Rugby - formerly 6Nations, formerly WRC

[Jacquin]

The future looks rosy

The Rugby world cup has started and England being world number 1 and joint favourites look set to take the world by storm...

J

Sorry had a few probs merging the World cup thread with the six nations thread, so at the mo the world cup transitions to the six nations trophy on page 5- fluffy bunny

 

[kater]

Unless they bottle it like every other WC Can't wait for the SA vs Eng match - its gonna be a blood bath and will probably decide the WC.

 

[kegasaurus]

England are too old to take the cup and the hard Australian grounds will take its toll on their bodies (Plus theres teh fact that England are reknowned no shows when it comes to major events.) New Zealand are the real favourites a sthey have the youth and ability to destroy any team. They are on the way up and seem to be getting better with every game they play. With Rokocoko out on the wing breezing past everyone, they should easily take the WC.

 

[Eventine]

As much as I'd love the Aussies to win, the way New Zealand beat them in the last Bledisloe game has me thinkiing the kiwis are going to take home the goods.

 

[Kaz]

I have to say, I agree with Kater about the England vs. SA game - it's gonna be a bloodbath. Both teams had relatively easy openers, but IMO England looked rather aimless at times, as if they were not quite sure what to do with the ball. I suppose that is what happens when you get so much posession and your oppossision is so weak. Same thing happened with the SA game, with no real oppossision it is difficult to really test the strength of the team. But I was impressed with our new caps and Willemse on the wing was fantastic. I was also happy to see that our backline saw a bit more of the ball than has been the case recently. And van der Westhuizen scoring a hat trick of tries put a huge big smile on my face - way to silence the critics who say he is too old for the game.

New Zeeland looked strong, pity about Umanga.

Australia was predictable in every way (only one to win without getting a bonus point if I remember correctly). And if they struggled like that against Argentina, how will they fare against the stronger teams like New Zeeland?

Wales seemed to be struggling against Canada for a while, and although they got the win they're gonna have to work harder.

I was pleasantly surprised by Japan. I love watching them play sevens, but they have never managed to convince me that they can play 15 man rugby. But their match against Scotland proved to me that they are definitely improving. I think the Scots looked rather ordinary against the Japanese team.

BTW Jac - bet still on eh?

 

[kater]

I think thats a bit harsh - Argentina are a much better side than a Uruguay or Georgia, I seem to rememeber them deserving to beat the Boks in SA but losing to an injury time Koen drop goal and it was only just two months or so ago. They also gave NZ trouble and NZ have never won in Argentina so in fairness to the aussies they had a much tougher opener than any other side. Also Canada are a decent side and won't roll over for anyone, Wales have always struggled against them and to win by such a margin and deserve to win by more makes me happy the Welsh team is at last going in the right direction. I have no hopes for Scotland however, I actually wanted Japan to win at the end there But yeah Saturday will decide the whole tournament imo, if England lose and have to play NZ in the quarters suddenly the 'dead-cert' final goes out the window and there'll be a lot of happy french and australians, not to mention welsh

 

[Kaz]

LOL - yeah I was screaming for the Japanese all the way

Look, no doubt that Australia had a far harder opener than SA or England, as you said Argentina is no team to scoff or laugh at. However, IMO the Aussies were outclassed in many ways (including some of the set phases). They didn't use all their opportunities and made very elemental errors - their handling was shocking & definitely not what you'd expect from a world class team. The only reason I could see why Australia's defence really held up was because Argentina made silly errors while they had the ball in hand. And I reckon, if they continue playing like they did they will have their work cut out for them against Ireland. The Irish seem fired up and if all their guys are fit they might prove to be an even stronger team to beat than Argentina.

And no, Canada is no walk over, they have improved much over recent years. However, the Welsh discipline left much to be desired. That yellow card might even count against them later.

Looking forward to Saturday's game.....the way it's being hyped up one would say it's the final & not just the second pool match

 

[Nevyn]

Pretty fair analysis on the Wallabies Kaz . Though saying Ireland might prove to be even stronger than Argentina should be somewhat of an understatement , as the boys in green are third favourite behind England (first) and NZ (2nd) to win the title .

