NPR

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 3:21 pm The playing surfaces at all grounds are pristine. Amazing job by ground staff.

C69 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 4:14 pm

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 3:21 pm The playing surfaces at all grounds are pristine. Amazing job by ground staff.

Well apart from the Wales game where the pitch was rolling up like a carpet and it was dangerous.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:01 pm Also, no citing for Kriel

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:01 pm Also, no citing for Kriel

SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:10 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:01 pm Also, no citing for Kriel

What actually happened?
I was listening on the train home from Paris and haven’t seen a clip

ASMO wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:19 pm So, the RWC report card for week 1

Venue Organisation B- With the exception of the England game, not heard of any other significant problems.

Anthems - Z - Absolutely terrible idea to get pre-recorded school choirs to sing them, ruins the atmosphere completely

Officials B- A mixed bag, some Howlers (Carley i mean you) and some decent performances as well.

Quality of games - B - Only 1 game that really lived up to the expectations, Wales v Fiji, the rest rated from decidedly average, to a complete borefest (Yes England i mean you)

Feel free to add your own

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:25 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 7:10 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:01 pm Also, no citing for Kriel

What actually happened?
I was listening on the train home from Paris and haven’t seen a clip

freddie wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:53 pm

ASMO wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:19 pm So, the RWC report card for week 1

Venue Organisation B- With the exception of the England game, not heard of any other significant problems.

Anthems - Z - Absolutely terrible idea to get pre-recorded school choirs to sing them, ruins the atmosphere completely

Officials B- A mixed bag, some Howlers (Carley i mean you) and some decent performances as well.

Quality of games - B - Only 1 game that really lived up to the expectations, Wales v Fiji, the rest rated from decidedly average, to a complete borefest (Yes England i mean you)

Feel free to add your own

Marseilles ran out of water(!) and beer and didn't have anywhere near enough trams, busses etc. So think a C for now on the venues.

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 9:58 pm

freddie wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 8:53 pm

ASMO wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:19 pm So, the RWC report card for week 1

Venue Organisation B- With the exception of the England game, not heard of any other significant problems.

Anthems - Z - Absolutely terrible idea to get pre-recorded school choirs to sing them, ruins the atmosphere completely

Officials B- A mixed bag, some Howlers (Carley i mean you) and some decent performances as well.

Quality of games - B - Only 1 game that really lived up to the expectations, Wales v Fiji, the rest rated from decidedly average, to a complete borefest (Yes England i mean you)

Feel free to add your own

Marseilles ran out of water(!) and beer and didn't have anywhere near enough trams, busses etc. So think a C for now on the venues.

Bordeaux exactly the same for the Ireland match.

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:00 pm The next week of matches looks really dull until Sunday night.

4 years between competitions helps to forget how crap and tedious the first few weeks generally are

robmatic wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 8:21 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:00 pm The next week of matches looks really dull until Sunday night.

4 years between competitions helps to forget how crap and tedious the first few weeks generally are

Yeah, it's really poor as a neutral. I'll probably only watch Fiji vs Australia. I'd typically also fancy watching Japan against a misfiring England, but Japan appear to have regressed massively so probably not worth it.

C69 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 13, 2023 11:58 am

robmatic wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 8:21 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 6:00 pm The next week of matches looks really dull until Sunday night.

4 years between competitions helps to forget how crap and tedious the first few weeks generally are

Yeah, it's really poor as a neutral. I'll probably only watch Fiji vs Australia. I'd typically also fancy watching Japan against a misfiring England, but Japan appear to have regressed massively so probably not worth it.

Should be a good game. I doubt the officials will allow Fiji as much latitude at the break down as Carley did against Wales.
That said it will be a shame to see Fiji go home early if they lose.
That said if Fiji win I fear for the plucky battered boys from Wales.

Rugby World Cup organisers have bowed to pressure and on Wednesday morning announced plans to re-record the pre-match national anthems after they faced widespread criticism across the tournament’s opening weekend. Officials also said the new versions would be subject to approval from the competing nations.

South Africa's World Cup title defence suffered a major blow on Thursday when hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a long-term knee injury.

"Marx, who was not included in Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber’s matchday squad to face Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday, went down at training on Wednesday after having his knee caught in contact," the Springboks said in a statement.

"With the Springboks having the luxury of an enlarged 33-man squad in France for the international showpiece, and sufficient cover at hooker within the squad, he will not be replaced in the squad at this stage."

Coach Jacques Nienaber said that while the Springboks, who beat Scotland 18-3 in their Pool B opener, were now left with only one specialist hooker in the squad, other players could step into the role if needed.

Guy Smiley wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 8:39 am Marx is out of the cup....


https://www.reuters.com/sports/south-af ... 023-09-14/

South Africa's World Cup title defence suffered a major blow on Thursday when hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a long-term knee injury.

"Marx, who was not included in Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber’s matchday squad to face Romania in Bordeaux on Sunday, went down at training on Wednesday after having his knee caught in contact," the Springboks said in a statement.

"With the Springboks having the luxury of an enlarged 33-man squad in France for the international showpiece, and sufficient cover at hooker within the squad, he will not be replaced in the squad at this stage."

Coach Jacques Nienaber said that while the Springboks, who beat Scotland 18-3 in their Pool B opener, were now left with only one specialist hooker in the squad, other players could step into the role if needed.

average joe wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 9:47 am Ja, it's a funny one that. Fourie I get but they're actually touting van Staden as backup.

BnM wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 6:48 pm Picture quality on ITV 4 is terrible.

ASMO wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 7:01 pm

BnM wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 6:48 pm Picture quality on ITV 4 is terrible.

Its SD

PCPhil wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 7:11 pm Uruguay must surely be the greatest per capita nation for teams sports in the globe.

C69 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 7:23 pm

PCPhil wrote: ↑Thu Sep 14, 2023 7:11 pm Uruguay must surely be the greatest per capita nation for teams sports in the globe.

Why? Taking the early 20 century joke football world cups out I don't see your point.
It has a bigger population than Wales