Rugby World Cup

The_Old_Man · October 30, 2003, 2:11am

Good to know about the patriotic feeling

Some points as to why South Africa is no longer the force they use to be:

The frequent changing of coaches (we had 4 coaches after we won the cup in 95 and 3 after the previous World Cup)
The present (Rudolph Straeuli) coach’s frequent changing combinations of players (we haven’t played with the same center combination twice in the run up to the WC)
The political impact of the Geo Cronje issue on the team
The problem of quotas preventing the best persons to be chosen
An ineffective administration without any backbone (never would Johann Oberholzer be so much in charge during the reign of Dr. Craven or Louis Luyt). I hope Brian van Rooyen gets to take over from Silas Nkumanu – Brian is a coloured man that clashed with Luyt when Luyt still run the game. He is a RUGBY man
Political uncertainty of players due to frequent government involvement. This have the effect that young players immigrate overseas.
In the past there were 3 to 5 selectors (not the coach) that picked the best players and the coach had to combine them in a team. Presently the selectors is a rubber stamp on the coaches selection. Too much power given toI one man.
Instead of looking at the talent and players available and drawing up a game plan accordingly, the coaches try and emulate other countries style of play
No strong captain with leadership abilities such as Franscois Pienaar. Straeuli named 3 people that could captain the team only months before choosing the WC team.
Frequent injuries to key players. I believe the whole issue of creatinine should be investigated with it’s influence on injuries.

Just some pointers – many more exist. Sorry for the long post but I tend to become passionate when discussing rugby

PS: MrFraudia, sorry for the infrequent postings. All due to work pressure.

The_Old_Man · October 30, 2003, 2:25am

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talha: *
after 15 years - The U.S. has finally a won game in the Rugby World Cup :D
[/QUOTE]

You do know that the USA are still Olympic Rugby Champions? They won in the 1920's and thereafter rugby was removed as an Olympic sport, letting them remain champions.

system · October 30, 2003, 3:11am

go the all blacks! :)

The_Old_Man · November 1, 2003, 4:05pm

[quote]
The Old Man Said:
We will beat Samoa easily. Our big game will be England and I am not too optimistic.
[/quote]

How true! (If I have to praise myself :) )

Now the REAL World Cup starts.

Talha · November 2, 2003, 3:45am

Yea! we are the reigning Olympic champions!

Well no actually we're not at all Old Man :p

i pretty much only watched the second half of Australia and the Irish - and most of the time I was either yelling - screaming or looking like I should bite my nails - it was that nerve racking I must admit - Australia didn't play their best again last night but hey a win's a win and they(Australia) bypass France!

Talha · November 2, 2003, 7:46pm

England over Uruguay. 111-13

i was surprised at the margin of victory by England - even with a weakened side!

Anyhow as for the Quaters well Australia have just gotta be loving the draw - i mean Scotland at home! The French against the Irish should be an evenly fought match as will probably be the England against Wales match - i really do hope that England win but something tells me that Wales will pull of a shock win - especially after the way they played against New Zealand - i really do hope that i am proved wrong though!

And oh yeah let’s not forget New Zealand - it should be a walk in the part for them - South Africa will have to climb the hill!

Awam_ki_Awaz · November 3, 2003, 5:16pm

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Awam ki Awaz: *
Should have some really close matches, specially after the pools round. 1st major pools clash: 18 Oct, S.Africa - England.
The following should go through - my guess:
Australia and Ireland from grp A
France, Scotland (B)
England, S. Africa (C)
NZL, Wales (D).

