Rugby

On a side note I think my club has made a mistake, opening for every match in the world cup could well lead to a number of players becoming unemployed alcoholics. Leading to a dramatic decline in match subs.

Also I don't think my liver/marriage can take much more of this.

I'm beginning to think that the All Blacks have been sandbagging for about a year.

^^^ This - scary. warning to all. Do not play loose against NZ

It's not even that, for the first 20mins ALL of the possession and most of the territory went to the Boks and all they got was 3 points (should have been 6) which is an appalling return for a team like them, even at the start of the match.

I do like a drop goal and there have been some decent ones so far.

Just one score in this with ten minutes to go. I'd like to see SA peg NZ back.

Yeah that Pollard drop goal was an outrageous bit of skill.

I make more effort breathing than he did popping that 40 yarder over!

Ok. What have we learned thus far (probably better to wait until the 6N have played too to answer that but):

It's going to be pretty open. SA had spells of play where on another day they could've scored a couple of tries - I know shoulda, woulda, coulda BUT like every team, NZ have vulnerability too (previously they've seemed almost impermeable whether faced with a power/off-loading/set piece/territory game against them). England certainly have the speed and directness to cause problems, provided support can be quick enough to stop NZ et al turning them over.

Australia are going to pour points down the swanee due to not having a reliable goal kicker and as such can't win the world cup. 3 different kickers missed today and didn't look close to nailing the tricky ones.

Fiji could beat Wales - couldn't they?

The refereeing sounds better than it is - two potential red-cards - shoulder direct to head - not even referred by the TMO. Poor/non-existent policing off the offside line at the ruck.

France.....well, are France. Much improved but not sure I saw much of a consistent game plan and would expect England to strangle/frustrate them (if they don't strangle themselves). They have a very decent crop of 4-5 early 20s players that are mustard however.

The Japanese hatrick hero has a beautifully soft plumage

I'll be honest after my early morning drinking session and subsequent power nap / chunder I'm struggling to remember much of the last game.

Why am I jealous of this?

Don't be Mrs Bobbo exacted her revenge with perfect timing: Just as I was staggering out of bed she goes "you're ok to look after the kids for a couple of hours? Kthnxbi."

I can confirm that hungover potty training is NOT fun.

England certainly have the speed and directness to cause problems, provided support can be quick enough to stop NZ et al turning them over.

Based on today, then yes. With Curry, Underhill and Itoje England should be very competitive around the breakdown, that said, they've struggled badly against Wales in this area. But England do have all the ingredients in their side to trouble them.

Plus if today is anything to go by, England’s usual defensive tactic of lining up 1 yard offside will be fine and not penalised.

And Farrell’s tackling is also ok!

I don't know I think after that tackle in the 'Stralia v Fiji match the IRB will be laying down the law to the referees.

Plus apparently Faz has been working on changing his tackle technique.

I’m more worried about his missing tackles, which he does with regularity. He’s not a great defender (despite the protestations of some commentators). And the 12 channel exposes that more than 10, as he hasn’t the flankers to pull him out of a hole.

Anyone can give me a rundown of SAs loss?
It was a loss right?

Yep. 23 - 13

Have just finished re-watching it.

They looked good. NZ had a blinding 20 minutes at the end of the first which was the difference. The ZA defence was very abrasive, at times they were playing 2 staggered defensive blitz lines with the usual back 3 which was very effective and to be honest I think that NZ are the only team on the planet who could have coped.

Well I'm fucking disappointed. Also wondering why the SRU pandered to toonie when Stern Vern was starting to show real results.

Hmmm... No SH teams will lose sleep tonight, after those matches.

Agreed on Cotter. Top coach. Bad decision.

So very average (at best) start by England.
Positives were: no injuries, no tries conceded and a bonus point (stranger things have happened than each of France/Eng/Arg all having a loss).
Negatives

• Youngs frequently taking 4-5 steps across pitch before passing
  
• 2 or 3 penalties conceded at scrums
  
• aimless kicking (Penaud will make 200+ meters if we kick like that against France
  
• some very poor handling largely due to the forwards a) standing still b) too flat and running away from the ball - falling off passes - when coming 'round the corner c) confusion as to which forward is first receiver tipping on, who is the decoy/shield and who is the second receover - this led to ineffectual crowding of three players eating up space and often balls slapping the hands of a 'surprised' receiver and dropping to the floor.
  

In general was quite even and though it wouldn't be fair to say, SA should have won, on the balance of play they could have. They didn't score enough (great NZ defence partly) when deep in NZ territory but their direct power driving game with their heavy forwards meant they repeatedly broke the gainline close in and got behind the Kiwis - possible the ref didn't marshall NZ firm enough at the breakdown however they defended very smartly and took their chances clinically (as usual).

I missed all of today's games, and the SA NZ game yesterday. Anywhere i can catch up?

(See earlier ITV hub rant...)

ESPN scrum (I think), also try the IRB website although that may be location restricted. May also be worth trying RTE.

Youngs frequently taking 4-5 steps across pitch before passing

He’s done this all his career. Don’t see it changing in the next few weeks.

Someone said to me the All Black app had coverage (not got it and not going to!).