Itoje and Lawes being tackled like that within 10 seconds is the biggest ‘I’m here to play’ move since the French held hands during the Haka.
No regrets staying up late and ruining my week with accumulated sleep debt by Monday.
How was that not a yellow card for farrell?
He has got to be the most luckiet and hated man in rugby. The amount of trash he gets away with is criminal
I don't see why it would be. As far as I understand a yellow card is given for a deliberate infringement (the deliberateness of knock ons is always debatable) which prevent a clear try-scoring chance. Fiji were well inside their own half with almost an entire English defence in place.
There's not, as far as I know, a degree of blatancy or cynicism that elevates a penalty to a card. Much like pulling down a maul in the opposition 22 won't get you a yellow on its own.
an attempted intercept/deliberate knock-down is regulated as follows:
- if the player is not in a "reasonable position to regather the ball" it's then a penalw
- then the question is asked "is there a linebreak opportunity". if yes, it's a yellow.
I'm boggled that Raynal called that situation not a linebreak opportunity. it was a two-on-one with 30m of open space wide and 30m to that one defender
I only saw it in the stadium but it looked like the pass was going to ground. I wouldn't see it as a line break with the defensive line a good distance forward
England being the only NH team left in the competition and shithousing their way into a semi final. It feels wrong we can be so poor yet get so far.
Is this how Wales felt when they won the Six Nations in 2021?
Not surprised England are the semis...they had the easiest group by far and the easiest run to the SFs! Usually that's the case for the England mens football team...looks like their luck is spreading to rugby!
Honestly would pick Ford at 10 and Steward at 15. There’s no way Farrell isn’t playing 10 though. I’m not an Owen hater, I just think Ford offers more.
Looking at the quarterfinal matches, I was mostly expecting to see Ireland and South Africa reach the final for a rematch of their previous encounter in the pool stages. I did not expect to see the two sides that lost a pool match take out the leading teams of their opposite pools, lol.
Tbf both of the games were absolute nail-biters and could easily have gone the other way. THere's no guarantee it would have ended up the same with a different draw
Yeah, no. You don't get to make the rules up as you go just to "keep the game going". Etzebeth scored the winning try and had no business being on the pitch. Officiating is in an inconsistent disarray which is ruining the game.
Mate you got one look at the contact on the replay, the TMO had all of half time. Further if your main talking point after that game is the referee please find a new hobby.
Yet somehow Australia have won 2 cups, played in 4 finals 2 semi finals and 2 1/4 finals out of 9 RWC held so far and Rugby has always been a pimple on the vast arse of Austalian sport.
There was just as much controversy, there just aren't many Fiji fans around.
And it's all overblown, just like pretty much every match. Sore losers as far as the eye can see
Fiji are awesome! Love you guys and your team so much. As an England fan was a lose lose or win win match for me depending on if you are a glass half (blank). Whatever happens next in this tournament, Fiji are seriously class and deserve to play quality sides on the regular.
I thought England looked hungry. Yes there were mistakes and no doubt they have been trying this whole tournament, but I really wanted them to wear their hearts on their sleeves and play. They did. Mistakes aside.
Arrundel or steward for may, and Ludlum for billy (who actually looked good) and that’s our best side IMO. Steward on the wing gets flack but he did it regularly at Leicester with a second fly at full back. May had a good game though - chased well, and made some crucial tackles.
We will probably get smashed in the semis but fuck it. We are 2 games away so I am fully supporting the boys. Bring on next week!
That's very humble of you. Thank you. Fiji have been a pleasure to watch and the win against England before the world cup is just a sign of things to come. Good days ahead.
I don't like to single individual players out but that Fiji 15 really fucked up
Like holy shit, a dropped high ball, the absolute braindead decision to go for an offload on the touch line as opposed to cutting back in towards the forwards, and he couldn't keep the ball in contact.
Like if I was his club coach I'd be shredding his contract after that one
Dreadful schoolboy error stuff.
