@nzzp said in The Mystery of Josh Ioane’s Omission:

@Cantab79 said in The Mystery of Josh Ioane’s Omission:

@canefan said in The Mystery of Josh Ioane’s Omission:

@Cantab79 said in The Mystery of Josh Ioane’s Omission:

Just a thought, but if both Mo'unga and Barrett were injured the game before a QF, but both were deemed to be likely to be fit for a semi final if we qualified, what would stop the selectors from replacing an outside back for Josh Ioane, so he could play 10 in the QF but the other two would still be eligible for games after that?

I would have thought you can only replace due to injury

Injuries don't need to be independently verified though. Moreover, what's stopping a player saying they are having mental health issues or family problems so they can be replaced? As far as I can see the AB's could bring in Josh Ioane in an emergency without necessarily having to replace Mo'unga or BB.

Agreed. That's why finding those tournament regulations woudl be nice. @Damo can you help?

Not really. I can't find the official regs anywhere. Even the World Rugby page with the Tournament Rules doesn't have the rules. https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/tournament-rules

For what it is worth; in 2015 (and I seem to recall earlier as well) the rule was that you had to wait 48 hours between losing a player and the replacement being able to play. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/strict-48-hour-rule-warren-9968431 (Apologies for the link, but that was what I found)

I would be amazed if there wasn't independent verification of injuries, I imagine personal/family issues would be on a case by case basis.

There is such a thing as a gentleman's code still in rugby I think. I'd be surprised if many coaches would ask a player to pretend to be injured to support a strategic switch. There are some unscrupulous people, but not as many as you'd think - surely (?)

Down by 8 with 2 minutes to go and if you get a kickable PK, you should take the points. Get the three, win the ball from the kickoff and then go for a try.

Don't try to score a try, use up all the time on the clock and then mutter about how there isn't time for the kickoff.

@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

@Nepia said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

@nzzp said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

@Nepia said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

@antipodean said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

That's not a YC ffs

I think it probably is from the end on shot - but for the game he should have sent two ABs off as well.

Terrible call -- he was pulling out and put a hand out to soften the impact. Just in no way a yellow.

Referees are going to cost some teams at this cup, and it's going to suck.

He hit him with the shoulder even while pulling out. I don't disagree that refs will cost teams but by the letter of the law it's yellow.

Probably - I'd argue little force and pulling out - but to me shows how refs don't seem to have 'feel' for the game any more. I don't think that's the sort of tackle that was intended to be carded, no matter how the laws are written.

I think Gardiner might be the current ref with the best feel for the game.

Some of those balls were unplayable.

The one to Ross Taylor in particular swung in the last metre or so of flight. Can't feel bad about missing it.

On an episode of QI they pointed out that there are more exceptions to the rule than the rule itself.

I've signed up. Was relatively painless. I am looking forward to it.

I understand the frustration of people who don't have good broadband, however I am not concerned for myself. I use Netflix and other streaming sites all the time and Chromecast them to my TV. I think it will be fine.

@canefan said in Tour of Sri Lanka:

Great catch by Rosco off Timmy. 8 down. Getting a bit of a chub

Steady on.

Unless Skygo is on a hell of a delay, they're only 7 down.

@canefan said in Tour of Sri Lanka:

FFS, terrible review. Almost Paine-like

It wasn't a terrible review. Live I thought it might have been just pitching on. The replay showed it wasn't that far away from being out.

At this stage in the game, not reviewing one which is out, is a much more significant mistake than reviewing one which is not out. They still have a review left.

That makes no sense at all. Total brainfart from Jaco.

I think that is a bullshit call. The Wallaby ran into SW just as much as SW ran into the Wallaby.