RWC '15: Pool C General Chat [NZ/ARG/TON/GEO/NAM]

Zzippy

This is the thread for discussion of Pool C - buildup to games, squad talk, injuries, etc can go in here but there will be dedicated match threads for the bigger games. If a match thread for a smaller game has not been set up, match talk can go in here too.

POOL C

New Zealand||Argentina||Tonga||Georgia||Namibia
|||||||||

Fixtures:

Team 1 | |vs || Team 2 || Venue|| Date ||K.O. |

Tonga|| vs || Georgia|| Gloucester||19.09.15 || 12:00 |

New Zealand|| vs || Argentina| |Wembley||20.09.15 || 16:45 |

New Zealand|| vs || Namibia|| Olympic Stadium|| 24.09.15|| 20:00 |
Argentina| |vs | |Georgia||Gloucester|| 25.09.15 || 16:45 |

Tonga|| vs || Namibia||Exeter|| 29.09.15 || 16:45 |

New Zealand| |vs || Georgia||Millenium Stadium|| 2.10.15 || 20:00 |

Argentina|| vs || Tonga|| Leicester|| 4.10.15 || 14:30 |

Namibia|| vs || Georgia||Exeter|| 7.10.15 || 20:00 |

New Zealand|| vs || Tonga|| Newcastle||9.10.15 || 20:00 |

Argentina|| vs || Namibia|| Leicester|| 11.10.15 || 12:00 |



A fairly straightforward group, with NZ and Argentina hot favourites to go through. Irish fans will have extra interest in how these teams progress, as we face either in the QF depending on how our group pans out. NZ are 5/4 favourites to win their second WC in a row, justifiably in most people's opinions, although they showed frailty in losing 27-19, and with it the championship, to Australia in Sydney last month. They did bounce back the following week to thrash the Aussies, however.

Argentina had their best season since entering the RC, beating SA convincingly 37-25 to shock the hosts and finish 3rd in the championship, ahead of SA. They will be hoping to emulate the team of 2007, which went all the way to the semi-final, and their promising showings in the RC will have strengthened that resolve.

The best the rest can hope for is to run Argentina close, with Tonga perhaps having the best chance, and Georgia will hope to use their traditional forward power to dominate the set piece. They will be fighting for scraps, however, and NZ and Argentina should progress with relative ease.

CatFromHue

Only really 2 games of interest here, maybe 3.

NZ v Arg
Arg v Tonga

and maybe NZ v Tonga

NZ could have a problem of getting to the QF's under cooked as they won't have had a tough game since week 1 of teh comp.

maoriincork

Didn't you watch the RC. Argentina also ran NZ close. Argentina are a good team and I can see them going for second place as they would be thinking they have a good chance against France or Ireland. I def can see Argentina making the Semis.
If I was Ireland I would be out to win the pool then come against Scotland and hey Semis here we are.

CatFromHue wrote: »

Only really 2 games of interest here, maybe 3.

NZ v Arg
Arg v Tonga

and maybe NZ v Tonga

NZ could have a problem of getting to the QF's under cooked as they won't have had a tough game since week 1 of teh comp.

rrpc

maoriincork wrote: »

Didn't you watch the RC. Argentina also ran NZ close. Argentina are a good team and I can see them going for second place as they would be thinking they have a good chance against France or Ireland. I def can see Argentina making the Semis.
If I was Ireland I would be out to win the pool then come against Scotland and hey Semis here we are.

Ireland win Pool D we are against second in Pool C in the quarter finals. That's likely to be Argentina not Scotland.

Yeah_Right

CatFromHue wrote: »

NZ could have a problem of getting to the QF's under cooked as they won't have had a tough game since week 1 of teh comp.

This is something that worries me and has been an issue at previous RWCs.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Teams for NZ v ARG




Probably the least interesting Pool in terms of chances of upsets. Can't see Argentina beating NZ, can't see any of the rest beating Argentina.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Great crowd in for Tonga v Georgia. TV remembering to show the Sipi Tau today. Makes you wonder was it ITV deliberately cutting off the Fiji one yesterday? #JusticeForFiji

Melodeon

At least the stadium didn't blare 'music' over the PA during the Sipi Tau!

efb

Kingsholm looks resplendent.

Principal Skinner

Gorgodze looks a bit uninterested, not singing anthem, very slow around pitch. Not much aggression

Pudsy33

Could be a good game this. Georgia gave ireland a few problems last time out.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Melodeon wrote: »

At least the stadium didn't blare 'music' over the PA during the Sipi Tau!

They didn't blare music over it yesterday either. I'm pretty sure they cut it off from the broadcast and what we saw was video highlights with the audio being the live stream of the music in the stadium. If you know what I mean. Pretty sure the English sang over it though.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

efb wrote: »

Kingsholm looks resplendent.

I do love at the WC when two "minnows" play and all the locals come out in force. Although, there was a pretty loud chant going on there which I think sounded like the Georgians are out in force.

