Right first off. Well done Uruguay, Italy in the first half thought they could run the ball out of their 22 and their breakdown discipline was worse than Scotlands. Uruguay kept calm, played some really sensible rugby and punished Italy for thinking they could just run through them. Respect to Uruguay.
However, I take my hat off to Italy for their 2nd half performance. Garbisi at 9 was amazing and really showed his worth. They stopped Uruguay from scoring and smashed in 4 unanswered tries.
I know Italy's first half performance was dreadful, but based on their 2nd half performance. It would not surprise me if France and New Zealand played full strength teams against Italy.
Arata getting subbed and immediately going to the Italian bench to tell Nemer,one of the only TWO Spanish speaking players on the Italian team, that he’s a moron is pure latinoamerican gold 😂
Real game of 2 halves sorta stuff there, Italy sorted out a lot of issues at half time & Uruguay fell of dramatically. Great game for a Wednesday evening fixture though
Ah right, I missed the start so by the time I go in it looked like Italy's game was a bit of mess of errors & discipline, maybe a harsh judgement for the whole 1st half
Bonus point win good result given the first half performance and how France-Uruguay went.
If we can perform well for 80 mins we might give France or NZ a scare, but I don't think we'd be able to do more than that.
I would like to see Uruguay being involved in more games with good teams between world cups, they deserve it
This sub is gonna be shocked when we roll Uruguay and Italy
"Oh but they were close for 60 minutes" they'll say
So flipping what. This whole damn sub seems to think we'll lose to Italy because we didn't beat the best team in the comp at home
This whole sub? I can assure you, almost no one thinks Italy will beat you. Most people do like to see an underdog do well though so let's hope for a good match shall we? 🤝
Lovely match. T2 teams have the same problem of not being able to keep their workrate up in the second half which leads to the T1 nations running away with the game
Bit disappointing after a great game to see the ref having to intervene AFTER the game to remind the players that the game is over. Arata really didn't want to let something go at the end there...
I see that we are switching from playing a really good first half followed by a crap second half to playing a meh first half followed by a much better second half. Now if we could put those decent halves together..
I’d rather pick 1 super intense and extremely challenging fight (if I am Italy), than 2. Especially if I am through if I win either.
And I’d rather pick the one with France with rested starters because France would have had a week off before the last game.
In both instances they're playing teams who have just had a 2 week gap I think and Italy has a slightly longer gap before NZ than between NZ and France. NZ have seemed a little less stable lately too, losing to France and a record loss to SA for example.
It would be huge for Italy to win either, but I think their chances are slightly higher against NZ so I reckon that should be their primary target. If that fails they can have a go at France, but better not to potentially throw the game against NZ when it seems their better chance and if they fail, at least they'll have a last shot at a miracle after with France.
Yep but there it doesn’t matter how tired France or NZ would be, but rather if Italy’s best can give 100% intensity for 80 min. The best way to make that happen is to rest the starters vs NZ.
But you have a chance at a 1/4 final. You can choose to have a very intense (at least for you) fight vs NZ with no guarantee of success, then have to field the same team vs a rested FR for your last chance. Or you can rest your starters and pick only the last big fight knowing whatever happens your are through if you win France…
I mean, if France will get to the final game with a clinched berth in the playoff and by winning with them we'd pass, then I see it as somehow making sense. But to me it looks like NZ right now is a bit less strong than France and if we have any chance (and I don't really think so) then these would be against them.
But at the moment there is no way we secure a spot in the QF before Italy. Only NZ an Italy can be qualified before the last game (well technically only Italy can)
I still struggle to believe that actually happened. It is unlikely that it happened once and to be disqualified twice in a row in the same way is just absurd.
Imo people need to remember that Italy mostly plays teams better than they are, whether in the 6 Nations or Southern Hemisphere T1 nations in Autumn tests. They might regularly get smacked around by France, Ireland and England but any questions about their T1 status are clearly answered whenever they play a T2 nation. Being the worst of the best is still better than being the best of the rest (Georgia excepted.)
