NPR

Anyone else watching?

Argentina looking a bit more on it than they did against England.

Didn't realise Leali'ifano was playing for Samoa. Bloody good luck to the bloke.

(although he needs to change his kicking boots)

Any reason this kicked off so early? Bloody irritating

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:22 pm Anyone else watching?

Not sure why this game isn't getting more attention. It is one of the games I looked forward to the most this weekend.

Both physical... sometimes brutally physical teams.

Especially interesting to see how much the Argies have improved over the years due to their participation in the RC. I think they're currently better than Australia.

But then Samoa is basically NZ's mini-me. Just as capable to play great rugby, and one of if not THE second tier nations who are capable of pulling of a major upset.

So far hard physical game, pity for the crappy weather which doesn't suit either side's style.

Bit meh. Not clinical by either team.

laurent wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:41 pm Bit meh. Not clinical by either team.

It's pissing down, difficult to be clinical.

Samoa discipline letting them down, soft pens for off side in midfield is lazy and dumb.

Decent game. Lelilefano not up to it unfortunately

Samoan tackling very strong, Argentinian attack as blunt as Englands, Berry lost his yellow card.

Someone garotte that braying bint

ASMO wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:04 pm Samoan tackling very strong, Argentinian attack as blunt as Englands, Berry lost his yellow card.

Samoan 9 was ridiculous in defence in the first half

Its a game lacking much skill and continuity, lots of huffing and puffing with not much outcome.

The Argies have certainly shown a fair bit of ambition at times, though not always wisely.

Feels like if Samoa don't get a try pretty imminently that the game is basically done.

Ref got that completely wrong

Chieka

Wtf is up with Samoa handling??

It was pissing it down during the first half. Presumably conditions are still greasy.

troglodiet wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:44 pm

laurent wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:41 pm Bit meh. Not clinical by either team.

It's pissing down, difficult to be clinical.

Said on the main WC thread, there is something wrong with this ball. It was being dropped all the time because it was humid and sweaty the last 2 weeks and today because it’s so wet, apparently. Just think there are too many drops by top class players for it to just be conditions

Slick wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:30 pm

troglodiet wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:44 pm

laurent wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:41 pm Bit meh. Not clinical by either team.

It's pissing down, difficult to be clinical.

Said on the main WC thread, there is something wrong with this ball. It was being dropped all the time because it was humid and sweaty the last 2 weeks and today because it’s so wet, apparently. Just think there are too many drops by top class players for it to just be conditions

You make a very good point.

Don't think there was anything in what Samoa's 9 did there, but the player before him looked like he slid into Malia feet first.

Brown Trouser time for Argentina

Yup. That ball is fooked.

Think Creevy needed to be going forward there and would have caught fine

I only tuned in about 20 mins ago - I didn't realise Theo McFarland was a Samoan international - really good player


- perfect timing, he just knocked on the kick off

Well that was crap

Entertaining enough. Argentina aren’t going to trouble anyone unless they can find another gear.

Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:43 pm Entertaining enough. Argentina aren’t going to trouble anyone unless they can find another gear.

Pumas have been very disappointing, defence not great and not doing much in attack either. Will be doing well to make the quarters at this rate.

The Pumas form seems to have fallen off a cliff.

_Os_ wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 6:04 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:43 pm Entertaining enough. Argentina aren’t going to trouble anyone unless they can find another gear.

Pumas have been very disappointing, defence not great and not doing much in attack either. Will be doing well to make the quarters at this rate.

Their attack just seemed to be endless pull backs without anyone actually fixing defenders - I think i counted 4 pull backs in one phase before the winger was bundled into touch.

I do think there should be a relatively easy fix and they are slightly better than todays ball and conditions allowed, but certainly not a vintage Argentina team. Could still spring a surprise

_Os_ wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 6:04 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:43 pm Entertaining enough. Argentina aren’t going to trouble anyone unless they can find another gear.

Pumas have been very disappointing, defence not great and not doing much in attack either. Will be doing well to make the quarters at this rate.

Japan have a real chance despite also not being what they were.


On another topic, agree with Slick about the ball. Pretty much every game now

Slick wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:30 pm

troglodiet wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:44 pm

laurent wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:41 pm Bit meh. Not clinical by either team.

It's pissing down, difficult to be clinical.

Said on the main WC thread, there is something wrong with this ball. It was being dropped all the time because it was humid and sweaty the last 2 weeks and today because it’s so wet, apparently. Just think there are too many drops by top class players for it to just be conditions

Very good point. Will they please stop changing the balls?

Bring back the good old leather with inner tube I say.

troglodiet wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2023 4:15 am

Slick wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:30 pm

troglodiet wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 4:44 pm


It's pissing down, difficult to be clinical.

Said on the main WC thread, there is something wrong with this ball. It was being dropped all the time because it was humid and sweaty the last 2 weeks and today because it’s so wet, apparently. Just think there are too many drops by top class players for it to just be conditions

Very good point. Will they please stop changing the balls?

Bring back the good old leather with inner tube I say.

Fully, any rain-soaked ball that doesn't weigh at least 8kg by half time isn't a real rugby ball.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2023 7:58 am

troglodiet wrote: Sat Sep 23, 2023 4:15 am

Slick wrote: Fri Sep 22, 2023 5:30 pm

Said on the main WC thread, there is something wrong with this ball. It was being dropped all the time because it was humid and sweaty the last 2 weeks and today because it’s so wet, apparently. Just think there are too many drops by top class players for it to just be conditions

Very good point. Will they please stop changing the balls?

Bring back the good old leather with inner tube I say.

Fully, any rain-soaked ball that doesn't weigh at least 8kg by half time isn't a real rugby ball.

And teach these pansy backline players of today what it feels like to break every bone in your foot when you're trying to kick a ball further than 5 metres.