2011 Rugby World Cup

[deskslave]

Because why NOT have a thread about it? And if no one posts on it, well, so be it.

I understand all the U.S. games will be shown on NBC, though on tape delay because the tournament's in New Zealand.

That, of course, puts the perennial World Cup underachieving All Blacks under some pretty intense pressure. For all their domination of international rugby, they've not won a World Cup since the very first one in 1987. And given that the country is in fact far too small to host a World Cup, it's probably the last one they'll ever have.

Everyone seems to expect an Australia-New Zealand final. The group stages do tend to be pretty formulaic -- the gap between the elite teams and the rest of the lot is massive. The U.S. can expect to have a chance in exactly one of its games, against Russia. South Africa and England will probably be the other two semifinalists.

 

[KJIM]

I didn't even realize there was another favorite other than the All Blacks

 

[deskslave]

New Zealand have a guy who sounds like he belongs on the Alabama offensive line: Sonny Bill Williams.

They also have a 29-0 first-half lead on Tonga, which is supposed to be one of the better "other" teams. Like I said, not particularly competitive in the first round.

 

[Football_Bat]

I understand all the U.S. games will be shown on NBC, though on tape delay

Boy, didn't see that one coming.

 

[deskslave]

I understand all the U.S. games will be shown on NBC, though on tape delay

Boy, didn't see that one coming.

Well, at least it's not in Vancouver.

 

[Stitch]

I didn't even realize there was another favorite other than the All Blacks

The All Blacks are always the favorites .... to choke.

 

[JR]

I understand all the U.S. games will be shown on NBC, though on tape delay

Boy, didn't see that one coming.

Well, at least it's not in Vancouver.

OK, that's ****ing funny. Rampaging rugby fans would make Vancouver fans look like a walk in the park

 

[deskslave]

Not a bad showing for the US, which lost just 22-10 to Ireland.

 

[TrooperBari]

Not a bad showing for the US, which lost just 22-10 to Ireland.

Hope the Eagles aren't too emotionally spent to get up for the Russia game. Unless the Italians really lose interest, it's their best chance for a win this year.

 

[Stitch]

Full-match replays are available free 72 hours after each match on http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/video/

 

[Iron_chet]

Wallabies looked great in the second half against Italy. They seemed to break the Italians spirit.

 

[deskslave]

Upset for Canada! They beat Tonga 25-20.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Upset for Canada! They beat Tonga 25-20.

Wow. That's actually a pretty huge win.

 

[Iron_chet]

Upset for Canada! They beat Tonga 25-20.

I was up till the wee hours watching the game last nigh, completely shocked the Canadians won. I expected that after the Tongan try near the end of the first half that they would roll in the second half with the wind at their back.

I had not seen Canada play in a while and was shocked at how much more physical the Tongans were in the tackles.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Upset for Canada! They beat Tonga 25-20.

I was up till the wee hours watching the game last nigh, completely shocked the Canadians won. I expected that after the Tongan try near the end of the first half that they would roll in the second half with the wind at their back.

I had not seen Canada play in a while and was shocked at how much more physical the Tongans were in the tackles.

None of the Pacific Island teams (Tonga, Fiji, Samoa) shy away from contact.

 

[Iron_chet]

Upset for Canada! They beat Tonga 25-20.

I was up till the wee hours watching the game last nigh, completely shocked the Canadians won. I expected that after the Tongan try near the end of the first half that they would roll in the second half with the wind at their back.

I had not seen Canada play in a while and was shocked at how much more physical the Tongans were in the tackles.

None of the Pacific Island teams (Tonga, Fiji, Samoa) shy away from contact.

I was more surprised at the lack of physicality by the Canadians giving that they are not a real finesse team. They just looked over matched.

 

[Armchair_QB]

USA-Russia will air live on Universal Sports at 3:30 am ET tonight. This is probably the best chance for a US win at this year's tourney.

 

[TrooperBari]

20 minutes in -- so far, so good. US 10-3 Russia. Eagles handling and tackling well, only seen one missed attempt at goal so far. Nervy stuff, though.

 

[TrooperBari]

Gah. Two successive 10-plus phase possessions deep in Russian territory, one turnover and one missed penalty. Can't be leaving points on the table.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Gah. Two successive 10-plus phase possessions deep in Russian territory, one turnover and one missed penalty. Can't be leaving points on the table.

Yeah. They missed two kicks and were inside the 5 meter a few times. Don't think 10 points will be enough to win this.