RugbyRebels

If anyone wants individual match threads for any of these - feel free.

Saturday 23 August
Pool A: Australia v Samoa (12:00), Salford Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool B: Canada v Fiji (17:30), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool D: France v Italy (20:15), Sandy Park - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Sunday 24 August
Pool D: South Africa v Brazil (14:45), Franklin's Gardens - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool C: New Zealand v Spain (17:30), York Community Stadium - iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app

Dammit, missed the time.
Playing catch-up by skipping scrum/lineout set-ups.


Warning, this is likely to be a blow-outs result, with some good play to enjoy

This was always going to be a blow-out, but this is looking to be a century score!

Aus 19 - 0 Sam
11 min

Yeah, looking very ugly for Samoa

Aaaand it gets worse. A point per 45 seconds ish

Just as Samoa actually build a little possession and come into the match a little, they just lose control on the floor, and Aus score a couple of phases and 70m later


Aus 38 - 0 Sam

26 min

Samoa finally threatening, but just can't get much beyond the 5m

Back for the penalty.

Come on the Islanders!

ETA: Ahhh... No sympathy from the TMO, penalty reversed - I assume they're correct, but no romance

Aus 45 - 0 Sam
HT

France Italy later is likely the closest we'll get to seeing an upset this world cup.
Italy have never beaten France, but are a good team.

I guess USA could ask questions of Aus, but... that should be questions, not winning.

Mind, you could also say that Scotland being so comfortable against Wales counts as an upset - but only that the margin is looking to be big.

Canucks too powerful for Fiji at the mo. Although the Fijians hopefully will at least fire a shot at some point.

That's a fake-red card for me

Yay!

I was about to say how impressed I was with Fiji for keeping Canada out. I'd been expecting an 80 point hammering.


Then Canada scored 3 tries in 3 minutes

Actually, despite that 3 minutes of madness, I'm still impressed by Fiji - or maybe I should be underwhelmed by Canada?

Give England or New Zealand (and probably France) this much territory and possession, against the worst team in their group - and they're hunting a century.


Of course, it's first weekend, and Canada have plenty of time to improve, and Fiji have plenty to get knackered and fade, but still.

Oof, on that maul, you could pretty much hear the Fiji chorus of "I don't wanna do this any more"

I found myself only half watching but I thought the fijiana were just doing good stuff in defence until the inevitable told. As you say, once the gap becomes so large it's hard to read much into it.

Canuck full back earning a jug of beer was something to see.

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Sat Aug 23, 2025 7:20 pm Oof, on that maul, you could pretty much hear the Fiji chorus of "I don't wanna do this any more"

This tournament is pretty brutal already. It's a bit like 1999 in the men's game. Hopefully the success and increased profile generates some more resources for the minnows.

Dammit, thought it was half past!

A few cans of whoop ass being opened this weekend.

So far, the only matches that has defied expectations are:
Wales v Scotland - much more comfortable than it should have been
Canada v Fiji - less ruthless than it should have been (which is a bit weird, given 6 tries for Schell)

Amy hope for Japan v Ireland rackon?

Elsewhere today, Brasil are in for a very painful tournament - South Africa are the worst 3rd placed team for a pool, but they're as much better than Brasil are, than England were to USA; France as about as much better again. TBH, I'm a little concerned for safety with Brasil, and that's against France, Italy, RSA - not the big packs of Canada/England or the ruthlessness of NZ/Eng. Their place should probably have gone to someone like the Netherlands - who are both better, and have a longer history in the game (I believe they qualify simply by being the "best South American team" - in which case continental variety would suggest Kenya or Hong Kong would at least be safe).


NZ v Spain... how many points do NZ want? They're not renowned to being gentle with the minnows - will probably set themselves the target of beating Eng's score against USA.



ETA: Yeah, Brasil qualified by beating Columbia. They do also have a win against Netherlands - in the RWC warm-ups - of course, I've no idea how strong a team the Dutch would have sent out to S.America to help out another team, but still - good on Brasil (NB it was their 5th ever win, according to wiki).

TMO intervention for that?
**** off!

I mean, I thought it was close live, but TJ was in perfect position, and awake.
I'd have no problem with ref / TJ saying "please check" but TMO intervening for it?

Generally, the saffer scrum are being nice to Brasil, and just holding them in and walking them back.
But a couple (the first, and the one just outside the SA 22, and just now 5m from the Brazilian line) had the Brazilian front row in some horrible looking positions.

South Africa with a Rassie move at the lineout.
Hollie not buying it

Spain are really making the Black Ferns earn it, if they're want a big score. And they'd have been targeting 80 ahead of kick off!