WHO WILL ISSUE THE FIRST RED CARD?

Radio DJ's used to call it the hit parade, but it had nothing to do with the game of rugby ... until now. World Rugby sent out a clear message prior to the start of RWC 2019 in Japan that it would clamp down hard on illegal "hits" - high, no arms tackles - and that referees would be encouraged to issue a straight red if warranted. Well that has worked out well ... for some reason ever since the Australian Hodge's shoulder to the head assault on the Fiji back rower (no card, later cited), all RWC referees seem reluctant to issue the ketchup (red card) preferring the mustard (yellow card).

The hit parade is on a roll .. whether it is England v Tonga with Zane Kapeli’s big hit on Billy Vunipola which achieved the rare feat of knocking the No.8 backwards. The tackle was actually illegal and should have been penalised as Kapeli made the tackle with his shoulder while keeping his right arm tucked by his side. 

Or, how about the Russia v Samoa match, where twice in the space of a few minutes during the first half, Samoan players Rey Lee-lo and Motu Matu’u made the kind of hits that were clear ketchup offences. Not only were the tackles to the head, they were forceful and the tackler did not properly wraps his arms around his opponent, who in both cases, was the Russia captain Vasily Artemyev. 

The referee after consulting the TMO downgraded the offence to mustard only as they thought the player had lowered his head (complete b*****). Funny enough both players have been cited. Later in the same match Russia’s Kirill Gotovtsev grabbed Samoa’s Afaesetiti Amosa around the neck in an attempt to stop a certain try. The tackler wrenched Amosa’s head violently to one side causing a hyper extension of his right leg which led to a tournament ending knee injury. Again, mustard was shown not ketchup.

How strange that football, a much less dangerous game than rugby, should be far better at protecting the most skilful players. Still, there is time, with five weeks remaining of the tournament, for the referees to wake up and start throwing the ketchup about.

RWC 2019: WEEKEND #1 REVIEW

So what did we learn about each team during the opening weekend of RWC 2019 in Japan?

In terms of Tier 1 clashes, New Zealand edged a titanic tussle with South Africa, France likewise against Argentina, whereas Ireland dominated a poor Scotland team, and Australia finally stretched away from a impressive Fiji. In the other games, England scored four tries, getting the bonus point against Tonga but have room to improve, Wales likewise against Georgia and Japan and Italy finally stretched away from a dogged Russia and Namibia respectively.

England's Samoan scored two tries against fellow Pacific Islanders

There was plenty of controversy involving referees and their application of the laws (or lack of). Reece Hodge somehow stayed on the pitch after his his high no arms shoulder charge on Yato, Fiji's best player, who did leave the field permanently (after failing an HIA). Hodge has since been cited (quelle surprise). South Africa were so incensed with the French referee's refusal to penalise NZ for persistently dropping scrums, clearing out rucks from the side, off their feet with no use of arms, that they made a nice video to show everyone. 

The Kiwis have been masters of the dark arts for years, and were very smart and clinical at the weekend. Yes, they cheat, but they do it better than anyone else - Richie McCaw's middle name was "lazy rolling away".

So it's award time, who got what?

Team super heroes: Fiji, Tonga, NZ (they are still the best) and France (for making the QF's despite everyone writing them off).

Team rubbish: Scotland, especially the forwards, and that Japan game (without Hamish Watson) now looks tight...

Ali Price thinking about that foot injury that will keep him out of rest of tournament for Scotland

Individual gold stars: Jordan Larmour (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland), Damian Penaud (France), Antoine Dupont (France), Manu Tuilagi (England), Marika Koraibete (Australia), Sevu Reece (New Zealand), Zane Kapeli (Tonga).

Games to look forward to next weekend:

Ireland v Japan (could decide the group winners now Scots are recovering from Culloden#2),
Australia v Wales (again the group decider unless Fiji can beat the Welsh like they did in 2007...),
Scotland (or what's left) v Samoa (which Scots need to win to keep QF hopes alive).

RWC 2019: AND SO IT BEGINS...

