Tokyo Calling - Rugby 2019

[Antepli Ejderha]

Looks like the match with that try.

[Arturo]

Yes. Game over.

[Arturo]

That's it.

Or is it...?

[Antepli Ejderha]

Just turned on. Have I missed anything apart from penalty kicks?

[longeared]

"Two little small victories for England" - Dallaglio

[Arturo]

This isn't happening for England so far. SA really deserving their lead.

[Sporting]

England were just this far away from scoring a try. If they score one then I think floodgates might open,

[tee rex]

England certainly know how to make NZ feel worse. More mistakes in the first ten mins than the entire SF.

I still think they'll win though. Seeing enough from broken play to get the try.

[Tony C]

12 - 6 SA half time.

England being pushed around in the scrum, insecure at line out, have passed poorly and have been error prone at the restart.

SA fully deserving this.

[Sits]

I think SA have this.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

Better

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

He didn't miss one of those last week against Wales!

[Paul S]

Bloody hell I'm excited about this!

[Flynnie]

The 3rd-4th game being a slog might need some revising. 2007 was great, I was at 2015 and found it enjoyable rugby, and today. I can’t remember 2011 or 2003, and 1999 was definitely miserable rugby.

[tee rex]

Enjoyable game, the whole atmosphere was better than previous 3rd/4th games, the ABs were noticeably more positive about it than in previous tournaments, when grim faces were compulsory. The hosts have helped in that regard, I think. The old attitude of "bad loser = winner" is fading from the AB mindset and the supporters, thankfully.

And no, it certainly wasn't a NZ B team, all the key positions were the regular starters. Wales gave it a go, didn't deserve a thrashing.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

I don't know about NZ B, a lot of people think this is the side they should have put out in the semi-final.

Ben Smith looked particularly awesome.

[Muukalainen]

I don't know about NZ B, a lot of people think this is the side they should have out in the semi-final.

Yup, no way is this a B team.

[Ray de Galles]

I don't know about NZ B, a lot of people think this is the side they should have put out in the semi-final.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

I know this is Wales B vs New Zealand B and a final between them wouldn't have been anything like this open but it's a cracking game. I reckon we've already seen more tries than we'll see tomorrow.

[Ray de Galles]

That pass to Beauden Barrett was like Hal Robson-Kanu's Cruyff turn on the Belgian defence.

[Wouter D]

Christ, I miss Japan

Just yesterday I booked a bit of the second half of our honeymoon, which will be a cross-Japan extravaganza in Spring. Can barely wait. Extraordinary country.

[Ray de Galles]

HOW CHERRY BLOSSOMS BECAME BRAVE BLOSSOMS - AGAINST SCOTLAND

They do seem to really embrace the name over there.

Christ, I miss Japan and miss the Rugby World Cup now it's over. I would have been on the plane right now.

[Flynnie]

It was definitely just the Cherry Blossoms when I was a kid. I suspect it’s branding, as the baseball team now goes by Samurai Japan.

[ursus arctos]

It doesn't translate well, and seems to resonate in Japan in a way that it is hard for us to appreciate.

Though it can be said that associating male sports teams with red or white roses doesn't travel well either.

[Snake Plissken]

Am I the only one to find the use of "The Brave Blossoms" as incredibly patronising?