Friday
New Zealand v Italy
Pool A, OL Stadium, Lyon, 8pm (Virgin Media)
This weekend’s World Cup action kick-off in Lyon as the All Blacks take on Italy. New Zealand appear to be on a collision course with Ireland in the quarter-finals, with Andy Farrell’s side in pole position to top Pool B after their defeat of South Africa, and New Zealand favourites to finish second in Pool A on the back of their opening weekend loss to France. Like Ireland, New Zealand’s job now is to avoid any late slip-ups and that starts against an Italy side who put 52 points on Namibia before a 38-17 win against Uruguay.
It’s set to be a special night for New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock. The lock is in line to win his 149th cap off the bench and surpass former captain Richie McCaw as most-capped All Blacks player in Test history, while Jordie Barrett starts at 12 for the first time since a Twickenham thrashing by South Africa in their final warm-up game.
Brilliant winger Ange Capuozzo is the man to watch in the Italian team, but it could be a difficult night for the Azzurri, who then face France in their final pool game next Friday.
NEW ZEALAND: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ofa Tuungafasi, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala; Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea (capt).
Replacements: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
ITALY: Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Montanna Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni; Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza; Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (capt), Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Hame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Toa Halafihi, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu.
Referee: Matthew Carley
Saturday
Argentina v Chile
Pool D, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, 2pm (RTÉ)
An historic fixture, as Nantes plays host to the the first-ever meeting of two sides from South America at a Rugby World Cup. Argentina have been one of the most disappointing teams at this tournament and they have no guarantees of reaching the quarter-finals. The Pumas were way off the pace in their opening game against England and then looked nervy and sluggish in a forgettable 19-10 win over Samoa.
Michael Chieka’s side have claimed just two points from those two game so face a battle for second place. They should at least have a more comfortable afternoon against a Chile side who have talent, but shipped 153 points in their three pool games so far.
Cheika has made 11 changes to his starting team from the Samoa game and Agustín Creevy is set to equal Mario Ledesma as Argentina’s most capped Rugby World Cup player as he plays his 18th match at the tournament. Win tomorrow, and Argentina’s meeting with Japan next Sunday will be a straight shootout for second place.
ARGENTINA: Martín Bogado; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo de la Fuente (capt), Juan Imhoff; Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli; Joel Sclavi, Agustín Creevy, Eduardo Bello; Guido Petti Pagadizabal, Pedro Rubiolo; Juan Martin Gonzalez, Marcos Kremer, Facundo Isa.
Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Mayco Vivas, Francisco Gómez Kodela, Matias Alemanno, Joaquín Oviedo, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Santiago Carreras, Juan Cruz Mallia.
CHILE: Inaki Ayarza; Santiago Videla, Domingo Saavedra, Matias Garafulic, José Ignacio Larenas; Rodrigo Fernandez, Marcelo Torrealba; Javier Carrasco, Augusto Bohme, Matias Dittus; Santiago Pedrero, Javier Eissmann; Martín Sigren (capt), Clemente Saavedra, Raimundo Martínez.
Replacements: Tomas Dussaillant, Salvador Lues, Esteban Inostroza, Augusto Sarmiento, Alfonso Escobar, Ignacio Silva, Nicolas Herreros, Francisco Urroz.
Referee: Paul Williams
Fiji v Georgia
Pool C, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, 4.45pm (RTÉ)
Fiji’s superb win against Australia has put them in a brilliant position to reach the knock-out rounds, and they go into this game with six points from their opening two fixtures. The Wallabies are also on two points but have played an extra game.
Georgia have previously held the potential to be a World Cup banana skin but they’ve been disappointing at this tournament, losing by 20 points to Australia before a thrilling draw with Portugal, where Nuno Sousa Geudes missed a last-minute penalty that would have handed Portugal a first-ever World Cup victory.
Known for their free-flowing attacking play, Fiji have a bit more about them this time around. Levani Botia is a key defensive leader and the La Rochelle man has yet to miss a tackle at this World Cup. While they can still be guilty of frustrating errors, Fiji impressed against both Wales and Australia and should have enough to finish the pool strongly and reach the quarter-finals.
FIJI: Ilaisa Droasese; Selesitino Ravutaumada, Waisea Nayacalevu (capt), Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra; Teti Tela, Simione Kuruvoli; Eroni Mawi, Samuel Matavesi, Luke Tagi; Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta; Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata.
