3rd weekend

[Which Tyler]

When we'll find out the seedings for the QFs.

I think the seeding is Table points > PD.
Top 2 from each group and 2 best losers.

In Pool A:
NZ with 15 points, and +125 are essentially guaranteed 1st seed status
Aus are through with 8 and -16
Wales are essentially through with 5 and -47


In Pool B:
You'd expect Canada to get the TBP against USA, for 15 points and to increase their +45 but an upset is possible, even a USA win isn't out of the question
Italy are through with 9 and +15
USA are essentially through with currently 5 and +1


In Pool C:
England really ought to win comfortably, even with a heavily rotated team (right decision), denying SA a bonus point
Expect to see England on 14 and +>100
France are through on 9 and +73
Fiji are out.
SA are out, barring a miracle.

[Which Tyler]

Expected seedings (assuming 5 pointers for Canada [+10-15ish] and England [+40ish]):

1: NZ (15 +125)
2: Canada (15 +60ish)
3: England (14 +110ish)
4: France (9 +73)
5: Italy (9 +15)
6: Australia (8 -16)
7: USA (5 -10ish)
8: Wales (5 -47)


I think this would be the distribution for the QFs.
1v8: NZvWal
4v5: Fr v Ita

3v6: Eng v Aus
2v7: Can v USA

[Which Tyler]

OK, looks like Canada have rotated their team pretty heavily, which evens things up a bit

[Which Tyler]

2: Canada (15 +61​)​​​

7: USA (5 -14​)​​​

[Which Tyler]

Saffer 8 really needs to be off for an HIA!

[Which Tyler]

That's red isn't it?

ETA: nope, passive enough to be yellow. I'm unconvinced

[Which Tyler]

And that's a yellow card dodged by SA (deliberate knock to stop a 2 on 0)
Is the ref trying to even things up a little?

[Which Tyler]

England generally lacking cohesion - unsurprising with 13 changes, but catch and device is working rather well.
2nd half though, we need to polish something else, as it feels a bit one-trick-pony.

Part of the point of so many changes is to get players into the RWC, and running lines and moves in a match situation. The match isnsafe, the TBP secured, let's use more than 1 tactic.

[Mr Mwenda]

Just turned this on. SA had anything at all?

[Which Tyler]

SA not done anything much beyond a lot of infringements in the first half.
They e tightened that up in the second, but they're just not as good at rugby.
For some strange reason,they look like a bunch of talented amateurs, taking on a bunch of cynical professionals.
They challenged hard, but often illegally, in the opening quarter, when nothing was sticking for England. Then they fell off with a couple of yellow cards, and England calming down a bit, and haven't had a look in since.



Nice to see England actually putting some phases together now, and occasionally running with the ball - albeit against demoralised and tiring legs - it's showing that were capable, and getting the backs a bit more accustomed to having the ball in their hands (even if it's always ending up with forwards crossing the line)

[Which Tyler]

Lucky girl - can't believe the ref was initially saying PK only!


Wasn't as bad as the high tackle & yellow in the first half, but still should have been red IMO.

[Mr Mwenda]

Probably the stage of the game was a factor even thought it shouldn't be.