The 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals have come and gone and, while the results themselves weren’t all that surprising, there are still plenty of talking points.
England and New Zealand proved far too good for Australia and Ireland, respectively, South Africa broke Japanese hearts with a clinical victory over the hosts, while Wales prevailed over France in controversial circumstances.
We were joined by Roar rugby expert Geoff Parkes on the Game of Codes podcast to break down all four matches and work out where they were won and lost.
Listen to the discussion:
We started with a good amount of time spent on the Wallabies loss. After some really encouraging patches, how did the game end up finishing so pear-shaped?
Then, we move onto the other three matches, discussing all the big talking points from each game. Then, we make an early call on how the semi-finals look set to play out, before looking at the teams that missed out on the semi-finals and deciding which one has the brightest future.
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
moaman
Roar Guru
Thanks Kane, you saved me the legwork.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
I truly wish that you didn't put up that link. Now I wish that the bl**dy poms get up. Likeable, even lovable there truly still and ever exist spirit passion and real humanity in the game in the old mother country.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
All good Kane, but it doesn't change my fundamental point(s) one bit.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Ah, the days of amateur rugby. So much of it was good for the soul. There's now a vacant touring gulf between the village side that scrapes together airfare, accommodation and the collective wives forgiveness, to launch themselves upon a European destination for a few weeks orgy of hangover rugby with the locals, and memories and friendships to take into dotage, and the shiny professional version that is the Lions. Both deserve vehement protection. The same sentiments back at you for the weekend DH. It's a strange thing, but in the anticipation of this one-off game, at a neutral venue with as close to equal preparation as you ever see, I'd almost prefer this not to be a RWC semi-final, or even final, but a series of three games, with just the competition between two teams at stake. Oh, by the way. On the subject of Sinckler, since you brought him up, stumbled over this podcast today. Some interesting insights into the person beginning around the 5 min mark. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07rp5v0
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Thanks RL double points at the WC? Why should a WC game be worth more is my question.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Thanks Moaman, interesting read. Says it all really it's not just the ARU that's run by people with miniscule intellect and hyper inflated egos then.
Harry Jones
Expert
touche!
moaman
Roar Guru
That is not an extensive list to choose from,Harry! :silly:
moaman
Roar Guru
Yeah I have read those too mate. He does waffle a bit but worth reading! I suspect Boyd would have leapt in halfway through the first paragraph and said "let's cut to the chase" :stoked:
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Justified has been a fave of mine, Moa. And just finished Elmore Leonard's "Fire in the Hole", "Pronto" and "Ride the Rap". Picking up his novel "Get Shorty" for the weekend. Leonard can meander sometimes but his laconic style is pretty cool...
Ragnar
Roar Rookie
Barnes showing up as a touchie in Wales vs SA. Lets us see how he will manage to insert his ego into this game with odds on it will be some Bok alleged infringement. And then we have Garces and Skeen. A double whammy of incompetence is on the cards from these two who consistently fail to meet the low standards they set themselves. Hope it is not going to be yet another game ruined by inferior officials. This is what is Rugby Unions biggest handicap and why many people are not fans.
Vico
Guest
There goes our WC tournie after Jaco's flaunt with the Welsh, it's going to take heart livers and kidneys to make it through to the final ( the semi ain't the so called WC final against NZ and Eng we lost by 1 point one their home ground last game got penalized for a high tackle while their Skipper got away with it) But welcome Jerome G
adastra32
Roar Rookie
Lawdy - Farces AND Bun in the TMO box. Everybody's Halloweens arrived at once...
Loftus
Guest
England will only agree to it if they can play all their matches at Twickenham
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
Loftus
Guest
Last time I checked, Neil, Wales and SA are champions in their respective hemispheres. I know you hate facing this, but there is a strong argument labelling this match as a final between the 2 hemisphere's champs.
Loftus
Guest
Amazing insight...except, your "weak" side of the draw has the 6 Nations champs vs the RC champs squaring off.
pm
Roar Rookie
If England get ahead, which they may well do they are going to have to keep lifting and lifting to stay ahead. NZ are a unique challenge in that way. It's really a test of England's ability to maintain their good play over 80 minutes.
pm
Roar Rookie
No. And they looked very evenly matched in the last 4 games they played last year
Kane
Roar Guru
Yeah but if you look a little deeper (and don't ignore the other match by more than 7 points) you'll find that there was only really one match that they were in with a chance to win. 16/11/2016 Lost by 8 points scored there last points at 59min. 7/6/2014 Lost by 5 points were in the game until the death, a late Conrad try broke the deadlock for the All Blacks. First game of the season for the All Blacks. 14/6/2014 While you only lost by 1 point you never really had a chance to win it as you were down by 15 points with 15min remaining. Their last try came with time up on the scoreboard so could never win. And the try before that by Brown was awarded by the TMO despite the ball never touching the grass because his reasoning "you can't hold yourself up" 21/6/2014 Lost by 23 and were down by 23 after 34min. 8/11/2014 Lost by 4 and scored a converted try with 1 minute left on the clock. The All Blacks were never really threatened in the last 10 minutes holding a 10 point lead.