RUGBY World Cup 2007

[Axver]

If anybody needs to worry about myths, it's the All Blacks - I'm referencing, of course, what jacobus just mentioned. Every time I'm talking to someone about the Cup and the topic of this quarter-final comes up, the 1999 loss is invariably mentioned. It seems there's currently some belief that the All Blacks have a hoodoo against France. I just remind people that New Zealand won the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 by beating France in the final.

Indeed. Although I hope they stay humble and do not think that the match against Scotland is a done deal. That guy Hernandez, though, he is serious stuff... I do not think he did anything wrong in the whole match against Ireland. He even got the last drop to go in and he is not a lefty!

I hope they make it to the semis, which would be a landmark for Argentine rugby.

Hernandez had easily one of the best games I've seen anyone play. The entire Argentine team is really spectacular. What I find most amazing is that some of them are still amateurs!

If Argentina gets into the Tri-Nations, half of this team will be household names in the current three countries within a couple of seasons. They're that good.

 

[U2@NYC]

Hernandez had easily one of the best games I've seen anyone play. The entire Argentine team is really spectacular. What I find most amazing is that some of them are still amateurs!

Well, not that many. Actually, the starting lineup of the Pumas against Ireland only had one amateur (Agulla, who scored the second try). Most other players play in France, England, Ireland, etc.

I think the rest of the team has 4 more amateurs who still play in Argentina (where the sport is amateur and most players have a full time job and train at night).

 

[Axver]

Well, not that many. Actually, the starting lineup of the Pumas against Ireland only had one amateur (Agulla, who scored the second try). Most other players play in France, England, Ireland, etc.

I think the rest of the team has 4 more amateurs who still play in Argentina (where the sport is amateur and most players have a full time job and train at night).

Nonetheless, the fact there are any amateurs in the team is remarkable - in fact, given Argentina's current status as #4 in the world, ahead of the likes of England, Wales, and France, it's absolutely remarkable. It's certainly a testament not only to their skills, but to their determination and passion. Speaking of passion, I think only the Portuguese have outdone you guys in passionate national anthem singing!

I wish that a couple of Argentine club teams could be included in the Super 14. Argentina in the Tri-Nations would be viable - the travel wouldn't be too overwhelming. But for something like the Super 14, I can imagine that 3+ months of flying back and forth between Argentina on top of already flying between NZ, Australia, and South Africa would just be too hard on everybody concerned.

 

[guill]

- It was in Twickenham not in Cardiff and the 3rd of 1995 world cup beating the 2nd was not really an historical upset.

- Most Argentines play in France, clubs won't let them playing during July/August. It's easier to play in the 6 nations but Argentina's tv market is not interesting so the Celts will refuse.

- Hernandez is a much better and spectacular player than you've seen, his game is limited in his national team. He is the best 15 in the world.

 

[U2@NYC]

- Hernandez is a much better and spectacular player than you've seen, his game is limited in his national team. He is the best 15 in the world.

Indeed, but he has indicated that he prefers to play as #10 than as fullback. I think he is talented enough to play in both.

Actually, fullback is one of the toughest positions in rugby. I would hate to be the one in the back grabbing the ball and seeing 15 crazy guys running towards me...

 

[U2@NYC]

Ok. The quarterfinals are almost here!!!

Can't wait. Will watch Sat from DC and Sun in Brazil.

Go Pumas on Sunday!!!!!!

 

[Axver]

This is going to be awesome.

First up, Australia vs England. Given the woeful state of Australia's group, how much can we really draw from it about Australia's form? They sure impressed against Fiji but weren't dominant against Wales. Their injury concerns make life a bit more difficult too. Nonetheless, they should still beat England. I'll be going for the Poms though. If the Poms win but Wilkinson breaks his leg in the last minute, that'd be the ideal semi-final opponent for New Zealand!

New Zealand vs France: Most competitive of all the quarter-finals. I'm nervous. Come on All Blacks. I'm worried about how neither of our specialist centres have actually been picked, so Muliaina's moved there from fullback. Dan Carter better rediscover the form that's made him legendary too.

South Africa vs Fiji: Not a contest. The Springboks will steamroller the Fijians much worse than the Aussies did. I wonder if they've even selected their strongest team? If I were coaching them, I certainly wouldn't have!

