RWC: Japan v Russia (Pool A)
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@taniwharugby said in RWC: Japan v Russia (Pool A):
@MiketheSnow did it get better, I bailed at halftime.
Both Russian 9s were very average, although thier game plan that revolved around going left then right then back left on almost every phase was odd.
hopefully the humidity and lights were issues that contributed to some poor play as opposed to the lack of basics.
Both teams relaxed and played more rugby
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@MiketheSnow cool.
Japan just needed to slow things down a little, appreciate they wanted to play at pace but they were still trying a bit much i thought.
Russia have some good forwards but their 9 kicked (awfully) a lot of ball away needlessly...not sure they had the backs to close it out anyway.
Did think Japan were lucky Owens and the TMO didn't pick up that late shoulder on the Russian 9 when it happened, and oddly was about 7 or so mins later the match Dr took him off for an HIA.
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Russia were waaaaay better than I expected.
Japan have no hope of getting to the ¼ finals if they play like that
A reasonable opening game all things considered.
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Russia showed their inexperience and lack of rugby nous - to be expected. They should have scored a couple more tries but some unfortunate handling errors or poor options let them down. I noticed forwards were often in the way when the halfback was trying to clear from rucks.
Japan were disappointing. Joseph needs to rethink his fullback selection as the centre he is playing there has been exposed under the high ball in their last 2 games. They will be happy enough with the win but looked like a team with the pressure of the nation on their shoulders.
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Cool today with (hard) rain forecast to stay away until tomorrow - after which the weather is going to get pretty shit for a week - so might be ok for us tonight but pretty bad for games next week. Typhoon at Taiwan-ish area too which will push it up and then may come here itself.
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@NTA said in RWC: Japan v Russia (Pool A):
Watching now as I was busy getting shitfaced at the Rugby association awards last night.
Russian wingers are slow. Slower than ours
Thought #11 had a great match
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@MiketheSnow yeah good player but slow
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Apparently after the match Japan awarded their Russian MOTM a Samurai Sword...the Russian 10 (who apparently has the same sleeve Tatt as SBW)
How cool is that!
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@NTA said in RWC: Japan v Russia (Pool A):
@MiketheSnow yeah good player but slow
The right winger had cement in his boots, however I thought the left winger moved okay. Certainly had a rugby head on his shoulders as well which is always great to see from these non traditional countries.
