The Rugby World Cup - Japan 2019

First topic message reminder :

We're getting there folks. Less that 50 days to go til lthe big event.

Here's a place to talk about all things world cup as we lead into this most spectacular of events.

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/

Full fixture list
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/matches

Teams that are going
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/teams

Pools:

Pool A

Ireland
Scotland
Japan (Hosts)
Russia
Samoa

Pool B

New Zealand (3x cup holders) Reigning champs
South Africa (2x cup holders)
Italy
Namibia
Canada

Pool C

England (1x cup holders)
France
Argentina
USA
Tonga

Pool D

Australia (2x cup holders)
Wales
Georgia
Fiji
Uruguay


Who do you think has the best chance?
Who will provide this competition's upset?
What pool will see the biggest fight for qualification?
Which of the non seeded teams are looking like they could do well?
Who has the current momentum going into the W/C?


I can't wait. If I could have swung it, I'd have gone over for it.

Fans mixing together    and top quality rugby being played over 6 weeks  

Rugby Fan wrote:Tokyo here. I'm not as familiar with Osaka and Kobe but Shinsaibashi in Osaka is a treasure trove of good  food and booze, while Kitashinchi has a wide variety of nighlife.

If anyone comes through Tokyo, drop me a message, and I'll see if I can hook up.

Not going to be in Tokyo this time but I love it. So much to see and do.

I really enjoyed exploring the weird and wonderful neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya and Akihabara. Didnt like Roppongi hills much but maybe I went to the wrong places. My favorite places in Japan were Kyoto, Miyajima island and the Japanese Alps near Takayama. The nature in Japan is unreal.

Just like to wish everyone a happy and enjoyable RWC.

Yes there will be Highs and Lows, but lets all just get on and enjoy the game we all love.

Let the Banter flow.

I’d like to see the game played in a typhoon. It’s on outdoor sport after all. Should be open to the elements. Down with stadium roofs!

P.s. I tried to type ‘rooves’ but the spell thing didn’t like it. Could have sworn it was a word?! But it doesn’t look right. So why hoof and hooves but not roof and rooves???

More RWC trivia!

Google gives me:

Rooves as a plural for of roof is dated, but not incorrect. The Oxford English Dictionary lists “rooves” as an alternate to roofs, one of several outdated spellings used in the UK, and in New England as late as the 19th century.

1. Four players have scored three or more drop-goals in a World Cup match, who?
2. Three forwards have kicked World Cup drop-goals, who?
3. Six players have achieved a full house (try, conversion, penalty goal and drop-goal) in a World Cup match, who?

Jannie de Beer
Johnny Wilkinson
Juan Martin Hernandis

Zinzan Brooke?

1. Jannie De Beer, Wilko, Juan Hernandez are 3, no idea on the 4th
2. Zinzan Brooke
3. No idea

Great minds Old Man, great minds

Old Man wrote:Jannie de Beer
Johnny Wilkinson
Juan Martin Hernandis

Correct - 4th is very obscure.

And yes to Zinzan

Is Rob Andrew the fourth for question 1?

EDIT: if it's obscure, I'll take a punt with Gareth Rees for Canada?

John Eales for number 2?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Is Rob Andrew the fourth for question 1?

Nope. TBH if anyone gets it without looking it up, my gast will be flabbered.

Martin Williams is another guess for number 2

Matt Dunning?

BamBam wrote:John Eales for number 2?

Penalty goal yes, drop goal no.

BamBam wrote:Martin Williams is another guess for number 2

Yup. As with the other drop goal question the remaining name is very obscure.

Keith Wood kicked a drop goal I think.

For the full house, I know Christophe Lamaison did in 1999 against the All Blacks.

For question 3 Joel Stransky, no idea who else, would guess Wilkinson maybe?

Lamaison and Stransky both correct.

LondonTiger wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Is Rob Andrew the fourth for question 1?

Nope. TBH if anyone gets it without looking it up, my gast will be flabbered.

Was I right with Gareth Rees?

Andrew Mertens for no 3?

LondonTiger wrote:1. Four players have scored three or more drop-goals in a World Cup match, who?
2. Three forwards have kicked World Cup drop-goals, who?
3. Six players have achieved a full house (try, conversion, penalty goal and drop-goal) in a World Cup match, who?

all in the one match???

LondonTiger wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Is Rob Andrew the fourth for question 1?

Nope. TBH if anyone gets it without looking it up, my gast will be flabbered.

Arwel Thomas?

tigertattie wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:1. Four players have scored three or more drop-goals in a World Cup match, who?
2. Three forwards have kicked World Cup drop-goals, who?
3. Six players have achieved a full house (try, conversion, penalty goal and drop-goal) in a World Cup match, who?

all in the one match???

Yep, I believe so.

Did Sanchez do it at the last world cup or did I make that up? Foley against England? Although I'm not sure he got a drop. Definitely scored a try and a load of points.

I remember Tony Brown had a field day of points scoring for the ABs at one RWC. Is he one?

Or Diego Dominguez? Henry Honiball?

Sateki Tuipulotu

Freddie Michelak

Derick Hougaard

On the eve of the tournament a lot of pundits and journalist are talking about the humid conditions, not too long ago I was continuously shot down when I mentioned the conditions. Apparently it wasn't a issue!

Gatland is using baby oil on his balls to simulate the greasy conditions.

Looks like you were wrong folks.

