Hopefully some great games ..three matches Saturday then the Turf .

Friday 20th:
10:30am | Opening Ceremony followed by Japan v Russia | Tokyo | ITV
Saturday 21st:
5:15am | Australia v Fiji | Sapporo \ ITV
7:45am | France v Argentina | Tokyo | ITV
10:15am | New Zealand v South Africa | Yokohama City | ITV


Sunday 22nd:
5:45am | Italy v Namibia | Higashiosaka City | ITV
8:15am | Ireland v Scotland | Yokohama City | ITV
10:45am | England v Tonga | Sapporo | ITV
Then the footy on Sky

The kick and clap is the 3rd most important World Cup this year, miles behind the cricket, and just behind the netball.

Dull, Dull, Dull.

Cant wait for it. COME ON ENGLAND!!

Really looking forward to it. I'm retired so I can live TV-watch most of the games (on ITV; some 06-0/6.30 kick offs but most 08.00-08.30 and then 11.15 ish). That's my morning entertainment taken care of for the next 4 weeks or so.
I'm doing the Telegraph Fantasy WC Rugby (free) game just to add interest.
I'll be having a few punts too- I usually do an "17 way" score difference bet; probably be doing Japan by 26-30 in the first game (Japan to win by 36+ is the lowest odds). just small bets to add even more interest.

The Sofa Shifter wrote:The kick and clap is the 3rd most important World Cup this year, miles behind the cricket, and just behind the netball.

Dull, Dull, Dull.

Dear oh dear .....

So Saturday you have to say that the NZ vs SA has all the makings of the title winners , should be a good game maybe low scoring .
Argentina could upset France also .
On Sunday well yer watching the Irish as they should have enough to get past the Scots we will see .

I've got a tenner on South Africa. Think its wide open tbh, don't think the All Blacks are as strong as in previous years.

Yes Tribesman- that NZ v SA clash is a very big match come early.
Bookies have NZ clear favourites to win the competition, then SA marginally shorter than England as 2nd/3rd favourites so a bit of a fixture oddity for that game to be on the 2nd day.

Dont really follow rugby union but do enjoy watching the world cup. Clueless about the rules. But the passion and patririotism, particularly on the field is immense.

jrgbfc wrote:I've got a tenner on South Africa. Think its wide open tbh, don't think the All Blacks are as strong as in previous years.

The All Blacks are definitely not the force they were,but it's dangerous to write them off,i'd agree it's wide open my tips are Australia and Wales hardly left field predictions i know

Doubt i'll be watching many of the games at that unsocial-able hour,Ireland-Scotland should be a feisty opener and that's at a reasonable time so i might catch that game.

England have a chance and not being favourites should suit them,but i can't see better than the SF for Eddie's men.

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Dont really follow rugby union but do enjoy watching the world cup. Clueless about the rules. But the passion and patririotism, particularly on the field is immense.

They don't have rules but Laws ..

Law 1 ...Kick the ball into touch and clap
Law 2 ...Kick the ball into touch again and clap
Law 3 ... Revert back to Law 1 .

Conyoviejo - it must've been 1960s last time you watched the 15 man game (I think you're only doing a bit of playful stirring anyway).
Something in what you said 50+ years ago but it's not that routine to kick (directly) to touch nowadays.
I always preferred League to Union when I was growing up 50s 60s but, at a push, would watch Union over League nowadays. Internationals are well worth a watch and far more frequent than in League (a lot more countries play to a decent standard too).

At least the games will kick off no later than 7:45pm here. I can still watch the Clarets at 11pm!

10:45am on Sunday, Conyoviejo and Sofa Shifter will be busy at B&Q, explaining to the staff why they don’t like lawnmowers.

Should be the best ever this year. So many top teams and the average sides are greatly improved.
No way to predict a winner.
My two complaints are the time wasted at re-taken scrums. They should stop the clock from scrum awarded to play re-starting and far too many substitutions per side.

Darthlaw wrote:10:45am on Sunday, Conyoviejo and Sofa Shifter will be busy at B&Q, explaining to the staff why they don’t like lawnmowers.

Would be more interesting than a lot of fat lads lying on a ball, whilst a bunch of estate agents and hedge fund managers scream at them to get onside, whilst not being able to see the ball. Some posh lad will then kick it off the pitch and everybody claps..... meanwhile in B&Q there’s a chance I could get to watch some paint dry.

LeadBelly wrote:Conyoviejo - it must've been 1960s last time you watched the 15 man game (I think you're only doing a bit of playful stirring anyway).
Something in what you said 50+ years ago but it's not that routine to kick (directly) to touch nowadays.
I always preferred League to Union when I was growing up 50s 60s but, at a push, would watch Union over League nowadays. Internationals are well worth a watch and far more frequent than in League (a lot more countries play to a decent standard too).

Yes Leadbelly ,it's just a bit of playful stirring. These Yawnion boys soon jump on the hook..

I do prefer league though .

So you’re both keeping watch on a thread, the subject of which you have no interest in. Better still repeatedly posting to tell us you have no interest.

Does someone need attention?

The pub where I sometimes go to watch rugby is opening bright and early on Saturday!



Although it's difficult to see past NZ, SA are my tip.

England may make the semis but I can see a close quarter final.

Jammy swine, Aggi.

