Australia came away 15-6 winners over Wales in a stirring encounter at Twickenham on Saturday. Though neither side managed to cross the line, there was no shortage of attacking endeavour, with a magnificent defensive stand by the Wallabies in the second half proving the defining period of the game. Wales …
Read More »Laidlaw saves Scots from Samoa
Scotland were given an almighty scare by Samoa in their pivotal Pool B match in Newcastle, escaping with a 36-33 win thanks to a late Greig Laidlaw try to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. The victory ends Japanese hopes of making the knock-outs despite the likelihood of them finishing …
Read More »RWC Forecast Round 4b
Last weekend of the pool stages and there’s some very contentious match-ups all across the board. Who will top Pool D? Can Romania upset Italy to qualify for 2019? Will Japan find a way into the quarters? Here we go! Chris and Victor appear to be lost in the barrens, but we’ve …
Read More »All Blacks outstretch combative Tonga
New Zealand claimed a decisive victory over Tonga in Newcastle on Friday, but not without difficulties. The Tongan forwards gave their counterparts all they could handle for large stretches, and had the All Black scrum on skates towards the end of the second half. While Tonga may not have come …
Read More »France and Ireland contest top Pool D slot
France will fight it out with Ireland for the top spot in Pool D on Sunday at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. The winner takes on Argentina in the quarter-finals, while the loser faces the All Blacks. Neither road looks easy, though the psychological boost from victory will be a …
Read More »Italy and Romania playing for 2019
Italy and Romania have announced their teams for their vital Pool D match in Exeter on Sunday. The game will serve as a straight knock-out of sorts as the winner automatically qualifies for the 2019 World Cup. Both sides will have to compete without their respective captains, with Sergio Parisse …
Read More »All change for Eagles against Japan
After suffering a serious beating at the hands of South Africa on Wednesday, head coach Mike Tolkin has returned to his first choice side for his team’s final Pool B match in Gloucester. Whether the game will have any importance beyond being an advert for two rising nations will be …
Read More »Japan freshen side for Eagles match
Eddie Jones has made four changes to the team that dominated Samoa in Milton Keynes for their final pool match against the USA on Sunday. The Brave Blossoms will need a little help from Samoa on Saturday to make the game meaningful. If Scotland win, Japan are out. Hiroshi Yamashita …
Read More »Reserve Pumas team to face Namibia
Martín Landajo will captain a makeshift Argentina side against Namibia on Sunday. Having already qualified for the quarter-finals, head coach Daniel Hourcade has opted to rest a number of his front line players and give opportunities to others. Guido Petti is the only surviving member of the tight five left …
Read More »Mass changes for Namibia against Argentina
Phil Davies has shaken up his Namibian team as they prepare to face Argentina in Leicester on Sunday. Eleven changes in all from the team that came so close to Georgia, including a new skipper as Jacques Burger has been forced out of his international swansong with concussion. Rohan Kitsoff …
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