On more pleasant matters. Rugby WC Fra v NZ

[WonkyWasp]

Wales v Fiji is good fun.

[COYW15]

Fiji robbed by some very poor decisions and inconsistency by Matthew Carley. Missed kicks and drops over the line also costing Fiji but they mean business and Australia will be there for the taking. Was not a case of 'the better team won'.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

I disagree. I thought Carley was as good and as consistent as he was in our games. Oh, wait, he wasn't that good was he?

In fact, he let Wales get away with so much. Fiji were robbed by him.

There was also an incident in the Saffa V Scotland game where the ref and TMO both missed a clear red card, were even asked to check it, and didn't. Was it Wiese standing up in a tackle, or was it Kriel? Clear head contact, no mitigation. The ref and officials also missed repeated and obvious offsides as the Saffa defence jumped on the Scots before the ball was out. Very poor I thought. Some refs clearly are not up to the job at hand.

Standard of refereeing is still an issue.

[westwaleswasp]

Bad day for refs.
Carley's performance was dire, for Fiji to get the first yellow is beyond belief.
Scotland was fine apart from, err, missing a red.
Hmmmm.

[Shugs]

Carley was terrible. Welsh should have had a couple more yellows. Also, if I was North I?d be having a strong word with Biggar about dishing out criticism outside of the changing room.

[Mellie]

At least OF will be back soon to make sure we stick to the game plan no matter what happens.

If the planning is to kick lots of drop goals, maybe not. Ford scored more DGs in that game than OF has in his whole 100+ cap England career.

[andermt]

I disagree. I thought Carley was as good and as consistent as he was in our games. Oh, wait, he wasn't that good was he?

In fact, he let Wales get away with so much. Fiji were robbed by him.

There was also an incident in the Saffa V Scotland game where the ref and TMO both missed a clear red card, were even asked to check it, and didn't. Was it Wiese standing up in a tackle, or was it Kriel? Clear head contact, no mitigation. The ref and officials also missed repeated and obvious offsides as the Saffa defence jumped on the Scots before the ball was out. Very poor I thought. Some refs clearly are not up to the job at hand.

Standard of refereeing is still an issue.

There was so much poor referee decisions in that Scotland game, other than the Red that was missed the one that annoyed me most was the great counter ruck Scotland got in the 1st half got ready to pick up the ball when, I think Etzebeth, throws the ball back to his retreating players, the ref states it was knocked back!
Didn't help that Scotland butchered to excellent try scoring opportunities, the 1st of which would have put them in the lead early on.

Wonder what Borthwick will do when Baby Farrell is available, does he drop Ford to the bench or is it back to the age old Ford/Farrell 10/12.
Assume 100% Farrell will be playing.

[Heathen]

Just hope SB has the guts to tell Farrell he is on the bench.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

On the BBC News website Sports pages.

England 'definitely going to score tries' - says Daly.

Elliot Daly expects England's lack of tries to be rectified in future matches if they continue to create opportunities.

Continue? Did I miss that during the game? I don't recall any such 'real' opportunity to score a try during the Argentina game. Did I miss something whilst yawning?

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Just hope SB has the guts to tell Farrell he is on the bench.

Just hope SB has the guts to tell Farrell he is not even on the bench.

FTFY   

[WonkyWasp]

................  or even in the squad.

[FishingWasp]

................  or even in the squad.

+1, together with Young..
The improvement with Mitchell at 9 and Ford at 10 was so noticable. Faster and a 10 who was not an automaton that does little but kick.
I've never thought much of Fazlet as a FH, though he has been a world class place kicker. Now just a has been IMHO

[Chunky24]

Will Rowlands stats for the weekend very impressive, 27 tackles with none missed and 4 turnovers, really a top international class second row now.

[Rossm]

Just a reminder: Tonga have Fifita, Charles Piuitai and Fekitoa in their WC squad.

[COYW15]

Just a reminder: Tonga have Fifita, Charles Piuitai and Fekitoa in their WC squad.

Fifita starts at 8, Charles (now going by Salesi Piutau) at 15 and Fekitoa at 13. Sione Vailanu also on the bench. Just a shame they?re facing Ireland!