The Rugby Union World Cup 2007

I'm surprised that a thread for discussing the most important football tournament of the year (~;p )hasn't popped up already, so here it is.

Here's a link to the schedule for France 2007. Here's a run-down of the teams. There's some tough group games and a lot more possibility for upsets at this stage than previously.

My head tells me that this is the All-Black's moment to finally shine as they deserve in a World Cup. They have an awesome team and frankly the Webb Ellis trophy shouldn't have any other names engraved on it - but somehow, they keep coming up short.

And there's where the heart comes in. It just feels right to believe that France will win at home. It's their best team for a very long time. They are disciplined (well, as much as any French team can be, and stay French) and they have rare desire. I beleive we will see some incredible rugby from them, and well as some of the grind needed to be champions.

The current champions, England, are likely to end up as a joke. In common with most English teams that win something, they have spent the intervening four years resting on their laurels instead of building for another win. They are old, broken and possibily formidable because of that. But they won't beat wither of the flair teams, IMO.

What of Ireland? Well, I'd like to believe we will make it to the semis. We have the talent - on a really good day, the talent to go to the final in fact. I suspect we will frighten, but not beat, the French in the group, and then we'll have to see.

It looks like the most competitive World Cup in years - tonight's kick-off may porduce the biggest upset to start with as the Pumas go for the French. I can't wait. :beam:

(Oh and the USA are participating, so no excuses for our trans-Atlantic friends to avoid the thread... :wink:)

I watched 2 documentaries on rugby this week: one on the leagues in France/Ireland/Urugay and the other about the Samoan team this year. Everything very interesting. So, since Tuesday I am a rugby fan....So I will watch the game tonight!

My favourit teams are Tonga & Samoa. Well, always with the underdogs!:playingball:

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Originally Posted by Subedei

My favoutrit teams are Tonga & Samoa. Well, always with the underdogs!:playingball:

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Just watch those guys tackle. They rattle one's fillings even over the TV.

I have been waiting for this moment for...well four years, really. I could not stand the sight of Mr Wilkinson getting that drop goal late in the game.

I think BG hit the nail on the head. The All-Blacks definitely deserve to win the trophy the second time. They have been, for the most part of the last 15 to 20 years, the team with the most flair and most exciting rugby.

I would also have to agree about the French. I think they are, on avarage, the most watchable in Europe (by a long shot) and presumably the strongest European team. Good luck to them. They are a little bit like the Germans in football...

The Irish have an outstanding team and if they get their act together, they have a good chance to come far in the tournament. Unfortunately, they also often fall short on expectations because of injuries. They simply do not have the depth of other teams and when the first choice falls short on fitness, they often fail to be able to deliver an equally strong player.

I would like to see the Scots do well also. However, they also have the problem of the Irish and Welsh, for that matter.

As long as England does not do well, I am quite happy, to be honest. Don't ask me why...it's just one of those things...If not the Germans, then it's the English...

Quid

It's very well worth keeping an eye on the Springboks and Wallabies too. Australia are likely to meet the All-Blacks in the semis, and traditionally they have taken great delight in popping their bubble for them.

The 'Boks look very strong too - it will be interesting to see if they follow through and demolish England in the group stages.

Woohoo proper World Cup time again! :2thumbsup:

Still have fond memories of the 2003 final, up early off to the bar to watch it, started on stupidly strong lager for 8am, agonising extra time, finally winning and being banjaxed (sp?) before midday \o/. The attempt at 10-pin bowling just after this was . . . interesting.

Would like to be all patriotic and say England are going to win, but think its a stretch too far (semi's is probably the best we can hope for). I agree with the others and think that the All Blacks deserve to/should win it, but they have had a habit of peaking between World Cups and not bringing the goods in the competition itself (excepting the first one obviously).
South Africa and France are the other stand-out form teams atm, and with the French having home field advantage they have got to be a force to be reckoned with. Ireland should be the best bet for a home-nations shot, although I can't quite see them getting past the 3 mentioned above.

Here's to 6/7 weeks of good competition and decent stuff to watch on TV while lying on the sofa recovering from injuries sustained while actually playing the damn game on Saturday afternoon! And its on terrestrial TV :yes:

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Originally Posted by Yawning Angel

Here's to 6/7 weeks of good competition and decent stuff to watch on TV while lying on the sofa recovering from injuries sustained while actually playing the damn game on Saturday afternoon!

