2019 Rugby WC
 

Anybody else watching pool play?

Impressions??

I watch the highlights on YouTube. USA sure got their asses kicked.

It's entertaining but there is a huge performance gap between the best 3 or 4 teams and the rest of the world. The Japan upset was unexpected.

Should get better after the pool play.

We ALWAYS get our asses handed to us.:( Even France stuffed us. I must say England over Tonga so convincingly surprised me a wee bit.

Ha! Then it'd only be League Rugby. Union rules!!

Here in NZ we had a new US Ambassador who was pretty funny.

He said "As the US is world champion at Rugby it's nice to be in NZ."

NZ said "Ya what?."

Ambassador "Oh yes, The Olympics are the highest level, the benchmark. And Rugby was played once at the Olympics and we won, so we are the world champs."

I really don't don't know. It would be nice for one of the "unexpecteds" to win.

I rather like Japan's enthusiasm and good naturedness.

Following the Youtube highlights too. The US is slowly getting better but it will be difficult to get to the level of the top teams. Hoping Wales will make it to the finals.

I'm pleased to hear US is getting better. Canada is getting worse :( NZ beat them 63 - 0

I'd also like to see Samoa do well, or better than they have been doing.

SA looked pretty good against Italy this morning, delivering a serious azz whooping. I would like to see Wales succeed as their game has been down until recently.
As for the US, it will be a while before we can compete at the top level in 15's. Got to get the game down to lower school levels to progress, much like baseball and basketball. Pretty hard to progress when most of us start playing at university and the top sides grow up with the game. My club has had a fairly solid youth program for many years and USA Rugby is certainly pushing this aspect of the game.
Glad to be able to watch on US television. Thanks to NBC for their commitment for 5 years.

I think we can count Australia out despite their win over Uruguay. Lots of penalties, bad ball handling in spite of a few flashes. Not sure I agree with all the high tackles being called in the WC, particularly the unintentional with a shorter player ducking under a taller player who has already committed. Intentional highs - sin bin or red card. No NBC Sports Gold here so I am missing a few matches that I would enjoy watching. Just too cheap to spend the money:)
Looking forward to Eagles/Pumas but have no illusions.
Off to meet other old boyz and watch my club in action later today. Oh, to be young again.....

You hit the nail on the head regarding rugby here. Luckily I also know of a lot of ex-South Africans bringing rugby to schools in Atlanta and beyond. BUt the sport id growing and that is encouraging. Personally, I am looking forward to the day the Eagles beat SA.

NBC's YouTube channel has decent highlight coverage of the games, and some on the World Rugby channel too.

I've been clothes lined a few times, not fun, but at least it ain't soccer! ;)

Good first 15 minutes for Aussies. Early try 2nd half made me think it may be a nail biter, But their errors and England's speed and power sure finished them.
Damn, that Farrell has a foot!

Comin' for to carry me home.

Shades of Johnny Wilkinson

Never watched a Rugby match in my life before this World Cup. But since I live in Japan I had to check it out. Wow. Probably the most exciting team sport in my opinion. Whole family is currently watching Japan take on South Africa at the moment. Let’s go JAPAN !!

Looking forward to the semis next weekend. This morning I got up early to watch SA and Japan. The first half was damn good for Japan and I was impressed by their gnat like play and constant motion. Too bad they were unable to sustain that after the half as they appeared to wilt under the power of SA. However, they alerted the world that they are no longer an easy match as they made their way thru the tournament.
A great team sport and 40 minutes of play COMMERCIAL FREE. Also the fastest growing team sport in the US according to NBC.

yes the game is different but I encourage all to watch a few games, if only on the youtube summaries. the player are world class athletes.

when watching
1. all offensive play is behind the ball, and passing by hand is never forward. kicking can be used to move the ball forward
2. these is no blocking- only the ball carrier is tackled
3. fumbles are called 'knock-ons' and end forward movement.
4. scrum play is confusing at first. if the ball is off the ground the forwards can push against each other to move the ball. once the ball is on the ground forward movement is over and the forwards set up the next play
5. consume lots of beer and enjoy the game

England vs NZ is on here at 3:00 tomorrow. Set to record and will watch as soon as I get up. Then off to watch my club's last game, SA and Wales Sunday when I get up and it will be a rugby weekend.

Saw this matchup at Twickenham in 1979 while on my first tour. Close match with the AB winning 10 - 9. (Also ate roasted chestnuts for the first and last time)

4. if a back, or a forward goes into opposing contact with the ball the others form a "maul" and can push to move forward. Rolling mauls are BIG fun!. When the ball is on the ground the forwards "ruck over" and fight for the ball with their feet. Hands into a ruck will draw a whistle. Once the ball is moved out of the ruck, the scrum half can pick it up and start the back field play.

All Blacks will thrash them.

Haha, Mr. Douglas laughs nervously as he reaches for another drink.

LOL Wrong, very wrong.

We were out classed and out muscled. Well played England!

Sorry, Bill. Tough loss.
England had a great game plan and executed it well. Lots of pressure and playing on the AB half of the pitch worked well for them. A couple of penalties on England kept it close as tries were overturned. I agree with the first but a ball moving forward during a maul is a tough call, even with TMO.
I am looking forward to tomorrow's match and hope to see an all UK final. Go Wales!!

My my my how times have changed! Not a thrashing but a very convincing performance by England. Still, I think England is never happier than when beating France.:D