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I have seen the first half only, very impressed by Japan with the skills, execution speed, tactics and all.
To be fair to Scotland, the way Japan played yesterday they would have completely crushed many teams of the tournament.Doesn't help that we spent the first half kicking away what little possession we had.
Quite unsure that they will be able to reproduce it against SA though
They will. Do you know the secret to their success? Every player in the squad plays for the sunwolves, and their coach is also DOR at the sunwolves. They are essentially a club team and have had at a minimum double the amount of time together that any other squad has.
Actually quite disappointed no to see Scotland go through instead of Ireland
Don't be. Scotland's issues fall at the feet of 2 people Mark Dodson and Gregor Townsend. Dodson because he should have told Toonie to fuck away off and boil his heed when the later started threatening to go to France unless he got Cotter's job and Townsend for thinking that he could do better than stern Vern. One of the two of those must go now my preference is Townsend to be replaced by either Cockers or Dave Rennie.
Bobbo-
They will. Do you know the secret to their success? Every player in the squad plays for the sunwolves, and their coach is also DOR at the sunwolves. They are essentially a club team and have had at a minimum double the amount of time together that any other squad has
Which makes it all the more surprising that the Sunwolves didn’t get an extension on their Super Rugby deal.
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I do not fully agree with you, because the Sunwolves system has its limits.
Playing with the same players all year, then add to that a world cup preparation, some very exhausting and under pressure games (Opening game at home, Ireland, and then Ireland) against opposition much topher than club rugby, also with the same players, is definitely IMO leading to a collapsing moment around quarter or semi-finals, and I believe South Africa should be in much better shape after playing their tophest game of the pool stage for opening.
Hear me well, I don't wish it as I very much enjoy the rugby they produce, the Japanese spirit, and they very well deserve the qualification considering their efforts, progression and the games they performed (even more after 3 wins and no qualifying last world cup) but it is just my personal point of view on their system.
Same with the Jaguares, perfomed well all season of super rugby, argentina collapsed during championship being exhausted showing an incredible poor rate for tackling of around 50% of tackles missed against NZ
jaw
paulbiche
I have seen the first half only, very impressed by Japan with the skills, execution speed, tactics and all.
To be fair to Scotland, the way Japan played yesterday they would have completely crushed many teams of the tournament. It seemed to be impossible to steal them the ball and the only times they got rid of it was with a well placed kick, must have been a nightmare to play against.
Quite unsure that they will be able to reproduce it against SA though (even if I would like them to because I quite dislike the mentality of SA rugby i.e. complete destruction of the opponent rather than actually playing rugby), I believe they burned high energy against both Ire & Sco.
Actually quite disappointed no to see Scotland go through instead of Ireland, I find them to have a much more exciting rugby than the very effective/pragmatic Ireland rugby (and I hate how Ireland is refereed with lot of freedom to operate in the breakdown). What's the team you will backup then?