2021 Rugby World Cup [IC|Closed|Kylaris Only]

[The Kingdom of Glitter]

Taoiseach Stiofán Mac Suibhne @sms Best of luck to @caldiarugby in their semi-final match against @GBRugbyES today! Bodach and I will be cheering you on. #CARvCAL RETWEETSFAVORITE 10042856 8:22 EST - 6 Feb 2021

[Norcandy]

LIVE COVERAGE: GARAMBURA vs CALDIA
CALDISH COMEBACK NOT ENOUGH; GARAMBURANS SEIZE VICTORY
FT: GAR 18-14 CAL
Live Coverage brought to you by the SBC from Port Hope, Satavia.

18:30 - Welcome to the live coverage of the second of two semi-finals for the Rugby World Cup this year! This is Garambura vs Caldia on what is an unsually and exceptionally hot evening. Caldia are the favourites to win, but one should never underestimate the Garamburan Zebras. I'm James Calick, in Port Hope, for the SBC.

18:30 - Garambura have won the toss and elected to receive. It's a good short kick from Caldia, giving Garambura no time to respond with it's own kick. They're entering contact.

18:32 - Entering another breakdown at the halfway line. Caldia and Garambura are two very different teams, so it'll be interesting to see how this goes.

18:33 - Garambura not releasing at the ruck. Penalty awarded to Caldia

18:33 - They've opted for a scrum. Caldia have a much heavier pack than Garambura.

18:34 - Caldia won that scrum convincingly. They're making some more gains.

18:36 - Garambura need to shorten Caldia's attacking line. Currently Caldia are making four to five meters per breakdown.

18:37 - It's a break threw by Eoin Ó Raghallaigh of Caldia. Elegantly side stepping good portions of the Garamburan team, he's managed to make about fifteen meters.

18:38 - Caldia haven't yet managed to jump on that opportunity. They need to be quicker off the mark in future, they only narrowly won that ruck.

18:41 - Garambura have got their act together now, although some surprisingly sloppy handling by Dupuy.

18:43 - It's a perfect kick by Pádraig Mac Maol Eoin. He's nailed the ball down to the Garamburan posts. That's a Caldish line out.

18:44 - That lineout's been one by Caldia, they'll be hoping to utilise this.

18:44 - Oh! Eoin Ó Faoláin dived for the try line... it looks like a try? Garambura adamant it's not, going to TMO.

TRY!
18:44
Caldia - Ó Faoláin has scored a try and it's been converted! Score: 0-7

18:47 - Solid try and conversion. Some impressive play from Caldia, and some small mistakes that have cost Garambura dearly in this opening quarter.

18:49 - Play is now stuck around the halfway line. Caldia are really pushing but Garambura is holding strong for now.

18:51 - Some good defence from Garambura there. They're playing with some strategy, which is something that Caldia lacks.

18:53 - Some really clever play from Garambura. They're letting Caldia in and then smashing them with two men in a tackle.

18:55 - Forward pass there from Caldia. It was an impossible position, to be fair. Garambura are going for a kick from the halfway line.

DROP GOAL!
18:56
Garambura - Dupuy has scored a Drop Goal! Score: 3-7

18:56 - That could very well possibly be the first accidental drop goal of all time. I don't think Dupuy meant to score, but he has!

18:57 - Going back to halfway. There's ten minutes left of this half.

18:58 - Nice kick, Caldia with possession. They're bigger and stronger so will no doubt be hoping to blast their way through any defences.

19:00 - Sorry Caldia, not happening. Garambura may not be the strongest in physical strength but they're up their with Gapolania when it comes to determination.

19:01 - Some nice play, but still ground down around the halfway line.

19:06 - Garambura have possession after the breakdown.

19:06 - Some graceful play by Vavi there, he's not being stopped.

19:06 - That's four failed attempts on him, he's weaving through a forrest of Caldishmen.

19:07 - He's through! Vavi is making his way forwards! Bolting towards the try line now!

TRY!
19:08
Garambura - Vavi has scored a Try and it's not been converted! Score: 8-7

19:10 - Half Time Break

19:20 - Hard Ground, 28 degrees Celsius and a linesman who's fainted from the heat. Yeah, conditions are bad. They were bad yesterday as it hadn't rained for nearly six days, and now it's a week. If you're just joining us, this is Garambura leading Caldia 8-7.

