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

[hendrix]

It was a tired brain fade. He was exhausted.

They'd had hardly any ball in the second half and were completely run off their feet. That match had something like 55 mins live gameplay (most matches are around 40-45), which is exactly what Japan had trained for and wanted to execute. Somewhat similar to how they ran SA off their feet last world cup.

The difference between this match and the South Africa match was the massive step up in defensive quality. Ireland had to work for every single meter they gained and that gets very tiring. Even good teams have defensive breakdowns once you get a bit of a roll on but Japan just kept making their tackles.

The other thing was that they actually got some go-forward ball from their forwards. Kazuki Himeno looks to be an absolute beast. Legite looks like one of the most complete loose forwards in the world.

 

[Bahnz]

Scotland v Samoa now shaping to be critical. Scotland desperately need 5 points to keep themselves in the hunt. Samoa looked quite decent against Russia, but have generally been poor over the last couple years, losing to Georgia, the USA and Tonga. Would be interesting to know if the current World Cup side is sporting more European professionals than are usually released in non-WC years.

 

[mr_mister]

This is a really intriguing group

 

[Flem274*]

tonights game could be a cracker

 

[ripper868]

20-0 at the half pretty comprehensive. Haven't seen much of it with work etc.

 

[Jarquis]

The Hogg DG was a decent nudge.

 

[Uppercut]

Apparently Ireland kicked for touch to kill the game in order to secure a bonus point. Ridiculous as it may seem it’s quite sensibleto do so when the odds of getting a draw are so long and achieving it would only bring them 1 more point. Two likely 5 point wins against Samoa and Russia and they’ll still probably top the group. **** it’s high time the IRB binned rugby’s ridiculous bonus points. I would’ve thought they would’ve learned their lesson after SA lost to Japan in 2015 and still picked up 2 points to Japan’s 4.

The system might need tweaked but they're a good thing in principle. You end up with almost every game still alive late on.

 

[Howe_zat]

Yeah it’s way better than points difference deciding things.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Been an entertaining half of rugby. Samoa definitely still in with a shout.

 

[straw man]

Loving this Samoa Japan game. Fast paced and both sides throwing the ball around.

Samoa not likely to go anywhere having lost to Scotland, so Japan need to win this.

 

[hendrix]

Strongly suspect Japan will pull away in the second half. Will be tough for Samoa to keep this up.

Think ultimately Japan will want a bonus point here. Could be critical.

 

[Howe_zat]

Yeah if Japan get the bonus point they can lose to Scotland and still go through. If they miss it they have to win the pool.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Think that might be the straw that broke the Samoan camel's back.

Great shove from the Japenese pack.

 

[Howe_zat]

At the time of writing Kazuki Himeno is genuinely one of the top few players of the tournament

 

[Howe_zat]

Think that might be the straw that broke the Samoan camel's back.

Great shove from the Japenese pack.

Reckon the Japanese agree with you since they're picking this moment to bring on Fukuoka.

 

[hendrix]

At the time of writing Kazuki Himeno is genuinely one of the top few players of the tournament

yeah dude is legite gun.

 

[hendrix]

Gee Samoa just won't give up

 

[Howe_zat]

Japan pinned back in their half infringing when they need to be chasing tries. If they miss the bonus point, which looks likely now, it'll be the penalty count to blame.

Edit: Oh, right, Fukuoka. ****ing hell that man can run.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Man, how often do we see crooked feeds called nowadays?!?

I'm all in favour of it, but strange time to start now.

 

[Howe_zat]

Japan camped on the Samoa line going for their 4th try, Samoa get a free kick with the clock red.

I'd like to see a Scot's reaction to Samoa's decision to take the scrum, keep it alive, and then concede the turnover. Bizarre