The Road to Bilbao and Beyond: Rugby 2018

[Hot Pepsi]

There really aren't a lot of smaller grounds near DC that could have hosted (the Naval Academy football ground in Annapolis comes to mind, but even that is 35,000 (and Field Turf, not grass)). I think Flynnie is right about SA expats being a key target market and there are quite a few in an and around DC (some for reasons best not examined), while the city also has excellent international air connections.

USA Rugby seem to be leaving the promotion of these international matches primarily to locals, with the result that there is no continuity or similarity in the quality of the effort. The All Black matches in Chicago have been a huge success in part because the city and promoters pulled out all the stops to make it a real event that appealed to people who had never seen a rugby ball.

Perhaps they hoped DC United's new stadium would be available by now. That would be good for a rugby fixture like this.

[Ray de Galles]

Insane test in Jo’burg. England took an early 3-24 lead and will go in at half time 29-27 down. The comedy selection of Brown on the wing and Daly at full back reaped attacking rewards initially but has been found out massively since.

[Ray de Galles]

Finished 42-39. Calmed down a little in second half but not much. South Africa really should have locked it up more comfortably but they were a bit naive and awry in the execution, no surprise for an inexperienced side.

England fought like hell in the last ten minutes (much of it with 14 men) and but for a SA line out steal in the last minute could have won it. Nutzoid stuff.

[jefe]

Perhaps they hoped DC United's new stadium would be available by now. That would be good for a rugby fixture like this.

I skipped it. Don't feel that bad about it.

The team that Washington is getting in Major League Rugby next year has already ruled out Audi Field for being too big for them.

[ursus arctos]

Where are they going to play?

At Georgetown?

[ursus arctos]

Eagles destroy Russia 62-13

[tee rex]

A certain Ntamack scores for France v NZ.

Lively game & atmosphere in Perpignan.

[Ray de Galles]

The u-20 game? Who is showing it?

[tee rex]

TVNZ ...

[Ray de Galles]

Ah, of course. Found the final thirty minutes on ITV4 over here in the end.

Good to see the Baby Blacks out, they and the senior team have been indulging in their usual unpunished cheap-shotting scumbaggery in the last week and were carrying it on tonight.

[jefe]

Where are they going to play?

At Georgetown?

Haven't determined yet. out at the soccerplex would amuse me greatly.

[Levin]

Article about a podcast about USA Rugby (link to podcast in there as well. I've not listened to it yet but looks interesting. I saw it because a guy involved in handball in the USA sees similarities between the governance in the US.

ANd this link gives a bit more background

[Antepli Ejderha]

Ah, of course. Found the final thirty minutes on ITV4 over here in the end.

Good to see the Baby Blacks out, they and the senior team have been indulging in their usual unpunished cheap-shotting scumbaggery in the last week and were carrying it on tonight.

That hit on Remy Grosso left him with two fractures in his skull. No bans for either player involved. Sonny Bill Williams got banned for a similar hit last year against the Lions.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Wales: Hallam Amos; Josh Adams, Scott Williams, Owen Watkin, George North; Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Cory Hill (capt), Ellis Jenkins, James Davies, Ross Moriarty.

Replacements: Elliott Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Prydie.

Five changes, one is injury enforced, for Wales in the second test against Argentina. The surprise is two open sides but seeing as both were named as man of the match in their last tests it's no surprise especially as Seb Davies never get the ball in hand.

[Antepli Ejderha]

England team to face South Africa: Elliot Daly (Wasps); Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins); George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Jamie George (Saracens), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Brad Shields (Hurricanes/Wasps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)

South Africa: Willie le Roux (Wasps); S'busiso Nkosi (Sharks), Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Stormers), Aphiwe Dyantyi (Lions); Handre Pollard (Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks); Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), RG Snyman (Bulls), Franco Mostert (Lions), Siya Kolisi (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers), Duane Vermeulen (unattached).

Replacements: Akker van der Merwe (Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (Stormers), Thomas du Toit (Sharks), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sharks), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Stormers), Ivan van Zyl (Bulls), Jesse Kriel (Bulls), Warrick Gelant (Bulls).

Robshaw is dropped not rested as England make changes up front.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Australia: I Folau; D Haylett-Petty, S Kerevi, K Beale, M Koroibete; B Foley, W Genia; C Timu, M Hooper (capt), D Pocock; A Coleman, I Rodda; S Kepu, B Paenga-Amosa, S Sio.

Replacements: T Latu, T Robertson, T Tupou, R Simmons, L Tui, P Samu, N Phipps, R Hodge.

Ireland: R Kearney; A Conway, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, N Scannell, T Furlong; D Toner, James Ryan; P O'Mahony, D Leavy, CJ Stander.

Replacements: R Herring, J McGrath, A Porter, T Beirne, J Murphy, J Cooney, J Carbery, J Larmour.

Australia unchanged but Ireland make eight changes as the Leinster contingent return. Beirne on the bench and set to make his Ireland debut.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Argentina Wales game on Channel 4 tonight.

[Ray de Galles]

On the ipad while Croatia v Nigeria is on the telly. Kept an eye on South Africa beating England earlier, the hosts were absolutely ferocious in every element of their game all match.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Argentina Wales game on Channel 4 tonight.

Hope it's as good as last week. Enjoy if you're able to watch.

[Antepli Ejderha]

34 minutes gone and Wales lead 16-0. Argentina are not doing the basics at all well.

[Ray de Galles]

Stunning old school solo try by Adams, almost matched by Argentina’s winger. 5-19 at the break.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Stunning old school solo try by Adams, almost matched by Argentina’s winger. 5-19 at the break.

Hallam Amos rounds off a great try from Wales. 5-30 now. Extremely impressive performance.

[Ray de Galles]

The only thing that is tempering this for me is that Argentina have fallen off a cliff recently. They have won once in nineteen games against Tier One opposition (I think this is the twentieth) and that was Italy.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Cracking performances, but this Argentina team are shockingly poor.

[Ray de Galles]

A medic just punched Moriaty!