Looking forward to tonights game. Go Fiji

Are they on already?

Looking forward to tonights game. Go Fiji

Are they on already?

No, 2.30am our time.

Looking forward to tonights game. Go Fiji

Are they on already?

8 pm kick-off I think (9 pm Netherlands, 3 am THAI)

Fiji Ireland should be interesting. As I recall Fiji won in the inter-group playoff last World Cup, I think, getting through despite a defeat by Scotland in the Group Stage. THe loser of tonight's match will probably exit at the Group Stage, the winner will more than likely progress to the Quarter-Finals.

SC

Great thanks, guys.

Looking forward to tonights game. Go Fiji

They will be a sentimental favourite for me tonight ...

Petros back!

Fiji (Odds – 126.00)

They were the surprise package of the 2008 World Cup when they made it through to the semi-finals and will be hoping to emulate their fairy tale run once again. The ageless Petero Civoniceva will lead the squad and their NRL stars need to rise to the occasion if they are to overcome stiff competition in the group stages.

Actually, this is a good start to read ... A mug's guide to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup ...

HOW IT’S PLAYED?

Formats have varied over the last six decades and has included a version of the tournament being played on a home-and-away basis over a three-year period. The format has been tinkered with over the years as the number of nations participating increased.

This time around 12 teams automatically qualified for a spot – the 10 teams that contested the last World Cup plus Wales as the winner of the 2009 European Nations Cup and Cook Islands as the runner- up in the 2009 Pacific Cup.

There were two qualifying pools (European and Atlantic) for the two last spots with the the highest ranked team in each pool qualifying (Italy and USA).

Lot's of great photos on that site, team players etc ... ENJOY ...

It's coming up to 5.30 am here ... that means they are starting the first game.

It's Fiji for me tonight!

.

Yep I'm gearing up for the game. Got a couple of JD's ready and cheering on the Bati!

Should see some good ad lib footy from the Fijians tonight. Not hit it up for 5, kick crossfield on the last (hopefully).

Well gentlemen, apologies all round.

I was up late last night, blethering to the girlfriend about her pregnancy, thus late to bed.

Late to rise also ... it's 6.15am here and the Scotland/Tonga game already started.

Naturally, I'd be cheering Tonga, but I did just learn that there is a Wakefield player who is also Scottish ...

so now I have divided loyalties.

If I was a praying man, and Scottish ... I'd be praying for an Act of God right now ... Scotland leads Tonga 6 - 4

... stop the game now ...

BTW ... the name that rolls like honey off the lips ... Fuifui Moimoi (foi foi moi moi) ...

Saints be prayed Scots be brave ... Scotland leads Tonga 6 - 4

StreetCowboy ... your moment of glory ... were are you?

.

God is smiling on Scotland tonight ... you have to see the goal shot by Scotland just before half-time.

From the side-line the ball drifts towards the posts ... hits the black dot on the cross-bar .. yes, the cross-bar, bounces into the air, hangs seems for what seems an eternity and returns to earth on the good side ... trouble the scoreboard for 2 more points please Sir ...

.

Well gentlemen, apologies all round.

I was up late last night, blethering to the girlfriend about her pregnancy, thus late to bed.

Late to rise also ... it's 6.15am here and the Scotland/Tonga game already started.

Naturally, I'd be cheering Tonga, but I did just learn that there is a Wakefield player who is also Scottish ...

so now I have divided loyalties.

If I was a praying man, and Scottish ... I'd be praying for an Act of God right now ... Scotland leads Tonga 6 - 4

... stop the game now ...

BTW ... the name that rolls like honey off the lips ... Fuifui Moimoi (foi foi moi moi) ...

Saints be prayed Scots be brave ... Scotland leads Tonga 6 - 4

StreetCowboy ... your moment of glory ... were are you?

.

Safely tucked up home in bed - it's a 4 am kick-off. I've got the game recorded to watch as soon as I get home from work; and also last night's Ireland Fiji game. Its still a long way to go to Hedingley, though, with another tough game against Italy in Workington, and then off down to Salford to meet the USA at Barton-on-Irwell.

Actually, I might just watch the Scotland game twice, and give the Ireland game a miss...

SC

What a cracking game!

I'm not going to watch it again - there's no way we could be so lucky a third time.

What a cracking game!

I'm not going to watch it again - there's no way we could be so lucky a third time.

So you're superstitious, after all.

Good work by the Scotsman. Lucky I had no money in my betting account otherwise would have well and truly done my dough.

What a cracking game!

I'm not going to watch it again - there's no way we could be so lucky a third time.

Humm ... maybe a case of 3^rd time luck for Tonga ...

Hey, if you can locate a copy of NZ vs Somoa game ... you'd probably enjoy that as well.

SC ... and others ... what have you thought of the Video Umpire(s)?

I'm really liking hearing his commentary as the review is being undertaken.

Would be great if they did that for the NRL ... all we get to see are the endless reviews.

What do they do for the SuperLeague?

This morning is USA v Cook Islands

.

SC ... and others ... what have you thought of the Video Umpire(s)?

I'm really liking hearing his commentary as the review is being undertaken.

Would be great if they did that for the NRL ... all we get to see are the endless reviews.

What do they do for the SuperLeague?

This morning is USA v Cook Islands

.

As said before, VDO-Umpire-commenting adds a whole other dimension to the game for the viewer.

I love it. Rugby is a straight forward game. More then soccer.

SC ... and others ... what have you thought of the Video Umpire(s)?

I'm really liking hearing his commentary as the review is being undertaken.

