Starts today... whos going to be watching any of the matches.
Current holders - England
Favourites for the title this year - New Zealand
Last time New Zealand won the RWC - 1987
Outside chance teams - France/SA/Argentina/OZ and Ireland... maybe England.
First match today is France Vs. Argentina, tomorrow England Vs USA.
Come on lads, give it some stick.
Cheers
Tongy
France 12-17 Argentina
OWNED!
Quote from: neXusFrance 12-17 Argentina
OWNED!
can really say that when Argentina are ranked 6th in the world. Theres not much between 1st to 8th in the teamsa in the world rankings
Quote from: EggtasticoQuote from: neXusFrance 12-17 Argentina
OWNED!
can really say that when Argentina are ranked 6th in the world. Theres not much between 1st to 8th in the teamsa in the world rankings
Not how it works in rugby, Your home world cup, 2nd 3rd favourites, A must win, been saying all week it will be the day of blue and the pumas will be white washed.
If you bet on the Pumas you would tripple up
So how the hell did we pull that off?
Australia out.
Quote from: CypherSo how the hell did we pull that off?
Australia out.
HELL YEAH
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!
All the england crowed with 10 mins left were happy but you could see and sense everyone was like "were winnin, wtf?
50-1 odds, dam, I wish I had 50 quid on that
The object of the game of rugby is to score try.
Winning a game without scoring a try is a bit boring isnt it?
Quote from: EggtasticoThe object of the game of rugby is to score try.
Winning a game without scoring a try is a bit boring isnt it?
Did you watch the game? Far from boring
Aim of the game is to win
Quote from: neXusQuote from: EggtasticoThe object of the game of rugby is to score try.
Winning a game without scoring a try is a bit boring isnt it?
Did you watch the game? Far from boring
Aim of the game is to win
No, I got better things to do than watch a bunch of queers hug each other on the floor.
The object of the game is to win. I just like to see teams win by flair, rather than grinding out a result.
Maybe its about time to drop tries to 4points & all kicks to 2 points.
2 kicks isnt really better than try is it?
Quote from: neXus50-1 odds, dam, I wish I had 50 quid on that
What the hell kind of bookies gives those odds on a 2 horse race? Odds I saw were closer to 5-1.
Egg - agree it wasnt the prettiest spectacle - but for anyone who unterstands the inner workings of the game it was an awesome battle.
Quote from: BigSoyQuote from: neXus50-1 odds, dam, I wish I had 50 quid on that
Egg - agree it wasnt the prettiest spectacle - but for anyone who unterstands the inner workings of the game it was an awesome battle.
I think thats what this tourney has been all about, those teams who play pretty are sitting at home. Those teams who win the physical battle are still in it.
Quote from: EggtasticoQuote from: neXusQuote from: EggtasticoThe object of the game of rugby is to score try.
Winning a game without scoring a try is a bit boring isnt it?
Did you watch the game? Far from boring
Aim of the game is to win
No, I got better things to do than watch a bunch of queers hug each other on the floor.
The object of the game is to win. I just like to see teams win by flair, rather than grinding out a result.
Maybe its about time to drop tries to 4points & all kicks to 2 points.
2 kicks isnt really better than try is it?
4 kicks England did , kick is 3 points, it was defiantly well played there was strength and good play
Quote from: EggtasticoI think thats what this tourney has been all about, those teams who play pretty are sitting at home. Those teams who win the physical battle are still in it.
Funny you call them queuers etc and talk about flair, then you go totally agaisnt what you said before with this post, lol
And now France beat New Zealand, LOL
Comedy, All Blacks bottle it again and now only one of the Tri-Nations with a chance of making the Semis. So much for the Tri-Nations being the best side in the World.
Just need the Argies to a number on SA in the Semi now. :mrgreen:
Quote from: BigSoyComedy, All Blacks bottle it again and now only one of the Tri-Nations with a chance of making the Semis. So much for the Tri-Nations being the best side in the World.
Just need the Argies to a number on SA in the Semi now. :mrgreen:
What it is though as we were just saying just now is that NZ seem to get easy groups and score 100+ agaisnt people but are not tested and when they come up agaisnt a decent side, even if the other side like France are not firing on all cylinders still but its a side that is playing and NZ are not in game mode, they have not had to play a match yet and they tend to loose out
the France/new zealand game was very close. the most emotionally charged match ive seen in a while.
i have to lay low the next week just in case england win on friday >_<
Quote from: EggtasticoThe object of the game of rugby is to score try.
