Rugby WC

[maryanddavid]

yaaaa!

[Mikey]

Pleased to see this thread! Rugby's the only sport I have any real interest in and the only one I've played competitively.

I missed most of the last RWC as I was in the wilds of Monaghan during it, but now I'm an Increased Leisure Citizen I've been able to make up for it. There was some cracker matches in the pools right enough and it's been great to see how competitive the 'tier two' nations have been.

I was in Cardiff last week to see Wales v Fiji and also New Zealand v Georgia. First time I've been to the Millennium Stadium (and Wales in fact) and it was fantastic! Was up in the gods for the Wales match but had seats at pitch level for the New Zealand game. The atmosphere at both was great, but the All Blacks game was just the best - the Auckers are great crack! Especially if you're wearing an Ireland top 

Was really impressed by Ireland yesterday, I had a horrible suspicion France might squeak past them. I'd definitely say they'll beat Argentina and it looks like they'd be facing the Wallabies in the semi final. Australia have looked really sharp so far, so that could be a tough one - but I'm beginning to believe...

It's a shame England didn't get through - toughest pool by far, but I thought it'd come down to points difference and not defeats. They should have drawn with Wales, though Wales managed that game brilliantly and thoroughly deserve the quarter final spot.

TL:DR - G'wan Airlind!

[Old Tankie]

I'm gutted England are out, would never normally support anyone else, but have to say I hope Ireland do well.

[JayzusB.Christ]

Cheers, Tankie. Obviously I'm supporting my own country but I would have liked to see England get further; shame they were knocked out at such an early stage.

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

Yeah, the way the pools were drawn and structured was ridiculous, and England gor the shitty end of the stick. Three major contenders in pool A and only Seth Effrika im pool B?* I think the tournament suffered.

* completely unforeseen showing by Japan notwithstanding, and no offence to our Caledonian friends.

[The Enigmatic Dr X]

Yeah, the way the pools were drawn and structured was ridiculous, and England gor the shitty end of the stick. Three major contenders in pool A and only Seth Effrika im pool B?* I think the tournament suffered.

* completely unforeseen showing by Japan notwithstanding, and no offence to our Caledonian friends.

This kind of condecending is why ABE is the second team for many Scots

[Citi-Def_Joe]

I am a fan of the Rugby in both its codes and still a union player (in the loosest, over 35, 3rd team, lower league sense). I am English born and bred and yet I  find it hard to root for England, in the last world cup in 2011 the off field behaviour was akin to a load of over privileged spoilt kids or worse football players and this world cup they have played as a group of individuals, behaved with petulance and lacked direction at times, Yes they had a tough group but they had home advantage, the way they played wasnt good enough IMHO.

English rugby needs to get off its high horse, give the players a sense of direction and build a TEAM

[Old Tankie]

England didn't go through because we weren't good enough, but it's still been a great tournament.
Semi final lineup.  Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.

[maryanddavid]

Regardless or the varied opinions on England's exit, the tournament is the poorer without its hosts. Thankfully the 'second; tier nations have really stepped up.

[Definitely Not Mister Pops]

The Wheelchair Rugby World Cup is on ITV4 now. Fantastic sport. Watch the documentary "Murderball" if you're interested.

[ThryllSeekyr]

The Wheelchair Rugby World Cup is on ITV4 now. Fantastic sport. Watch the documentary "Murderball" if you're interested.

Oh, you just beat me to it. Was going to say that I thought this was the only field game in that part of the world and I also understand. We might not be talking about the same thing....

[Mikey]

COME ON WALES!

[Mikey]

Ah fer fuck sake.

[ZenArcade]

Bah! Z

[JayzusB.Christ]

Feck and bollix.