Impressive rugby knowledge, I've been watching International rugby for years and I still haven't got a clue what's happening half the time, just looks like an organised tear up to me, still the sheer violence of it all appeals I must admit. Just about to watch the Argies and the Saffies, c'mon the light blues!
Well you make a lot of interesting points and it'll be a cracker if it goes down. Re Australia (and NZ for that matter) it needs to be borne in mind that Larkham - the key man at 1st 5, was out for that game. Plus Aussie have no front row - and were always going to be found out on that score. France you always had a good shot to beat, although they probably pissed the game away on balance trying to sit on a 1 point lead While Johnny is critical to you guys, I can't see how your pack is going to turn things around enough against Saffers to change it. Saffers play a very forward oriented game which you were unable to stop in the 1st round. Kicking them tonnes of possession could be suicidal.
well i have turned off the game. truely dissapointing so far. argentina looked nervous and too fired up at the national anthem. they came out strong and then conceded to the interception try. you could see the panic button being pushed only 10 minutes into the game. -8 mishandles in the 1st half -not good enough
Too many costly mistakes by Argentina, although South Africa have been clever in dealing with their maul and sitting back to wait for Argentina's kicking game. They are also comfortably the best team Argentina have played in this tournament, so no shame in Argentina losing at this stage. Still time for a late comeback, but it's going to take a miracle
Well Surprising Argentina came out to play open rugby. That really played into the Boks hands. On the other hand, kicking possession to the Boks all day is also pretty suicidal. Predictions for the final everyone? Without taking anything away from the sheer grit england have displayed, I am going to go for a comfortable Saffers victory. The game will be run or lost up front - barring some kind of unusual set of circumstances like we saw with the All Blacks. I can't see how England is going to cope with the Springbok pack. The way to beat the Springboks is to keep the ball away from their powerful pack - unfortunately England had to abandon that tactic after the pool game. So i can't see how england is going to get parity. But you never know - Rugby is a funny game. If a couple of kicks get missed. Couple of handling errors, couple of mistakes by the ref, and given the margin for error - that could swing it for you
England cannot afford to make a single mistake. Argentina weren't that bad in the semi, but sadly for them they made individual errors which the Boks put away. I think SA are the favourites in the final, but i guess you never know.
I was encouraged that Argentina was able to play at a high level against South Africa. If it wasn't for the mistakes, which is something that can be worked on, they played them tough. I thought they held their own for the most part, except for the fact that South Africa made them pay for a few dumb mistakes that are uncharacteristic in Los Pumas. They did well in the scrums, but in addition to cutting down the mistakes, they need to improve on the lineouts. I know that is a strength for the Springboks, but you just cannot lose almost every lineout against a team as good as they are and expect to win. Funny, I'll probably be rooting for England here. But I think South Africa will win a close one.
i will agree about the scrums. roncero, at loosehead, dominated in that aspect. i feel thats where england can pressure the boks into mistakes or at least a sloppy breakdown after the scrum.
the problem was trying to play an expansive game in a semi against a powerful defensive side like the boks when you don't normally play that way. plays into their hands. but not sure what the alternative was
And so you should be, seeing as we were all rooting for you in the semi. Congratulations on your tournament...it was great to see Argentina doing so well and hopefully the sport can build from this tournament in your country.
I was hoping that the Argies or the French would take it out, but being the kiss of death I am, both have missed out. Now I'm stuck between the arrogant Saffies & the whinging Poms. Hmmmmm. I'll have to go the Saffies, at least they try and score tries, and not just give it to Jonny and say kick it son.
Of course you did- and what was it from- a kick! No wonder they were playing ex rugby league prop Andy Farrell in the centres- he didnt have to pass or catch the ball, because the backline are just there to tackle. There's no doubting that you beat us fair and square, I'm not bitter about that, it shows the "kick it" theory works, as you are in the final. It doesnt mean that I have to like it though!
3rd place match has been and gone... The French finished the competition as they started it - losing to Argentina. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7051512.stm I heard that 6 of the last 7 encounters between these two sides had been won by the Pumas.
I think South Africa wins, but I hope I'm wrong. It will be much closer than last time they played, maybe something like 17-12.
We had a perfectly good try chalked off so it was in fact closer. It would have been a different game if the decision had been made correctly. Would have left a drop goal for victory.