Winning a game without scoring a try is a bit boring isnt it?
Lol, history records the winners, not the method of their victory.
Cheers
Tongy
So who think England will beat France tomorrow?
Quote from: mrtSo who think England will beat France tomorrow?
YES!!!!!!!!!
GET IN THERE THE BOYS!!!
COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Australia now France lol I feel so happy. :cheers: :nana:
Quote from: SmugsAustralia now France lol I feel so happy. :cheers: :nana:
COME ON THE PUMAS!!
Well, I spent the evening watching the match amongst a load of Frenchmen... the atmosphere was not good. :D.
I am sooo chuffed for my boys, and now the Welsh and Scottish will have to decide on whom they are going to support, as their choices are getting less and less.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!! GET IN THERE.
Cheers
Tongy
Quote from: TongyWell, I spent the evening watching the match amongst a load of Frenchmen... the atmosphere was not good. :D.
I am sooo chuffed for my boys, and now the Welsh and Scottish will have to decide on whom they are going to support, as their choices are getting less and less.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!! GET IN THERE.
Cheers
Tongy
The Scotts will never support England, and we have a jock running our country, boot him out, hes crap.
Quote from: PrivateerQuote from: TongyWell, I spent the evening watching the match amongst a load of Frenchmen... the atmosphere was not good. :D.
I am sooo chuffed for my boys, and now the Welsh and Scottish will have to decide on whom they are going to support, as their choices are getting less and less.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!! GET IN THERE.
Cheers
Tongy
The Scotts will never support England, and we have a jock running our country, boot him out, hes crap.
lol
A vote for "Sir" Johnny.
Hes becoming national hero......again.
Quote from: CypherA vote for "Sir" Johnny.
Hes becoming national hero......again.
In my books he always was.
Quote from: PrivateerQuote from: TongyWell, I spent the evening watching the match amongst a load of Frenchmen... the atmosphere was not good. :D.
I am sooo chuffed for my boys, and now the Welsh and Scottish will have to decide on whom they are going to support, as their choices are getting less and less.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!! GET IN THERE.
Cheers
Tongy
The Scotts will never support England, and we have a jock running our country, boot him out, hes crap.
And Blair was from where?
Cheers
Tongy
Whoo, take that you cheese eating surrender monkeys!
GO ON YOU PUMAS!
jesus christ i had it rough yesturday in the workshop. ive never had my feet glued to the floor so many times in one day.
Predictions.
mine are.
South A .3 trys, 3 conversion, 2 drop goals, 2 penalty, miss 2 = 33
England, 2 trys, 2 conversion, 4 drop goals, 1 penalty, miss 3 = 29
2 of the SA trys will be scored by, Bryan Habana – eight tries in this World Cup so far, so he has 2 big motives,
A. Beat Lomu,
B. Win the Cup.
My prediction..
Heart in mouth
Loss of nails
My Prediction - No idea what the hell is going to happen... I thought Oz were going to win 2 weeks ago and France were going to win last weekend.... to continue in the tradition - I reckon SA will win.
Of course I want England to win.... and being a creature of habit I shall NOT be wearing my O2 England shirt, because everytime I do they lose. I will have no voice and a hangover the stuff that legends are made of on Sunday morn, I can tell yer :D
Cheers
Tongy
Cant see England turning over the Saffie tbh.
Against France they contained them until France ran out of ideas then relied on the abismal Wilkinson (on that day) to get them out of trouble. They certainly didnt look like scoring a bundle of tries.
They beat the Ozzies because they brutalised them up front and kicked into territory.
Niether of those things will happen again SA. They have the biggest, meanest pack in world rugby at the moment in my opinion. Sheridan has come on a long way technically from being the lump of meat he was when he first joined the ranks but I think hes going to struggle with the likes of Du Randt and Linde. England have shown already that if they get on the back foot up front they have nowhere to go to.
Wilkinson has proven hes fallible against France and going backwards hes been crap in the past.
Sakey, for all I rate him, will only likely see the ball as it flys past him in Habanas hands.