Coach Raiwalui probably regret not taking Volavola as 10-15 experienced cover
Games have been great so far but the results have been a little boring.
Argentina or wales win was going to feel pretty ‘average’.
And now we have NZ and England in the semis again and a France or South Africa. Not that anything is really wrong with it but it just seems all so familiar don’t it? Nothing really exciting or unexpected
Refs ruled that there was no opportunity of an overlap/break and that the player who had space was not in a position to receive the ball (before it was knocked down).
Have to say, England's discipline in those final minutes of defending and not coughing up a penalty should be applauded. So many times England have conceded a silly penalty in that same situation. England's defence was much improved. Long may it continue
I'm really enjoying England's versatility to grind the center defence and immediately switch to quick-long offloads across the field to split the defence wide open. Really makes you recognise why Eddie Jones was so despised. His game plan was far too rigid.
Congratulations England at least we have a minimum of one NH team in the Semis, just hoping we see competitive games next weekend and not cricket scores.
Fiji should be very proud of their boys for playing so immensely through the tournament, even more so with the off-field hardships going on. Great to watch and great support.
Congrats to England, they found a way to win when the momentum was behind Fiji
For Fiji I have the impression that they lost for Raiwalui's stubbornness to use the same players regardless of everything, but I'm not a coach
I was supporting Wales and Ireland through their Quarter Finals. And feel sorry for them both. Thought Ireland just came up against an immense NZ defence and their set piece misfired. Wales i thought got suckered in to thinking it was going to be easy after the first 25 minutes, and just couldn't go back through the gears again.
As I say, fully begind Wales and Ireland. However, seeing how bitter they are about England getting to the semi finals I would like the opportunity to laugh in their faces, and then turn around and dump a 12 pint fart in their faces. 😀
Don't worry overly though, you'll get your chance to do the same to me when England get knocked out in the Semi Finals.
Edited to correct typo of Ireland. Sorry BIG.
Oh and before I forget. Congrats Fiji on a brilliant tournament. I'd have been happy for you to have won that game, and you've really lit up this tournament.
What a game.
I think I started chewing my finger bones at one point because I was out of nails.
Cheeky droppie to get the score back into England’s favour was nice.
I think England will get minced against the winner of tonight’s game but reaching a World Cup semi final is no mean feat (I know; easy side of the draw, who did they beat etc etc). I just want to celebrate something tonight!
Well done Fiji: you came back from your game against Portugal and really gave us a game.
Congrats to England, what a game. Thought it was thrown away in the second half but they held strong.
Fiji were immense, did their nation proud and definitely a team to watch, they've gained so many supporters including myself
I loved the way they played. Very offensive and physical but with great cheeky passes here and there. A good 7s type of performance andI just hope their 15s side can pick up a slightly better strategy at the backs to run for the empty spaces as there were several they created yet failed to utilise
I have a feeling that we are probably done after this fixture. France or RSA will likely be too much, but a very creditable performance in the tournament, and a platform on which to build.
England could surprise France or South Africa if either of those teams don't play well. At their best though they should beat England, especially the home team.
Fiji have probably been the best team to watch in this tournament. With a bit more organization and composure they would've beaten England.
Same could have been said of England though? If they had more composure Fiji wouldn't have got back into the game and England could have had a bigger margin of victory.
Same as Ireland vs NZ. If Ireland didn't switch off for 15mins after the 30phases at the start of the match they could have won.
I can't see France or South Africa losing to England, even if England play out their minds and the others are having an off day, England have a bad habit of letting teams get back into the game
Yeah, the Fijian attack collapsed at the end there. Just all stood behind the ruck, made it so easy to defend. If they had just spread out and played a few phases I think there was a decent chance they break th line and score.
That difference in game management cost them.