19:21 - Caldia has already given away a penalty. How they could have used Aonghas Mag Uidhir right now, who will most likely never play rugby again following his injury in his match against Halland.

19:24 - Caldia slipping up more now following that Garamburan kick. Another try is possible at this point.

19:26 - Another unenforced error by Caldia there. Overheard a Garamburan player saying "Squeaky Clean" - no fouls on the Caldish try line, please.

19:27 - If you were a gambling man and bet money on Garambura scoring a try in the next five minutes, you'd be rich. It's not possible to not score at this point. Just Caldia keeping them away for as long as possible.

19:29 - Oh... nearly...

TRY!
19:29
Garambura - Salomon has scored a Try and it's been converted! Score: 15-7

19:33 - Caldia on the back foot again. Maybe some Ghallish magic could be used about now? Where are those wizards everyone talks about? C'mon. Where are they?

19:35 - Dupuy going for a cheeky drop kick...

DROP KICK!
19:35
Garambura - Dupuy has scored a drop kick! Score: 18-7

19:37 - Caldia just basically substituted out their entire team. Drastic Times call for Drastic Measures

19:39 - Caldia's new team already playing better. They are in the Gamburan half for the first time in what feels like months.

19:41 - Garambura weren't prepared for this kind of comeback. They're doing it again. The Caldish Comeback!

19:41 - Caldia's Mánus Ó Cadhla, one of the few players not taken off the pitch, in possession and weaving his way through players like traffic.

19:43 - Mánus Ó Cadhla, nearly taken down, not yet. On track for a try, I'd imagine

TRY!
19:44
Caldia - Ó Cadhla has scored a try and it has been converted! Score: 18-14

19:48 - Garambura again on the back foot. Caldia's advance now viscous and with ruthless efficiency.

19:52 - Garambura still defending their '22. They don't plan on losing it.

19:57 - Garambura managing to push back Caldia as they make a desperate grab for the finals.

19:59 - Still stemming the tide. Caldia are going to want to kick now. As they say it's now or never.

20:00 - It's too late for Caldia. Garambura are going to the finals against Satavia, whilst Caldia will rematch Halland in the bronze final.

[Eskaeba]

---

Hope in Mambiza
The Garamburans have scored victories over the first and second-ranked teams to make their way to the final.
Qinani Magalela reporting from Port Hope, Satavia | February 7, 2021

---

Garamburan captain and kicker Jean-Loup Dupuy scores a vital drop goal to put Les Zèbres up 18-7 against Caldia.

Elation has swept Garambura as Les Zèbres emerge with two unpredictable victories against second-ranked Nuvania and first-ranked Caldia, with pundits calling the semi-final just gone a match simply worthy of folklore.

The bookies had the odds of Garambura winning the tournament at 25/1 after finishing top of their pool. Even if they won their quarter final against Nuvania, Garambura faced the prospect of either Caldia or Halland (ranked first and third in the world respectively) as their semi-final opponents. Most rugby commentators had written them off before the matches had even started. After the disappointing domestic performance in 2017, it certainly was not a controversial opinion.

The quarter-final kicked off at 5:30pm local time, with Garambura winning the toss and choosing to kick to Nuvania in the first half. The Asterian nation flaunted their quality in the first half, putting the Garamburan back line under pressure from early doors. A small crack in their quality showed when quick reactions from Dupuy allowed him to intercept the ball off of an attempted long pass out to the wing, but some top play from Danie Erazmus fizzled out the attack before it even started.

Fifteen minutes of brutal attacking play followed as Garambura retained possession of the ball after the interception. Ten minutes and sixteen phases later, Dupuy hit a peach of a kick up the pitch to gain a lineout 22 yards from the Nuvanian try-line. Some exceptional quality and speed by Garamburan star winger Perceval d'Amaritz pierced the Nuvanian defense, which had held strong and sturdy until now, scoring a dagger of a try that put Garambura up 5-0 with only seven minutes left in the first half. Garambura held strong to take their slim lead into the half.

