RWC Week 5: Fiji v Portugal

[Tordah]

Portugal were fun to watch, played really Well. @MiketheSnow the only one who always believed in them, haha

[Stargazer]

Was this Portugal's first RWC?

[MiketheSnow]

Told you boys
Sorry they couldn’t win by more to put Australia through

Fiji are the dumbest team in World Rugby

[nostrildamus]

if Portugal get to play a NZ team of any description in Portugal I'd be tempted to go on tour. Haven't been there in over a quarter of a century but I bet the seafood and alcohol is still on point.

[Stargazer]

@nostrildamus Wouldn't be a bad opponent for the Māori ABs. I'd love them to do a tour to Europe and play some of these tier 2/3 teams.

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer nah we have played them before at RWC, was it 2007?

[Steven Harris]

@Stargazer for me its the style of rugby they play and they know and understand where their strengths are and the skill level in the backs is sensational and they have something you cant coach ,Pace
Chile and Uruguay have been good ,but this Portuguese side are an exciting side to watch

[Gunner]

Some of these WC results show us how competitive international rugby could be… if only it were a level playing field.

IRB get your heads out of your arse, grow some balls and create a competition that allows these teams to play consistently at a higher level.

[Tordah]

If fiji had regathered the kick off, would they even have tried to win the game? The way they played they would probably ship another try and let Australia through.

[mencey]

What a great game. Some of the games between the tier 2 teams have been fantastic. The level of rugby has raised since the last world cup IMHO. The best is yet to come in the next 3 weeks me thinks.

[Bovidae]

Even though Fiji dropped a lot of ball their problems started at 9 and 10.

[Stag]

This post is deleted!

[cgrant]

Incredible game of rugby. Fun to watch. Stoked for the Portuguese who played with heart and courage. Their wings and their openside flanker were outstanding.

[NTA]

Flawed, but amazing game. That's why rugby is better than any other sport.

[Dan54]

@NTA said in RWC Week 5: Fiji v Portugal:

Flawed, but amazing game. That's why rugby is better than any other sport.

Couldn't agree more, see the shkill level may of been done, but all the drama etc that you want from a sport. I was transfixed!

[nostrildamus]

@Gunner said in RWC Week 5: Fiji v Portugal:

Some of these WC results show us how competitive international rugby could be… if only it were a level playing field.

IRB get your heads out of your arse, grow some balls and create a competition that allows these teams to play consistently at a higher level.

I agree they could look at the crowd-pleasing games and tweak the rules to encourage that.

[nostrildamus]

@Bovidae said in RWC Week 5: Fiji v Portugal:

Even though Fiji dropped a lot of ball their problems started at 9 and 10.

This has been a traditional weakness hasn't it?

[Bovidae]

@nostrildamus said in RWC Week 5: Fiji v Portugal:

@Bovidae said in RWC Week 5: Fiji v Portugal:

Even though Fiji dropped a lot of ball their problems started at 9 and 10.

This has been a traditional weakness hasn't it?

Yes, but the 1st 5 (Botitu) that played today was an injury replacement, so is third-choice at best. Maybe Tela is also injured.

Lomani is also very hot and cold.

[Rancid Schnitzel]

Now that Portugal are out can we ditch McCleod for their defence coach?

It was like watching the Fiji of old there. Captain obvious, but they'll get hammered in the QF if they produce that kind of performance again.

[GibbonRib]

That was like watching the Ghost of Fiji Past. Hopefully will be a wake up call to them, they've been so good in other games recently.

Amazing game though, so happy for Portugal.

Just a reminder that the IRB are actively working to screw over teams like Portugal with their new World League - if that gets off the ground then Portugal will probably never play a tier 1 nation outside of the RWC again