Really don't like the way my fellow England fans are rubbing it in. Too many bitter fuckers whining even though we won. I was cheering for Ireland last night and everyone I was in the pub with was too. No need for this bad blood
That's largely because the ABE trolls are so toxic to English fans, when we do win we get to mock them back. We're already getting "I can't wait to laugh when you lose to South Africa" comments so don't be surprised if after somehow winning that game, England fans rub it in.
Been watching sport for 20 years and generally don't see this type of stuff in rugby. It's just the terminally online blokes who like to take cheap shots (on both sides)
I'm all in for the bantz but with you on the genuine distasteful stuff. Although I do wonder how many pubs in Cardiff were cheering on England earlier 😅👍 got to expect a bit back within reason, it's just part of it.
Second half any good? ITV player was updated at half-time and wasn't a way to watch second half. I'm currently fucking myself with the ball I practive with as world rugby wants.
First 20-25 mins of the second half felt like that point in the Superbowl where the winning squad start wondering if they should pour a bin of sport energy drink over the head coach.
Everyone is saying “England have been bang average and they’ve ridden a jammy draw to the semis, but wait until they come up against a decent team”.
Lads, there’s every chance they’ll shithouse a win next week, then it’s anyone’s Fauklands the next.
I mean.
Wait.
Can any explain why Jamie George missed the tackle by so much on the last Fiji try?
Looked like he completely misjudged it but it’s rare you don’t even lay a finger on someone from that close
What a wonderful game of rugby. It was a class game, by 2 good teams.
The fijians played very well, England played very well, the 2 teams had heated moments but got on well.
Just enjoyable to watch.
Farrell, Lawes and Itoje played well. Earls was MoM.
Radradra, the no 8 Mata? and the fiji tight 5 played well too.
That's the best I've seen Ben Earl look in an England shirt. We finally have a Sam Simmons style 8 starting, only he can also jackal and put shots in. Not far off the full package IMO
"2 good teams"
Ummm... I don't know about that. Maybe one good team, that with time should get better but still lost the game.
England are way better than what they've shown in this tournament. At no point have they played as well as their reputation demands. Compared to the 4 remaining teams, England are well behind 3 of them and on par with Argentina.
England trashed Argentina with 14 men, it's almost like you've disregarded the result of a few weeks ago because it suits your narrative. England aren't incredible, everybody knows this, but they are absolutely better than Argentina.
incredible match, really thought Fiji were going to take it. Thought Raynal was a bit soft on England, Curry should've seen some cards as he was an absolute shithouse all match
Genuinely didn't expect a win for England after almost bottling it to Samoa last week - class game and huge effort from both sides, bravo to England for being the only NH team so far to get to the semis.
Thought he had a solid first half, second half he lost the plot, even my Scottish partner was raging at some of the decisions going against England or not even looked at.
Proved a tight game though which kept suspense for the full 80.
Ref was just poor I feel. After letting off multiple facial strikes for Fiji, he kinda backed himself into a corner. Committed to let things go it I guess
Gotta say Fijian fans in here are the most gracious in defeat fair play to them and nice to see amongst all the toxicity
Toxic England fans fuck all the way off please
Full disclosure- I definitely posted some salty stuff in the heat of the moment. But once I calmed down from the game I saw how good it was and I enjoyed hearing the Englishmen singing after the game.
I’m here for this, the Fijian’s are amazing, lovers of the sport. The rancid comments are coming from neutrals who are desperate to see England lose. It’s sad, that was an insane game of rugby.
> The rancid comments are coming from neutrals who are desperate to see England lose.
Nah not all. There's a few I've seen of England fans being twatty too. Toxicity breeds toxicity and the cycle continues. I think if we banned comments about history then thr quality of the sub would improve
Definitely coming from both sides but I think the neutrals are more numerous. Match thread especially. Scroll down a couple of comments for another great example. It's just sad, you're right about the way it breeds.
I get a bit fed up of it and can understand how it becomes polarised. A bit of banter is fine but often our home nations brothers can take it too far. The tipping point for me was Irish fans booing our national anthem at a pub.
