Rugby

[Michael Rolls]

not one to get excited about, but I will probably have a look

[alun147]

I enjoyed last nights game, with Uruguay winning  it quite late on after being behind for much of the game, Tonight's game could turn into a real cracker with both Japan and Samoa having played some pretty good stuff up to now. Here's hoping it will be a treat to watch.

[Michael Rolls]

really enjoyed Japan v Samoa - could have gone either way right up to the last minute. but I continue to be mystified by the treatment of head to head contact. Looking at World Rugby' edict on the matter, I think Curry's red was justified (although Sir Clive Woodward disagrees) in which case very similar impacts in subsequent games have seen a yellow, not even a penalty, another yellow and a red. Just don't get it

[GrumpyOldFart]

I continue to be mystified by the treatment of head to head contact. Looking at World Rugby' edict on the matter, I think Curry's red was justified (although Sir Clive Woodward disagrees) in which case very similar impacts in subsequent games have seen a yellow, not even a penalty, another yellow and a red. Just don't get it

My thoughts Mike....

World Rugby Head Contact Process is well laid out here....

https://passport.world.rugby/media/j5senlan/2303-update-head_contact_process_en.pdf

The problem arises when match officials consider "4. Is there any mitigation?" which is open to a range of interpretation and hence inconsistency.

At the moment officials can simply declare that there were "no mitigating circumstances" when the penalised player may very well legitimately claim that from his view of the incident that there were. I do not see how this can be resolved in match time.

As usual we are going to have to rely on officials, highlight their bad decisions and soak up an element of inconsistency.

[Michael Rolls]

very true

[Bucephalus]

Italy v NZ tonight, Carley is the ref, Italy will have no chance with him there, he favours the bigger teams as could be seen in the Wales v Fiji game.

[Bucephalus]

Italy v NZ tonight, Carley is the ref, Italy will have no chance with him there, he favours the bigger teams as could be seen in the Wales v Fiji game.

Right under Carleys nose on one of the first rucks a NZ player went diving in off his feet.

[Bucephalus]

20 Minutes gone, game over?

[Michael Rolls]

49-3 at half-time. Not sure if I'll bother to watch the second half - another massacre.

[Bucephalus]

49-3 at half-time. Not sure if I'll bother to watch the second half - another massacre.

Different level.

[Michael Rolls]

in the end, I did watch, and enjoyed Italy's two tries, and admired the All Blacks precision and power, but much prefer games that at least have some semblance of level pegging.

[Michael Rolls]

now the likely 1/4 finalists will see NZ v Ireland and France v SA - showing just how daft it was to make the draws so long ago. Judging by form and results so far, all four of those sides should be in the semis, but instead two of them will be eliminated.

[Michael Rolls]

59-5 sounds pretty one-sided, but in fact Chile gave their very all, and looked pretty good. Even the ref seemed saddened to have to allow their first 'try'

[alun147]

Come on Scotland , no messing up.  We expect a big win with that Bonus point a must. Now the best of luck and hopefully and a lot of British smiles at the end.

[Michael Rolls]

another slaughter - Romania did their best, and never stopped trying - but the gap in class was overwhelming.
Two more head contact yellows left at yellow. I am beginning to agree with Sir Clive - Curry was very hard done by