Home Advantage? Japan Beat Ireland
A bit of a shock at the Rugby World Cup with Japan beating Ireland 19-12. Ireland got off to a great start leading 12-3 at one point but could not add to that score and Japan roared on by 50,000 home fans duly got the win. Japan probably should have extended their lead in the final minutes with what looked like an interception try. However Ireland's defence managed to somehow get back and make the tackle, which gave them a lingering hope of snatching a draw with a converted try. There was it seemed a bit of a mix up by Ireland at the end of the game, they kicked out with the clock in the red zone, ending the game and handing victory to Japan. However they were deep in defence and by ending the game within 7 points of Japan they secured the losing bonus point, something that might be incredible vital when all the games have been played. The pundits were talking up a possibility of Scotland, Ireland and Japan all ending up with 3 wins and a loss and therefore bonus points may be the deciding factor. However I can't really see Scotland beating Japan if I am honest but it will be a crunch game that is for sure. This blows group A wide open, though my money would still be on Ireland to qualify. The big match now though in this group has to be Scotland v Japan. After losing their opening game to Ireland, Scotland will now sense a real chance to get back in the mix. Having said that, beating Japan will be no easy task, they are on a roll and have the crowd behind them. I use flashscores.com which is normally very good and reliable, however there were some strange penalty notifications in this game, not sure what went wrong. In England's group, Argentina beat Tonga 28-12 and I now really expect England to have a tough time when the play them, Argentina lost narrowly to France and with England's constant handling errors I can see this one being close as well. Argentina have to win this match to have a hope of qualifying and although it wouldn't be the end of the road for England if they lost, their last match would be against France. This is not the must win match you would looking to play to qualify for the next phase. An England win however and qualification is certain. On the betting front England have moved in ever so slightly from 6 to 5.9 to lay probably due to the shock Ireland win, however as I a writing South Africa are racking up the points and have come in to 5.5 to lay. New Zealand are still the out and out favourites to win the Rugby World Cup.
Home Advantage? Japan Beat Ireland
A bit of a shock at the Rugby World Cup with Japan beating Ireland 19-12. Ireland got off to a great start leading 12-3 at one point but could not add to that score and Japan roared on by 50,000 home fans duly got the win. Japan probably should have extended their lead in the final minutes with what looked like an interception try. However Ireland's defence managed to somehow get back and make the tackle, which gave them a lingering hope of snatching a draw with a converted try. There was it seemed a bit of a mix up by Ireland at the end of the game, they kicked out with the clock in the red zone, ending the game and handing victory to Japan. However they were deep in defence and by ending the game within 7 points of Japan they secured the losing bonus point, something that might be incredible vital when all the games have been played. The pundits were talking up a possibility of Scotland, Ireland and Japan all ending up with 3 wins and a loss and therefore bonus points may be the deciding factor. However I can't really see Scotland beating Japan if I am honest but it will be a crunch game that is for sure. This blows group A wide open, though my money would still be on Ireland to qualify. The big match now though in this group has to be Scotland v Japan. After losing their opening game to Ireland, Scotland will now sense a real chance to get back in the mix. Having said that, beating Japan will be no easy task, they are on a roll and have the crowd behind them. I use flashscores.com which is normally very good and reliable, however there were some strange penalty notifications in this game, not sure what went wrong. In England's group, Argentina beat Tonga 28-12 and I now really expect England to have a tough time when the play them, Argentina lost narrowly to France and with England's constant handling errors I can see this one being close as well. Argentina have to win this match to have a hope of qualifying and although it wouldn't be the end of the road for England if they lost, their last match would be against France. This is not the must win match you would looking to play to qualify for the next phase. An England win however and qualification is certain. On the betting front England have moved in ever so slightly from 6 to 5.9 to lay probably due to the shock Ireland win, however as I a writing South Africa are racking up the points and have come in to 5.5 to lay. New Zealand are still the out and out favourites to win the Rugby World Cup.
