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Sat 24 Sep 2011 | 05:13
The Rugby Club Plays of the Week - RWC Week 2

15
Comments

We've had another great week of World Cup rugby with plenty happening both on and off the park. This latest edition of Plays of the Week from Fox Sports in Australia covers some of the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

There seems to be a slightly different feeling with the fans at this world cup in New Zealand, as fancy dress has become quite the norm, with all sorts of different characters and costumes turning up in the stands. It would probably be safe to say that that's the Sevens influence coming into it, and it's brilliant.

One thing the Irish fans will have been enjoying this past week, and perhaps neutrals too, is their great win over the Wallabies. Seeing as this is an Australian segment, it's brushed under the carpet, naturally. But Irish fans don't despair, it's all in good fun as your team outplayed the Aussies, and they're well aware of it. Cian Healy's nice hit on Quade Cooper though, so there's that.

Elsewhere there were some great tries scored by South Africa against Fiji, with flanks even getting in on the act of supplying cross-chip-kick-passes, while Wales scored a nice try through Shane Williams which put the game out of reach of a strong Samoan side. Romania and Argentina ended up being one sided, with the South Americans throwing the ball about beautifully.

One of the players of the tournament so far has been USA Eagles captain Todd Clever, although he tarnished the good with a little bit of bad against Russia unfortunately. He was let off though, which can't be said for Fiji's Dominiko Waqaniburotu, who was suspended for three weeks for a tip tackle and had his appeal rejected. If Fiji don't make the semi finals, that signals the end of his World Cup.

Enjoy the plays of the week, and have a great weekend.




Posted By: Grant Constable

15 Comments

  • rugbydump
    2:31 PM 26/09/2011

    It's an Australian show, made for people in Australia. The fact that we're able to share it with you here on RD is a bonus. Don't take it (and life) so seriously :)

  • mac_chops
    1:44 PM 26/09/2011

    At least they got Church's hit in on QC!

  • ciaranbrk
    3:02 AM 26/09/2011

    Look im focused on the Italy game now but I mean iv seen other episodes of this other teams and players get hit and been replayed. It would have looked good to have one tackle in the game it would looked respectable at least. And said and pretty much the same for the rest of the match and lightheartedly brushed it off that's all it would have taken. I have respect for the Aussies lots of it there team has licked there wounds and moved on. As we all must there is no point going on about the match it was last week. I just guess i was looking for a bit of humble pie to be eaten by both sides.I myself can be rather arrogant when Ireland play il admit to that. best of luck in the competition boys i mean that.

  • 1:01 AM 26/09/2011

    This seems to have gotten a little out of hand here (though not to the extent of the comments on the old site layout).

    Let me set it straight for you all:

    First and foremost, this is the Plays of the Week. It's a mildly funny and lighthearted recap of a few rugby games. It's during the Rugby Club, so of course it's Aussie-centric. That's its bag. The goal is tongue-in-cheek commentary with some dreadful puns thrown in the mix. During Super Rugby, it's not rare for them to pick "Try of the Week" from an Australian side, even when it pales in comparison to one scored by a SA/NZ side. So don't get so offended - it's not intentionally disrespectful; you just have to roll your eyes and move along.

    I actually hadn't even really noticed that they left out Genia getting picked up and carried like a ragdoll. It was a marvelous moment from the game, for sure, but again, it probably wasn't a favorite moment for the Wallaby supporters, so I can see why it maybe got left out.

    Regarding the media - well, who takes that stuff seriously anyway? I actually think there's nothing quite as satisfying as having your side dismissed beforehand, only for them to pull off an upset (still waiting for that to happen with the USA!).

    As for the Fox Sports commentators, it's pretty simple: Rod Kafer is the least biased/most shrewd guy there; Kearns is moderately funny, if only for how boneheaded/biased he can be - at least he'll make jokes about it; Greg Martin is an idiot and the most biased of them all; Greg Clark just likes to hear himself talk.

    Now, can we all just move past it and talk about something important, like Ali Williams doing the haka...?

  • themull
    9:50 PM 25/09/2011

    Maybe fellow Irishmen feel aggreived with how the Aussie media portrayed ireland before and after the match, I could care less since we bet them on the pitch...

    My thoughts on the whole thing are simple..I hope, for the Aussie's sake that they don't really blame the ref for their loss and are preparing for SA to play an even tougher match against..Not just expecting to win with another ref...