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...and brag about it to whoever will listen...brilliant!

Quid

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaales ! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaales !

~:cheers:

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Originally Posted by monkian

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaales ! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaales !

~:cheers:

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* great fishes are Whales,
they swim in the sea,
eat plankton for tea,
* great fishes are Whales

~:cheers:

* insert front room friendly word here (rugby songs are hard to transcribe for here)

*insert chariot in front room friendly place :2thumbsup:

Touche

:duel: :laugh4:

Heh, lets just hope one ofour teams does well.

Untill we meet that is, and then the kids gloves are off :beam:

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Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

(Oh and the USA are participating, so no excuses for our trans-Atlantic friends to avoid the thread... :wink:)

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At least until the 30th. England and South Africa in the group? Ouch. Have fun in France guys, don't drink too much before the games. :medievalcheers:


15th in the IRB rankings? There must be a significant dropoff after the usual suspects.

Allez les Bleus !

Catalogue of errors from France. I know it was poor play from them, but I do
enjoy seeing breakaways like that.

France have definately been playing very badly. But, Argentina are a very good team and do deserve to be in the 6 Nation or the Tri-Nations.
France really do need the opposition to stay back and let them play because if you get in their faces they make lots of stupid errors.

Wow! Big upset as Argentina beat France 17-12.

The Pumas played superbly and France - well, I'm glad to see they suffer from their own version of the Croke Choke!

Turning point of the match had to be the goal line defence by Argentina as France broke strongly after half-time. That and the fact that Skrela missed some very important kicks whilst his team-mates seemed to have idea that the game consists of passing to the fellows in hooped shirts.

Can a Frenchman tell me what on earth Heymans was doing on the field as full-back instead of Poitrenaud? He had a nightmare of a game.

Now I have to hope two things. a) That was Argentina's game of the tournament, and therefore they won't turn Ireland over in the same way; b) France will play as badly against us as they did today. Putting them out of their own World Cup will be a slight revenge for them taking our Grand Slam away. ~;p

Wait so this is soccer or that other version of American football???

Although Tri-nations is a nice punArgentian should play in the southern comp... and make it the quad nations...


Born in Fiji to a Welsh mum and a Kiwi dad with ancestors from all the nations of the UK and France, grew up in NZ and live in Aus... so which team will I choose...I'm pretty set here... All Blacks... but my favourite underdog is the Japanese. :bow: they keep on fighting to the end.

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Originally Posted by K COSSACK

Wait so this is soccer or that other version of American football???

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It is likely that American Football actually evolved from rugby, which brings me to two points:

1) American Football is a version of rugby, not the other way around.
2) Evolution is not always for the better.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hardcore rugby fans get can passionate on the subject, if you haven't noticed. I only wish Germany's rugby team qualifies next time around.

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Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars

It is likely that American Football actually evolved from rugby, which brings me to two points:

1) American Football is a version of rugby, not the other way around.
2) Evolution is not always for the better.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hardcore rugby fans get can passionate on the subject, if you haven't noticed. I only wish Germany's rugby team qualifies next time around.

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Well I deny that likelyness ~D

So is this sport as popular as euro fooball?

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Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars

It is likely that American Football actually evolved from rugby, which brings me to two points:

1) American Football is a version of rugby, not the other way around.
2) Evolution is not always for the better.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hardcore rugby fans get can passionate on the subject, if you haven't noticed. I only wish Germany's rugby team qualifies next time around.

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I think this is a similar misconception to the "we are descended from apes" one. More correctly, just like us and the apes, rugby and American football have a common ancestor.

:wall: Could I make a heartfelt plea that we NOT derail this thread into a "my code is better than your code" discussion.

There's lots to enjoy about the rugby - if anyone really feels the need to be beastly to one another about their favourite sports, make a thread in the Backroom.

Thank you. :bow:

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So, are the French teetering on the edge? They now have to beat Ireland in Paris on the 21st. Perhaps foolishly, I'm getting excited about the prospect of winning that game - not because I want to see France out but because we now have a glimmer of hope that by beating both the Pumas and Les Bleus, we will head the group and avoid New Zealand in the quarters.

