Starting tomorrow - the RWC will by played in Japan, until November

By the 20 best rugby nations in the world - including England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Games will be played at breakfast time, and during the mornings - our time

And shown live on TV, in almost every country - on the planet

I will be in USA from Saturday until January (With the girlfriend).

So I will try catch what I can of it but will be rooting for them and Ireland of course, as well as the Home Nations.

I do have one group of excellent friends in Louisiana, that if you mention you will watch TV they go mad. So it's either hunting food or fixing some old relic.

So seeing rednecks will be a culture shock for her especially when we got a wedding in Alabama to go to.

In Louisiana's Central Daylight Time - the games will be in the middle of the night...

Barney wrote:
In Louisiana's Central Daylight Time - the games will be in the middle of the night...




Never really thought about that.

Only four countries have won the RWC - Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England (once).

William Webb Ellis is the name of the trophy - and the inventor of the sport, at Rugby School.

Since 1905, the same whistle has been used to start the opening game.

And, in 2015, England were the first host country to not progress from their pool.

RWC is comprised of 48 games, and will have a world audience running into billions.

Reasonable questions to ask.


Comparing sport to music.


1. Which is the most popular, worldwide?


2. Which is better for you (to play or watch/listen/follow)?

Barney wrote:
Reasonable questions to ask.


Comparing sport to music.


1. Which is the most popular, worldwide?


2. Which is better for you (to play or watch/listen/follow)?






I say sport is but I'm not a sporty person.

I use to follow music but it's now easier to listen. However I'm always hearing new country and bluegrass music. My girlfriend is in to Cajun music she is better than French than me. So now doubt she will have will love Louisiana when we go.

Oh you'll both love Louisiana - one of my favourite places. If in New Orleans do go to the KPaul restaurant for Blackened Chicken.

Barney wrote:
Reasonable questions to ask.


Comparing sport to music.


1. Which is the most popular, worldwide?


2. Which is better for you (to play or watch/listen/follow)?


Even though I'm an avid sports fan - and only have a casual music interest - I think the answer to both questions is music.

Calming, entertaining and therapeutic, music can be played anywhere and anytime - these days.

And all parts of the world have their own types, versions and varieties. If you have the ability to play it - you are indeed lucky.

Music is also a feature in sport - and religions - as well as helping to give nations, corporations and products their identities.


Perhaps most importantly - music can raise your spirits, when you're down...

JK2006 wrote:
Oh you'll both love Louisiana - one of my favourite places. If in New Orleans do go to the KPaul restaurant for Blackened Chicken.

I don't like New Orleans never have. My favourite place in Louisiana is Cameron Parish. Excellent place to cook outdoors.

But will go to the restaurant.

England in World Cup final!

Beating New Zealand this morning - they could will meet Wales in the final.


A great British performance...

Brilliant effort by Wales - but, not to be

England v South Africa

In the World Cup Final, next weekend

Good on England for not standing there meekly like lemons for once while the ridiculous haka goes on. I'll never understand the reverence for that nonsense - you get fined or banned for the slightest sign of 'disrespect' these days, but the haka is somehow excused because it's 'traditional' (not that it really is, given the erratic and varied use down the decades). Maybe other countries should counter it with their own 'We're great, we'll slit your throats, boo ya!' silliness.

The Haka is simply a celebration dance - performed at funerals, weddings and sporting events.

Originating from New Zealand's indigenous people - nothing sinister or untoward.

Just like Maori culture and music.


Nations should follow their multi-racial traditions, without criticism.

Effigies of Guy Fawkes are burned every year here.

In Northern Ireland too, bowler hatted marchers have different interests - to southern hemisphere rugby players.


Dancing and grunting without malice or agenda...

What a load of tosh. You don't just shoehorn in a routine intended to provoke and intimidate just because it's tradition.

In Epsom, Auckland recently - I attended a wedding recently where a haka competition was a feature of the jolities.

Nobody was intimidated! And the historic routine is nothing compared to the ubiquitous sledging in top sport.

One dance for all events?

At least for those of us who are forgetful, we don't need to be reminded where we are!

Every cloud.

Audiences are massive - between 4 and 6 million in the UK, for the morning games.

Worldwide, over 800 million households have watched the tournament.

In 217 territories - more than the UN's members!

Noteworthy isn't it - that the world's three (or 4!) most popular sports are British?


Football, cricket and rugby. And hockey is up there too...

correction: football, cricket and hockey are the most popular - wiki says - rugby is in the top ten...

RSA lead England by 3 points

Even enough so far...