They do now have players from 0/seas.. big boys from pacific nations

Australia and NZ too include players from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji. They are genuine immigrants to NZ (and Australia). In fact many playing for Pacific Island nations are actually NZ residents (dual citizens). Many Pacific Islanders play in NZ and Australian provincial/State teams, and the Super Rugby professional league.

There is a professional league in Japan. Several NZ players have gone there to make a few bucks.. usually towards the end of careers. They dont wind up playing for Japan, but Japan does benefit from local games played to a higher standard.

And... there is some room for skill over just size (see the example of Welsh winger Shane Williams, commented on above)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

During the week...

Tue 6
Canada v Romania, Leicester
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT

Fiji v Uruguay, Milton Keynes
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT

Wed 7
South Africa v United States of America, London
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT

Georgia v Namibia, Exeter
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT

Fri 9
New Zealand v Tonga, Newcastle
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT



ESPN Fixtures
http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/ ... ional.html

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Preview: Canada vs. Romania
The battle to avoid the Pool D wooden spoon

By Michael Beattie | ESPN | October 5, 2015

Video, Team News, Key Stats, Prediction and more

http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/277495.html
__________________________________________________

Preview: Fiji vs. Uruguay
The first meaningless match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup

By Will Kent | ESPN | October 5, 2015

Video, Team News, Key Stats, Prediction and more

http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/277493.html

Romania Win

Romania 17 - 15 Canada

_________________
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___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Dang, what a comeback by Romania. Just goes to show anything can happen.

Wondering how this upset changes things for the pool?

Yes I only saw the last bit... Romania trailing and needing to score twice... and they did it.

I think there is now a chance that Romania could get to 3rd place ahead of Italy.. so that Romania qualify for next WC.. and Italy don't. A bit of a blow for Italy who are supposedly an established Rugby nation, playing in the "6 Nations" competition

Romania will need to beat Italy when they meet.

11 OCT
Italy v Romania, Exeter
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Half Time
Fiji 26 V Uruguay 10
(Fiji have 4 try bonus)

Full Time
Fiji 47 V Uruguay 15

Fiji win (with 4 try bonus point)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Still to come...

Wed 7
South Africa v United States of America, London
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT

Georgia v Namibia, Exeter
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT

Fri 9
New Zealand v Tonga, Newcastle
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT



ESPN Fixtures
http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/ ... ional.html[/quote]

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

The Georgia V Namibia game could (will) decide Pool C coveted 3rd place (auto quality for RWC2019) For Tonga or Georgia

Georgia with a win will move ahead of Tonga.



Pool C Games Remaining

7 OCT
Namibia v Georgia
20.00, Exeter

9 OCT
New Zealand v Tonga
20.00, Newcastle

11 OCT
Argentina v Namibia
12.00, Leicester

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Half time when I tuned in. 14 - 0
Early in 2nd half 26 - 0 (SA have 4 try bonus)

A win and 5 points to SA gives them 1st place in Pool B, but 2nd place is still up for grabs (by Japan)

Full-time score
SA 64 - 0 USA

South Africa Win ( with 4 try bonus point)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Namibia V Georgia

A penalty against Georgia for No. 15 "Saying something aggressive"

THAT IS FUCKING NUTS!!!!

It's a game of Rugby!!

Final score:

Namibia 16 - 17 Georgia.

Georgia WIN and rank third in Pool C and so qualify for RWC2019

(Namibia earn losing Bonus point) (lose by 7 or less)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Next....

Fri 9
New Zealand v Tonga, Newcastle
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT



ESPN Fixtures
http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/ ... ional.html

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Interesting factoid....

From Wikepedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_% ... on_song%29

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

NZ Win (with 4 try bonus point)

Zealand 47-9 Tonga


Tonga did well.... as the various Pacific Island teams should. They have players who play top level Rugby in NZ and other countries, and are privy to some of the same coaching etc as top NZ players. I hope this augers well for another Pacific Island team, Samoa, when they face Scotland tomorrow.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Heads up on final weekend of Pool Play......

Sat 10
Samoa v Scotland, Newcastle
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
(Samoan Win would give Japan chance of 2nd place Pool B)

Australia v Wales, Twickenham
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT
(Decides 1st and 2nd Pool A)

England v Uruguay, Manchester
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT
(Meaningless Game)

Sun 11
Argentina v Namibia, Leicester
12:00 local, 11:00 GMT
(Meaningless Game)

Italy v Romania, Exeter
14:30 local, 13:30 GMT
(Decides 3rd Place Pool Pool D)

France v Ireland, Millennium Stadium
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT
(Decides 1st and 2nd places Pool D)

Japan v United States of America, Gloucester
20:00 local, 19:00 GMT
(If Japan still a contender, Japan win gives them (not Scotland) 2nd in Pool B)



ESPN Fixtures
http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/ ... ional.html

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Good morning Rugby Fans.

Two of the upcoming games can be likened to the games in the next stage, where top teams play each other (either could win)

The winner does earn a place in a "better" quarter-final, the loser misses out, but unlike a true quarter-final, the loser is not "knocked out" of the competition. They have a "second life" so to speak.

Sat 10
Australia v Wales, Twickenham
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT
(Decides 1st and 2nd places Pool A)

Sun 11
France v Ireland, Millennium Stadium
16:45 local, 15:45 GMT
(Decides 1st and 2nd places Pool D)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Half Time
Samoa 26 - 23 Scotland

It is possible that Scotland could Lose... but still get 2 bonus points (lose by 7 or less and score 4 tries)

Which... would mean Japan would not only need to beat USA, but score 4 tries. Not an impossible task, but a big ask going into a game.

Full time

Samoa 33 - 36 Scotland

Scotland WIN, and Qualify for next round (2nd in Pool B)

Samoa lose but gain 2 bonus points.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light