Home Advantage? Japan Beat Ireland
A bit of a shock at the Rugby World Cup with Japan beating Ireland 19-12. Ireland got off to a great start leading 12-3 at one point but could not add to that score and Japan roared on by 50,000 home fans duly got the win. Japan probably should have extended their lead in the final minutes with what looked like an interception try. However Ireland's defence managed to somehow get back and make the tackle, which gave them a lingering hope of snatching a draw with a converted try. There was it seemed a bit of a mix up by Ireland at the end of the game, they kicked out with the clock in the red zone, ending the game and handing victory to Japan. However they were deep in defence and by ending the game within 7 points of Japan they secured the losing bonus point, something that might be incredible vital when all the games have been played. The pundits were talking up a possibility of Scotland, Ireland and Japan all ending up with 3 wins and a loss and therefore bonus points may be the deciding factor. However I can't really see Scotland beating Japan if I am honest but it will be a crunch game that is for sure. This blows group A wide open, though my money would still be on Ireland to qualify. The big match now though in this group has to be Scotland v Japan. After losing their opening game to Ireland, Scotland will now sense a real chance to get back in the mix. Having said that, beating Japan will be no easy task, they are on a roll and have the crowd behind them. I use flashscores.com which is normally very good and reliable, however there were some strange penalty notifications in this game, not sure what went wrong. In England's group, Argentina beat Tonga 28-12 and I now really expect England to have a tough time when the play them, Argentina lost narrowly to France and with England's constant handling errors I can see this one being close as well. Argentina have to win this match to have a hope of qualifying and although it wouldn't be the end of the road for England if they lost, their last match would be against France. This is not the must win match you would looking to play to qualify for the next phase. An England win however and qualification is certain. On the betting front England have moved in ever so slightly from 6 to 5.9 to lay probably due to the shock Ireland win, however as I a writing South Africa are racking up the points and have come in to 5.5 to lay. New Zealand are still the out and out favourites to win the Rugby World Cup.
Wallabies' win over Pumas provides a season of learnings - coach Michael Cheika
Tom Decent 07:19, Oct 09 2018 The Wallabies have three weeks to prepare for the All Blacks by working out what on Earth happened in the remarkable test win against Argentina that coach Michael Cheika said would provide a season's worth of learnings. The Australians arrived home on Monday after a two-week tour of South Africa and Argentina that yielded an 11-point loss in Port Elizabeth and an 11-point win in Salta. All things considered, the tour received a pass mark - just. As for the Rugby Championship overall, things fell well short of the team's expectations. Forget over-analysing the technical reasons why Australia gave up 31 points in a frantic opening 40 minutes, for the opening half was purely a matter of ticker. THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP Pos Team P W D L -/+ BP Pts 1 New Zealand 6 5 0 1 93 5 25 2 South Africa 6 3 0 3 6 3 15 3 Australia 6 2 0 4 -52 1 9 4 Argentina 6 2 0 4 -47 0 8 One thing Cheika cannot stand is when his players, after psyching themselves up all week, cannot deliver the desire and commitment he has asked for. That Cheika had to pull out a spray for the ages was an insight into how dire things had got. Will the Cheika blow-up on the evening of October 6, 2018, be a defining moment for the Wallabies in their quest for World Cup glory? Time will tell. "I think there's a season's worth of learning in that game for our lads and now it's up to them to take it," Cheika said. "No one can force that into their minds, into their conscience or their sub-conscience. They've got to take the necessary pieces that are going to help them to be standout players going forward." Cheika described some of the rugby on show as "unreal" and "outrageous". Seldom does he offer up such glowing praise. "The second half there was some sublime rugby," Cheika said. "I won't lie, it was unreal, but we don't forget about the first 40 in any way, shape or form. "At a point in the game and the season really where we were right there and then, to deliver that, you need to have courage. We didn't show that in the first half - that courage - but we showed it in the second." The backs, who have copped no shortage of flak for not being able to pile on points, showed enough potency to suggest they can slice the All Blacks' defence if they get it right. By the same token, there were poor passes that went into touch and other examples where the backs looked like rookies. Foley, in his first start at No.10 in three matches, shook off a sloppy missed tackle