Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

It's England v Australia, boys. It's going to be a monster.

[finbar]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
England 24 - 7 France
England played better, putting a lot of pressure on the French who made silly mistakes (Dominici cost a lot to the team, as the French had to weather the English during 10 minutes with one less player, and Betsen later). The English probably also teased them a bit (Magne, Dominici) which was very clever and very English. The French kicked poorly too, finding bad lineouts when the English kicked less and better. Wilkinson made a very good match, particularly with his drop-goals. Johnson also made a good game.
I hope there won't be rain for the final, but that would probably be good news for the English, as their pack has been very strong. It's a pity there was so much rain, because we could have seen a more beautiful game.

Yes, it was an old-fashioned slog of a game. England adapted to the conditions, France couldn't. And their discipline let them down with Dominici and Betsen. Pity, because I thought the French showed good discipline early when the England forwards were obviously trying to provoke them into fights. It was also a pity that Michalak suddenly couldn't kick straight. France were just never in a position to confuse or frustrate England from the time they kicked the ball away in the first play of the match. Who knows what the outcome would have been without the rain? Still, it's a winter sport.

Next week will be interesting, particularly if it's dry. If we can build on last night's performance and apply the same pressure to England, especially while attacking them out wide, they've shown they're vulnerable. OTOH, if England control the game through their forwards, goodnight Wallabies.

[Tamerlin]

Was there a French team on the field?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Was there a French team on the field?

Yes, there was. And your naked dancing around your pagan weather idol only succeeded in bringing them undone!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
OTOH, if England control the game through their forwards, goodnight Wallabies.

If the All Blacks have been unable to use Australia's main weakness you can be sure the English players will.

Go England!

Ouch, it hurts...

[lightblue]

The main difference seemed to be that Michalak completely cracked under the pressure. If he had slotted a few of those first half penalties it could well have been a better outcome. His tactical kicking was poor as well.

One thing I have noticed about England, they never look like they are going to score tries. Aside from the games against the puny nations there seem to be very few players in the England squad that can find the gaps in the opposition line. Suppose if you have Wilkinson in the pocket you don't really need to score them.

[Havak]

Good grief did Finbar’s witch doctor get that wrong – who ordered that weather?

The only person I heard who thought that would favour France was Campo – enough said as it was always going to favour England.

Michalak seemed to struggle badly under the pressure. And Discipline remains a problem perhaps? Dominici came out with entirely the wrong attitude. Picking a fight with Jonno pretty much guaranteed his trip on Robinson would result in a card. Betsen was very unlucky to be carded for the late challenge I guess – but where he did deserve it was for the rank stupidity of doing that right after a warning for not rolling away. Betsen is at his best playing on the edge – but when you do that it does sometime catch you out.

Interesting to see allegations of our forwards sledging the French forwards – that’s pretty much part of the game and if you think we are bad just listen to the Aussies do it.

Backy stepped up to the occasion and had a much better game I think – and Hill did bring that go forward dimension? Dallaglio had his bets game yet as well.

Paddy O’Brien? Better than normal but still all at sea with mauls I think?

So the 3rd/4th place play off will be a very good tempered affair – and the final I suspect most certainly won’t.

Two huge defences – ours the more vulnerable this tournament, two backlines that haven’t really fired perhaps and two packs going head to head where we should have the edge – a tasty prospect indeed.

The key for Eddie perhaps – one week to learn how to play without scrums. If England can draw the Ausies into scrums they will leak penalties and Wilko will certainly punish that.

Forget all the comments about it not being entertaining Clive and Martin – just win please. I don’t care how you do it!

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin

Go England!

Ouch, it hurts...

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
Good grief did Finbar’s witch doctor get that wrong – who ordered that weather?

As I reported yesterday, it came a day early. It was forecast for today, Monday. The forecast for the rest of this week is for it to warm up again with the occasional shower. Electrical storms are common around Sydney at this time of year.