Your predictions?
[/QUOTE]

Well should be a cracker of a weekend coming up with all the above ready for the quarter finals.
Was disappointed at the margin Samoa lost by to S. Africa. Would have loved to see Nzl - Wales game.

ehsan · November 5, 2003, 11:08am

Qtr final line up:



M # Date/Local time Venue Team A V Team B  
41 08/11 18:30  Telstra Dome NZL - RSA    
42 08/11 20:00  Suncorp Stadium AUS - SCO    
43 09/11 18:30  Telstra Dome FRA - IRE    
44 09/11 20:00  Suncorp Stadium ENG - WAL

Mr_Fraudia · November 5, 2003, 2:59pm

my picks

winners

NZL
AUS
IRE
ENG

Oldman i missed this thread, like u had been busy with other commitments, work and family

The_Old_Man · November 5, 2003, 4:20pm

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Fraudz: *
my picks

winners

NZL
AUS
IRE
ENG

[/QUOTE]

My winners of the Quarter-finals:

NZL; FRA; ENG; AUS (although I have a dustant hope for RSA)

Of all four matches, the NZL-RSA match will be the physically hardest of them all. Only Samoa, RSA and NZL play the game as physically hard. Watch even the tackling of the backline of RSA during the match - previously this year they totally unnerved the AUS backline and laid the groundwork for a victory over AUS.

AUS and ENG will walk over their respective opposition. The FRA/IRE game might also be exciting to watch.

Mr_Fraudia · November 5, 2003, 4:28pm

yeah the NZL and RSA would be a touch match and an exciting one, it can be either team's game, RSA has played very well recently so I would not discount a victory from them at all, they are underdogs going in, but are equals in their ability.

teh FRA and IRL match will also be a stressful match for supporters of both sides..its anyone's game..it will be close, and a mistake or two or an opportunity or two can make teh difference here.

my picks are based on overall consistency so far, but that is not always a guarantee fo victory

The_Old_Man · November 8, 2003, 8:55am

Well the Springboks are out of the tournament , but the All Blacks were fenomenal. I think they will face ENG in the final.

ehsan · November 8, 2003, 9:26am

Iwatched the match between NZ and RSA. The All Blacks were really in a class of their own.

ehsan · November 8, 2003, 11:10am

**Wallabies advance to semi-final with All Blacks **](http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/031108/323/edeoz.html)

BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) - The Wallabies overcame a error-strewn opening half to wear down Scotland 33-16 and advance to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup at Lang Park.

The world champions will now take on New Zealand in a semi-final in Sydney next Saturday after the All Blacks put out South Africa in the earlier quarter-final in Melbourne.

Australia laboured to put away the one-dimensional Scots until the final 25 minutes with coach Eddie Jones clearing his replacements’ bench and bringing off skipper George Gregan and established stars, Stephen Larkham, George Smith and Mat Rogers.

The Wallabies grew in confidence with Scotland falling away and finished with three tries to one. Elton Flatley scored 18 points from four penalties and three conversions.

It was Australia’s 13th win in 20 internationals with Scotland, who have not won in Australia for 21 years.

The Wallabies’ old problems emerged in a mistake-riddled opening half with fullback Rogers putting down a good pass after Lote Tuqiri had speared through an opening inside Scotland’s quarter after 15 minutes.

Both teams exchanged penalty kicks in the opening period with Flatley giving Australia a fourth-minute lead, only to be pulled back by Chris Paterson’s effort in the 12th minute.

The Australians looked dangerous with the ball but the last pass was letting them down with Wendell Sailor tackled short of the try-line midway through the half.

Scotland fullback Glenn Metcalfe was penalised for off-side in the 22nd minute after flanker Jason White made a super front-on tackle to stop centre Stirling Mortlock in his tracks inside the Scots’ quarter.

Flatley kicked Australia ahead 6-3, but Scotland looked badly done by on the half-hour when New Zealand referee Steve Walsh whistled up play and cautioned Sailor for lashing out at Australian-raised Scottish lock Nathan Hines and did not allow the Scots advantage.

Gregor Townsend kicked to Sailor’s open wing and winger Kenny Logan dashed through to pick up the ball, but the play was called back upfield with Walsh sternly talking to Sailor and giving Scotland a penalty.

Paterson landed his second penalty in the 33rd minute after prop Bill Young was penalised for obstruction in a move which put Rogers into the clear from halfway.

Flatley kicked his third penalty for 9-6 when Andrew Henderson tackled Mortlock without the ball, but Paterson levelled with a spectacular 48-metre drop goal.