Am I deluding myself?

And talking of the All-Blacks, does anyone think the Italy game today is likely to provide another upset?

(Oh, and as a good Irishman, in the long tradition of the Six Nations rivalries: GO USA!) :beam:

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Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

:wall: Could I make a heartfelt plea that we NOT derail this thread into a "my code is better than your code" discussion.

There's lots to enjoy about the rugby - if anyone really feels the need to be beastly to one another about their favourite sports, make a thread in the Backroom.

Thank you. :bow:

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:bow:

Of course, my apologies.

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Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

(Oh, and as a good Irishman, in the long tradition of the Six Nations rivalries: GO USA!) :beam:

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Yeah, doubt it will happen though.
Will just have to rely on Isreal in the football later. (would be great if they lost both though :laugh4: )

I'm not a VERY fan of Los Pumas, and I lost the oportunity of seeing them on TV! :shame:

Go cowboys

Any sport where you get to play in the mud looks like fun. I need to learn how to play rugby

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Originally Posted by Banquo's Ghost

Wow! Big upset as Argentina beat France 17-12.

Can a Frenchman tell me what on earth Heymans was doing on the field as full-back instead of Poitrenaud? He had a nightmare of a game.

~;p

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No, sorry , I turn it into my mind and stil not find a good reason:no: :book:
Anyway, we can blame all the team, it was really stereotyped from France compared to All blacks, Australia and England wich I watched this afternoon.
The way France play is scaring me for the tournament, really hope our cavalry will be back!

Gah, At least, will be at stadium for Tonga - Boks. hope a decent blood bath:laugh4: :laugh4:

England were very unconvincing today.
Their 28-10 win really flattered them. USA played well but it was really just a poor England team.

If I was them I would be seriously worried after New Zealand and Australia (91-3) rolled over their opponents.

Jesus, 91 - 3! Thought it was the Rugby world cup I'd tuned into, never expected to see a game of cricket.

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Originally Posted by ShadesPanther

If I was them I would be seriously worried after New Zealand and Australia (91-3) rolled over their opponents.

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Well, it was the Aussies vs. Japan. 91-3 is still a massive amount, but I wasn't exactly expecting a lot less. Maybe in the 80s somewhere...

Looking at the pools, how do people think Canada'll do? There's no way they can beat Australia, but maybe they can do second or third in the pool, with some luck.

Prediction: All Blacks will win for sure. they'll play against Australia in the Semi-Finals and win, and then play against South Africa in the Finals (due to the way the competition is set out).

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Originally Posted by Rythmic

Prediction: All Blacks will win for sure. they'll play against Australia in the Semi-Finals and win, and then play against South Africa in the Finals (due to the way the competition is set out).

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I think it will be NZ vs South Africa in the final.

Although South Africa do look really good so i'm not sure who will win. (Plus the All Blacks are sorta jinxed they've only won it once)

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Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars

Looking at the pools, how do people think Canada'll do? There's no way they can beat Australia, but maybe they can do second or third in the pool, with some luck.

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Alright, Canada just lost to Wales. While the score was reasonable, I was still a little disappointed by Canada in parts of the second half. They seemed just a little too slow, especially on the rucks, which allowed Wales to get the ball and clear it a safe distance. Canada was so close to the try line so many times, but they let it slip away because of lack of speed.

My bet has already gone to SA vs NZ in the finals.

I always watch the Pumas because they're that unique group of national players, those who really feel they're playing for more than personal glory. Besides you can't have more balls and guts than a rugby player and they show it everyday.

I saw one of our guys stop this french player, Milloud, I believe. And I was truly amazed at how much punishment they can endure. This french guy seemed like a massive normand warrior of medieval times, the scary type, with the weird bear and the mean face and topping above everybodies head like a black tower, I really wouldn't want him walking on my yard. But our guys took him up front without hesitation, that's how much balls you need to play that sport.

P.S.: It seems that rugby is the sport to watch if you want to see acting and pretension.:laugh4:

Go All Blacks!

Methinks Shades Panther and Lorenzo will be proven right. SA vs NZ. Most definately.

