RWC 19

[Bombadil]

Yes.. it's that once in a four year time when the nation of NZ collectively loses it..

When the All Blacks run out to face South Africa in their opening Rugby World Cup fixture on Saturday, Brian “Mad Dog” Morgan will drive more than 40km into the bush, switch off the ignition and sit in absolute silence for several hours until he is satisfied the game is over.

Why? Morgan, a rabid All Blacks supporter, cannot bear the thought of his team ever losing and doesn’t trust his already weak heart to cope if they don’t win.

Let's have a look at the pools..

Pool A - honestly, it's remarkable how host nations in any sport seem to fall into the weakest groups.. Japan will face off against Ireland - who fair enough are pretty good and probably favourites to top the group - Scotland, bunch of pansies, Russia and Samoa. Japan has a lot of remarkably NZ-sounding surnames in their squad so they should squeak through.

Pool B - NZ and South Africa are the two biggies of this group and, per the quote, facing off against each other on Saturday, it will be a good place to see how the teams stand, otherwise they can easily knock off Italy, Namibia and Canada

Pool C - the Group of Death here, England, France, Argentina, USA and Tonga, on their day anyone can beat anyone here though England and France should be favourites. I'm not sure on Rugby Union but in the 7's the USA are remarkably good so they could swap over that form.

Pool D - Should be pretty easy for Australia and Wales to go through given they're up against Uruguay, Fiji and Georgia

That would mean..

NZ and South Africa, Australia and Wales are somewhat nailed in for the quarter-finals, I'll say Ireland and Japan and who knows for Pool C but..

..whoever is runner up in Pool C will play Australia or Wales
..whoever is runner up in Pool A will probably play Ireland
..blah blah blah..

So, who do you think will win?

A suitable songat the somewhat request of Fartsniffage

[Ifreann]

Surely the Brits will swiftly brexit the tournament, or possibly faff about for several years.

[Bombadil]

Surely the Brits will swiftly brexit the tournament, or possibly faff about for several years.

Yes, England will probably vote down all tactics and crash out with no points. Scotland will vote to join England and then regret it, and despite the offer of huge prize money Wales will follow out and then ask 'but we still get the prize money right?'.

Ireland will stay in but trouble will start as to who can come in and who can't.

[Ifreann]

Hosts Japan lead Russia 12 - 7 at half time. Go on, Japan, show those bear-men what for.

[Bombadil]

Hosts Japan lead Russia 12 - 7 at half time. Go on, Japan, show those bear-men what for.

20-7 now, Pieter Labuschagne from, I think, Okinawa prefecture just scored another try.

[Ifreann]

Hosts Japan lead Russia 12 - 7 at half time. Go on, Japan, show those bear-men what for.

20-7 now, Pieter Labuschagne from, I think, Okinawa prefecture just scored another try.

Labuschagne, a traditional Japanese name.

[Bombadil]

20-7 now, Pieter Labuschagne from, I think, Okinawa prefecture just scored another try.

Labuschagne, a traditional Japanese name.

I sense sarcasm, shame on you..

61 min: Thompson and Tanaka on for Japan. Nagare and Van Der Walt off.

Nothing to see here, move on please.

[The Blaatschapen]

Labuschagne, a traditional Japanese name.

I sense sarcasm, shame on you..

61 min: Thompson and Tanaka on for Japan. Nagare and Van Der Walt off.

Nothing to see here, move on please.

Nothing wrong with this. The same happens in football. Boateng is a German name

[Ifreann]

Labuschagne, a traditional Japanese name.

I sense sarcasm, shame on you..

61 min: Thompson and Tanaka on for Japan. Nagare and Van Der Walt off.

Nothing to see here, move on please.

Very homogeneous country, Japan. Except their rugby team...

---

30 - 10 at full time.

[Wopruthien]

Was really impressed by Russia. Japan did enough with a very nervy start, but still looked unconvincing.

I think Japan will struggle against Scotland based on that, and on paper Scotland really should come through this group.

Can't look past New Zealand for the tournament. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see South Africa win. Been real turn around in the past 12 months for them.

Hating all this talk of Wales winning the World Cup. I'd love for us to do it... but let's be realistic it really won't happen. Should get out the group and love for us to beat Australia but it's a world cup and Australia always turn up for them.

[Chestaan]

If Ireland get to the semis I will be quite happy. But they do seem to bottle it at world cups.

[Ifreann]

If Ireland get to the semis I will be quite happy. But they do seem to bottle it at world cups.

I plan to blame everything that goes wrong on the lack of Devin Toner.

[Farnhamia]

If Ireland get to the semis I will be quite happy. But they do seem to bottle it at world cups.

I plan to blame everything that goes wrong on the lack of Devin Toner.

See, that's how they get you. Sure, the printers are inexpensive but try to find the toner at less than "I have to mortgage my house" prices ... wait ... you mean ... never mind.

[Risottia]

Wonder if Italy can manage to add another wooden spoon to their collection.