Ireland v Scotland definitely deserves a Guinness with your breakfast.

Hope nobody turns up at that pub at 8.40pm hoping to see a live match.
Bet they'll do a decent trade in bacon butties to go with the ale for those morning games.

Looking forward to this. Should be a good tournament and All Blacks certainly beatable.

Russia done well so far. The Japs have looked nervous from the kick off. 40 point spread was good to be on the under side but think the Japs will take the game away now and win by 20 or so

Hibsclaret wrote:Russia done well so far. The Japs have looked nervous from the kick off. 40 point spread was good to be on the under side but think the Japs will take the game away now and win by 20 or so

Spot on they won by 20 in the end,hat-trick for their winger.

Dangerous group this for both Ireland and Scotland,not only the hosts,but also Somoa lie in wait,makes Sunday's showdown all the more important.

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/teams/japan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Christ!

They've got more ringers than the German football team!

Ha ha...yes. Saw the BBC final score report on Japan v Russia on my phone and it said "Japan flanker Pieter Labushagne scored a try" ....hmmm.
Is this chap related to the Australian (ahem) cricketer Marnus does anyone know or is Labusghagne just a common surname in South Africa ?

Stalbansclaret wrote:Ha ha...yes. Saw the BBC final score report on Japan v Russia on my phone and it said "Japan flanker Pieter Labushagne scored a try" ....hmmm.
Is this chap related to the Australian (ahem) cricketer Marnus does anyone know or is Labusghagne just a common surname in South Africa ?

..............the GLAMORGAN cricketer, Marnus etc.

I suspect that anybody supporting England Rugby is technically estopped from complaining that other teams have "ringers". Here's their list from the 2019 6 nations squad. Second most after Scotland. Looks as though one or two others didn't get selected, including their former captain.........

ENGLAND – EIGHT PLAYERS

1.Mako Vunipola – New Zealand
2.Billy Vunipola – Australia
3.Jack Clifford – Australia
4.Nathan Hughes – Fiji
5.Brad Shields – New Zealand
6.Manu Tuilagi – Samoa
7.Ben Te’o – New Zealand
8.Joe Cokanasiga – Fiji

Imagine having parents from different countries or having lived in different parts of the world. Crazy stuff.

So all set for tomorrow , the wife has gone to Norwich for the weekend ( i did think it was strange also ) so watch the first game in bed then stroll through the next couple , may find something to eat then the Clarets on the net . Loads of beers what could go wrong .

Tribesmen wrote:So all set for tomorrow , the wife has gone to Norwich for the weekend ( i did think it was strange also ) so watch the first game in bed then stroll through the next couple , may find something to eat then the Clarets on the net . Loads of beers what could go wrong .

A power cut.

Great game currently. Aus vFiji. Physical and open

Really enjoying can Fijis forwards hold the Aussies in the latter stages

Aussies well in control now

Game over really!

Fair play. Aussies knew that rolling maul type thing was unstoppable so kept kicking out for it.

Fijians look totally knackered 2nd half.

Only two games but both highly entertaining, bodes well!

Aussies very impressive 2nd half. Great game to watch when it is played like that...

Yep Fiji ran out of steam in the 2nd half, mistakes lead to tries .
Just love their running game from loose ball but it's an 80 minute game , now they are getting better but Aussie were to street wise for them in the end .
Really fancy Argentine in the next game .

First rugby game I've watched in 20 years. Really enjoyed it. Much better than the previously stated kick and clap that was dominant in the 80s.

Only getting select free games here in the States, the rest you have to buy a pass.

The next is the England game at, er, 4am Sunday. Not sure about that!

Think France might just edge this one but should be a good one.

Hibsclaret wrote:Think France might just edge this one but should be a good one.

You are right on both up to now Hibs.

Another cracking game

Just watched the France Argentina world cup game and we can only dream of that level of punditry from the ex pros chosen in football. Superb from Wilkinson et all

Aclaret wrote:You are right on both up to now Hibs.

My accumulator is looking good....I had Australia-15 too

The French don’t half make you sweat though...they nearly gave that away...

The all blacks are looking superb now after a very poor start.... great stuff

Been to sons’s football and now watching some excellent rugby by the All Blacks before heading off to Turf Moor later. Great day of sport.

Watching the All Blacks when they are on form is one of the very best sights in sport (when it’s not against England of course)

Well Argentina ran them so close just one missed kick at the end that would have won it for them .
Now as for the Kiwis they did look so 2nd best then just like that two tries and the whole game has turned .
SA needed to get something out of the end of the half but came up short . The All Blacks are something else for such a small nation .

Heavyweight contest, all blacks are lethal

Safas were all over NZ in the first 20 minutes but only got 3 on the board. A few mistakes over a 5-10 minute spell and they're left trailing at 3-17.
Beauden Barrett is so good to watch, he's got great hands and balance and so cool in his decision making; cant give him an inch.

SA need the next score or they'll end up "chasing the game" and get shredded.
I had a pre-game bet on NZ win by 6-10 so hoping SA can get back in.

I’m on NZ -6 to get 4 out of 8 with 4 left on a Goliath. So fingers crossed.

The Aussies were impressive in the 2nd half and the All Blacks superb for 10 mins so far. England have a great chance in this World Cup imo