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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 22, 2011 3:36:33 GMT -5
I just noticed there isn't one of these already A couple of games into the pool stage and the usual pattern is emerging. South Africa looking good, Wales running one of the southern hemisphere giants close but ultimately falling short England looking crap but still winning games New Zealand trampling teams and still getting complaints about their performance. And of course Scotland. Or something.
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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 22, 2011 4:43:20 GMT -5
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Post by shadowpanther on Sept 22, 2011 4:55:29 GMT -5
Bloody hell, I was watching it over breakfast it was only 38-0 when I left. And that was about 50 minutes in.
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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 22, 2011 5:18:28 GMT -5
Yeah Namibia faded badly in the last 15 minutes. They looked totally knackered by the end.
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Post by scotsgit on Sept 22, 2011 7:25:44 GMT -5
I was pleased to see that Romania did better than expected, it's always a pleasure to see a new nation taking part.
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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 22, 2011 7:52:00 GMT -5
In a way, it would be better if the likes of Georgia and Romania had more regular matches against the top sides in europe. They might actually be more competitive in world cups then. But then that would mean sticking them into the six nations, which would entail biennial trips to the caucasus...not sure we want that as fans
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Post by scotsgit on Sept 22, 2011 10:51:09 GMT -5
In a way, it would be better if the likes of Georgia and Romania had more regular matches against the top sides in europe. They might actually be more competitive in world cups then. But then that would mean sticking them into the six nations, which would entail biennial trips to the caucasus...not sure we want that as fans Actually, I do. I know it'd be a bugger for the fans, but I'd like to see the 6 Nations expanded - if Italy can join, then Portugal and Spain should be allowed in as well, as well as Georgia, Romania and the other nations who have discovered the great game.
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Post by Doctor Fishcake on Sept 22, 2011 12:00:32 GMT -5
I think in the long run a move towards a proper European championship will happen - you also have Germany constantly improving - but it'd be a rocky transition while these nations get used to the step up in competition.
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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 22, 2011 12:48:43 GMT -5
if the younger rugby nations keep improving it'll happen eventually. The Italy - Russia game the other day highlighted the gulf quite nicely though. Granted, Georgia and Romania are a class above the russians, but they are still quite a distance behind even the worst teams in the big league.
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Post by scotsgit on Sept 22, 2011 18:46:04 GMT -5
But that can only improve with more exposure to international teams: I'm another in favour of a larger European tournament.
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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 23, 2011 2:06:36 GMT -5
Aye. I would kind of like the tournament to be expanded but i'd also like to see the new teams added on merit. If only to prevent pointless one-sided results like you get in football's european matches.
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Post by mistermuncher on Sept 23, 2011 5:06:26 GMT -5
Isn't it nice how quiet the Aussies are?
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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 23, 2011 5:11:17 GMT -5
Isn't it nice how quiet the Aussies are? *giggles* That result amused me a bit. The convicts are beating the USA quite heavily, but by the looks a side with a decent front row will maul them. It'd be funny if Ireland and Italy reached the knockout stage at Australia's expense.
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Post by malicious_bloke on Sept 24, 2011 2:52:29 GMT -5
England 67-3 RomaniaNice margin of victory, Romania weren't really all that but it was good to see England stringing a few passes together without a huge number of stupid handling errors and "generally being shite". Much improved
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Post by Doctor Fishcake on Sept 24, 2011 4:02:55 GMT -5
On the evidence of this first half so far, people might just have to come to terms with the possibility the ABs won't actually choke this year.
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