Rugby World Cup 2007 - Twiddling Our Thumbs!

[finbar]

Forgot to mention that I saw a photo of the England jersey from last week. Not having seen the match. Instead of looking like they'd rolled in puddles of tomato sauce, they looked like tomato sauce bottles.

[Havak]

It's an awful strip. Hope they haven't ordered too many as they won't sell them.

I've never liked Red England shirts (excepting only the 1966 footy cup final shirt for which I make an exception)

White for England - and I have to confess I'd prefer a white rose too (as the red symbolises the house of a Welsh-Frenchman who sat and watched a battle whilst the significantly braver man died in it).

A more thorough - and more political - reply than was necessary to your critique of the World Champions away strip (lets get that one in for the short while we still can!).

[Andydog]

I see that the village idiots of rugby are squabbling amongst themselves over players taking part in the world cup. The regions want £30k per player and the WRU are saying that they don't need to play a penny. The regions are holding an 'emergency meeting' to agree their response, which could include them withdrawing their players from the international side. I can't see that happening but if it did the country would become a laughing stock. I thought it was only England that dished up this sort of dysfunction!

[Havak]

England certainly excel at it - but Wales do it more regularly.

NZ only do it when joint bidding for RWC hosting.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Havak
A more thorough - and more political - reply than was necessary to your critique of the World Champions away strip (lets get that one in for the short while we still can!).

Look on the bright side. There are still records to be set. First world champions not to get past the pool stage in their defence of the title.

I thought it was only England that dished up this sort of dysfunction!

You obviously haven't kept up to date on the rancorous relations between the Wallaby coaching staff.

[Havak]

It's quite possible if they get it wrong in the Samoa game. They should see off the USA and Tonga I think.

Then again the Boks are also a schizo side so there is always hope.

I still can't believe what an easy group NZ are in. Like they need the help!

[Andydog]

I'm not so sure that is a good thing. It would be better imho to be tested at least once during the pool stages.

The winners and runners up of the pool of death will be better poised to go into the quarters than the Kiwis.

[finbar]

The easy run they had early in the 2003 episode didn't help them when it counted.

[finbar]

Boks looked nice and threatening. Interesting to see them varying their first receiver, often bypassing B. James, and looking the better for it. I wonder if that's Eddie's influence. They certainly connected their forwards and backs better than I've seen them for a while. If the Boks can build on that performance, they're going to be a serious threat. They should also demolish England.

Scotland tried hard. Not good enough. That's the difference between steamrolling a weakened Ireland and running headfirst into a very powerful, skilled machine. Fascinating to hear the Scots commentators saying the Scots should be happy with the effort. I suppose everything's relative.

Astonishing how the officials missed B. James' coathanger early on. He should be in gaol.

Missed Ireland -v- Italy. Mrs finbar wanted to watch part two of the three-part CNN series called "God's Warriors". Fascinating, utterly depressing series. Anyway, sounds like Italy played well and the Paddys didn't. There's a replay this arvo but it's up against Taffys -v- France.

[finbar]

Gee, the Taffys performed better against the French than England did. Now I know why I finally opted for Italy over France in my escape from the southern hemisphere. Supporting the French rugby team would drive me insane. Magical one minute, but you never know what's coming next. Bizarre. Anyway, nice to see S. Betsen firing again. At least Wales, unlike England, threatened occasionally. Even if, a bit like Scotland yesterday, they were doing their fanciest work behind the advantage line. I have to say, I've seen that blond Welsh #8 put in some sterling work recently.

Caught the last five minutes of the Ireland-Italy replay. Looks like neither of the last two tries should have counted. The Irish player seemed to be tackled off the ball in the Italian try, and O'Gara's try looked like it came from a forward pass. The replay looked like he actually touched it down after it rolled free - and backwards - after he was tackled.

[ravagon]

Originally posted by Havak

I still can't believe what an easy group NZ are in. Like they need the help!

Ditto Andydog.

I'd prefer that they get at least one reasonable challenge before hitting the elimination stage.

Italy, Portugal, Scotland and Romania do not good preparation make.
I'd prefer to see at least one game against a more competent Wales or a Fiji before going up against one of the tougher 3N/6N sides.

I guess I could've almost included England in with those two but I tend to agree with M'sieur Ashton in that they will perform a lot better when it really matters.

Sorry I missed Ireland-Italy. Sounds like that was a cracker.

[finbar]

You're back! Cripes, I thought you'd been snatched by Firepower and converted into a fuel additive.

[Havak]

I can fully accept what you both say chaps. Some kind of examination at the Pool stage would be good. As it is the temperature at Murrayfield might be the sternest test?

The O'Gara try was controversial to say the least. It made Luger's infamous Wallaby sinker look like a clear cut try under the posts.

The group of death is going to be very interesting indeed - Ireland look badly out of sorts at the moment and could well miss the cut.

And much as I would love to agree with Ravagon that England might be hiding a better performance in the locker I think it most unlikely. Very little is working behind the half backs and whilst that might be enough against USA and Tonga (and perhaps even Samoa) it won't trouble the Boks much.

*edit* The O'Gara try is on youtube and worth looking at - the combination of factors made it a nightmare for the TV official.

[finbar]

Seeing it again, I'm even more convinced that the pass was forward. But that wasn't the TMO's problem. I'm even more convinced that O'Gara grounded the ball after he lost it backwards. I suppose the only question is whether the ball was still over the line when he grounded it. Still, at least it was in with at least a 0.00000000001% chance of being a try. Unlike that other one.

[Havak]

But having lost control of it (backwards) did he then reclutch it and groundwhilst still being held in the tackle?

That is a try if he hasn't let go of the ball - but can you regather it whilst tackled and then place the ball to score?

I think it is still open for debate - unlike that other score which was of course perfectly good.