Rugby World Cup 2023

[AndyRM]

England's best game of the tournament by far, so fair play to them. So close for Fiji, gave it everything and I love their 7s style approach.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Have to say I was supporting Fiji by the end. I'm a sucker for an underdog.

That wasn't a bad game. Surprisingly, given Entland's recent showings.

 

[Beebo]

England will always have a slim chance in the semifinals, but really they don’t deserve to go through. I think they’ve reached their limit.

 

[geocycle]

I hoped England would have enough to win but that performance was excellent. Well played Fiji, great game. Well done England they’ve reached the semi, played 5 won 5, with two decent performances now.

 

[gavroche]

What a start !!!

 

[Stephenite]

Cracking game this one

 

[Beebo]

Can’t see England offering much against either of these 2.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I'm not going to take any betting tips from Matt Dawson.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Now for the semi-finals.


After the Lord Mayor's show....

 

[figbat]

Can’t see England offering much against either of these 2.

Not after that performance tonight. SA look tough to beat. Cracking game, neither side deserved to lose.

 

[Rusty Nails]

England must be favourites.

They are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament.

 

[Time Waster]

Smith took a battering in the Fiji game. Was that normal for full back?

PS I enjoy union but not really full on fan, even my limited experience watching England on TV from 2001 or so don't remember a fullback taking that kind of battering. 3/4ers maybe forwards definitely but full back?

 

[Chromatic]

England must be favourites.

They are the only unbeaten side left in the tournament.

I read something describing England on another forum that made me laugh, someone called them the unflushable turd of this World Cup.

 

[Time Waster]

It only takes two more unbeaten games... but of course getting beaten in group stages means nothing if you win all your knockouts. Winning all group stages means nothing when you get beaten in your semis.

One point, you don't need to look good to win. Whatever it takes, even ugly rugby if it gets the win. England out in the semis but NZ to win.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Smith took a battering in the Fiji game. Was that normal for full back?

PS I enjoy union but not really full on fan, even my limited experience watching England on TV from 2001 or so don't remember a fullback taking that kind of battering. 3/4ers maybe forwards definitely but full back?

He's not really a full back and it showed. Freddie Steward must be feeling very hard done by by being dropped but I suspect he will be back for the next game, against better positional kickers, where an inexperienced full back will be a real weakness.