Would be great if they did that for the NRL ... all we get to see are the endless reviews.

What do they do for the SuperLeague?

This morning is USA v Cook Islands

.

Sky Sports (who provide the Eurosport coverage) has a former referee commentating on the video referees "And he's checking for offside at the kick,,, now he's looking for obstruction...that must be OK because he's looking at the grounding"; fortunately Stuart Cummings is not as excitable as some of the other commentators...

SC

I've not got the NZ Samoa game recorded - I struggle with recording back-to-back shows. I've still not watched Fiji - Ireland, and I'm hoping to have Cook Islands - USA recorded from last night. Might not have time to watch tonight, though. All I've seen is the headline score, and it looks like another entertaining game. It really has been a well-managed World Cup I think, though the timiings have been a bit inconvenient for travelling fans and TV viewers in Thailand and Malaysia.

Edited October 30, 201312 yr by StreetCowboy

Uh, Kiwi here. Hope I don't get shouted down.

Is John Hopoate playing? We need him to plug a few holes.

Well ... at least two of us understood that comment ... alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20>

BTW ... his son isn't a half bad player.

I understand it too Dave... to be honest, I wish I DIDN"T understand it. And you're right, his son does seem a good player. I've read somewhere that Parra are chasing his signature, now there's a club that needs a bit of luck next year.

Uh, Kiwi here. Hope I don't get shouted down.

Is John Hopoate playing? We need him to plug a few holes.

Well ... at least two of us understood that comment ... alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20>

BTW ... his son isn't a half bad player.

I understand it too Dave... to be honest, I wish I DIDN"T understand it. And you're right, his son does seem a good player. I've read somewhere that Parra are chasing his signature, now there's a club that needs a bit of luck next year.

Already have his signature and contract official. As a Manly supporter, was very pi@@ed off to see him go. Nothing like that fool of a father he has. Been in the news again for threatening to kill someone (traffic cop I think).

There is another son playing for Manly in the lower grades, Jamil. Nothing on his older brother though.

No games on this morning, with the next game is New Zealand v France ... and it's being played in France, so on an hour earlier then the games played in the UK.

I am a rugby newbie and understand there is a difference between rugby union and rugby league? I really do not know.

Loving this one.

Edited October 31, 201312 yr by Dancealot

No games on this morning, with the next game is New Zealand v France ... and it's being played in France, so on an hour earlier then the games played in the UK.

New Zealand - France is always good for an upset. I was in Paris for the Union World Cup Quarter-Final six years ago...

The only game that's on at a convenient time is the Ireland - England game, which I doubt will be as entertaining, but I'll maybe go to the pub to watch it anyway. So far it's been far more entertaining than I expected, and the crowd figures have been good

SC

EDIT: Apparently the Huddersfield ground is sold out; it's a nice stadium, very similar to the Hong Kong stadium at Caroline Hill Road; while Sam Tomkins is playing for England in the world cup, brother Joel will be taking his place in the England Union squad against Australia - you may recall that Sam scored against England for the Barbarians a couple of years ago when the ball eventually found its way out to him after over an hour of frustrating missed and forward passes from Brian Habana and his other team-mates. Anyway, me and Lazarus will be in Sid's, cheering for Ireland, if he's back from the dead.

Edited November 1, 201312 yr by StreetCowboy

No games on this morning, with the next game is New Zealand v France ... and it's being played in France, so on an hour earlier then the games played in the UK.

The only game that's on at a convenient time is the Ireland - England game, which I doubt will be as entertaining, but I'll maybe go to the pub to watch it anyway. So far it's been far more entertaining than I expected, and the crowd figures have been good

The timing is convenient so will watch tomorrow

I am a rugby newbie and understand there is a difference between rugby union and rugby league? I really do not know.

Loving this one:).

Quite different sports with similar basics. Union might as well not exist as far as I'm concerned.

... not so serious ...

Union Girls are prettier, better dressed and slim.

League Girls have a more ... how does one say ... homely aspect to them.

Quite different sports with similar basics. Union might as well not exist as far as I'm concerned.

http://rugbywrapup.com/2013/09/ref-review-rugby-league-vs-rugby-union-why-the-hate

I found this referee review to be clear and straight.

Perhaps we should go back to where it all started; the division of the Rugby Football Union and the North. Rugby Union has historically been an uncompensated sport for the affluent upper class. However, the North of England did not find that uncompensated sport allowed for the best teams, as the North was a working culture. Here they found that if their players were not paid to miss work, they often could not field full-strength teams. They also couldn’t play as hard, as if they were to get hurt they would not be able to do the manual labour of the north. So, essentially it was a class divide.

So I guess you are with the REF on this one, tw25rw?

Edited November 1, 201312 yr by Dancealot

Kick off about to start NZ and France, full house!!!!!Bloody brilliant.

I don't know about anyone else but it is good to hear Andrew Voss commentating again. Behind the great man Rabs, Voss is a clear second.

Interesting to have a world cup in a sport only seriously played by Northerners and Australians.

Interesting to have a world cup in a sport only seriously played by Northerners and Australians.

What about the current World Cup champions New Zealand?

Interesting to have a world cup in a sport only seriously played by Northerners and Australians.

How about darts? ...

Doesn't really matter, now, does it?

Interesting to have a world cup in a sport only seriously played by Northerners and Australians.

How about darts? ...

Doesn't really matter, now, does it?

No, not really. I was just being an ass.

World cup helps to promote the sport.

Edited November 1, 201312 yr by kevozman1