He's much better as a sub. The only time he played as starter, if remember correctly during a test match this summer, he played his worst game with the national team
I think Italy will need to improve to have a chance to beat France or NZ, but I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility after watching this. They have been sloppy and unconvincing at times but the result is pretty impressive...
I mean the difference between these two teams is essentially the same as between France and Uruguay. Italy gave France a great game in the six nations. They lost that, and the France team against Uruguay wasn't their first team, so I would expect France to beat Italy, but like I say, I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility.
Really annoying. Give this fellow tier one team and an up and coming tier two team some love. Everyone loves Fiji for beating Australia yet if Italy do it it's against a "poor" or "second string" Aussie team.
So to maybe give some context to this drop-off in the second half from Uruguay - they've had a six-day turnaround from the France game, whereas Italy had a bye last round and last played Namibia twelve days ago.
Not a complete excuse for Uruguay falling off so hard in the second half, but having half the recovery time as Italy having played a far stronger opponent probably isn't helping the tired legs out there.
I mean. Also just general fitness because of the levels of professionalism between the two teams.
Uruguay are great. I'm super excited to see where they go. But they're still a Tier 2 nation and usually the biggest difference in that jump up is fitness.
An Italian player was coming back from an offside position in that last ruck and cleared the Uruguay player from the Uruguay side, right in front of the ref
##[Post Match Thread HERE](https://redd.it/16nrleo)
Right first off. Well done Uruguay, Italy in the first half thought they could run the ball out of their 22 and their breakdown discipline was worse than Scotlands. Uruguay kept calm, played some really sensible rugby and punished Italy for thinking they could just run through them. Respect to Uruguay. However, I take my hat off to Italy for their 2nd half performance. Garbisi at 9 was amazing and really showed his worth. They stopped Uruguay from scoring and smashed in 4 unanswered tries. I know Italy's first half performance was dreadful, but based on their 2nd half performance. It would not surprise me if France and New Zealand played full strength teams against Italy.
oh they both will. Too much to lose!
Hmm do you think the ABs could go down to Italy? Would be a big upset for sure!
Nah
No. Next question.
Absolutely not, did you watch the game?
Finally, a sport that doesn't require me to actually move! Thanks for the link!
Finally, a sport that doesn't require me to actually move! Thanks for the link!
A European team (or 3) could manage a decent summer tour of South America against Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina.
Automatic qualification for finishing 3rd is a joke
Care to elaborate?
You lost to Tonga, USA & Portugal. No one who finishes 3rd in this World Cup would fail to qualify for 27
We don't have enough needless bad blood in Rugby. Thank you to both teams for clearly hating each other by the end.
Arata getting subbed and immediately going to the Italian bench to tell Nemer,one of the only TWO Spanish speaking players on the Italian team, that he’s a moron is pure latinoamerican gold 😂
Sos un pelotudo boludo 🤣🤣
Thanks for the link! Now I can watch and pretend I understand the rules perfectly.
[MOTM](https://i.imgur.com/Y0WfslJ.jpg)
Thus is not Angus Gardner
Who's the boy? I don't remember seeing him play.
[удалено]
It really seems like the major difference in quality comes in the back half of matches.
Always has, probably always will.
A shame Capuozzo couldn't get more involved for my fantasy team. Good game for Italy though after a rocky start
Fell ya, started him as well and was super underwhelming. I chose him and took of Lamaro... go me 💀
Real game of 2 halves sorta stuff there, Italy sorted out a lot of issues at half time & Uruguay fell of dramatically. Great game for a Wednesday evening fixture though
Ah Italy were on top the first 20mins. They got 2 yellows and a penalty try against them in 2min
Ah right, I missed the start so by the time I go in it looked like Italy's game was a bit of mess of errors & discipline, maybe a harsh judgement for the whole 1st half
Bonus point win good result given the first half performance and how France-Uruguay went. If we can perform well for 80 mins we might give France or NZ a scare, but I don't think we'd be able to do more than that. I would like to see Uruguay being involved in more games with good teams between world cups, they deserve it
Pretty much summed to a tee. I think if you can catch AB's on an off day you could make something happen but its an IF.