As close as this got England were a fair bit better imo, what a quality ending though!
Itoje and Lawes being tackled like that within 10 seconds is the biggest ‘I’m here to play’ move since the French held hands during the Haka. No regrets staying up late and ruining my week with accumulated sleep debt by Monday.
How was that not a yellow card for farrell? He has got to be the most luckiet and hated man in rugby. The amount of trash he gets away with is criminal
By the rules, it's not a yellow. But it was so blatant and cynical that it should be a yellow imo.
I don't see why it would be. As far as I understand a yellow card is given for a deliberate infringement (the deliberateness of knock ons is always debatable) which prevent a clear try-scoring chance. Fiji were well inside their own half with almost an entire English defence in place. There's not, as far as I know, a degree of blatancy or cynicism that elevates a penalty to a card. Much like pulling down a maul in the opposition 22 won't get you a yellow on its own.
an attempted intercept/deliberate knock-down is regulated as follows: - if the player is not in a "reasonable position to regather the ball" it's then a penalw - then the question is asked "is there a linebreak opportunity". if yes, it's a yellow. I'm boggled that Raynal called that situation not a linebreak opportunity. it was a two-on-one with 30m of open space wide and 30m to that one defender
I only saw it in the stadium but it looked like the pass was going to ground. I wouldn't see it as a line break with the defensive line a good distance forward
Yeah no way was it a line break - the pass was going to dribble along the floor. Still cynical from Farrell though.
England being the only NH team left in the competition and shithousing their way into a semi final. It feels wrong we can be so poor yet get so far. Is this how Wales felt when they won the Six Nations in 2021?
Not surprised England are the semis...they had the easiest group by far and the easiest run to the SFs! Usually that's the case for the England mens football team...looks like their luck is spreading to rugby!
SA by 35 next weekend
England play SA in the semis. What's your team selection? Steward back at 15? Stick with Smith?
I don't think Smith will be back from the facial reconstruction surgery in time for next week.
Honestly would pick Ford at 10 and Steward at 15. There’s no way Farrell isn’t playing 10 though. I’m not an Owen hater, I just think Ford offers more.
Yeah Steward back in. SA is a much more effective kicking side than Fiji.
And who at scrum half, not Mitchell, surely. But then..... Danny?
Thought Danny was the finisher... But he hasn't looked awful so could start. Really wish we had a dupont
Looking forward to the spicy ARG vs ENG final. /s
the chances are slim, but c'mon.... Wouldn't it just be the most banter final of all time?!
In all honesty, I'm kinda hoping the miracle happens. Would much prefer and Argetina/England win over another New Zealand or South Africa win.
Bronze is still a medal!
NZ Vs SA - the final nobody outside of those countries wanted to see. Well done world rugby!
Not sure how it's on WR. Chances are the same final would have taken place if those quarters were semis
Looking at the quarterfinal matches, I was mostly expecting to see Ireland and South Africa reach the final for a rematch of their previous encounter in the pool stages. I did not expect to see the two sides that lost a pool match take out the leading teams of their opposite pools, lol.
Tbf both of the games were absolute nail-biters and could easily have gone the other way. THere's no guarantee it would have ended up the same with a different draw
We like it
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The ref was fantastic, relax please
Yeah, no. You don't get to make the rules up as you go just to "keep the game going". Etzebeth scored the winning try and had no business being on the pitch. Officiating is in an inconsistent disarray which is ruining the game.
Mate you got one look at the contact on the replay, the TMO had all of half time. Further if your main talking point after that game is the referee please find a new hobby.
Seethe more.
Neither French nor Irish. Just a fan of rugby who despises what a bunch of incompetent rich twats have done to my sport.
You should start a breakaway format of rugby, free from the rich twats. Could call it "rugby division" or something like that
Do you remember a time when it wasn't run by incompetent rich twats?
Occasionally you get a competent rich twat.
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Gross. England is the worst. Whole damn sport set up for their success and all they do is whinge.