Wow, it is really here, the RWC 2019 kicks off in a few hours time with the hosts Japan taking on Russia. A nation expects, and it will take a very good Scotland performance to deny the hosts, the Brave Blossoms their first ever QF spot, where they will take on the might of New Zealand or South Africa. The Scotland game will be their cup final, and OATH will have their very own Alan "EJ" Doyle at the game to bring us a unique insight into the build up, the contest on the pitch and the post match festivities.

The most open RWC ever? I am not sure, the semi finalists four years ago were all from Southern Hemisphere, and that could happen again, although England have a good chance of getting that far this time at the expense of Argentina and Wales (who they will probably have to beat along the way). Ireland's chances of reaching their first ever semi-final appear to be receding by the day, especially as their form is poor, and they have key injuries to Henshaw and Kearney for the Scotland game this weekend (a must win for the Scots if they are to take the pressure off the Japan fixture).

France make a late replacement to their squad...

Wales can beat anyone with a fully fit XV, but, without Webb, Faletau and Anscombe do not have the strength in depth and quality to make it beyond the quarter finals. Unlike Ireland, South Africa are peaking at the right moment, and are my joint favourites with New Zealand, who will be unsurprisingly motivated to win three cups in a row. Australia will miss Skelton and Folau, but could still turnover Wales, and then lose to Fiji (who will beat a Tier 1 nation), but will not fear England in the QF's if it comes to pass. France are France, and will not make it out of the group, but we said that 8 years ago and they should have beaten the Kiwis in the final.

So, off the fence, who will make the QF's?
Well back in March of this year I predicted the following:

QF
England v Australia
New Zealand v Scotland 
Wales v France
Ireland v South Africa

I would now revise this to:

QF
England v Wales
South Africa v Ireland
Australia v Argentina
Scotland v New Zealand

Yes, England, Australia, Scotland and South Africa to win their respective pools.

SF
England v South Africa
Australia v New Zealand

F
New Zealand v South Africa (to win)

Very very excited, and to whet your appetite for what is to come, here is the official Japanese version of the infamous RWC theme song "World in Union" ... and so it begins

WORLD CUP WARM UPS

Off the horse for a while, but with a few Rugby Championship games already concluded, and World Cup squads soon to be announced, there is plenty to talk about.

2019 Rugby Championship results

·       20 July: South Africa 35 Australia 17

·       20 July: Argentina 16 New Zealand 20

·       27 July: New Zealand 16 South Africa 16 

·       27 July: Australia 16 Argentina 10

What have we learnt so far from the matches completed in the shortened Rugby Championship Well, it is clear that South Africa are peaking nicely, and will give anyone a run for their money, including the AB's in their group game. In fact, the Kiwi's are stuttering slightly, and without Beauden Barrett at 10, are not able to exploit organised defences at will like they used to - in fact Argentina should have beaten them (admittedly, NZ team not their strongest). Much is expected of Argentina, after their Super Rugby franchise's good showing this season - however, they do need to be more ruthless and take their opportunities. Australia, are still in a state of flux, having lost Folau, but will be pleased Lealiifano is back after battling leukaemia and showing form. How they compete against NZ this weekend will provide a better guide as to where they really are.

Lealiifano scored 11 points to help Oz overcome Argentina

2019 Rugby Championship fixtures

·       10 August: Australia vs. New Zealand (10.45am; Optus Stadium, Perth, Western Australia; live on Sky Sports)

·       10 August: Argentina vs. South Africa (8.40pm; Padre Ernesto Martearena Stadium, Salta; live on Sky Sports)

2019 RWC warm-up matches

·       10 August: Ireland vs. Italy (2pm; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; live on Channel 4) 

·       11 August: England vs. Wales (2pm; Twickenham Stadium, London; live on Sky Sports) 

England take on Grand Slam champions, Wales, at home this weekend, and will announce their RWC squad soon afterwards. It appears Eddie has deemed Cipriani, Brown, Dombrandt, Te’o and Ben Spencer surplus to requirements, with Willi Heinz (recently qualified) now the second pick 9 behind Ben Youngs. Wales will have to make do without Faletau at no.8 after his broke his collar bone in training. Ireland take on Italy and will announce their 31 man squad on 8th September.

