We avoid Barnes and Garces.

No complaints with Nigel Owens officiating of the All Blacks to date.

Referees for quarter finals announced:

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/513574

England-Australia - Garces
NZ-Ireland - Owens
Wales-France - Pepper
Japan-SA - Barnes

Australia-NZ-Wales-South Africa.

Think all four games will be nail-biters.

I watched the game.

During the first half, there was a group in the Bulgarian section of the crowd making noises whenever one of the English players of African-Caribbean heritage got the ball. Tyrone Mings spoke to the linesman Gareth Southgate spoke to the UEFA official. The game stopped. Warnings were given. The noises started up again. The game was stopped again. The TV cameras caught these guys making monkey chants and gestures and making Nazi salutes. There was a No Respect banner (UEFA's anti-racism campaign is called Respect). About 150 people (hooded and wearing black) were asked to leave at half time. There were more Nazi salutes as they left.

The Bulgarian captain went out during half time and pleaded with the crowd not to make any more racist chanting.

There were some isolated boos in the second half. But nothing like the open, organised displays of racism that went on in the first half.

England won 6-0.

Good comments from ex-England international Ian Wright who was one of ITV pundits on full-time. His generation of black players were taught to be like Martin Luther King and turn the other cheek. It didn't stop racism. This generation of player are much more savvy and Malcolm X-influenced. They realise that to defeat racism and racist scumbags, you need to deploy any means necessary.

Anyone defending Nazi salutes and thugs making monkey gestures at BAME players needs to give themselves a massive uppercut and learn some history.

Those of us who know our history will never rest until racism is defeated.

Shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted:

Great news. Exact figures not known justyet, but Steve Tew seemed very happy indeed. Big money involved. That'll keep the competitions going for a few more years and the best players mostly in New Zealand.

Be interesting to see who they goose to referee the Quarter Finals. My guess is:

Nigel Owens, Wayne Barnes, Jaco Pepper and Ben O'Keefe

Wayne Barnes will referee one of the Quarter Finals. A one in three chance it will be this one.

Think South Africa will record their first ever RWC win against Japan.

@MiketheSnow said in RWC: Wales v France (QF 3):

No injuries, no cards from the Uruguay match.

We know our A team.

We can go in to the France match confident of reaching the SF.

We felt the same before a certain match in Cardiff in October 2007. The form book goes out the window when you play the French in RWC knockouts. Take nothing for granted.