Stefan du Plessis, the Nuvanian head coach, was not messing around tonight. After a fairly lacklustre group performance, including a loss against rivals Satavia, he was feeling the pressure mounting to perform at the tournament. Nuvania once more showed their quality off the block in the second half, pushing Garambura back to their '22 after only 7 minutes of play, but the attack was stifled there by Garambura's immense back line. Its immensity would not hold for much longer, though, as a Nuvanian maul eventually pushed Garambura back far enough for van der Sandt to dive under the legs of the defense and put the ball down for a try. Feeling the pressure, Nuvania missed a crucial conversion to put them in front. The scores were now equal at five apiece heading into the final twenty minutes of the match. Neither team were willing to let their lead slip, and the game stagnated at the halfway line. Complete with mauls expected from both teams, they held on to keep the score at 5-5 after regulation.

Ten minutes of extra time followed, Garambura retained the ball for much of the period, and were finally rewarded when star man Jean-Loup Dupuy broke through the Nuvanian line and scored a drop-goal from around 27 yards to put his team up 8-5 with only two minutes left to play. With not enough time left to advance the ball up the pitch, Nuvania and du Plessis had to stomach a heartbreaking defeat in the Satavian capital.

The semis were played on an unusually warm night in Port Hope. Garambura, unsurprisingly, wanted to use the climate to their advantage going into the game, being used to the warm tropical environment of their home country. As the game began, Garambura won the coin toss and chose to receive, looking to score some quick advancements up the pitch to utilise a break through the line with their wingers, but a peach of a kick from Caldia gave the Zebras no time to respond, and as Jabavu caught the ball, he was taken down by a Caldian player.

A quick penalty after three minutes allowed Caldia to advance up the pitch with a scrum, and by now Caldia's quality was beginning to show in comparison to the Bahian team. Ó Raghallaigh made some impressive advancements on his own, but the main method of attack for Caldia was using their pack to push the Garamburan maul up the pitch. Another moment of brilliance sparked from the Caldian team when a perfectly placed lineout put Caldia right next to the Garamburan try line. Winning the lineout, they shot the ball down towards the centre of the pitch, and a quick dive by Ó Faoláin saw a contested try given by TMO, which was converted by Caldia to put the favourites up 7-0.

Some sideline tactical changes by Thabani Gininda allowed Garambura to resist the oncoming Caldian advancements, who were hoping Garambura would crumble after going down a try. A mistake from Caldia gave Garambura a penalty for a forward pass around the halfway line. As Dupuy stepped up to kick it, he rather dubiously managed to score. A nonetheless impressive kick, it more importantly gave his team hope of a comeback towards the end of the half. With the score now 7-3, and a renewed fire in the Garamburan team, they continued to resist Caldia's advances with hard-hitting blows and impressive positioning. With only 4 minutes to go in the half, Dumbutshena managed to snag possession from the maul, the ball eventually finding its way to Vavi. Who, in a moment of sheer brilliance, managed to evade a myriad of Caldish defenders, sprinting towards the tryline down the left flank to give Garambura a vital and incredibly unexpected lead at the half, 8-7.

As expected, the Caldish players were feeling the heat after almost an hour of rugby played. Garambura were beginning to push back their line as the possibility of another try continued to grow. Sloppy play from Caldia eventually cost them as Salomon broke through the line to score Garambura's second of the night, putting them up 12-7. An easy central conversion for Dupuy put the underdogs up by eight halfway through the second half. Not even ten minutes after, Dupuy showed his hand once more with a drop kick that amazing put Garambura up by double digits against the world number ones and tournament favourites. In what seemed to be a kneejerk reaction from the Caldish coach, much of Caldia's team were substituted out for the final twenty minutes. It paid dividends quickly, and Caldia looked like a new team (they were) in the desperate final twenty that followed. Caldia had to score at least two tries to have a hope at advancing. With 16 minutes left, Mánus Ó Cadhla, one of the few starters to remain on the pitch, scored a try that was converted to bring them within four. The score at 18-14 and the teams deadlocked at Garambura's 22-yard line, they were both throwing everything at each other in what was truly a glorious display of the sport. They managed a vital push back with only three minutes remaining in the game, and with four points needed to advance, Caldia had to score a try. While Garambura's line held steady, Caldia tried to go for two quick kicks, but were unable to get the first one off before the final whistle blew. Garambura had advanced to the world cup final!

It was certainly a massive surprise for all rugby fans, but coach Gininda in his post-match interview remarked: "I said it before and I will say it again, when we give effort like that, have determination like that, and a play as a team like that? There is nobody in the world we cannot beat."

