mikeyp102 Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 So we enter the last month before the final squads are announced. England have gone early though and named their squad this week. A couple of new names in squad and strangely Willie Heinz is the second of two scrum half’s, come from nowhere to get in. Still can’t believe Jones won’t even consider Cipriani considering he’s been on fire this season. Taking Heinz, you’d think would work for Cipriani as they play at club level but alas no. Its a lot more open than previous years. New Zealand are close to losing the number one spot for the first time in a decade and certainly aren’t the impenetrable force they once were. Think Japan as a nation will really thrive hosting a tournament Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 The first Saturday's fixture list is epic! Australia vs Fiji France vs Argentina New Zealand vs South Africa All done and dusted by midday! The wife will be taking the kids to taekwondo that weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 6 minutes ago, mikeyp102 said: So we enter the last month before the final squads are announced. England have gone early though and named their squad this week. A couple of new names in squad and strangely Willie Heinz is the second of two scrum half’s, come from nowhere to get in. Still can’t believe Jones won’t even consider Cipriani considering he’s been on fire this season. Taking Heinz, you’d think would work for Cipriani as they play at club level but alas no. Its a lot more open than previous years. New Zealand are close to losing the number one spot for the first time in a decade and certainly aren’t the impenetrable force they once were. Think Japan as a nation will really thrive hosting a tournament I'm not shocked Jones hasn't selected Cipriani. He clearly doesn't fancy him or he doesn't fit in with the squad. Thought Heinz did well last weekend though and not a bad call up. Pleased the likes of Shields, T'eo and Hughes have been left at home but gutted for Harry Williams of Exeter Chiefs who hasn't been selected due to Marler fancying a trip to Japan... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLax Posted August 16, 2019 Share Posted August 16, 2019 The Wallabies thrashed the All Blacks last weekend, although today’s game at Eden Park might be a better indication of where the two sides are at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyp Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 Very low key build up in Ireland and the media are even stepping back and not going into hype mode which they tend to do before every world cup and we then implode. We always find the negative, this time it's " oh we have the hosts in our group " I don't care if there are 80,000 Japanese in the stadium when we play them. If Ireland can't beat Japan we are in trouble. And yes i know what they did to South Africa four years ago but still... It's the most favourable group we have got in world cup history. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnnyp Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 1 hour ago, theboyangel said: The first Saturday's fixture list is epic! Australia vs Fiji France vs Argentina New Zealand vs South Africa All done and dusted by midday! The wife will be taking the kids to taekwondo that weekend 1 hour ago, LondonLax said: The Wallabies thrashed the All Blacks last weekend, although today’s game at Eden Park might be a better indication of where the two sides are at. Think the All Blacks will come good by the time they get to Japan. They won't panic. Guys playing for places tomorrow because im sure like every other squad he's going to have to cut it soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLax Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 30 minutes ago, Johnnyp said: Think the All Blacks will come good by the time they get to Japan. They won't panic. Guys playing for places tomorrow because im sure like every other squad he's going to have to cut it soon. Yes you can never write off the All Blacks but they seem to be keeping to their tradition of peaking two years too early in the World Cup cycle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowychap Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 10 hours ago, LondonLax said: The Wallabies thrashed the All Blacks last weekend, although today’s game at Eden Park might be a better indication of where the two sides are at. 36-0 to the All Blacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa89 Posted August 17, 2019 Share Posted August 17, 2019 18 hours ago, Johnnyp said: It's the most favourable group we have got in world cup history. Yeah but the rugby world cup doesn't start until the quarter finals and we'll have NZ or south Africa in that. Wouldnt fancy Ireland against either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 On 17/08/2019 at 00:03, theboyangel said: I'm not shocked Jones hasn't selected Cipriani. He clearly doesn't fancy him or he doesn't fit in with the squad. Agreed, he was never getting a call up, he doesn’t fit Smith play at all. If there was ever a chance though, it would be because Heinz is at 9, just to keep their partnership. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 23 hours ago, Johnnyp said: Very low key build up in Ireland and the media are even stepping back and not going into hype mode which they tend to do before every world cup and we then implode. We always find the negative, this time it's " oh we have the hosts in our group " I don't care if there are 80,000 Japanese in the stadium when we play them. If Ireland can't beat Japan we are in trouble. And yes i know what they did to South Africa four years ago but still... It's the most favourable group we have got in world cup history. Despite their poor 6 nations, if ever Ireland were going to win a WC, this ye would be their best chance. But I think they’ve lost their edge and now won’t trouble the Southern Hemisphere sides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLax Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 15 hours ago, snowychap said: 36-0 to the All Blacks. Eden Park is a psychological barrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 So into the final countdown now. Really open tournament, no clear favourite. Think Tom Curry is going to be one of the stars of the tournament, been immense for England recently 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choffer Posted September 10, 2019 VT Supporter Share Posted September 10, 2019 Bit gutted now it's here. Had planned to go but decided to give it a swerve to save the money. Probably for the best as Scotland will only disappoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, choffer said: Probably for the best as Scotland will only disappoint. One of the reasons why I’ll be watching Edited September 10, 2019 by theboyangel Sorry Choffer! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zatman Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Maybe a typhoon will hit Japan in next few weeks and will postpone some games and they have stated no group games will be rescheduled and games will be awarded 0-0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49733089 Quote Wales backs coach Rob Howley has been sent home from the World Cup for an alleged breach of World Rugby's laws covering betting and anti-corruption. The 48-year-old's departure is a huge blow just six days before Wales' opening game in Japan against Pool D opponents Georgia. A Welsh Rugby Union statement said Howley had "returned to Wales to assist with an investigation". The WRU confirmed it was in relation to a potential breach of betting on rugby. World Rugby's regulation 6.3.1 reads: "No connected person shall, directly or indirectly, bet and/or attempt to bet on the outcome or any aspect of any connected event and/or receive and/or attempt to receive part or all of the proceeds of any such bet and/or any other benefit in relation to a bet." Wales have sent for Stephen Jones to fill the gap left by Howley's sudden departure and Jones is expected to arrive "imminently" at the squad's Kitakyushu base. Former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Jones has already been confirmed as the next Wales backs coach under Wayne Pivac, who will take the reins from Gatland after the tournament. The WRU statement said: "Rob Howley has returned to Wales to assist with an investigation in relation to a potential breach of World Rugby Regulation 6, specifically betting on rugby union. "The decision was taken to act immediately in light of recent information passed to the WRU. No further details can be provided at this stage as this would prejudice the investigation. "If required an independent panel will be appointed to hear the case. Rob has co-operated fully with our initial discussions. "Warren Gatland has consulted with senior players and Stephen Jones will be arriving in Japan imminently to link up with the squad as attack coach."Howley has been an integral part of boss Warren Gatland's backroom team since the New Zealander took charge. The ex-Wales and Lions scrum-half was already set to leave his role after the World Cup. Howley had been linked with the Italy head coach job with current incumbent Conor O'Shea expected to depart next year, but that now looks unlikely. The former Wales scrum-half has been part of Gatland's backroom staff since being appointed in January 2008 and was one of the first backroom recruits, and also played under him at Wasps. Since he became part of the coaching set-up, Wales have won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams. Howley was in charge of Wales' 2013 Six Nations success when Gatland was away on a British and Irish Lions head coach sabbatical. He was also part of Gatland's winning Lions coaching team in Australia in 2013 and the drawn series in New Zealand four years later. What a shame, hope it doesn’t disrupt them too much 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 South Africa New Zealand Saturday could really shape the tournament. Whoever wins is going to get such a big boost for the rest of the tournament Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted September 20, 2019 Author Share Posted September 20, 2019 (edited) I’m a little surprised at the England line up. Itoje and Lawes at second row doesn’t happen often. Guessing to combat Tongan power. The back row is so quick, think it will be a great combo. Ford Farrell Manu was expected, but I’d like to see Slade outside Manu at some point. Watson getting the nod, Cokanasiga not even on bench so maybe his injury isn’t fully healed. Edited September 20, 2019 by mikeyp102 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboyangel Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 It's a squad tournament and Jones is using what's available and more than capable of beating tonga. I expect we'll see Slade get a run out in the second half to give him some much needed minutes. England win by 20+ points Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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