·       17 August: New Zealand vs. Australia (8.35am; live on Sky Sports)

·       17 August: Wales vs. England (2.15pm; Principality Stadium, Cardiff; live on Sky Sports) 

·       17 August: South Africa vs. Argentina (4.05pm; live on Sky Sports)

·       17 August: Italy vs. Russia (5.25pm)

·       17 August: France vs Scotland (8pm; Allianz Riviera, Nice; live on Premier Sports) 

·       24 August: Scotland vs. France (1.10pm; BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; live on Premier Sports)

·       24 August: England vs Ireland (3pm; Twickenham Stadium, London; live on Sky Sports) 

·       30 August: France vs. Italy (8.10pm)

·       31 August: Wales vs. Ireland (2.30pm; Principality Stadium, Cardiff; live on Channel 4) 

·       31 August: Georgia vs. Scotland (5pm; Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi; live on Premier Sports) 

·       6 September: Japan vs. South Africa (11.15am)

·       6 September: Scotland vs. Georgia (7.30pm; BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh; live on Premier Sports)

·       6 September: England vs. Italy (7.45pm; St James’ Park, Newcastle; live on Sky Sports) 

·       7 September: New Zealand vs. Tonga (3.35am)

·       7 September: Australia vs. Samoa (10.30am)

·       7 September: Ireland vs. Wales (2pm; Aviva Stadium, Dublin; live on Channel 4)

BLOODGATE 10 YEARS ON

Riveting podcast from BBC on Bloodgate saga at Harlequins 10 years on featuring Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Tom Williams, all who were there that fateful day.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0763rvt

CUP FINALS COME EARLY THIS WEEKEND

Fantastic Friday this week sees some vital games in both the English Premiership and Pro 14, the outcomes of which will have a big impact on who qualifies for Europe or who gets relegated.

Newcastle v Leicester

Only five points now separate Newcastle (bottom with 29 points) and Leicester (34 points) who play each other on Friday night in the North East. Leicester appear in freefall, and despite having all their English internationals now back from Six Nations duty, defensively looked very disorganised against Exeter last weekend. They look like a disparate bunch of individuals rather than a professional team. And with Tom Youngs being sent off in that game, they may not see him again this season, which will hurt them leadership wise, especially as his brother, Ben, is already absent with injury. Still, players like Tuilagi, May and Ford need to step up and set an example for their less high profile team mates.

Tom Youngs suspension could be critical for Leicester

Newcastle, with ex Leicester heroes like Dean Richards as coach, Vereneki Goneva, the flying Fijian, on the wing, and Toby Flood at 10, will have added motivation to inflict more pain on their old club. Despite narrowly missing out on a losing bonus point to Sarries last weekend, Newcastle competed strongly up front, and with John Hardie and Mark Wilson in the back row, will not be short of possession. If they can win front foot ball for the likes of Sinotti, Harris and Goneva they will test Leicester's fragile defence, and in Takulua, they have a 80%+ kicker. A win is imperative for both teams in a true 8 point game.

Edinburgh v Ulster
Benetton v Munster

Edinburgh's second half performance against Scarlets last weekend was sheer quality - being 12 points down at half time against a very good Scarlets team with all their Grand Slam stars back - as they scored 20 unanswered points to win the game and deny the Welsh province a valuable losing point. With Ulster being comfortably beaten by Glasgow Warriors, and Benetton drawing with Leinster, this narrowed the gap in Pro14 Conference B between Edinburgh and the Italian province to 1 point, and between Edinburgh and Ulster to 3 points, meaning this Friday's fixture at Murrayfield is now massive.

Jonathan Davies was superb on Friday night against Edinburgh

If Edinburgh win (with a bonus point) they will then be 2 points ahead of Ulster, and in a strong position to secure that valuable 2nd league position going into the final weekend, where they play Glasgow, who will need to also win their game to secure 2nd place in Conference A. However, if Benetton beat Munster at home (a week before their Heineken semi final) then, with only Zebre to beat on the final weekend, they will then be favourites to finish 2nd behind Leinster, and secure home advantage for the play off against the 3rd place team in Conference A (possibly Connacht). But, if Ulster can beat Edinburgh this weekend, or secure a losing bonus point, then they will be in the driving seat themselves for that 2nd place, as they face Leinster (at home) in their final fixture, who have already won Conference B (and are still in Heineken Cup). If Ulster are victorious this Friday, it could mean Edinburgh will only finish 4th in Conference B, forcing them into a play off with the team that finishes 4th in Conference A (Blues or Ospreys) for that final 7th Pro14 Heineken spot.