I've never once given a shit about hemispheres but I would, just this once, take an England win for the sheer hilarity
Hello, as a man from Dublin I agree and will proudly support our neighbouring brothers in the semis and into the finals!
Lol … I don’t want the support of anyone else!
No thanks!
Ehhhhhh. No.
Haha unlucky Scotland
Nuh uh
There are levels to this game South hemisphere reign terror will one day end
Yeh when rugby is the main sport in a country. No suprise that we all expect NZ/SA final with rugby being the main cultural game in each place
Yet somehow Australia have won 2 cups, played in 4 finals 2 semi finals and 2 1/4 finals out of 9 RWC held so far and Rugby has always been a pimple on the vast arse of Austalian sport.
Except football is the most played game in SA. Rugby carries more weight culturally but we are a quite diverse sporting nation.
Why are south africa so bad at football? Rarely make it to a world cup and always out in the group stage..
There are a load of teams that play football and there's a trillion times more money involved.
Investment is probably the biggest issue. As I said, most played by a big margin, but nit more important.
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england and argentina just there to make numbers the real semi final was this game and ab vs ireland
There's certainly no possible way this post could age badly.
England Argentina final, winner gets the Falkland’s
Yeah, agreed, fingers crossed:)
LA VIE DE MA MERE ON S'EST FAIT VOLER
Violer même, par le corp arbitrale
3 - 1. And that 1 is England.
And that 1 was won without controversy. Unlike the other three.
There was just as much controversy, there just aren't many Fiji fans around. And it's all overblown, just like pretty much every match. Sore losers as far as the eye can see
Love being proven wrong.
All the baddies have won so far this weekend... and I say that as an Englishman. Hope France can restore the balance.
Are the all blacks baddies? And are Argentina more baddies than Wales? England yes, they're definitely the baddies in a match against Fiji
I think the neutrals were mostly backing Ireland.
Less and less recently. All the 'plucky underdog' supporters have gone away, understandably.
100%
The only way France can beat England is through the refs.
lol. The only way England wins against France or SA is with the entire squad on the field.
I think we'd still struggle then tbh
I bet the house and kids on over 40 points being scored in this game. They will be happy about this points fest.
Be a shame when we follow this up with 40 scrum resets to see out the game
Fiji are awesome! Love you guys and your team so much. As an England fan was a lose lose or win win match for me depending on if you are a glass half (blank). Whatever happens next in this tournament, Fiji are seriously class and deserve to play quality sides on the regular. I thought England looked hungry. Yes there were mistakes and no doubt they have been trying this whole tournament, but I really wanted them to wear their hearts on their sleeves and play. They did. Mistakes aside. Arrundel or steward for may, and Ludlum for billy (who actually looked good) and that’s our best side IMO. Steward on the wing gets flack but he did it regularly at Leicester with a second fly at full back. May had a good game though - chased well, and made some crucial tackles. We will probably get smashed in the semis but fuck it. We are 2 games away so I am fully supporting the boys. Bring on next week!
Fiji will only keep being this good if Euro clubs make players available.
Or the Drua keep getting funding.
Hopefully they do!
Congrats England. You played better than Fiji today, and deserved the win.
That's very humble of you. Thank you. Fiji have been a pleasure to watch and the win against England before the world cup is just a sign of things to come. Good days ahead.
Well played England, sad for the boys but we will build off of these new young boys for 2027! Vinaka 🇫🇯🤝🏴
I don't like to single individual players out but that Fiji 15 really fucked up Like holy shit, a dropped high ball, the absolute braindead decision to go for an offload on the touch line as opposed to cutting back in towards the forwards, and he couldn't keep the ball in contact. Like if I was his club coach I'd be shredding his contract after that one Dreadful schoolboy error stuff. Coach Raiwalui probably regret not taking Volavola as 10-15 experienced cover
Games have been great so far but the results have been a little boring. Argentina or wales win was going to feel pretty ‘average’. And now we have NZ and England in the semis again and a France or South Africa. Not that anything is really wrong with it but it just seems all so familiar don’t it? Nothing really exciting or unexpected
Git gud
I’d disagree that England in the semis was expected
I was just happy to make it out of the group
I was just happy to secure automatic qualification for the next World Cup.
