Rugby World Cup - 2007

Started by Solitary Wanderer, September 07, 2007, 05:54:56 PM

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Solitary Wanderer

September 07, 2007, 05:54:56 PM
Rugby World Cup - 2007 started today.

I'm interested to watch some of the games.

Anyone on this board also interested can post comments in this thread :)
'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

Papy Oli

#1
September 07, 2007, 10:58:24 PM
Hi SW,

Here is a Frenchman waking up with a terrible "hangover" after seeing our national team crashing down yesterday in the opening games against the Pumas   :-\ ... We simply "didn't turn up" and lost too many balls...credit to Argentina for getting into it and outclassing us in nearly all departments...

ah well...the only light relief out of it is that we can't get any worse...so onwards and upwards and let's meet the All Blacks in the next round  ;)
Olivier

Solitary Wanderer

#2
September 08, 2007, 01:40:23 PM Last Edit: September 08, 2007, 02:43:46 PM by Solitary Wanderer
Quote from: papy on September 07, 2007, 10:58:24 PM
Hi SW,

Here is a Frenchman waking up with a terrible "hangover" after seeing our national team crashing down yesterday in the opening games against the Pumas   :-\ ... We simply "didn't turn up" and lost too many balls...credit to Argentina for getting into it and outclassing us in nearly all departments...

ah well...the only light relief out of it is that we can't get any worse...so onwards and upwards and let's meet the All Blacks in the next round  ;)

Hi papy:

Great game, but not a good start for the home nation. Thats their worst game out the way now so things will improve :) But Argentina defended very well; very commited and passionate. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain that level.

I watched the All Blacks vs. Italy this morning. While it was a good result the game wasn't as much fun to watch because it was so one-sided. Italy started to put some things together in the latter stages but it was too late by then. :)
'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

Lethevich

#3
September 08, 2007, 01:44:29 PM Last Edit: September 08, 2007, 01:51:19 PM by Lethe
Watched 3 in a row today:

First: Boring
Second: Boring
Third: Frustrating, but I suppose, less boring

Yesterday's one was exciting, a neat game.
Peanut butter, flour and sugar do not make cookies. They make FIRE.

Solitary Wanderer

#4
September 09, 2007, 07:19:28 PM
Just watched the South Africa vs. Samoa game. The first half was excellent with Samoa really in the game but after the disallowed try to Samoa early in the second half they seemed to lose the plot plus the South Africans superior fitness began to show through. The South Africans play a very physical game and will be tough to beat.
'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

Lethevich

#5
September 10, 2007, 12:34:27 AM
The Wales/Canada game was the most fun of that day IMO, beginning with Wales looking like risking being beaten, then ending with an impressive scoring display from them. Ireland was also fun for having desperate moments.

Kind of funny how England had the lowest match score of the home nations, and by far the lowest of the British.
Peanut butter, flour and sugar do not make cookies. They make FIRE.

Lethevich

#6
September 12, 2007, 09:45:34 AM
Japan/Fiji has just finished. It was by far the best game of the tournament so far, with an unbelievably close end. Such an incredible end...
Peanut butter, flour and sugar do not make cookies. They make FIRE.

Solitary Wanderer

#7
September 13, 2007, 02:09:49 PM
Quote from: Lethe on September 12, 2007, 09:45:34 AM
Japan/Fiji has just finished. It was by far the best game of the tournament so far, with an unbelievably close end. Such an incredible end...

I would have liked to see this game. Just caught the last 10 mins and it was very exciting.

Theres several big games over the weekend to look forward to.
'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

Lethevich

#8
September 13, 2007, 02:42:33 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on September 13, 2007, 02:09:49 PM
I would have liked to see this game. Just caught the last 10 mins and it was very exciting.

I guess catching the end was to see the best bit by far, so you weren't missing too much. I was jumping around the room, it was embarassing, I'm grateful that nobody was around the house at the time :P

Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on September 13, 2007, 02:09:49 PM
Theres several big games over the weekend to look forward to.

I think that I am going to try to watch every match in the tournament, just to be able to make the claim, hehe. Of course, the more boring ones I'll use the PC at the same time as watching...
Peanut butter, flour and sugar do not make cookies. They make FIRE.

Solitary Wanderer

#9
September 15, 2007, 05:51:41 PM
I watched the South Africa vs. England game yesterday. It was an enjoyable game proving that SA are a force to be reckoned with; I predict SA will be in the final, proberly facing New Zealand or Australia. England were hopeless yesterday; hardly defending world champions.

Watched the New Zealand vs. Portugal game this morning. It was a complete mismatch and a waste of everyones time really. I thought Portugal did well for the first 20mins, but really it was just a matter of time before they tired and the gaps opened up. I enjoyed the spirit they played with and the support from the crowd. Its not good practice for NZ though with these easy games.
'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

Lethevich

#10
September 16, 2007, 07:10:13 AM
The game annoyed me as England weren't more of a challenge. The first properly interesting game will be between two of the obvious three most dominant sides. It's a bit of a letdown that no European time looks like it will be able to challenge those three.
Peanut butter, flour and sugar do not make cookies. They make FIRE.

Hector

#11
September 17, 2007, 04:23:11 AM
Quote from: Lethe on September 16, 2007, 07:10:13 AM
The game annoyed me as England weren't more of a challenge. The first properly interesting game will be between two of the obvious three most dominant sides. It's a bit of a letdown that no European time looks like it will be able to challenge those three.

Indeed, in fact there is talk that England will struggle against Samoa.

Then the cricket team goes and loses against them, in SA, in the 20/20 tournament.

Certainly looks as if the Southern Hemisphere has the edge, this time, unless France can pull itself together.

