11/21/24
September 18, 2015
Rugby (Union) World Cup Starts Tonight: As usual, the All Blacks will be favourites, but this time around it's a bit more open. England, Australia, France, South Africa and Ireland could all be in with a shout. Usually with Rugby World Cups, the pools are fairly predictable, and action won't get interesting until the knockout stages at the Quarter Finals. However, this year the Pool of Death (TM) means that one of England, Australia or Wales will be going or staying home early.
It's a nbc universal thing and you have to purchase the streaming package
posted by NoMich at 11:02 AM on September 18, 2015
If your TV provider offers Universal Sports, it is airing the opening ceremony, today's match, all of the U.S. matches and the final rounds.
posted by rcade at 12:37 PM on September 18, 2015
I'm looking forward to this. I watched a little of Six Nations to begin learning the rules of the sport, and it was entertaining. It's still an odd visual for me, like seeing football players dressed like cyclists smash into each other.
posted by rcade at 01:01 PM on September 18, 2015
I really enjoyed watching Six Nations. Hopefully I'll be able to catch some of these games.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 07:13 PM on September 18, 2015
Good opener today. The ITV announcers were acting like England was doomed if they didn't get the one-point bonus for scoring four tries. That seemed a bit much.
The thing I have the most trouble understanding is why penalties are awarded. The announcers gloss over those explanations.
posted by rcade at 07:59 PM on September 18, 2015
No-one knows why penalties are awarded in rugby. Not even the referees.
posted by owlhouse at 09:08 PM on September 18, 2015
The racial-makeup-controversial South Africans go down to Japan's indomitable Blossoms in greatest World Cup upset ever. So much for White Power.
posted by rumple at 04:53 PM on September 19, 2015
Two big surprises so far, and it's only the first day: Georgia-Tonga and then Japan-RSA. The Japan-RSA game was one of the most exciting I've ever seen. The Japanese team has certainly come a llllllllloooooooooooonnnnngggg way. Scotland and Samoa had better watch out or they'll go down just like the Springboks.
And if Georgia has really gotten that good, I wonder if they'll be replacing Italy any time soon in the Six Nations--or expanding the event to Seven Nations?
If this first day is a hint of what's to come, it will be a great World Cup.
posted by billinnagoya at 04:11 AM on September 20, 2015
I feel happy for Eddie Jones, Japan's coach. One of the game's nice guys.
And that was an ageing and very poor Tongan team, I'd have to say.
posted by owlhouse at 07:55 PM on September 20, 2015
Anyone know where us USians can live stream the games? Legitimately, that is.