 

[Kaz]

Yeah, it's a definite understatement on my part there After all the Irish have a much stronger pack, they handle the ball better and they have more options in terms of reserves than the Argentinians do.

I'm hoping the Irish go through as winners of the group

 

[Rocket Sheep]

Rokocoko hurt his poor little leg.

Umaga, cool dude extraordinaire, is hurt too.

Lucky we've still got the best haka and the best music. Perhaps we can just dazzle the opposition.

Ba da da imbu, ba da da imbu...

 

[Kaz]

LOL - I do like the Kiwi haka, but I love the little war cry/dance/haka thing Fiji does - Samoa too

I was just damned annoyed that our Impi didn't go with - he's cool......

 

[kegasaurus]

Well it's just been proven: Australia are a better side without Gregan and Sailor playing, Burke and Larkham have more to offer the team and we have no forwards.

The Australian forwards were once again disgraceful in their mauling of romania with their chances without them are zilch. Jones needs to pull his head out of hie Johnny McArse and demote most of them for people who are a little less lazy. The second half showerd that when given a chance, the bench boys are more than capable of outstripping their supposedly better team mates. Goddamned lazy, concrete handed bums.

Bring on England/SA.

 

[Nevyn]

I'll drink to that keg

 

[kegasaurus]

If anyone are to ebat teh English, they have to realise they have ot play eighties ball. Go low and go hard on Wilkonson's knee.

Louis Koen, brought in for his kicking? The Africans really want to get someone to show them how to put the ball on the boot.

For 75% of the game they were on top, their defense was harder, their offense was more innovative. Hell, tehy even kept the penalties down a little. After Koen's kick was blocked though, that was the end for them. England have shown professionalism will win out.

And Nevyn, I'll drink to anything... generally excess.


(As a preview I saw the French win over NZ in the '99 cup. Superbly done.)

 

[Kaz]

Congratulations England. The first half was good enough I suppose, but the inexperience of the SA team counted against them in the second half & England played better rugby than us.

As for Louis Koen, I just want to thank the English for being so patient and giving the daft sot an opportunity to practice his kicking skills. Never in my life have I seen such a poor display, but I guess schools around the world could use it as a 'how not to' training video.

Enough of that though.....despite it all my blood is still green.

My new favourite team (besides my own of course) has to be Japan. Now there is a team that knows how to fight back until the last whistle has blown. Excellent use of their own strengths.

 

[kahnovitch]

First off I'm not a big rugby friend but as an English mate of mine was leaving for South Africa on the day of the match (with his new SA girlfriend) and had invited me down to the pub to watch it, I couldn't refuse.

The game ultimately consisted of Johnny Wilkinson single handedly winning the match for England and Koen showing he couldn't kick a barn door if he was standing next to it.

 

[kegasaurus]

Australia's handling looked ten times better without Gregan and Sailor. Look for them to be back in the team to lose teh cup agianst Ireland and through the finals.


142 - 0

Latham, and Lote tequiri;

Superb.

 

[kegasaurus]

Watched Aus v Ireland today live at eh Telstra dome. Beautiful. Tomorrow, NZ v Wales. Should be a slacker.

Australia can't win without Lote Tequiri, greatest player going around.

Oh and give me more Rupeni Caucaunibuca. Just watched the late night replay. Best player in the cup.

 

[MrKip]

Well another dodgy performance and I reckon France are definatly favourites next weekend. My only hope is that usually teams that play badly and still win often raise their came when it counts, but this is England in a major sporting event.
The pain is I'm going to be in Spain next weekend and I don't hold out much hope of finding a place showing the game.

 

[Jacquin]

All credit to the Welsh, they played superbly and for a while I was worried. At half time I was a little concerned but knowing that England have the experience and maturity to pile on the pressure in the second half I wasn't too concerned, but after Wales's stunning try I began to think we could lose. It amazes me though that for a team with such obvious skill and talent they pretty much consistantly manage to mess up.

England will have to raise their game if they want to take the cup home with them. They will take France I think but then it will be dificult. If Wilkinson stays on form (isn't he always?) and Lewsey is back in the team I still say we could do it.

GO ENGLAND!!!

J