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Why does America suck at rugby? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Zigg
- Start date
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Is anyone watching the World Cup? Anyone else getting up early to watch England thrash the US on Thursday morning?
Thought so far:
- New Zealand v South Africa; probably the most anticipated game of the group stage, and it delivered. Fantastic game, although I would say the final score flattered the Springboks a bit. For me, the All-Blacks were in control the whole time. They are going all out to deliver the 3 peat to Hansen in his final game. One of my Kiwi friends described it as a "high risk" strategy they are playing. I'm not sure exactly what he means by that, but there's no doubt that New Zealand will view anything less than a championship as a major failure and a national disaster.
- Ireland abusing Scotland was sad in a way. Not that I expected a different result, but Scotland were pathetic. The door is probably open for Japan to finish second in Pool A and advance to the knockouts. Russia is probably even worse than the US at rugby.
- Argentina - France was close and exciting, but I'm not terribly impressed by either team. Even though France won, my gut says Argentina will dominate us while I think the US might have a chance to surprise against France. Does this make sense? Hell no! but that's my gut feeling.
- Australia dominated Fiji late, but I think the Fiji team will surprise someone. They are some tough sob's. Unfortunately, they will have to surprise Wales in a big way to advance, and that's not going to happen.
- England will destroy the US, but I hope we at least give them something to think about. Meaning, I hope we punch them hard in the mouth. Something about this England team bothers me, and I would love to see the US take it to them physically and make them at least know they had a game when they wake up Friday morning.
- The US obviously will have a good chance to beat Tonga. That's probably it for us in Pool C and in this tournament.
Thought so far:
- New Zealand v South Africa; probably the most anticipated game of the group stage, and it delivered. Fantastic game, although I would say the final score flattered the Springboks a bit. For me, the All-Blacks were in control the whole time. They are going all out to deliver the 3 peat to Hansen in his final game. One of my Kiwi friends described it as a "high risk" strategy they are playing. I'm not sure exactly what he means by that, but there's no doubt that New Zealand will view anything less than a championship as a major failure and a national disaster.
- Ireland abusing Scotland was sad in a way. Not that I expected a different result, but Scotland were pathetic. The door is probably open for Japan to finish second in Pool A and advance to the knockouts. Russia is probably even worse than the US at rugby.
- Argentina - France was close and exciting, but I'm not terribly impressed by either team. Even though France won, my gut says Argentina will dominate us while I think the US might have a chance to surprise against France. Does this make sense? Hell no! but that's my gut feeling.
- Australia dominated Fiji late, but I think the Fiji team will surprise someone. They are some tough sob's. Unfortunately, they will have to surprise Wales in a big way to advance, and that's not going to happen.
- England will destroy the US, but I hope we at least give them something to think about. Meaning, I hope we punch them hard in the mouth. Something about this England team bothers me, and I would love to see the US take it to them physically and make them at least know they had a game when they wake up Friday morning.
- The US obviously will have a good chance to beat Tonga. That's probably it for us in Pool C and in this tournament.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
Duh. Just like most England teams in world cup type tournaments. Gotta love to hate them.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Poms are up 19-0 at half. As usual, we have the athletes but are miles behind them in tactics and technique. England completely controlling possession and field position. Two of the tries were England just moving the ruck over the line.
Also, I was wrong about Fiji ...
Also, I was wrong about Fiji ...
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Off to work I guess. This was even worse than I expected. 38-0 with 25 minutes to play. I’ve not seen the US maintain possession for longer than 20 seconds or so yet. Stupid penalties. Now taking cheap shots and getting into dumb fights. Terrible red card for John Quill on a direct shoulder to the head. He’ll miss a few games, possibly gone for the tournament. Absolutely dominated in the scrums and rucks. No positives here at all for the US and a terrible games to watch, complete waste of time.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Silver Lining! I've just read the US were 38.5 point underdogs today. By scoring in stoppage time (81st minute), they covered the spread. Final 45-7.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
The Limey front row abused our guys. There was nothing I liked about this game at all.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
NBC Sports. Some are available for nothing, and you can pay for a package or for individual games. Extended highlights of every game are on YouTube.
⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
Seems to be a forgiving tournament regarding entry. 20 teams, but really only maybe 6 with a real chance to win it all. Guess it's a bit like our NCAA tournament.
Saw the All Blacks play live last week. Great team, great fans, great sportsmanship. The NFL, and particularly its players, could learn a thing or two from rugby.
