically at least.

[The Merse]

Is Nigel Owens actually the best ref by miles, or does he just seem it to my untrained eye?

By quite a distance, not that many agree. He's often known as O'wens by Scots and Welsh Pro 12 fans due to perceived bias towards the Irish, in truth it's because he likes to see a game played the Irish way, and far fewer Glasgow complain now that we've moved from attritional 'on the edge' stuff under Lineen to several years of Townsend's Borders meet Super 14 stuff.

[Lewis]

If league actually had positions, a break down, srummaging, size differentials, bigger pitches, etc.

If anything league has helped kill a lot of Union leagues. Too much insistence on defensive structures that were imported from League and too much insistence on hitting man as opposed to space. The latter being the most frustrating.

Why would they want to bring back the crap bits?

[Ian]

I'm a bit surprised by that. Is the rule open to interpretation or, letter-of-the-law, should it have been a yellow?

[The Merse]

It should be a yellow via earlier directives, but I'm actually a fan of the call made there. Having said that - it's rarely malicious when I would call for a yellow, it's just that Pietersen looked to have executed it wrong, as opposed to making no effort to support the tackled players at all.

[The Merse]

Why would they want to bring back the crap bits?

I like break downs, I like scrums. I like open play, my problem is when the open play becomes dominated by structure intended not to open up defences but rather to exploit rules and to pull penalties out of defences. Look at that midfield fielded by England against Wales.

Not a single playmaker in there. Burgess- Shit caveman, can only hit people, Barritt- Shit caveman, can only hit people, Farrel- one dimensional fly half, even if he's got better recently.

Abysmal.

[Ian]

Shouldn't this, much like the "wasn't malicious not that sort of player lovely lad" bullshit in football, be purely down to whether he was at risk of injuring the player though? I mean, in that particular case I think the tackle-ee could have supported himself with an arm anyway as he wasn't dropped that fast but the Saffer didn't really look in control of his descent to me.

[The Merse]

I agree, but he made a lot more effort to try to recover it than on other occasions. He also didn't tip him as much.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Unfortunately there is no chance of Scotland losing to Samoa. The latter today were about as bad as you can possibly get. Fiji twenty times better and yet got lumped into the shit pool due to their form three years ago.

[niko_cee]

Not a single playmaker in there. Burgess- Shit caveman, can only hit people, Barritt- Shit caveman, can only hit people, Farrel- one dimensional fly half, even if he's got better recently.

Abysmal.

Aye, and they lost.

[The Merse]

Samoa are on the wain a bit, but bear in mind that this Samoa team beat them in the PNC this year, last year to if I recall rightly.

Edit - Jimmy Floyd

[Pleb]

What happens if we lose tonight and win against Uruguay?

We get third I'm assuming barring Wales don't fuck up against the Aussies.

[The Merse]

Aye, and they lost.

Yeah, which was great.

But to a team that thinks Jamie Roberts at 12 is an acceptable way to play rugby.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't you get enough of this from being an Arsenal fan?

[The Merse]

Thing is, the world of Rugby is now perverse. Teams used to play structured games at International level because that was the culture in their leagues. So - Saffers and England played the shit stuff, most of the rest of us chucked it around.

Glasgow and Scotland used to be like that - I mean, I love Graeme Morrison but he was as much a poor man's crash ball 12 as you get, but that was because we had nothing else to play with, despite a tradition of smaller, flair guys.

England have a plethora of alternatives these days, their culture changed to allow for creatives. Wales to some have changed and moved towards the old English styles to some extent, but also have plenty of alternatives to some of Gats's favourites (many doing well now, to be fair). France have just seen their whole rugby culture change.

It's fucking sad.

But I still love the game emphatically.

[Lewis]

Have they had WOMAN pundits in any of the other games?

[Jimmy Floyd]

She's been on the coverage a few times. She's actually pretty eloquent.

Rugby has changed, Merse, because the players are all much bigger than they used to be. Philippe Sella wouldn't play professionally now (or then, which is the difference of course).

[Baz]

Is it her with the permanently sore throat?

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/corporate2/images/width/live/p0/1j/ww/p01jwwt6.jpg/624

Tanya Arnold, F off.

[Ian]

Mon then, you slaaaaags.

[Lee]

I'm quite excited about this.

[Lewis]

You stupid twat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've already made three ridiculously shite decisions in the first three minutes.

[hfswjyr]

So the fucking fanzone in RIchmond is full, so I've had to "powerwalk" home to watch the game.

Luckily I've got beers in the fridge, and now garlic bread in the oven.

#weartherose

[TG09]

So the fucking fanzone in RIchmond is full, so I've had to "powerwalk" home to watch the game.

Luckily I've got beers in the fridge, and now garlic bread in the oven.

#weartherose

Nice effort fella. I have got up at 7am, fed the dog and streaming the game now

[niko_cee]

England are rank.

[Jimmy Floyd]

England are rank.

They should be better as well. It's mental weakness.

[Ian]

Yeah, this has been wank.

[niko_cee]

It's a reassuringly English world cup performance. The rugger buggers couldn't escape the norm forever.

[TG09]

England as always too many mistakes.