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Samu Tawake, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Frank Lomani, Vilimoni Botitu, Vinaya Habosi.
GEORGIA: Miriani Modebadze; Akaki Tabutsadze, Demur Tapladze, Giorgi Kveseladze; Davit Niniashvili, Luka Matkava, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Mikheil Nariashvili (capt), Tengizi Zamtaradze, Beka Gigashvili; Lasha Jaiani, Konstantine Mikautadze; Mikheil Gachechiladze, Beka Saginadze, Tornike Jalagonia.
Replacements: Luka Nioradze, Nika Abuladze, Irakli Aptsiauri, Nodar Cheishvili, Luka Ivanishvili, Gela Aprasidze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Tornike Kakhoidze.
Referee: Karl Dickson
Scotland v Romania
Pool B, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, 8pm (Virgin Media)
An interesting one for Ireland fans as Scotland gear up for next weekend’s massive Pool B clash with Andy Farrell’s side in Paris. The Scots feel they are good enough to get a result against Ireland so this weekend, they’ll look to come through against Romania with a bonus-point win and no injury concerns.
With one eye on that Ireland game, they’ve rotated their squad this weekend, meaning a first World Cup start for former Munster out-half Ben Healy – one of 13 changes made to the side by Gregor Townsend.
It’s been a difficult tournament for Romania, who have shipped 158 points – scoring just eight point themselves – in two games. They keep just five of the starling lineup from the 76-0 rout by South Africa. A solid, calm start will be key if they are to avoid a similar outcome in Lille.
SCOTLAND: Ollie Smith; Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Cameron Redpath, Kyle Steyn; Ben Healy, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, Ewan Ashman, Javan Sebastian; Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (capt); Luke Crosbie, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones.
ROMANIA: Marius Simionescu; Sioeli Lama, Jason Tomane, Fonovai Tangimana, Taliauli Sikuea; Alin Conache, Gabriel Rupanu; Alexandru Savin, Robert Irimescu, Gheorghe Gajion; Adrian Motoc, Stefan Iancu; Florian Rosu, Dragos Ser, Cristian Chirica (capt).
Replacements: Florin Bardasu, Iulian Hartig, Costel Burtila, Marius Iftimiciuc, Damian Stratila, Florin Surugiu, Tudor Boldor, Nicholas Onutu.
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Sunday
Australia v Portugal
Pool C, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne, 4.45pm (Virgin Media)
It’s been an awful week for the Wallabies, with Sunday’s lifeless defeat to Wales ramping up the pressure on Eddie Jones – who has been linked with Japan – and highlighting the long-standing issues facing Australian rugby. Having lost to both Fiji and Wales, Australia are now staring at their first-ever group stage exit.
This weekend, Jones has sprung another surprise with his team selection, and this time it’s Samu Kerevi who gets dropped from an inexperienced matchday squad – 12 of the 23 selected have less than 10 Test caps to their name. Izaia Perese and Lalakai Foketi form a new midfield partnership, while James Slipper will the Wallabies’ most capped Rugby World Cup player in his 21st match, surpassing a 16-year-old record held by George Gregan.
Before the tournament kicked-off, Australia would have been heavy favourites for this fixture but with their confidence seemingly on the floor, Portugal have a chance to record a famous win. They’ve played some brilliant, inventive rugby in France and were desperately unlucky not to steal a first World Cup win against Georgia.
Australia should have enough to pick themselves up and finish their pool campaign with a win, but this has the potential to be one of the most entertaining fixtures of the weekend.
AUSTRALIA: Andrew Kellaway; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete; Ben Donaldson, Tate McDermott; Angus Bell, David Porecki (capt), James Slipper; Nick Frost, Richard Arnold; Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini.
Replacements: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Pone Fa’amausili, Robert Leota, Josh Kemeny, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Carter Gordon, Suli Vunivalu.
PORTUGAL: TBC
Referee: Nika Amashukeli
South Africa v Tonga
Pool B, Stade de Marseille, Marseille, 8pm (RTÉ)
Like Scotland, South Africa’s mission this weekend is to get the bonus point and keep everybody fit. Their chances of topping Pool B took a hit with their defeat to Ireland but the Springboks will still feel they can go all the way in France.
South Africa have made 12 changes for the game against Tonga – who lost 59-16 to Ireland and 45-17 to Scotland – and all eyes will be on Handre Pollard as he makes his first appearance at this World Cup. The out-half missed out on the initial squad with injury but was called in and is expected to lead the Boks from 10 going forward after Manie Libbok enjoyed another poor day off the kicking tee against Ireland. Sunday will be Pollard’s first appearance for South Africa since a 25-17 defeat by Australia in August 2022, having missed their last 16 Tests.
