Seventeen sides have received cards in the tournament so far, with a total of 39 yellow or red cards issued. Most ill-disciplined/unlucky/dirty bastards/ref’s a cheat are Romania and Samoa with five each, Samoa edging the evil stakes with four yellows and a red to Romania’s five yellows (albeit two to one player). Chile and Namibia are next on four each, with Namibia winning the Excellence in Evil award with two reds and two yellows, to Chile’s four yellows. So three of the four most offensive sides are minnows and people want them playing more regularly? Pfft! Clean yer act up, you lot!
Portugal, Tonga and Wales are on three each, with the latter on three yellows and the first two with a red and two yellows. Of the QF sides, Wales are by some distance the dirtiest, dirtiest bastards, with their three cards of shame, Argentina have two (both yellow), and England, New Zealand and Fiji on one apiece, although the Flying Fijians have a paltry yellow, compared to the horrific reds that the other two have. Interesting to note that none of the big sides has picked up a card at all – Ireland, France and the Boks have been squeaky clean (as you’d expect, especially from the Boks).
Discipline is going to be absolutely key from here on in, especially in the tackle area (Karl, go home), with fine, fine margins likely to decide the Groups A & B encounters, whilst neither Fiji nor Argentina has a snowball’s against England and Wales if they are reduced to 14 for any length of time. So, to the matches themselves.
Wales v Argentina, Saturday, 4pm Marseille
Wales have had the best scrum so far in the World Cup, but the slowest at clearing the rucks, whilst for Argentina – once a feared scrummaging unit – it’s the exact opposite. Argentina have struggled this year, losing to England despite being a man up for the majority of the match, and not looking all that flash in their must-win encounter against Japan. Wales have been Gatball personified: well organised, fit and stingy on defence and this should get them over the line against the erratic, but more erotic, Argentines. If Argentina’s backs click (and they’ll need good, clean ball for this, and Wales without Faletau may be slightly weakened here) they are as good as anyone’s bar possibly France and Ireland and could sneak through in dramatic style. Wales though, play pragmatic rugby first and are likely to wear down Argentina and prevail in the end – with perhaps some LRZ magic to go with it. Wales by less than 10.
Ireland v New Zealand, Saturday 8pm, Stade de France
A massive, massive encounter with some wonderful recent history between the sides – most of it in Ireland’s favour. They’ve duffed the Kiwis in a series in Mordor and have had the rub against them more often than not in recent years (can’t be bothered to look at the actual stats, the cards ones were enough for one week). Ireland are the complete package, with a very strong tight five and probably the best balanced and most accomplished loose trio in the world at present. None of O’Mahoney, van der Vlier or Doris is a huge man – they’re all around 106kg – but they’re nimble, feisty and intelligent, giving their backs the platform to weave their magic from. Sexton commands his troops behind the marauding pack with aplomb, giving space and time to a very well-drilled and skilful back line. There really isn’t much you can fault in the side. The Kiwis have apparently been slipping in under the radar. I’m not so sure. Yes, they’ve been ruthless in dispatching the lesser sides, including an appalling Italy, but their last two Big Tests have been against teams that actually defend – and the Boks and France have both dispatched them with room to spare. Are they coming to the boil at the right time? I’m not so sure: they have a callow front row, an illustrious but fading second row and an unbalanced back row, with a captain many Kiwis don’t think should be in the side at all. The backs remain lethal, however, and give the All Blacks a puncher’s chance of creating an upset. Yes, an upset. Ireland by 7 or a bit more.
England v Fiji, Sunday, 4pm, Marseille
The Flying Fijians have been more a Sopwith Camel with a spluttering engine, than an F16 jet this tournament, and come up against the most ridiculed sporting side in the history of ridicule. A question of who wants it less may be on the cards. Fiji have lost a couple of key players and the bereavement in the camp may upset their rhythm – or it may spur them on to greater things. They’re still capable of breathtaking tries and length of the field gallops, but their final passes and general handling have let them down this year. Get it right, and they could pull off the shock of the weekend (yes, I know they beat England a few months ago, but still). England? They’ve picked the Venus de Milo at 10, with his unique interpretation of None Shall Pass! and Marcus Smith at 15 – not a familiar position for him and one that he may regret if a few 20 stone (not sure if that’s an actual, possible weight for a man) Fijians come flying through the defenders in front of him. England’s pack should have the measure of Fiji’s and I think we’ll see slow poison from them, with Farrell pulling the strings from behind, although I don’t expect a symphony of slickness outside of him. England by 10 or thereabouts.