Argentina vs Scotland: Given their poor play of late, the Scots are likely to be totally bamboozled by the originality of the Pumas. Helloooo first semi-final for Argentina.

 

[Axver]

I've been reading some pre-game predictions online, and it amazes me that a lot of sports journalists out there are not even hesitating to pick the All Blacks. On Rugby Heaven, one of their bloggers is calling New Zealand by 20+.

No fucking way.

This one will go down to the wire. New Zealand by 10? Maybe? All I know is that this game is sure to be close enough to give me heart attacks. Plural, yes.

 

[Axver]

HOLY FUCKING SHIT ENGLAND BEAT THE WALLABIES!

England 12-10 Australia

Hooooly shit. England suddenly discovered a sense of attacking flair and imagination. Really unlucky to not score a try. They were clearly the better team. Where the hell did this form suddenly come from? That was such an intense game; the last ten minutes were so agonisingly intense.

And this is the last game for George "Motormouth aka We Wish You'd Shut The Fuck Up" Gregan. Can't say I'll miss him.

Now come on All Blacks, let's beat France and then we've got a beatable prospect in England in the semis! Now time for me to grab 4 hours of sleep before the game begins.

 

[1stepcloser]

I don't see such an unimaginative English team getting within 10 points.

write off the english at your peril!

australia always looked dangerous on the attack but we looked like we wanted it much more than they did. sackeys tackle when the aussies had many spare men on the outside was absolutely immense. wilkinson got all the england points but he could have had more. he needs to sort his consistency out, especially if we end up playing the all blacks.

anyway, i'll enjoy this

 

[Axver]

write off the english at your peril!

Nah, the team I wrote off was clearly not the same team as the one that took the field a few hours ago against Australia.

Seriously, how the hell did Robinson come back from injury so damn fast?!

 

[Axver]

So, 13-3 to the All Blacks at half-time. They've been strongest and definitely shown more attacking initiative. Honestly, the French have been rather passive - and I'm not at ease, because they clearly haven't shown their cards. The second half is going to be interesting.

Come on All Blacks, let's pile on the tries and put this out of reach!

 

[Axver]

I can barely fucking watch this.

 

[Total U2 Nut]

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Who would've thought it?

 

[Axver]

Our worst World Cup ever.

Fuck.

FUCK.

I hate you, France.

I also really fucking hate that ref who gifted the French a try by being so blind he couldn't see a blatant forward pass.

 

[Total U2 Nut]

I can't imagine the odds on England getting further in the world cup than the All Blacks. We face a tough semi

 

[Axver]

I'm going for Argentina now. But hey, looking on the bright side, with the All Blacks out, now I don't have to get up at 5am for any more games!

 

[guill]

 

[U2@NYC]

Hmmm. So if we already beat France and France beat the favorites... that means we are the favorites to win it all...

Go Pumas tomorrow!

Sorry, Axver, that was devastating... I was cheering for the All Blacks.

 

[Axver]

I'm not at ease, because they clearly haven't shown their cards.

What did I tell you? The French spent the entire first half holding their cards close to their chest while busily perusing our hand as we waved it in their faces.

Also, letting McAlister kick when Nick fucking Evans was on the park was a move of monumental STUPIDITY. Everybody knows Evans is far more accurate than McAlister, a poor understudy for Carter at best.

And where oh where was Mauger? Howlett? The selectors have a lot to answer for.

 

[Axver]

That didn't really just happen, did it? No, no ... I reject your reality ...

I'm rather thankful I'm not in New Zealand right now, to be honest. And thanks to Australia being kicked out a few hours before us, things won't be intolerable this side of the Tasman!

Ugh.

I still am in a state of disbelief. You could say it's only a sport, but that'd prove you're not a Kiwi.

Fuck you, France. FUCK YOU. And Wayne Barnes should never referee such a high level international game again.

 

[fly so high!]

I woke up to this...... i went to bed early

Busily eatimg some humble pie for brekky. Mortlock missed the monster penalty kick towards the end.

 

[Axver]

Ha, at least I don't have to eat my words about Mortlock. All last year, my flatmate and I had a running debate where I claimed Mortlock was past it and he said Mortlock was brilliant.

Yeah, who gets the last laugh now.

