NPR

https://youtu.be/J-l-SbCFhL0

Not long now until the NH will dominate the game.

RWC's Won

SH - 8
NH - 1

Plato’sCave wrote: ↑Tue Jun 30, 2020 11:52 pm https://youtu.be/J-l-SbCFhL0

Not long now until the NH will dominate the game.

It looks to me more a matter of the fat heads in tbe NH becoming more a fat arse.

Of course it could be the lovely kiwi ladies ensuring that we start to rotate in the intermediate axis.

It takes a brave man to pit the UK against anyone in that regard.

Scores
Japan v France
All Blacks v Ireland
Australia v England
South Africa v Wales
Argentina v Scotland

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:27 am Scores
Japan v France
All Blacks v Ireland
Australia v England
South Africa v Wales
Argentina v Scotland

MAB v Ireland 32 -17

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:01 am RWC's Won

SH - 8
NH - 1

Actually it's

SH - 13
NH - 4

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:53 am

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:01 am RWC's Won

SH - 8
NH - 1

Actually it's

SH - 13
NH - 4

I miss AC, where did he go? :-(

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:27 am Scores
Japan v France
All Blacks v Ireland
Australia v England
South Africa v Wales
Argentina v Scotland

France by 15
Ireland by 3
England by 9
Bokke by 50
Pumas by 30

Japan v France. France by 20
All Blacks v Ireland. ABs by 10
Australia v England. Aus by 15
South Africa v Wales. Boks by 20
Argentina v Scotland. Pumas by 15

Japan v France: Fra +18
All Blacks v Ireland: AB +15
Australia v England: Aus +17
South Africa v Wales: SA +22
Argentina v Scotland: Arg +13

France by 26
NZ by 17
England by 6
SA by 22
Scotland by 6

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:54 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:53 am

Carter's Choice wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 12:01 am RWC's Won

SH - 8
NH - 1

Actually it's

SH - 13
NH - 4

I miss AC, where did he go? :-(

Sadly missed also but I believe there was a terrible accident where he got sucked into his own backside.

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 12:17 pm France by 26
NZ by 17
England by 6
SA by 22
Scotland by 6

I think this is a good prediction.

Although I'm not optimistic about England's chances, I don't think Australia will really do us.

France by 20
NZ by 5
Australia by 10
SA by 20
Argentina by 5

Japan v France: Fra +25
All Blacks v Ireland: Ire + 7
Australia v England: Aus + 5
South Africa v Wales: SA + 6
Argentina v Scotland: Arg +10

You guys making predictions are aware we’ve won our last five games against Argentina, aye?

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:34 pm Although I'm not optimistic about England's chances, I don't think Australia will really do us.

France by 20
NZ by 5
Australia by 10
SA by 20
Argentina by 5

Australia winning by 10pts in the first test will be a proper hiding. The first test is the best chance England have got to win a match. The margin of victory for Australia is only going to grow after that.

Japan v France: Fra +15
All Blacks v Ireland: NZ +22
Australia v England: Aus +4
South Africa v Wales: SA +22
Argentina v Scotland: Arg +8

France by 30
All blacks by 5
Australia by 4
SA by 15
Arg by 10

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:09 am

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:34 pm Although I'm not optimistic about England's chances, I don't think Australia will really do us.

France by 20
NZ by 5
Australia by 10
SA by 20
Argentina by 5

Australia winning by 10pts in the first test will be a proper hiding. The first test is the best chance England have got to win a match. The margin of victory for Australia is only going to grow after that.

Ten points is ten points, it's a comfortable win, but not a hiding and my comment was in the context of the others predicting 20+ point margins. That it may present our best chance for a win doesn't change that.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 8:51 am

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:09 am

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:34 pm Although I'm not optimistic about England's chances, I don't think Australia will really do us.

France by 20
NZ by 5
Australia by 10
SA by 20
Argentina by 5

Australia winning by 10pts in the first test will be a proper hiding. The first test is the best chance England have got to win a match. The margin of victory for Australia is only going to grow after that.

Ten points is ten points, it's a comfortable win, but not a hiding and my comment was in the context of the others predicting 20+ point margins. That it may present our best chance for a win doesn't change that.

Not really, context is important. Australia haven't played a match since November 19th 2021.

Whoever wins in the first match will be one for the NH in both the win and loss columns.

Fra by 20
NZ by 10
Eng by 3
SA by 15
Sco by 8

I've seen some mad predictions on here!

Trying to get team news for the games is the usual shambles and PR a total waste of f**king time.