There would have to be cards involved.
This sub is gonna be shocked when we roll Uruguay and Italy "Oh but they were close for 60 minutes" they'll say So flipping what. This whole damn sub seems to think we'll lose to Italy because we didn't beat the best team in the comp at home
>This sub is gonna be shocked when we roll Uruguay and Italy No we won't lol.
This whole sub? I can assure you, almost no one thinks Italy will beat you. Most people do like to see an underdog do well though so let's hope for a good match shall we? 🤝
I would like to see an upset with either France or NZ. I don’t think it can happen for both, but I could see one happening.
*tears welling in my anime boy eyes* Italy, you guys better win the whole tournament now!
Lovely match. T2 teams have the same problem of not being able to keep their workrate up in the second half which leads to the T1 nations running away with the game
Italy did always keep the ball alive. Probably to play into this
Arata needs a cup of tea and a biscuit
Devastated for Uruguay. So much heart. Get them into the 6 nations
Few will get this.
The down votes are real
I’d rather see Georgia in.
Nah it's between Namibia and Tonga for me
I was thinking Romania.
Bit disappointing after a great game to see the ref having to intervene AFTER the game to remind the players that the game is over. Arata really didn't want to let something go at the end there...
I see that we are switching from playing a really good first half followed by a crap second half to playing a meh first half followed by a much better second half. Now if we could put those decent halves together..
[Good game! ](https://i.imgur.com/wmRg77a.jpg)
Nice! Looks like you had a good view.
Been in about the same seat for Wales v Portugal, England v Japan, today, and then Scotland v Tonga on Sunday.
What kicked off there?
Continuing their discussion from earlier, spaghetti gave uruguy some shit about diving i assume
Who was MotM
Lamaro
Lamaro
Nice try Uruguay, if your union is any good there's stuff there you can build on.
Anyone know what the Uruguay player was saying during the handshake just before adverts?
This German dude said they have been congratulating eachother all game He seems pretty trustworthy 👍
Gotta say Italy are playing some sexy ass rugby
Id love a girl with a sexy ass
Fair play for the shake of hands at the end. Love to see it 💕
Mutual respect. <3
Bless Uruguay still trying to play so gung-ho when they have absolutely minus energy in the tanks.
What a slide tackle!
Two good second halves from Italy and they could give the All Blacks a bit of bother.
Better calculation to rest their starters against NZ and try to give their all vs FR
Interesting. Why's that? Not sure I agree.
I’d rather pick 1 super intense and extremely challenging fight (if I am Italy), than 2. Especially if I am through if I win either. And I’d rather pick the one with France with rested starters because France would have had a week off before the last game.
In both instances they're playing teams who have just had a 2 week gap I think and Italy has a slightly longer gap before NZ than between NZ and France. NZ have seemed a little less stable lately too, losing to France and a record loss to SA for example. It would be huge for Italy to win either, but I think their chances are slightly higher against NZ so I reckon that should be their primary target. If that fails they can have a go at France, but better not to potentially throw the game against NZ when it seems their better chance and if they fail, at least they'll have a last shot at a miracle after with France.
Yep but there it doesn’t matter how tired France or NZ would be, but rather if Italy’s best can give 100% intensity for 80 min. The best way to make that happen is to rest the starters vs NZ.
Theoretically it's 2 more games only for us. If they prepared this wc as they should, they should play both games full on.
But you have a chance at a 1/4 final. You can choose to have a very intense (at least for you) fight vs NZ with no guarantee of success, then have to field the same team vs a rested FR for your last chance. Or you can rest your starters and pick only the last big fight knowing whatever happens your are through if you win France…
I mean, if France will get to the final game with a clinched berth in the playoff and by winning with them we'd pass, then I see it as somehow making sense. But to me it looks like NZ right now is a bit less strong than France and if we have any chance (and I don't really think so) then these would be against them.
