Rugby World Cup - is your team playing?
Sep 26th, 2015, 01:07 AM
#81
- my Japanese friend told me about half his country's rugby team was just there the minimum three years to be rugby stars in a country lacking them.>>
well, Pal, your Japanese friend should have done his/her homework, as should you:
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/japan/squad
by my calculations, there are 7 out of the japanese squad of 30 who are not obviously japanese by birth. That's less than ¼.
And of course, the USA were beaten by Samoa, which I would take bets on being 100% Samoan.
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/samoa/squad
yep - thought so.
Nelsonian - you're right that the team that played Namibia didn't look like the read deal, but even against Argentina they were lacklustre at times. IMO Dan Carter looks well past his best - I suspect that he has never recovered from that game at Twickenham in 2012 when his two missed kicks set the tone for England's victory. or is that just wishful thinking??
Crunch match this evening in the "Group of Death" - England v Wales at Twickenham. Stuart Lancaster has gone for a controversial selection, dropping gorgeous George [Ford] in favour of Owen Farrell and bringing in Sam Burgess who this time last year was only just starting to learn the difference between Rugby league and Rugby union. there is talk of Stuart's job being on the line if it doesn't come off. Should be a good match if nothing else!
well, Pal, your Japanese friend should have done his/her homework, as should you:
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/japan/squad
by my calculations, there are 7 out of the japanese squad of 30 who are not obviously japanese by birth. That's less than ¼.
And of course, the USA were beaten by Samoa, which I would take bets on being 100% Samoan.
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/samoa/squad
yep - thought so.
Nelsonian - you're right that the team that played Namibia didn't look like the read deal, but even against Argentina they were lacklustre at times. IMO Dan Carter looks well past his best - I suspect that he has never recovered from that game at Twickenham in 2012 when his two missed kicks set the tone for England's victory. or is that just wishful thinking??
Crunch match this evening in the "Group of Death" - England v Wales at Twickenham. Stuart Lancaster has gone for a controversial selection, dropping gorgeous George [Ford] in favour of Owen Farrell and bringing in Sam Burgess who this time last year was only just starting to learn the difference between Rugby league and Rugby union. there is talk of Stuart's job being on the line if it doesn't come off. Should be a good match if nothing else!
Sep 26th, 2015, 12:06 PM
#85
Watching the Wales England game now. Very fortunate that daylight saving came in, it is now 8am. Doesn't feel nearly as bad as getting up at 7am, even though it is in fact the same time!!! One of my co-workers was born in Wales, she normally cheers for the All Blacks except when Wales are playing.
Sep 26th, 2015, 01:07 PM
#87
C'mon Wales. We need a hard, low scoring game. Not on free to air tv here.>>
well, you got what you wanted Margo. Big mistake on England's part to take out so many Welsh players - it just made the others more determined. That and oral the penalties of course.
All we have to do now is to beat the Aussies.
well, you got what you wanted Margo. Big mistake on England's part to take out so many Welsh players - it just made the others more determined. That and oral the penalties of course.
All we have to do now is to beat the Aussies.
Sep 26th, 2015, 02:54 PM
#89
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Ann - we're coming at you next weekend. Still not able to watch it (unless there are some changes with TV companies and Australian Rugby)
Kept track of today's game via Facebook with an English friend and texts from Mucky.
It was a bit like I was writing the script. Wales were behind - so I mentioned that they needed one converted try to equalise and then a penalty...
Kept track of today's game via Facebook with an English friend and texts from Mucky.
It was a bit like I was writing the script. Wales were behind - so I mentioned that they needed one converted try to equalise and then a penalty...
Sep 26th, 2015, 05:09 PM
#90
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Margo -rugby is on gem which is fre to air - being channel 9s HD channel (also showed the cricket ) .
annhig - loved your reply to pal re "foreign " faces in Japan. Their coach is half Japanese not sure which half though .
annhig - loved your reply to pal re "foreign " faces in Japan. Their coach is half Japanese not sure which half though .
Sep 27th, 2015, 02:08 AM
#92
annhig - loved your reply to pal re "foreign " faces in Japan. Their coach is half Japanese not sure which half though .>>
thanks, northie. both Wales and England had players last night who were originally from Tonga - Taulupe Faletau for Wales, and Mako & Billy Vunipola for England. All 3 of them have been here since they were kids and are cousins!
sorry about your loss to Italy, cold. They do of course have Luke McLean playing for them; which he is technically an Aussie both of his maternal grandparents were Italian, and he started playing in Italy in 2007; he has played for Italy over 50 times. does the Canadian team have any "ringers" in it?
thanks, northie. both Wales and England had players last night who were originally from Tonga - Taulupe Faletau for Wales, and Mako & Billy Vunipola for England. All 3 of them have been here since they were kids and are cousins!
sorry about your loss to Italy, cold. They do of course have Luke McLean playing for them; which he is technically an Aussie both of his maternal grandparents were Italian, and he started playing in Italy in 2007; he has played for Italy over 50 times. does the Canadian team have any "ringers" in it?
Sep 27th, 2015, 02:16 PM
#98
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by my calculations, there are 7 out of the japanese squad of 30 who are not obviously japanese by birth. That's less than ¼.>
But probably they were the best 7 players??? anyway the movement of players between nations kind of dilutes the World Rugby Cup thing and the idea of a real national team - opportunists moving around - but heck who cares it's only rugby.
annhig is from Coventry which is very close to Rugby - home of the game I believe - wonder if Rugby has a rugby team?
scrum scrum scrum!
But probably they were the best 7 players??? anyway the movement of players between nations kind of dilutes the World Rugby Cup thing and the idea of a real national team - opportunists moving around - but heck who cares it's only rugby.
annhig is from Coventry which is very close to Rugby - home of the game I believe - wonder if Rugby has a rugby team?
scrum scrum scrum!
Sep 27th, 2015, 09:41 PM
#100
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nelsonian - annhig lived in Coventry and I think her mum is still there .
marg - yes I had stated previously he had an Aussie dad and was coach of Wallabies .
Great victory over minnows Uruguay - Australia !!!
marg - yes I had stated previously he had an Aussie dad and was coach of Wallabies .
Great victory over minnows Uruguay - Australia !!!