I only hope that we actually get a reasonable game out of it and not just a repeat of round 1, but I have to admit I have my doubts.
England have shown in the last 2 games that they can play together but its also the most English of traits to get all fired up over a couple of wins and then get properly worked over by a quality side. (In any sport)
Karl Urban, Last time sheridon was on form he put one SA prop in hospital and the other had to go off and it went to uncontested scrums and SA props are not as good now.
The Backs are the key, they need to tackle well, kick better and not give room on the wings. The forwards will be on top and need to do their best to spoil the ball so it does not flow to the backs
Last time he was on form....last time they met, South Africa took the England scrum apart.
Up front the South Africans are bigger and uglier than the England pack. One man does not make a scrum. Oz du Randt is old school scrummaging, hes got the style to overcome Sheridans meat.
Du Randt will play 50 minutes, by which time the game will either be over in South Africas favour or England will be playing on the back foot waiting for the 75th minute Johnny time.
I dont believe England can beat South Africa. I do believe South Africa can lose though.
Quote from: Porch MonkeyLast time he was on form....last time they met, South Africa took the England scrum apart.
Up front the South Africans are bigger and uglier than the England pack. One man does not make a scrum. Oz du Randt is old school scrummaging, hes got the style to overcome Sheridans meat.
Du Randt will play 50 minutes, by which time the game will either be over in South Africas favour or England will be playing on the back foot waiting for the 75th minute Johnny time.
I dont believe England can beat South Africa. I do believe South Africa can lose though.
No england player turned up to that game and it was a different pack from what is playing now, squad was changed around after that
England pack is officially heavier
Think SA will win is cool but sticking to facts is always a good idea
As Martin Johnson has rightly pointed out for the last two games, if were in the game at 60 minutes, we know how to win from there, and Id have a feeling well sneak it.
It was mentioned before the France game that the pack would need to step its performance up a level - for me thats true again this week, we must match the South African agression and put pressure on their set-piece. They looked far from comfortable at times in the Scrum against Argentina.
I have a feeling that the South Africans might just have peaked too early in this one and that theyll be straight out of ideas if they dont get early tries like the first game.
If we do win it, it will be possibly the most incredible sporting redemption ever, certainly that Ive ever witnessed.
For what its worth, IMO if Os is the best prop they can come up with these days, theyre going to struggle if Englands pack play well. Whatever happens in the scrum, Sheridans impact taking the ball over the gainline has been a massive help for England. Os is an old man, and wont keep up with the England pack round the park on our day.
I reckon ball retention could prove key and turning over ball with Moody (and I would have preferred Rees over Corry for this) playing a vital role.
The 3/4s will really be tested and Cueto will need to be on form to snaffle Habana.
I also wondered if there was any test done on wings to see what times they clock in the 100m... I know Varndell and Sackey are pretty swift, but just wondered if this test has ever been carried out.
Our front row will have a huge chance to shine with Sheridan expected to give them a good going over, Regan doing what he normally does in talking them into submission as well as the raging bull getting stuck in.
Whatever happens this will be a landmark game, if SA win they will prove that they are at present pretty bloody good. If England win, this will put Lazarus and the phoenix to shame. We have the bloody mindedness but have we got the skill...
I shall be watching and no mistake, guv.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!
Cheers
Tongy
its a one of game, where you cant make predictions.
England can give it to their forwards who can just drive forward yard by yard & either make a breakthrough for a try, or get it within kicking distance for johnny. A slip, f**kup or loss of possesion could let Habana run through for an easy try. S Africa also got someone more than capable of drop kicking the ball just as well as (if not better) than wilko.
Individual Errors is whats going to decide the game IMO.
Well, according to my stats South Africa Pack down at 927Kg and England at 912kg.
However, as I said, I think itll either be all done by the 50th minute or England will be holding out for the win in the last 10 minutes again.
Sheridan is packing down against a bigger man (which Im not sure he has this WC, apart from the first match) so he will have to be technically great rather than brutal.
I dont call 2 changes a radical change to the pack, but perhaps itll make a difference.
