Pool B - Argentina, England, Georgia, Romania, Scotland

[Smudge]

The tyranny of distance claims one victim:

Romanians arrive - minus their star winger | Stuff.co.nz

The squad was one player short after star winger Catalin Fercu pulled out of the tournament as the team left Romania – overcome by his fear of flying and the long-haul trip ahead.

Captain Marius Tincu said the squad was not pleased by his withdrawal.

"Everyone is not happy with that because he did not come to speak with us. I don't know what he's thinking. It's very stupid," he said.

"I don't know what to say. He has gone two times to Africa and one time to Argentina. It was no problem."

 

[Quaggas]

The tyranny of distance claims one victim:

Romanians arrive - minus their star winger | Stuff.co.nz

Too late to send him by surface mail, I guess.

 

[Smudge]

Cracking effort from Romania against Scotland - just ran out of energy in the last 10 minutes.

 

[Athlai]

Romania early fan favorites.

 

[centurymaker]

were so close..

 

[BoyBrumby]

Just saw the highlights without first knowing the score. Full credit to the Oaks; ran the sweaties very close indeed. Great pack effort from Romania.

Good signs for a competitive group. Georgia qualified ahead of Romania and Scotland have won their last couple of games versus Argentina.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Or Scotland are just dire. Wouldn't surprise me...

 

[BoyBrumby]

Or Scotland are just dire. Wouldn't surprise me...

Pack lacks grunt. Great back row, but tight five lightweight.

Should be one for the connoisseur today. Los Pumas and ourselves have sizeable scrums.

Loving Dan Cole's Henry VIII-esque beard too. Sport needs more beards.

 

[Howe_zat]

Only just learned this is on ITV. Only channel I can't watch.

 

[Uppercut]

England's defence is an absolute state so far. That after being seriously tight against us in their last warm-up.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Ref not giving us much at the break down to put it politely.

Bryce Lawrence has a bit of history with us.

 

[Howe_zat]

Sounds like all things suckage so far.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

If ever there was a game that I'd hope for both teams to lose, it's this one. Marginally supporting the Pumas due to the underdog factor.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Ref not giving us much at the break down to put it politely.

Bryce Lawrence has a bit of history with us.

The Grauniad's MBM is mildly amusing.

The referee's mood is now approaching thermonuclear, as he bollocks Mike Tindall.

 

[BoyBrumby]

FFS Jonny.

Might've been tempted to take a reset there. Penalty try in the offing.

 

[_Ed_]

Dire goalkicking by both sides. How did Wilkinson miss that last one? It's not like there are any excuses - there's no bloody wind!

 

[Howe_zat]

I've lost count of the ****-ups.

 

[_Ed_]

And another miss from the halfway line. Bizarre tactics from Argentina.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Dire goalkicking by both sides. How did Wilkinson miss that last one? It's not like there are any excuses - there's no bloody wind!

Wilkinson was suggesting the lack of factors to consider was a factor in itself.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Deliberately tried to take out the Argentine Centre there. Big hit.