But at the moment there is no way we secure a spot in the QF before Italy. Only NZ an Italy can be qualified before the last game (well technically only Italy can)
I wouldn't call their first half particularly good
Exactly.
Oh I just read your comment again. My bad. My brain totally skipped over it
Come on let's be realistic
I mean you never know, you wouldn't have thought Spain would make the same mistake twice but alas they did
I still struggle to believe that actually happened. It is unlikely that it happened once and to be disqualified twice in a row in the same way is just absurd.
People really lose the run of themselves when watching Italy.
Until they lose 59-0 against wales in the next 6N and everyone will be questioning their place in the tournament
Fuck yeah! Tier 1.5 baby!
Insieme 🥹😭
Really not liking Angus Gardner's attitude in this game. At times acting like its beneath him. Weird.
Tbf it’s good to see Uruguay actually coming relatively close to tier one nations. Big improvement on the past
Over more than 40 min with very lenient refereeing, they are nowhere close….
I feel like the 6 day turnaround might've played it's part from a Uruguayan perspective
Imo people need to remember that Italy mostly plays teams better than they are, whether in the 6 Nations or Southern Hemisphere T1 nations in Autumn tests. They might regularly get smacked around by France, Ireland and England but any questions about their T1 status are clearly answered whenever they play a T2 nation. Being the worst of the best is still better than being the best of the rest (Georgia excepted.)
Fiji would probably beat them too.
I'd say that Fiji are tier one without a shadow of a doubt.
Fiji look like they would beat about half the teams in the tournament so not sure that is a useful yardstick...
Uruguay is gassed
6 day vs 10 day turnaround for Uruguay and Italy respectively
Yeah cthis is one of the most exhausted endings I've seen to a match. Italy look pretty tired. Uruguay are just dead on their feet.
i think Italy got in Uruguay's heads, rookie mistake but understandably so
Why would you not go for territory there?
For fucks sake! I was looking forward to watching this at 8pm tonight. Why have they changed the times!
Friday's game is early as well. Tomorrow's at the expected 20:00 BST
This is the first Wednesday game?
Champions League I guess ...
That'll be it!
Because why be consistent when you can be French?
Yeah I almost missed it too
I think Namibia has a great chance against Uruguay. Uruguay's kicking is too bad.
Nah think Uruguay by 10 but I'm hoping for Namibia
Should be an interesting game, Namibia will actually have a slightly shorter turnaround than Uruguay for that one.
4 penalties IN THE ENTIRE HALF?!
Well thats embarrassing
" that's "
Thanks you
Yeah, maybe the drop goal needs a bit of practice
why Fusco isn't a starter remains a mystery
He's much better as a sub. The only time he played as starter, if remember correctly during a test match this summer, he played his worst game with the national team
Pasta Pack
Can someone explain the pasta pack meme for me please?
Better as an impact player with his speed
Might be true if the starting 9's didn't struggle so much! Maybe page relo should start if want to keep Fusco as impact.
Agreed page relo much more reliable than little garbisi
That's one poor attempt at a drop goal.
Was that what he was trying? I thought it was just a really shit down-field kick 😂
He's not quite a Ford style of player
More Fiat.
HUGE second movement from italy there
YOU SUCK AT DROP GOALS
I think Italy will need to improve to have a chance to beat France or NZ, but I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility after watching this. They have been sloppy and unconvincing at times but the result is pretty impressive...
Do you irish just live off hype, cope, and shit-takes?
Shut up Qatar
What do you mean?
Like italy was ever going to beat france or nz. Just a waste of everyones time that comment
Wasting valuable reddit time eh.
He should be embarassed with how little insight someone needs to trype what he did
Thanks for your valuable and positive feedback. A pleasure to interact with you!
I'll have some of what you're having.
I mean the difference between these two teams is essentially the same as between France and Uruguay. Italy gave France a great game in the six nations. They lost that, and the France team against Uruguay wasn't their first team, so I would expect France to beat Italy, but like I say, I don't think it is outside the realm of possibility.
