| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Sean |
Posted - 09/30/2007 : 03:51:12
OK, now that we're getting to the business end of the competition, who else is following this? I haven't paid attention during the pool stages, but the quarterfinals start next week so I'm about to wake up. Most of the pool matches have been totally one-sided and largely pointless from a spectator perspective.
A few surprises so far; mainly Fiji knocking Wales out last night, and of course Argentina upsetting France in the tournament opener. There may be another surprise tonight when Ireland play Argentina.
Here are the fixtures anyway. 
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/fixtures/knockout.html
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| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Sean |
Posted - 10/22/2007 : 00:29:35
quote:
Originally posted by Koli
We're now relying on Lewis Hamilton to win the Formula One World Championship.
 .... 
Yep, congrats to SA.  I've been on their side since NZ bombed out.  |
| Chris C |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 18:03:54
This isn't from the World Cup, but it's a perfect example of how not to score a try. |
| Rovark |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 12:05:28
Looking at the playback at the time I thought it was a try and some of the press photos this morning have absolutely confirmed it. It was a try.
I'm actually kinda glad the 'boks won by such a clear margin as a 2 point win would have really hacked me off. But they won convincingly and although the morale boost that England would have had from the try and it's effects on the gameplay are debatable, I think the South Africans are worthy champions. Just try hanging on to it in 4 years time. |
| Koli |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 11:50:29
I have to say that the better team won yesterday.
Oh and Martin Johnson (the captain of the England side four years ago), having watched the pictures of the disallowed try repeatedly from every angle, said he accepted that the referee was right to disallow it. That's good enough for me. It doesn't stop me wondering how the game would have gone had the refereee mistakenly allowed the try, putting the score at 8-9 instead of 3-9, but as I say the better team won so justice was done.
My congratulations to South Africa too.
We're now relying on Lewis Hamilton to win the Formula One World Championship. Fortunately he seems to cope with pressure pretty well and anyway doesn't have the 'Current World Champion' weight hanging round his neck as Alonso does. |
| Whippersnapper. |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 10:40:37
Yes, it would be curlish of us not to offer conratulations. 
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| BaftaBaby |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 08:34:31
OK - I know minus-zero about rugby -- some game with a ball I'm guessing, right?
And I prob'ly understand about 1 word in 3 of this thread.
BUT
Since it's impossible to miss coverage about it on the medja ... and it seems South Africa won, it seems curlish not to congratulate them ...
So
Conratulations South Africa!
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| Sean |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 00:23:35
quote:
Originally posted by Salopian
Never mind. Shame that a perfectly valid try wasn't allowed, but let's pretend that that wouldn't have affected the subsequent flow of the game.
Aarrgghh! I hate that.  It probably did affect the subsequent flow of the game, not that anyone will ever know. Not much anyone can do about it either, as referees/touch-judges are human like the players. Poor decisions that change the result of tight matches (like the NZ/Fra one) are the kind of thing that you hope doesn't happen in knock-out matches in world cups. 
At least it's not as bad as soccer where a 1:0 final will likely depend on whether someone gets away with a front-of-goalposts dive.  |
| Sal[Au]pian |
Posted - 10/20/2007 : 21:53:46
Never mind. Shame that a perfectly valid try wasn't allowed, but let's pretend that that wouldn't have affected the subsequent flow of the game. |
| Sal[Au]pian |
Posted - 10/20/2007 : 17:58:31
The match unfortunately isn't being shown in Trafalgar Square because of Eid. When I arrived in town at about five, there was a queue going all the way down the street to get into the Sports Bar on Haymarket. So not sure where I'm going to watch it. Will be quite annoying if I have to give up and just go home to watch it there. |
| Shiv |
Posted - 10/14/2007 : 21:51:21
quote:
Originally posted by Se�n
Latest news from the World Cup:-
England meet France in the first semi-final.
South Africa meet Argentina in the second semi-final.
Australia meet New Zealand at the airport.
Which team was laughing the loudest? |
| Shiv |
Posted - 10/14/2007 : 21:50:07
Yes, I have no doubt NZ will beat everyone they come up against this year!
I've been up at 2am the last two mornings to watch the games. Just finished watching the Pumas and Sprinkboks. The Sprinboks capitalised on the errors to score those 4 tries. But I think England won't make it so easy for them. They also have Johnny Wilkinson. England play to give him the opportunities. The Sprinboks looked shaky in the scrums and the lineouts. I think The Pumas summumbed to the occasion - first time in a semi-final etc. But like Koli says, England don't have anything to lose, having got the final against all predictions. And they'll be out to prove the previous loss against SA was just a blip on the radar.
Roll on next weekend! |
| Sean |
Posted - 10/13/2007 : 23:47:32
I think it shows the absolute importance of pressure on success (or the lack of it). NZ couldn't beat France as they absolutely HAD to beat France, losing was unacceptable - hence they crumbled under the pressure and France had nothing to lose as they'd been written off. Aus couldn't beat Eng as Eng were so useless and quite incapable of winning, hence the Aus victory was a certainty and losing would have been a disgrace - hence Aus crumbled under the pressure.
And of course everyone wrote off England a long time ago, so were quite capable of playing well under the total absence of pressure. In fact they're almost in the box seat now, imagine the pressure on SA now (assuming they make the final), it will be considered unacceptable for them to lose to Eng in the final as their whole country sees them as simply a better team.
Going into a major tournament as the underdog is a good thing. Being the favourite is a total pain in the arse, it's quite destructive in fact. Actually, I think NZ has no hope of winning the 2011 WC, the pressure will be even greater as it's a home tournament. Kiwis will regard losing the next one as utterly unacceptable. I bet the pressure is already piling up on the NZRU to do something, anything to guarantee a win - four years ahead - which will make it impossible. The ABs in a crucial match four years from now will be playing like scared rabbits in the headlights, as four years of pressure comes to the fore and totally destroys them. I think few people are ever capable of handling the ludicrous pressure that the ABs are under, and they have names like Churchill, Eisenhower, Lincoln etc, none of whom are twenty-something Kiwi blokes who like to play rugby.
Oh yeah, and I bet that the next time the ABs play whoever it is who wins this WC, they whip their arses. Unless it's in the rarified air of Jo'burg of course. |
| Koli |
Posted - 10/13/2007 : 23:34:57
quote:
Originally posted by Shiv
Chris C 2-2
South Africa-Argentina. That'll be an interesting one. Having seen South Africa play now, I think that it'll be a match up in the scrums and line outs. South Africa would make better use of Argentina's mistakes in losing the ball in the breakdown, or when they kick it loose than Scotland did. I also think Argentina might get some nerves - first time in a semi.
I think France will have home side advantage and that might take them over the line with England. But it'll be close if they both play their defensive game.
My prediction is France-South Africa in the final.
You were right about the closeness, Shiv. It was only made safe in the last five minutes when, all of a sudden, only a try would do for France. As one of the commentators said on telly, all the talent in the French side wasn't enough to get them past the grit, determination and organisation of the England side.
I also think you're right about the other finalist. South Africa surely have the ability and strength to beat Argentina. |
| Koli |
Posted - 10/13/2007 : 23:30:02
I just don't believe it.
I can't believe it.
I just don't...
believe it.
believe it.
Believe it.
Back in the final, after that dismal performance against South Africa. Extraordinary.  |
| Sal[Au]pian |
Posted - 10/13/2007 : 21:51:09
There's a lot of celebrating going on here on Charing X Road. I'm going to go round the corner and see if the Trafalgar Square fountains are getting some usage in a bit... |
