Not bad for a country with about 2000 registered players. I think the america cup and the professionalization of their team help a lot.
I feel a bit for the pacific nations though, for who it will become harder and harder as their players leave abroad or can't play because of their club.
Wish the IRB/WR had some financial incentive for Pacific players not to play for the likes of New Zealand, Australia and France and that goes for Australian and New Zealand born Islanders as in both Rugby Union and Rugby League as the talents all there for the Fiji, Tonga and Samoa to compete in the future.Population wise the Pacific Nations can't compete with the rest of the world. It's only a matter if time and money before other countries develop better teams at an international level.
Fiji definately underestimated Uruguay though. Not playing 12 players from the Australia game may have cost them a quarter final spot.
I wish Folau never made a tit of himself and was doing AFL style marks for tries but the tit like Karmicheal Hunt with drugs problems could of done some service to the deflated wallys...waste of a teamI wish world rugby allowed players who played for countries like Australia or New Zealand to return and play for their heritage countries after being thrown on the scrap heap by those countries. Imagine a Samoan team that had Ma'a Nonu, Digby Ioane, Salese Ma'afu, Jerome Kaino, Sitaleki Timani in it.
I wish Folau never made a tit of himself and was doing AFL style marks for tries but the tit like Karmicheal Hunt with drugs problems could of done some service to the deflated wallys...waste of a team
They had a 4 day turnaround. They had to use squad players.Fiji paid the price for taking the game to lax and using players who otherwise won't play unless their are injuries. Uruguay has been building for the last 8 years, majority of their team are professional players now. They're going to be the next Argentina, it's important for the growth of the game worldwide. Brazil are starting to play rugby more and more.
I never liked Folau as a player (idc what he's like as a person not my business) he was a selfish glory hog. I can remember at least 6 tries that were bombed over his career because he chose to run into contact for the big bump off try instead of using the man in the open on the overlap, usually ending in Folau getting tackled and a certain try being killed. Hunt is a big loss though, I'd struggle to find a more courageous defender in Aus Rugby, he can play 3 different positions and he can kick.
I'm not overly upset with Hodge being banned for 3 games, hopefully gives a chance for Petaia to get a run. Hodge is a great player but he's simply too slow to be a winger, he'd be better at Fullback or at center, he's a liability if the defender gets around him because he simply can't catch anyone.
Today's games
Canada v Italy - I think Canada have the talent to beat Italy. I would say if Jamie Cudmore still played old Cuddles would have been the deciding factor. That being said if Italy can string together some continuity they can easily outplay Canada. But this is Italy we're talking about, they rarely string together anything but losses.
USA v England - England will crush the USA. If England hit their stride it won't even be a contest. Manu Tuilagi (if playing) will cut through the centres like a hot knife through butter. USA may have the youngest average age of the whole tournament, they lack any real test experience now that Todd Clever is retired and Tendai Ngwenya is gone. They will fall apart in the halves combo and their forwards will be hardpressed to make a dent.
Wales tore Georgia a new one in the first halfThe Wales vs Georgia scoreline really doesn't do justice to how hard Wales had to work. Aside from the opening 10 minutes and the closing 15 Georgia really played well against one of the big 6. I was confused as to why the referee awarded a try where the Welsh player didn't touch the ball and held his head in his hands afterwards in shock that he missed the ball? TMO surely should have spoken up on that.
Georgia completely shut down George North (Save one try), if the Wallabies watch that game Georgia has shown them the blue prints on how to beat Wales.
Wales tore Georgia a new one in the first half
The running lines in attack had Georgia chasing shadows. Going in 29-0 at half time meant Wales eased off. Georgia were better in the second half.
Happy with Wales' forwards performance against a good Georgia pack too.
They had a 4 day turnaround. They had to use squad players.
They were 29-0 at half time. Doesn't get much more commanding.Wales scored what in the first 1:50 of the game and then another one around the 10 minute mark? Was hardly a commanding performance from one of the best teams in the world.
Russia had a similar turnaround and didn't use squad players.
You’re not wrong 15 mins in Canada look like absolutes shitCanada aren't the side they were. Italy will win easily.
England will indeed crush the USA.
You’re not wrong 15 mins in Canada look like absolutes shit