Rugby Union World Cup [R]

[Red Bird]

Too bad I caught the Kiwi / Frog result, I'm going to watch that now.
Damn and I was looking forward to a Kiwi / Engerland final......Sorry Bok! :)In which case, I shall not let you know the Scotland-Argentina match, then.

[usscouse]

In which case, I shall not let you know the Scotland-Argentina match, then.Grassyarse penis.
Or thanks cock!

[el-capitano]

Well England won the scrum/kicking game. I thought rugby was about all skills though, and isn't scoring a try a skill?

Honestly, how can anyone get excited about a game where the team who scored a try loses and the team that didnt score a try wins? Thats just wrong.

Well at least no-one down here really expected the Aussies to win it, although I still hate the rules that allow a team who scores a try/s to still lose the game.

Those Kiwi's were atrocious, did anyone see if they put jandals on for the second half? Greg Norman must be laughing in Chris Evert's breasts after that performance. They are taking the mantle away from him as THE BIGGEST CHOKER in world sport.

That wasnt choice bro. Now we may miss out on Dean, as he'll go for the kiwi job before us, which means we'll end up with a dodgy coach and no success again for a while.

Tell me, if they actually took time off for any stoppages for scrums, lineouts, kicks etc for a Northern Hemisphere rugby game, it would take over two days to complete a match. Its beautiful weather over there, not a mud patch, no wind, no rain, no sleet, no storm.

Why arent they playing the games ball in hand, playing actual running rugby?

So with no Aussies or Kiwis, Go the Argies- at least they actually play!

[usscouse]

Well England won the scrum/kicking game. I thought rugby was about all skills though, and isn't scoring a try a skill?

Honestly, how can anyone get excited about a game where the team who scored a try loses and the team that didnt score a try wins? Thats just wrong.

Well at least no-one down here really expected the Aussies to win it, although I still hate the rules that allow a team who scores a try/s to still lose the game.

Those Kiwi's were atrocious, did anyone see if they put jandals on for the second half? Greg Norman must be laughing in Chris Evert's breasts after that performance. They are taking the mantle away from him as THE BIGGEST CHOKER in world sport.

That wasnt choice bro. Now we may miss out on Dean, as he'll go for the kiwi job before us, which means we'll end up with a dodgy coach and no success again for a while.

Tell me, if they actually took time off for any stoppages for scrums, lineouts, kicks etc for a Northern Hemisphere rugby game, it would take over two days to complete a match. Its beautiful weather over there, not a mud patch, no wind, no rain, no sleet, no storm.

Why arent they playing the games ball in hand, playing actual running rugby?

So with no Aussies or Kiwis, Go the Argies- at least they actually play!Grapes a little sour today...? :D

I've just got off the phone with my son-in-law in Auckland....what fun!
I told him to get ready for an Engerland / Scotland final...:)

Don't the Argies play the Boks next? That should be interesting.

[luciusmagister]

Don't the Argies play the Boks next? That should be interesting.
Verily. :)

[el-capitano]

Grapes a little sour today...? :D

:D Not really- England won fair and square, there's no denying that- the Aussies were crappola.

It doesnt mean my points weren't valid though. Being a league man, I cant get into a game that rewards mediocrity over skill, and kicks over tries. ;)

Don't the Argies play the Boks next? That should be interesting.

After reading Jake White's comments about how the Springboks had more bottle than the Aussies and Kiwis after just getting over Fiji, and remembering how they went in the tri-nations this year, I thought that was fairly unneccesary.

Go the Argies, go the French in the other semi, Argies to win it all to turn the whole world upside down.

[Red Bird]

Well England won the scrum/kicking game. I thought rugby was about all skills though, and isn't scoring a try a skill?
Honestly, how can anyone get excited about a game where the team who scored a try loses and the team that didnt score a try wins? Thats just wrong.

Well at least no-one down here really expected the Aussies to win it, although I still hate the rules that allow a team who scores a try/s to still lose the game. A bit like a team coming to Anfield, stifling the life out of us and galantly defending for 90 minutes and then, at the death, punt a long one up the pitch, there's panic in the box and a penalty is awarded which they duly convert. Not exactly the same thing but Australia didn't help themselves by having no plan B.

I wasn't entirely enthused about England's tactics, to be honest, but needs must. Scrummaging is a vital part of rugby, after all.

Those Kiwi's were atrocious, did anyone see if they put jandals on for the second half? Greg Norman must be laughing in Chris Evert's breasts after that performance. They are taking the mantle away from him as THE BIGGEST CHOKER in world sport. Thought the All Blacks were at the wrong end of 2 dodgy decisions but, like Australia failed to swicth tactics when plan A failed.
A bit like Liverpool sometimes, or maybe too often these days.

[usscouse]

Down to the last 4.
Frogs, the home team. The old enemy. Crapaurds vs the goddamned
Italians, sorry, I meant Argies.
Boks, Got to be fav now
Engerland,


Sat, 13 Oct 2007 WC. Semi. France v England Stade de France 21:00 local time
Sun, 14 Oct 2007 WC Semi South Africa v Argentina Stade de France 21:00

http://www.rugbyrugby.com/site_images/c1.jpg

[Springbok FC]

Well, I have to say, I'm a bit miffed that there isn't more of an uproar about NZ getting the shaft on that go-ahead try by the French -- what with that blatant forward-pass and all. As much as I'd like to consider the Boks to be favorites at this stage, you cannot deny the French at home. South Africa may be the better side, but I think they have a tougher semi against the Argies than the Frogs do against England, and you have to factor in the home field advantage.

