RWC Opposition Watch

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Japan look an absolute shambles.

[ARM]

Try Russia!

[hugh_woatmeigh]

That was a lovely offload out of the tackle. That should settle them down.

[ARM]

Japan will win this when the Russians tire second half..but fck me they’re making heavy weather of it.

[ARM]

Lesson for Scotland (as if we need it)...all very well trying to play at pace but if your error rate is this high you release pressure and make it easy for the oppo.

[General Zod]

Are the players just crap, or is there a problem with catching the high ball?

Russians already starting to samovar a bit.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Are the players just crap, or is there a problem with catching the high ball?

Russians already starting to samovar a bit.

There's a suggestion that the lights are causing a problem as it's not just dropped balls - they're not getting anywhere near them on a few occasions.

Japan are going to cause us a world of problems if they play at this pace.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Is this replacement Russian 9 an amateur? Christ almighty... He's on his own tryline practically, lugs the ball out of the ruck ready to clear, pauses inexplicably for a good second before trying to clear. It's like he froze.

[General Zod]

Are the players just crap, or is there a problem with catching the high ball?

Russians already starting to samovar a bit.

There's a suggestion that the lights are causing a problem as it's not just dropped balls - they're not getting anywhere near them on a few occasions.

Japan are going to cause us a world of problems if they play at this pace.

10 man rugby wins the cup. Boks - england final.

[AL.]

Well that was a surprise, at least the captain of my fantasy team has a couple of tries....

[no sleep]

Enjoyable game so far. Japan are making heavy weather of it, but our defence will need to be good, the off-loads and passing is slick, and they're varying the angles nicely. We'll also have to watch the 7s-style release and get to your feet as we don't always react too well when teams do something other than bog standard.

[General Zod]

Well that was a surprise, at least the captain of my fantasy team has a couple of tries....

Haha - I’ve got Nakarawa. 2 games in a week if you’re doing Superbru!

[Renniks]

Enjoyable game so far. Japan are making heavy weather of it, but our defence will need to be good, the off-loads and passing is slick, and they're varying the angles nicely. We'll also have to watch the 7s-style release and get to your feet as we don't always react too well when teams do something other than bog standard.

I'd be having a word about players being driven past the ruck

[hugh_woatmeigh]

That's a proper 7 try if I ever saw one. Balled ripped, turned over and a halfway line dash to score.

[General Zod]

Mexican wave started - japs bored already. Come on, Russia.

[General Zod]

Bollocks. Bonus point secured. If it comes down to points difference, Russia keeping Japan to 20 or so may be important. No injuries for Japan either, as far as I could see.

[Big D]

There is nothing to fear from this game that wasn't there before hand. Japan buzz around but Russia have imposed themselves at times and a better team will make them pay.

[no sleep]

I'm a lot less worried than I was about that final pool match.

[AL.]

Now they have their nervous opener out the way I think they will wind it up a bit.....

[Cameo]

Glad Russia put up a fight but we should really put 50 on them even with a second team. Get a few scores early and we will be fine. Points difference could be handy.

Japan were not as slick or good to watch as I thought but do have some flair in the backs. I'd expect them to improve as the tournament goes on and have one big game at least but that was a little re-assuring.

[Cameo]

Also, thought the first russian 9 put in some great clearance kicks

[Cameo]

I'm very glad we are not playing Fiji!

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Argentina scored way too easily from that maul. France asleep?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Not to belittle the Argie maul - it's good and it's got them two quick, clean tries but... I wonder how much of that is down to the French maul defence. It's shocking. Half of the forwards are hanging off waiting for someone to break away... BEHIND their try line.

[General Zod]

Am I the only person who thinks that Argentinian kick went over?

First half France would be very competitive against england. Second half France may as well forfeit the game.

Anyway, hie’ kommie Bokke!