Rugby World Cup Japan 2019

[Parkins left foot]

Despite the scoreline this has been a very good watch. Two contrasting styles with SA managing their physical advatage properly in the second half.

Reality is that they should have been out of sight earlier as cocked up a number of opportunities. Whilst Wales weren't great they got through & shouldn't fear this lot, they won't get bullied out of the game.

Japan though have been a revelation & put on a very good WC. They deserve a chance to play more games at Tier 1 somehow to aid their continued development

 

[jd1981]

Prediction for next weekend
NZ win by 10 points
SA win by -5 points in a very physical game.

In reality the 4 best sides in current world rugby are contesting the semifinals

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

New Zealand by 13 in a high scoring affair. 34-21 something like that.

Wales 14 South Africa 12

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Prediction for next weekend
NZ win by 10 points
SA win by -5 points in a very physical game.

In reality the 4 best sides in current world rugby are contesting the semifinals

Your last line is bang on. For me, these four are the class of the field and well clear of the rest.

 

[sycophantia]

Think you're probably right about NZ/England but SA/Wales is much harder to call imo, could go either way

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

South Africa v Wales might well be a bit of a classic. Assuming that Wales actually turn up. We were absolutely shit today, and got away with it.

 

[jd1981]

Just cannot see how England can beat NZ both have similar styles but NZ just have that extra bit of quality especially at the break down. Don’t expect to get mauled, only way is if they have a slightly off day.
Mentally I think England are strong enough but NZ will have the edge in those minute margins.
Expect a war of attrition in the Wales v SA game, probably be an enthralling watch but in a completely different way to the other semi final.
Personally I don’t think I’d cope with anxiety and rhetoric of an England v Wales final.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Just cannot see how England can beat NZ both have similar styles but NZ just have that extra bit of quality especially at the break down. Don’t expect to get mauled, only way is if they have a slightly off day.
Mentally I think England are strong enough but NZ will have the edge in those minute margins.
Expect a war of attrition in the Wales v SA game, probably be an enthralling watch but in a completely different way to the other semi final.
Personally I don’t think I’d cope with anxiety and rhetoric of an England v Wales final.

England have always had the quality to beat NZ - it is more the inability to think on the pitch during difficult periods that hampered them - the way they managed the start of both halves against the Aussies when on the back foot gives me hope - probably still only a 1 in 3 chance though.

Wales look the poorest of the 4 as of now - they need to raise their game a lot to compete with the Boks.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Judging Wales on their poorest performance in about 3 years is probably not wise. I bet the Boks aren't doing that.

 

[Tredman]

All things being equal it’ll be a NZ / SA final. But things don’t always run to plan. Both England & Wales are more than capable of causing an upset - not that sure that S.A. are in that much form, so could easily be Wales in final.

 

[Jabbawolf]

Judging Wales on their poorest performance in about 3 years is probably not wise. I bet the Boks aren't doing that.

Save the first half against the Aussies, Wales have hardly hit any high notes all tournament.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

We have won 21 out of our last 24 games.

 

[Jabbawolf]

We have won 21 out of our last 24 games.

Yes, but your form in the RWC has been average - I get that you grind results out so you clearly have a chance, but I think England and Wales are both underdogs next weekend.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I'm not sure I agree.

England are, but then so is EVERYONE against the All Blacks.

Wales v SA is a coin toss for me.

As to our form being average

Demolished Georgia
Beat Australia
Beat Fiji
Beat Uruguay
Beat France

I will take that level of average.

 

[jd1981]

Not even nervous about next Saturday simply because I don’t expect us to win. NZ have now won 18 consecutive World Cup matches last defeat was in 2007. Their dominance of the sport currently is similar to Australia’s in cricket in the late 90’s - late 00’s.
Apart from 2003 you could argue they’ve had the best squad on paper in every World Cup.

 

[Dinowolf]

I still think it will be a England v Wales final.

England are rampant, in-form and confident in their own ability. If anyone can beat NZ at the moment it's England, and I think they will.
Wales just seem to get the result they need when they need it, so SA beware.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Nigel Owens is reffing England v New Zealand. Excellent.

Garces is doing Wales v South Africa. Let joy be unbounded.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

He could only do England v New Zealand and Owens was always getting that.

The ref in the final will be Wayne Barnes if New Zealand get there or Berry if England do. Put money on it.

 

[VanWolfie]

He could only do England v New Zealand and Owens was always getting that.

The ref in the final will be Wayne Barnes if New Zealand get there or Berry if England do. Put money on it.

I agree with you on Barnes if NZ beat England. But if England get through, it will be Garces or Owens, not Berry. His turn will come in later world cups. Think back to 1987. Kerry Fitzgerald reffed the NZ v Wales semi (the famous 49-ers!) and was given the final between NZ and France. RWC awards games to the ref they think is on top of their game, hence it will be between Barnes, Garces, and Owens. Barnes can't do it if England win, Owens has already done the 2015 final, so if England beat NZ it will be Garces. However, I expect NZ to beat England, so it will be Barnes.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Owens can’t do it if Wales beat South Africa.