Who else was impressed with Portugal's team of podgy civilians? :2thumbsup:

Who will be discualificated at this time?

Place your bets!

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Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars

Alright, Canada just lost to Wales. While the score was reasonable, I was still a little disappointed by Canada in parts of the second half. They seemed just a little too slow, especially on the rucks, which allowed Wales to get the ball and clear it a safe distance. Canada was so close to the try line so many times, but they let it slip away because of lack of speed.

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Wales is a very good side and still might be this tournaments darkhorse contender... Canada actually scored more then I predicted, and played very well indeed.

As an out and out All Blacks fan (you get your passport taken away here if you support anyone else) I was happy with the win over Italy although I thought the Aussie 2nd half against Japan was more impressive.

But I am actually concerned about the safety of the Portugese team.

Particularly the scrum where you can sustain a serious neck injury if you are outclassed. I don't find that appealling at all.

Although having coached a team over here and seen all the safety stuff that goes in I hope the AB's will go easy on them.

I remember a few years ago the All Blacks were playing Aussie and the scrum screwed and the Aussie Prop called out "neck" and the All Black prop Kees Meews stopped pushing so as to save the guy. The Aussie thanked him after the game and stated that he saved him from possible paralysation.

That always struck me as great sportsmanship.

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Originally Posted by Papewaio

Wales is a very good side and still might be this tournaments darkhorse contender.

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Wales has some very good players but, they tend to play badly as a team. They could certainly go quite far if they click but I highly doubt they will win it.

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Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars

Alright, Canada just lost to Wales. While the score was reasonable, I was still a little disappointed by Canada in parts of the second half. They seemed just a little too slow, especially on the rucks, which allowed Wales to get the ball and clear it a safe distance. Canada was so close to the try line so many times, but they let it slip away because of lack of speed.

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Although Canada played well for a semi pro team I think Canada lacked the fitness to carry on as well in the 2nd half - plus we brought 3 of our best fresh players. And its lucky we did bring them on as it wasn't looking great for us.

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Originally Posted by ShadesPanther

Wales has some very good players but, they tend to play badly as a team. They could certainly go quite far if they click but I highly doubt they will win it.

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Unfortunately I completely agree.

When we click, Welsh rugby is some of the best in the world. Unfortunately there seems to be a distinct lack of clickage sinse 2005.

I'm under no illusions that we may win the whole thing, I jusy want us to play well - and beat England ; )

And don't get me started on our coach...

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Originally Posted by ShadesPanther

England were very unconvincing today.
Their 28-10 win really flattered them. USA played well but it was really just a poor England team.

If I was them I would be seriously worried after New Zealand and Australia (91-3) rolled over their opponents.

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Ahhh, so same old England. No clue or cutting edge in attack and all in all a very lacklustre performance. Compared to the excitement of Fridays France vs Argentina game, watching this was :wall:

We are so going to get thumped by South Africa (and possibly Samoa as well) unless we start playing better :help:

Anybody else think Stuart Barnes should be shot (not in the literal sense). I don't know what it is about him but his commentating is annoying to no ends. A real pity ITV had to get the rights for the World Cup. I might just have to watch the whole thing on mute...

Quid

Looks like the England skipper Vickery is going to get banned for the SA match.

I predict SA are going to rout England.

Well, after the opening cycle I think we can be certain the Northern hemisphere teams (save Scotland) are suffering badly from jet-lag whilst the Southern teams being much closer to home are fresh and feisty.

Oh that's right, this is in France. :dizzy2: Then the whole bunch of them must be on prescription drugs - especially Ireland - because otherwise the only explanation for such a parade of woefulness would be that they are not motivated for the first game of the World Cup?

Perhaps the dire warnings about mismatches forced Eddie Sullivan (a man of rare mercy and tenderness as should be obvious) to replace the hand chalk with Kerrygold butter as a handicap to the brave boys of the four provinces? Perhaps the tight lycra shirts now fashionable cut off the circulation to the arms and brain? Perhaps the inability to deal with simple kick-offs, a new tactic proven so effective against France in the Six Nations, is a subtle psychological double-bluff to confuse the Pumas by promising them constant possession on the Irish try line?

