Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[Alexander's Horse]

I just can't believe England is good at any sport anymore.

[Tamerlin]

If there is one sport in which England has always been good and will be, this is Rugby!

[Alexander's Horse]

well that's not true - they were useless for years and years

[Tamerlin]

I would just say that for a few years the Northern Hemisphere nations had a gap to fill. The SH players and their teams were professionals long before the NH players were allowed to and this created a huge difference between the two Hemispheres. Moreover, the SH federations have organized their competitions so that the national teams (and their S12 pre-selections) takes precedence over the local ones, the priorities are still reversed in the NH.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Remember that there is an umbilical cord to cut before you can come here.

I cut it years ago! It's been trailing on the ground behind me gathering dirt, dust and disease!

[finbar]

Lord knows what we're in for tonight with the weather. This morning was stinking hot and humid - 29C and 70% humidity - and this afternoon the temperature has dropped to 22C with 85% humidity. Purple clouds are building up as it cools down. I think it will be more electrical storm than rain, but who knows?

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I cut it years ago! It's been trailing on the ground behind me gathering dirt, dust and disease!

I was talking about the umbilical cord still linking your wife and her daughter...

[Havak]

Swallowed. Hook, line and sinker.

You should have seen the first draft before I realised it was a hook.

You caught me perfectly just after a huge argument at work.

I'm supporting England simply because I don't want to have to watch yet another Australian team lift the World Cup.

I can think of not better reason. Wear the shirt with pride Caligastia. It’s our duty to try and stop the Aussies lift it again.

... and because I like my neighbours.

The Entente Cordiale is alive and well here in this thread. Merci mon ami.

He also struggles with his passing on one side. I forget which.

I could be wrong - but I think it’s passing to his left and is down to the fact he tackles leading with his left (so that shoulder has less mobility after the problems he has had with it).

According to John Eales it could be Jonno you know.
And the scratchers insult is very British I guess – it is based on their post tackle actions.

I think Clive was bothered that Mortlock, Tuquiri, et al, would target Catt the same way they targeted Leon McDonald.

That’s good thinking – Tindall is a much more physical prospect to counter them. Mortlock can’t have another game at that intensity can he?

Oh, and there's some doubt that Ben Darwin will ever play again. Sad.

Extremely so – every serious injury like this is sad. It’s so hard to avoid them completely in the front row of scrums – too often you cannot control your own safety in them.

I’m sure Baxter and Dunning will come through in the finest Aussie tradition – but you can be sure they will be targeted for a good testing.

The problem with the fans out there Finbar is related to a point made by Horse. England has so little success in sport that any glimmer has them swarming. True Rugger fans – like the Havak touring veterans for example – you would get on very well with I’m sure.

Look, it's one great love-in at the moment. The competition is to praise the oppo the most.

Really? And there was me thinking it was an eternally heart felt point of view?

Still we should know something is up when Eddie and Clive are being nice about each other too.

I didn’t understand the Betsen verdict either. Particularly given the ban exactly matches that of a certain Mr McCrae and his deliberate actions (Havak plays another favourite tune…)

By the way Tamerlin – Horse exists to troll. It is his Raison d'être. How would he know England’s past standards – he is no rugby man. Aussie Rules mainly isn’t it?

So England were useless for years and years? Lets look at the stats then. 28 matches between England and Australia in the history of the game. One Draw. 11 wins for England, 16 for Australia (11 of which were at home). Oh yes you are ahead all right – but it’s hardly a wattle wash now is it?

[Havak]

I just caught a little bit of the game approaching half time. A couple of nicely taken tries but France seem to be fielding a second string - in fact the only first team players seem to be on the bench!

If the Kiwi's can get to grips and eliminate the handling errors it could be a black day for France.

[Tamerlin]

Half time:

New Zealand 14 - France 6

As always 15 black players running everywhere, the French players are playing a more classical game but are not efficient especially in the tackle area which allowed the AB to score two tries.

You are right Havak, the team on the field is a B team but I must admit that the players are far less bad than I expected.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by Havak

By the way Tamerlin – Horse exists to troll. It is his Raison d'être. How would he know England’s past standards – he is no rugby man. Aussie Rules mainly isn’t it?

You are exaggerating he also exists to play Civ2 MP with Finbar.

[Havak]

Now there's a useful function in life.

I did it again didn't I - the second I say France are in trouble the ABs mess up in their own 22 and France get their opening try...

I'm so good at summarising I could be Stuart Barnes - or even Simon Poidevin.

[Tamerlin]

And a F****** B***** lucky try by the AB.

[Tamerlin]

And a second lucky one with two knock-ons, thank you Mr White... The AB have not yet scored a really built try.

[Havak]

Oh oh. I saw the try from the charge down and then the subsequent one by Thorn.

Tamerlin you are going to need valium. Or Weed.

Devine was somewhat closer to Howlett than 5M when Howlett took the quick throw and then the offload to Thorn was clearly forward.

France just got blown out the game by a sequence of rapid tries totally against the preceding run of play in this half - and thats rugby I guess.

Still the next try by the fullback really did show the ABs at their best - when they stretch a defence around.

It's pretty much all over...

Blimey - the ABs just used a maul to build for their latest try!