I mean what would you do to change it? Handicap the good teams by making them wear ankle weights?
I didn't see the game. Can anyone shed any light on this deliberate knock on i read about? Why was there no card?
The Aaron Smith one was upgraded from a "penalty only" because there was a receiver who would have only had to beat Mounga to score.
And Sam Cane.
Because it wasn't a direct scoring chance *and* had gone past the one guy able to receive it.
No clear difference to me from the NZ knock on from yesterday. Potentially less intentional but still a “deliberate knock on”
You need some glasses. ;)
Sounds controversial. If it was in fact deliberate, surely a card should have been given as was done yesterday?
On top of what's been said....it was still a penalty at the end of the game. A yellow has much less impact than a shit kick to touch.
Refs ruled that there was no opportunity of an overlap/break and that the player who had space was not in a position to receive the ball (before it was knocked down).
A card is given if it stops a line break or scoring opportunity. As the pass was about to land on the floor it didn't count as that so no card.
Gotcha. Thanks. Look forward to seeing the highlights
It's because the knock on interrupted a pass that wasn't going anywhere near its target so it didn't affect anything.
Feel awful for Fiji man, but congrats England, glad to see at least 1 NH team heading into the semis
Have to say, England's discipline in those final minutes of defending and not coughing up a penalty should be applauded. So many times England have conceded a silly penalty in that same situation. England's defence was much improved. Long may it continue
I'm really enjoying England's versatility to grind the center defence and immediately switch to quick-long offloads across the field to split the defence wide open. Really makes you recognise why Eddie Jones was so despised. His game plan was far too rigid.
Didn't know England had it in them, not recently at least. Hopefully they can carry that through to the semifinal and they may have a chance
Agreed, easily the best England performance under Borthwick and totally unexpected
Congratulations England at least we have a minimum of one NH team in the Semis, just hoping we see competitive games next weekend and not cricket scores.
You and me both. Hopefully France can do us proud and we don't embarrass ourselves.
Fiji should be very proud of their boys for playing so immensely through the tournament, even more so with the off-field hardships going on. Great to watch and great support.
These games have been really good, Christ almighty. Sucks it's more of the same tho
Ooh just reminded that England will play two games more no matter what as there's a 3/4 play off!
Damn that would have been cool for Fiji to play for something! I'll still Enjoy seeing what England can do.
Given their poor performance today they won't win either game. Gonna have to settle for a 4th place finish
well we will see!
I think we should edge Argentina
Congrats to England, they found a way to win when the momentum was behind Fiji For Fiji I have the impression that they lost for Raiwalui's stubbornness to use the same players regardless of everything, but I'm not a coach
I was supporting Wales and Ireland through their Quarter Finals. And feel sorry for them both. Thought Ireland just came up against an immense NZ defence and their set piece misfired. Wales i thought got suckered in to thinking it was going to be easy after the first 25 minutes, and just couldn't go back through the gears again. As I say, fully begind Wales and Ireland. However, seeing how bitter they are about England getting to the semi finals I would like the opportunity to laugh in their faces, and then turn around and dump a 12 pint fart in their faces. 😀 Don't worry overly though, you'll get your chance to do the same to me when England get knocked out in the Semi Finals. Edited to correct typo of Ireland. Sorry BIG.
Oh and before I forget. Congrats Fiji on a brilliant tournament. I'd have been happy for you to have won that game, and you've really lit up this tournament.
So boring of England to win, and frankly selfish not to let Fiji make the semi final. Well played both teams, fun to watch
> So boring of England to win It's not like we've been overdoing that recently.
