What a cracker of a first round! Some delectable rugby, some surprises, and plenty of dodgy reffing decisions to moan about.
Tonga and Samoa have yet to play, but Wales easily contained Fiji. The big surprises were the performances of the two South American minnows: Chile gave Japan a good fight, although they ran out of puff before the end, and Wrwgwai (that’s the Welsh spelling of Uruguay, per MisterIks, apparently) gave France a hell of a fright.
So what’s in store for this weekend? Mostly very one-sided fixtures; it’s not even worth speculating about the scores. The closest matches may well be Samoa v Chile, Australia v Fiji, England v Japan, and South Africa v Romania, now they’ve lost Marx and seeing as how they don’t have a proper 10.
Is there any chance that the TMO’s are actually professionals who know what to look for on a potential high hit? Pretty much every 50-50 tackle that isn’t a red (or at least a yellow) results in disbelief. I’m as guilty of it as anyone else, but maybe as fans we need to trust the officials more?
Must admit, I’d love Romania to score a try at least. The Romanian 13 (I think) would be perfect: his dad played in the only match between the sides previously, at the 1995 one. Met his wife there, South African lass, and now playing against the Boks too!
Flair, that’s not aimed at you, every blog/BTL everywhere is the same. I’ve been to matches here where fans have bayed for blood for tackles below the waist!
Williams with another! He’s got such gas and a good step! Getting a bit ghoulish, to be honest. Are we going to outscore Ireland for the points difference is pretty much all that’s left. And not conceding a try. And Mapimps whilst I’m typing!
No problem Deebee. I trust the refs as a rule (except of course when it’s bloody Carey reffing Wales). I understand the TMOs have more time and expertise than I do in front of my TV. But I do miss the replays French Tv show as a matter of fact, WR only let us see glimpses that are often misleading.
The only thing I learnt today is that SA have a kicking problem when it comes to conversions. Ireland scored 12 tries vs Romania. And so did SA.
But Ireland won 82/0. SA “only”76/0.
Therefore SA have no chance vs Ireland.
Ireland at least by 6.
Romania shredded Ireland’s defence twice – got no change from the Boks!
Flair – we lost the 1997 Lions series because we didn’t have a decent goalkicker. Outscored the Lions 6 tries to 2 from memory, but only won the dead rubber…
To those who know: is there a law that says the SH has to feed the scrum on the loosehead side? Could it do on the tighhead’s side, say, if his hooker was left footed?
When I played, just before the Dead Sea Scrolls gave us guidance, it was given that you put the ball in with your loose head on your right shoulder. Largely because your hooker was right footed and needed to strike the ball. In these days of feeding the second row it seems less important.
Just taken my seat in Nice to be greeted by the joyous news for Fiji
By the way, despite all the evidence from Stafe de France and particularly Marseille the French can organise an efficient and welcoming stadium here in Nice. Haven’t quite got the necessary public transport infrastructure but a much better attempt
Ovally Balls 
The heavens have properly opened in Bordeaux. Half time with no additional score.
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TMO told Raynal it was OK, as Kleyn hit the chest first.
Bewildering.
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Is there any chance that the TMO’s are actually professionals who know what to look for on a potential high hit? Pretty much every 50-50 tackle that isn’t a red (or at least a yellow) results in disbelief. I’m as guilty of it as anyone else, but maybe as fans we need to trust the officials more?
Must admit, I’d love Romania to score a try at least. The Romanian 13 (I think) would be perfect: his dad played in the only match between the sides previously, at the 1995 one. Met his wife there, South African lass, and now playing against the Boks too!
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Flair, that’s not aimed at you, every blog/BTL everywhere is the same. I’ve been to matches here where fans have bayed for blood for tackles below the waist!
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Sorry, my first comment was probably a bit chippy. No ifs or buts.
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Williams with another! He’s got such gas and a good step! Getting a bit ghoulish, to be honest. Are we going to outscore Ireland for the points difference is pretty much all that’s left. And not conceding a try. And Mapimps whilst I’m typing!
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No problem Deebee. I trust the refs as a rule (except of course when it’s bloody Carey reffing Wales). I understand the TMOs have more time and expertise than I do in front of my TV. But I do miss the replays French Tv show as a matter of fact, WR only let us see glimpses that are often misleading.
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We scored more points. :-)
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The only thing I learnt today is that SA have a kicking problem when it comes to conversions. Ireland scored 12 tries vs Romania. And so did SA.
But Ireland won 82/0. SA “only”76/0.
Therefore SA have no chance vs Ireland.
Ireland at least by 6.
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We scored more points. :-)
Romania shredded Ireland’s defence twice – got no change from the Boks!
Flair – we lost the 1997 Lions series because we didn’t have a decent goalkicker. Outscored the Lions 6 tries to 2 from memory, but only won the dead rubber…
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Slotting a penalty is ‘shredding defence’ now?
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It is. And the try. Don’t forget the try!
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I’ll remember that next week!
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Especially when South Africa fail to shred our defences by missing kicks at goal.
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I’m hoping we won’t need to rely on conversions.
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What a kick that was from the Fijian 9!
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To those who know: is there a law that says the SH has to feed the scrum on the loosehead side? Could it do on the tighhead’s side, say, if his hooker was left footed?
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Flair – I don’t know, but the tight five might not be able to see the ball go in on the tighthead side?
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Flair – Law 19.13 just says that the scrum-half just chooses the side to put the ball in
https://www.world.rugby/the-game/laws/law/19/?highlight=scrum
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Bloody cheating Aussies!
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Aussie off his feet at the ruck
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The officiating is sickening in this tournament
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Yes, he played it on the floor!
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Dirty, cheating Aussies.
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Apparently these have been Mullet Man’s first ever kicks in international rugby. Hard to believe!
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The power mullet strikes again
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Brace doing a Carey on Fiji. Ar mnold played the ball on the floor. Results in an Oz try. Boak.
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That was a great maul and a lovely kick from the resulting pen.
8-12 to Fiji
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When I played, just before the Dead Sea Scrolls gave us guidance, it was given that you put the ball in with your loose head on your right shoulder. Largely because your hooker was right footed and needed to strike the ball. In these days of feeding the second row it seems less important.
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TRY Fiji!!!!! !!! !!!!
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Gwan Fiji
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Yesss Tuisova!
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This guy’s the best kicker I’ve ever seen!
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Thaum, just wait till he’s had some practice:-)
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Ahhh, he’s going off! Poor sod!
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Aaargh
That was a real chance
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Australia aren’t particularly good, are they?
Did I really hear the commentators say that Fiji haven’t beaten Australia since 1954? That can’t be right, shirley?
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That’s what they said, BB.
Damn, Australia have scored.
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This is tense
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Just taken my seat in Nice. Glad to say the French can organise a welcoming ground despite Marseille. Come on Fiji.
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Fiji win by a great scrum
What scenes
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Fiji have won! With a penalty kick to come, to rub it in.
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That was a game of rugby
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Shame about the missed penalty, but well done Fabulous Fiji!!!!
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Aus get a LBP. But Fiji win 15-22.
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Hahahaha, the Aussie’s look in shock. Commiserations to FD, wherever he may be.
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I’m sure there is a degree of schadenfreude among English “neutral” fans too
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Brilliant stuff from Fiji! That was what we need to see more of!
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Just taken my seat in Nice to be greeted by the joyous news for Fiji
By the way, despite all the evidence from Stafe de France and particularly Marseille the French can organise an efficient and welcoming stadium here in Nice. Haven’t quite got the necessary public transport infrastructure but a much better attempt
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Probably won’t see too much of that in the next game…..
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