We have a better chance in the Womens World Cup in China!

Papy Oli

#12
September 17, 2007, 12:45:01 PM
I am quite relieved by the French "recovery" last night, although nothing much can be read into it, and the real test will be against the Irish XV on Friday...it will be anyone's guess which team decides to turn up in each camp...The irish are running low on confidence at the moment, but they are overdue for a good display too... wait and see  :)
Olivier

The Emperor

#13
September 17, 2007, 02:57:36 PM
Hey Portugal rugby players are amateurs, they do much more than expected, we all very proud of them here, especially the dedication and spirit they put in the game unlike our football stars that sometimes seem not to care.
Nobody knew them even here, so them going to a world cup and doing a try against NZ is something trully grand for them, bravo!

Anyway, since Portugal can't win the WC, i hope Argentina wins, it would be cool to see them win, a team that hasn't win before, they play very well, i really liked their game against France.

Solitary Wanderer

#14
September 17, 2007, 03:02:40 PM
Quote from: The Emperor on September 17, 2007, 02:57:36 PM
Hey Portugal rugby players are amateurs, they do much more than expected, we all very proud of them here, especially the dedication and spirit they put in the game unlike our football stars that sometimes seem not to care.
Nobody knew them even here, so them going to a world cup and doing a try against NZ is something trully grand for them, bravo!

Anyway, since Portugal can't win the WC, i hope Argentina wins, it would be cool to see them win, a team that hasn't win before, they play very well, i really liked their game against France.



Yes, Portugal did very well against a slick, professional team like NZ. They played with passion and commitment but tired quickly and then the gaps starting opening up. Apparantly the NZ side are their idols so they were thrilled to play against them and have the NZ team come into their dressing room for a chat after the game.

I think Argentina will do well, but I can't see them progressing beyond the quarter finals, but it would be nice to see an upset so who knows  :)
'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

The Emperor

#15
September 17, 2007, 03:11:06 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on September 17, 2007, 03:02:40 PM
Yes, Portugal did very well against a slick, professional team like NZ. They played with passion and commitment but tired quickly and then the gaps starting opening up. Apparantly the NZ side are their idols so they were thrilled to play against them and have the NZ team come into their dressing room for a chat after the game.

I think Argentina will do well, but I can't see them progressing beyond the quarter finals, but it would be nice to see an upset so who knows  :)

Yeh, i don't think Argentina will win, that's one of the reasons i would like them to win eheh
South Africa are playing well too, i wouldn't mind seing them win also.
I hope it's not NZ, england or Australia, i would like a "new" team to win it, South Africa as won before, but i like their game so...
Oh and i don't like France...

Solitary Wanderer

#16
September 17, 2007, 03:30:25 PM
I predict South Africa will be in the final with NZ or Australia.

I think SA will win  :P
'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

Solitary Wanderer

#17
September 22, 2007, 01:55:08 PM Last Edit: September 22, 2007, 06:30:06 PM by Solitary Wanderer
France vs. Ireland ~ I saw the second half of this game. Good to see the French team getting back on track and looking like they have a game plan again. The Irish looked hopeless after having played well in the six nations and being talked up as a real threat. Overall what I saw was pretty scrappy and uninspiring.

England vs. Samoa ~ Just finished watching this complete game. I was hoping to see Samoa play really well and upset the hapless English, however it was not to be. The Samoans got to within striking distance on the scoreboard but just didn't keep the ball in hand and either messed up chances or kicked to touch. The English play such unattractive rugby! This grind up the middle, force the error/penalty, then kick the three points...boring.

'I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and harebells, listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass, and wondered how any one could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth.' ~ Emily Bronte

Lethevich

#18
September 22, 2007, 04:04:24 PM Last Edit: September 22, 2007, 04:09:10 PM by Lethe
France vs. Ireland: Proved that Ireland is as inept as England in the tournament. Not only was the scoring bad, but they were also ragged.

SA vs. Tonga: Hehehe, a very entertaining game. Finally one of the big three look a bit foolish.

England vs. Samoa: So-so. Not fun from the perspective of someone wanting Samoa to win, but England did the job, so it was a relief to a supporter of the team. From the POV of a supporter, the main points on their form:

Positive:

1. They can score reasonably heavily if they get it together
2. They can create sustained pressure through tough play
3. They avoided collapsing, despite moments of tenseness (they're still not on form), and then managed to get smooth enough to pull far ahead at the end
4. Wilkinson means they will score more 3 points - screw people who complain about it. (With as little offense intended to anyone as possible.) If the team isn't in dominant enough form to go for tries every time, it is a tactical option that should be utilised, any team with a brain would :P

Negative:

1. While they can create passages of sustained pressure, it is rarely capitalised on it, and they give away too many turnovers and penalties
2. They also lose unneccessary amounts of territory during turnovers
3. Their kicking into touch is patchy
4. The "grinding" play is symptomatic of the team overall failing to play smooth and dynamic passing play, and while successful to whatever end, it is a negative style and not the way a winning team plays

Overall, the defense needs to be tighter, and they need to capitalise on try scoring opportunities rather than losing the ball or having to take a penalty. They spend a lot of time in the opponent's half, but don't get enough points out of it.

Current overview: France's early loss to a (bordering on first class) team was a blip. Scotland is looking good. Both could spoil someones day IMO.
Peanut butter, flour and sugar do not make cookies. They make FIRE.

Lethevich

#19
September 23, 2007, 08:22:41 AM
The Scotland/NZ match so far has managed to annoy me due to their away kits being practically identical... who let that happen?  :-X
Peanut butter, flour and sugar do not make cookies. They make FIRE.
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