Principal Skinner

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

They didn't blare music over it yesterday either. I'm pretty sure they cut it off from the broadcast and what we saw was video highlights with the audio being the live stream of the music in the stadium. If you know what I mean. Pretty sure the English sang over it though.

If thats the case nothing wrong with singing over it. If Ireland meet NZ I'd hope the Irish fangs sing through the Haka, why should NZ get that huge advantage and IReland just have to stand there and take it

captbarnacles

That in-goal area looks tiny!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Principal Skinner wrote: »

If thats the case nothing wrong with singing over it. If Ireland meet NZ I'd hope the Irish fangs sing through the Haka, why should NZ get that huge advantage and IReland just have to stand there and take it

It's only a huge advantage if you let it bother you. The only impact booing or singing over it is going to do is annoy them into beating you even more.

Melodeon

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

They didn't blare music over it yesterday either. I'm pretty sure they cut it off from the broadcast and what we saw was video highlights with the audio being the live stream of the music in the stadium. If you know what I mean. Pretty sure the English sang over it though.

Ah, my mistake so.

It sounded very disrespectful 'live' at the time though.

efb

As Georgia is in Europe (and underdogs) I feel obliged to cheer for them!

efb

Rugby is about respect. I'd like fans to respect all aspects of the game.

Ceadog

The Georgian scrumhalf just bounced the Tongan 6! Who needs Gorgidzilla?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Ceadog wrote: »

The Georgian scrumhalf just bounced the Tongan 6! Who needs Gorgidzilla?

Georgian SH is only 18 too. :eek:

CurryFlavoured

What a kick.

bilston

It will be interesting to see what the turnout is at Brighton later dor the SA game but the turnout at Kingsholm is why I think they should have used more rugby grounds.

Pudsy33

The Georgian maul and maul defence is really good. If they're gonna win this one that's how they'll do it.

Ceadog

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Georgian SH is only 18 too. :eek:

Is that the 18 year old? Been watching with the sound off in case I accidentally hear some commentary. He looks very very good, some French team will no doubt snap him up.

captbarnacles

Georgia are flying up in defence. Tongans getting ball and a tackle at same time.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

bilston wrote: »

It will be interesting to see what the turnout is at Brighton later dor the SA game but the turnout at Kingsholm is why I think they should have used more rugby grounds.

You'd think they would have, I mean using a rugby ground would probably guarantee a big crowd and good atmosphere because the locals aren't going to want their ground to be shown up by another one.

Ceadog wrote: »

Is that the 18 year old? Been watching with the sound off in case I accidentally hear some commentary. He looks very very good, some French team will no doubt snap him up.

Yeah, he doesn't look 18 but that's him. Not 19 until October.

OldRio

Really enjoying this. Good god its only half past twelve. Going to be a long ould day.:D

Ceadog

This is a pretty ****ing decent game of rugby. Both teams are very up for it and Nigel is letting them at it. Much better than last night.

CurryFlavoured

Had Georgia 1st half in my accumulator, damn.

Pudsy33

Gwan Georgia!

Ceadog

Looks like a try to me.

case885

Regretting not having gorgodze in my fantasy team big time now

Kiwi_knock

Good try there, decent game so far.

Mr.Crinklewood

I love Nigel Owens

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

case885 wrote: »

Regretting not having gorgodze in my fantasy team big time now

Yeah, I'm starting to think these "smaller" team match ups were the places to pick up the points.

Ceadog

Absolute state of that Tongan prop's hair.

efb

Mr.Crinklewood wrote: »

I love Nigel Owens

Yes so so I

Go to TMO with any doubts- don't change your mind based on incidental tv replay after making a decision

efb

Guys (m&f) Ton-ga or Tong-ah???

ITV using latter pronunciation is annoying me

Ceadog

Loving this. Georgia are smashing it up the pitch the only way they know how and Tonga aren't afraid to run from anywhere. It's a bit stop start but it's a lot of fun to watch.

KERSPLAT!

Did Nigel just say "watch the language"?

shrapnel222

case885 wrote: »

Regretting not having gorgodze in my fantasy team big time now

Is there a Irish times boards group? I picked him anyway ;-)

CurryFlavoured

Georgia clearly on top, Tonga giving away too many penalties. Good game.

.ak

The level of difference between Owens and the ref last night is massive. So clear and concise and understanding of what to let slide and not.

shrapnel222

.ak wrote: »

The level of difference between Owens and the ref last night is massive. So clear and concise and understanding of what to let slide and not.

Wish he'd refereed the last world cup final. :-((

Definitely the best in the business

Pudsy33

Niger couldn't be any less interested in the tmo

Pudsy33

Honestly I don't think it's that bad and Nigel has made the right call

.ak

Fair play Nigel. The other officials are being too pedantic with the new directives. But if common sense ffs.

.ak

Owens is the real winner here. :pac:

Fireball07

That was a nicely-worked try.


EDIT- Or maybe not, that's the problem with muting the commentary and looking away.

Ectoplasm

Still not loving how much the TMO is involved...I.can see a lot of games going long as a result.