Other Matches, Wk1

[Which Tyler]

Generally, the saffer scrum are being nice to Brasil, and just holding them in and walking them back.
But a couple (the first, and the one just outside the SA 22, and just now 5m from the Brazilian line) had the Brazilian front row in some horrible looking positions.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Credit to Brazil for fighting and I’m sure it’s fun for the players. Lucky they don’t have to play England, nz, or Canada.

 

[9215.]

Bit of risk emptying the bench on 50 minutes?

 

[Which Tyler]

South Africa with a Rassie move at the lineout.
Hollie not buying it

 

[Ddanno]

South Africa with a Rassie move at the lineout.
Hollie not buying it

Up with this sort of thing!

Hollie is one of my fave refs around at the moment. Does not do nonsense.

 

[9215.]

I reckon this one’ll be the biggest margin of the weekend.

 

[Which Tyler]

They'll certainly be targeting the 80

 

[Which Tyler]

But Spain are going to make the Black Ferns earn it if they want a big score

 

[9215.]

Yes, I might have got that wrong, though superior fitness/bench might make a difference.
No backs tries isn’t what I expected either.

 

[Which Tyler]

Yes, I might have got that wrong, though superior fitness/bench might make a difference.
No backs tries isn't what I expected either.

Couple scored by a luxury giraffe.


For clarity, I never expect Spain (or Brasil earlier) to just roll over - I just didn't expect them to have the wherewithal to prevent a point-a-minute

 

[Which Tyler]

NZ being honest, and not faking a blood / HIA, and accepting that they'll play with 14 for 25 minutes.
OK, the match is safe, but I cant imagine a men's side being that hinest

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

I know it's been said that the all blacks just wait for their opponent to make a mistake but it feels like New Zealand just dominated broken play. England and Canada should feel good but I think NZ will grow into it.

 

[Jimbo]

I know it's been said that the all blacks just wait for their opponent to make a mistake but it feels like New Zealand just dominated broken play. England and Canada should feel good but I think NZ will grow into it.

It’s context those isn’t it, you’d expect NZ to dominate every aspect of this fixture, I think England will be respectful but shouldn’t have any fear, they are a better team than they were at the last WC, on home soil and only marginally lost whilst down to 14 for most of the game and a few tight controversial calls.

 

[Which Tyler]

Vamos Espana!

 

[Jimbo]

Chuffed for Spain getting their try in the end.

 

[Jimbo]

Wow is that right NZ only made 40 something tackles that’s insane.

 

[Which Tyler]

Nz felt a bit like SA earlier (but more polished - as we're their opponents) in that they were so dominant, they didn't feel that they had to actually do anything to score 35-40 points by half time.
But they hadn't, because the opponent was more determined, and more skilled, than expected. Which meant that they had to actually concentrate and create space, make the right pass etc.
Second half, they'd realised that, and did so, until the injuries hit - which was balanced out by Spain's conditioning giving up around the same time.

First week, no upsets, everyone just building into the tournament. NZ wouldn't be that complacent against a teir1 nation anyway, but certainly not after that.

Hard to read much into anything else, except that Scotland are that bit better than expected (and Wales that bit worse) - but I don't see that making a difference when it comes to the QFs.

Spain and Brasil can be really proud of themselves today.

 

[Jimbo]

Nz felt a bit like SA earlier (but more polished - as we're their opponents) in that they were so dominant, they didn't feel that they had to actually do anything to score 35-40 points by half time.
But they hadn't, because the opponent was more determined, and more skilled, than expected. Which meant that they had to actually concentrate and create space, make the right pass etc.
Second half, they'd realised that, and did so, until the injuries hit - which was balanced out by Spain's conditioning giving up around the same time.

That’s last 10 - 15 from Spain was pure heart, they had no energy left in the tank.

 

[9215.]

Great that Spain got the try, it should be a good match when they play Japan.
NZ were underwhelming but, as mentioned above, they should be better than that when they need to be.

 

[saulan]

Brasil are in for a very painful tournament - South Africa are the worst 3rd placed team for a pool, but they're as much better than Brasil are

I might be misinterpreting this, but is SA that bad? There’s been a lot of investment into the team in the last two years and the coach that’s been put in place is a strong one (Swys De Bruin). Looking at results from a year ago they beat Japan and had close losses to Australia and Italy.

I was under the impression that we were in with a shot of making the quarter finals, is that not the case? (Not as second favourites in the group, but as slight underdogs). I fully expect us to be well beaten (20-30 points difference, in line with our Canada losses last year) by France due to our attack appearing relatively basic, but being relatively strong in the set piece/scrum to give Italy quite a hard time.