that led to the Pumas' first try to eventually find his groove. "I thought Bernard needed to do better in his defence in the first half, without a doubt but he wasn't alone," Cheika said. "He hasn't played a full game for a while, so I thought he got back in the saddle quite well and then very much, (in the) second half, he really ran the show there - himself and Kurtley. "They worked the inside well and I like the outside players, the running back players, they held their width nicely so it allowed the playmakers to play on the inside and gave them opportunities to run. "Izzy [Folau] was having some great runs out in the wider channels. Marika [Koroibete] and Reece [Hodge] and Dane [Haylett-Petty] as well." The Wallabies have three weeks before their next assignment – the All Blacks in Yokohama. It is hard to get a read on the performance in Salta but being able to rally and complete the biggest ever test comeback among tier one nations is an achievement worth bottling. As for the All Blacks, they will be sky high on confidence, having scraped to a 32-30 win over South Africa in Pretoria after trailing 23-6 at one point. If the Wallabies aim up like they did in the dead rubber last year in Brisbane when they claimed an unlikely win, it will be a treat to watch. Meanwhile, Cheika said Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani could be selected on the trip as they recover from injuries. He also hinted Tatafu Polota-Nau and Matt Toomua, who are both ineligible to play the New Zealand game because of club commitments in the UK, might be rested from the spring tour which will see Australia play Wales, Italy and England. Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies' win over Pumas provides a season of learnings - coach Michael Cheika
Tom Decent 07:19, Oct 09 2018 The Wallabies have three weeks to prepare for the All Blacks by working out what on Earth happened in the remarkable test win against Argentina that coach Michael Cheika said would provide a season's worth of learnings. The Australians arrived home on Monday after a two-week tour of South Africa and Argentina that yielded an 11-point loss in Port Elizabeth and an 11-point win in Salta. All things considered, the tour received a pass mark - just. As for the Rugby Championship overall, things fell well short of the team's expectations. Forget over-analysing the technical reasons why Australia gave up 31 points in a frantic opening 40 minutes, for the opening half was purely a matter of ticker. THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP Pos Team P W D L -/+ BP Pts 1 New Zealand 6 5 0 1 93 5 25 2 South Africa 6 3 0 3 6 3 15 3 Australia 6 2 0 4 -52 1 9 4 Argentina 6 2 0 4 -47 0 8 One thing Cheika cannot stand is when his players, after psyching themselves up all week, cannot deliver the desire and commitment he has asked for. That Cheika had to pull out a spray for the ages was an insight into how dire things had got. Will the Cheika blow-up on the evening of October 6, 2018, be a defining moment for the Wallabies in their quest for World Cup glory? Time will tell. "I think there's a season's worth of learning in that game for our lads and now it's up to them to take it," Cheika said. "No one can force that into their minds, into their conscience or their sub-conscience. They've got to take the necessary pieces that are going to help them to be standout players going forward." Cheika described some of the rugby on show as "unreal" and "outrageous". Seldom does he offer up such glowing praise. "The second half there was some sublime rugby," Cheika said. "I won't lie, it was unreal, but we don't forget about the first 40 in any way, shape or form. "At a point in the game and the season really where we were right there and then, to deliver that, you need to have courage. We didn't show that in the first half - that courage - but we showed it in the second." The backs, who have copped no shortage of flak for not being able to pile on points, showed enough potency to suggest they can slice the All Blacks' defence if they get it right. By the same token, there were poor passes that went into touch and other examples where the backs looked like rookies. Foley, in his first start at No.10 in three matches, shook off a sloppy missed tackle that led to the Pumas' first try to eventually find his groove. "I thought Bernard needed to do better in his defence in the first half, without a doubt but he wasn't alone," Cheika said. "He hasn't played a full game for a while, so I thought he got back in the saddle quite well and then very much, (in the) second half, he really ran the show there - himself and Kurtley. "They worked the inside well and I like the outside players, the running back players, they held their width nicely so it allowed the playmakers to play on the inside and gave them opportunities to run. "Izzy [Folau] was having some great runs out in the wider channels. Marika [Koroibete] and Reece [Hodge] and Dane [Haylett-Petty] as well." The Wallabies have three weeks before their next assignment – the All Blacks in Yokohama. It is hard to get a