Rugby World Cup

[ScienceBoy]

I was told I was too skinny to play rugby. I'd be killed, they said.

Ha ha, times have changed these days. Rugby is a game for all.

 

[USER1999]

Just watched Ireland line up for the anthems.

Still looking for the fat blokes.

 

[MegaSteve]

Have just returned from a trip to the land of sheep botherer's who believe they are going to walk it... #delusional or what?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Impressed with the first half hour from Ireland, will be interesting if they can keep this intensity up for 80 minutes.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Jeez that was awful from Scotland, makes you wonder what the score would have been if Ireland had played and kicked well.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Have just returned from a trip to the land of sheep botherer's who believe they are going to walk it... #delusional or what?

England?

 

[MegaSteve]

England?

England is a spherical ball country unlike our good neighbours across the bridge...

 

[Foxholer]

Ha ha, times have changed these days. Rugby is a game for all.

Times have indeed changed...See below.

...
I grew up on rugby and it will always be far far superior to football in my eyes. There is a position for every shape and size on a rugby field.

Only at Amateur level is this still true! And, unfortunately, that trait of the game is being eroded too - because talented players are eyeing the higher (Pro) levels and bulking up.

Rugby and Association Football both have some great attributes. Unfortunately, some of the 'less great' attributes of the latter rather spoil the great ones for me. I had to explain to my (Celtic fan) boss why opposing fans could sit together and could applaud good play by either team - after watching ABs (well, Jonah Lomu!) destroy Scotland at Murrayfield many years ago!

Rugby being the National game back home, it was tried by every kid. I was far more talented at Hockey, so didn't play much though appreciated the 'bonding' element of Rugby. There's nothing like it in another sport imo.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Very scrappy this 2nd half, lot’s of positives to the 1st game, don’t really see England having any problems stepping up 2 or 3 levels.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Very impressed by Ireland today but Scotland were also poor. Functional performance by England with a few mistakes that probably needed the game to highlight and which can be worked on. A good win and hopefully another strong performance on Thursday against the USA

 

[Swingalot]

Would not like to be England’s handling coach.

 

[MegaSteve]

Would not like to be England’s handling coach.

Happy for them to get the fumbles out of the system early doors...

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I'd like to know why nothing is being done about the shoulder charges, that they have been clamping down uptil the WC kick-off.
Fiji should have been playing 14 men yesterday for a start.

 

[MegaSteve]

Have to say Ireland looked awesome...
Whilst Scotland didn't...

 

[USER1999]

Have to say Ireland looked awesome...
Whilst Scotland didn't...

I would have used 'relentless' rather than awesome. They are a good team, but they are not made for dazzling rugby, more attritional rugby. They are very good at it, and that is no bad thing, but it isn't wow.

I hope they do it though.

 

[harpo_72]

It’s more about the quality of your squad and the depth you have ... playing physical sides early on hammer your chances. If you do play them you have to minimise their physicality.. which I think Owen Farrel alluding to in his post match interview

 

[Dibby]

Realistically any of the top 6 in the world rankings have a chance.

IMHO Ireland are a decent team, but a bit overrated. Wales a massively overhyped, they don't score enough tries, and they win most of their games against big opposition at home, when away or in neutral venues they struggle. England have a lot of Depth and potential, but seem to be very hot and cold with it.

In the SH, NZ are still the team to beat, but are slightly on the wane from their peak and definitely beatable. SA have just rebuilt, and are looking strong, better than the rankings and results suggest IMO, Australia have been on a bit of a downward spiral for a while, they can still be a decent team on their day, but They are not what they used to be.

As to who will win, it's wide open, if it's a NH team I would go with Ireland or England and SH NZ or SA. Whatever happens should be some great games.

 

[IanM]

BBC Wales have gone full nut job on this over the past few days.... had a random re-run of the Grand Slam win on BBC 2 last night... heck we'll have Gareth Edwards doing the blooming weather next!!!

What I learned over the weekend...... England win by 30, its a disaster! Wales win by 30, they are world beaters.

They are all a bit buts about rugby over here... (understatement of the decade!)

 

[stefanovic]

There is a position for every shape and size on a rugby field.

I'm sure there is, but take the case of international players. They are super fit, having done endless hours in the gym. They have removed the fat on their back to morph it into muscle. Their legs are like tree trunks.
But everything comes at a price. There is a high suicide and depression rate among players. So what causes this? One answer is sleep patterns. Heavy exercise may lead to plenty of sleep but it may not be quality sleep with good dream patterns.
All professional sports people should note this.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/are-the-irish-rugby-team-too-fat-1.2987958

 

[IanM]

Wales v Georgia. As big a mismatch as Ireland / Scotland!

....and someone rescue the screaming girls in the crowd... (what is going on!)