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[Boney]

I heard about the NZ vs Japan score

Man the next world cup they're going to kill it

 

[Goodlife]

Let's not forget 2005, when the All Blacks got all upset that they weren't allowed to do the Haka after the national anthems. It was 100 years since Wales first played the All Blacks, a match at which the Welsh sang their song after the Haka. And so, at a game in Wales, 100 years later they wanted to do the same thing.

And the All Blacks refused citing tradition.

So the Welsh pointed out that they are following how it was done 100 years ago.

And so the All Blacks got their knickers in a twist, refused to do it on the field and did it in the changing room instead.

It was pathetic and showed just how entitled the All Blacks had become.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6187320.stm

In principle I don't have a problem with the Haka, it's a good watch, adds a bit of entertainment.
But fuck, NZ aren't half precious about it.

When there are playing at home, then it's up to them when they do it, its there show.

When they are playing away though, they should respect their hosts. And if their hosts want to sing after the Haka they should be allowed to without NZ going off in a strop.

 

[CCS]

While there's nothing on, thought I'd link to this reddit post who are discovering rugby through the Olympics:

Discovered rugby this Olympics? Want more but don't know where to start? Let me help you!

 

[30yearsofhurt]

Aussies beat Saffers 12 - 5.
Both teams look sharp but I don't understand the raft of replacements the South African coach made. It's a short game, fatigue isn't an issue, why complicate things?

 

[Curufinwe]

In principle I don't have a problem with the Haka, it's a good watch, adds a bit of entertainment.
But fuck, NZ aren't half precious about it.

When there are playing at home, then it's up to them when they do it, its there show.

When they are playing away though, they should respect their hosts. And if their hosts want to sing after the Haka they should be allowed to without NZ going off in a strop.

The hosts always want the All Blacks to do the haka because the crowds always want to see it.

Wales should worry more about trying to beat the All Blacks for the first time in 60 years and less about the pre game stuff.

 

[30yearsofhurt]

Japan rolling Kenya.

 

[30yearsofhurt]

Surely there was a shepherd in the lead up to that try?

 

[30yearsofhurt]

GBR smashing the kiwis.

 

[CCS]

Fantastic half for Britain.

New Zealand could be heading out at this rate, would be a huge shock!

 

[mclem]

Fantastic half for Britain.

New Zealand could be heading out at this rate, would be a huge shock!

Well, Kenya means they're not going to be last, how are third-placers looking in other groups?

 

[CCS]

Well, Kenya means they're not going to be last, how are third-placers looking in other groups?

Australia would be ahead of them, and so would the USA if they avoid being hammered by Fiji.

EDIT: Update, New Zealand will qualify if the US lose by 4 points or more.

 

[mclem]

Well, that was the dictionary definition of "A game of two halves"

 

[mclem]

EDIT: Update, New Zealand will qualify if the US lose by 4 points or more.

At the risk of being cynical, isn't it in Fiji's best interest to keep the margin low, then? I assume Fiji still wants to win, but I assume they don't benefit from any win margin in their favour?

 

[CCS]

At the risk of being cynical, isn't it in Fiji's best interest to keep the margin low, then? I assume Fiji still wants to win, but I assume they don't benefit from any win margin in their favour?

I'm not sure, once the teams that make it through have been determined I'm not sure how the draw for the quarters works.

 

[LyleLanley]

America really fucked it up at the end of the first half.

 

[gutshot]

So is the US out then? I assume two 3rd place teams will go through and Australia is definitely one. Is New Zealand the other?

 

[AnotherDayAnotherDollar]

America really fucked it up at the end of the first half.

If you watched them in the circuit, that's par for the course. Lots of silly mistakes and fouls. Being scored on during a power play happens quite a bit. This exact team has beaten Fiji, NZ, Australia, South Africa, England, etc and also lost to Kenya, Argentina, Canada. Mike Friday has touched on this. The team can beat anyone, but also lose to anyone as well.

So is the US out then? I assume two 3rd place teams will go through and Australia is definitely one. Is New Zealand the other?

US is out, NZ will play Fiji in the quarters. Would have been interesting to see if the final score was 23-19 (though that's an unlikely score). Reason for it is, if that happened, the US and NZ would have tied for wins/losses, points for, points against, and points differential. They probably would have flipped a coin to see who would advance.

 

[CCS]

Wow, hats off for Japan. So pleased for them.

Won't even be mad if they ended up beating us out for a medal.

 

[the_sun_king]

Nippon banzai!

Rugby sevens has been one of the best events these games.

 

[KingSnake]

Japan playing really well at these games. And with confidence until the very last second.

 

[Timbuktu]

Wow, hats off for Japan. So pleased for them.

Won't even be mad if they ended up beating us out for a medal.

Great to get the rugby scene going there. Rugby World Cup in 2019 and then another olympics after that. Their win over South Africa was probably game of the tournament last World Cup and a bit unfair they didn't get out of the group.

 

[CCS]

Great to get the rugby scene going there. Rugby World Cup in 2019 and then another olympics after that.