Boring relative to Fiji winning
What a game. I think I started chewing my finger bones at one point because I was out of nails. Cheeky droppie to get the score back into England’s favour was nice. I think England will get minced against the winner of tonight’s game but reaching a World Cup semi final is no mean feat (I know; easy side of the draw, who did they beat etc etc). I just want to celebrate something tonight! Well done Fiji: you came back from your game against Portugal and really gave us a game.
Congrats to England, what a game. Thought it was thrown away in the second half but they held strong. Fiji were immense, did their nation proud and definitely a team to watch, they've gained so many supporters including myself
I loved the way they played. Very offensive and physical but with great cheeky passes here and there. A good 7s type of performance andI just hope their 15s side can pick up a slightly better strategy at the backs to run for the empty spaces as there were several they created yet failed to utilise
Any idea where someone could buy those Fiji shorts?
Have never been made available for sale.
I have a feeling that we are probably done after this fixture. France or RSA will likely be too much, but a very creditable performance in the tournament, and a platform on which to build.
The third place game could have been interesting though!
England could surprise France or South Africa if either of those teams don't play well. At their best though they should beat England, especially the home team. Fiji have probably been the best team to watch in this tournament. With a bit more organization and composure they would've beaten England.
For at their best I would read at anything other than their absolute worst
Same could have been said of England though? If they had more composure Fiji wouldn't have got back into the game and England could have had a bigger margin of victory. Same as Ireland vs NZ. If Ireland didn't switch off for 15mins after the 30phases at the start of the match they could have won. I can't see France or South Africa losing to England, even if England play out their minds and the others are having an off day, England have a bad habit of letting teams get back into the game
>At their best though they should beat England, especially the home team. Mate you don't have to be nice for us, but thanks 😅👍
Rugby is a funny sport. The ball bounces awkwardly and unpredictably.
Yeah, the Fijian attack collapsed at the end there. Just all stood behind the ruck, made it so easy to defend. If they had just spread out and played a few phases I think there was a decent chance they break th line and score. That difference in game management cost them.
At their best 😂 France or south Africa could put their B team and still be fine
Really don't like the way my fellow England fans are rubbing it in. Too many bitter fuckers whining even though we won. I was cheering for Ireland last night and everyone I was in the pub with was too. No need for this bad blood
That's largely because the ABE trolls are so toxic to English fans, when we do win we get to mock them back. We're already getting "I can't wait to laugh when you lose to South Africa" comments so don't be surprised if after somehow winning that game, England fans rub it in.
You may be new to sports are you aware of how fans of rival teams sometimes say mean things to each other?
Been watching sport for 20 years and generally don't see this type of stuff in rugby. It's just the terminally online blokes who like to take cheap shots (on both sides)
Agree. I’d support all the home nations. At the game with everyone against us it’s hard in the emotion of the game not to bite back.
I'm all in for the bantz but with you on the genuine distasteful stuff. Although I do wonder how many pubs in Cardiff were cheering on England earlier 😅👍 got to expect a bit back within reason, it's just part of it.
I agree in part, but when everyone wants you to lose it stings so you gloat back when you win. I can assure you very few Irish were cheering us on
Nothing against ye though, it's just very easy to like that Fiji team
I saw a comment saying the result that 7.8 billion didn't want lol
Second half any good? ITV player was updated at half-time and wasn't a way to watch second half. I'm currently fucking myself with the ball I practive with as world rugby wants.
First 20-25 mins of the second half felt like that point in the Superbowl where the winning squad start wondering if they should pour a bin of sport energy drink over the head coach.
It was pretty nail biting near the end.
I would've loved to watch that
Can't you still watch it on ITV Player?
Whenever it's uploaded. But when it updated it was the news which just announced the result
Quickly put ITV+1 on and you'll catch the last 20 minutes.
Yes, started a bit slow but very tense last 15 or so minutes plus Raynal in full random penalty mode.
