@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

The Uru’s really kept their shape on both sides of the ball. They were pretty disciplined defensively* and took their opportunities with the ball through spotting gaps and support play.

*Not to be a downer, but at the ruck I thought the ref gave the Uru’s some lee-way. Lots of warnings when they were have an extra hold on or off their feet. Several I thought they could’ve been penalised.

Yeah, plus looking back at a lot of crucial tackle/ruck turnovers, Uruguay got away with a heck of a lot of Pocock style play. Ref seemed very happy for them to be well off their feet and/or hands in the ruck.

@Bones said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

The Uru’s really kept their shape on both sides of the ball. They were pretty disciplined defensively* and took their opportunities with the ball through spotting gaps and support play.

*Not to be a downer, but at the ruck I thought the ref gave the Uru’s some lee-way. Lots of warnings when they were have an extra hold on or off their feet. Several I thought they could’ve been penalised.

Yeah, plus looking back at a lot of crucial tackle/ruck turnovers, Uruguay got away with a heck of a lot of Pocock style play. Ref seemed very happy for them to be well off their feet and/or hands in the ruck.

Went both ways.

Fiji had a flopper at nearly every ruck.

Fiji lost for the same reason South Africa lost to Japan: They didn't respect their opposition.

@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

@Bones said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

The Uru’s really kept their shape on both sides of the ball. They were pretty disciplined defensively* and took their opportunities with the ball through spotting gaps and support play.

*Not to be a downer, but at the ruck I thought the ref gave the Uru’s some lee-way. Lots of warnings when they were have an extra hold on or off their feet. Several I thought they could’ve been penalised.

Yeah, plus looking back at a lot of crucial tackle/ruck turnovers, Uruguay got away with a heck of a lot of Pocock style play. Ref seemed very happy for them to be well off their feet and/or hands in the ruck.

Went both ways.

Fiji had a flopper at nearly every ruck.

I probably wasn't paying enough attention - I'm only going off all the "game changer" clips they showed after the game of the Uruguay steals. From what I recall early in the game, Fiji looked to be staying well out of the breakdown post tackle, to the point of having absolutely no one in at all many times - guess that changed as they got desperate!

@Bones said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

@Bones said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

The Uru’s really kept their shape on both sides of the ball. They were pretty disciplined defensively* and took their opportunities with the ball through spotting gaps and support play.

*Not to be a downer, but at the ruck I thought the ref gave the Uru’s some lee-way. Lots of warnings when they were have an extra hold on or off their feet. Several I thought they could’ve been penalised.

Yeah, plus looking back at a lot of crucial tackle/ruck turnovers, Uruguay got away with a heck of a lot of Pocock style play. Ref seemed very happy for them to be well off their feet and/or hands in the ruck.

Went both ways.

Fiji had a flopper at nearly every ruck.

I probably wasn't paying enough attention - I'm only going off all the "game changer" clips they showed after the game of the Uruguay steals. From what I recall early in the game, Fiji looked to be staying well out of the breakdown post tackle, to the point of having absolutely no one in at all many times - guess that changed as they got desperate!

You're correct.

Second half they were all over it.

I’d be firmly in the camp that loves a good upset...so long as it’s not my team...

@NTA Exactly right. Against weaker opposition, your mindset going into it has to similar to that of a traditional test match opening batsman where you look to blunt them in the first 25-30 mins before looking get expansive. Fiji didn't look like they wanted to tackle in the 1st half and ruined any good ball they had by throwing a horrendous offload and still continued to do it for most of the game despite it not working. When they built phases and kept it simple, they had plenty of success (shock horror), but they were too dumb to realise it and still thought that playing like the harlem globetrotters from all parts of the field was the way to go. There was a serious lack of leadership/brains in that Fijian side yesterday and now they can kiss their campaign goodbye as a result.

Uruguay played with structure and a plan. Fiji looked at this team of "midgets" and thought this is going to be easy and played like 15 glory hunting show boating individuals

@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

That's one to warm the cockles of your heart.

Fiji gambolled and lost.

Tremendous tackling and patient defensive structure from the Uruguayans, combined with a confident and accurate attack.

Brilliant. Simply brilliant.

Nice. Apt.

@Kirwan said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

@MiketheSnow well I’m not guessing what the coach was thinking or throwing out cliches like one team wanted it more.

Depth isn’t great in Fijian rugby, I bet if there was a slightly bigger gap between games more of the top team could have played.

Well done for them taking advantage, but without looking at the draw do Wales or the ABs have four day turnarounds?

Edit: Yes they do, good.

They changed after 2011 when the top teams all played on the weekend, and the tier 2s got the quick turnarounds .

@Rembrandt said in RWC: Fiji v Uruguay (Pool D):

Looks like they'll be partying in... consults google... Montevideo tonight!

Not a fan of naval history? Twice actually, the second one being one of NZ's greatest.

Be interesting to see how competitive Los Teros are for the rest of the pool matches, or whether they have played their final.

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