The Australians finally broke through for a try five minutes after the interval when Phil Waugh won a turnover and Flatley and Justin Harrison combined to send Mortlock racing 45 metres to score with a swandive under the uprights.

Flatley converted for 16-9 to great relief around the stadium, who broke into singing ‘Waltzing Matilda.’

Flatley edged the Wallabies out to a 10-point buffer with a 53rd-minute penalty as Australia began playing with more confidence.

Matt Giteau replaced Larkham in a significant replacement a minute later as Australia looked to take advantage of their increased possession.

Waugh picked up a loose ball and took off downfield and from the next phase the ball was swung left to Tuqiri, who took play back under the posts before Gregan kicked ahead and won the chase to score Australia’s second try on 59 minutes.

Rogers came off for Joe Roff soon after as Australia looked to have the game won with 20 minutes left.

Scotland were under heavy pressure and No.8 David Lyons scored Australia’s third try off the back of a scrum close to the Scots’ try-line. Flatley’s conversion had the Wallabies in command at 33-9 with 15 minutes remaining.

The Scots kept plugging away and scored their only try on fulltime through replacement Rob Russell.

ehsan · November 9, 2003, 8:41am

France demolish Ireland](http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/031109/80/edgaq.html)
By Greg Stutchbury

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - France stamped their authority on the World Cup with a 43-21 annihilation of Ireland in their quarter-final.

Led by their outstanding pack, the French scored four tries to Olivier Magne, Inamol Harinordoquy, Christophe Dominici and Jean-Jacques Crenca while enterprising flyhalf Frederic Michalak contributed 23 points with the boots as well as sparking his pacy backline.

For Ireland, centres Kevin Maggs and Brian O’Driscoll (two) scored tries while flyhalf David Humphreys added the conversions.

The French never allowed the Irish to settle with their aggressive defence constantly shutting down the Irish attack at every opportunity and punishing their turnovers with huge territorial gains either with the ball in hand or through Michalak’s kicking.

With the benefit of their tight five’s supremacy, the French losse forwards were able to impose themselves on the game with Harinordoquy, Magne and Serge Betsen superb in both attack and defence.

Magne opened the scoring in the third minute after a planned move from a lineout when Harinordoquy gathered a Michalak cross kick, fed centre Tony Marsh who passed to an unmarked Magne.

Michalak converted and added a 21st minute penalty after the French had thrown wave after wave of blue attackers at the Irish defence.

OPPORTUNIST TRY

Ireland, however, then had a period of dominance, recycling the ball but unable to break through the French defence.

The French then scored an opportunist length-of-the-field try when a pass from O’Gara went to ground, was seized by Magne, who linked with Besten before he flicked to Dominici to run unopposed for 45 metres.

France added their third try less than three minutes later when Galthie sniped away from the base of the ruck and passed to Crenca who fed Harinordoquy to dash over in the corner.

Michalak then added his third penalty of the half when the Irish backs were caught offside to give the French a daunting 27-0 lead just before the break.

The little flyhalf added another penalty just after the break before Magne and Harinordoquy finished off a sweeping move with Magne’s no-look flick and Harinordoquy’s floated pass tantalasingly just over the outstretched hand of the last defender flopping into Crenca’s hand for his try.

Maggs then finally got Ireland on the board when he cut back across the defenders at pace from an attacking lineout to score Ireland’s opening try in the 52nd minute.

Michalak added another penalty before O’Driscoll followed up a short grubber kick from Humphreys to score their second try 13 minutes later.

Michalak then added his fifth penalty to give him a tally of 23 points and take him over 100 for the tournament.

O’Driscoll scored a late consolation try for the Irish, who gathered in a large circle in the centre of the field after the whistle before farewelling their many supporters.

ehsan · November 9, 2003, 11:16am

**Jekyll and Hyde England dash valiant Welsh hopes **](http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/031109/323/edgkf.html)

BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) - Jonny Wilkinson’s 20 second-half points saw England scrape through their quarter-final here beating Wales 28-17 but will have given semi-final opponents France little to worry about.

Wales outscored England by three tries to one on Sunday - Stephen Jones, Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams for the Welsh and Will Greenwood for England - but the losers will rue the chances that got away in the first-half.