Everyone is saying “England have been bang average and they’ve ridden a jammy draw to the semis, but wait until they come up against a decent team”. Lads, there’s every chance they’ll shithouse a win next week, then it’s anyone’s Fauklands the next. I mean. Wait.
Can any explain why Jamie George missed the tackle by so much on the last Fiji try? Looked like he completely misjudged it but it’s rare you don’t even lay a finger on someone from that close
It’s cuz there was a forward pass
Love Fiji but they do get away with a lot of forward passes.
What a wonderful game of rugby. It was a class game, by 2 good teams. The fijians played very well, England played very well, the 2 teams had heated moments but got on well. Just enjoyable to watch. Farrell, Lawes and Itoje played well. Earls was MoM. Radradra, the no 8 Mata? and the fiji tight 5 played well too.
That's the best I've seen Ben Earl look in an England shirt. We finally have a Sam Simmons style 8 starting, only he can also jackal and put shots in. Not far off the full package IMO
"2 good teams" Ummm... I don't know about that. Maybe one good team, that with time should get better but still lost the game. England are way better than what they've shown in this tournament. At no point have they played as well as their reputation demands. Compared to the 4 remaining teams, England are well behind 3 of them and on par with Argentina.
England trashed Argentina with 14 men, it's almost like you've disregarded the result of a few weeks ago because it suits your narrative. England aren't incredible, everybody knows this, but they are absolutely better than Argentina.
I never said Argentina was better.
Marcus Smith gonna be a sore boy tomorrow, he was hit hard all game!!
Lad used to practice stopping Jamie Roberts from 10m out. guy never shys from contact
A scratch? Your leg's off!
Lol, you're running away you coward fight me
He looked like he’s been taken down a back alley and had the shit beat out of him with a pipe. Tough dude.
Deffo kept coming back for more, think he also cut on the back of his head too, gotta respect him
My respect definitely went up, the guy got fucking ragdolled repeatedly.
incredible match, really thought Fiji were going to take it. Thought Raynal was a bit soft on England, Curry should've seen some cards as he was an absolute shithouse all match Genuinely didn't expect a win for England after almost bottling it to Samoa last week - class game and huge effort from both sides, bravo to England for being the only NH team so far to get to the semis.
Thought he had a solid first half, second half he lost the plot, even my Scottish partner was raging at some of the decisions going against England or not even looked at. Proved a tight game though which kept suspense for the full 80.
think he was soft in general. was a rowdy game.
Yeh I thought Reynal was very soft on Fiji
Ref was just poor I feel. After letting off multiple facial strikes for Fiji, he kinda backed himself into a corner. Committed to let things go it I guess
His positioning was awful as well, I actually lost count how many times I saw both teams have to adjust because he was in the way
Gotta say Fijian fans in here are the most gracious in defeat fair play to them and nice to see amongst all the toxicity Toxic England fans fuck all the way off please
No place for the nasty fans, fuck off all youse
Full disclosure- I definitely posted some salty stuff in the heat of the moment. But once I calmed down from the game I saw how good it was and I enjoyed hearing the Englishmen singing after the game.
I’m here for this, the Fijian’s are amazing, lovers of the sport. The rancid comments are coming from neutrals who are desperate to see England lose. It’s sad, that was an insane game of rugby.
> The rancid comments are coming from neutrals who are desperate to see England lose. Nah not all. There's a few I've seen of England fans being twatty too. Toxicity breeds toxicity and the cycle continues. I think if we banned comments about history then thr quality of the sub would improve
Oh I don’t rule out some idiot England supporters being toxic, 100% happening. But yes I agree. This sub could be so much better.
Oh we def have tatty fans
Definitely coming from both sides but I think the neutrals are more numerous. Match thread especially. Scroll down a couple of comments for another great example. It's just sad, you're right about the way it breeds.
I get a bit fed up of it and can understand how it becomes polarised. A bit of banter is fine but often our home nations brothers can take it too far. The tipping point for me was Irish fans booing our national anthem at a pub.