The Silver Fern

@taniwharugby said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

@Catogrande wasnt one of the RWCs where some minnows had 3 games in 10 days scheduled?

I seem to remember something like that. There was an outcry about it and quite right too.

@JA said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

It's odd to me when people bring out the argument that World Rugby need two years to plan everything. As mentioned, FIFA can do it in half that time so surely World Rugby can, especially with the difference in scale.

Perhaps the argument is that FIFA knows every game sells out many times over so they don’ t need to give a toss about travelling fans. (I have no idea if the soccer pool games sell out though)

I reckon that's a consideration but another one would be recovery. You can fairly easily play three games of soccer in a week (ish) but rugby need a much longer turnaround.

Whatever the result of the match, we won't have to see Hayden with all his kit off. That's the real bonus for both sides here.

@KiwiMurph said in Ashes 2025/6:

@NTA said in Ashes 2025/6:

@African-Monkey said in Ashes 2025/6:

These commentators on fox are fucken annoying.

FTA on channel 7 are good.

I imagine you've got Brendan Julian et al

Ponting on 7 is an excellent listen.

Whist I always admired him as a batsman, I didn't warm to him as a player or captain (though I guess i would have if he'd been English), however as a pundit and comms man he's shown a much more human side of himself and provides interesting and thoughtful analysis on the play. One of my favourite cricket pundits to listen to.

@sparky said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

@Catogrande The game that England lost 16-3 to Wales in Brisbane at the 1987 RWC was a Quarter Final, not a pool match.

Indeed. Dodge did not make that distinction

@sparky said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

@Dodge said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

well we've never been beaten in a world cup game in Australia,

Apart from this one......

And v Wales

@Dodge said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

well we've never been beaten in a world cup game in Australia, so I reckon we'll win our pool, beat Italy in the R16, Australia in QF, Argentina in the SF and then one of the also rans in the final.

Cough. Cough. 1987. Cough.

@Canes4life said in Rugby World Cup 2027 Draw - LIVE:

We’ve just got to stop being pussies and beat everyone in our path, you know.. like we’ve done before.

That's the best way to ensure you win the thing.

@MiketheSnow said in Bokke vs Wales:

@Catogrande said in Bokke vs Wales:

@MN5

One of the main areas of concern for Wales has been a lack of physicality. It has meant that they are more often than not playing on the back foot or behind the gain line or scrabbling in defence. I do fear that this Bok side might do to this Welsh side.

Cue something I never thought I'd say or feel, but c'mon you Gogs! Cymru am byth!

Fuck the Gogs

Come on the Taffs

From this side of the Severn, there is no distinction.

@MN5

One of the main areas of concern for Wales has been a lack of physicality. It has meant that they are more often than not playing on the back foot or behind the gain line or scrabbling in defence. I do fear what this Bok side might do to this Welsh side.

Cue something I never thought I'd say or feel, but c'mon you Gogs! Cymru am byth!

@Dodge I hear you brother.

@bayimports Yep. 15 letter with only 1 recurring vowel would have done it.

@MiketheSnow @bayimports

Points lost for not knowing their names.

I'm not sure if on catch up I caught the highlights or the whole match!. In such low scoring match, it only takes one good innings to decide who wins and who loses and naturally that will be decided in pretty short time. So hats off to Travis Head, a great, match winning knock.

But it was not all one way traffic. Let's not forget that Aus were rolled for the lowest total in the match. For sure it is advantage Aus but I have a feeling England will not be quite so despondent as some of us fans are.

As regards England's (overly) aggressive strategy with the bat (I refuse to use that word), I really think it just needs some fine tuning. In the past we were so negative, timid even. It was like we were playing for a draw from the first ball sometimes, so I welcome the approach and I also welcome the backing for the players that are adopting that approach. You can't say "go out and play" in such and such a manner and then get shitcanned for getting out doing so. So, something of a reset. Yes let's continue to be aggressive but at the right times.

Then maybe we get a contest.

@W32 said in November International, England v Argies:

@Catogrande said in November International, England v Argies:

@W32 said in November International, England v Argies:

This is the same player who accused bongi of calling him naughty names. Such a gentleman

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c93wpwwq7pvo

Well two things there. The Bongi incident was explained by the Saffers and accepted albeit with some slight feeling of "Hmmm. Really?"

Secondly, there is the clash between a current rugby player who has generally behaved extremely well, does not tend to mouth off or whine about injustice, nor become physically aggressive or confrontational outside in the way he plays against a former rugby player that has a history of aggression, some dirty play in the past, constant whining and mouthing off, exaggerating any small thing to get an advantage, perceived or otherwise.

Hmmm. Who to believe?

Fair enough. Hopefully there is some camera footage to clear Curry…..the argies are asking for it.
The bongi thing… ..well I always thought that Curry was a bit precious there. Damn colonials eh.

They certainly say that they're asking for it. I don't know whether they have formally requested it though. If it exists.

On the Bongi thing, I can understand a non Afrikaans speaker thinking Wit Kant. might be an insult, but the translation is white side so no great issue. I am though reminded of the Douglas Bader story of when he was giving a talk about his WW2 experiences to a girls' school.

There were some Fockers in front of me. More Fockers behind me. There were Fockers all over the place. Cue lots of girls giggling. The headmistress then said that Bader should tell the girls that a Focker is a type of German aircraft.

Apparently he said yes that is correct. These particular Fockers were Messerschmidts.

@W32 said in November International, England v Argies:

This is the same player who accused bongi of calling him naughty names. Such a gentleman

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/c93wpwwq7pvo

Well two things there. The Bongi incident was explained by the Saffers and accepted albeit with some slight feeling of "Hmmm. Really?"

Secondly, there is the clash between a current rugby player who has generally behaved extremely well, does not tend to mouth off or whine about injustice, nor become physically aggressive or confrontational outside in the way he plays against a former rugby player that has a history of aggression, some dirty play in the past, constant whining and mouthing off, exaggerating any small thing to get an advantage, perceived or otherwise.

Hmmm. Who to believe?

This might be an A N Other winner. I really can't think of anyone that stands out above all others.

The Saffer guy looks to have all the gifts but has not done much so far, very much early days. Does he get it on potential?

NZ 10s? Nah.

Aus? Do me a favour. It's been a revolving door with the stand in JOC being the pick of a pretty bare cupboard.

Ntamack has been injured and a bit hot and cold.

Russell is too many rocks and not enough diamonds, even if those diamonds are very sparkly.

England? No one has had the reigns for long enough or shown the all round consistency necessary

Ireland similar.

Wales? Do we even know any of their names?

Argies? Well if they settled on Carreras he would have a good chance, but they haven't so he doesn't

Allan and Garbisi seem to be swapping around too much for either to make a claim.

A N Other it is then.

J G-P for me. He makes Ireland tick and did the same job for the Lions. He's one of those guys that if he's available, he gets picked.

Underhill has been massive for England this year... when he has played and I think that counts against him. Matera has been good but not IMO a specialist 7 so he gets the elbow. McReight has been consistently good in an on/off Wallaby pack and I thought carried that pack when Valetini and Skelton were not picked/injured/unavailable. Hon mentions to Morgan and either/both of the Currys but McReight gets the nod for me.

Itoje for all the reasons given by @sparky plus he is the guy that all you lot bag all the time for trivial reasons, so he must be good. Haven't seen enough of Holland to judge so my second choice would be Skelton who has gone from being just a big presence to an influential player with a much better work rate. He makes any team he plays in that bit better.