Canadian Rugby Forums » Men's National Teams

Tonga v Japan

(23 posts)

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    Posted 8 months ago

  2. growapair
    Member

    If my calculations are correct, this game in the wee hours of tomorrow morning could have a very big impact on a third-place finish and automatic qualification for the next RWC.

    If Tonga beat Japan by more than seven points and don’t do it by scoring four or more tries, then all Canada needs is a losing bonus point against Japan to finish third. Of course, this will also require France to beat Tonga by more than seven and keep them from scoring four tries.

    Obviously, the preferred method is for Canada to beat Japan and that does seem a little more likely given their performance in the Tonga and France games.

    Does anyone have any strong feelings about the outcome of the Tonga, Japan match-up?

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  4. abbyhalfback
    Member

    JUST BEAT JAPAN!!!

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  6. rusty_lock
    Member

    Really hard to predict Tonga v. Japan. When Kirwan threw in the towel before the first whistle against the All Blacks, I think he really disrupted the momentum of his team. They had a pretty good showing against France and then the majority of that team has had to sit for almost two weeks. Tonga is going to come out full of fire, hurting from their loss against us and if they can maintain their discipline I would favour them for sure. I really don't think we want to get into the whole three way tie break discussion. I agree with Abby. Just beat Japan and end all the speculation. Then the last one against the All Blacks all the pressure is off.

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  8. knower
    Member

    JAPAN WINS!! No Worries.
    Only RAIN and PRAYER can save Tonga.

    JK's "resting move" was the right one. We will see tonight!
    Japan is here to beat Canada and Tonga NOT Fr and NZ.
    Note that Coach Lievremont is using the same move against
    the All Blacks.
    Canadian Coach,KC, believes in playing our best players
    every game. Results matter! We will see which method is
    better.

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  10. knower
    Member

    Opps!! It wasn't Raining so I guess the Prayers worked.
    Canada's 3rd place fate is completely in our hands.

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  12. growapair
    Member

    That was the best possible result for Canada. Assuming Tonga doesn't get a bonus point againt France (which shouldn't be a big stretch), we only need a losing bonus point against Japan to finish third.

    While no one will be happy with anything other than a win against Japan, it's good to have options.

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  14. Titan
    Member

    Thanks to Knower for showing how much he really 'knows!!'

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  16. OHBOY
    Member

    Japan looked disjointed, underdone and a team with no rhythm to their game. Full credit to Tonga for putting tonnes of pressure on at the breakdown, but Japan continually shot themselves in the foot throughout the game. I wonder how a conversation between John Kirwan and Isitolo Maka would sound? I bet you both coaches are really rethinking their whole ‘resting policy’. It is one thing to rest players when you know that you can still win the game, it is a whole different situation when you send a 2nd string out there to get smashed. Whatever physical gains you get from resting are certainly offset by the psychological loses of intentionally throwing a game. It is never OK to try and lose a game no matter how long the odds, and as soon as you accept losing then losing is what will happen. Good on Canada for having the guts to put their best players out for every game, I hope that continues. Seriously, the reality is it is only four games, teams that make the Stanley cup finals play every other night for 2 months!! These are highly conditioned athletes that want to complete, and if I was starter for Canada I would be seriously pissed if I missed an opportunity to play against France or the Allblacks. For those that think they KNOW change your attitude or find another sport…..

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  18. Popo
    Member

    Well said OHBOY...

    Teams should always put their best foot forward looking for a win... to do otherwise is inviting disaster.

    You play to win and no other reason.

    Posted 8 months ago #

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    Posted 8 months ago

  20. Shameless Homer
    Member

    Canada MUST win against Japan. I can easily see Tonga getting a bonus point off of France who know their QF spot is in the bag. Anything could happen including an upset. In that case Canada would need a bonus point win to stay ahead of Tonga.