Hopefully, for my sake, there are less surprises in the semifinal round. Although if England wanted a rematch with the Boks so badly that they upset France, I'd be happy about that. :)

[Red Bird]

Well, I have to say, I'm a bit miffed that there isn't more of an uproar about NZ getting the shaft on that go-ahead try by the French -- what with that blatant forward-pass and all. Credit to them, they have accdepted that they also contributed to their own downfall. When they were a man down, they had the ammunition and possession to cross at leat twice but instead tried to run down the clock. It can't help also having you two first choice fly halves off the pitch.

I have cleared my schedule for Saturday. Go Engerlend!

[usscouse]

The frogs have got to be favs with home team and home crowd in Paris. A big plus of course is the intimidation factor they have those two ugly, big girt, bastard, refugees from horror movies on the team.

[Red Bird]

I'd have thought so. Except there will be 40,000 Englishmen singing "swing low, sweet chariot ..." and drowning them. A close contest though. I reckon England's set-piece play will undo the French-- if they can get the ball back quickly, there is enough pace on the wings and in midfield to engineer a try or two.

As for the cavemen, Kay and Shaw will equal them at the line-out and Sheridan and Vickery at the scrum. Nah, not worried at all ;)

[condor11]

Well, I have to say, I'm a bit miffed that there isn't more of an uproar about NZ getting the shaft on that go-ahead try by the French -- what with that blatant forward-pass and all. As much as I'd like to consider the Boks to be favorites at this stage, you cannot deny the French at home. South Africa may be the better side, but I think they have a tougher semi against the Argies than the Frogs do against England, and you have to factor in the home field advantage.

Hopefully, for my sake, there are less surprises in the semifinal round. Although if England wanted a rematch with the Boks so badly that they upset France, I'd be happy about that. :)

its huge in NZ, Barnes is the most hated person at the mo

they are ripping his performance to bits

still if the ab had played their normal running game they would have won this easily

their fault at the end of the day

[usscouse]

I'd have thought so. Except there will be 40,000 Englishmen singing "swing low, sweet chariot ..." and drowning them. A close contest though. I reckon England's set-piece play will undo the French-- if they can get the ball back quickly, there is enough pace on the wings and in midfield to engineer a try or two.

As for the cavemen, Kay and Shaw will equal them at the line-out and Sheridan and Vickery at the scrum. Nah, not worried at all ;)Watched a bit of news from the UK today. They're talking about the amount of supporters heading for Paris from there, one way or another.....going to be a few there to represent us.

Now if they'd let us take our longbows into Stad de Paris.....!
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers....WoooooHooo.

Love that Swing low, Sweet Chariot, especially with the hand motions..:D

I googled in for a photo to post........and got this...

http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2007/10/09/paris-hilton_191.jpg

[Red Bird]

The invasion (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7041266.stm) has started. More than 40,000 England fans are due to descend on Paris to sample the atmosphere of England's World Cup semi-final with France on Saturday.

England's unexpected quarter-final victory over Australia meant a surge in last-minute bookings.

The match is a sell-out but tickets are exchanging hands for up to £1,400.

England Rugby Travel spokesman Justin Hopwood told BBC Sport: "There has been a phenomenal interest, people have been surprised by England's success."I'm already in couch potato mood. The Guinness is chilling in the fridge and count down to kick-off has started.

[usscouse]

I'm not coming here until tomorrow now.
Setanta won't be showing it until tomorrow am.
For 25 bucks you can buy it on PPV though....bastids!

[Red Bird]

Dream start for England. Lewsey thunders through the full-back (Traille) for a try! Gotta be the fastest try in RWC history.

[Red Bird]

Well, 'twas good while it lasted but France and Argentina have finally run out of luck. I especially enjoyed England's victory last night.

Next Saturday will be a humdinger.

[Springbok FC]

I'm riding cloud 9 for the rest of the day before going back into panic mode ahead of Saturday's final. Seriously, I thought I was going to have a heart attack moments before the Argies match, today, but then du Preez intercepted in the 5th minute and I could breathe again. Great display from the Boks, today, capitalizing on all of the Pumas mistakes. It's tough being a rugby fan in America, but fortunately, I found an ex-pat pub that was showing the match and full of rabid like-minded folks. It was lekker!

Good luck to the rest of you, next week. I think if we've learned anything over the past month, it's that anything can happen. Certainly, this is a different England side than what we saw during the group phase.

Go the BOKS!

[el-capitano]

Well since the Argies & the Frogs are gone, I now have to change to the Saffies. I'd rather have a Southern Hemisphere team win it, even though they are an arrogant bunch, at least they play rugby and try to score tries.

England, play the worst brand of rugby I've seen, but they've made the final, so it works. I don't have to like it though.

Give it to Jonny. Kick it son, kick it. ;)