Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

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Originally posted by Havak

Water polo = excellent. I’m sure we have more experience of mud bath games.

The rain stopped a couple of hours ago. Hopefully there will be no more than drizzle tomorrow. But the ground is going to be soft and the ball will have to be slippery.

Surely the lack of a traditional blindside – a hard charging man clearer and ball carrier – has to tell against you at some point. Please let it be us that exploits it.

David Lyons and Nathan Sharpe are doing those jobs for us quite well at the moment, thanks.

I’ll be honest with you I’m looking forward to the Johnson-Kay to Sharpe-Harrison clash. Both combinations seem to have a man on form and a man who is not so (Kay for us – Sharpe for you?). Once again our cover is Martin Corry for the back five – having Giffen on the bench maybe gives you an edge there (I rate Corry – but mostly as an 8 or blindside).

Could be a key to the match. Hopefully the Beer Gut's throwing will be as crap as usual.

And Lyons v Dallaglio – young gun versus old stager – and the only man on the England side who certainly knows where that white line is (I know you’ll get this one).

Greg Martin made an interesting point tonight on the Fox rugby show. Dallaglio doesn't break tackles like he used to. He can be stopped. Lyons, though, younger and no less strong, is breaking tackles and making yards.

But the tastiest player on either bench has to be Roff – I can’t believe he doesn’t warrant a start these days?

But where to start him? Apparently his preferred option these days is full back. Rogers is there. Rogers is quicker, runs great angles, is no less a defender, and is a reliable kick. Roff's kicking deserted him this season. And, all up, what a very handy replacement to bring on with about 20 minutes to go?

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Originally posted by Havak
He could certainly do a job there yes.

The try line gag is pretty old

Matt Rogers speaking about that tackle from Josh Lewsey in June:

"One of the ribs he broke set in a slightly higher position than before and I can't lie comfortably on a surfboard any more because my rib sticks out.

"It was an old injury but he flared it up. Now when all the boys go surfing I have to go swimming because I can't lie on my board.

"I have copped a few good ones in my time but that was right up there."

Young Mr Rogers is a dead keen surfer, so missing out would really p*ss him off. A lad in his youth, was Mr Rogers. A real lad. Mixed in bad company. Not to the extent that Jason Robinson did, but he was, um, a disappointment to his parents. Son of a L***** legend, his Mum died of cancer a couple of years ago. He buried his L***** World Cup medal with her, so now he wants another one.

[LDiCesare]

The even more scary thing is that Dunning, who has played all his rugby as a #1, is having to cover #3.

Eeek... Havak's right there... Facing one of the best front rows in the world without a tighthead prop... Are they mad?
I played once loose head in a training session and then tight before I'd go back to my customary hooker position. I hate loose head. You've got the head out of the scrum. Brrr...

Now France demoralised, skipperless and unfit B-team lost to New Zealand. I didn't see the match but wadsn't overly surprised.

I hope there will be some good rugby tomorrow.

[Alexander's Horse]

We got serious rain here. I didn't order that.

Hopefully the ball will get too slippery to kick.

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Originally posted by LDiCesare

Eeek... Havak's right there... Facing one of the best front rows in the world without a tighthead prop... Are they mad?

We have one starting, but he has only played a handful of Tests. It's his back up who hasn't played tighthead except for a couple of minutes in club matches and at training. Such is the parlous state of the prop situation in this country.

I hope there will be some good rugby tomorrow.

There will be wet weather rugby, whether it's good or not is a different matter. After heavy rain yesterday, we have a constant ongoing heavy drizzle today. It will continue all day and probably through the match. The ground will be waterlogged and ball handling will be a nightmare.

[Alexander's Horse]

damn - bad first half

[KrazyHorse]

What's the score?

[Snotty]

Aus just pulled it back to 14-11

[Snotty]

Bah! Should be exciting for extra time anyway...*grumble*

[Alexander's Horse]

muwahahaha!!!!

[Snotty]

Who's laughing now!

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I was going to die in that extra time.

[LDiCesare]

Final score:
England 20 - 17 Australia
Small score IMO, the English could have scored much (too many drop goals missed). The Wallabies have never played, just profited from numerous English mistakes and the generous referee.

[Alexander's Horse]

Oh well - the best team on the day won.

Congrats to the smelly pale English.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

If my psychic powers could kill, that referee would have been thinly smeared across 70 yards of pitch.