  • buzzkillington
    7:15 PM 25/09/2011

    Again, I'm not Australian. And Phil Kearns is a legend. The only thing I see wrong with that link is Irish people and their inability to laugh.

    I expect more from Rugby fans. Just a bit of lighthearted, albeit confident, banter from Kearnsey the legend.

    Australian commentators and pundits are recognised globally for their joviality, refusal to bow to PC crap and great sense of humour. Phil highlights all 3. Love that clip, thanks.

    Give me a choice of him or the robots we get in the UK, it's a no-contest mate.

    Be a bit more humble in victory. You'd think Ireland had lost with all the moaning you lot are doing.

  • buzzkillington
    7:12 PM 25/09/2011

    I'm not Australian.

  • themull
    3:06 PM 25/09/2011

    Wanna talk about arrogance? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0gV-Wbg04s&feature=aso

  • themull
    3:05 PM 25/09/2011

    While I agree that this segment is purely for comedic purposes, the buzz I'm getting from the Australian media, analysts and newspapers, is that the ref is to blame for them losing the match..I just hope the team or the rest of the Oz nation isn't buying that or SA are going to mop the floor with them..because what Ireland did to Australia, SA can do 2 or 3 times better, as that style of play suits them perfectly...

  • tullowtank
    12:55 PM 25/09/2011

    Typical Irish arrogance?? Buzz get the boat, you do not have a clue what you are talking about! I think the abuse wouldn't be so bad had they not casually thrown in "neither else really happened in this match" apart from the ref missing a knock-on and it stinks of sour grapes. The aussies showed complete disrespect to the Irish by seemingly only knowing abour BOD and disregarding every other player and when a 'minnow' (who Ireland are when compared to OZ who are still most definately a vastly superior team) defeats a bigger nation, everyone will make it into something bigger than it actually is. Some grace in defeat and less whinging would be appreciated by all rugby fans, its sad and pathetic and giving out to the rest of the world for having that view won't do you any favours.

  • buzzkillington
    12:25 PM 25/09/2011

    What a load of anti-Australian nonsense these comments are. Typical of the bitter NH fans I've come to loathe.

    The idea that Aussies can't take a loss is laughable. When Australia lost to Samoa it was all over Plays of the Week. I can't believe the Irish and NH arrogance. Some of you fans are so embarrassing with your excessive gloating over a rare win, it makes me ashamed to share the same continent.

    Ultimately Australia are a good shout to win the WC, where as Ireland will come away from the tournament with one token win. I know who I'd rather support.

    Typical Irish arrogance.

  • breakaway
    3:28 AM 25/09/2011

    I've been a regular visitor here for a while and one thing that doesn't change is the moaning by people who miss the point about Plays of the Week. So let's go through it one more time .. it's supposed to be funny and it usually is, it's always Oz-biased and they know it, that's part of the joke, it's always worth watching, it's not supposed to be serious analysis of the game etc etc.
    When they lost to Ireland there was plenty of "acknowledging of shortcomings" and I didn't see much in the way of excuses (jeez! do you guys ever read or listen to your own countries' "pundits"?).. so lighten up and enjoy POTW for what is, a reliable dose of fun in an environment that's often way too serious.

  • ciaranbrk
    1:28 AM 25/09/2011

    To be honest I knew they wouldn't focus on the Aussie game and its sad that they cant acknowledge the shortcomings and improve on it. But Im starting to loath he Aussie commentary and some of there pundits .

    They can try hide the fact they lost but it wont do any good so stop making the excuses and make the adjustments and put something positive on this loss but all im hearing is a week on more bleeding excuses.

  • reality
    1:07 AM 25/09/2011

    I like the way the biggest upset of the WC so far was just swept under the carpet in the video. There was definite material to show, like Bowe's intercept at the end, the rebound off the post on a penalty, Ferris picking up Genia and carrying him back 10 metres. And are they actually whinging about a missed knock-on? First of all, it was completely inconsequential. In fact Ireland probably would have just gotten a penalty out of the ensuing scrum like they did for the whole match. Secondly, it happened in the blink of an eye, and could have come off Sexton's face rather than his hands, and in realtime they couldn't tell. Get over it! My God. I thought that that big baby Tim Horan was bad. From what it seems he's just the beginning.

  • mise
    9:58 PM 24/09/2011

    funny and sad how that's knock-on moment is such a focus for the Aussies......

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