Pool A - Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Russia, Samoa

[ripper868]

Ruskis giving a good account here, Samoa need to be careful, could be a proper upset on the cards

 

[ripper868]

On the framework...that's a red card for Samoa...

Little bit of sanity, yellow only as player coming down.

 

[ripper868]

This one however...should be a red card mor Matuu

Yellow only...but I'd say that mitigating stance is less then the previous..

15v13 for 7 mins or so

 

[ripper868]

Russia not taking advantage of this at all...kicking it back to Samoa, haven't even tried to go wide or build phases or counter attack. Opportunity wasted.

 

[Howe_zat]

Russia have some big blokes and a kicking fullback who grew up playing in Ireland.

That's about it.

 

[ripper868]

Playing like it this half as well.

Think generally the tier 2(3) teams have improved on 4 years ago.

 

[Howe_zat]

Playing like it this half as well.

Think generally the tier 2(3) teams have improved on 4 years ago.

Also worth noting that Russia are the 5th best tier 2 side in Europe, so it's interesting to consider what Spain or Romania might have accomplished here.

That said, Russia have exceeded expectations and there's no guarantee either of those would.

 

[ripper868]

That try at the death nixs my start to the tipping round. Had them by 20...just needed a scrum reset and a kick out at the end.

Think Spain and Romania must have gone backwards and Russia forwards though, from vague memory I think Russia bested Germany for the last repechage spot?

 

[Howe_zat]

That try at the death nixs my start to the tipping round. Had them by 20...just needed a scrum reset and a kick out at the end.

Think Spain and Romania must have gone backwards and Russia forwards though, from vague memory I think Russia bested Germany for the last repechage spot?

Spain & Romania were kicked out for fielding ineligible players. Russia were ahead of Germany on the table (so yeah they are more like the 4th best t2 side in europe) and went through as Europe 1, while Germany went to the repechage and lost to Canada.

 

[ripper868]

Australia have, oddly, picked Foley to start against Wales. Dropping CLL entirely...

I'll always back Aus to beat Wales, but fear we'll be undone by the lack of a sharpshooter knocking over the 3s. Oh to have a Matt Burke/Joe Roff type in the squad again.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Australia have, oddly, picked Foley to start against Wales. Dropping CLL entirely...

I'll always back Aus to beat Wales, but fear we'll be undone by the lack of a sharpshooter knocking over the 3s. Oh to have a Matt Burke/Joe Roff type in the squad again.

Take it to the Group D thread, fella...

Seriously though, it looks like the hosts are resting a few for the Irish game.

Disappointing, really. Arguably pragmatic to target the Sweaties, but no guarantee Russell won't have had his spinach.

 

[ripper868]

Ah fudge, phone mistake that!

But yes, odd from Japan but also not unexpected really, Scotland is the better hope of victory, but let's hope Finn does have his spinach and runs riot

 

[Howe_zat]

Japan race out of the blocks but bomb a try and shank a kick. Should be 10-0 up.

 

[Howe_zat]

Took about 10 minutes for Ireland to get their **** together and now they’re running the game as per.

 

[ripper868]

Yep, winger needed to commit to that kick through, was waiting for the perfect bounce but it never came.

Ireland look comfortable after that 2nd try, Japan scrambling well in defence but then just running out of numbers.

Do like the way Japan attack, little passes often.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

That was a weird call I thought.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Hell yeah what a scrum

 

[ripper868]

Scotland v Japan going to be fun.

This right now is fun.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Really should have spread it with that overlap.

 

[StephenZA]

I love the way Japan play the game.