---

© The Garamburan, 2021

[Norcandy]

BRONZE FINAL:

---

CAL 17 - 3 HAL

2 Try (2 Converted) '7, '38; 1 Drop Goal '641 Drop Goal '46

Group A

DePex Stadium, Port Hope, Satavia

18:30 kick-off

Referee:
Nikolaas de Witte (NUV)

Assistant Referees:
Goodwin Lyndon (EST)
André van Schaffer (SAT)

TMO:
Kenzie Romeijnders (HEN)

Match Description:
Caldia have secured third place in this rematch against Halland. Halland struggled to beat the detirmined Caldish side, who scored early on in the 7th minute. Disciplanary action had to be handed to one Caldish play after he injured a Hallandic player with his chest to the Hallandic player's head.

[Norcandy]

LIVE COVERAGE: GARAMBURA vs SATAVIA
WORLD CHAMPIONS: GARAMBURA
FT: GAR 28-17 SAT
Live Coverage brought to you by the SBC website from Port Hope, Satavia.

17:30 - Hello and welcome, to the Grand Final of this year's Rugby World Cup. Contested by Garambura, the favourites to win after their string of victories in the knockout stages, will face hosts Satavia. Coverage will be brought to you by the SBC and Unposhi TV of Garambura. Garambura's captain, and possible Player of the Tournament, Dupuy, told reporters in a pre-match interview that he was confident that they could beat Satavia. At the same time, Jonty Warwick, the Dolphin's captain, was less optimistic simply saying that the match would be tightly contested.

I'm James Calick, bringing you a live feed and bad puns from the DePex Stadium in Port Hope, Satavia, for the SBC.

17:55 - Hello, welcome back. Both teams are coming out into the stadium and preparing to sing their national anthem for the last time. Garambura will sing first; "Peuple de Garamboure, lève-toi" or, in Estmerish, "People of Garambura, arise" followed by Satavia's "All Earthly Things Above".

18:01 - And that's kick off! Garambura have received, and a good solid run back to the halfway line was welcomed with delight by Garamburan fans!

18:03 - Solid hits by the Satavian Team as they hold Garambura at bay. Some good defensive strategies, but Garambura are more effective at the breakdown and clearly much better at rucking than the Satavian side.

18:06 - Some sloppy defending by Satavia there, Garambura gaining some ground.

18:06 - That's a breakthrough by Dandala of Garambura. Lowe is in hot pursuit.

18:07 - It's a beautiful run! Lowe's tackled him though and he's pulled off a blinder of an offload! No look straight into the hands of Dupuy who's on the move! This could be an early try for Garambura!

18:07 - Dupuy... and out of no where comes Warwick but it's too late! Dupuy has scored in the seventh minute for Garambura! And it's an amazing piece of play, particularly from Dandala!

TRY!
18:07
Garambura - Dupuy has scored a try and it has been converted! Score: 7-0

18:08 - That's a costly mistake by Satavia. Warwick is in disbelief. It was a nice effort but the 6'4 player couldn't quite knock the ball out of the hands from the tiny Dupuy.

18:09 - Kick off, Satavia electing to receive this time. Garamburan fans are elated at this!

18:13 - Satavia treading on thin ice here as Garambura are just so close every time to getting a turnover.

18:14 - There it is, turnover after a breakdown. Ref might want to look at that though, it looks as if Vavi might have come in from the side there.

18:15 - Despite Goodwin's protests, the Ref isn't going to look at it. Garambura electing not to go for a scrum, despite having the heavier pack.

18:18 - Garambura pushing Satavia back further and further. Satavia weren't expecting this, Clearly.

18:19 - Garambura now in the Satavian '22. This game is not going well for Satavia, although it could be worse.

18:21 - Garambura breaking through on the Satavia's left wing, very close to touch though.

18:23 - Jabavu has scored! Satavia complaining that he went into touch, appealing for a TMO.

18:23 - Try hasn't been given yet, and from the slo-mo he does indeed look to be in touch, only just, but still in touch.

18:23 - The ref's just said he isn't going to TMO which is a very strange decision. He's awarded the try.

TRY!
18:24
Garambura - Jabavu has scored a try and it has been converted! Score: 14-0

18:24 - Satavia's Goodwin is absolutely fuming. He needs to be careful though, he has been sent off for berating the ref in a previous match for Northport RFC.

18:24 - The ref is being berated by the crowd now for that decision which will no doubt dominate headlines tomorrow.

