2019 Rugby World Cup

Fulcrum29

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I see The Money Man and Mark Keohane aren't happy with the Rugby World Cup being hosted by Japan. These two guys really don't like Japan. The Money Man believe Japan would have lost the game to Scotland, and that the circumstances suit Japan in the sense that Scotland would have beaten them. It is the same as stating that Japan is lucky. In their minds, the match is already cancelled.

An uneducated statement now that it seems the match is going ahead. Blaming the humidity in Japan is the same as stating that rugby shouldn't be played in East-Asia.
 

Fulcrum29

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:whistling:


So, why was Ramos replaced, medical or compassionate reasons? His ankle looks to be good :thumbsup:

France has team issues... this should be reviewed as it is against the law they have practised.


The mysterious story of the France player sent home injured from the Rugby World Cup who's now playing for his club a week later
French player Thomas Ramos was withdrawn from the Rugby World Cup last week but will start at fullback for his club on Saturday

French full-back Thomas Ramos has been named in the starting line-up for Toulouse's Top 14 clash this weekend just a week after being sent home from the Rugby World Cup with a tournament-ending injury.

Ramos has been named to start at full-back for the clash against Castres Olympique on Saturday in France's top league.

It was reported that Ramos had twisted his left ankle during Les Bleus' 33-9 win over USA in Fukuoka on October 2, and it was announced two days later that he would be replaced in the squad by Vincent Rattez.

France head coach Jacques Brunel at the time said Ramos’ injury would keep him out of action for at least 10 days, which made it too much of a risk to carry the fullback in the squad.

“It’s a handicap for us,” Brunel said in Kumamoto last week.

...

French newspaper L'Equipe described the occurrence as "weird", saying Ramos was "sent back to France in less time than it takes colic in a newborn".

They write: "Jacques Brunel and his staff apprehended the revelation of information, especially since inside the medical cell opinions were rather optimistic for Ramos. The physios, who were put in front of the fait accompli of his departure, would have assured the player that they could get him back on foot in three or four days and, above all, that he could apply for the match against England, finally canceled because of Typhoon Hagibis.

I have to wonder whether he has stood by the captain and received his marching orders?
 

sand_man

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Quarters look very predictable apart from the England vs Australia match.

England vs Australia (England are favorites but will be close)
NZ vs Ireland (NZ win, Ireland has a rush defense which NZ have had good practice with playing SA in the pool and the 4 nations)
South Africa vs Japan (SA wins, SA played the Japanese team in the warmups so will know their tactics and should easily be able to beat them)
Wales vs France (Wales win easily, French team is poor and should have lost against Argentina)
I believe Scotland will beat Japan today, so SA VS Ireland and NZ VS Japan. The last time SA played Ireland, Ireland won 38-3!
 

Fulcrum29

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Official press release:

723664

I guess Scotland jumped the gun a bit... then again nobody has experienced a RWC match cancellations before. The place still looks flooded from the pictures I have seen so I hope everyone who has a ticket can get to the venue.
 

Fulcrum29

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I believe Scotland will beat Japan today, so SA VS Ireland and NZ VS Japan. The last time SA played Ireland, Ireland won 38-3!

You mean, NZ vs Scotland? If that is to be the case, they took a jab at NZ for the 'assumption' of match cancellation.


Scotland Rugby Union boss's dig at All Blacks as storm brews with World Rugby
...

Dodson, speaking at the Scotland squad's upmarket Sheraton hotel in Yokohama, was in regal form as he passionately explained why World Rugby should listen to what the SRU has to say.

When asked whether Scotland didn't get as many favours from World Rugby when compared to a heavyweight such as New Zealand, Dodson said he suspected that was, indeed, the case.

"If you are an economic powerhouse of the game, I think you come with more clout," he stated.

"I think most people feel that if it was one of the economic powerhouses of the game like, as you say, New Zealand, perhaps more thought would have been given to a flexible approach."

Some British media outlets have reported the All Blacks refused to play Italy on Monday, something World Rugby has denied.

And Italy captain Sergio Parisse said the game in Toyota wouldn't have been abandoned if the All Blacks had been chasing a win, instead of being able to finish as top qualifier regardless.

Whatever the case may be, Scotland are adamant they are not going to allow World Rugby to deny them the chance to play. Dodson urged it to look at contingency plans, such as playing at a different venue or on another day, if it's decided it's too dangerous to play in Yokohama on Sunday.

But World Rugby is adamant that all teams agreed to a participation agreement prior to the start of the event. However, Dodson said the SRU had engaged with two lawyers, including a QC from a leading sports practice in London, and they have told them there is flexibility in the agreement.

