Fascinating first day at World Cup

Oh well, predictably maybe the video link seemed to die once the women's games came round. A reply of an old Super 14 game taking priority this morning, and blank screens this afternoon (but apparently this feed may be better). If you did subscribe to the paid feed from the IRB it sounds from some reports that the commentators went to lunch during some of the women's games! And then the IRB website seemed to lose interest in updating the women's scores and tables after the second round of games.

However, the written accounts do suggest that the TV schedulers and commentators have missed some excellent and exciting women's sevens. In the end it looks like the eight qualifiers for the cup quarter-finals will be the ones predicted, but not without the odd surprise on the way.

Of the favourites England and New Zealand have been impressive, neither has conceded a point  - and the Kiwis have racked up 120 points in three games, while USA lost to England but beat Japan and Russia comfortably.

However, Australia - after thrashing China - were beaten by France, who won the group. The French had lost to Netherlands in the opening round of games, but then the Dutch then lost to China and Australia, thus finishing bottom and living up to their "unpredictable" tag. 

And in Group C Canada did indeed, as suggested in the preview, disappoint - failing to win a group that had looked theirs for the taking a few weeks ago. In fact it was Spain who were champions of Group C. They did not concede a point until their third game, when Thailand pushed them to the wire, 19-12. In fact the Thais were involved in two heart-stopping games, only going down to Brazil 12-10 in what sounds like the best game of the first day.

So this gives us the following draw for tomorrow:

Cup:

1. France v USA

2. New Zealand v Canada

3. Spain v South Africa

4. England v Australia

Semi Finals: Winners of 1v2, and 3v4

Bowl:

1. China v Japan

2. Italy v Thailand

3. Brazil v Uganda

4. Russia v Netherlands 

Semi Finals: Winners of 1v2, and 3v4

Results and tables here (when IRB get round to updating them).

Looking ahead to tomorrow, I favour USA, New Zealand, and Spain who (on today's form) should take out South Africa. As for England against Australia? The game of the tournament so far, perhaps - and not the quarter-final that either team would have chosen. The winner should make the final - the loser will go home massively disappointed.

The Bowl is fun as well. I fancy Thailand to get to the final here - they have been so unlucky today - with maybe Russia as their opponents?