It left them just 10-3 up against a rattled and error-prone England and it was a different story after the break when England coach Clive Woodward brought on the steadying influence of Mike Catt for the shell-shocked Dan Luger.

Wales were made to pay for their missed chances in the 44th minute as a devastating run by Jason Robinson tore the heart out of the defence and Greenwood sneaked into the corner.

Wilkinson landed a superb conversion from the touchline to level at 10-10.

Wales were on the backfoot and left rueing their missed chances as Greenwood was deprived of a second score when he was held up over the line. However, a penalty from Wilkinson gave England the lead with over 30 minutes remaining.

He stretched it to six points advantage soon after as England went back to basics keeping it tight but Wales were far from finished and missed another golden chance for a try as England just managed to keep them out.

Wilkinson punished Wales for their profligacy and mounting infringements as he landed another penalty to make it 19-10 and added another just after the half hour mark as Wales started to flag.

Wilkinson’s penalties were coming at a monotonous rate if you were a Welsh supporter and made it 25-10 with 15 minutes remaining but out of the blue the dragon roared again as Dallaglio failed to catch Ceri Sweeney’s crossfield kick and Martyn Williams was there to touch down.

Sweeney converted to make it 25-17 and Wales were back in it and winning penalties again, though Iestyn Harris missed one from 40 metres out and the Welsh didn’t help themselves as their final ball always went astray.

Wilkinson set the tone for England’s miserable first-half as he missed a relative sitter by his standards in the third minute as it came back off the post.

Wales, though, missed an even greater chance to score the first points after a series of flowing moves saw Robert Sidoli left with the job of touching down but he let the ball slip from his grasp as Lewis Moody grabbed him as he crossed the line.

The woodwork was to deny Stephen Jones as his penalty came back off the post but Wales’s pressure on England was lifted when their Australian lock Brent Cockbain slugged Martin Johnson handing a penalty to the English and a telling off from his team-mate Gareth Thomas of ‘stupid’.

Wilkinson at last got something right and broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a long range penalty but his poor game deteriorated as first he failed with a drop goal and then dropped a simple pass with an overlap on.

Wales were giants in defence at this stage repelling attack after attack by England from just metres out and even when they earned a penalty instead of going for a certain three points through Wilkinson they opted to kick into the corner.

But Ben Cohen’s effort was caught by Gareth Thomas and the danger was over.

Stephen Jones finished off a wondrous move that started deep in Welsh territory when Mike Tindall’s kick was gathered by Shane Williams and it travelled through five pairs of hands including Williams again who juggled it before offloading to the fly-half who scored to earshattering cheers.

Five minutes later Wales won the ball back from England deep again in their half and a kick upfield saw Williams once again shooting down the pitch to try and collect it.

Ben Cohen beat him to it, but gave away a penalty and from the ensuing throw-in Charvis touched down.

The half ended with Wales again on the attack having broken down another England offensive but the moment that symbolised the total breakdown for England was Luger’s attempted clearance inside his 22 which went sideways and backwards.

Talha · November 9, 2003, 10:32pm

phew England did nearly lose it in the end but thank-god they didn't - boy i'm glad the Welsh are out - to be honest England played absolutely pathetic - it was rubbish - just a bunch of stupid ball fumblers.

Anyhow i think the winner of the Australia - New Zealand match will surely go on to win the tournament - no? I mean i can't really see the French being crowned as World Champions!

Talha · November 16, 2003, 1:46am

as i expected Australia won and are through to their 3rd final in 4 World Cups - amazingly they have won every single match in World Cup Rugby now for over 8 years!

Unlucky for New Zealand - this really will be a bad day of sport for them as they are not out of Rugby competition but in from Triangular series as well - two loss in one day

Interesting to see hey how most of the Australians who posted all of a sudden "wanted to see a good game" and where "overcome by the occassion" more than the match itself and weren't worried about the result - you guys couldn't back-pedal quick enough - great support you guys really hve for your countries. Though of course you'll say you never doubted them for a minute - no?