Saw the All Blacks play live last week. Great team, great fans, great sportsmanship. The NFL, and particularly its players, could learn a thing or two from rugby.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
USA Rugby is scrambling to find something positive to take home from this awful showing, but honestly there is no silver lining in this. Going into this tournament, the one realistic hope they had was to beat Tonga, the other doormat team in their group. Tonga actually surprised a bit, losing only 23-21 to France. The final straw early this morning, outplayed and outclassed by a nation of 107,000 people, was just an awful showing all around. At least the guys fought hard from beginning to end in all their games and accepted defeat with their heads held high.
Despite the weather issues and controversies, this has been a great world cup and all 4 quarterfinals are must-see games. Next weekend is going to be great.
Despite the weather issues and controversies, this has been a great world cup and all 4 quarterfinals are must-see games. Next weekend is going to be great.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Is there a qualification process for this? Doesn't seem like there are that many countries playing if the US is a regular qualifier.
Any surprises so far? Teams get eliminated or advance that weren't expected to?
I could be off, but it feels like there are only a handful of top teams out there, and then it's a massive drop off to the rest?
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
The US and Canada qualified from our region, North America, which is obviously terrible. Canada was awarded a draw with Namibia when the game was canceled due to a typhoon hitting Japan this week, but had a -163 point differential in its other three games. You read that correctly.
Japan qualifying over Scotland is a surprise, but they are the host and they earned it. There is some controversy due to some cancellations and re-scheduling because of the typhoon, but Japan deserves to be in the knockout stage. That said, it would be an historic upset if they beat South Africa in the qtr final game next weekend.
it’s true there are really 5-6 teams with a prayer of winning the World Cup, similar to soccer. New Zealand is a strong favorite, followed by England, South Africa, Ireland, Wales. Australia and France are historically in the convo, but are both in a down cycle this year.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
That might be true, but at least in FIFA WC finals the lesser teams keep it closer. Plus, the top few teams often have down years where they get beat by traditionally weaker nations. Argentina has failed to make the knockout stages for example. USA can draw with Italy despite being down a man, etc.
⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
SHIZNITTTT
Footballguy
I am sure that this is shtick, but I would say that if enough money was raised for NFL players to play rugby the USA would dominate within a few months.
NREC34
Footballguy
There was a guy at my alma mater who played basketball there and wound up being a really good rugby player. I doubt many from USA start out playing it young. Probably why we aren’t as good.
Luke Gross
Luke Gross
⚡DEADHEAD⚡
Footballguy
El Floppo
Footballguy
Good stuff.
People have said this about soccer too...it's as much or more about culture and knowledge in the sport than it is athleticism.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
The quarterfinals are usually the best weekend of the world cup, but were rather disappointing this time. I enjoyed all 4 games, but 3 were blow-outs and the one close game was somewhat ruined by a (fully deserved) red card early in the second half. France was up 19-10 when this happened, ended up losing 20-19. Ireland were probably the biggest disappointment. I was hoping and expecting the Irish would at least put up a good fight. They didn't. Japan played a great first half then were completely curb-stomped in the second.
The semis should both be great. We have the 4 best teams in the world, pretty much with no argument imo, and its nice to have north v south in both games.
England v NZ early Saturday morning.
Wales v South Africa early Sunday.
I'm expecting two great games, and a NZ v South Africa rematch in the final.
The semis should both be great. We have the 4 best teams in the world, pretty much with no argument imo, and its nice to have north v south in both games.
England v NZ early Saturday morning.
Wales v South Africa early Sunday.
I'm expecting two great games, and a NZ v South Africa rematch in the final.
El Floppo
Footballguy
You see the pic of the ref posing with Wales fans afterwards, all posing with elbow thrown? Just a little iffy judgement there...
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
I think so. Ireland was ranked #1 in the world, but that’s kind of like the FIFA world rankings, highly suspect. The only team that might have a shout is France, but they ####ed themselves and no one would say they deserve to be in the final four.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
So COVID stole a year, then we had a glimmer of hope with a great showing in the second half against England on July 4, then the Ireland game on Saturday ...
71-10 and its back to the drawing board. I think USA Rugby should just forget about the 2023 world cup at this point and focus on being competitive in 2027.
71-10 and its back to the drawing board. I think USA Rugby should just forget about the 2023 world cup at this point and focus on being competitive in 2027.
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
Retired from international rugby earlier this month and from the Harlequins as of Friday. It was a good run for Marler. Two premier league trophies for Harlequins, three Six Nations Cups and played in three World Cups for England including the 2019 final.
Joe Marler: Ex-England prop announces rugby retirement
England and Harlequins prop Joe Marler has announced he will retire from professional rugby on Friday.
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