Rugby World Cup

[Gob]

A guide for Americans

Although overshadowed by another game played with an oval ball, the United States Eagles head into the Rugby World Cup knowing their sport has made great strides in popularity in the last few years.

Nickname: The Eagles



World ranking: 15
Captain: Chris Wyles
Coach: Mike Tolkin

More than 61,000 people packed Soldier Field, home of the NFL's Chicago Bears, to watch the Eagles take on New Zealand last November. Never mind that they got thumped.

They beat a tough Uruguay side in an epic two-match Americas playoff to qualify for the tournament.

But pitted against Scotland, Samoa, South Africa and Japan in Pool B, the Eagles are likely to find their wings clipped.

With the Springboks among the tournament favourites and Scotland resurgent, the US will be targeting Japan to avoid bringing up the rear in the pool.

Two of their three victories in seven previous World Cups have come against the Japanese.

They beat Japan 23-18 in Sacramento, California, in July, ending a run of five defeats against their opponents.

The Eagles have some handy players and an upset against Samoa or even Scotland cannot be discounted.

Rugby World Cup: Pool B
South Africa
Samoa
Japan
Scotland
United States

Saracen's Chris Wyles, the United States' most capped full-back, will bring his experience of top class European rugby to the festival.

Wyles captained the side in the recent Pacific Nations Cup after flanker Todd Clever, who has Super Rugby experience with South Africa's Lions, was suspended for squad conduct violations and looks set to miss out on the World Cup.

The man to watch is Samu Manoa, playing at number eight or lock. A terrific tackler and fast and strong with the ball, he is considered among Europe's finest forwards and is now signed to Toulon in France after four years with Northampton.

Whatever happens at the World Cup, when rugby returns to the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, the United States will be the defending champions having won the gold medal the last time the sport was played at the Games, in Paris in 1924.

Reuters

[Lord Jim]

Okay, now I understand the popularity of the sport...

[Gob]

WoW!! Japan beat the Saffers, where's Meade???

Japan stunned two-time champions South Africa to cause arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history.

South Africa (12) 32
Tries: Louw, Du Plessis, De Jager, Strauss
Cons: Lambie 2, Pollard
Pens: Lambie, Pollard

Japan (10) 34
Tries: Leitch, Goromaru, Hesketh
Cons: Goromaru 2
Pens: Goromaru 5

Karne Hesketh crossed in the final minute to win an incredible World Cup Pool B encounter in Brighton.

South Africa led 12-10 after Francois Louw and Bismark du Plessis tries.



Lood de Jager and Adriaan Strauss also scored for the Springboks, but Ayumu Goromaru contributed 24 points, including a try, before Hesketh's dramatic clincher.

Japan had not won a World Cup game since 1991, while South Africa were world champions in both 1995 and 2007.

[Gob]

Hard lines Canada...

Rugby World Cup 2015
Ireland 50-7 Canada

[Reality Bytes]

The Japan game was one of the best games of rugby I have ever seen, real edge of the seat stuff every time the Boks scored the Japanese hit back almost immediately. They never gave up their scrum was solid and one of the trys was from what seemed like a 15 man rolling maul The final 10 mins were as exciting as if it were a Wales game - Brahms, Xeno and I were on our feet cheering them on and when they went over for the winning score they probably heard us screaming in Cardiff if they keep playing like that there is every chance they could win their group though a 4 day turn around before their next game is going to be tough. One things for sure whatever support they thought they had going into the world cup - its just gone up by tens of thousands!

[Lord Jim]

The "scrum" is the group hug thing, right?

[Gob]

If you ask nicely next time there's a rugby match in your area, I'm sure they'll let you join in the "group hug" Jim.

Wales are suffering...

Wales: (28) 54
Tries: Allen 3, Lee, Amos, Davies 2, Tipuric
Cons: Priestland 7

Uruguay: (9) 9
Pens: Berchesi 3

Wales claimed a bonus point as they opened their World Cup campaign with a stuttering eight-try win over battling Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium.



Cory Allen scored a hat-trick as Wales opened a 28-9 half-time lead.

But the centre may miss the rest of the World Cup with full-back Liam Williams and props Paul James and Samson Lee among other injury worries.

Uruguay fly-half Felipe Berchesi impressed and kicked Los Teros into an early 6-0 lead, before Wales responded.

However, six days before facing England at Twickenham, Warren Gatland's team were not convincing, despite completely dominating the forward exchanges.

Wales lacked composure behind the scrum, while Uruguay were dogged and courageous opponents who refused to capitulate even after Wales reached the 40-point mark on the hour.

[Lord Jim]

If you ask nicely next time there's a rugby match in your area, I'm sure they'll let you join in the "group hug" Jim.

Thanks, I'll pass...

Not really interested in getting into a group hug with a bunch sweaty guys in short shorts...

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

[Gob]

Hard luck USA

Samoa (14) 25
Tries: Nanai-Williams, Treviranus,
Pens: Pisi 4, Stanley

USA (8) 16
Tries: Wyles, Baumann.
Pens: MacGinty 2

Samoa narrowly overcame USA in their World Cup Pool B encounter in Brighton, as the Americans were eventually punished for their ill discipline.

The Eagles gave away a succession of penalties at the breakdown as Samoa dominated possession, allowing Tusi Pisi to kick 12 points.

Tim Nanai-Williams and Ofisa Treviranus crossed for the Pacific Islanders either side of half-time.

Chris Wyles and Chris Baumann touched down in reply, but Samoa held firm.

Samoa are looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1995 and face South Africa in their next pool match next Saturday.

