Rugby World Cup 2003 - Finals!

[finbar]

Originally posted by LDiCesare
England 30 - 17 Wales
England won thanks to a better lineout in the second half, a nice run by Robinson, better kicks at goal and, of course, a player from Bath named Catt.
A pity though that the Welsh center forgot his winger several times.

The Welsh certainly had their chances. Their goal kicking and discipline let them down and they let at least three try opportunities go begging. A solo effort from Robinson and Wilkinson's boot inflated the margin beyond what it should have been. And when Mike Catt turns a game for England - by basically taking over Wilkinson's job - you know there's something very wrong. And I suspect J**** carried an injury into the match. I've never seen him have so little impact on a game.

It's been very interesting watching England in this tournament. England are famous for playing their own game exceedingly well. What has become apparent is that, unless they're playing the game on their terms, they struggle. It's almost as though, drilled as a unit, the individuals find it difficult to deal with the unexpected.

Thus far, the Boks have upset the England game with strength and defence; the Samoans upset it with speed and defence; and the Welsh upset it with speed and defence. Each time, to their credit, England has come through and won. The Boks lacked the attacking firepower and the discipline; the Samoans ran out of puff; and the Welsh missed chances, ran out of puff, and lacked discipline. Both the Samoans and the Welsh rattled England with very wide, very quick ball. IMHO, the French have the strength, the speed and the skills to do exactly what those other three teams have done. A couple of lapses tonight aside, I think they also have the discipline. So, IMHO, the ball is entirely in the French court.

I can see a French -v- All Blacks final.

[Tamerlin]

[Havak]

It was an honest appraisal I gave you of Spreadbury Ravagon.

And a doctor was not enough LdiCesare – I had to reach for the medicinal Brandy (and nearly for that brick Finbar)!!!

The biggest you will ever see with regards to our performance.

One solo piece of skill by Jason Robinson effectively keeping us in the World Cup!

That clearly practiced move with Kay out on the wing was the most stupid thing I have ever seen from and England side – what were they thinking? We have reached a stage where we need Mike Catt to steady the ship, standing outside Wilko and talking to him to re-assure the lad! That scares me more than I can convey here!

Play like that and France will murder us – but at the same time we are still in it I guess, and even on that performance we are still not perhaps quite the worst team left in the draw? Finbar?

France were awesome in that first half – Betsen back to his very best at last? It looks more and more like it may be up to them to stop the Kiwi juggernaut – can’t argue with Finbar there.

I would ask Tamerlin and LDiCesare to have a quick word though and stop Harinordoquy coming out with the usual “I hate the arrogant English” stuff he likes so much before next weekend please – I think it would taint the tournament at this stage.

The other slight negative for france was Ibanez and his stupidity (and he argued with the referee despite being bang to rights for playing it on the floor!) and the way that disrupted them and let Ireland grind back in a little. A sad way to say goodbye to Uncle Fester though. Still Lions 2005 should find O’Driscoll at his peak – what a good showing under adversity?

And I’ve written this without checking the thread very carefully first – did Finbar point out Tigers actually won a game yesterday I wonder?

[LDiCesare]

The other slight negative for france was Ibanez and his stupidity

Yes, the foul was so much obvious. He'll probably be drilled by Laporte and be more careful next time.
Note too that the problem was the French were already waiting for a reinforcement in the tight five at this time, so the ref shouldn't have let the Irish play at this time.

[Tamerlin]

Finbar is still stunned after the awful and stiff hit received on the neck saturday.



By the way, the petit ophrys is too small to be efficient as a weapon, Finbar will confirm it... when he receives it.

"Les bleus ont mis la gomme!"

[Drogue]

Originally posted by finbar
I can see a French -v- All Blacks final.

As can I. I still think if England pick up, and we see a performance more like the ones we've seen over the last 18 months, we'll be fine. However I fear it won't happen.

What has gone wrong though? Why were we virtually invincible pre-tournament, but everythings gone wrong now? When the B team narrowly lost to France, not to long ago, we thought any meating during the WC would be a walkover, when it looks like we may not even be favourites to reach the final

A France - AB final would be a spectacle to watch though, so there would be some consillation.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
we are still not perhaps quite the worst team left in the draw? Finbar?