Ah well, at least when we don't get out of the groups, I'll be able to relax and watch the greatness of teams like South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. You know, teams that actually care about the jersey they pull on and players that give of their all, in every representative match - thus according their opponents due respect and scant chance.

:embarassed:

*and breathe*

Regardless, high praise should go to the USA, Canada and Namibia for some wonderful, competitive rugby and great heart. Whilst their opponents may have been woefully under-motivated, these teams really showed pride and some impressive levels of skill, and all three deserved to inflict an upset. :bow:

Gah!

I return from holiday, and before the World Cup has even started properly it has already turned into a 'Tri-Nations plus' competition. :shame:

My money's still on the All-Blacks, now closely followed by the Aussies and the Springboks.

I didn't watch it, but I hear France were horrendous. What were they even thinking? Good for the Pumas though. They really should be allowed into a decent annual competition.

Oh, and 91-3 is just obscene... :inquisitive:

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

Oh, and 91-3 is just obscene... :inquisitive:

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What about what the All Blacks are going to do to Romania or Portugal, it's likely to be a score that would beat the English 1-day cricket team :dizzy2:

Oh and I agree with Quid, Stuart Barnes should be first up against the wall :hmg:

The whole ITV coverage sucks! What kind of idiot broadcaster makes you endure the tedious anthems then cuts to a commercial break ensuring the kick-off is missed :inquisitive: Wish they just gave these things to the BBC who do sports coverage sooo much better. (And as a plus we'd have Brian Moore instead of Stuart Barnes :yes: )

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Originally Posted by Soulforged

I saw one of our guys stop this french player, Milloud, I believe. And I was truly amazed at how much punishment they can endure. This french guy seemed like a massive normand warrior of medieval times, the scary type, with the weird bear and the mean face and topping above everybodies head like a black tower, I really wouldn't want him walking on my yard. But our guys took him up front without hesitation, that's how much balls you need to play that sport.

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Correction the player is Chabal.

Chabal is awesome. That is one player that I would not like to face.

It was awesome to see him and Jerry Collins go head to head in my home town earlier on in the year. Although it was a "France C" team he was pretty intense and he broke Ali Williams jaw by running into him. Ouch!!

But Burger out for 4 weeks? That will hurt the Saffas!!

Ohh - go Argentina!!! I want to see them beat Ireland so that the French and the Irish have to fight it out for the other place in the quarter finals.

(You have to support the underdog)

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Originally Posted by El Diablo

Ohh - go Argentina!!! I want to see them beat Ireland so that the French and the Irish have to fight it out for the other place in the quarter finals.

(You have to support the underdog)

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The problem with that scenario is that Ireland face France first. The Ireland-Argentina game may well be about who plays the All-Blacks in the quarter.

The Pumas stuttered badly against a fired up Georgia last night. The France game clearly took a lot out of them and they nearly dropped the bonus point - which in a tight group would have been disastrous. I shall hope that they have shot their bolt :bounce: .

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Originally Posted by El Diablo

(You have to support the underdog)

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Well I don't think we're underdogs considering all the teams in the tournament. We're underdogs compared to New Zeland, Australia, South Africa and England, and we'll probably be beaten if we face New Zeland...

My humblest appologies. I did not mean that Argentina were underdog's against all teams in the competition just some. I more meant that in most games you watch it is usually one team that is favoured. Sometimes this "advantage" is more than others, what I was meaning was that against France and Ireland that Argentina would probably be the underdog - not that it meant much when they took on France!

In our picks at work I had Argentina to beat Ireland (but not France :oops: )

But in the last few games the supposed "minnows" are putting up some serious fight.

Georgia, Romania, and Canada have most definatly not disgraced themselves.

I do enjoy the way that in a game with big (huge!) guys that are fast a team with heart and desire can compete.

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Originally Posted by El Diablo

My humblest appologies...

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No problem, there's no need for apologies, even if you meant it, it's your opinion and it's respected. Besides I knew you didn't meant it. :bow:

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Originally Posted by El Diablo

I do enjoy the way that in a game with big (huge!) guys that are fast a team with heart and desire can compete.

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From what was drilled into us for Rugby

"If they don't have the ball they can't score."

It's simple yet effective. As long as you keep the ball and don't give away silly fouls, in Rugby, you have a chance. That is why it is such a great game.

