RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A)
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@Billy-Webb The problem is the release of players by European clubs and the lack of tests against tier 1 nations.
This year, Tonga played the ABs and Samoa played Australia, because that suited their (NZ, Aus) preparation for the RWC. Such tests should be played each year, IMO, but difficult to fit in the short July window (unless they drop the PNC). That's why maybe tests against tier 1 nations in the November window should be organised.
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Samoa looked like they hadn't assembled before this week. Made Scotland look competent and dangerous!
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@Stargazer No doubt a factor - but Argentina have the same struggles.
Hell, even SA sometimes can't get European club players released...And I am not convinced that pitching them against Tier 1 nations regularly is the answer... but perhaps one or two a year wouldn't hurt.
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@Billy-Webb Argentina doesn't have those struggles. The great majority of Pumas play for the Jaguares in SR.
Edit: I was suggesting 1 (at most 2) tests against tier 1 nations per year.
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@African-Monkey said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
Lame way for Samoa to go out of the cup, and to think I gave them a shot before the game started haha. Scotland did what they had to tonight, but on that performance, I'd back the Japanese to beat them.
@antipodean said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
Samoa looked like they hadn't assembled before this week. Made Scotland look competent and dangerous!
I'd also backed Samoa to have a shot today. But they just didn't seem to pitch up.
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@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Billy-Webb Argentina doesn't have those struggles. The great majority of Pumas play for the Jaguares in SR.
Edit: I was suggesting 1 (at most 2) tests against tier 1 nations per year.
Yeah - I take your point. There would be value in that if those teams could have their players released and be at full strength. No point in pitching up to get a cricket score against you..
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@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Billy-Webb They have the Pacific Nations Cup (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Japan, Canada, USA).
Only Japan have really improved out of all those teams, and probably more due to imported upgrades and Super Rugby than Tests against whatever France lets out for a game in a tropical downpour.
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@Billy-Webb Yep, I think addressing that "release by European clubs" problem should be a priority for WR, but not sure what they can do. The rules with obligations to release are in place, but if a club doesn't want a player to play test rugby they'll either not sign him or offer him a lower salary if the player doesn't want to give up test rugby.
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@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@NTA I think the USA have improved, too. Just not there, yet, in terms of competing with tier 1 nations. But you could probably say the same of Georgia (that toured the PI nations, last year IIRC).
Yeah bit harsh, judging them on one game against England. But it isn't getting any easier with Argentina and France.
Tonga is their only shot at a win IMHO. Their physicality is there, but they probably lack the instinct you get playing rugby your whole life.
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@NTA said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
That BP could make or break this pool.
Huge implications.
So many delicious outcomes here.
And the tournament will be ripped right open when Fiji beat Wales
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@pakman said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
After this, Irish odds on to qualify. Japan only need to keep within 7 to be second and play ABs. But good shot of beating Scots and having another crack at Boks!!!!
I hope so.
Would have happened 4 years ago if Japan didn't have a 4-day turnaround.
Payback time.
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It would be great for the tournament buzz if Japan get through the Pool stages.
Given that they have a decent (better) record against the Boks than the AB's, I am hoping JJ and the Brave Blossoms go all out to secure top spot in the pool.Of course, should Japan end up 2nd and they face the AB's, then Joseph has a really good audition for a future AB job...
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@African-Monkey said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@shark Scotland looked awful in their last game and are missing Watson. If Samoa are gonna cause a boilover, now is their time. The Scots look soft up front and I'd be pressuring the breakdown and looking to hurt them in contact (without getting reckless) if I were the Samoans.
I feel that this game will be a lot closer than people give it credit for (hopefully an upset win for Samoa).
Good call
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When was the last time a game had two penalty trys?
Have to say, was it was a pleasure watching that ref be decisive with the TMO. He was clearly in control and was using the TMO to help him make a decision, not be a deer in the headlights and asking "what are you showing me?"
Even if you didn't agree with his decisions, you could clearly understand the process on how he got there and he was fair. Let the players contest well at the ruck too I thought.
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@Billy-Webb said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@African-Monkey said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
Lame way for Samoa to go out of the cup, and to think I gave them a shot before the game started haha. Scotland did what they had to tonight, but on that performance, I'd back the Japanese to beat them.
@antipodean said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
Samoa looked like they hadn't assembled before this week. Made Scotland look competent and dangerous!
I'd also backed Samoa to have a shot today. But they just didn't seem to pitch up.
Was that the faint hope of a Springbok nation not wanting to play Ireland in a QF?
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@Billy-Webb said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
It would be great for the tournament buzz if Japan get through the Pool stages.
Given that they have a decent (better) record against the Boks than the AB's, I am hoping JJ and the Brave Blossoms go all out to secure top spot in the pool.Of course, should Japan end up 2nd and they face the AB's, then Joseph has a really good audition for a future AB job...
From a purely marketing perspective, if the hosts were to play the ABs in a knock-out QF, the interest from non-rugby fans in Japan could be huge. Viewing numbers could go through the roof.
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@NTA said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Stargazer said in RWC: Scotland v Samoa (Pool A):
@Billy-Webb They have the Pacific Nations Cup (Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Japan, Canada, USA).
Only Japan have really improved out of all those teams, and probably more due to imported upgrades and Super Rugby than Tests against whatever France lets out for a game in a tropical downpour.
Including those teams, in the post you have quoted, as a list of PNC teams is misleading. That was a one-off this year .
The old PNC got broken up about 3 years ago with USA and Canada moving into the ARC. In the ARC; USA, Uruguay and Brazil have made great strides.
Canada have gone backwards. But that is due to internal issues. (Same as Samoa and Tonga, you could probably argue).
