World Cup Fever

[StreetCowboy]

Rugby Sevens World Cup kicks off in Moscow this evening.

I suspect most of you have decided, like me, not to go to the games. As far as I could tell, the TV companies had decided not to bother as well.

Does anyone know which channels are showing it?

Will Wales hold on to their Crown?

Will perennial favourites New Zealand triumph?

Find out, starting at 6 pm THAI in Moscow

http://www.rwcsevens.com/men/fixturesresults/index.html

SC

[David48]

What's the logic behind having the Tournament in Moscow of all places?

... apart from the lovely ladies ...

.

[StreetCowboy]

What's the logic behind having the Tournament in Moscow of all places?

... apart from the lovely ladies ...

.

They probably wanted to encourage rugby in Russia, as an emerging nation. Sevens is a good small tournament - three days only, in one stadium (plus supporting pitches for the ladies etc. - although I'm not sure their World Cup is co-located this year - it was at Dubai, four years ago, where there are two or three other pitches around the main stadium at The Sevens).

2009: Dubai

2005: Hong Kong

2001: Can't remember - Mar del Plata, Argentina; thanks, Wikipedia!

1997: Hong Kong

1993: Edinburgh Edit: Added for the sake of completeness

In 2009, the HKRFU had a falling-out with the IRB, I think, because they wanted to combine the World Cup with the HK Sevens, as in previous events, but the IRB insisted that they be held as two separate tournaments and HK didn't want to run two Sevens tournaments so close together - the World Cup was in early March, the HK Sevens at the end of March. This year, though, the World Cup is in June...

SC

Edited June 28, 2013 by StreetCowboy

[StreetCowboy]

No upsets on Day 1 of the World Cup, but only thanks to a missed last minute conversion by Japan as Scotland scrape through 19 - 17.

England win against Portugal, holders Wales beat Uruguay, Australia and new Zealand both top their pools.

I;ve got plenty of Irn Bru for tomorrow, and it looks like we'll need it

SC

[David48]

Who are the more 'exotic' teams contesting to lift the silverware?

Tahiti, when trying to qualify for the Soccer World Cup earlier this month received great applause when they actually scored a goal in a qualifying game.

BTW ... there is silverware ... isn't there?

.

[StreetCowboy]

Who are the more 'exotic' teams contesting to lift the silverware?

Tahiti, when trying to qualify for the Soccer World Cup earlier this month received great applause when they actually scored a goal in a qualifying game.

BTW ... there is silverware ... isn't there?

.

Amongst the teams you'll get longer odds on to lift the Melrose Cup are qualifiers from Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania and the Americas -

Hong Kong

Japan

Philippines

Zimbabwe

Tunisia

Portugal

France

Spain

Georgia

Scotland

Uruguay

USA

Canada

Australia

Tonga

and Russia qualified as hosts.

The eight quarter-finalists from 2009 prequalified.

I've highlighted the Qualifiers that are not regulars on the IRB circuit and could be considered rank outsiders. Of those, Japan did best on day one, falling to a loss of only two points against Scotland.,

SC

[David48]

Agreed ... Japan will be interesting. Any tall timber in their side?

Does their lock trouble the tape past the 6' mark?

For a roughie to outperform ... Georgia?

Who do reckon will win?

.

[StreetCowboy]

Agreed ... Japan will be interesting. Any tall timber in their side?

Does their lock trouble the tape past the 6' mark?

For a roughie to outperform ... Georgia?

Who do reckon will win?

.

New Zealand have got to be the bookies' favourites; Fiji everyone else's.

In the Series, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, England, South Africa, have all won tournaments. Australia, as top of their pool might be the best value at the bookmakers.

Japan have at least one player of South Seas descent, but I can't see any of the 3rd-placed teams making it into the Cup. I would say that Japan need to beat Russia to make it into the Plate, and Scotland need to beat South Africa to make it into the Cup. I think the former is more likely.

SC

[StreetCowboy]

Scotland manage an unconvincing 21 - 5 win over Russia, Australia and England deal relatively easily with Tunisia and Hong Kong respectively, Wales struggle but prevail over Tonga in the second round of matches.

The only upsets so far, after the second round of pool matches, Canada beat USA by 1 point, and Portugal beat Argentina 17 - 10.

Philippines, the newest team to World Cup Sevens, and the first team to represent the Philippines at any World Cup finals in any code of football, playing beyond expectations, though they are yet to register a win - they've just kicked off against Zimbabwe and scored first...

SC

[StreetCowboy]

No great surprises in the Qualifying Stages; Scotland's unconvincing points difference sees them consigned to the Plate despite seven points from two wins and a loss to South Africa, while Fiji, on the same total, progress to the Cup with South Africa, New Zealand, England, Kenya, Australia, France and holders, Wales.

All three Asian teams contest the Bowl, despite Japan drawing with Russia, who are also in the Bowl, and Hong Kong beating Portugal, who in turn had beaten Argentina; Hong Kong losing out on a Plate place due to their poorer showing against pool champions England.

So in the Quarter Finals, Scotland meet Portugal in the Plate, while in the Cup, England meet Australia and holders Wales face favourites New Zealand.

SC

[StreetCowboy]

I guess everyone else is transfixed by the action in Moscow, and too focussed to post.

In the first Cup Quarter-Final, Fiji hold off South Africa to progress 12 - 10, while New Zealand have just scored their second try against the World Cup holders.

Lower down the competition, Scotland defended for most of the match to stifle Portugal 17 - 0 to set up a Plate Semi-Final against Canada; in the other half of the draw Argentina meet Samoa; and in the Bowl, Uruguay meet Russia and Georgia face Japan. Will the final be Japan Russia, following on from their 12-all draw in the final match of the Pool stage yesterday?

I'm not surprised that you're all too transfixed to post... it's unstinting action in the sunshine in Moscow

SC

[David48]

OH ... SC ... you know know by now from your live-rugby-league Thread, there will always be the silent majority ...

So no mention of Australia in the post above. SC ... have we (Australia) been JT'ed (outed) and in the Pub already?

Was Georgia survive the night, or well and truly out in the cold? Just that I have Georgia on my mind ...

.