CHAMPIONS CUP QUARTER FINAL REVIEW

Edinburgh 13 Munster 17

I fancied this game so much I took the whole family up for the weekend, and, along with 11,000 Munster fans, was not disappointed. Edinburgh, under Cockers, are a formidable side, especially up front, and had won 17 from 19 previous home games. They started off like a train, and despite gallant Munster defence, should have been 6-9 points ahead in the first 20 minutes, choosing to kick to the corners to keep the pressure on, rather than take the easier penalty option. In a single score margin game, this would come back to haunt them later, as did the failure to capitalise on Munster having a man in the bin. In fact, Munster scored the first try of the game with only 14, when the (French) ref adjudged that an Edinburgh hand had knocked on a Murray box kick 10m from the line (looked dubious from stands 20m away). Munster made a mess of the scrum, but won the ball, but with no flanker, Pyrgos was allowed to stand next to Murray as he passed the ball out wide, knocking it on in the process. The (French) ref adjudged the offence a penalty (so a deliberate slapdown rather than an attempted intercept) which was harsh. If the Munster 8 had popped the ball to his scrum half, Pyrgos would not have had the opportunity to get near the ball. Anyway, move on. As Earls quickly gathered the ball and took a quick tap, his path to the line was made easier by Murray judo throwing his opposite number to the floor. I am not sure whether he thought Pyrgos had the ball, but regardless it was reckless and should have been referred to the (French) TMO, just as Liam Willams' retaliation caused Sarries try to be ruled out by the (English) ref last week. Earls sauntered over unimpeded and Munster were ahead.

Brian Jacks could not have done better than the Murray judo throw

Edinburgh equalised not long after through a Chris Dean try, and then followed another moment of controversy when Conway took out Darcy Graham in the air, causing him to land on his back. Admittedly, Conway only had his eyes (and hands, briefly) on the ball, and did not see Graham coming, but he lost the contest, and therefore, by the letter of the law, had the responsibility to land Graham safely. The (French) ref penalised Conway but did not issue a yellow, which impressed the home crowd no end. It didn't look any better than Stuart Hogg's aerial challenge on Biggar a few years back, for which he got a red, but anyway move on. Just before half time, Jaco van der Walt kicked Edinburgh ahead for a deserved 13 -10 half time lead. The second half was more even, with both teams getting into the opposition 22 but failing to score. Edinburgh had the ball in hands of both wingers, and looked the more dangerous, however, again it was Munster who scored a try against the run of play. Following a soft late hit on the Edinburgh fly half, the ref awarded a penalty on halfway, which would have given the Scottish club a good try scoring opportunity. For some reason, Schoeman the loose head, who was having a stormer, decided to bump Berne with his shoulder as he ran past. Berne did a Salah and claimed mortal wounding, which caused the (French) TMO to wake up and alert the ref, who subsequently reversed the decision. Munster kicked to the corner, and Earls outstripped the Edinburgh cover to score out wide.

Earls excellent finish for winning try

Keith Earls is a favourite of mine. He consistently produces MOM performances for province and country, and, similar to Ben Smith of NZ, does the basics better than anyone. His handling, running lines, defence, decision making and finishing are simply awesome. What followed was multiple waves of patient Edinburgh attack, and phenomenal Munster defence. How neither side made an error in attack or defence in the last 10 minutes was astonishing, and testament to the fitness and mental strength of both teams. In the end, Munster closed out a tight win, with their European experience on the road, and better management of the (French) ref being the difference. Not a classic, with only three tries scored, but a really good contest between two decent sides. Edinburgh should have won the game, but are mixing it with the big boys now, and will learn from the experience. Munster face Sarries in England next up, and will need to create more in attack if they are to progress to their third final.