Rolls Eyes

Anyway onto the second Semi-Final now and could it possibly be that there could be a repeat of the last World Cup final? I would say that France are the only real form side in the World Cup - they have been playing amazingly well - and of course let's not forget that they are the only side in the world to have beaten England in the last 2 years

The_Old_Man · November 16, 2003, 7:44am

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Talha: *Unlucky for New Zealand - this really will be a bad day of sport for them as they are not out of Rugby competition but in from Triangular series as well - two loss in one day
[/QUOTE]

Talha, can you elaborate more?

I actually are also now rooting for the frogs.

ehsan · November 17, 2003, 11:35am

Come on England, kick the Aussie butts on saturday.

King of the Poms prepares to give Aussies a kicking](Latest news & breaking headlines | The Times and The Sunday Times)

THERE are three great international team sports in Australia: cricket, rugby (two codes) and Pom-bashing. But the greatest of these is the last and it is time we prepared ourselves for the greatest celebration of Pom-bashing since Bodyline, the 1930s cricket tour that became an international incident. That one rankles to this day and is otherwise known as the longest whinge in sporting history.

Last night England booked their place in the rugby union World Cup final by beating France - the form team of the tournament - in a gorgeous display of disciplined ferocity and rapier-like kicking. And yes, they will play the home nation, Australia, in Sydney next Saturday.

Australia, recovering from the shock of reaching the final with a team they had written off, are regrouping with all the (rather touching, really) national fervour of which they are capable. Plenty of more modern-minded Aussies had been wondering whether to barrack for (please note command of local vernacular) the Poms in the final - but that was when they believed that the opposition would be New Zealand.

It’s not. It’s England. And this is triggering a mass retreat into the kind of atavistic nationalism that is based not on love of the land but in a deep seated need to jeer at the Mother Country. Hardly very filial - hardly very hostly, either - but in Australia, sport matters to a degree that is strange and baffling to most English.

The English don’t have a knee-jerk hate-nation as the Celts do, as the Aussies do. They are a nation more gibed against than gibing, and are at times inclined to feel a deep bafflement at the gratification they can give by getting beaten. And - perhaps more pertinently in this case - at the acid resentment they can give in victory.

Victories over Australia at cricket are a matter for historians these days. But victory at rugby is a different matter. England have beaten Australia at rugby on the past four occasions the countries have met. The chances of England winning the World Cup are very real: and can excite only a frenzy of anti-Pommery.

The World Cup began with a good deal of Pom-bashing, but it slackened off as England consistently underperformed. But England came up with the goods yesterday and that will change things. The English were feeble and forgettable on Saturday night: but by God they’ll be arrogant *******s by this morning.

It is necessary for the Poms to be arrogant in order to kick-start the Australian psyche for sport’s psychological warfare, and if they don’t display any arrogance - they were all frightfully humble and calm in the press conference after the match - then it will be necessary to invent it.

It’s not a universal trend, and everywhere you go, you can meet Aussies who believe the country should have grown out of all that Pom rubbish. But it’s still there if you look: and it will be stirred up by a great sporting occasion such as this. England are boring, we will hear. England are limited, England don’t play it right.

But this is sport. In sport, there are only results. England can win: and this grieves the Australian sense of what is right and fair and good and noble. So let the banter begin. If the Australians can forget the arrogance gibes, I’m sure we can agree not to resort to convict jokes. So vieux jeu.

**Rugby has turned overnight into a rich man’s spectator sport. Anyone inspired to head Down Under for the World Cup final after England’s 24-7 triumph over France will have to dig deep.
All British Airways flights to Sydney from tomorrow onwards are sold out and last night there were just two economy-class and one business-class tickets available for today. The truly dedicated could, however, charter their own jet: an airliner to carry 300 people would cost about £600,000, and a five-seater half that.
The next hurdle is a match ticket. These were no problems before the semi-finals, but once Australia and England got through, they turned to gold dust. Reckon to pay at least £500. **
For those who prefer to watch TV and perhaps have a flutter, England are now 6-4 on to win the title, with Australia 11-10 against. And Jonny Wilkinson is 2-1 on for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.