Romania v Italy

ROMANIA
1. Vasile Balan (CSA Steaua), 2. Tudor Butnariu (CSA Steaua), 3. Victor Leon (Colomiers), 4. Marius Iftimiciuc (Perigeux), 5. Marius Antonescu (USBPA), 6. Vlad Neculau (SCM USAMVB Timișoara), 7. Dragoș Ser (CSA Steaua),8. Mihai Macovei (Colomiers) (C), 9. Gabriel Rupanu (SCM USAMVB Timișoara), 10. Florin Vlaicu (SCM USAMVB Timișoara), 11. Adrian Apostol (CSM Știința Baia Mare), 12. Hinckley Vaovasa (CSA Steaua), 13. Taylor Gontineac (Rouen), 14. Mihai Lămboiu (CSM Știința Baia Mare), 15. Marius Simionescu (CS Dinamo)
Rezerve: 16. Iulian Harțig ( Club Alcobendas Rugby), 17. Alexandru Savin (SO Chambery), 18. Alexandru Gordaș (CS Dinamo), 19. Andrei Toader (CS Dinamo), 20. Kamil Sobota (CSA Steaua), 21. Florin Surugiu (CSA Steaua), 22. Alexandru Bucur (SCM USAMVB Timișoara), 23. Sioeli Lama (CSA Steaua)

ITALY
15 Ange CAPUOZZO (Grenoble, 3 caps)
14 Edoardo PADOVANI (Benetton Rugby, 36 caps) – capitano
13 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 1 cap)
12 Marco ZANON (Pau, 13 caps)
11 Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
10 Tommaso ALLAN (Harlequins, 61 caps)
9 Alessandro GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, esordiente)
8 Toa HALAFIHI (Benetton Rugby, 5 caps)
7 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
6 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 31 caps)
5 Marco FUSER (Newcastle Falcons, 39 caps)
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 20 caps)
3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 35 caps)
2 Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 11 caps)
1 Ivan NEMER (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)

A disposizione
16 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
17 Cherif TRAORE’ (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps)
18 Ion NECULAI (Zebre Parma, 1 cap)
19 David SISI (Zebre Parma, 22 caps)
20 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
21 Renato GIAMMARIOLI (Zebre Parma, 6 caps)
22 Manfredi ALBANESE (Transvecta Calvisano, 1 cap)
23 Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 18 caps)

Aus A v Samoa
AUS A
1.Matt Gibbon – Melbourne Rebels
2.Billy Pollard - Brumbies
3.Tom Robertson – Western Force
4.Seru Uru – Queensland Reds
5.Ryan Smith – Queensland Reds
6.Tim Anstee – Western Force
7.Fraser McReight (VC) – Queensland Reds
8.Will Harris - NSW Waratahs
9.Ryan Lonergan (C) - Brumbies
10.Tane Edmed – NSW Waratahs
11.Jock Campbell – Queensland Reds
12.Hamish Stewart – Queensland Reds
13.Lalakai Foketi – NSW Waratahs
14.Mark Nawaqanitawase – NSW Waratahs
15.Reece Hodge (VC) – Melbourne Rebels

Reserves
16.Feliti Kaitu’u – Western Force
17.Harry Hoopert – Queensland Reds
18.Archer Holz – NSW Waratahs
19.Hugh Sinclair – NSW Waratahs
20.Langi Gleeson- NSW Waratahs
21.James Tuttle – Melbourne Rebels
22.Hudson Creighton – Brumbies
23.Dylan Pietsch – NSW Waratahs

SAMOA


Fiji v Tonga

FIJI
Haereiti Hetet
Tevita Ikanivere
Manasa Saulo
Isoa Nasilasila*
Tevita Ratuva
Mesualme Kunavula
Rusiate Nasove*
Albert Tuisue
Frank Lomani
Teti Tela
Vinaya Habosi*
Kalaveti Ravouvou*
Waisea Nayacalevu {c}
Jiuta Wainiqolo
Setareki Tuicuvu

Reserves

Sam Matavesi
Eroni Mawi
Luke Tagi
Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
Kitione Kamikamica
Peni Matawalu
Setareki Tamanivalu*
Manasa Mataele

TONGA


Japan v France

JAPAN
15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Shogo Nakano, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 10 Takuya Yamasawa, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Ben Gunter, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Jack Cornelsen, 4 Wimpie Van Der Walt, 3 Asaeli Ai Valu, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Keita Inagaki
Replacements: 16 Daigo Hashimoto, 17 Yukio Morikawa, 18 Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19 Warner Dearns, 20 Faulua Makisi, 21 Daiki Nakajima, 22 Seungshin Lee, 23 Taichi Takahashi

FRANCE
15. Jaminet ; 14. Penaud, 13. Vakatawa ; 12. Moefana, 11. Lebel ; 10. Jalibert, 9. Lucu ; 7. Cretin, 8. Tanga ; 6. Ollivon (cap.) ; 5. Jolmes, 4. Flament ; 3. Bamba, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Gros.

Remplaçants : 16. Bourgarit, 17. Priso, 18. Falatea, 19. Lavault, 20. S. Tolofua, 21. Macalou, 22. Couilloud, 23. Hastoy.

