OT - Rugby World Cup starts today

Submitted by Da Fino on September 20th, 2019 at 9:44 AM

Today is the start of the 2019 Rugby World Cup which is being held in Japan.  It's a fabulous sport with a great tradition and culture.  I was in Ireland for several years (late 2000's) and had season tickets to Munster matches played in Cork.  I admit to being surprised by how civil and good-natured rugby supporters are, and how they value fair and honest play.  No booing, no cursing, no drunkenness.  When the opposing team would set up to take a penalty kick (equivalent to a field goal), the crowd would hush and remain silent so as not to distract him.  This courtesy was always extended at away games.

Anyway, if you've never watched rugby or dismissed it before, I'd encourage tuning in to the World Cup coverage (NBCSN).  The US is pretty bad, but some nations (Georgia!?!) have an unexpected rugby tradition.  Of course the All Blacks are expected to do well.  Worth checking out.

C'mon Ireland!

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goblueram

September 20th, 2019 at 4:03 PM ^

Sounds like a couple residents on here (assuming Durban Blue lives there too).  Where are you located?  I lived in Sandton, Joburg back in 2015.  Did a 2 week return trip over this summer and ventured out to Namibia as well, which was stunning.  It was great to get back there.

Also, I had always assumed I was the only blog reader in southern Africa when I was there, but looks like that wasn't the case!  The blog reaches far and wide.

Joined: 08/18/2009

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MDSup3rDup3

September 20th, 2019 at 11:15 AM ^

For those on the fence, the basics of the game are surprisingly easy to pick up (I did so in about half an hour of watching). Or you can ask here and I'm sure the good MGoBoard members will help

Joined: 05/24/2018

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dublinwolverine

September 20th, 2019 at 11:43 AM ^

Joe Schmidt has an interesting lineup to start the World Cup on Sunday. Tomorrow’s matchup will be a huge match, can’t wait for that one. Would love to see Ireland carry that #1 ranking through to the end and win it all but they usually biff it in the quarters. Really would love to see anyone win BUT England. 

Joined: 11/15/2018

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J. Lichty

September 20th, 2019 at 11:59 AM ^

Many matches will be aired on the NBC network and the NBC cable version, in addition to a package for the entire tournament.  https://www.nbcsports.com/rugby/rugby-world-cup  Set your DVRs for the marquis match of the early rounds, and watch while you have your toast and Marmite.  New Zealand versus South Africa which could be the two best sides in the tournament.  While New Zealand have looked vulnerable during the Rugby Championships (draw with SA and a loss to Australia), they are still the standard by which all others will be measured.  South Africa looks in good form and this match is a possible test of who could ultimately win Webb Ellis Cup.  This match will begin at 530 EST

Late tonight, the Australia-Fiji match should be fun.  Australia are still trying to find consistent form after an up and down Rugby Championship series (they thumped the All Blacks in Perth, but lost the rubber match in Auckland (the battle for the trans-tasman supremacy the Bledsloe Cup is often 2 game series with a split good enough to retain the cup)).  Fiji sits at the top of the second tier of rugby nations, but plays an electric brand of rugby.  Known more for its prowess in the seven a side version, this full side is in top form right now and this is a potential upset.  I still think Australia will prevail, and they tend to rise to the occasion every four years in this tournament, possibly to yet another deep run, but you may see some great open rugby in this one (some of Austrailia's players are of Fijian background). 

USA debuts on 9-26 against England, which looks to avenge an embarrasing showing at the 2015 World Cup on home soil, in which it failed to make it out of group play.  USA have risen to number 13 in the world with historic wins this past year against Scotland and Samoa, and competitive showings against Fiji and Japan.  USA now boasts a domestic professional league that has raised the floor and depth of the side.  Most of the top players continue to play in Europe. In comparison to soccer, the USA side is probably very similar to the 1994 USA World Cup soccer team in that several foreign-born USA eligible players still populate the side, but the domestic players are starting to break through.  That said, its a much better side than the 2015 product.  In a group of death, though USA will only be favored in group play against Tonga. 

While I quibble about the length it takes for kickers to line for kicks at goals and the replay process is just as bad as College Football, and sometimes poor camera work robs the viewer of the necessary perspective, those are quibbles For those who have not watched rugby before, definitely give it a look as I think you will enjoy the pace and the physicality, without all of those tv timeouts. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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RAH

September 20th, 2019 at 12:04 PM ^

I believe that Rugby players (especially 7s) are the best athletes in the world. They have to have it all... sprint speed, gross strength, enduing strength, mental and physical toughness, cardio, endurance running, pain tolerance, ...

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