Betsen was very unlucky to be carded for the late challenge I guess –

I don't think it was cardable (to coin a word). I don't think George Smith's late tackle on Marshall was cardable either. There's a fine line between a late tackle and a deliberate late attack. Both Betsen and Smith were committed. The correct decision in each case should have been a penalty, as it was in Smith's case. I notice that Marshall is now, in his words, holding a grudge against George, saying that he felt he could have helped turn the game in the second half if he hadn't been hurt. Dream on, Justin, from the moment you got back to your feet you were gesturing to George and verballing him. You forgot your first priority. I wonder whether Nathan Sharp holds a grudge against Jerry Collins for the shoulder charge that concussed him? I doubt it.

but where he did deserve it was for the rank stupidity of doing that right after a warning for not rolling away.

That's the point.

Interesting to see allegations of our forwards sledging the French forwards – that’s pretty much part of the game and if you think we are bad just listen to the Aussies do it.

I don't know about sledging, but the England forwards were certainly very busy physically provoking the French forwards.

Backy stepped up to the occasion and had a much better game I think – and Hill did bring that go forward dimension? Dallaglio had his bets game yet as well.

They all had better games because the conditions - and France's inability to deal with them - let England settle into their comfort zone. And once they do that, they're formidable. The teams that have frightened England have succeeded in preventing them from entering that comfort zone.

Paddy O’Brien? Better than normal but still all at sea with mauls I think?

I thought Paddy did pretty well in difficult conditions. He was certainly very consistent around the breakdown and rucks.

So the 3rd/4th place play off will be a very good tempered affair – and the final I suspect most certainly won’t.

The game that many - moi, included - thought would be the final. It will be an interesting test of the ABs' mental state.

Two huge defences – ours the more vulnerable this tournament, two backlines that haven’t really fired perhaps and two packs going head to head where we should have the edge – a tasty prospect indeed.

The key for Eddie perhaps – one week to learn how to play without scrums. If England can draw the Ausies into scrums they will leak penalties and Wilko will certainly punish that.

I think it's pretty simple, really. The Wallabies have to do exactly what they did against the ABs - control the ball, starving the oppo of possession; attack, wide particularly, keeping the oppo on the back foot; be patient; don't kick the ball away; and minimise handling errors. In summary, not letting England into their comfort zone. I mean, it's not rocket science. The challenge is to (a) be able to do it against a physically stronger side than the ABs; and (b) be able to maintain it. And if the Wallabies can't do it for sustained periods, and England is allowed to take control, the Wallabies are in trouble.

One of the most interesting personal battles will be The Plank -v- J****. The Plank had his best game for two years - some superb takes both in the lineout and from the kickoff - and I can't imagine him needing any more motivation to do it again than lining up against J****.

Oh, the vintage rugby Tests on FoxSports the other night was the 1989 Lions Tour. Of particular interest was the second Test at Ballymore. I'd forgotten how thuggish those Lions were. Whatever happened to David Young? The Welsh prop? The kicker of oppo heads? And the halfback Jones? Whose only game plan seemed to be to try to punch Nick Farr-Jones' head in at the first opportunity? It was interesting to see the current Tigers' coach running around with #8 on his back. He could throw a mean punch, too.

[finbar]

The latest forecast is for showers and greasy conditions for Saturday night. Tamerlin might have put his clothes back on and put his pagan weather idol back in the cupboard, but Havak obviously hasn't!

[MikeH]

I hope it doesn't rain. It'd be nice if the teams had a chance to really show what they can do in good conditions.

Really looking forward to the final.

[Caligastia]

I still can't believe we lost. Oz have played like crap for the last 18 months and NZ was unbeaten this year. Trust the bloody aussies to remember how to play in the most important game of the year!!

Anyway...GO ENGLAND!!!

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by MikeH
I hope it doesn't rain. It'd be nice if the teams had a chance to really show what they can do in good conditions.

You can be sure the game will be played under the roof of the Telstra Stadium... that which reminds me the France - England game was certainly not considered important enough to be played under the said roof.

Originally posted by Caligastia
Anyway...GO ENGLAND!!!

I never thought I would read something like that from you...


Ouch!...

[MikeH]

We'd have beaten you anyway.

[DAVOUT]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


You can be sure the game will be played under the roof of the Telstra Stadium... that which reminds me the France - England game was certainly not considered important enough to be played under the said roof.



Ouch!...

It is not totally impossible that the decision was not malicious and assumed that Les Grenouilles would feel comfortable under the rain. :