By and large the referees – since the opening round of matches – have implemented the new head contact directives released by World Rugby, to the letter. Last Word on Rugby’s resident referee Scott MacLean looks at the decisions to date at the Rugby World Cup (RWC) and how/why they might have come to their […] READ MORE
Tag: 2019 Rugby World Cup
Spare a thought for Rugby World Cup Losing Teams
There are winners and losers; that is the harsh reality of sport. But do spare a thought for RWC Losing Teams this year, as the high demands of professionalism and national pride go hand in hand. Feeling the consequences of defeat is learned from a young age. In team sports, it is an outcome reliant […] READ MORE
England v New Zealand: SIX Reasons why England can win
England v New Zealand is the first of two mouthwatering semi-finals as the 2019 World Cup reaches its climax. Many are saying that this is the final a week early. It is hard to disagree with this sentiment given how good England and New Zealand were in the quarter-finals. For all of the positivity around […] READ MORE
Rugby World Cup debrief – Knockout football
It is goodbye to Australia, Ireland, France, and Japan at the Rugby World Cup. A fond farewell but, not on the terms that the teams imagined when they planned for knockout football. Each of those four sides had hopes of continuing at the 2019 Rugby World Cup (RWC). They had hopes of performing well in […] READ MORE
Springboks smother Brave Blossoms in Tokyo
An expectant crowd of mostly Japan supporters witnessed the Springboks smother the Brave Blossoms at the Tokyo Stadium on Sunday, October 20. Scorers: South Africa 26 – Tries: Makazole Mapimpi 2 and Faf de Klerk Conversion: Handre Pollard; Penalties: Handre Pollard 3 Japan 3 – Penalty: Yu Tamura Springboks smother Brave Blossoms Supporters of the […] READ MORE
Phenomenal New Zealand All Blacks ‘show their cards’ at 2019 RWC
To the delight of their wide fan base, a phenomenal New Zealand All Blacks team has literally ‘shown all their cards’ at 2019 Rugby World Cup. They have blitzed Ireland, to make a strong statement and proceed to the semifinals. And it was phenomenal, as they built on an impressive opening half of rugby, that […] READ MORE
Rugby World Cup quarterfinal: England Line Up and Ratings
A hugely exciting weekend of Rugby World Cup quarterfinal action starts with England v Australia on Saturday morning. The team’s selection, and the England line up are critical to the hopes of the national side. Charlie Inglefield previews the two confirmed line-ups to see who has a slight advantage – starting with England. England Line […] READ MORE
Rugby World Cup quarterfinal: Australia Line Up and Ratings
A hugely exciting weekend of Rugby World Cup quarterfinal action starts with England v Australia on Saturday morning. The team’s selection, and the Australia line up are critical to the hopes of the national side. Charlie Inglefield previews the two confirmed line-ups to see who might have the slight advantage. Australia line up 15. Kurtley […] READ MORE
All Blacks ready for Knockout stages of 2019 RWC tournament
With the experiences of past efforts at Rugby World Cups, and a coaching staff who have tasted both defeat and success at them, it makes the All Blacks ready for the Knockout stages of the 2019 tournament. That is by the awareness and familiarity of players and coaches involved, evidence that shows that New Zealand […] READ MORE
RWC Quarterfinals referee selection should not influence outcome
The eight sides who have progressed to the knockout stages should be confident that the RWC Quarterfinals referee selection should not influence any outcome. Hardly surprising you might say, in the well-managed environment of the Rugby World Cup. Little is left to chance by World Rugby – and that includes the nominations for referees, assistants […] READ MORE