Roar Pro
Joined July 2015
20.3k
Views
10
Published
138
Comments
Published
Comments
My high school coach had a favourite half time one-liner: “tough day at the office?” More often than not, it was a tough day.…
One of the biggest positives coming out of the Wallabies’ camp over the last couple of years has been the depth developed across the…
Cam Avery wrote a nice article yesterday in which he wrote on how critical it is to nurture players in the wake of World…
The Japanese Brave Blossoms this morning finished their inspiring World Cup campaign with a hard fought 28-18 victory over the USA Eagles. This win…
Namibia and Georgia will be keen to rise above their minnow tags when they clash in Exeter this morning. Join The Roar for live…
Tonga and Argentina clash in a match that could impact the eventual second place in Pool C when they meet in Leicester. Join The…
Match Result: Romania came to play rugby and they did just that, the Oaks pushing the French to their absolute limit, and especially bullying…
Michael Cheika has named six changes to his starting Wallabies team from last week's clash against the All Blacks, and it's his bravest move…
For maybe the first time in my life, I'm thankful for the Wallabies losing. Don't get me wrong, I want Australia to topple every…
What happened to Australia A? Second-tier international rugby, in my eyes, is the best pathway to producing Test-ready, world-class players before they receive their…
This would be a good way to build on the World Cup, it covers where the bonus point system fails. As you say, Japan are deserving of a finals berth and were unlucky to miss out.
Cheers.
Rugby World Cup should follow the lead of Sevens Rugby
Lester,
I actually really like the idea of promotion and relegation. It would be interesting to see teams such as Georgia thrown into the Six Nations mix, or the Wallabies flying to Fiji to play. I think that’s definitely a great way to bring the tier 2 or tier 3 nations into the mix of world Rugby even more.
As we’ve seen with Italy’s inclusion in the Six Nations in 2000, and the discussion of Georgia’s participation in this tournament, that big competitions are willing to let smaller nations into their tournaments to develop. Another example is Argentina’s recent addition to the Rugby Championship.
If teams were instead given entry based on promotion/relegation, it would really maximise the impact of the tournaments on smaller nations and make them more enjoyable to watch. I just think TRC would have to expand to maybe 5 or 6 teams.
Cheers, I really liked the idea.
Rugby World Cup should follow the lead of Sevens Rugby
Chinmay, some good points here.
I agree that the strain on the squads would be pretty intense. And it would be hard to motivate tier 1 nations, as well as possibly creating a bit too much rugby to take in within 6 weeks.
Personally I’d just like to see it to see the smaller nations of Rugby play more games and come up against opposition of their class. This is one of many ways this could happen, and it’s exciting times ahead if we get to see these nations getting stronger and stronger each year (think Georgia).
Cheers.
Rugby World Cup should follow the lead of Sevens Rugby
FULL TIME!
Georgia hang on to gain automatic qualification for 2019! Namibia were absolutely determined to come away with a win today and were stoic in defeat. It was something of a sloppy match, with lots of dropped ball and discipline errors. Despite that, it was a thrilling game and neither team relented, with Namibia unlucky to lose. Three yellow cards for Namibia really cost them. They fought incredibly hard and at time looked likely to break their drought. 48 missed tackles cost them dearly and Georgia exploited their weakness in defense and the scrum to out-muscle them. Georgia should be proud of their efforts this World Cup, while Namibia will know they gave everything today and will have a short turnaround for Argentina in 4 days. Thanks for dropping in to follow the blog today – it was a cracking game and both teams gave it all. Have a good day!
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
79′
Georgia are marching downfield with a rolling maul, looking for a penalty. They’re chewing up the metres.
Georgia lead 17-16.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
78′
PENALTY. Georgia find some breathing space with a penalty. They kick for touch.
Georgia lead 17-16.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
77′
Both team are at each other’s throats right now. There’s serious intensity out on Sandy Park.
Georgia hang on, 17-16.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
75′
WHAT A KICK! Kotze converts his own try with an absolute beauty from the touch line. It’s neck and neck now.
Georgia lead 17-16.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
73′
TRY!!
Namibia get over the line through Kotze! He becomes Namibia’s all time highest point scorer, but more importantly bring Namibia back into the game.
Georgia lead 17-14. Kick to come.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
73′
Namibia is surging forwards towards the try line. They’re determined now.
Georgia lead 17-9.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
70′
GOAL. Namibia claw back into the game off Kotze’s penalty kick.
Georgia lead 17-9.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
69′
PENALTY. Georgia gives away a penalty for hands in the ruck, and Namibia decide to kick for goal. They back themselves to get over the line.
Georgia lead 17-6.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
67′
GOAL! Kvirikashvili adds 3 points to extend Georgia’s lead off a ruck penalty.
Georgia lead 17-6.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
65′
Namibia doing well to push back against a rapidly advancing Georgia. They’ve pushing them backwards at times.
Georgia lead 14-6.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
59′
PENALTY. Georgia push for yet another scrum penalty. They’ve really shown off their forward strength today. Also, Bothma comes back to the field of play.
Georgia lead 14-6.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
55′
TRY!! Malaguradze crosses the line off a great offload from Tkhilaishvili. Georgia have clicked into gear now – you can see them taking it slow and resisting the offloads that they don’t need. They’re sticking to their strengths in their huge, forwards runs. 54 missed tackles from Namibia speaks volumes about the nature of Georgian ball carrying.
Georgia lead 14-6.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
54′
PENALTY. Namibia are penalised for not rolling away, and Georgia kick for the corner.
Georgia lead 7-6.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
51′
GOAL! YELLOW CARD!
Kvirikashvili adds the extras while Namibian number 8 is yellow carded for a high tackle.
Georgia lead 7-6.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
49′
TRY!! Georgian captain Mamuka Gorgodze crashes over the line to finally put points on the board.
Namibia lead 6-5.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
47′
Georgia spoil ANOTHER opportunity, passing straight to Namibia. Georgia have a chance with a lineout now.
Namibia lead 6-0.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
47′
Namibia are now only on 14 men.
Namibia lead 6-0.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
45′
Georgia have knocked the ball on twice already this half. They’ve squandered almost every chance they’ve gotten this half.
Namibia lead 6-0.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
42′
Namibia are managing to hold onto the ball and eat up crucial sin-bin time.
Namibia lead 6-0.
Georgia vs Namibia highlights: Rugby World Cup scores, blog
James,
All good suggestions, I’d say. I would think that Douglas, pending injury and form, should be the wrecking-ball/bulldog player to balance Rob Simmons’ calm and collected play. Both are fantastic, in my opinion, any compliment each other nicely. The headache arises when players like Arnold and Coleman are playing fantastically – but the Australian rugby scene can, and will, change dramatically before 2019 (I assume).
Then again, in his form Rory Arnold could very well fill Douglas’ physical shoes, with a little size to boot. Only time will tell, I guess.
As with all these selections, I think it’s important to expose players with potential early on to international rugby so that, if there are injuries, or form slumps, or current incumbents move overseas, they’re ready to step in. One possibility, which I’m a huge fan of, is the reintroduction of an ‘Australia A’ side, which would allow fringe players to be exposed to the weaker contests many of the comments here have discussed, before their test debut.
I wrote an article on that possibility here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/07/17/the-fringe-xv-what-happened-to-australia-a/
As I said, only time will tell in regards to who will run on for our first match in Japan. I’d say the most important thing is to make sure whoever it is has a plethora of game experience before they do so.
How important is blooding new talent?