[Gob]

The Duke of Cambridge has urged Wales to beat England in their world cup showdown - to keep his brother quiet.

Prince William, who is vice patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, joked with the Welsh players at a welcome ceremony at London's Guildhall, ahead of Saturday's clash.



Prince Harry holds a similar role with the English Rugby Football Union.

Prince William presented the team with their tournament caps after the players sang the folk song Ar Lan y Mor.

The prince went on to poke fun at the assembled team on Monday evening, joking: "Thank God the Welsh team play rugby better than they sing."

But he also gave them a rallying call as they prepared for the rest of the tournament, after their first 54-9 victory over Uruguay.

"It will have been a long, arduous road for many of you to get the opportunity to represent your country at a world cup. I know you will all be fearsomely proud of being a part of this team," said Prince William.

"All of your sacrifices, pain and Herculean efforts are about to be rewarded with the chance to make history in Cardiff and London over the next six weeks.

He added: "I wish you all the best of luck and I look forward to supporting you every step of the way. Cymru am byth! (Forever Wales!)"

Wales kick-off against England at Twickenham at 20:00 on Saturday, 26 September.

[MajGenl.Meade]

WoW!! Japan beat the Saffers, where's Meade???

Japan stunned two-time champions South Africa to cause arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history.

South Africa (12) 32
Tries: Louw, Du Plessis, De Jager, Strauss
Cons: Lambie 2, Pollard
Pens: Lambie, Pollard

Japan (10) 34
Tries: Leitch, Goromaru, Hesketh
Cons: Goromaru 2
Pens: Goromaru 5

Hesketh? Leitch? Funny names for Japanese chaps.... Holdovers from Changi was it?

[Gob]

Are you going to make whine with those sour grapes?

[MajGenl.Meade]

5 penalty goals? Bloody ref's name must have been Yamamoto!

[Gob]

I'd love them to beat the Scots!!

[Gob]

Fuck my luck!

Scotland (12) 45
Try: Hardie, Bennett 2, Seymour, Russell
Cons: Laidlaw 4
Pens: Laidlaw 4
Japan (7) 10
Try: Mafi
Con: Goromaru
Pen: Goromaru

Scotland ran in five second-half tries as they opened their World Cup campaign with victory over Japan at Kingsholm.

Greig Laidlaw's four successful penalties out of five gave the Scots a 12-7 advantage at half-time, Amanaki Mafi having crossed for Japan.

John Hardie and Mark Bennett touched down after the break and Tommy Seymour raced clear for the Scots' third try.

Bennett's second score secured a bonus point and Finn Russell celebrated his 23rd birthday by crossing late on.

Japan had caused a major upset when they beat South Africa 34-32 on Saturday but, despite a spirited first half, they were overwhelmed by Vern Cotter's side, who now top Pool B.

Mafi scored after a successful line-out and Ayumu Goromaru converted but that 7-6 advantage would be Japan's only lead in the match as Laidlaw largely kept his composure with the boot before the Scots fully took control.

[Gob]

Australia (18) 28
Tries: Pocock (2), Kepu
Cons: Foley (2)
Pens: Foley (3)

Fiji (3) 13
Tries: Volavola
Con: Nadolo
Pens: Nadolo (2)

Australia made a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign as they failed to earn a bonus point in their win against Pool A rivals Fiji in Cardiff.

An even start saw Australia's Bernard Foley and Fiji's Nemani Nadolo trade penalties, before the Wallabies took control with two David Pocock tries.

Prop Sekope Kepu stepped over from close range to extend their lead after the restart, before Fiji fought back.

Ben Volavola reduced the gap, only for Foley's penalty to ease Aussie fears.

However, the Wallabies' inability to make their dominance count and score a fourth try to earn a bonus point means they are already a point behind England and Wales in a group containing four of the world's nine best teams.

Michael Cheika's side looked on course to match England's four-try victory over Fiji last Friday after a clinical first-half performance.

But, after scoring their third try within seconds of the restart, Australia lost their way as Fiji battled back with their free-flowing attacking approach.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Back in '77 I had joined the rugby club when I was at the Univ of Buffalo. We/I never got to play as it snowed from november to april and the field always had a good 2 feet of snow on it. I would have played in the snow.

[Gob]

:

[Gob]

Venue: Elland Road
Date: Sunday, 27 September
Kick-off: 14:30 BST
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Scotland & 5 live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website

USA have been inspired by Japan's recent win over South Africa as they seek to make their mark in Scotland's pool, says their assistant team manager.

Kevin Battle is hopeful the Eagles can trouble Scotland on Sunday in Leeds.

The Scots beat Japan 45-10 after the Cherry Blossoms had caused a surprise by defeating South Africa.

"We're going to put our best foot forward and see if we can't recreate those same heroics," said Battle.

"Unfortunately, we fell a little short against Samoa - in Sunday's 25-16 defeat. We feel like we have a really great opportunity against Scotland and also against Japan.

"Realistically, South Africa are tough, they're really tough but we're certainly going to put our best foot forward.

Battle hopes USA's campaign can boost interest in rugby Stateside.

"Rugby's still in its infancy in the US," he added. "We still have a long way to go.

"It's starting to catch on like wildfire. I'd dare to say that every American who has actually seen rugby has instantly fallen in love with it.

"I think this World Cup is vital, both the World Cup and the Olympics next year - the sevens - because this is coming into the televisions in the homes in the US. That's one thing we don't have, we don't have rugby being played regularly on TV.

"Once that happens, that'll reach more people. With that, there'll be more excitement, greater participation numbers and therefore, we should be more competitive."

[Lord Jim]