[Ian]

It's just sloppy garbage isn't it?

Every time we do anything good we bollocks it up.

[TG09]

This is woeful, its like they are trying too hard and in doing so make mistakes.

[Lee]

Fucking hell this is bad.

[Lewis]

BOTTLING IT big style, like we've done in the past however many Six Nations deciders.

[Pleb]

Our passing has been horrid.

[hfswjyr]

That Australian set move was fucking beautiful to be honest. No shame there, except for Ben Young maybe.

[Disco]

Well that's that then, see you in four years chaps.

[niko_cee]

Speaking of plebs, if we lose tonight than Stuart Lancaster should be sacked in the tunnel. No bullshit. No 'Ooh, well if Dylan Hartley wasn't a fat moron...' Sacked.

Can it happen at half time?

[Davgooner]

Wankers.

650396351721832450

Does this guy ever fucking stop and think?

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've had, what, four trips into their 22? All have ended in abject shame.

[niko_cee]

Wankers.

:D

[niko_cee]

On the bright side, at least x-factor should be back to enliven our Saturday nights next week, with whatever event this is confined to the depths of ITV4.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Come on, Clive, you don't actually believe we're playing really well.

[The Merse]

She's been on the coverage a few times. She's actually pretty eloquent.

Rugby has changed, Merse, because the players are all much bigger than they used to be. Philippe Sella wouldn't play professionally now (or then, which is the difference of course).

Absolutely.

My problem is how far professionalism has changed the game.

Stick an extra 10 x 6 metres on the field and we'll get back to the old days and do away with some of the oversized cunts that ought reside in the pack infiltrating the backs.

[hfswjyr]

What game was Sir Clive watching?

[niko_cee]

2003 final.

[Davgooner]

Wankers.

[Lee]

We've had, what, four trips into their 22? All have ended in abject shame.

Yep. Proper bottle job this; absolutely shitting our pants every time a situation looks even slightly promising.

[niko_cee]

Is 'Wills' there in his Green and Gold today? He's their king too, the fucking cunt.

[Jimmy Floyd]

These Chris Robshaw ads have probably sealed our fate.

[Ian]

What game was Sir Clive watching?

I was about to ask this.

Wilkinson too.

[niko_cee]

So, when is the game up then, when they run another in under the sticks?

[Lewis]

There must be some way to utilise Tom Youngs' other qualities without having to let him throw the ball.

[Ian]

497th turnover of the day.

Let's do a sweep for when the Aussies get their bonus point to keep things interesting.

[Dquincy]

We try, but just don't have the ability, experience or mental strength.

[hfswjyr]

England weren't playing the worst, but they're properly crumbling now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's a suspicion that these players are all wankers as well. Look at that Marler.

[TG09]

That is us done and dusted, no coming back now. Scrum, mauls, carrying the ball we are not good enough.

[Ian]

Not that he got more than about two chances to actually do anything but it's a bit of a pisser that May had to go off. One of a few players who might have made something happen out of the blue.

[Jimmy Floyd]

No, commentator, it's the other black bloke.

[Ian]

Lovely kick.

Let's fucking have it.

(Australia to scored within about three minutes.)

[Pleb]

Needed that.

More of the same please.

[TG09]

Lovely kick.

Let's fucking have it.

(Australia to scored within about three minutes.)

Hahaha pretty much.

[hfswjyr]

Nick Phipps literally throwing the game away?

[Lewis]

Sam Burgess is on. He'd better not fuck this up for us.

[hfswjyr]

Phipps is both a shit player and unlikeable dirty player. No redeeming features.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The indiscipline is just ridiculous.

[P_3]

Joining this late. Shambles from England.

[niko_cee]

Has Farrell been playing much for England in the last few years? I was under the impression he'd been left out more often than not. Have they accidentally put the cricket selectors in charge of picking the team?

[John Arne]

It's like watching the football lads.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Has Farrell been playing much for England in the last few years? I was under the impression he'd been left out more often than not. Have they accidentally put the cricket selectors in charge of picking the team?

If Holland were in this we'd probably have lost to them.

Everyone will be well up for playing Uruguay in a dead rubber at the Etihad.

It's actually a massive blow for rugby in this country, once in a generation chance to get everyone mental for it (during a fairly shit era for football and cricket) and completely blown it.

[niko_cee]

This is basically the end of the pub sector in England.

[Lewis]

Going out because of Wales and Australia. Fucking hell. I would have rather lost to France in he final.

[niko_cee]

Has to be the worst week in the history of English Rugby. Well done lads.

I'm probably forgetting some kind of plane crash here, but as I have no knowledge of said disaster it's fair to say this is worse.

[Pleb]

This all sets up for a Aussie-New Zealand final.

[Davgooner]

Wankers.

[niko_cee]

This can also probably be pinned on ITV in some way or another.

[Lewis]

Every pass is either too high or too low. It's just basic, basic shitness.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Going out because of Wales and Australia. Fucking hell. I would have rather lost to France in he final.

Drink it in.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBY4PMk39QM

[Davgooner]

They'll be rioting in the aisles of Waitrose tonight. Rural market towns will burn.