Three ticks Collapse

Looks more likely for there to be torrential rain on the weekend than hot and humid conditions.

TightHEAD wrote:On the eve of the tournament a lot of pundits and journalist are talking about the humid conditions, not too long ago I was continuously shot down when I mentioned the conditions. Apparently it wasn't a issue!

Gatland is using baby oil on his balls to simulate the greasy conditions.

Looks like you were wrong folks.

From memory, one person disagreed with you, mainly to do with the temperature rather than humidity too.

But if it makes you feel better, you can have a star to put on your sticker wall

Konstantin Rachkov of Russia almost did it against Australia. He scored a drop goal, a try and two conversions but no penalties.

On the eve of the RWC 2019 I just want to wish all teams the best of luck and fingers crossed that all players maintain good health. Of course there will sadly be injuries, but may they be at an absolute minimum. This is the stage for the world's best to strut their stuff and we want them playing and not injured in the stands or already at home.

LondonTiger wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:On the eve of the tournament a lot of pundits and journalist are talking about the humid conditions, not too long ago I was continuously shot down when I mentioned the conditions. Apparently it wasn't a issue!

Gatland is using baby oil on his balls to simulate the greasy conditions.

Looks like you were wrong folks.

From memory, one person disagreed with you, mainly to do with the temperature rather than humidity too.

But if it makes you feel better, you can have a star to put on your sticker wall

Yes, good luck all! I know we often disagree about lots and argue about the craziest things and most minute of details sometimes. And we’ll argue during this World Cup I’m sure (TMO decision for a wales match - look out!). But we’re all here as rugby lovers and I’d like to wish you all the best of luck for a cracking tournament.

May the best Wales win!

My brother just bumped into Robbie Deans at the airport.

It's all happening folks!

Eye of the typhoon now predicted to pass over Kyushu and the Sea of Japan. Most of the country will just get wet rather than battered.

https://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/

Best of luck to all the teams at the World Cup.

Except Ireland, Japan, Samoa and Russia

And New Zealand, South Africa, England, Wales, Australia ...........

Good luck to all teams that don’t face SA.

Lets hope the team that eventually triumphs is playing an exciting brand of rugby to watch and not the dross served up by some teams who have hit the World rugby's No1 spot over recent weeks.


While I can understand why someone may view this as a WUM, it is really pretty mild, does not target anyone specifically (and we all know England kick a lot) and light hearted and perhaps saved by the emoji. 

Rugby Fan wrote:Eye of the typhoon now predicted to pass over Kyushu and the Sea of Japan. Most of the country will just get wet rather than battered.

https://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/

First time the Glasgow players have ever been happy about something not being battered

Gooseberry wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:Eye of the typhoon now predicted to pass over Kyushu and the Sea of Japan. Most of the country will just get wet rather than battered.

https://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/

First time the Glasgow players have ever been happy about something not being battered

I know the critics are out there and pressure will grow and grow to 'grow' the game away from the 'exclusivity' of the historic Tier 1 Nations, but there is something to be said about how tight the World Rugby Tournament is as an Event.  Little excess baggage, a collection of Nations that can be gone through in a a few short minutes at the opening ceremony.  
None of the outrageous out-of-control circus schmaltz and endless flag waving, multi-billion dollar extravaganzas like the Olympics.  Just a tight contest with a small circle of the best sides in the World coming together to decide who gets a crown for four years.

SecretFly wrote:I know the critics are out there and pressure will grow and grow to 'grow' the game away from the 'exclusivity' of the historic Tier 1 Nations, but there is something to be said about how tight the World Rugby Tournament is as an Event.  Little excess baggage, a collection of Nations that can be gone through in a a few short minutes at the opening ceremony.  
None of the outrageous out-of-control circus schmaltz and endless flag waving, multi-billion dollar extravaganzas like the Olympics.  Just a tight contest with a small circle of the best sides in the World coming together to decide who gets a crown for four years.

I think it would be nice to see that evolve of course, in a positive way. Getting the Tier 2 nations up to the standard of the Tier 1 nations would be a big help for the game and I think that will happen in Japan, USA, Italy and hopefully the Islands. Then getting more Tier 3 nations to a similar standard as Georgia and Italy would really create a more competitive tournament. I hope by 2027 RWC we have a more competitive 20 sides fighting it out and some new countries involved like Germany for example.

bsando wrote:

SecretFly wrote:I know the critics are out there and pressure will grow and grow to 'grow' the game away from the 'exclusivity' of the historic Tier 1 Nations, but there is something to be said about how tight the World Rugby Tournament is as an Event.  Little excess baggage, a collection of Nations that can be gone through in a a few short minutes at the opening ceremony.  
None of the outrageous out-of-control circus schmaltz and endless flag waving, multi-billion dollar extravaganzas like the Olympics.  Just a tight contest with a small circle of the best sides in the World coming together to decide who gets a crown for four years.

I think it would be nice to see that evolve of course, in a positive way. Getting the Tier 2 nations up to the standard of the Tier 1 nations would be a big help for the game and I think that will happen in Japan, USA, Italy and hopefully the Islands. Then getting more Tier 3 nations to a similar standard as Georgia and Italy would really create a more competitive tournament. I hope by 2027 RWC we have a more competitive 20 sides fighting it out and some new countries involved like Germany for example.

On the plus side Italy are getting to the standard of Tonga etc.