On performance, you are joint worst with us. Winning, but immensely unconvincingly. But factor in England's status as the #1 ranked team - by a street - and unbeaten, apart from a B Team effort against France, since the Year Dot, then, relatively speaking, you become the worst team left in the draw.

France were awesome in that first half – Betsen back to his very best at last? It looks more and more like it may be up to them to stop the Kiwi juggernaut – can’t argue with Finbar there.

Mmmmmm. That grenouille back row is a delight to watch in action.

I would ask Tamerlin and LDiCesare to have a quick word though and stop Harinordoquy coming out with the usual “I hate the arrogant English” stuff he likes so much before next weekend please – I think it would taint the tournament at this stage.

I would ask Tamerlin or LDiCesare to supply me with a pronounciation of Harinordoquy. Phonetic with syllable emphasis will do.

And I’ve written this without checking the thread very carefully first – did Finbar point out Tigers actually won a game yesterday I wonder?

No, I was hoping everyone would simply assume Leicester had lost again. A very fair assumption these days. My only consolation with the Gloucester loss is that it was to Bath, further cementing their place at the top of the ladder, and hopefully further irritating the crap out of you.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
I would ask Tamerlin or LDiCesare to supply me with a pronounciation of Harinordoquy. Phonetic will do.

Arinordoki

No, I was hoping everyone would simply assume Leicester had lost again. A very fair assumption these days.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin
Finbar is still stunned after the awful and stiff hit received on the neck saturday.

Far from it. I was ready for it. I anticipated it. I assumed it. Any Wallaby supporter with half an ounce of brains would have.

And now, under pressure, Eddie is becoming very narky, claiming that the team has made the SFs against all media expectation that they wouldn't survive the pool round. Very silly, Eddie. Every man, woman and child and his or her dog assumed from the outset that the team would make the SFs because of the tournament draw.

The post WRC wash-up between the ARU and Eddie is going to be very interesting indeed.

By the way, the petit ophrys is too small to be efficient as a weapon, Finbar will confirm it... when he receives it.

"Les bleus ont mis la gomme!"

Out of respect for your fine rugby team, I shall rise above responding to such cheap points scoring.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Tamerlin


Arinordoki

Thank you. Sort of what I assumed, and, of course, nothing remotely like what the local commentators are delivering. And is there emphasis on any particular syllable(s)?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Drogue
What has gone wrong though? Why were we virtually invincible pre-tournament, but everythings gone wrong now?

IMHO, it's a combination of things. They have felt the pressure of favouritism, and they have been favourites, regardless of the ABs being the bookmakers' favourites. Their record stamped them as favourites. And it seems to me that they have taken the field stiff and tense. Add to that - call it England's bad luck or their opponents' good design - opposition teams approaching England with almost an attitude of having nothing to lose, taking risks, challenging, not letting England settle. And, most telling of all, I think, England's apparent inability to deal with this. It's almost as though they have no alternative game plan. Or haven't prepared for any other eventuality. Take England on at their game, or let them settle into their game plan, and you will probably see England of old.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
The biggest you will ever see with regards to our performance.

Do you think J**** was carrying an injury? He never seemed to get out of first gear and had so little impact.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by finbar

I think we should pass the hat around for a new TV for Havak. Unless he wants to watch next week through a brick-shaped hole.

Darnit you beat me to it.
Only I was going to suggest making a donation in civ-gold to help fix the three new Havak-sized dings in the ceiling of his living room.
One for each Welsh try Havak?

A big to the Welsh for making a most entertaining game.

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Any Wallaby supporter with half an ounce of brains would have.

If we are to believe a neutral and very recommandable witness who went in Australia to support the Lions a few years ago it seems that you are the only Australian supporter with the said ounce.

Out of respect for your fine rugby team, I shall rise above responding to such cheap points scoring.

"Si l'Australie prend une valise contre les Blacks, il va y avoir du rififi."

[Tamerlin]

Originally posted by finbar
Thank you. Sort of what I assumed, and, of course, nothing remotely like what the local commentators are delivering.

Ours are sometimes awfully mispelling some names.

And is there emphasis on any particular syllable(s)?

No, though I don't know if the Basques are spelling it differently or not.