We were taught that to tackle hard so that they would fear to pick up the ball... suited testosterone charged 14 year olds.

We were taught that the bigger they are, the harder they fall...also effective...

Quid

I plan on watching the England - South Africa game on Friday. I will have to go to an Irish pub as TV does not show the game in Germany.Some good old English lager 4 me. Hoooray. Besides that, could you answer me some questions:

1. What are the strength of both teams? I know SA is very good when it comes to line outs....see I am learning here.
2. Weaknesses?
3. Any special players one should observe?

Thank you Gentlemen! I really start to like this game. Sometimes it is hard for me to follow and understand all that is happening, but I try. Reading the rules helped. And a very nice feature of watching it on TV is, being able to listen to the referee.

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Originally Posted by Subedei

1. What are the strength of both teams? I know SA is very good when it comes to line outs....see I am learning here.

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Well SA are a typical Southern Hemisphere team. They have strong forwards and really fast backs. Watch them stretch England all over the pitch.
England's main strength would be their forwards who are huge but slow. They also have Jason Robinson who is getting on a bit though.

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2. Weaknesses?

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South Africa don't really have any obvious ones, I suppose their forwards aren't as big as they could be.
England have alot. They lack Jonny Wilkinson so they can't rely on getting penalties to win now. Their forwards are also very big and could be too slow for the really fast South Africans.

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3. Any special players one should observe?

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The South African winger Bryan Habana. Watch him fly.

Thanks a lot ShadesPanther. Yeah, right, I have seen Habana play Samoa, he is very fast as far as I can tell. I guess it will be an exciting game....Kinda like Germany vs. England in soccer maybe...:inquisitive: Maybe not that charged, as I think Rugby fans are as enthusiastic as soccer fans, but less aggressive. The whole "fibe" is a differnt one...well, my :2cents:

And smth. I found....http://southafricanrugby.blogspot.co...-new-haka.html

Go Argentina!

NOTE THESE ARE MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT MEANT TO OFFEND - HEY I HAVE BEEN WRONG PLENTY OF TIME BEFORE

Players to watch?

Due to a stupid suspension the best South African player to watch will be on the side line

Schalk Burger - he is a machine!!

As for the other teams;

Aussies have strong backline and a great lineout - there scrum is pretty so/so but with George Smith they have good loose forwards (numbers 6,7 & 8) that are like a mid-field in football and provide continuaty.

France have huge forwards and when they want to amazing flair in the backs and on their day are unbeatable. A bit too unpredictable - I feel for their fans!!

England have a well oiled forward pack that may lack a bit of mobility but if they can control the pace of the game can be very hard to beat. They don't look the same as the team that won the last world cup but it is early stages and once you get to quarters it is sudden death and anything can happen.

Ireland are strong and with O'Driscoll have a match winner but may be slightly down on the list of favourites (but ahaed of England I would say). Always play with passion are true Irish fire but may be out skilled by some of the bigger teams - an outsider to win but not an impossible ask.

South Africa are scary!! Big Dutch (Afrikaan) forwards that are scared of nothing and some skill in there backs especially now they have Eddie Jones helping them out. Perhaps hangstrung by internal politics and forced racial selections but still a probable for the final.

New Zealand (my team:beam: ) Perenial chokers with a world of talent. McCaw, Carter, Collins and Hayman are all stars. Probably should win with their team on paper but the game is not played on paper. Second will not satisfy the country and the pressure of this often gets to the team.

Argentina, Scotland and Wales are also capable of beating any of the above team and Samoa, Tonga and Italy can hurt teams.

Very worried about this evening's game against the Boks, have a distinct feeling that England aren't going to come out of this too well. I think about the best we can hope for is rough parity up front (although the pack will have to step up their game to achieve this) without being able to put any dangerous/penetrating back moves together.

Personally I would be happy with a narrow (bonus point) loss but would obviously prefer a win. :laugh4: There will be mucho celebrating down the pub tonight if this unlikely event actually happens ~:cheers:

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Originally Posted by Yawning Angel

Very worried about this evening's game against the Boks, have a distinct feeling that England aren't going to come out of this too well. I think about the best we can hope for is rough parity up front (although the pack will have to step up their game to achieve this) without being able to put any dangerous/penetrating back moves together.

