What a day of rugby we have ahead of us! After France trounced a poor Italy with some lovely rugby last night, we have a couple of palate-teasers in the form of Wales v Georgia and England v Samoa, either one of which might possibly throw up (not boak – well, maybe) an unexpected result.
Then we are on to the main course, where obviously what we want Ireland to do is quickly score four tries and then let Scotland have the ball undefended (see graphic). This is because I hope (for his sake) that Dupont will not be playing in the first quarter-final match, and the French squad has also lost other valuable players. Mind you, they are still a very scary team to face, and so far we’ve only seen the All Blacks against seriously inferior competition, apart from France. So perhaps we should go for the outright win after all.
Our chances of this have improved what with having one Ulsterman (Henderson) starting, and one on the bench: McCloskey, who will come on and show Aki how to play properly.
Pudding has to wait until Sunday, where we have the tasty prospects of Japan v Argentina, Tonga v Romania and Fiji v Portugal.
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Onna telly this week
Friday 6th October
| France 60 – 7 Italy |
Saturday 7th October
| Wales v Georgia | 14:00 | ITV1 / STV / RTÉ2 / S4C |
| England v Samoa | 16:45 | ITV1 / STV / RTÉ2 |
| Ireland v Scotland | 20:00 | ITV1 / STV |
Sunday 8th October
| Japan v Argentina | 12:00 | ITV1 / STV |
| Tonga v Romania | 16:45 | ITV3 |
| Fiji v Portugal | 20:00 | ITV1 / RTÉ2 |
Ovally Balls 
Flair, we lost a match last time too. URC starts in November, I think?
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What a try by the Japanese lock! Brilliant burst down the line, chip and chase and score!
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URC starts in a couple of weeks.
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Lovely try Argentina! This has been fun!
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When Argentina click, they are amazing.
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Three great tries so far!
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Thanks Refit. I remember Easterby as a player. Great coach.
Great game in Nantes. Some stunning tries.
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Deebee, this time you’ll lose two.
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Four great tries now!
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Why can’t all games be like this?
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Another very good try! Some good attacking play from both sides.
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I hope not, Flair, but from this stage on any match is a potential loss. Or win.
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And FWIW, I think SA teams have nothing to do with URC. Your best teams should play in a local competition and vs SH teams. You’ll lose all local interest and support by playing within Europe, not even mentionning the stupidity of the million miles of travels involved.
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Same here, Deebee. It’s a bit sad that two of the best four teams will pack their bags next Sunday, depriving us of better games later, but then we knew the draw and everything has been written about it.
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If only Argentina could have played like this against England. Both of these sides today have been quicker, sharper and just more inventive than England. Yet they both lost to them.
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Argentina just can’t get away from Japan!
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And Japan just can’t catch up with Argentina. This might be my favourite game so far.
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Flair, as much as our rivalry with the All Blacks will never dim, almost nobody that I know watches what’s left of Super Rugby, much less the NPC in New Zealand. The URC was slow to gain traction, but from a travel perspective, it’s much easier getting to Europe than Australia, let alone New Zealand. There’s also massive respect for the URC sides and the Euro comps. Especially given that there is a fair sprinkling of South Africans playing for the European clubs, and obviously plenty of Saffers living there. I draw the line at the 6N, though.
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For me in terms of quality Super Rugby was the best competition, together with the 3N (on par sometimes with the Hcup and the 6N).
It may be easier for SA to play in Europe than in Oz or NZ, but for any European team to get to SA it’s a logistical nightmare. What used to take 2h max (Scotland to Italy?) now takes half a day. Many times a year. Climate change, anyone?
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Oops, forgot to congratulate both Argentina and Japan. One of the best games yet.
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Flair, the global warming argument is a straw man. When Europe and North America (and the rest of the northern hemisphere) stop heating their homes, shops and offices to tropical temperatures; when European consumers keep clothes, cars and phones for more than a season, year or until the next model comes out, we can pick it up again. Global warming isn’t being caused by URC sides flying up and down a few times a year – it’s the grotesque over-consumption in the global north that causes it. The entire African continent is responsible for about 4% of global warming.
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Deebee, that’s a wide brush you’re using there. Most people I know from the middle class live modestly. They do not heat their houses beyond 18/19°C, simply because they can’t afford it. Around me people’s cars tend to be 10 years old or older, I for instance never bought a new car. We grew up in a society that made things last as long as possible and noone tries to keep up with the Jones.
As for the global warming, we must start somewhere, and if that implies limiting airfares, so be it.
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Romania score! Nicely worked try too.
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And true to form, a Tongan is off for a yellow which will be reviewed.
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Romania get another! Tonga still lead, but Romania are right back in this.
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Tonga pulling away now, Romania tiring.
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Flair, it is a wide brush, but it’s also based on the reality we face in Africa every day: Europe’s rubbish, from electronic waste to clothes to cars is dumped here because it’s easier and cheaper than actually disposing of it responsibly in Europe. I’m absolutely happy to admit that African governments are culpable in not giving rich countries the middle finger and telling them to sort their own crap (literally) out, but my experience is that Europe talks a great game about a global transition to a green economy, but in reality it’s complete bullshit in practice.
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Tonga were too strong overall, but some pretty dodgy tackling too.
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So it looks like Ireland (can’t see them losing to the Kiwis) play either Wales or Argentina in the semi. Can’t see either of them troubling Ireland, to be honest.
On the other side, whoever wins between France and South Africa faces either England (likely) or Fiji (unless they implode against Portugal). I reckon England have a puncher’s chance of an upset, but probably not.
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Fiji not quite at it the moment. Portugal doing well.
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If there is going to be one major takeaway from this WC, we need more players from the pack kicking the ball.
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Ooh, that was close from Portugal.
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Entertaining but scrappy first half, Portugal the better side so far.
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Portugal try!
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Try Portugal!
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Fiji try!
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And just when it looks like Portugal will score again, Fiji turn over the ball, break down field and end up with Botia driving over.
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Botia hero-to-zero. Yellow & review for catching a Portugal player on the chin, with his head.
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Another Portugal try! Aussies might be starting to unpack….
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A proper rugby match has broken out!
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We can’t help giggling every time Tadjer’s name is mentioned. Childish, I know.
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Never mind Georgia replacing Italy in the 6N – I’d like to see Portugal. Although I still want Fiji to win here, for obvious reasons.
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Portugal score again and could go ahead if the conversion goes over!
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Portugal back in front! Less than a minute to go!
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Portugal win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant stuff, but Fiji still go through.
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He’s done it, and Portugal win! They are ecstatic! But Fiji still go through with the LBP – whew!
Fabulous match.
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Yasss Portugal!
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what. an. effort! so happy for them
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Crazy but completely enjoyable game – perfect result…..
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We can’t help giggling every time Tadjer’s name is mentioned. Childish, I know.
Had a giggle at this myself!
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