18-19 Oct: World Cup 9s (TV)

[Futtocks]

Unless my plans have a last-minute change, I have booked next Friday off work, when the Jillaroos and Ferns face each other in 13-a-side. Looking forward to it!

[Farmduck]

8 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

Couple of decent looking Sheilas in the Aussie women team

Have a look at Tiana Penitani's Instagram. They really should use her for promotional work.

[Man of Kent]

So what do we think of this comp?

For me it’s been great TV with some excellent rugby and some shocks along the way. You have to worry about whether it’s been a commercial flop but it would be a pity if they ditched it. 

[EagleEyePie]

12 minutes ago, Dave T said:

I dont think the playmakers was the issue. The times we looked good we looked dangerous with Widdop, Austin and Tomkins creating. Unfortunately if you make a break and it is Graham or Sutton in support, or your wingers are Hall or McGillvary then you quickly see the issue.

You need players that if they make a break 50m out, they are fast enough to score.

True but I think Widdop was surplus. He can't go through gaps and if you're using several playmakers at some point they will need to support and go through gaps themselves and that's where Widdop doesn't offer enough in this format. The wingers were the biggest issue of course, but I think maybe another outside back or two in the team would have offered a bigger threat. Sacrifice one playmaker for a centre and I think the balance is better.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

2 minutes ago, Farmduck said:

Have a look at Tiana Penitani's Instagram. They really should use her for promotional work.

Plays league and looks like this... The perfect woman?

Get her on Sky Sports! 

 

 

[Futtocks]

3 minutes ago, Man of Kent said:

So what do we think of this comp?

For me it’s been great TV with some excellent rugby and some shocks along the way. You have to worry about whether it’s been a commercial flop but it would be a pity if they ditched it. 

Definitely a keeper, especially if England pick a specialist Nines squad next time.

Edit: and, as Scotchy pointed out, make it Saturday/Sunday instead of Friday/Saturday. That's a no-brainer.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

2 minutes ago, Man of Kent said:

So what do we think of this comp?

For me it’s been great TV with some excellent rugby and some shocks along the way. You have to worry about whether it’s been a commercial flop but it would be a pity if they ditched it. 

Great fun for a Saturday morning on the sofa

[DiH68]

I’ve loved watching it today. I think we have a chance to use this as a completely new vehicle for the international game, a bit like union sevens. We’ll need familiar names for the first couple of years to get the fans to buy in to the concept but I could see us ending up with teams of Nines specialists, as it is a very different game. Could be fantastic played around the world like the union sevens 

[Old Frightful]

3 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

 

 

3 minutes ago, Bedfordshire Bronco said:

Great fun for a Saturday morning on the sofa

Can't argue with that.

[Farmduck]

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

Just now, Old Frightful said:

 

Can't argue with that.

If she joined me then it really would have been perfect!.... Actually add some ale too

[Man of Kent]

1 minute ago, DiH68 said:

I’ve loved watching it today. I think we have a chance to use this as a completely new vehicle for the international game, a bit like union sevens. We’ll need familiar names for the first couple of years to get the fans to buy in to the concept but I could see us ending up with teams of Nines specialists, as it is a very different game. Could be fantastic played around the world like the union sevens 

I can see it evolving into sort-of touch rugby with contact, if you follow me. Speed merchants and ball skills.

[Farmduck]

The OZ selection has been pretty consistent: 3 back rowers, 3 halves and the rest FBs and wingers.

[Futtocks]

Good start for the Kiwis, forcing Feldt back over his tryline.

[Old Frightful]

Perfect first set from the Kiwis.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Class try by the Kiwis

[Futtocks]

CNK taps a long pass further on to Smith for the first score. Great execution.

[Old Frightful]

Ball steal with two in the tackle, decision amazingly goes against the Kiwis.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Just can’t afford to gift the Aussies possession in dangerous areas

[Futtocks]

Loose tackling lets Moses through for a five-pointer.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Great try by the Kiwis!

[M j M]

Refs giving the Aussies everything ? Shocking.

[southwalesrabbitoh]

How much better has the nines bn compared with the vast majority of the NRL this yr. 10-a-side with unlimited interchanged IMO, 1 referee and NO video-ref.

[Futtocks]

Issako's seventh means the Kiwis strike back immediately.

[Man of Kent]

Ding-dong start!