Definitely, always good to expand the game and Japan seem to be making huge strides.

 

[BanGy.nz]

Gordon Teitjens is about to get wrecked by the New Zealand public, poor guy is going to return home and walk into a buzzsaw.

 

[CCS]

HOW DRAMATIC WAS THAT!!!!

Bloody hell. Thank god for that.

Commiserations to Argentina, they fought fantastically.

 

[mclem]

Rugby Sevens, where even a 0-0 draw is thrilling.

 

[LiquidSolid]

Test Match Cricket, the only one that counts.

Yes, I'm a purist.

You're only ranked one spot above us in Test cricket, that's not "much better." Meanwhile, we're also number 2 in the world at ODI cricket (behind Aus) and number one at T20Is. So like I said, not really.

Great to get the rugby scene going there. Rugby World Cup in 2019 and then another olympics after that. Their win over South Africa was probably game of the tournament last World Cup and a bit unfair they didn't get out of the group.

The good thing is they've picked up a fantastic coach to replace Eddie Jones in Jamie Joseph, who in four years managed to take the Highlanders from a bottom of the table joke to winning a Super Rugby championship. They still need to sort out their Super Rugby team, which has been plagued with mismanagement by the JRU (they appointed a coach only months before the comp started, struggled to fill their squad, never bothered to get the corporations who run their domestic scene on their side, etc) but Japan are very promising.

Gordon Teitjens is about to get wrecked by the New Zealand public, poor guy is going to return home and walk into a buzzsaw.

Oh god. It's amazing how quickly people are willing to forget about the 22 years of incredible success Titch has brought the NZ sevens team and jump on his one failure. The man is a legend, one of our best coaches of all time and should be treated as such.

Personally, I think he bears some responsibility but most of it should be on the NZRU, who I don't think gave him enough resources. Even with the Olympics coming up, they never really treated Sevens anywhere near as seriously as we treated those first few Commonwealth Games appearances. It just didn't seem to be a priority.

 

[Juicy Bob]

Gold medal match time...

 

[weekev]

I feel like Im in a win win with the gold medal match. I am British but I'm also really pulling for Fiji, thier first ever olympic medal. Fantastic stuff, hope its close.

 

[Dr.Acula]

Fuck yeah, Fiji.

Cheering for them to make their nation's first ever medal a gold!

 

[CCS]

I feel like Im in a win win with the gold medal match. I am British but I'm also really pulling for Fiji, thier first ever olympic medal. Fantastic stuff, hope its close.

I'm exactly the same, honestly not sure who I want to win.

 

[Juicy Bob]

Fiji's ball recycling is hnngggg

 

[weekev]

Man this Fiji team are crazy good.

 

[Timbuktu]

A class above it seems.

 

[LTWheels]

It's like watching men v boys

So much more physical

 

[Juicy Bob]

LOL

 

[weekev]

Fiji players are all like big hulking muscles that can run. Britain look amateur in comparison. Need to keep the ball to get back into it but they dont look capable of breaking through thline. Fiji are ripping it.

 

[Dr.Acula]

 

[weekev]

well done Fiji, amazing story and well deserved first ever medal for your country. Why not make it gold eh?

 

[Juicy Bob]

This is a masterclass in off-loading. Beautiful stuff.

 

[Rainy]

My parents grew up in Fiji, they're so happy right now.

 

[CCS]

I really am delighted for Fiji. Fantastic for them.

 

[Timbuktu]

Does Fiji just not like other formats of the game as much?

 

[Clegg]

I see Nakarawa is having his way with GB. Unlucky they caught him in a good day.

Not joking though when I say he can fall to pieces at any given second. The only player I know that can go from world class to utter, utter calamity all in the space of 5 minutes.

 

[CCS]

Does Fiji just not like other formats of the game as much?

They don't suit them as well, they tend to struggle at the set piece and the ruck. Also most other countries focus on the 15 a side game more whereas Fiji is the reverse.

 

[Gozer the Gozerian]

Awww I spent several months living in Fiji a few years ago, so happy for the team right now

 

[Juicy Bob]

I can't get over how brilliant Fiji's execution is. It's just pure sex.

 

[Timbuktu]

They don't suit them as well, they tend to struggle at the set piece and the ruck. Also most other countries focus on the 15 a side game more whereas Fiji is the reverse.

I just wonder if the All Blacks suck up all the talented Fiji players in those formats. It always feels like the discipline, organisation and set piece skills needed can be coached and less about the raw talent.

 

[CCS]

I just wonder if the All Blacks suck up all the talented Fiji players in those formats. It always feels like the discipline and set piece skills needed can be coached and less about the raw talent.

That accusation certainly used to levelled at them a lot, but it's less true these days. The Pacific island nations do have a big problem with foreign based players switching allegiance, e.g. Manu Tuilagi and the Vunipolas.

 

[Master Thespian]

Fiji's game today was an absolute joy to watch. Congrats to them and their country!

 

[gutter_trash]

Fiji anthem gonna play for the 1st time at the Olympics in a minute