There’s also a start for the electric Canan Moodie at 13 while Duane Vermeulen, normally a number eight, starts a Test at openside for the Springboks for the first time since November 2018.
This is South Africa’s final pool game, and while it’s unlikely we’ll see any surprises in Pool B this weekend, wins for Springboks and Scotland would ensure it’s all to play for when Ireland face the Scots in Paris next Saturday.
SOUTH AFRICA: Willie Le Roux; Grant Williams, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach; Ox Nche, Deon Fourie, Vincent Koch; Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie; Siya Kolisi (capt), Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel.
TONGA: TBC
Referee: Luke Pearce
I think I speak for most of the country when I say ‘I hope Mayo to win’ . However I really cannot see it. Too many things need to go right for them and too many things needs to go wrong from Dublin
@@at: you probably do speak for most of the country and that’s the sort of chat we love. Makes it even sweeter.
Myself & most dubs I know however, are hoping for a good game from 2 very decent sides
Up the Dubs
@@at: well you don’t speak for me!!! COME ON THE DUBS!!!
@my name: what else are you to expect. In the very unlikely event that Mayo wins, it would be 2 fingers to the GAA. They have stacked the playing field so much in Dublin’s favour the last decade or so, it is laughable at this stage
@Devilsavocado: I would never speak for you, trust me. You have showed yourself on here lately to be immature with your childish insults and name calling. My 5 yr kids would be above you when it comes to speaking
@@at: you’re laughable at this stage, go to the game, have a pint or if you’re a home crack open a can and chill out.
Let it go buddy. You have a great day. Regardless of the rain or the result, I will
@@at: Come on the dubs
@@at: Blah Blah Blah…. ;)
@my name: replace the word ‘you’re’ with ‘GAA’ and your comment makes sense
@@at: no thanks, I’ll stick to what I said, thanks very much pal. Oh and UP THE DUBS
@my name: something seriously wrong with their whole set up if they don’t win at least 8 in a row. What a waste of millions otherwise
@@at: Yea because throwing money at something makes it successful, just look at every public service in this Country.. Are you telling me Kildare don’t have money sloshing around the County from Horse Racing that could be put to good use with the underage structures in the Country. Yes the money helps Dublin but Dublin are successful because of how well the County is run.. Kildare for example were flitting away money on a champagne manager instead of putting the money into the underage setup in the County
@@at: Dublin began receiving funding in 2005 at underage level, young kids, school children. Which in simple terms given the various ages of the Dublin panel, means that this funding has had no effect or benefit to 24 members of the panel that achieved a 4 in a row last September.
I’ll just leave that with you as there’s not great coverage on Hill 16.
Have you opened that can for yourself yet??
@my name: they received the funding when the likes of Brian Fenton, Ciaran Kilkenny, paul mannion etc etc, the backbone of their team, were in the under 10′s and under 12 grades. From that point forward these guys get paid professional coaches training them on a daily basis. No other county got without an asses roar of that level of support
The rain in the hill must be effecting your judgement or else you had too many before the game
@@at: I know lads from Galeay Roscomon and Kerry that would say the opposite.
@Dave Byrne: you can spell one out of the three counties you mentioned… wonderful! Maybe the GAA should have invested the €18 million in educating you illiterates!
@Walter Obrien: ah jaysus the spelling police are out
@David Garland: most county’s cannot afford to keep about 40 full time students who play for county team ! Most other county players have to work! What does DMM work at! Apart from been a full time student at 31
Do II smell sour grapes in this thread?
@Dave Byrne: that’s why they are losers
imagine a Mayo v Tyrone final, it would be like deciding which one of your nuts you would prefer a kick on
@murt de murty: No
@murt de murty: the middle one
@murt de murty: better for game tho
@murt de murty: they could play without a ball
Sorry they do
Dubs not capable of playing football against a good team. Pulling guys down left, right and centre and not scoring for nearly 23 minutes. Their classless fans booing free takers as usual. Come on Mayo, stuff them
@Declan Moran: stop talking drivel lad, the dubs have been playing and beating good teams for years now, and Mayo are doing their fare share of pushing and pulling as well…
@Declan Moran: Are you for real I’m on the Hill and all the Mayo supporters are booing&cheering when Dublin take a free.
