[MrKip]

Just to congratulate England on being officially the best rugby team in the world and for having not lost a home game since the '99 World Cup (breaking a world record in the process).
It was just a shame the South African second row got sent of so soon, it kind of killed the game for me.

[fortytwo]

Mr Kip ,
Have to say I totally agree with you there, on England's achievment anyway.
That South African forward deserved to go however, that was a blatant and violent foul.
It seemed to me that South Africa went out to play a disruptive game fearing the worst. Fortunately the ref. managed to keep most of it under control. I think England are the best team at the moment but they will have to reproduce that form in NZ/OZ to be really acknowledged as the best
By the way I thought it was amusing to hear one southern hemisphere player complaining that England had used their best players and not tried out some of their new players. :)

42

[MrKip]

Fair enough the foul was pretty rough, but to send him off after only 20 minutes? I think a yellow card would have sufficed that early on.
The S. Africans tactics were awful though. James should have been at least yellow carded for persistence fouling.
The real question will be whether we can hold our own against the full strength sides in Oz next year, especially away from home.

[fortytwo]

MrKip,
I don't think we disagree on most of what happened last week, but I think the referee had seen how South Africa had started the game and wanted to assert his authority, to try to nip any violence in the bud. I still think he did the right thing sending him off. There's a very interesting report, from the beeb about some of the hanky panky going on. here (news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/2525929.stm)

"The real question will be whether we can hold our own against the full strength sides in Oz next year, especially away from home."
yep, that's the 64000 dollar question all right. :)

42

[kater]

I disagree :D France are imo the best side in the world at the moment and it was they who beat England for the six nations last year. But Wales will still win the world cup, football and rugby.

[MrKip]

Don't even joke. I might put a sly bet on Wales to win the European Championships.;)

Back to the rugby, I haven't seen France in the last few games so I can't really call, but England have been pretty strong (although I see Matt Dawson was injured the other day).

[kater]

Who said I was joking :p I've already put money on Wales to win the European Championships :D I've seen England and France and undoubtedly it will be close but France have the edge because their defence is nails, where as England conceded a fair few tries against the southern hemisphere teams, even in winning all three, France were tighter than a nun. I like the French balance at the moment and their pack is as strong as England's which hasn't been the case for ages, they're more mobile than the english forwards are and with French flair also coming through they are a formidable team. How England will do away from home is anyone's guess as is how well Australia do at home and New Zealand after missing out on being co-hosts of the WC. I can't wait, bring it on now I say :D