The USA suffer opening World Cup defeat against spirited Italian side

It's not something we should have to say that were thankful for, it should be the case with every ref, but obviously it's not.

Did I hear right and Darry was an unused sub as well? Strange ploy and one I think I can definitely remember being in Fosters playbook when his teams were struggling a lot.

If you bring a level headed discussion that all changes. Don't be like those other lowest common denominators another words.

Hardly "unbelievably" unlucky, that is text book yellow card. Sure the refs had started getting more lenient on them recently but that was a good call I felt.

Are you trying to start some sort of counter conspiracy to help out your tired forwards SB haha? Agreed though, at all the small things the ref didn't seem to like SA at all.

Both those players on the wing is a 'safe' option. Both at the back and you're having to handle a different team. Sure those teams are likely to be weaker on defense but who cares about defense?

Beaudi didn't do anything? I think he did get more space yes, but he had cover coming over both times and just ran the line, couldn't do much more (and I'm not sure what Jordan could have done different if he had the same situation).

Agree that Jordan needs to get back to his electric best before he reaches Fassi level, but at least his general rugby play helped drive the better direction in the backline tonight. Big improvement from last week.

Aumua was also good and should have back on (regardles of, or perhaps exactly because of, how good Codie was).

I want to see Hotham, he's been the best half I've seen at 3 or 4 levels of the game now.

Not sure you were making the point, but yes ALB needs to be kept (and seen if he can improve there on Barrett) at 12. This test confirmed he's also not upto the required distributing at 13.

Would love to see Proctor (have game time to prove his a better benchie option, perhaps as the only back, than ALB) get a go but Reiko's defense was exceptional this morning.

Fully agree with back three. Would love to see Beauden remain in the team, or even the 23, but I suspect Love and Nanai-Seturo are far better options now.

Like I said to BS, you do just enough to win when you're at the top (this is because everyone is out to make every game a nightmare for you, so destroying each of the week after week playing at 100% takes far too much out of you). So sure, when teams like the ABs and Ireland start clicking again on attack and start scoring points, the Boks will need to step up at bd speed and precision around the park, but again, with say the introduction of Sacha, they showed that they can do it 20 minute spurts to get themselves back in control of the game. Trust us. Thats what winning teams do.