Rugby World Cup

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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:31 pm

A couple of pretty boring results in the last few days: Scotland beat Romania and Italy beat Portugal.

France v Ireland this weekend will be interesting Very Happy

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:34 pm

Josh wrote:

New Zealand v South Africa final appears most likely on the cards, would you agree lotta?

yes

Red wrote:

Yeah it was le Roux... man the Boks were dirty back then...

Roll on All Blacks!

No dirtier than the All Blacks. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:42 pm

When have the ABs ever played dirty? Surprised

Well... apart from Richard Loe, and that tackle on Brian O'Driscoll a couple of years back Laughing

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:45 pm

Go Nevada!

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:00 pm

^^ Nice...... Laughing

I'm not quite sure whether Nevada have a team at the RWC.

Feel free to start an NFL thread Americans!

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:16 am

[quote="Josh"]When have the ABs ever played dirty? Surprised

quote]

Far be it for me to ahem find evidence ahem...

Wales were leading 12-10 with one minute left when Andy Haden flew to the floor from a line-out.

Television pictures clearly showed that he dived, but English referee Roger Quittenton was fooled and awarded a penalty, duly converted by Brian McKechnie for a 13-12 win.

Only kiddin fella, I was only 4 years old at the time, I love AB's rugby it's inspirational, if not a little terrifying. Wink

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:35 am

^^^ I'm about as die hard an AB supporter as you can get (it's the effect of being a kiwi living in aus... you have to continuously defend yourself and NZ) but I'm the first to admit that, of course, even though we'd like to think that the AB's walk on water, there have been indiscretions in the past.

However, they do not even come close to comparing with some of the stuff that the Boks used to pull... let alone the french (any aussie reading this will rise out of his/her seat just thinking about the 1999 RWC final).

Note that I said (like I did in my original post) the words "used to". I am not saying that the Boks are now, nor am I saying that country or the team is imbued with unsavoury tactics. Not at all. I'm just pointing out that the teams condoned what was sometimes savage behaviour and in many circumstances promoted it.

I am sure you will find almost any sporting nation has national teams that have done unfortunate things (the ABs included). And I hope that each of those nations can look back with embarrassment and realise that it is not the way things should be.

To South Africa's immense credit they came out of the Dark Ages of union (post-apartheid) and obviously had quite a few problems but quickly excelled to not only winning the RWC but now becoming one of the most admired teams in the game.

I look forward to a good, hard, courageous world cup Very Happy

.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:47 am

Here here,
I was personally quite embarresed by Gareth Thomas's behaviour on that new (sorry forgot his name) Aussie out half. A dirty shoulder barge after the pass that scored a great try. Justice came in the guise of Mr Mortlock, who to his credit fairly tackled Thomas and removed him from the pitch at the same time.
As a life and death Welsh fan it is dissappointing to see our captain setting an example like that and I feel he got what he deserved.
I also hope the Aussie's go on to do well this year, if there forwards can do their backline justice there is every posibility they will be in it at the end.
I believe Wales are on a collision course with the boks at this point. I hope we play with the heart and passion this fixture is crying out for and I am sure, whilst we are no doubt underdogs, the boks will take us seriously as they will know what we are capable of on our day.

I really am enjoying this tournament. Very Happy

edit: grammar

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:31 pm

@Mundy - same here. I've managed to catch the entertaining games, and miss what seem to have been the boring ones. Off work until Wednesday now, so I'll be spending it in front of the telly, methinks.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:22 pm

c'mon the japanese

wales 7 japan 8

Razz

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:38 pm

24-8 now!

Don't want our Welsh members having a meltdown! Yet..... Twisted Evil

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:45 pm

24-11

eek wales just gone over again while i was typing

29-11

what a cracking game,good sporting spirit from the japnese.

excellent veiwing

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:11 pm

Final score: Wales 72-18 over Japan. A bit of a monstering there. I don't see Fiji as having much chance of beating Wales. However, Wales will get killed by South Africa in the QF.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:31 pm

Hmm I am inclined to agree, I know on paper that looks good but it was an error strewn performance. Tons of knock on's, poor passes and loosing possession at the break down.
An improvement in the second half but the guys just seem to be feeling the weight of expectation and making unforced errors all the time, whats the cure for that?? ...other than being born in the southern hemisphere.
I shouldn't complain about 11 try's but I think Fiji will be a handful and after that, playing like that, the boks will hammer us.
I guess in fairness, there is always an element of try everything to see if it comes off in a game like that one.
I know I am supposed to be happy but it really doesnt achieve much.
Now, a good win against the English, Laughing

that would perk the lads up a bit...
if they've got any players left Wink

... runs for cover...

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:34 pm

Well I am working in France at the moment so tomorrow evening should be interesting.
Apparently there was some slanderous article in L'Equipe this morning (even though I didn't read it) so that just gives us more ammunition, call me crazy but I think Ireland will win. I have a funny gut feeling.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:43 pm

Yes Ireland v France will be a fascinating game! It's really "do or die" for France, so I think they should rise to the occasion. It'd really turn the tournament on it's head if they lost though.

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:49 pm

i think its do or die this weekend for a few teams.

few shocks ahoy

hopefully england can pull off a good win

Confused

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 11:27 pm

Go Manu Samoa!

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:42 pm

frankireland wrote:

Well I am working in France at the moment so tomorrow evening should be interesting.
Apparently there was some slanderous article in L'Equipe this morning (even though I didn't read it) so that just gives us more ammunition, call me crazy but I think Ireland will win. I have a funny gut feeling.

All stuff about ROG's losing thousands on gambling, how the team spirit has fallen apart, usual merde.... Tonight, for the record, I will be cheering for Ireland!

Edit: tsk, I still have to say that there's nothing quite like the old Marseillaise for getting the blood flowing in the old veins! Still..... �ire go Br�ch!!

Edit2: Hmmm, after last night's game, and the close call SA had today, I'm starting to think I'm putting a jinx on teams. Any Kiwis on the board might want to have a whip round and pay me not to support the All Blacks! Laughing

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:42 pm

Well barring us scoring 4 tries against Argentina looks like our world cup is over Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:07 pm

the pumas are playing really well now and i do think ireland will
struggle to beat them.

i would just love those pumas to go a long way in this RWC.
i will cheer them all the way.

outside chance of winning???

worth a bet(but i dont gamble)

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:40 am

Tonga gave South Africa a really good run for their money. Interesting.... not sure what to read into that except for maybe that either Tonga are much better than we thought, or South Africa aren't that great without their top players.

Picking Tonga to beat England? Wouldn't that be awesome Very Happy

Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:28 pm

tonga v england should have the makings of a fine game.
fingers crossed we get through but that will as far as we do,i think.

scotland got off lightly from a real good thumping off the AB's.
maybe they were saving themselves for later.

wait and see this weekend

Shocked

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:41 am

ABs need a hard game. Scotland was ok... but they need some tough match practice before the quarters.

That's always our problem, we go in flying but are playing against a different level. It's one of the problems of being highest seed, you get the easiest pool and sometimes it's just too easy.

SA on the other hand have played teams who play strong, hard rugby. They will shine because of it.

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:10 am

Assuming the Boks can get past the enormous hurdle of my welsh lads Wink

... you never know... weve run a few teams close at times like this before Laughing

and we've got some great haircuts!