RugbyRebels

World cup are about giving some smaller teams a chance too so wanted a thread to highlight them. Discounting anyone who has an actual chance of qualifying (i.e. the top 3 teams in each group - yes I know Italy won't qualify), who has impressed so far?

Russia fought strongly but I wasn't particularly impressed. However thought Namibia looked solid and had decent skills. They just lacked support at the ruck. I'm expecting those two to be among the weakest but Namibia will be aiming to get a win against Canada in the last game.

Well the Fijians will definitely be home to Edinburgh and Glasgow soon.

Haven't seen the game yet but that's a real surprise.
Btw, is it just me or have the Fijians got a lot bigger?

Was a gamble for Fiji making so many changes but that was a proper performance from Uruguay. Especially in the first half they didn't just defend well but played some good stuff.

Fiji will be absolutely kicking themselves though Matawalu and Dolodoko (?) both did well

You really can ruck from any angle too now

Scrums are going to ruin this game.

If SA just choose a scrum every penalty. Namibia will lose all their props to the sin bin soon enough and probably a few pen tries

Surely wales will have too much for aus tiday?

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All Wales so far right enough

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Another dangerous tackle, penalty against this time, but no attempt to use arms or wrap should be a card at least...

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Good try from Oz Welsh defence went missing for first time in years

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Wales really need to tighten up and control possession more, they are letting aus back in

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I've seen red given for those before...

Not sure about pinging the aus 12 for that, I get he's pushing the Wales 10 neck but his forearm was up protecting the ball at that height and its an instinctive push away on a player who is falling down... maybe just a pen is ok actually

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Not sure about pinging the aus 12 for that, I get he's pushing the Wales 10 neck but his forearm was up protecting the ball at that height and its an instinctive push away on a player who is falling down... maybe just a pen is ok actually

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Why is Hooper still arguing over it? It's a get out of jail free card.

Davies has scored a few of those... Clever man. Or just thick opposition. Two against us IIRC.

Donny osmond wrote:Not sure about pinging the aus 12 for that, I get he's pushing the Wales 10 neck but his forearm was up protecting the ball at that height and its an instinctive push away on a player who is falling down... maybe just a pen is ok actually

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I think Hooper was absolutely right on that one (although arguing it didn't help). Ball carrier didn't strike with his forearm (as Poite accepted) and then pushed Patchell away. Yeah, it came up to Patchell's throat but I just don't see that as a pen. Arms end up in throats all the time in rugby

Cameo wrote:

Donny osmond wrote:Not sure about pinging the aus 12 for that, I get he's pushing the Wales 10 neck but his forearm was up protecting the ball at that height and its an instinctive push away on a player who is falling down... maybe just a pen is ok actually

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I think Hooper was absolutely right on that one (although arguing it didn't help). Ball carrier didn't strike with his forearm (as Poite accepted) and then pushed Patchell away. Yeah, it came up to Patchell's throat but I just don't see that as a pen. Arms end up in throats all the time in rugby

Hooper arguing it is just symptomatic of aus losing their way in this game, frustrated and clueless

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Don't blame Wales for doing it but don't know why refs let teams slow down set pieces at will when it suits them

Great game though for all my whining about Poite!

Second half implosion from Wales isn't it. It was a 3 score game at half time and in complete control. Aussie are now running everything and trail by 4. Have Wales even touched the ball?

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Second half implosion from Wales isn't it. It was a 3 score game at half time and in complete control. Aussie are now running everything and trail by 4. Have Wales even touched the ball?

Yeah, though for all their sloppiness Australia did look dangerous in that first half when they kept hold of the ball

I still think Wales will win it but it never should have been on the line after that margin they built up.

A very even contest and came down to one of those bounce of the ball type scores.

Cameo wrote:

Donny osmond wrote:Not sure about pinging the aus 12 for that, I get he's pushing the Wales 10 neck but his forearm was up protecting the ball at that height and its an instinctive push away on a player who is falling down... maybe just a pen is ok actually

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I think Hooper was absolutely right on that one (although arguing it didn't help). Ball carrier didn't strike with his forearm (as Poite accepted) and then pushed Patchell away. Yeah, it came up to Patchell's throat but I just don't see that as a pen. Arms end up in throats all the time in rugby

But arguably if WR are trying to make the tackle safer it is not that different to a tackler who starts low and slips up to around the neck.

Not saying I agree, but if I squint I can see the logic.