... still, that doesn't improve my morning at all. New Zealand did just about EVERYTHING wrong, right from the word go when we picked less than our strongest team in the over-confident expectation we'd steamroller the French. Idiots.

 

[guill]

Carter was injured and Kelleher is average, you can't win without a good 9-10 duet, it was too complicated for New Zealand tonight.

Never forget that England and France have a different system than other nations : clubs have the priority, not the national team. Players are never in good form for the june/july or october/november test matches, don't trust test matches.

 

[coolian2]

I'm still laughing my arse off, but here's a simple question.



Why don't you have a shot at the drop kick when you're dead centre of the field with a few minutes to go, instead of taking an unlikely shot from 50 out with an advantage that would have been rubbed out as soon as he put boot to ball?




Yep, it's still funny.

 

[GibsonGirl]

England eliminated Australia in the quarter finals? Has Christmas come early?

 

[Axver]

Carter was injured and Kelleher is average, you can't win without a good 9-10 duet, it was too complicated for New Zealand tonight.

Psh. Kelleher's pretty damn good, he didn't make a mistake today. The problem wasn't Carter carrying an injury either - it was that the All Blacks continue this idiocy of pairing him with Luke McAlister, a two-bit hack wannabe who just can't play second five-eighth. It is beyond comprehension why, in such a crucial game, Carter was not paired with Aaron Mauger, and why McAlister was kicking rather than Nick Evans once Carter left the field. Evans is about 10,000 times more accurate than McHackister.

At the end of the day, despite the ref, the All Blacks only have themselves and the selectors to blame.

Oh, and coolian, shut the fuck up eh? Your precious Warriors are pansy boys who would've gotten eaten by Jerry Collins and Chabal out there today.

 

[coolian2]

Why don't you have a shot at the drop kick when you're dead centre of the field with a few minutes to go, instead of taking an unlikely shot from 50 out with an advantage that would have been rubbed out as soon as he put boot to ball?

Why don't you?



Btw, as a game i enjoyed watching it. Tense. All the All Black hype irritates me to death.

They got far too caught up in the trivial bullshit leading up to the game - boo hoo, we have to stay at a different luxury hotel, waaaah we have to wear an alternate jersey, etc etc.

Also they had zero - or less than - creativity on attack. Had they jagged a win, the semi final would have been as dull as dogshit.

Off another forum -

They need to realise, like England have, that trying to ACTUALLY PLAY RUGBY gets you nowhere in that game, Kick the Ball, Roll around on the Floor enough to get a Penalty and Kick the Goal..............................Now repeat for 80 minutes.

 

[Axver]

I'm sick of the hype about the All Blacks around the World Cup too, because it just builds up unnecessary pressure. I wish we weren't favourites, it pisses me off, and it's only going to be worse in 2011.

I just want to know what happened to our famed attack. It somewhat fired in the first half, but as soon as France deciphered our hand, that was it. The first 10-20 minutes or so were boring as anything while the French simply read our hand and let us tire ourselves out. I think the main reason our attack failed to fire was shocking team selection. You can't work on the logic of keeping players in reserve for the next game when it's SUDDEN DEATH!

 

[financeguy]

What a great day for Northern Hemisphere rugby, absolutely fucking brilliant.

Those arrogant All Blacks and Aussies were given a fucking lesson they won't forget in a while.

Whatever happened to that old refrain "The gap between Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere is so big now it's practically unbridgeable!"

I have to admit, though I thought England had a reasonable chance against Australia, I never in my wildest dreams thought that France would beat the All Blacks.

Chokers how are ya??

ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!

And for tomorrow:-

Up Scotland!

"O Flower of Scotland,
When will we see
Your like again,
That fought and died for,
Your wee bit Hill and Glen,
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
Tae think again.
The Hills are bare now,
And Autumn leaves
lie thick and still,
O'er land that is lost now,
Which those so dearly held,
That stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
Tae think again.

Those days are past now,
And in the past
they must remain,
But we can still rise now,
And be the nation again,
That stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
Tae think again.

0 Flower of Scotland,
When will we see
your like again,
That fought and died for,
Your wee bit Hill and Glen,
And stood against him,
Proud Edward's Army,
And sent him homeward,
Tae think again. "