Rugby Union

The bitterness is oozing out this post I love it

 

Gave up watching the game. I got the feeling though that the officials will do anything to try and get Australia through.

 

Portugal back in front 17-10.

Fiji need a point from this game to book their place in the QF, they'll be nervous but there is still plenty of time.

 

17-17

 

Portugal win it at the death by 1 point. Congrats to them on trheir first ever win at a WC.

And congrats to Fiji also for getting the bonus poit they needed to make it to the QF, next week v England.

 

Ireland were simply too good for Scotland, my only consolation now is i have a wee anti- post wager on France winning the whole thing.

 

Unfortunately it does not look like we have stayed injury free ahead of the Quarter-finals. Mach Hansen and James Ryan look unlikely to play which would be 2 massive blows. But we will see.

 

I think at this point the ridiculous seeding so long ago which has stacked all the top sides on one side of the draw could come into play. Whoever emerges from the France v South Africa and Ireland v New Zealand games may be so banged up and have such injury issues that they could easily lose to the winners on the other easy side of the draw in the semi-finals.

 

Ireland may or may not beat New Zealand never mind actually win the whole thing. But the idea that Ireland are not a legit number 1 is just risible. We have fair and square beaten every other top nation over the past 18 months and deserve to be where we are. It doesn't mean we will even win this weekend but it doesn't change the facts of what we have done on this impressive run.

 

I tend to think your right. I really am very concerned about us playing New Zealand this weekend. The other aspect is whoever wins may be so banged up that they may lose a semi-final but all things be equal injury wise I agree with you I think New Zealand is our biggest hurdle.

 

I fancied we would win but like yourself I didn't expect the game to be a beat down like that. Couple of really great tries in that first half and impressive defense that Scotland just could not deal were the keys for me.

 

I totally agree that the well in advance seeding is ridiculous but thankfully i really think the winner without doubt will come from the 2 fine fixtures you have highlighted. The positive of these 2 fine fixtures is they are virtually 50/50 matches, and should both be crackers

 

No question the best 4 sides in the world right now are the ones going head to head this weekend IMHO. Have all the potential to be absolutely cracking games.

 

Rugby guys explain something for me.......

Watch rugby and while it's ok and l like a lot of the rules l don't really have a clue on the technical side' Tell me though, going into this Scotland appeared to be ranked 5th in the world, how did they get grouped with the number 1 team and number 3 (holders) and England (like their football team) got an easy straight forward group?

 

They did the draw 3 years ago. Hopefully world rugby change it for the next world cup.

 

Why do they do it so far in advance?

 

So they can sell tickets as early as possible.

 

The early draw has really back fired on them too with all the worlds best teams in 2 pools both of whom also meet each other in the Quarter-finals while the other half of the draw is absolutely power puff.

 

These quarter final games and the final in league, what a weekend