Sure what about filling the Hill with Mayo fans what’s that about considering other counties do not.
Seriously didn’t know the Hill was for Dublin.. didnt see it on any website when I was booking tickets.
@Devilsavocado: any gouging by Dublin yet ??
@Dave Byrne: Nah you’re on The 42 lad!
@Rory Murphy: Its for everyone but the Mayo supporters always have a thing about filling it,Were as the likes of Kerry and other teams dont bother.
Yes other team fans are on the Hill at every match but they dont go out of the way to organise it.
Not that it ever mattered as they got beat every time.
@Declan Moran: you must feel silly now…
@Dave Byrne: who said it belonged to Dublin ? But that’s what you like to think I guess
@Declan Moran: ha ha. Played off the park and still the dirtiest team. Embarrassing
@Declan Moran: please repeat
@Walter Obrien: no,, no,, none of that,, just a good arse kicking…. :)
@Declan Moran: Jesus that went well for you
@Declan Moran: love when keep displaying your stupidity
MDMcC has a weapon that he tries to do sly damage with. Watch his right elbow.
@Gerry Ryan deG: I was just thinking the same thing. And he is sly about how he uses it.
@Gerry Ryan deG: slyly dirty player
The true blue dubs are the best fans in the whole world.
@Anto Whelan: they’re Dubs fans,dont 4get with their Liverpool,Celtic and MU shirts not far from surface..NOT gaa fans..world of difference
@rufustfirefly: no soccer fans outside Dublin, really?
Well time to switch over to news, was good while it lasted
Are the real teams in yet
Gaelic football competitiveness fading in front of us. Not a good result for the game as it stands
@Derek Russell: So by your logic, because Dublin are really good at Football at the moment, the game is suffering? Because… Reasons? Cop on you whinger.
@Tony Mac: they’re at home every game,have massive funding,trained professionally,all reside close together which is a huge training advantage, have massive geographic advantage and have a huge following of “fans” (when theyre not watching Celtic,Liverpool,MU etc,that is)
They are Dubs fans as opposed to GAA fans,world of difference
Can’t wait to see Ewan McKenna’s tweets when Dublin steamroll them!
@Ciarán O’ Donoghue: check out his piece with Trevor Rowland today. He let’s himself down with his tweets but he is a fine journalist. Anyway up the Dubs!!!
we are witnessing the death of gaelic football
@Fear Uisce: yeah mayo lost again. Its armageddon lol
@Fear Uisce: kerry actually beat you by a similar score.
@John drennan: no they didnt
@Fear Uisce: what a muppet you are. The dubs have out played and out classed teams for 10 years, however you don’t hear the dubs cry about the state of hurling, it has always been a 4 horse race, we don’t cry about it.
If the country boys are not good enough how is that our fault… and all the uneducated fools out there commenting that the dubs are dirty.. get over it it’s GAA, not that pussy crap from over the water. This game is for real men.
@Fear Uisce: yes they did. Both teams won by 10 points against mayo. Kerry actually would’ve won by more but took their foot off the gas
@Fear Uisce: witnessing the best of the GAA now let’s see what the remaining 31 counties can do?
@John drennan: I’m not from mayo
@Thomas Rowe: now now Thomas no need to turn nasty. hurling is more than a four horse race and even if it was , that’s still three more than football. the dubs have been outclassing teams for longer than 10yrs, only for neath hitting ye for 5 goals in 2010 ye would be on around 15 leinsters in a row.
Where did I blame dublin for the state of football, I only said today marks the death of football. Its the GAA i hold responsible for the state of football.
and the dubs are dirty, but so are every other team. it’s the quality of referees and their assistants that are the problem. they just are not enforcing the rules of the game to prevent this gamesmanship
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it now you could not pick a team from the 31 counties that would beat Dublin
Dublin are a totally class act train hard , work hard and play hard They show respect for the game, the fans and the sport and to be honest they carry the GAA
I guarantee we will hear all the begrudgers talk about population and money now
If you want to complain name me any player or management person on the Dublin squad that your county could not use ?
Well done Dubs and I feel sorry for Mayo
@Anthony Doyle: train hard, play hard, work hard. Brilliant. So that’s the magic formula. Juiced up dubs.
Paul Mannion was some signing.
Hon de mayo ahhhhhb hahahahaaha
Aidan O Shea is a bang average footballer. He is headless. Same old story produces nothing against good footballers.
