RWC Opposition Watch

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Impossible to say from a brief TV replay. Surely they'd have gone to TMO if it was even close?

[General Zod]

Impossible to say from a brief TV replay. Surely they'd have gone to TMO if it was even close?

Probably. Nobody on the pitch seemed bothered.

What I did find odd was the ref effectively coaching the French kicker at the final restart, telling him he had to keep it in play. It’s up to the French lad to know the rules. If he cocks up, then it’s scrum to Argentina on the 22 (I think).

[Mikey Brown]

Good to see the All Blacks are still allowed to do forward passes.

[ARM]

Err...we really need to win the group.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Agree with that.

I know it's a long way away and a lot of things can happen between now and then but if we're to stand a chance in the QF (IF we get there) it has to be against SA. NZ are running away with this already and will be a far more well-oiled machine by the time that comes around.

Lose to Ireland and a QF is the best we can hope for I think. We've got no chance of beating the ABs but a slim chance of beating the boks...

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Err...we really need to win the group.

I reckon someone will beat the ABs but it won't be us.

[switchskier]

Don't know. 20 minutes in I was thinking that if SA started that way against anyone else they'd be a few tries to the good already.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Faf De Klerk is spending half the game looking at the ref in disbelief. I don't blame him.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

BOD agrees.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Christ, I'd be fuming if we were on the end of this ref performance.

[no sleep]

Yes, particularly surprised at his scrum penas.

[no sleep]

I was actually thinking we'd have more chance against NZ. I know that sounds weird, but I think our forwards would need to be on a really good day to compete with the bok boys. NZ would probably accept an invitation to a running game, where I reckon we'd have a better chance.

Anyway, we've still to get out the group....

[ARM]

Are the refs under instruction to let the game flow or something because so far the breakdown is an utter mess...side entry galore, sealing off. Mess, mess, mess..

Also there has been a surprising number of head high shots without sanction. Of course...tomorrow will be the time when all that changes...

[Stones of granite]

Are the refs under instruction to let the game flow or something because so far the breakdown is an utter mess...side entry galore, sealing off. Mess, mess, mess..

Also there has been a surprising number of head high shots without sanction. Of course...tomorrow will be the time when all that changes...

While we’re moaning about refs, I thought the French were particularly hard done to at the scrum, especially in the first half. The Argie tighthead was dragging it down, but got awarded the penalty on at least 3 occasions before half time.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Are the refs under instruction to let the game flow or something because so far the breakdown is an utter mess...side entry galore, sealing off. Mess, mess, mess..

Also there has been a surprising number of head high shots without sanction. Of course...tomorrow will be the time when all that changes...

If the memo was to let the game flow, Garces didn't get it. ABs got away with murder at the breakdown - bear hugging the ball carrier while on the ground preventing quick release to grab a valuable 2-3 seconds was ignored at every second ruck.

[Cameo]

I know it is just people trying to get up for it but I think that game highlights that the talk of needing to be flawless and cut out all mistakes misses the point.

Sure that's how Ireland play but other teams play a more risk reward game. We would have been tearing out hair out at that first twenty mins from NZ but they persevered and it came good.

Now just need to be as good as NZ.

[morepork]

I know it is just people trying to get up for it but I think that game highlights that the talk of needing to be flawless and cut out all mistakes misses the point.

Sure that's how Ireland play but other teams play a more risk reward game. We would have been tearing out hair out at that first twenty mins from NZ but they persevered and it came good.

Now just need to be as good as NZ.

Yeah, well we paid off the ref apparently.

[Puja]

I know it is just people trying to get up for it but I think that game highlights that the talk of needing to be flawless and cut out all mistakes misses the point.

Sure that's how Ireland play but other teams play a more risk reward game. We would have been tearing out hair out at that first twenty mins from NZ but they persevered and it came good.

Now just need to be as good as NZ.

Yeah, well we paid off the ref apparently.

To be fair, you do that expertly, every single time. If Scotland tried that, they'd do it right 3 times out of 10 and end up slapping the ref in the face with a roll of £50s the other 7.

Puja

[Cameo]

Watching Samoa Russia and another example of something that is annoying me recently. If a team is appealing for a penalty for not rolling away why do refs love to shout "you're holding him in" rather than just penalise the team that is illegally holding someone and stopping them moving away (and trying to deceive the ref)

[Mikey Brown]

Watching Samoa Russia and another example of something that is annoying me recently. If a team is appealing for a penalty for not rolling away why do refs love to shout "you're holding him in" rather than just penalise the team that is illegally holding someone and stopping them moving away (and trying to deceive the ref)

Christ. Yes! And that applies to several areas of the game, offsides, jackaller not releasing. It’s not “letting the game flow” it’s just allowing every single ruck to take 3 seconds longer than it should.

As ever, you can’t change this stuff at a World Cup without pissing everyone off but I really hope it’s something to be considered in the next cycle.

[General Zod]

Russia winning 6-5 at the moment, 27 gone.

One of Samoa’s better players, Ray Lee-Lo has just had a high tackle referred...

Ref considering a red...Russian just dipped...yellow given. I thought it was a red.

[Cameo]

To me that is a red - could give Russia a chance to get a win

[Cameo]

Ah TMO made him bottle it. It would have fit a pattern of the first red for a high tackle was to Samoa after some of the ones we have seen but I think that met all the criteria

[General Zod]

Dear lord!

This one could be a red!

[General Zod]

Bottler.