Rugby

And an interesting point from the pundits - assuming Japan beat USA tomorrow, they will be the first team ever to win 3 matches at a World Cup and not make it to the knock-out stages

Did ITV miss the call on why that was a Samoa scrum as opposed to a Scottish 22 dropout?

Edit: or I did. What was it?

"
A 22-metre drop-out is not awarded, however, if a member of the defending team has either passed or carried the ball back over the dead ball line before the ball is touched down.

In this case, a five-metre scrum is awarded to the attacking team.
"

Ah, yeah that makes sense, thanks

< plastic (ish) fan

I had to look it up.

The intricacies and complexity of Rugby Union rules is amazing, e.g. who gets the put in at a lineout? did it bounce, was it kicked from inside the 22, carried back in first, etc. Makes football look simple.

Reminds me of the schoolteacher scene in Meaning of Life:-

"
All right, settle down. Settle down... Now, before I begin the lesson, will those of you who are playing in the match this afternoon move your clothes down onto the lower peg immediately after lunch, before you write your letter home, if you're not getting your hair cut, unless you've got a younger brother who is going out this weekend as the guest of another boy, in which case, collect his note before lunch, put it in your letter after you've had your hair cut, and make sure he moves your clothes down onto the lower peg for you. Now...
"

That Argentinian scrum coach for the Aussies has got northern hemisphere teams sussed.

Aussies: masterful running down of the clock to try and relieve those two yellows.

Anyone betting against the Wallabies for 2015 Champions?

What a flat match. Hope England manage to do more than just hammer away

All the passes on the wings are going too early letting the Uraguian defense drift across and cover

Yep,
Watson seems to have a four man blue-shirted entourage waiting for him
every time he sniffs the ball.

I expect NZ and Argentina will be watching this licking their lips. Absolutely attritional

NZ may be. Argentina will be hoping that the Irish injury / suspension situation is even worse than it looks. Ireland never looked like losing that match, and the replacements played out of their skins. Would put a few bob on them being the only N Hemisphere team in the semis right now.

Would put a few bob on them being the only N Hemisphere team in the semis right now.

Wouldn't really be a log shot:

Sat 17th October 4:00pm		South Africa v Wales	Twickenham 
Sat 17th October 8:00pm		New Zealand v France	Millennium Stadium
Sun 18th October 1:00pm		Ireland v Argentina		Millennium Stadium
Sun 18th October 4:00pm		Australia v Scotland	Twickenham

watched USA v Japan at Kingsholme yesterday - it was excellent, both the rugby and the atmosphere. Really enjoyed it.
/csb

Allez Les Blues

They allezed backwards most of yesterday.

But they can allez forwards faster than anyone, if they can be arsed to turn up. They're due one game per tournament and they've not had it yet...

All southern semis. Provided we can get past the french.
Argies v ire should be a good one though. Can't see much hope for the Welsh, and scots will get pasted.

Argues vs. Ireland will be a great game. Kearney will have work cut out.

Can't wait for the All Blacks against the French, really hope we see some quick hands and deep runs.

Just walked past Sean Fitzpatrick on Wigmore St.

you mustve swooned and melted on the spot

I had a coffee with Jeremy Guscott the other day. Very likeable chap but not "quite" on Sean Fitzpatrick's level.

I made a very audible "heh" as I realised who it was. He seemed in a rush and dressed very smartly, which for the area is practically camouflage.

Jeremy Guscott

Beautiful man though. And with magic in the hips.

This man speaks the truth.