England vs Samoa - Sat 4.45pm

[Mellsblue]

The second row is not the issue. If front and back rows were playing as well we'd have less problems. I thought Genge was below his best, George was erratic and Cole very limited away from the scrum. Our back row was up against a good unit. Curry worked his socks off. Lawes did some critical stuff. Earl struggled a bit but that is hardly surprising at this level. He did still look a far better No 8 than BV.

I’m surprised more hasn’t been made of Genge’s anonymity so far. For a guy who is considered to be a leader and one of our best players, he’s been very disappointing. I don’t recall him doing anything of note yet.

He’s one of a few who really need to step up in the QF.

His social media is on point, you sausage.

[Scrumhead]

Haha. TBH, that only reinforces my point. He’d be better off staying quiet unless he’s going to produce the goods.

[Which Tyler]

I was unaware of the clock. I obviously got lost a little," he said.

Probably mentioned but I find this comment staggering

Still wish the post-match interviewer had cut him off mid-sentence and said "sorry Owen, you're out of time"

[Puja]

I was unaware of the clock. I obviously got lost a little," he said.

Probably mentioned but I find this comment staggering

Alongside …….‘we are building a side that can get out of difficult situations’

It's a shame that the shot clock isn't referenced on a massive fucking screen in the stadium anywhere really.

Puja

[p/d]

Fiji v Portugal commentary is appalling

[morepork]

Fiji need to hang on to the MoFo pill man.

[loudnconfident]

Have Fiji been bribed by the Aussies?

[p/d]

That’ll be a red

[morepork]

Bullshit.

[pompey-zebra]

That’ll be a red

Remains a yellow.

[p/d]

That’ll be a red

Remains a yellow.

Aye. On the rewatch looks the right decision

[Stom]

Writers are going against Farrell...

Dawson on BBC

"I can't believe anybody in the coaching staff thinks that Farrell is a better 10 than Ford now,"

And more:

"Part of me thinks that he brought Ford off because they need him next week," said Dawson. "I'd be amazed, astounded, if Farrell is at 10.

"In the last quarter he put in some wayward passes and gave the ball back to Samoa when they were on the charge.

"He didn't have his head in the game about penalties and the shot clock. This is about a knockout game which is going to be a tough ask and you need the right people in the right shirts.

"Farrell will go down as one of the greats for England, but at the moment he's not at the levels of the other players at 10 or 12, and no matter how much you try to squeeze that square peg into a round hole it isn't going to go. I think there's a ripple effect around the team."

A lot more mild from Andy Bull:

But underneath it all is the uncomfortable truth is that England’s worst performance at this tournament coincided with Farrell starting alongside George Ford for the first time in more than two-and-a-half years. They were a hell of a lot better when Ford made way for Marcus Smith. But given how good England were in previous weeks, when Ford was leading the attack, without Farrell outside him, you have to wonder if Borthwick took the wrong one of his three playmakers off.

[Mellsblue]

I’ve never seen a team ready themselves for a quarterfinal by playing like their future opposition. Ground breaking from Raiwalui

[FKAS]

The second row is not the issue. If front and back rows were playing as well we'd have less problems. I thought Genge was below his best, George was erratic and Cole very limited away from the scrum. Our back row was up against a good unit. Curry worked his socks off. Lawes did some critical stuff. Earl struggled a bit but that is hardly surprising at this level. He did still look a far better No 8 than BV.

I’m surprised more hasn’t been made of Genge’s anonymity so far. For a guy who is considered to be a leader and one of our best players, he’s been very disappointing. I don’t recall him doing anything of note yet.

He’s one of a few who really need to step up in the QF.

His form hasn't been as good since he moved back to Bristol. The appetite is there but for whatever reason the end result isn't coming. He certainly carried whilst he was on but none of the famous barnstorming bursts.

[p/d]

What a magical night for Portugal. Rugby won tonight!!!

[Mikey Brown]

I know this has been done to death but I can’t get over it. We scrape past Samoa to face a team that just lost to Portugal, meanwhile the actual semi-finals are both being played on the other side of the draw.

It’s like the two different tournaments going on at once, where the world champions are decided a week before facing the shield/plate champions from the shit teams.

[FKAS]

To be fair Portugal have played decent rugby throughout the tournament. Biggest losses have been by 20 points which when compared to some of the other tier 2 nations falling apart is nothing. Two losses, a win and a draw. Good tournament from them. Shame there isn't a plate competition for the 3rd and 4th placed teams.

Fiji rested a few for this game. They'll need to come back firing for next week though if they decide not to that might well help.

[Mellsblue]

What a magical night for Portugal. Rugby won tonight!!!

Yep. Seeing the old fan in the stands and grizzly props in tears of joy was great to see. Perfect result probably: Fiji qualify and Portugal get their win. World Rugby need to get their act together in both Portugal and Spain.

[Mellsblue]

It’s like the two different tournaments going on at once,

Ha! This hadn’t occurred to me but you’re spot on. The devil in me wants the winners* to come from the remedial class side of the draw just for the lols.
*not Wales.

[p/d]

What a magical night for Portugal. Rugby won tonight!!!

Yep. Seeing the old fan in the stands and grizzly props in tears of joy was great to see. Perfect result probably: Fiji qualify and Portugal get their win. World Rugby need to get their act together in both Portugal and Spain.

Cameraman - sorry person - picked out a couple of easy on the eye Portuguese supporters to add to the enjoyment

[Mellsblue]

What a magical night for Portugal. Rugby won tonight!!!

Yep. Seeing the old fan in the stands and grizzly props in tears of joy was great to see. Perfect result probably: Fiji qualify and Portugal get their win. World Rugby need to get their act together in both Portugal and Spain.

Cameraman - sorry person - picked out a couple of easy on the eye Portuguese supporters to add to the enjoyment

He did. Everyone won this evening: Fiji, Portugal, rugby in general and pervy old men.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Holy shit, you guys must be looking forward to playing Fiji after that performance.

Not as much as I suspect Fiji will be looking forward to playing us

I have been forced to retract all sarcasm from my previous comment.

[Danno]

Holy shit, you guys must be looking forward to playing Fiji after that performance.

Not as much as I suspect Fiji will be looking forward to playing us

I have been forced to retract all sarcasm from my previous comment.

Don't mind jngf, he thinks Tom Curry is shit but we love him anyway

[fivepointer]

Portugal's win is the highlight of this WC. Delighted for them.

[Banquo]

Portugal's win is the highlight of this WC. Delighted for them.

wouldn't mind nabbing a few of their players.