France v South Africa, Sunday 8pm, Stade de France
It is testimony to my great skills set that I’m able to type this whilst hiding behind the couch with my eyes closed. For every moment of surging belief that the Boks are Back and have been playing possum up until now (there’s a lot of tinfoil speculation that this is indeed the case down here) and will now reveal their full hand, there’s a sinking feeling that this is as good as it gets and we’ve got no more gears. The Boks have picked a side that has surprised many – with Cobus Reinach preferred to Faf and Libbok retaining the 10 jersey over supposed saviour Pollard. Damian Willemse at 15 may be the number one kicker as well. All in all, it look a more enterprising back division (save for de Allende at 12) and the 5-3 split on the bench has two very good fetchers and link players in Deon Fourie and Kwagga Smith, as well as the monstrous presence of RG Snyman in addition to the two props. Faf, Pollard and Willie le Roux give the Boks more flexibility in terms of how the match is progressing – if we’re well up, Faf will keep France pedalling backwards; if we need points, Pollard to kick; if we need creativity, Willie to play first receiver. France? Well, like Ireland they have few weaknesses and some sublime players – it’s not just about Dupont, with Jalibert, Fickou, Penaud and Ramos they have stardust aplenty in the backs. France also have a pack that can match the Boks in every department, including the famed ‘physicality’, and have been extremely disciplined. The set pieces should be titanic and it’s an area in which the Boks have been curiously sloppy in this tournament. France also attack wonderfully – when it’s on. A curious note is that apparently France have kicked more than any other side in the last 8, which is strange for a side of supposed gazelles, but the Kiwis also did it in their pomp. Clever, accurate kicking is poison to opponents and France have been excellent at this. As the depression settles in reading this, I’m reminded that the Boks almost beat France in Marseille in November last year, despite having played most of the match with 14, so it’s not all over, yet. It should be a humdinger! The head is leaning towards France with their fantastic side and even more magnificent supporters, the heart is pure green and gold. I’m going with the heart. Boks by no more than 3.
Bokky sunshiny optimism by Deebee7.
Blog News
I’ve added a page to the site for help with Tech Issues (click on Other Pages at the top right). So far it addresses the issue of WordPress not remembering your login and not allowing you to recommend posts or comments.y
Also, I have heard from TomPirracas who has sent this fab video of great reffing.
Onna telly this week
Friday 13th October
| Bristol v Leicester | 19:45 | TNT Sports 1 |
Saturday 14th October
| Exeter v Saracens | 13:30 | TNT Sports 1 |
| Wales v Argentina | 16:00 | ITV1 / STV / S4C / iPlayer |
| Ireland v New Zealand | 20:00 | ITV1 / STV |
Sunday 15th October
| Sale v Northampton | 13:30 | TNT Sports 1 |
| England v Fiji | 16:00 | ITV1 / STV / RTÉ2 |
| France v South Africa | 20:00 | ITV1 / / STV / RTÉ2 |
Ovally Balls 
Flair, I’ve gone for NZ by 17 or 18 on Superbru, but Boks by 8 – I don’t think they’ll blow England off the park, to be honest. I think it’s potentially going to be a very niggly affair, with the likes of Etzebeth and Marler doing the panto punch up routine until BO’K gets a handle on things. I can see someone in green going down theatrically when VdM* forgets his tackle school lessons, but all things being equal (no red cards etc), I don’t think England can last going toe to toe with the Boks for 80 minutes, given the respective benches.
*Venus de Milo, AKA Owen ‘Look mum! No arms!’ Farrell.
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predictions:
Arg vs Darkness: not close
Eng vs SA: close
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I have to say that on review, it definately looks like Mark Cueto’s foot touches the line before he grounds the ball.
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Read somewhere that Ben O’Keefe had to close his social medias (social, mein arse!) as he received so many insults and threats after the France game. This is beyond the pale and I wish all these anonymous cowards could be traced and indicted.
I disagreed with some of his decisions (who didn’t, both ways?) but as much as it hurt, I’m still convinced the best team won. I hope BOK isn’t booed by the ignorants tomorrow.
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Flair, Cobus Reinach got a death threat on whatever platform it was for when he goes back to his club in France. With pictures of his wife and kid as well, I believe. There really is an unhinged minority in the human race.
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Jesus, what is wrong with people? Making actual threats – especially involving family – is waaay beyond the pale.
Anyway, there’s a new post.
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