    Posted 8 months ago #

  21. OHBOY
    Member

    Homer I agree and disagree, all issues will be solved if we beat Japan, and really that is the only discussion worth having, everything else is just good conversation. BUT, since I like good conversation France is already throwing out a mixed bag against the Allblacks, my guess is that the team that starts against Tonga will be the same team that starts the QF, they will be using the Tonga game as an almost controlled scrimmage to get things right......

    Posted 8 months ago #

  22. Shameless Homer
    Member

    That would be sensible. Not particularly Gallic. I hope you're right.

    Posted 8 months ago #

  23. shack
    Member

    I only saw the last 15 minutes of the tonga japan game last night but from what I did see Japan was just horrible at the breakdown. They were quick to get it out to their backs, who were fast enough but as soon as they went into contact Tonga would have three men over the ball before Japan had any support. I think with the ability of our back row to cover across the pitch it is at the breakdowns we could win the game.
    Go Canada "We Stand on Gaurd For Thee"

    Posted 8 months ago #

  24. PALADIN
    Member

    Titan said:
    Thanks to Knower for showing how much he really 'knows!!'

    Titan Little Harsh on Knower. He precalled a Canada loss
    to France by 24 points. Canada lost by 27.

    I bet on Australia over Ireland.
    Still picking NZ to hold BILL in Oct.

    Posted 8 months ago #

  25. Titan
    Member

    PALADIN said:
    Titan Little Harsh on Knower. He precalled a Canada loss
    to France by 24 points. Canada lost by 27.

    I bet on Australia over Ireland.
    Still picking NZ to hold BILL in Oct.

    I know - fair enough! I actually thought Japan was going to beat Tonga as well. I was more disagreeing with his stance on resting players in order to go for the 'winnable' matches. Yes it's far fetched to beat these top tier teams right now but if you're not giving it your best shot what's the point of being there? So you can qualify for the next World Cup to not give it your best shot again?? Knower's thick skinned - I don't think he's going to lose any sleep.

    Posted 8 months ago #

  26. winger14
    Moderator

    Titan said:
    Knower's thick skinned - I don't think he's going to lose any sleep.

    We know he won't.

    Looks like everyone will be healthy and tuned up, which is a good thing for us. Japan has a few injuries, so the timing and circumstances work in out favour. If we are going to take advantage of that we need a fast start to get on top of the Japanese. Japan will want one positive outcome from the tourney and we will be the last chance for them to do that.

    The sooner we get the pressure on the them and the sooner we start scoring the better off we will be.

    Discipline and Defence will be as key in this game as they were against Tonga.

    Winger14

    Posted 8 months ago #

  27. growapair
    Member

    winger14 said:
    Looks like everyone will be healthy and tuned up, which is a good thing for us.

    This is the only worry:

    “Twenty-nine out of the 30 trained today, so that was positive,” said Crowley. “DTH van der Merwe is the one who didn’t train. He’s got a bit of a shoulder injury which will probably be right in about three or four days, so the medical team have done an outstanding job with recovery."

    Posted 8 months ago #

  28. rusty_lock
    Member

    DTH tweeted that he was sore but expected to be fine in a day or so. Hopefully that is more than optimism.

    Posted 8 months ago #

  29. Harry Craig
    Member

    I saw DTH on the street in town a couple of days ago and his arm was in a sling but he was hopefull that he could play next Tuesday.

    Posted 7 months ago #

  30. growapair
    Member

    Thanks for the intel, Harry. You've been conspicuous by your absence. I was beginning to worry that you'd fallen into a vat of Steinlager and drowned!

    Posted 7 months ago #

  31. Hollywood
    Member

    Maybe they'll have to save DTH for the New Zealand game. (It could be for a quarter-final place!)

    Posted 7 months ago #

  32. Faust
    Moderator

    growapair said:
    Thanks for the intel, Harry. You've been conspicuous by your absence. I was beginning to worry that you'd fallen into a vat of Steinlager and drowned!

    He did and drank himself to safety 4days ago. He would have been here earlier, but the pee took that long.

    Posted 7 months ago #

  33. Harry Craig
    Member

    It was Speight's not Steinlager and it was good.

    Posted 7 months ago #

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