[Lee]

They'll be burning roses in Market Bosworth florists.

[niko_cee]

Can we just bin the Uruguay game and try not to qualify for the next one of these?

[Lewis]

Moving on. Will you be watching the final tomorrow, niko?

[Foe]

On the plus side, in pretty much all of the games going forward we'll get to relive this moment as the commentators somehow bring everything back to England.

Satisfying.

[Ian]

We might as well, Niko, because whatever happens it's going to be tragic viewing.

[hfswjyr]

Australia played on another level. Are they favourites yet?

[Waffdon]

Omg hahahahaha.

[Max Power]

Whats more embarrassing for hosts, going out before the group stages are even over or getting absolutely murdered in the semi final like Brazil?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Shut up ITV, it's only a game.

[Dquincy]

Can't decide whether Lancaster and Robshaw should resign, or whether it was just a ridiculous group?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who do I support now? Wales is just a horrifying prospect, and Scotland is pointless, so it's between Ireland and France. Fucking hell.

[hfswjyr]

Who's playing bad rock over the ITV coverage? Haha shambles all round.

[Dquincy]

Support the home nations.

[Lee]

Ireland for me, on the basis of pre-war family links I don't actually care about.

[Lewis]

Who do I support now? Wales is just a horrifying prospect, and Scotland is pointless, so it's between Ireland and France. Fucking hell.

New Zealand. That way we just all move on and forget it as a crap tournament.


Support the home nations.

:lol:

[Ian]

I suppose for me it'd be Scotland then Wales, by default, but the former are pants and the latter are bottlers even when all their players aren't spontaneously combusting.

With no home nations left I guess that means I have to support Ireland.

Not that it matters. Just so long as I don't have to fucking want France to win again at any point like the last World Cup.

[niko_cee]

Moving on. Will you be watching the final tomorrow, niko?

It's probably at an anti-social hour isn't it? If it's still on at 7 I'll try to watch it. Is it in Queensland?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wanting France to win at things is when you have to reassess everything in your life and wonder what mistakes could have got you to this low, low state of being. But it's awfully close. They are quite good to w... shut up.

[Ian]

It was only in the final I supported them last time.

But even then it felt wrong.

[Dquincy]

:lol:

Don't be a simpleton.

[Lewis]

It's probably at an anti-social hour isn't it? If it's still on at 7 I'll try to watch it. Is it in Queensland?

Kick-off is quarter past nine, so not so bad. It's in Sydney (obviously).

[niko_cee]

Yeah, just saw that. I'll probably try, although 9.15 is more awkward than 7.15 for me, oddly.

[GS]

Marvellous.

[Sam]

Cracking, now at least the footy won't be switched off for some crap pool game now as the hype dies.

[Giggles]

I don't watch the sport and I may not have a national side but still, lol as fuck.

[Queenslander]

Ireland are my favorites going into the knock out games.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Forget tonight, that Ireland v France game is the biggest of the pool stage. The winner has Argentina and then Australia/Wales/Scotland. Loser has the All Blacks and then the Springboks.

[Queenslander]

Ireland are too good for this current Springbok set up and the ageing All Blacks are vulnerable at the moment. New Zealand are very beatable away from Eden Park.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought they were pretty wank against Argentina but I've not seen any Tri Nations (or whatever it's called now) so have no context for thinking that.

Ireland have more stuff against them though in that nobody from Ireland has ever won anything of any note ever in any field, so the mental side come the really big games is not with them at all.

[elth]

Don't care about rugger, just going to leave this here.

:jayjay:

[The Merse]

Can't decide whether Lancaster and Robshaw should resign, or whether it was just a ridiculous group?


https://youtu.be/blaRBdm0wfE?t=10s

Edit - feck, doesn't work doing the 'start at 10 seconds' thing when you embed :yellow:

[Jimmy Floyd]

He did an absolutely corking one of those today on Stuart Hogg.

[ItalAussie]

That video is outstanding, and I'd love to see more if it. Although rugby is generally pretty good, to be fair.

[The Merse]

Personal favourite of mine is 'Christopherrr'. Along with his 'I'm straighter than that one' in response to a crooked line out throw.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TpxEOQ0bVo

Excellent of example of what you're saying though are these two -


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u55BnNhwKHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFPd0CbdOCc

[ItalAussie]

Oh man. "Christopherrrr" in that tone brings back so many childhood memories for me.

[niko_cee]

Anyone got a grand final stream?

[niko_cee]

It's alright , I have found something.

Mon you FNQ toads.

[niko_cee]

Surprised that was given as a knock on, looked like he dropped it backwards.

Is Darius Boyd an appendix to Wayne Bennett's contract? He goes absolutely everywhere with him.

[niko_cee]

Oh Thurston you plank. TMO to the rescue?

Nope.

Bit of a blow after defending the line so well.

[Lewis]

Jack Reed actually looking like a 'footballer' again is Wayne Bennett's greatest achievement.

[Lewis]

'JT' is having one of those Steven Gerrard games. Everywhere, but (thus far) kind of over-doing it.

[Lewis]

Fucking hell.

[Lewis]

Yeah alright mate in your own time.