Author: GoldyLocks
Very few punters expected England to make it this far. Alas, the Soap Dodgers not only topped Pool D, they did so with relative ease, building nicely into their run for the World Cup final. However, standing in their way is a frightening Fijian side which took them apart less than two months ago. Fiji deservedly won through to the quarters with a strong performance over Australia, though in dropping their last match against Portugal you wonder what they may have left in the tank.Can Fiji pull out another giant-killing performance for the ages? Or will a boring structured England…
When the World Cup began, you wondered whether this match might be a critical clash. An underperforming England was considering ripe for the picking, and if they dropped points in Pool D, a surging Samoa could challenge them for a playoff spot.Alas, England have proved almost the only Pool D side apart from Chile to really get their shit together and have strung together a series of, if not imperious, at least solid performances to guarantee their spot in the quarters regardless of the result of this match. However, they’ll want to maintain that momentum and see off Samoa reasonably…
Anyone with even the remotest interest in Pool B would’ve pencilled in this clash some time ago: defending world champs and all-round enforcers the Springboks up against the No. 1 ranked side and, arguably, tournament favourites Ireland. Both came into the match having earned two wins apiece, with Ireland edging the Boks into the top pool spot courtesy of two four try bonus points to one. Both sides are at this stage all but assured progression to the quarters, but this was no dead rubber. Certainly there’s bragging rights and perhaps a marginally more favourable quarter-final draw against the Pool…
The opening weekend of Rugby World Cup 2023 began to draw to a close with a tasty Pool B match up. An impressive Scotland side comes into the tournament ranked 5th in the world, dropping only 3 of 9 matches this year, and boasting a squad some have already named their best ever. There’s just one problem: in pool-mates Ireland (1) and South Africa (2) they’ve drawn not only the top two ranked sides in the world, but two teams they’ve failed to overcome since 2017. While most neutrals probably have soft spot for the Jocks, they need to take…
A happy and glorious Wednesday to you, G&GRs! There’s been a fair bit happening in the past 24 hours, so let’s get down to business.A SEA OF SCINTILLATING SQUADSA number of big squad announcements for France 2023 have come out in the last day or two, including Australia’s own Pool C rivals:Wales squadForwards: Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Corey Domachowski, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Henry Thomas, Dewi Lake, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands, Christ Tshiunza, Taine Basham, Dan Lydiate, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright.Backs: Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Dan Biggar, Sam…
Good morning G&GR! It’s the middle of the week, and there’s much to discuss as we rapidly approach the summit of our sport and bane of our bedtimes, RWC2023 in France!AUSTRALIA A ANNOUNCEDThe marketing pigeon’s younger cousin William Nathanson reports that the Australia A squad to face Portugal in an RWC warmup match has been announced.Thankfully, both Pistol Pete Samu and underrated scrumhalf Ryan Lonergan feature in a group Eddie has indicated will represent his injury backups for France 2023. Unfortunately, that also includes Bernard Foley as the only currently recognised 10 in the side. I’m also not sure what…
Good morning all! I hope the weekend didn’t drive you into the dust, but for any still clinging on to that desperate edge, a selection of share-sized rugby stories await!A PACK OF PUMASArgentina have named a very experienced, and largely as expected, 33 man squad to board their France-bound plane. A few rookies have made the cut, including back three utility Martín Bogado, second row Pedro Rubiolo, and former Sevens player Rodrigo Isgro. At the other end of the ledger, Nico Sanchez is a decent shout to hit his century at the upcoming tournament, joined by returning veterans Marcos Kremer…
Hello, I’m GoldyLocks, and welcome to Wednesday’s Rugby News. Big huzzahs to Chuck and Matt for sorting the log on issues that have been plaguing us as much as the Kiwis winning the Bledisloe, well, maybe not that bad, but definitely annoying. Enjoy!Here we are, halfway between yet another Bledisloe drubbing and yet another chance for redemption. While it’s hard sometimes to feel anything other than the overwhelming, nearly-all blackness of despair (and the injuries haven’t helped), I’ve sensed a faint but persistent note of positivity in the washup from Saturday evening. Let’s endeavour not to quash it as we…