2019 Rugby World Cup

[Sestriere]

The Rugby World Cup will start tomorrow in Japan with the host team taking on Russia. This is the place to discuss the games and everything that surrounds it. I'm no rugby expert by any means (in my country most people think Rugby is just the British word for American Football) so I'm looking forward to enjoy your vast knowledge
Still, I feel like this tournament is particularly open with no clear favourite. Many teams have shown signs of greatness over the last year but also had lacklusture performances, maybe a surprise winner could come out of this?

Here you can find all the matches, the opening game starts Friday September 20 at 19:45 local time (UTC+9):
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/matches

Regarding the poll, I left out Argentina against Fiji because of world ranking position. It closes on the 25th, so every top team will have played once.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Hmm: Argentina are 50/1, Fiji 500/1, but I doubt anyone will pick either, so it won't matter.

Voted with head rather than heart, but NZ-Eng and Wales-SA semifinals, and NZ to win all southern hemisphere final.

 

[del1962]

Vote NZ, cant' see past them

 

[King Boonen]

Hard to see past NZ, but they have been run close or beaten by SA, Aus, Eng, And Ire over the past couple of years. In fact, it's all been pretty close at the top, Wales have been in the mix and even Scotland have put up a few good results over the last couple of years. Should be a decent competition, even if it is kick and clap...

 

[Sestriere]

Just watched the opening game. Japan were super nervous in the beginning but then managed to dominate the game with their superiour front row. They will have to step up their game against Scotland and Ireland though, if they want to have a chance to reach the quarter finals.

 

[movingtarget]

Australia looked sloppy against Fiji but got the job done.

 

[Sestriere]

Felt like NZ v SA could've turned the other way.. Didn't really like some of the referee's desicions, though I'm not an expert on that. Great game nonetheless, happy to see the Boks are in good shape.

 

[Brullnux]

South Africa just weren't very clinical at all, dominated possession and territory but could rarely make the most of it (the one time they did they were pretty lucky from garces). Thought Le Roux looked terrible. New Zealand has ten very good minutes, scored 17 points and stayed stromg for the rest. Might not be the last time they play each other, but England have been playing well and Wales could be a threat too.

 

[Sestriere]

So... Ireland lost against Japan, and very deserved. Pool A is shaping up to be quite exciting.

 

[movingtarget]

I would be surprised if Australia beat Wales.

 

[movingtarget]

Australia not too happy with the referee in their loss to Wales.

 

[Sestriere]

Australia not too happy with the referee in their loss to Wales.

They have a point though. Wales could not have complained about a yellow card after multiple offsides in the last minutes.

 

[Sestriere]

South Africa won it in the end. Really happy for them. Maybe it can give the country some hope after a difficult couple of years economically and politically.

Kolisi with the Cup.