ABs v Ire

ABs
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Scott Barrett, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Pita Gus Sowakula, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Braydon Ennor

IRE
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 9 Jamison Gibson Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Finlay Bealham, 18 Cian Healy, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Bundee Aki

Aus v Eng

AUS
15 Tom Banks, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Rob Leota, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Scott Sio, 18 James Slipper, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Jordan Petaia

ENG
15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes (c), 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Jack van Poortvliet, 22 Guy Porter, 23 Henry Arundell

SA v Wales

SA
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nché
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Elrigh Louw, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Willie le Roux

WALES
15. Liam Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 78 caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 16 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 102 caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens – 20 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 39 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints – 100 caps), CAPT
9. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 11 caps);
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 10 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 27 caps)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Rugby – 38 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Dragons – 18 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 34 caps)
6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys – 65 caps)
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – uncapped)
8. Taulupe Faletau (Cardiff Rugby – 89 caps)

Replacements
16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 5 caps)
17. Rhys Carre (Cardiff Rugby – 16 caps)
18. Tomas Francis (Ospreys 64 caps)
19. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys – 150 caps)
20. Josh Navidi (Cardiff Rugby – 30 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 33 caps)
22. Gareth Anscombe (Ospreys – 31 caps)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys – 31 caps)

Arg v Sco

ARG
15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Nicolas Sanchez, 9 Tomas Cubelli, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martín González, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Francisco Gómez Kodela, 2 Julián Montoya (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro
Replacements: 16 Agustin Creevy, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Joel Sclavi, 19 Lucas Paulos, 20 Facundo Isa, 21 Gonzalo Bertranou, 22 Santiago Carreras, 23 Matias Moroni

SCO
15 Rory Hutchinson, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Luke Crosbie, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Grant Gilchrist (c), 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Rory Darge, 21 Ben White, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Sione Tuipulotu

JAPAN
15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Shogo Nakano, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 10 Takuya Yamasawa, 9 Kaito Shigeno, 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Ben Gunter, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Jack Cornelsen, 4 Wimpie Van Der Walt, 3 Asaeli Ai Valu, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Keita Inagaki
Replacements: 16 Daigo Hashimoto, 17 Yukio Morikawa, 18 Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19 Warner Dearns, 20 Faulua Makisi, 21 Daiki Nakajima, 22 Seungshin Lee, 23 Taichi Takahashi

At the risk of being called a hypocrite, how many of the Japanese team fulfill the loose term 'poach'?

I'm guessing eight of the starting XV plus one of the subs.

I'm not so sure why everyone thinks Aus will win comfortably.

The one I am dithering over is Aus A v Samoa. On paper, Samoa could win it but exactly what sort of performance we actually get from them might as well be determined by rolling a di.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:18 pm I'm not so sure why everyone thinks Aus will win comfortably.

The one I am dithering over is Aus A v Samoa. On paper, Samoa could win it but exactly what sort of performance we actually get from them might as well be determined by rolling a di.

This is the start of Aus run to next year's RWC final. And who knows what happens in that match

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:18 pm I'm not so sure why everyone thinks Aus will win comfortably.

Because England have been genuinely poop.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 1:49 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 12:18 pm I'm not so sure why everyone thinks Aus will win comfortably.

Because England have been genuinely poop.

Yes. But I've not been terribly convinced by the Aus players in Soup either. Genuinely think this will be a single score margin.

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:01 am You guys making predictions are aware we’ve won our last five games against Argentina, aye?

We have, but are you confident for the next three? I know I’m not.

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 3:16 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:01 am You guys making predictions are aware we’ve won our last five games against Argentina, aye?

We have, but are you confident for the next three? I know I’m not.

And the most recent of which was in the autumn of 2018. It's only marginally more relevant than all the people banging on about 2016 in relation to the England - Australia game.

I wouldn't be looking past the last 12 months of results for any side when trying to gauge their likely fortunes in these games.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 4:03 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 3:16 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 6:01 am You guys making predictions are aware we’ve won our last five games against Argentina, aye?

We have, but are you confident for the next three? I know I’m not.

And the most recent of which was in the autumn of 2018. It's only marginally more relevant than all the people banging on about 2016 in relation to the England - Australia game.

I wouldn't be looking past the last 12 months of results for any side when trying to gauge their likely fortunes in these games.

Scotland have wins over Australia and England in the last twelve months, have won four out of nine internationals. Argentina have won one out of nine, against Italy.

Biffer wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 4:24 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 4:03 pm

Yr Alban wrote: ↑Thu Jun 30, 2022 3:16 pm

We have, but are you confident for the next three? I know I’m not.

And the most recent of which was in the autumn of 2018. It's only marginally more relevant than all the people banging on about 2016 in relation to the England - Australia game.

I wouldn't be looking past the last 12 months of results for any side when trying to gauge their likely fortunes in these games.

Scotland have wins over Australia and England in the last twelve months, have won four out of nine internationals. Argentina have won one out of nine, against Italy.

Not sure that's much to hang your hat on at the moment, we're a bit crap.

It's a fair point that Argentina aren't much cop , but they did run France fairly close in the Autumn and have a number of key players in very good form (the likes of Matera and Montoya). Combine that with home advantage and (per my prediction) I can see a narrow Argentina win.

Romania v Italy

https://rugbyromania.ro/ora-2100-prima- ... rld-rugby/

Learning some Romanian as I watch

Garbisi jr scores on his debut just like his brother did

I like the Romanian shirts.