Australia v Portugal (Sun/Mon)

[morepork]

If you were in the Oz team, how motivated would you be after having to listen to that stubborn chippy Ewok of a coach at half time? Good job firing Rennie dickheads.

[p/d]

The Biggar chip has cost ‘em every time.

The one that led to the Australian try was a gorgeous bit of play though - if the bounce of the rugby ball hadn't hated them, then it could've been a try the other way.

Puja

Aye. They just look so much better with ball in hand. The atmosphere is cracking, would be a great game to be at as a neutral

[Beasties]

World class Ugo?

[switchskier]

Explain to me why that isn't yellow? Aussie centre clearly contacting neck of Portuguese scrumhalf.

[Beasties]

Looked like a shoulder to the windpipe.

[switchskier]

And if it's yellow then isn't it a penalty try? I don't understand the laws anymore.

[Donny osmond]

Is it just me or was absolutely not a clear loss of control of the ball? That Joy character wants to wind her neck in

[Donny osmond]

Although she's seen that elbow to the head so fair enough

[Beasties]

No shortage of incident

[Beasties]

So frustrating watching Portugal butcher so many chances.

[Donny osmond]

WR really have shat the bed with red card offences haven't they?

[16th man]

WR really have shat the bed with red card offences haven't they?

Can not see any way that the Aussie elbowing / striking with a closed hand an oncoming tackler in the head can be anything other than a red.

[Beasties]

Seems to have been an extraordinary number of iffy challenges, some punished about right but several that they bottled.

[Mr Mwenda]

WR really have shat the bed with red card offences haven't they?

Yes, I reckon the freaked out over the Curry card and the resultant furore over what was let go in the opening round. Unsurprisingly they learned the wrong lesson it seems.

[Cameo]

Yeah, they seem to have raised the threshold without telling anyone. I have given up trying to guess.

Their explanation seems to be that the magical bunker person has more angles that are not released. Even if true, that is a joke. It's like they don't think it matters that everyone is left scratching their heads.

[Cameo]

Anyway, sounds like a fun game. Portugal have been good value.

[Puja]

Yeah, they seem to have raised the threshold without telling anyone. I have given up trying to guess.

Their explanation seems to be that the magical bunker person has more angles that are not released. Even if true, that is a joke. It's like they don't think it matters that everyone is left scratching their heads.

During the Ashes, there were a few moments of umpiring controversy and, within a matter of half a day of each of them, the ICC had an article and a video up on their website, explaining why the decision had been reached, giving reference to the laws, and often examples of where else it'd happened. Phenomenal communication and making sure none of the fans, whether experienced or neophytes drawn in by the flagship event, were left grumbling and outraged by miscarriages of justice (sportsmanship, sometimes, but not justice).

The IRB in comparison, have limited replays on the television, removed visibility of the decision-making process from the viewers, and then give no information whatsoever after the fact. I hated the interminable deliberations between ref and TMO as much as the next guy, but at least you got to see how they got there and what the thought processes were. The new system might speed up the game, but it leaves fans essentially guessing while the bunker review goes on and the inconsistencies mean it feels like an answer drawn out of a hat.

Puja