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 
BK – well, the better team on the day won, despite two yellow cards.
The draw was shite, because that should have been the final, or at least a semi-final. But that’s sour grapes on my part.
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The quality of the rugby produced by both sides in last night’s game was phenomenal, wasn’t it? The speed and accuracy of the passing, the way the backs were set up to run, and of course the defending on both sides. All of the sides on the other half of the draw would struggle to get within 20 of either side on last night’s showing.
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It was arguably the second best game of the WC, Ireland already involved in the best one vs SA. Pity they had to leave so early.
Those who think the lopsided draw doesn’t matter forget that we could’ve seen Ireland and one of SA or France another time.
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“Those who think the lopsided draw doesn’t matter forget that we could’ve seen Ireland and one of SA or France another time.”
In all probability we saw them play another top four side one more time than we would have with a more balanced draw i.e. we saw them once in the group and once in the QF as opposed to them just losing a semi-final.
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Afternoon all! Heading off to the brother-in-law for a rugby braai, where I generally end doing the cooking, so probably won’t be on here too much. Good luck to all the sides, may the best teams win and may be cards and controversy be minimal.
Fairly relaxed about the outcome (at the moment: I’ll despise all things French in a few hours, for a couple of hours, but if we lose, we lose. If we win, I’ll be late for work tomorrow!
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Deebee, be a good boy, be on time at work tomorrow.
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Shame the kits are this way round as Fiji’s normal one is better.
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Urgh. Dayglo on comms.
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10mins and Sideways has touched the ball twice – once in attack!
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Manu reborn! Well, he crashes over in the corner, with a pen advantage from an offside.
I’m amazed Dayglo and Kay can talk, considering how far up Manu’s arse they are.
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Ireland/New Zealand this is not.
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I think that might end up a red.
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Good finish by Marchant.
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No red, hopefully, change of direction, drop in height.
I think Tom Curry is a bit daft.
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Faz might have gone high again there.
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Fiji try!
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Embra players making an impact on the quarters
“Clutches at straws”
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Why didn’t Fiji get a pen at that scrum? They made a right mess of the England pack.
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Well that was not a bad half of rugby. England actually trying to play a bit, which is refreshing.
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Explained after the whistle by Raynal. Well, England looking OK, but need to be more than two scores ahead, Fiji capable of going end to end twice in 3 minutes. Interestingly, England still haven’t found any space, the only clean line breaks have been Fiji ( except maro’s called back charge). Lot’s of little half breaks, but no clear broken field. Fiji scrum doing well and their lineout is vastly improved. Anyones game.
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Expecting England to pull away now. Next score is pretty important of course.
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Mitchell’s about 10% off being a good international 9.
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Farrell in non-high tackle shocker!
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England are doing a really good job of instantly sacking the Fiji mauls.
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For fucks sake Farrell, 4 on one and you pass it back inside. DIck.
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Third time in ten minutes . Last time, May in half a pitch of space, with no opposition within 30 yards, and he kicked it downfield to Radrada.
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Oh come on Tim, you know full well May’s not allowed to actually do anything during a match.
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I almost miss the ponderous competency of LFB (passes in to touch excepted).
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Here we go.
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Great try by Fiji.
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Why was that a penalty? Lawes was on his feet going for the ball?
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And another. England are starting to drop off and Fiji are picking it up.
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England butchered two opportunities there – Manu & Smith getting white-line fever. Pragmatic by Faz.
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Fucking hell May off, Marchant to the wing, and huge gaps are appearing in the centres. 3 ain’t enough.
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Why sub May? He’s not done anything all game (through no fault of his own). England look much better with Lawrence in the centre, than Manu.
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3,6, don’t matter. Fiji gonna get a try.
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Shut the fuck up, faz.
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Stop whining you prick, its a yellow.
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I don’t think Lawes could believe the ball was just there for the taking.
Hard luck to Fiji.
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England looked pretty decent in the first half and then reverted to their old selves in the second. I’d like to see a Lawrence-Manu midfield. Don’t think Smith is worth the risks at fullback again. He was very exposed defensively. Think either France or SA will put a cricket score on us next weekend.
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Well played Fiji, and hard luck. England should have been out of sight, but the idiot in the ten shirt doesn’t see space. He also had three borderline high tackles, two of which could have been high shots but for an inch, and one which got him bounced arse over tit. Not to mention he has to be the worst captain for talking to referees I have ever seen, from any country in rugby.
Man of the Match ? are you fucking kidding ? Lawes, George or Earl maybe.
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Dab, Lawrence and Manu don’t work defensively. It works fine with one or the other, with Marchant outside. Marchant is really good defensively, positinally, wherever he plays.
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Well done England. They made it a bit hard for themselves in the second half and the Fiji tries were good, but they did enough in the end.
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England the sword of NH?
Who was it who coined the expression on the old blog?
Fiji’s unusually poor handling cost them the game. But then with a bit of head ups rugby, England would’ve been far ahead. Kick, kick, kick, when a couple of simple outside passes would put them behind the line. Bewildering.
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Thought Itoje and Lawes were probably England’s best players though both made the odd mistake towards the end.
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Infuriating if you are English, Flair. We have seen it too much to be bewildered.
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hmm…physically draining but not so much skill/flair by either team.
Earl and Marchant the best English for me and I thought Smith did really well – he won’t forget that for a while!
I still think England would have been better with Ford.
Manu you can sub after the first 10 minutes: he’s great for that period but knackered thereafter.
Faz is like a wild animal really – if cornered he will not step back. This is falsely identified as leadership when, in fact, he needs someone to lead/guide him.
Still, s/final ahoy! Sole N Hemisphere rep., perhaps???
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Wait, hang on. I turned off the coverage as they started to bring the studio pundits in. Did they really give the MotM to Faz??
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Main takeaway from that game for me I think is how well Nayacalevu fits Marchants shirt. I would have thought it would look like a bare midriff skinny t, but they must be near enough the same size. Would not have thought that.
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Unfortunately, I think England would prefer to face NZ in the semis; France not and SA probably not. I think they could keep NZ close but France would rip them. SA would come out on top in a slug-fest.
Whatever, The semi will not be pretty.
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