"We have now got a legal opinion that there is flexibility around the scheduling," he said.

Dodson also said he believed the SRU had already got rugby fans barracking for them to be the victors of this battle: "I think in the court of public opinion we have already won.

The only actual teams to be denied turned out to be Namibia and Canada due to safety reasons, but Italy accepted their fate before the Scotland storm, it really turned out to be Typhoon Haggis.
 

sand_man

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You mean, NZ vs Scotland? If that is to be the case, they took a jab at NZ for the 'assumption' of match cancellation.




The only actual teams to be denied turned out to be Namibia and Canada due to safety reasons, but Italy accepted their fate before the Scotland storm, it really turned out to be Typhoon Haggis.
Sorry yeah, NZ vs Scotland, Japan out....
 

Fulcrum29

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Sorry yeah, NZ vs Scotland, Japan out....

It is wet, and it will suit Scotland and Japan decided, again, to play their centre at the back. Tupou was bad against the Springboks and against the Russians when under aerial assault. I don’t know what Jamie Joseph is planning here… he also didn’t select Amanaki to play in this match, but Himeno has shown to be their best technical player on the loose. The team looks A-side, except the odd decision at #15 against Scotland.

From a historical perspective, this is Scotland’s game to win, they have also played at this stadium and they know the conditions. Japan, well, they need to tell the world they belong in the top 8 and that is all they really have – pride (and heart), and this is knowing that Scotland needs to prove to the world that they can win a rugby world cup.

It is a hard call, but I cannot see any bookie go against Scotland. This game will be won in the opening 20min, or so the pundits said. It can go 1 to 3 scores, either way, one side may even run away with it...
 

Speedster

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I believe Scotland will beat Japan today, so SA VS Ireland and NZ VS Japan. The last time SA played Ireland, Ireland won 38-3!

It's not quite so clear cut - there are still a number of potential outcomes for that pool:
  • If Japan win, draw or lose with two bonus points (losing by less than seven and 4 tries) they will top the pool with Ireland second.
  • If Scotland win without a bonus point and Japan get a bonus point, Ireland will top the pool with Japan second.
  • If Scotland win with a bonus point or deny Japan any bonus points, Ireland will top the pool with Scotland second.
 

sand_man

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It's not quite so clear cut - there are still a number of potential outcomes for that pool:
  • If Japan win, draw or lose with two bonus points (losing by less than seven and 4 tries) they will top the pool with Ireland second.
  • If Scotland win without a bonus point and Japan get a bonus point, Ireland will top the pool with Japan second.
  • If Scotland win with a bonus point or deny Japan any bonus points, Ireland will top the pool with Scotland second.
Very, very true... I'm expecting a comfortable win for Scotland but don't forsee bonus points for either team. Tied on 14 each with Scotland progressing on account of winning the fixture.
 

mbayshark

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Super bummed about Namibia and Canada game being cancelled though - was really looking forward to that.
Same here, would have loved to see Namibia win there first world cup match. They really had a great change today.
 

rietrot

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Official press release:

View attachment 723664

I guess Scotland jumped the gun a bit... then again nobody has experienced a RWC match cancellations before. The place still looks flooded from the pictures I have seen so I hope everyone who has a ticket can get to the venue.
I think it is is exactly the pressure from Scotland that ensured that the game could go ahead. That is how everyone should work with WR.
 

rietrot

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This world cup has been disastrous.
Feel bad for Japan tbh
Well that a bit over dramatic. The world cup has been great except for 3 games and one natural disaster. World Rugby's contingency planning was just non existent.
 

Fulcrum29

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I think it is is exactly the pressure from Scotland that ensured that the game could go ahead. That is how everyone should work with WR.

The issue with the argument is that Scotland didn't change the schedule. This matchday continued as scheduled. Scotland wanted the possibility to have the scheduled postponed and rescheduled which World Rugby denied them should today have been cancelled.

Scotland used the media to gain public empathy. I did agree with Scotland scrutinising the rules, and they did engage in possible legal recourse. They themselves stated,

Dodson also said he believed the SRU had already got rugby fans barracking for them to be the victors of this battle: "I think in the court of public opinion we have already won.

but in the end, the schedule stayed the schedule. Japan has been busy all morning restoring the public system and draining the area, and to say that is due to Scotland's pressure is... even Emporer Akihito is attending as scheduled.

I do, however, believe that Brian Moore leaked the truth and that NZR, and possibly the RFU, didn't want to agree to any match delays as postponements which are being thoroughly denied. This, however, has nothing to with Japan, but wholly with World Rugby.
 
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