18:26 - Ref just dealing with some of the Dolphins. He's told Warwick to "grow up and get your team together" which has only riled the fans more.

18:29 - Continuing now, Satavia receiving again.

18:29 - Oh and it's a steal! d'Amaritz tackling Warwick as soon as he received it! Amazing speed and play, he's now rucking over all by himself.

18:30 - Satavia slow to respond, Garamburan ball. Passing out to the wings.

18:30 - And it's a steal! Warwick desperately tackling to the end but it's too late! This is unbelievable! What has Garambura eaten, this is nuts!

TRY!
18:31
Garambura - Blanc has scored a try and it has been converted! Score: 21-0

18:31 - A punch up now, it's unclear who exactly started it but it's escalating!

18:31 - The ref just got a right hook to the face by a Satavian player! There's a mass of bodies as all thirty players on the pitch (and some subs) are getting involved. This is ridiculous.

18:33 - Jonty Warwick pulling his players away as Blanc is on the floor.

18:33 - The fight's been broken up but has left two players, Blanc and Peters on the floor. Blanc looks to have had a beating to his eye, which has quite a lot of blood coming out. They're refusing to broadcast that because it's quite graphic.

18:39 - The ref is fine, but Peters and Blanc are both hurt pretty badly. Peters got a punch in the face and he might have broken his jaw, whilst Blanc is injured even worse. Thuggery like this ruins the game if you ask me.

18:39 - Both players coming off now. TMO is looking at it, but it seems this was more or less "a group effort" and consequently the TMO is advising a continuation with some harsh words and maybe later actions against the teams.

18:40 - Play will continue into half time to make up for the lost time. It's a shame that this match has been marred like this.

18:42 - Playing around the half way line as both teams are taking it easy. Half Time with the coaches is going to be dramatic, to say the least.

18:44 - Just a minute left, Satavia in possession, Warwick might as well go for one of his infamous drop goals just to get on the score board.

18:44 - And he's got it!

DROP GOAL!
18:44
Satavia - Warwick has scored a drop goal! Score: 21-3

18:55 - And so begins the second half! Satavia are being whipped by Garambura so far, and it'll be interesting to see wether their play improves now that they've been lectured by their coach.

19:02 - Satavia are still making ground, although they will want to try and draw as many Garamburans into the centre before passing out to the wings, where they shine.

19:04 - Satavia passed out wide, van der Beek to Hathaway to Wikie and Wilkie is running with it!.

19:04 - Good sidestep, and he's diving for the try line!

TRY!
19:05
Satavia - Wikie has scored a try and it has been converted! Score: 21-10

19:07 - Garambura have possession, on their side of the halfway.

19:11 - Garambura and Satavia are both good at phase play, but this match Garambura have been better at the breakdowns so they're retaining possession for now.

19:17 - Still locked in phase play, Garambura inching towards the Satavian try line. Satavia are playing well when it comes to defending though.

19:21 - Garambura made some more significant progress with a good run by Salomon.

19:24 - Oh and a good break by Nombembe, not someone you'd expect it from, but he's put the pedal to the metal!

19:24 - Stopped by Warwick, but he's made good distance that's for sure! Dandala in support!

19:29 - Dupuy to Dandala and he's scored! Amazing!

TRY!
19:29
Garambura - Dandala has scored a try and it has been converted! Score: 28-10

19:31 - Adding insult to injury! With a whole twenty minutes left, Garambura have left Satavia in the dust.

19:39 - Satavia and Garambura once again locking horns around the halfway line. Basically all of Garambura's tries have been due to errors by the Satavian team.

19:41 - Just minutes left and a turnover for Satavia!

19:44 - We have had extra time for the ruckus and Satavia have a break! Can they do it!

19:44 - YES THEY CAN!

]

TRY!
19:44
Satavia - Warwick has scored a try and it has been converted! Score: 21-17

19:44 - That was incredibly lucky! Regardless, Garambura are 2021's Champions! They have bested the best the world had to offer and will be presented with the prestigious cup!

[Luziyca]

The Royal Family of Rwizikuru
@MhuriyaMambo

On behalf of all #Rwizikurans, His Most Faithful Majesty would like to support #Garambura in their bid to win the #RugbyWorldCup! #AriseOBahian #GoZebras

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11:18 pm - 16 Feb. 20