read on the performance in Salta but being able to rally and complete the biggest ever test comeback among tier one nations is an achievement worth bottling. As for the All Blacks, they will be sky high on confidence, having scraped to a 32-30 win over South Africa in Pretoria after trailing 23-6 at one point. If the Wallabies aim up like they did in the dead rubber last year in Brisbane when they claimed an unlikely win, it will be a treat to watch. Meanwhile, Cheika said Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani could be selected on the trip as they recover from injuries. He also hinted Tatafu Polota-Nau and Matt Toomua, who are both ineligible to play the New Zealand game because of club commitments in the UK, might be rested from the spring tour which will see Australia play Wales, Italy and England. Sydney Morning Herald
Wallabies' win over Pumas provides a season of learnings - coach Michael Cheika
Tom Decent 07:19, Oct 09 2018 The Wallabies have three weeks to prepare for the All Blacks by working out what on Earth happened in the remarkable test win against Argentina that coach Michael Cheika said would provide a season's worth of learnings. The Australians arrived home on Monday after a two-week tour of South Africa and Argentina that yielded an 11-point loss in Port Elizabeth and an 11-point win in Salta. All things considered, the tour received a pass mark - just. As for the Rugby Championship overall, things fell well short of the team's expectations. Forget over-analysing the technical reasons why Australia gave up 31 points in a frantic opening 40 minutes, for the opening half was purely a matter of ticker. THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP Pos Team P W D L -/+ BP Pts 1 New Zealand 6 5 0 1 93 5 25 2 South Africa 6 3 0 3 6 3 15 3 Australia 6 2 0 4 -52 1 9 4 Argentina 6 2 0 4 -47 0 8 One thing Cheika cannot stand is when his players, after psyching themselves up all week, cannot deliver the desire and commitment he has asked for. That Cheika had to pull out a spray for the ages was an insight into how dire things had got. Will the Cheika blow-up on the evening of October 6, 2018, be a defining moment for the Wallabies in their quest for World Cup glory? Time will tell. "I think there's a season's worth of learning in that game for our lads and now it's up to them to take it," Cheika said. "No one can force that into their minds, into their conscience or their sub-conscience. They've got to take the necessary pieces that are going to help them to be standout players going forward." Cheika described some of the rugby on show as "unreal" and "outrageous". Seldom does he offer up such glowing praise. "The second half there was some sublime rugby," Cheika said. "I won't lie, it was unreal, but we don't forget about the first 40 in any way, shape or form. "At a point in the game and the season really where we were right there and then, to deliver that, you need to have courage. We didn't show that in the first half - that courage - but we showed it in the second." The backs, who have copped no shortage of flak for not being able to pile on points, showed enough potency to suggest they can slice the All Blacks' defence if they get it right. By the same token, there were poor passes that went into touch and other examples where the backs looked like rookies. Foley, in his first start at No.10 in three matches, shook off a sloppy missed tackle that led to the Pumas' first try to eventually find his groove. "I thought Bernard needed to do better in his defence in the first half, without a doubt but he wasn't alone," Cheika said. "He hasn't played a full game for a while, so I thought he got back in the saddle quite well and then very much, (in the) second half, he really ran the show there - himself and Kurtley. "They worked the inside well and I like the outside players, the running back players, they held their width nicely so it allowed the playmakers to play on the inside and gave them opportunities to run. "Izzy [Folau] was having some great runs out in the wider channels. Marika [Koroibete] and Reece [Hodge] and Dane [Haylett-Petty] as well." The Wallabies have three weeks before their next assignment – the All Blacks in Yokohama. It is hard to get a read on the performance in Salta but being able to rally and complete the biggest ever test comeback among tier one nations is an achievement worth bottling. As for the All Blacks, they will be sky high on confidence, having scraped to a 32-30 win over South Africa in Pretoria after trailing 23-6 at one point. If the Wallabies aim up like they did in the dead rubber last year in Brisbane when they claimed an unlikely win, it will be a treat to watch. Meanwhile, Cheika said Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani could be selected on the trip as they recover from injuries. He also hinted Tatafu Polota-Nau and Matt Toomua, who are both ineligible to play the New Zealand game because of club commitments in the UK, might be rested from the spring tour which will see Australia play Wales, Italy and England. Sydney Morning Herald