Rugby on ESPNU

[GMJ]

I just turned on ESPNU, and Munster is taking on the USA. We're down 10-6, with about 20, 25 minutes left in the second half. We've brought the ball into enemy territory, so it should be a good match. </p>

We're playing decent ball, having forced more penalties and turning the ball over less.</p>

 

[GMJ]

Decent phase play in their 5 meter line until the ball was lost in the ruck, but advantage to USA. </p>

5 meter lineout...stolen by munster! But its knocked on, and the USA luck out and get a 5 meter scrum</p>

 

[GMJ]

Boo! A munster foot finds its way in the scrum and kicks the ball through. This unexpected play on the ball ends up in a USA knock-on. Munster gets possesion and clears to the mid field but doesn't find touch.</p>

USA returns possesion to around 40 meters.</p>

USA runs pack phase play then kicks to to the backs. Sloppy play by their scrum half as many USA wings have to lose their momentum and can't crash onto the ball. One ends in a knock on. Munster ball.</p>

Munster also suffers their second injury in the past 5 minutes </p>

 

[GMJ]

Munster clears, finds touch, USA throw in around the 40 meter mark in their territory.</p>

Poor execution by the USA backs. Turn over ball. Even worse defense with the Munster 14 left unchecked. A kick through IS covered by the USA fullback in the endzone. 5 meter penalty munster; they will elect to kick</p>

5 meter line out to munster. Maul gets going, but doesn't get in! Second and third attempts off the ruck are no good. Great American defense, after a penalty it'll be a 5 meter scrum</p>

 

[GMJ]

7 minutes left + injury time</p>

5 meter srcum to Munster. Good covering by USA wing defenders. YEAH! Munster is penaltized for holding on, and its USA ball. Awesome defensive effort when it mattered. After a kick to touch, it'll be a USA lineou (still in their territory)</p>

USA maul gets going and finds real momentum. they've reached half way. Holy jesus, another fumbled ball by a USA back. Luckily we had the advantage and Munster is called for offsides</p>

Hercus has a great kick for touch, and it'll be a USA lineout at the 22. </p>

</p>

 

[GMJ]

Good covering by welsh defenders, who are really taking advantage of poor running by our wings</p>

Hercus doesn't trust our wings either! He tries to go at it alone but can't find a gap. Following play yields in (guess what) knock on USA and a scrum to Munster.</p>

Our boys in white are really putting a pounding on out there, and another munster player goes down with injury. The more injury time, the better.</p>

 

[GMJ]

The ref has really weird scrum caidences. "Crouch, hold, touch, engage" </p>

Munster kick doesn't find touch. USA advances the ball through the wings as they finally start to click...but no support ends up with a turnover in the ruck. </p>

Munster advances and kicks toward the try line. USA covers and touches down.</p>

Munster advances the ball from our 22 all the way to the try line, but fumbles the ball RIGHT at the line. It does show really, really poor showing by USA tackling</p>

USA 5 meter scrum. oh my god oh my god. Wing play gets the ball out to our USA 14 who could have run it 80 yards for the score (and game winner?) but we'll never know. The pass was thrown behind him and results in a knock on. The crowd really lets them know what they think of the play</p>

 

[GMJ]

Munster's injuries take its toll, and the USA is really overpowering in the scrum. But a USA penalty, I couldn't see what it was, and Munster takes it quickly. They run without support however, and in the next ruck holds on to the ball. </p>

USA kick for touch. 90 seconds left in the game.</p>

Munster is able to kick the ball out of the ruck, and boot it down field. Theres no time left on the clock, and USA is more or less jerking around on their own 22. Munster turnover. They've got possession the USA 5 meter. Finally the ball is kicked into touch to end the game.</p>

Munster 10, USA 6</p>

Wold Cup Warm-Up Match</p>

 

[Kid Chocolate]

I'm glad you're enjoying this!

 

[GMJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate)</div><div class='quotemain'></p>

I'm glad you're enjoying this!</p>

</div></p>

</p>

I'd really love a rugby forum </p>

 

[bronco92]

If only the US would have scored a try, could have won!

 

[Geaux Tigers]

I dont know anything about Rugby...but a few years ago my girlfriend had Fox Sports World and I would watch it and love it. I figured some stuff out, but I dont catch the channel anymore. I bet its really fun to play.

 

[GMJ]

It's an amazing sport to play, and the social aspect off the field is unmatched in any other sport on earth. There truely exists a rugby culture on and off the pitch (and I mean something a little bit less superficial than the NBA and, say, "making it rain")

 

[GMJ]

If we put our best football athletes in the game of rugby we would never lose, so it's truly a testiment to see us narrowly lose to Munster. These rugby guys aren't just 3rd or 4th stringers from college football, but a lot of guys who didn't play football and chose rugby instead.