The Rugby Thread

[Thewobbler]

We were lucky last weekend with the farrell tackle and this weekend it goes against us. Can't piss and moan. Good match in the pissing rain.

Still pisses me off that these games are on sky sports.

 

[teok]

I did not expect to be moaning about a ref decision to lose to NZ by one point. I was completely wrong in my predictions.

 

[Thewobbler]

Can't get excited for the japan game. They got smashed by new zealand B team.

Hope he plays some fringe players and gives others a break.

 

[E17yid]

Can't get excited for the japan game. They got smashed by new zealand B team.

Hope he plays some fringe players and gives others a break.

I really enjoy watching Japan. They throw the ball around and play quite a high intensity off load game.

They’ll score a couple of tries against you. Problem is they’ll concede twice as many as they score. Should be a entertaining game though. Like you say, good opportunity to play some fringe players and rest some key ones for the Ozzie game (who’ll be desperate to end the tour on a high)

 

[teok]

Hogg signs for exeter. A massive signing. He is pretty much exactly what they need.

 

[teok]

The worcester blind side Ted Hill is on the bench for england having only played five or so senior games. He is really promising big tackler/carrier.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Full team for Japan

Daly; Cokanasiga, Nowell, Lozowski, Ashton: Ford, Care; Hepburn, George, Williams, Ewels, Itoje, Lawes, Wilson, Mercer.

Replacements: Hartley, Moon, Sinckler, Hill, Underhill, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Slade.

 

[Japhet]

Would have liked to have seen Lozowski at 10 (probably mostly down to my opinion of Ford though).

 

[teok]

That ire vs nz game is going to be incredible I can't wait.

 

[E17yid]

That ire vs nz game is going to be incredible I can't wait.

Should be a great test match. It’s an interesting call as Ireland didn’t look that good against Argentina but obviously NZ were pretty bad last week too.

Like you I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m also looking forward to Scotland v SA. Fancy the Scots to get a narrow win there.

 

[teok]

I think that england team will score a load of tries but concede a load as well. So with japan set up to score it should be a decent watch for the neutral unless it's vertical rain again.

 

[tototoner]

That ire vs nz game is going to be incredible I can't wait.

I fly over Saturday morning for it, back again Sunday afternoon so just a flying visit

Will be some atmosphere, will be close game but I expect NZ to win by about 5 points, unless we really go for them and rattle them ( like England did in 1st 30 mins at Twickenham )

Teams just announced

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Kieran Marmion; Cian Healy, Rory Best (capt), Tadhg Furlong; Devin Toner, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Dan Leavy, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Andrew Porter, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.

New Zealand: Damian McKenzie; Ben Smith, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (capt), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire; Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock; Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown.

 

[tototoner]

Should be a great test match. It’s an interesting call as Ireland didn’t look that good against Argentina but obviously NZ were pretty bad last week too.

Like you I’m really looking forward to it.

I’m also looking forward to Scotland v SA. Fancy the Scots to get a narrow win there.

weather had big say in how both teams performed

 

[E17yid]

weather had big say in how both teams performed

Yes and no. NZ did some pretty bad stuff which had noting to do with the weather. They’re used to playing in worse conditions than that week in week out down there.

You’re right in that weather like that always to some degree effects the game but I don’t think it was that big of a factor last weekend . It did play into England’s hands though but NZ, as they showed against SA, have been putting in a few bad (by their standards certainly) performances recently

 

[talkshowhost86]

Full team for Japan

Daly; Cokanasiga, Nowell, Lozowski, Ashton: Ford, Care; Hepburn, George, Williams, Ewels, Itoje, Lawes, Wilson, Mercer.

Replacements: Hartley, Moon, Sinckler, Hill, Underhill, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Slade.

It's like an England team put together by Ossie Ardiles.

But I don't care...I'm going to the game so hope it's an absolute try-fest.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

If Ireland put as much pressure on as England did, and can keep it up - which England didn't quite manage - then my money would be just on Ireland.

 

[mpickard2087]

England team looks interesting in some areas, some real questionable ones in others.

Like that Big Joe has got a chance on the wing. As I said a few weeks back, he's still very raw but got a lot of talent. Good to see Mercer in as well getting blooded, plus Hill off the bench. On the flip side though, still carrying on with the three Locks experiments, there must be a third scrum half to select other than a decrepit Wigglesworth, and we've got about four 10's in the squad as well.

As has been said, most likely will be a very open game with both teams moving the ball about and looking to attack.

 

[E17yid]

It's like an England team put together by Ossie Ardiles.

But I don't care...I'm going to the game so hope it's an absolute try-fest.

England 54
Japan 36

 

[E17yid]

My predictions:

Wales 32
Tonga 18

England 45
Japan 23

Scotland 18
SA 15

Ireland 24
NZ 28

Italy 14
Australia 38

France 24
Argentina 18

 

[longtimespur]

My predictions:

Wales 32
Tonga 18

England 45
Japan 23

Scotland 18
SA 15

Ireland 24
NZ 28

Italy 14
Australia 38

France 24
Argentina 18

If you're right with all of those can you PM me the Lottery numbers for the next couple of weeks please