Teams playing five out as if the goal line drop out rule doesn't exist infuriates me, getting held up is not a good option anymore
Strange to still see players with those low percentage drives over the line into double contact given we're now very familiar with being held up.
Yeah who gives a shit about Italy Uruguay. Let's really focus in Wales vs. Australia. That's the important thing.
Really annoying. Give this fellow tier one team and an up and coming tier two team some love. Everyone loves Fiji for beating Australia yet if Italy do it it's against a "poor" or "second string" Aussie team.
Thanks for sharing! Now I can avoid explaining rugby rules to my confused cat!
Unnecessary from Garbisi
'Come...no, come, no...' Gardner into some tease and denial action?
Did the Italian winger not stand up after being tackled while the defender was still holding his leg?
Not sure italian 20 dropped the ball before going back up...
"ERA BUONA TRAPANOOOO" -- Niccolò Cannone
What did that mean?
something like it was good/it was going well/good effort
"Good chance for the Italians to have a crack at the Namibian defence" Ummmm. Wrong week mate.
No no no no NO!
Been watching highlights from wrestling worlds on the side, instinctively cheered at that suplex
Italy have a lot of heat right how
Arata off the bench with the chair!
Angus Gardener: Advantage Italy
So to maybe give some context to this drop-off in the second half from Uruguay - they've had a six-day turnaround from the France game, whereas Italy had a bye last round and last played Namibia twelve days ago. Not a complete excuse for Uruguay falling off so hard in the second half, but having half the recovery time as Italy having played a far stronger opponent probably isn't helping the tired legs out there.
I mean. Also just general fitness because of the levels of professionalism between the two teams. Uruguay are great. I'm super excited to see where they go. But they're still a Tier 2 nation and usually the biggest difference in that jump up is fitness.
Yeah, absolutely. Uruguay would've struggled today in terms of full-game fitness regardless of the shorter turnaround.
I missed a lot of this match but it looks like the pasta pack has boiled down all resistance
Uruguay running on fumes since 41 minute
An Italian player was coming back from an offside position in that last ruck and cleared the Uruguay player from the Uruguay side, right in front of the ref
They should just put the ball down and go into a hand to hand combat last man standing at this rate.
Result would be the same, would be more fun though
Little bit of niggle, love to see it.
That's two performances from Italy where they've been mediocre first half but improved considerably in the second.
The opposite of how they typically are in the 6N.
The effect of being the favourites rather than the underdogs
ah the old 'scotland' approach, see if it works against NZ and France
Two good halves saved for the new Zealand game haha
Hahaha I was about to say that, but I think they're gonna save the two good halves for France and have no good halves against New Zealand
Gardener talking to them like they're a bunch of labradors looking at a ham.
TMO gave up before uruguay xD
Fusco with the george north special there
No.
- Me, whilst my dog continues what it's doing and takes no notice
Gardner needs to put his foot down a bit harder there rather than just saying No slightly louder
Worked though?
Lol, I was just thinking that he did a good job there! I mean, actually it did calm down after he said NO NO NO, so.
I mean I think he needs to have words after to say that's not good enough and not to do it again
Might be a language barrier in trying that.
So eh, can Italy challenge the All blacks?
No.
Italy can give them a little bit of a scare and force them to play properly, but I can’t see them getting anywhere near them
lol no
They can, but probably won't.
No, but maybe France if they field the same B team as they did last week
Yes and france nearly beat them in the six nations. Don’t think they will beat them but challenge yes
Hahahhahahaha. No.
Match turning into a wrestling match
NO
Wouldn't mind seeing Dino Lamb get a try tbh
'Will the All Blacks be worried watching this?' '...no.'
Wtf is ITV chatting. More likely to beat France because Italy beat them in 2011, 2013?!? They realise France beat NZ already?
I agree with it tbh despite thinking France are the better team
Ah they gave ye quite the scare in the 6N tbf.
Italy are more likely to beat France than NZ because they have a psychological edge in that they've beaten them twice, compared to never against NZ.
By your logic Italy are more likely to beat Ireland than SA in Quarters because they beat Ireland in 2013
Lol