Personally I would be happy with a narrow (bonus point) loss but would obviously prefer a win. :laugh4: There will be mucho celebrating down the pub tonight if this unlikely event actually happens ~:cheers:

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Premonition...Seriously though, England never stood a chance. It seemed they went on the pitch hoping all would be able to leave again unharmed (as it happens, thinking like that often gets you hurt - as seen in last night's match).

I feel sorry for Jason Robinson - I don't even think he is particularly good - he was clearly the only one that tried his best. Unfortunately, he was not supported...

Perhaps a wake up call. Perhaps not...I, for one, enjoyed the thrashing...

Go Bocks...

Quid

So Gentlemen & lovers of the game named rugby...Could I ask for some refelctions on the upcoming game 2nite:

Ireland - France?

As a rookie Rugby fan I have never seen Ireland play...but well,do they have a chance? I guess so....They won both their games up to this point of the cup.

Anyways....I'll be off to our local Irish pub and watching the game in a beamer supported cineastic manner accompanied by a couple of Brown Ales...and hopefully a horde of joyous Irish fans.

Cheers, Subedei

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Originally Posted by Subedei

So Gentlemen & lovers of the game named rugby...Could I ask for some refelctions on the upcoming game 2nite:

Ireland - France?

As a rookie Rugby fan I have never seen Ireland play...but well,do they have a chance? I guess so....They won both their games up to this point of the cup.

Anyways....I'll be off to our local Irish pub and watching the game in a beamer supported cineastic manner accompanied by a couple of Brown Ales...and hopefully a horde of joyous Irish fans.

Cheers, Subedei

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I fear you and I are heading for severe disappointment. The two games we have won so far should have been dominated by the men in green and we barely turned over Georgia. In contrast, they smacked us around like Samoans.

We can't catch the ball at the moment and look bewildered. The French must win or they are going to be dragged from the stadium in tumbrils and guillotined in the Place de la Concorde. I suspect they might turn up mentally for this one and we are the ones facing summary execution.

I am now going to get drunk, because win or lose demands an early start on inebriation.

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I suspect they might turn up mentally for this one and we are the ones facing summary execution.

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Hehe :bounce:

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

Hehe :bounce:

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Ouch!! That's what I'm talking about. Also thanks to France.:2thumbsup: Merci...

Ah well. Congratulations to France - a decisive, committed win and well deserved. My only consolation is that you have demoralised Ireland so badly that we will be crushed by the Pumas and therefore you lot will be playing the All-Blacks in the quarters. :devil:

(Oh, and what a magnificient first try - pure class!)

Subedei, what you witnessed last night was a team that has been seduced by its own "legend". Individually, many of the Irish players are very talented. As a team, this group have yet to really accomplish anything (England soccer fans will recognise the syndrome). Shameful indiscipline let France impose themselves when they should have been the ones that were under pressure from the start because of the weight of expectation. Immensely poor coaching choices - dropping Stringer was madness, as he's a big game player and Reddan is inexperienced, and Dempsey for Murphy at full-back was insipid - the French are worried by Murphy as he's a dangerous runner from deep, and Dempsey, while solid, is not. Girvan's game was characterised by being dumped on his butt by Clerc for the second try.

O'Gara and O'Connor had shockers, again. We have a lack of leadership - it has always been my opinion that O'Driscoll, whilst talismanic, is not a good captain. He leads by example, but the forwards (as often the case with captaincy from a back) don't listen. O'Connell always seemed to me a better choice, but he's let himself and the team down too often to count now. Somebody patch Woody up or clone him...

Eddie O'Sullivan has shown his limitations again. To further the England soccer analogy, like Eriksson, he can win games, but is unable to win crucial matches. And he looks like a rabbit in the headlights when its going pear-shaped and he has to make a decision that will change the game. He rarely substitues well or effectively.

Ah well. At least now we are out (Yeah, I know, but seriously) I can enjoy the brilliant rubgy being played for its own sake. By other teams.

Is anybody watching Tonga and South Africa? Tonga's doing amazingly well.

Thank you Banquo's Ghost, yes I realized that Ireland was not doing all that well. I think France dominated the game physically & technically.

