Rugby World Cup - 2007

[AnthonyAthletic]

not to worry Tony, you'll have your 33/1 again if England make it into Euro 2008 

And I can't help but feel a bit gutted at England Footy's last 5 qualifier correct score results (all wins of course  ) which I didn't pick up on...coincidence or do we stop when we've had enough?    (3 - 0, 3 - 0, 3 - 0, 3 - 0, 3 - 0)

[sidoze]

ouch, embarrassing half. SA have killed them on the turnovers but haven't done much themselves. It's a pity to see Argentina fall apart like this. looks like it's all over.

[Solitary Wanderer]

Yeah, too many errors from Argentina. SA are just capitalising and saying 'thanks'.

Maybe Argentina can turn it around in the second half - it would take a big effort.

[sidoze]

not exactly a gripping game (perhaps best demonstrated by the huge, seemingly endless wave going around the stadium). Should be a very physical game next Saturday, though I feel that unlike the game with France--which was staggeringly physical but a perfect display of sportsmanship IMO--this coming game will be a more bitter, spiteful affair if the look of the boks today is anything to go by (looked rather petulant and senselessly confrontational to me). Anyway two of their three tries came from unforced turnovers. We've got nothing to worry about next week 

[Lethevich]

this coming game will be a more bitter, spiteful affair if the look of the boks today is anything to go by (looked rather petulant and senselessly confrontational to me).

SA do that a lot... The last SA/England match that I remember well was for all the wrong reasons - I think it was before the last world cup, and SA was not likely to win, so they behaved like absolute shits, stamping in rucks etc, and despite getting penalised in-game more than usual as a result, a lot of it wasn't stopped. I doubt that it will happen again to that degree, but they can be among the least pleasant teams in the game sometimes.

[Solitary Wanderer]

SA were expected to win bar an exceptional performance from Argentina. Too many mistakes from Argentina gave the Boks the lead going into the break. Argentina just couldn't score. SA ran away with it in the end as Argentina tried to keep the ball in hand and run it at SA.

Yes, the Boks do play dirty at the break-down. It will be an interesting final 

[Lethevich]

Anyway two of their three tries came from unforced turnovers. We've got nothing to worry about next week 

That's a good point, BTW. Although they're looking at least slightly more dangerous than France, but still, infinitely achievable. I'd rate it a 50/50 chance rather than the bookkeeper SA favourites one.

[sidoze]

i heard that the ref for the final will be the same as in the England/Australia QF which is good news for us as he made the right calls during the rucks IIRC. Count me as happy to consider SA favourites -- the bulldog mentality as underdogs suits as admirably 

[sidoze]

good comment IMO by a user on a BBC blog

'England in the final of the Rugby World Cup - not a headline that I was expecting at the start of the tournament.

However, our lads have got through and to their credit have withstood intense pressure along the way. Despite the 36-0 scoreline the first time around against SA, England made several attacking runs that were haltered just short of the try-line and we played without a kicking game. If you can't score tries and noone kicks - you aint gonna get a lot of points...

In every game since, we have challenged the opposition's defence and have employed a reasonably astute kicking game. Result = victories.

Some media accuse the English side of playing to their strengths like it's a bad thing. Surely every side attempts to do this and if your game plan nullifies the opposition's, then you have outplayed them... Some say it is boring, I say it is tough, gruelling and intense. Not many sides can soak up the pressure and remain composed for the vast majority of the full 80 minutes.

It annoys me when the media goes to great pains to say that Jonny is the only reason why we win. Every man - from defence to attack - has played his part and Jonny's main part is to kick well - although his defence has been outstanding throughout the tournament too. Kicking is a crucial part of this game and we have the best kicker the World Cup has ever seen. I think some of the other nations are a little jealous... I didn't hear anyone whinge when Larkham sunk the South Africans a few years ago with a drop goal or when John Eales converted a late penalty to deny the All Blacks on several occasions... Oh no, that all was BRILLIANT composure and kicking prowess at its best!!! But when Rob Andrews perfected the drop goal and Jonny came along, there has been no end to it...

I think credit should go where it is due. England has an outstanding team, that is well coached, well disciplined, relies on its strengths and can deliver in the important games. Regardless of the final result, the lads have made me feel so proud to be English. '

[Michel]

Tony,

Why do you speak of "us", as though you were English?

[Hector]

Tony,

Why do you speak of "us", as though you were English?

He's an Eastender!

[sidoze]

Tony,

Why do you speak of "us", as though you were English?

because I am English, my dear numpty 

He's an Eastender!

only on the weekends 

[Lethevich]

Some media accuse the English side of playing to their strengths like it's a bad thing.

It's just the sad, castrated media of countries that can usually be expected to win, but are currently running on bluster alone.

I find it borderline psychopathic to not emphasise with England after they had been mocked by this same media for four years before their impressive comeback - fueled by sheer willpower. And yet, there were still calls for knocked out team supporters to support France, "the natural choice". Psychos

[sidoze]

We've got the best place kicker
in the world
We've got the best place kicker
in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lethevich]

We've got the best place kicker
in the world
We've got the best place kicker
in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess that at least stops them from singing Who Ate All the Pies? at Phil Vickery

[sidoze]

LOL! You fat bastard!!!! I'm sure AnthonyAthletic never gets tired of singing this when Lampard and the chavs go up to Wigan 

[sidoze]

what a joke yesterday. The last 10 minutes were unbelievable -- I don't think I've ever seen England play that bad. It's enough to make me want to take off the t-shirt in the picture below!!!! 

[Hector]

what a joke yesterday. The last 10 minutes were unbelievable -- I don't think I've ever seen England play that bad. It's enough to make me want to take off the t-shirt in the picture below!!!! 

Don't let us stop you. Go ahead or should that be abreast?

[Solitary Wanderer]

France vs. Argentina. Excellent game. Argentina played well both with attack and defense; quite a difference to last weekS against SA. I enjoy the team spirit with Argentina and I think that is reflected in the final score-line. France looked threatening several times but just couldn't break through. I thought the French captains comments after the match were in poor taste. Well done Argentina! 

[Great Gable]

^Why what did Ibanez say?

Cracking match - lost of passion and fire but what happened to France. They started so well and looked very fluent but Argentina stifled them superbly and despite having half the posession made the most of the ball when they had it.