Rugby World Cup 2007

Even Jerry Collins, Chris Jack and Richie McCaw got in on the tries. Time for Ali Williams to get his. Sivivatu and Howlett was awesome. Clear to be seen why it's hard for Rokocoko to get in although without question he's a class, class player.
 
A bit worrying was that Dan Carter was again not anywhere near his best today against a pretty average Italian team. The rest of the team were fantastic, Howlett in particular.
 
Must say, this myth that rugby is a gentlemans game and they don't give stick and grief to the referee must be expunged. They're all like a bunch of school girls. Sadly the England captain is one of the worst for it, constant backchat to the ref. They'll be rolling around on the floor faking injury soon...
 
Brad Cantona said:
Must say, this myth that rugby is a gentlemans game and they don't give stick and grief to the referee must be expunged. They're all like a bunch of school girls. Sadly the England captain is one of the worst for it, constant backchat to the ref. They'll be rolling around on the floor faking injury soon...
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Still though when I watch Rugby, it's reminds me of what kind of pussies most of todays footballers are. Saw a guy take a knee right in his head yesterday, he just continued to play as if nothing had happend.
 
Canadians didn't make it easy for the Welsh. And was surprised that England didn't had it easy against the US either. Was expecting them to walk all over the US.
 
Ireland were pretty poor tonight against the rank outsiders Namibia

it seems we struggle under the weight of high expectation

I'll put it down to complacency but they'll need to discover a bit of heart if they're to make a mark on this tournament
 
The best 3 teams are all from the southern hemisphere. If Joe Rokocoko isn't good enough to be first choice for the All Blacks that's scary for the other teams. They seem like the team to beat.

Good to see England beat the USA at football, again. South Africa will be too strong for them, though.
 
air_mood said:
And was surprised that England didn't had it easy against the US either. Was expecting them to walk all over the US.
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I watched the whole match. England clearly wasn't playing well and the US had nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing tenaciously which they did throughout. Closest England/US result ever!

England's really going to have to step it up for the Springboks or they'll take a shellacking if they display the same lack of confidence and fire in their game that they did in that one.
 
Count Duckula said:
Ireland, France or the All Blacks will win it.

I know, I know. Risky predictions there. I'm willing to stake my massive rugby reputation on it anyway.
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The French mightened even qualify for the second round, they looked pretty poor against the Argies.

Either Aussie, the Jarpies or us will win it, but it certainly won't be a one horse race for us. Aussies looked sharp against the Japanese and I thought Samoa would get SA a much tougher game.
 
surf said:
The best 3 teams are all from the southern hemisphere. If Joe Rokocoko isn't good enough to be first choice for the All Blacks that's scary for the other teams. They seem like the team to beat.

Good to see England beat the USA at football, again. South Africa will be too strong for them, though.
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Rokocoko isn't the only one, the likes of Gear, Hamilton and Nonu (albeit not an out and out winger) didn't even make the WC squad. NZ have always had strong skillful wingers, while traditionally we have been out done by the strong foward packs of the SA and the English. However with the likes of Hayman, Woodcock, Jack, Williams, McCaw and Collins we finally have a foward pack to match. Our one main weakness is in the number 12 and 13 jerseys; Mauger is getting worse and worse everytime I see him while McAllister is got the skill but lacks experience on the big stage, while Conrad Smith has injury problems at 13. If Mortlock and co hit their straps then they could break the midfield quite easily.

Our other main weakness are the bloody refs, every decision goes against us against the Aussies and Proteas :p
 
Ireland were aweful......

they need to get the finger out big time if they want to get out of that group.....

i still have faith though!!!
 
Ireland don't do well when favoured, imo.

All they have to do is grind out the wins in the group stage and, barring any major injuries, they'll do ok against the bigger teams.
 
utdalltheway said:
Ireland don't do well when favoured, imo.

All they have to do is grind out the wins in the group stage and, barring any major injuries, they'll do ok against the bigger teams.
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That's a bit of a myth IMO.. We have never taken a big scalp when it has really counted and I'll be shocked if we do in this competition especially after the awful showing against Namibia.
 
time will tell.
if they can keep O Driscoll and O Gara fit then they have a chance. this Irish squad is reckoned to be one of the better teams in recent years. While the last 6 nations was disappointing in that they didn't beat France when they should've had I hope that they'll learn from that.
 
Kiwi_fan said:
Rokocoko isn't the only one, the likes of Gear, Hamilton and Nonu (albeit not an out and out winger) didn't even make the WC squad. NZ have always had strong skillful wingers, while traditionally we have been out done by the strong foward packs of the SA and the English. However with the likes of Hayman, Woodcock, Jack, Williams, McCaw and Collins we finally have a foward pack to match. Our one main weakness is in the number 12 and 13 jerseys; Mauger is getting worse and worse everytime I see him while McAllister is got the skill but lacks experience on the big stage, while Conrad Smith has injury problems at 13. If Mortlock and co hit their straps then they could break the midfield quite easily.

Our other main weakness are the bloody refs, every decision goes against us against the Aussies and Proteas :p
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Pity about Smith though. My opinion is that he's a class player. Was looking forward to the partnership of him and McAllister, who is of course another class player. If I have any critiscm of McAllister, is that he likes to play impossible balls when he could have gone for an easier option. Still the next closest thing to the magician that is King Los though.
 
England vs SA tonight should be a good game. I've put a fiver on England at plus 17 to make it more interesting. Any predictions caftards?
 
I will go with England Farrell to prove that he can be a union player and Mike Catt to have the game of his life.
 
We look like we are playing with 14 forwards on the pitch, Sackey must be the slowest international winger in the world. The game plan is piss poor, just lump it into the Boks' half and hope for a fumble or touch. Matfield and co seem to be winning the lineouts with ease, are we even contesting them?This team is too old and too fat
 
Jason Robinson just taken off looks like his hamstring went. His world cup and rugby career looks over. Credit to the game great player.
 
That was depressing, absolutely nothing to take from that other to be put out of our misery about any feignt hopes we had of putting together a serious defence of our trophy
 
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