I was lucky enough to sit next to a French and an Australian rugby fan. So I learned a lot. There were like 80 Irish & 30 French watching the game and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Beer, discussions and a good opportunity to practice my English.

That evil German sports channel is showing a boooooooring tennis match instead of Samoa playing versus England...~:pissed:

Yes, it is matchball time in the game...SamoaSamoa....Subedei-off-to-do-the-Haka

Well I must say that England's performance left most to be desired.
Wilkos was terribly off form and the backline was incredibly flat.
Olly and Johnny made an awful team and I could see sense in putting Olly back at no.10. The Forwards dominated set pieces, but Samoa are not known for their scrums or line-outs. Once again I'm left mystified by the awe which many of my countrymen back in England hold Sheridan, he is not a game breaker.

I would day that we are going to have a rough time of it in the coming week(s?):shame:

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Originally Posted by Bopa the Magyar

Well I must say that England's performance left most to be desired.
Wilkos was terribly off form and the backline was incredibly flat.
Olly and Johnny made an awful team and I could see sense in putting Olly back at no.10. The Forwards dominated set pieces, but Samoa are not known for their scrums or line-outs. Once again I'm left mystified by the awe which many of my countrymen back in England hold Sheridan, he is not a game breaker.

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Was this the first England game you have seen? In the context of England being the current champions then the tone of your comments makes sense. England's backline did look ordinary most of the time and the team did fail to make the most of their forwards' dominance, especially in the line-out. The last is even more disappointing as this aspect of the game is a well-known Samoan weakness. However when compared with their performances in the first two games, they have improved imensely. I think you are being unfair on JW too. His kicking out of the hand was terrible, but to blame him for the lack of fizz behind the pack is unfair - he has not got much outside him in the threequarters and his decision making was sound for most of the match - he did create the opportunites for two of the four tries too. Don't forget, his monster kick from the half-way line came at a very important time too.

Let's be honest, following the first two games, Samoa must have fancied their chances. They are not a bad side especially when attacking from the loose. England did well to concede only one try. The threequarters were weak but Gomersall and Easter had excellent games and the pack were solid. All in all, a huge step forward from the SA game.

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I would day that we are going to have a rough time of it in the coming week(s?)

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Sadly, in spite of the improvement, this is probably true unless our backs can develop some threat. On their day we stand a chance against any Northern Hemisphere team, but any of the tri-nations will bury us (and we still have to beat Tonga to qualify):sweatdrop:

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Originally Posted by Duke of Gloucester

A lot of sense spoken by Duke of Gloucester

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In the context of the previous games, Saturday was a marked improvement from England and providing we get more of the same next Friday I see no reason why we shouldn't comfortably beat Tonga. However, there is no doubting that Tonga will be truly up for the game and anything less than 100% and further improvement is likely to see us dumped out.

Still looks a little more hopeful than it did last week

Congrats England and ALL RESPECT OUT to TONGA! I enjoyed watching the game!

64-7 ! :beam:


Georgia may lack quality, but not attitude. It's been a pleasure to have them at this WC.

Pity about the Ireland - Argentina result. Oh well, off to Cardiff to to face the all blacks it is then...
But Gah! It is a World Cup! If you want to win it, you'll have to face NZ at some point anyway. I say bring 'em on! :knight:

Not neccessarily, we won it last time without facing the All Blacks. Thank God. England have always struggled against the All Blacks, we have lost the game before we get on the pitch...
Congratulations to the Pumas. Another well deserved victory.
France vs All Blacks should be a belter of a game. :2thumbsup:

I was cheering Argentina on all the way. Turns out shouting at the telly acctually DOES work! Should try that more often.. ah well, yay Pumas, and so forth. :argentina:

And good luck to the French team. 'tis needed, methinks. :yes:

Let me tell you the here in NZ we are very nervous of playing "Les Blues".

The rugby fan over here has a long memory and I personally can recall the "game of the century" when France beat us in 1999. What a game :jawdrop: , what a result :sad2:.

In that world cup France had struggled to beat Fiji so form is never something to attribute to France, they, on their day are unbeatable.

Will it happen again???

Well Deja vu is a French term!!!

But my 2 cents - go the All Blacks!!!