I see NZ beat Italy in a squeaker - 96-17. So close…

Boru

Bunch of duds for games this week and next as the pools are sorted out. No surprises at this stage.

Scotland will attempt to disrupt Ireland's plans at 15:00 ET USA on Saturday. The Irish sit second in pool B despite having not lost a match (South Africa have played all 4 of their pool games already). The Irish need to avoid a heavy defeat to advance to the knockouts.

Game of the week will be Argentina vs. Japan (07:00 ETUSA Sunday). Winner punches their ticket to the knockouts.

Pool A: France, New Zealand
Pool B: Ireland, South Africa
Pool C: Wales, Fiji
Pool D: England, Argentina/Japan

Looking ahead to the Quarterfinals, barring an upset:

France vs South Africa
Ireland vs New Zealand
Wales vs Argentina (sorry Japan)
England vs Fiji

(October 2, 2023 at 3:00 pm)Nanny Wrote: Looking ahead to the Quarterfinals, barring an upset:

France vs South Africa
Ireland vs New Zealand
Wales vs Argentina (sorry Japan)
England vs Fiji

My predictions:

France over South Africa, because I hate South Africa.

Can’t pick Ireland v New Zealand. Either way, I’m going to be unhappy.

Wales beats Argentina.

Fiji beats England.

Boru

Good picks. Go Fiji!

I’d like to see France and the All Blacks in the final.

Boru

France lost their scrum half to a facial fracture earlier in the tourney. Antoine Dupont was making a case for player of the year before the injury. Major blow to Les Bleus

ETA: France 24 saying Dupont will be back for the knockouts: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20...er-surgery

(October 3, 2023 at 9:00 am)Nanny Wrote: France lost their scrum half to a facial fracture earlier in the tourney. Antoine Dupont was making a case for player of the year before the injury. Major blow to  Les Bleus

ETA: France 24 saying Dupont will be back for the knockouts: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20...er-surgery

I’ll try to care that a Frenchman broke his face, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to.

Boru

What a weekend! England survive Samoa, Ireland best the Scots, Portugal get their first ever world cup win over Fiji, but Fiji advance to quarterfinals on bonus points. Argentina best Japan.

Samoa brought their best game to face the English. England jumped out to an early lead but seemed to lose focus. Samoa played some class rugby but came up short as England prevailed 18-17. Samoa had two tries disallowed. England had already secured advancement to the knockouts.

The Irish dominated the Scots, witch Scottish points only coming after Ireland used all its substitutes.

The best of the week was the Portugal-Fiji tip. The Portuguese played fast paced team rugby, pushing through phases and finding space in the Fijian backfield. Fiji looked like a team looking past its opponent. Tied 3-3 at the half, Fiji came out of the dressing room looking more dominant. Some thumping tackling kept them on the ball but errors inside the Portuguese 22 kept the score tight. Back and forth the sides went, exchanging the lead amid sloppy play. Portugal ripped through for the game winner in the 78th minute. 24-23.

Quarterfinals:
Wales v Argentina 11:00 ET USA Saturday 14 OCT
Ireland v New Zealand 15:00 ET USA Saturday 14 OCT - Should be a great game
England v Fiji 11:00 ET USA Sunday 15OCT Fiji defeated England in pre-tourney warm ups
France V South Africa 1500 ET USA Sunday 15 OCT - Can DuPont get his broken face ready in time?

My weekend is set.

Argentina 29 - 17 Wales

Argentina dominate second half against old, slow, tired, and injured Wales. Los Pumas were clearly the better side, dominating possession and meters gained, eventually wearing down the Welsh goal line defense. 140kg substitutes from Argentina squished his way in from a meter out. terrific Argintine interception/poor Welsh pass led to a 55 meter sprint try to seal the deal for the Southern Hemisphere stalwarts. On to the semis for Los Pumas, and the fall continues for the aging Welsh.