[Heloin]

Wonder if Italy can manage to add another wooden spoon to their collection.

It's what they do best.

[Costa Fierro]

Pool A - honestly, it's remarkable how host nations in any sport seem to fall into the weakest groups.. Japan will face off against Ireland - who fair enough are pretty good and probably favourites to top the group - Scotland, bunch of pansies, Russia and Samoa. Japan has a lot of remarkably NZ-sounding surnames in their squad so they should squeak through.

Ireland aren't anything to be sniffed at, they've got a very decent team. Scotland I'm not sure about, Russia seems to be the weaker of the lot and Samoa can pull a good game when they can, but are hindered by a lot of the good players ending up in the All Blacks. Japan have proven that they've got what it takes; they did beat South Africa in the last RWC, although they're usually one of the weaker sides. And yes, a lot of NZer's in the Mighty Cherry Blossoms.

Pool B - NZ and South Africa are the two biggies of this group and, per the quote, facing off against each other on Saturday, it will be a good place to see how the teams stand, otherwise they can easily knock off Italy, Namibia and Canada

NZ's last run-in with South Africa prior to the cup produced one win and one draw, so I have no idea how this will play out but apparently Steve Hansen's named a strong side to take on the Springboks. Italy might pose a little bit of a challenge but otherwise Namibia and Canada will be easy to deal with.

Pool C - the Group of Death here, England, France, Argentina, USA and Tonga, on their day anyone can beat anyone here though England and France should be favourites. I'm not sure on Rugby Union but in the 7's the USA are remarkably good so they could swap over that form.

The USA's union team isn't as good as their Seven's team, it's actually fairly weak. Tonga probably won't do much either, they lost 92-7 to the All Blacks a couple of weeks ago. In terms of England, France, and Argentina, I'd definitely rank Argentina as the potential candidate to make it to the semis ahead of the English; a lot of their national players also now play in the Super Rugby tournament for the Jaguares, and have had good success against South African and NZ sides. England I have no idea about but would likely write off, and France would be a strong contender to progress as far as the quarter finals, maybe further.

Pool D - Should be pretty easy for Australia and Wales to go through given they're up against Uruguay, Fiji and Georgia

I wouldn't write off the Fijians.

NZ and South Africa, Australia and Wales are somewhat nailed in for the quarter-finals, I'll say Ireland and Japan and who knows for Pool C but..

I might put Ireland in ahead of Wales for the quarter finals, the Irish have proven that they can play a good game. I'd include France and Argentina to progress past pool play.

So, who do you think will win?

All Blacks. To not say the All Blacks would be an act of treason.

[Costa Fierro]

Very homogeneous country, Japan. Except their rugby team...

Quite a few New Zealanders in the Mighty Cherry Blossoms purely because rugby isn't that widely known or very popular in Japan. Conversely there's a lot of Pacific Islanders in the All Blacks, although only two of them were born in the Pacific Islands (one from Samoa and one from Tonga).

[Bombadil]

Very homogeneous country, Japan. Except their rugby team...

Quite a few New Zealanders in the Mighty Cherry Blossoms purely because rugby isn't that widely known or very popular in Japan. Conversely there's a lot of Pacific Islanders in the All Blacks, although only two of them were born in the Pacific Islands (one from Samoa and one from Tonga).

Big match tonight, reminds me of '07 I think, when England and SA faced off against each in the first round and then met back in the final.

I need to find somewhere they're showing it.

[Costa Fierro]

Quite a few New Zealanders in the Mighty Cherry Blossoms purely because rugby isn't that widely known or very popular in Japan. Conversely there's a lot of Pacific Islanders in the All Blacks, although only two of them were born in the Pacific Islands (one from Samoa and one from Tonga).

Big match tonight, reminds me of '07 I think, when England and SA faced off against each in the first round and then met back in the final.

I need to find somewhere they're showing it.

The main satellite TV provider here made people by streaming devices so they could watch matches livestreamed, which is a shrewd move given they're losing money hand over fist.

[Costa Fierro]

The Wallabies pulled the rabbit out of the hat to secure a 39-21 victory over Fiji in the Pool D opener, which saw Fiji leading the Wallabies 21-15 at half time. Next match is Argentina versus France.

[Bombadil]

France saw Australia and said 'hold my beer', Argentina could easily have taken that..

Meanwhile there's one try in it for NZ against SA..

[The Huskar Social Union]

Was following the Russia Japan match via bbc sport yesterday in work as i was surprised it was not being covered at all on any of the screens. Well done Japan after a bit of a rough start.

[Bombadil]

17-13 and NZ collectively experience mass constipation..

[Bombadil]

17-13 and NZ collectively experience mass constipation..

NZ close it out.. SA would be better if they could keep pace with their own winger.. still that's probably NZ's biggest competition and they held.

[Costa Fierro]

17-13 and NZ collectively experience mass constipation..

NZ close it out.. SA would be better if they could keep pace with their own winger.. still that's probably NZ's biggest competition and they held.

The Springboks have definitely improved over the last 12 months.