Spain calling for match v Belgium to be replayed.

[neill_m]

The RWC comes across as a bag of shite in that article due to recent events. The article bypasses Asia. I'm going to see Korea v HK on Saturday. They're playing in some obscure Asian Tri-Nations RWC qualifier. Malaysia are the third Musketeer. From what I gather, the winner plays the Cook Islands to advance as some reprechage and after that, who the f%~k knows.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_As ... ampionship

It isn't looking good for Malaysia

Winner of the Cook Islands v the Asian side joins Canada, the loser of the Samoa/European side playoff and the side who finish 2nd behind Namibia (probably) in African qualifiying in another round of games for the last spot in RWC 2019 and a spot in the group with New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Namibia (probably!).

[neill_m]

German Rugby Union reporting that Spain, Romania and Belgium have been deducted points for fielding ineligible players and are out of RWC 2019. Russia qualify automatically, going into Ireland's group with Germany and Portugal playing off to face Samoa. The winner of the Samoa playoff game will also go into Ireland's group.

Now Confirmed by World Rugby.

[Lar]

Not sure what the latest crisis is in Samoan Rugby but I take it that means barring a big shock we will have Samoa in our group.

[neill_m]

Not sure what the latest crisis is in Samoan Rugby but I take it that means barring a big shock we will have Samoa in our group.

Indeed would fancy them to beat Germany/Portugal over 2 games.

[neill_m]

So turns out Belgium had played 5 ineligible players over the 2017/18 Rugby Europe Championship which partly doubled up as the RWC 2019 qualifying event. All 5 had Belgian great grandparents, but not grandparents so could not play. They were fined £25,000/player.

Spain had 2 players who had been "captured". One played for France 20s v Wales 20s in 2008 and one in the same game in 2012. France and Wales were using the 20s as their next senior side in those years. They were also fined £25,000/player.

Romania had 1 player who had been "captured". Had previously played for the Tongan 7s side. They were fined £100,000/player as they are on the World Rugby Council.

Romania appealing on the basis that they followed all the correct procedures including contacting the Tonga Union (whose chairman is the father of Mako and Billy Vunipola) and being told that the player in question was free to play for Romania.

[neill_m]

So Spain and Romania are appealing the decision re player eligibility.

Spain is appealing the decision of the independent Disputes Committee which: (i) decided that the match between Belgium versus Spain should not be replayed; and (ii) found that two ineligible players were fielded during the European Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification process.

“While admitting to a breach of World Rugby Regulation 8 relating to fielding an ineligible player who was previously captured by another union, Romania has confirmed that it is appealing the sanction,” read a statement from World Rugby.

Being heard on Friday. Germany and Portugal are due to play their playoff on June 16 to decide who faces Samoa in the 2 leg playoff for the RWC spot. 1st leg scheduled for June 30.

[neill_m]

Appeals from both countries were rejected.

[neill_m]

Germany v Portugal on June 16 with the winner facing Samoa over 2 legs (June 30 & July 14) for the final spot in Ireland's group.

[neill_m]

Germany beat Portugal 16-13

[heno]

Interestingly Samoa are scheduled to play 2 games on the same day on opposite sides of the world, Germany and Western force:

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/26371

https://www.westernforce.com.au/fixtures/

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Ruckedtobits]

They are definitely playing against Germany in the RWC2019 qualifier and the President of Samoa has warned the players that if they lose to Germany they should resign from the Samoan team. It is two-leg Play-off and the first game takes place in Samoa on next Saturday 30th June.

The fact that he is also President of the Samoan Rugby Union appears to give him the authority to give this message directly to the players, whilst attending a Training Session this week

[neill_m]

Samoa 66-15 Germany in the 1st leg. Samoa very warm favourites to get the spot. 2nd leg in Germany June 14.

Germany likely to drop into repechage event with Canada, Kenya/Zimbabwe and Hong Kong/Cook Islands

[FLIP]

Samoa 66-15 Germany in the 1st leg. Samoa very warm favourites to get the spot. 2nd leg in Germany June 14.

Germany likely to drop into repechage event with Canada, Kenya/Zimbabwe and Hong Kong/Cook Islands

Would have rather not had Samoa in our group. They'd be our last group game. Can imagine we'll have a few injuries heading into the quarters if we get that far.

[Oldschool]

Samoa 66-15 Germany in the 1st leg. Samoa very warm favourites to get the spot. 2nd leg in Germany June 14.

Germany likely to drop into repechage event with Canada, Kenya/Zimbabwe and Hong Kong/Cook Islands

Would have rather not had Samoa in our group. They'd be our last group game. Can imagine we'll have a few injuries heading into the quarters if we get that far.

On the other hand they might have a few injuries too and if things have gone our way earlier in the group we might not need much from the final game.

[neill_m]

Re Ireland, the order is Scotland, Japan, Russia and say Samoa. If they do their job in games 1 and 2, can “rotate” in games 3 and 4.

Re the RWC in general, over the weekend it was Cook Islands 3-26 Hong Kong in the 1st leg and Kenya beat 45-36 Zimbabwe in the African section.

Looking like Canada, Germany, Hong Kong and Kenya in the repechage. Appears to be a draw for the one game semi final with world ranking dictating home advantage. Currently: 21 Canada 22 Hong Kong 28 Kenya 29 Germany.

[leinsterforever]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about Samoa. Didn't Japan beat them 26-5 or something in the last World Cup?

[Dave Cahill]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about Samoa. Didn't Japan beat them 26-5 or something in the last World Cup?

As things stand, you're probably right - but who knows what might happen in terms of finances. A fully loaded, well coached, properly motivated Samoa side is a top 8 in the world side. Chances of that though...

[FLIP]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about Samoa. Didn't Japan beat them 26-5 or something in the last World Cup?

As things stand, you're probably right - but who knows what might happen in terms of finances. A fully loaded, well coached, properly motivated Samoa side is a top 8 in the world side. Chances of that though...

It's not the ability to beat us, more their history of injuring opposition players

[neill_m]

The Samoa win over Germany was their 1st since Nov 2016 (v Canada). Had lost 9 straight. Were 0-7 in 2017.

In RWC 2015, won 1/4 v USA.

[neill_m]

Germany 28-42 Samoa FT in 2nd leg. Home side were leading 28-21 with 12 to go.