England fowards had South africa more or less for the whole game but we just gave them points, gave them at least 9. Only two valid attacks from south africa but they knew England could not penetrate from the backs and just waited for England to give them points :(
England did very well to get to the Final and winning it last time and Final this time is not bad considering they have been the worst world cup winners
But this says it all, in the world cup SA scored 33 tries, England 12, lol. Really they need to work on a game other then forwards doing well and then kicking it, they need to make the passes and make the runs and score TRIES! and something to work on.
(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44188000/jpg/_44188958_cueto_pa_203.jpg)
That be a try. gutted.
Cheers
Tongy
Quote from: Tongy(Image removed from quote.)
That be a try. gutted.
Cheers
Tongy
The video ref had enough replays & angles to decide.
....and he still got it wrong.
We saw the same pictures. Thats not just an englishman saying it was a try because were english.
Regardless of that costly decision, Its not right to be bitter, SA did thoroughly deserver it and we should be left feeling proud. Winners and Runner Ups on the trot.
I saw another angle that showed that he brushed the line with his boot.
I am gutted, less angry and upset than yesterday. I have a commiseration hangover today and it does not feel good.
Cheers
Tongy
Quote from: EggtasticoQuote from: Tongy(Image removed from quote.)
That be a try. gutted.
Cheers
Tongy
The video ref had enough replays & angles to decide.
South African coach has commented on it seeing the replays and even he says they were lucky and it was a try
Often the case and seen in European rugby and a number of times in Rugby League, On the big occasions when such decisions are key to a game the 2nd official bottles it and goes for defence, He was told by the ref it would be a penalty if it was not a try and he bottled it, simple as that and he is not the first and not and will not the the last to do so...
As for the world cup there are a few things I noticed that the IRB need to change, England has to sort etc..
General:
Feeding into the scrum is now just blatant and this needs to be cracked down on, the ball needs to be going in straight
Those pitches were over watered and it was terrable, every team were slipping all the time
Refs need to talk more not less to players
Refs were inconsistent in regard to holding on and how long that is
Refs were inconsistent in regard to how long to play advantage for, in the France England Semi the ref held his arm out for advantage to France, then yelled advantage over and then a French guy dropped the ball and he gave the penalty from the advantage
England:
Line outs they used to be the gods of but its been lost and needs working on
The forward issues were all addressed by the time they got to the final which is a good sign
The back line and attack have no penetration, they need to start scoring tries and like Tait did make the runs - This is currently dead and a very big issue
Danny Hipkiss needs to play more games so he can tune into the international game and improve
Need more Fly halfs
You have to Give England credit tbh, they have been crap for four years and were still poor at the start of the world cup BUT the amount of work in just a few weeks to improve enough to get to the final is a massive achievement and people need to respect that
Brian Ashton does seem a good coach, he managed to get the team beating people despite a number of massive flaws in the squad and he has had them for to short a time and does seem to have made progress if he was appointed earlier things would have been better.
Quote from: TongyI saw another angle that showed that he brushed the line with his boot.
I am gutted, less angry and upset than yesterday. I have a commiseration hangover today and it does not feel good.
Cheers
Tongy
Same... he went across the line with the boot down, he hit the ground bounced... and then you got that picture taken. Brushed it. Fudging close... but agreed it was out.
Good match though, wasnt a walkover, was in fact quite an entertaining game.
(http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44188000/jpg/_44188781_cueto300.jpg)
Seems that he did touch it... although however slight it was.... if you were worried about our backs having no penetration, the South Africans werent quite the attacking force against us.
The reffing was a bit off and I agree about the pitches... they were slipping all over the place.
Cheers
Tongy
it was a good match, fair. however i was pretty gutted when it ended.
Shame really, I know I had the saffies to win but the old romantic in me thought England might pull it out.
I feel that in the end SA out played England at their own game. They new how they were going to try and play and played to counter that. Never pretty but as England can attest to it wins World Cups.
Commiserations to England Rugby, time to start building a real team for New Zealand 2011.
Bar a couple of stupid headlines in the press (from people with no sporting clue) I Have been impressed with the response to England loosing.
Everyone is proud of them and know the best team probably won at the end of the day but England did them selves and the country proud at the end of the day
England are by far the best team at the moment and need a lot of work and were terrible at the start of the world cup but the guts and effort and the spirit that came to the team has been immense and that has defiantly been the best in the world at this years world cup and the theme for it, all the minor teams with near close wins or shock wins made from sheer effort.