Professionals against amateurs.
What could go wrong
@John Macken: don’t forget to include paid professionals no DUBLIN PLAYER IS LEFT SHORT IN THE POCKET- all under cover payments
@Martin Brennan: all have nice cushy jobs. None of these lads are getting up at 6 in the morning to get to a building site and not home till 7 that night
@John Macken: Ah give over you clown
@John Macken: trainee doctor, famously a cushy job.
Any chance you can mute the boo boys.. Christ.
Posted this on HoganStand after the Donegal match, fairly accurate i think:p :
“Dublin should win this fairly comfortably in the end.
Mayo were quite impressive against an underperforming Donegal team with a few players still affected by their previous knocks and in front of their home fans. But they let Donegal back into it and only win in the end because their kicking accuracy was slightly less poor than Donegal and it was still like 30%.
A full strength Dublin team in Croke Park wont be so complacent. I predict Dublin winning by 8 plus points.
Ronan1989 (Donegal) – Posts: 17 – 05/08/2019 03:12:40 “
@Rónán Strain: do you do lotto numbers, the winning numbers will come from 1-42!!! Nothing new in your thinking there pal, only Mayo people were deluded enough to think it would be different result!
@Rónán Strain: WOW! That’s amazing
Dubs very sketchy first half, Mayo playing well…
@Devilsavocado: stop that. It’s our cup
@my name: it is,, but it’s polite to let others dream for 35 mins at least ;)
@Devilsavocado: keeps them happy
As much I’d sacrifice every getting the jump again to watch the Dubs lose, you have to admire that team. They just seem to be able get a goal whenever they want. Fantastic team.
None of his colleagues to sympathetic to O’Connor as he came off,saw more affection shown to lads coming in late for mass….maybe thats whats wrong.
@Gerry Campbell: That’s because he’s an absolute weasel
@DavidGoldsFarther: Oh god he’s a dose.
Mayo have kicked 3 points from 45 yrds against the wind, Dubs trying to walk it in.
Hennellys kick outs are melogan,just melogan,hope it dosent cost them..
Piss poor referee again
@Martin McKenna: Absolute nonsense. He’s been pretty fair.
@Martin McKenna: he’s had a good game
@Martin McKenna: couldn’t agree more, Rock stealing 5-10 yards with every free
Please don’t put up the teams until u are sure they are the teams taking the field
@Tony Mcgrath: zzzzzzzz
@my name: wake up 4 changes
They are the most ridiculously talented outfit I’ve seen in either football or hurling. Unbelievable team, you’d be a fair man to bet against 6,7 or even 8 on a row at this stage, the pick of the country wouldnt beat em.
Juiced up dubs, money, population, home games etc. They should be winning 20 in a row and probably will. Not an achievement, simply the fruits of financially backed professionalism. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluded
@Rusty Nuts: I never saw money leave lee keegan for dead and make him look like an absolute fool, but king Con did. Twice. Now stop your whining and appreciate greatness
@Rusty Nuts: Not that you have shown your true colors please explain Kilkenny’s success in hurling ?
@DavidGoldsFarther: did you see the picture going around of con last year and con this year earlier today? It’s frightening the difference in his body shape, professional outfit, the gap is getting wider, and it’s getting boring to watch, from a natural
How was that goal not a free out? And how did Dublin get the free out in the lead up?
@Thomas O’ Donnell: oh look its the refs fault again…
@John drennan: I didn’t say it was his fault, but he is poor. Dublin getting away with a lot of fouls.
@Thomas O’ Donnell: you’re a loser BIG LOSER
@Anthony Doyle: What did I lose? By the way, I take it back. The goal was fine. I still think Dubs got away with a lot of fouls.
A game of two halves
@Anthony Doyle: fairplay Anthony great insight there they should get you on sky sports. You clown
@DavidGoldsFarther: you’re the fuZking clown
Looking forward to the comments on play acting and defensive football :-)
Yet another home win for Dublin.Championship draw seems to work out well for them!
@rufustfirefly: works for Kilkenny also but you keep that quiet
Just shut up and admire talent
Serious question. Does Ciaran Kilkenny ever actually kick the ball ?
@@at: Doesn’t matter professionalism is fully part of Dublin GAA
@@at: does it matter???? Ha ha ha ha :)
@@at: do you ever ask a question that isn’t stupid?
Next on Mayo’s Agenda a heave ho against their management