Rugby World Cup

[Greenback]

As the pool stages have now come to and end, my reflection on the home nations and the wordl cup a sa whole so far:

England Have not really done thesmelves justice. They appear to suffer with discipline problems both on and off the pitch. They look laboured, and Martin johnson does not seem to be sure of his best side, or combinations within that side.

Scotland Have performed pretty much as I expected. They have a lot of heart but little finesse. They don't have enough quality players to make an impresion on the top teams, although I think Andy Robinson does very well with the material he has got.

Wales Have both surprised and impressed me. The defence has looked very good, and they have unearthed some quality young players in the last eyar, including Faletau, North, Lydiate and Warburton. Even the most fervent fan could not have anticipated the impact those players have made in this tournament.The 'old guard' like Ryan Jones, Stephen Jones, Lee Byrne and Shane Williams do not seem irreplaceable any longer.

Ireland Against all expectations they have overcome their poor warm up performances to make a big impact in their pool. The win against Australia was magnificent. The back row looks particularly good, and the front five are very good in lineout and scrum. They also have a backline which has come into form very nicely, culminating in well taken tries this morning.

My money is still on NZ to win the tournament, even without Dan Carter. France have been very strange - but they may come to life from now on. South Africa have not looked unbeatable, but it may be difficult to judge as their pool was a pretty competitive one, apart from Namibia.

 

[anthony263]

As the pool stages have now come to and end, my reflection on the home nations and the wordl cup a sa whole so far:

England Have not really done thesmelves justice. They appear to suffer with discipline problems both on and off the pitch. They look laboured, and Martin johnson does not seem to be sure of his best side, or combinations within that side.

Scotland Have performed pretty much as I expected. They have a lot of heart but little finesse. They don't have enough quality players to make an impresion on the top teams, although I think Andy Robinson does very well with the material he has got.

Wales Have both surprised and impressed me. The defence has looked very good, and they have unearthed some quality young players in the last eyar, including Faletau, North, Lydiate and Warburton. Even the most fervent fan could not have anticipated the impact those players have made in this tournament.The 'old guard' like Ryan Jones, Stephen Jones, Lee Byrne and Shane Williams do not seem irreplaceable any longer.

Ireland Against all expectations they have overcome their poor warm up performances to make a big impact in their pool. The win against Australia was magnificent. The back row looks particularly good, and the front five are very good in lineout and scrum. They also have a backline which has come into form very nicely, culminating in well taken tries this morning.

My money is still on NZ to win the tournament, even without Dan Carter. France have been very strange - but they may come to life from now on. South Africa have not looked unbeatable, but it may be difficult to judge as their pool was a pretty competitive one, apart from Namibia.

Next game for wales against ireland - that should be good especially if wales play like they did today. I do admit my money is on new zealand, although they could also fall apart during the knockout stages as they have done before.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

No-one expected South Africa to be playing Australia in the quarter-finals.

 

[Butts]

As the pool stages have now come to and end, my reflection on the home nations and the wordl cup a sa whole so far:

England Have not really done thesmelves justice. They appear to suffer with discipline problems both on and off the pitch. They look laboured, and Martin johnson does not seem to be sure of his best side, or combinations within that side.

Scotland Have performed pretty much as I expected. They have a lot of heart but little finesse. They don't have enough quality players to make an impresion on the top teams, although I think Andy Robinson does very well with the material he has got.

Wales Have both surprised and impressed me. The defence has looked very good, and they have unearthed some quality young players in the last eyar, including Faletau, North, Lydiate and Warburton. Even the most fervent fan could not have anticipated the impact those players have made in this tournament.The 'old guard' like Ryan Jones, Stephen Jones, Lee Byrne and Shane Williams do not seem irreplaceable any longer.

Ireland Against all expectations they have overcome their poor warm up performances to make a big impact in their pool. The win against Australia was magnificent. The back row looks particularly good, and the front five are very good in lineout and scrum. They also have a backline which has come into form very nicely, culminating in well taken tries this morning.

My money is still on NZ to win the tournament, even without Dan Carter. France have been very strange - but they may come to life from now on. South Africa have not looked unbeatable, but it may be difficult to judge as their pool was a pretty competitive one, apart from Namibia.

Very astute analysis from "Greenback Mclaren" - only one issue you have ducked :

Are you going to tank the Irish

 

[Greenback]

Very astute analysis from "Greenback Mclaren" - only one issue you have ducked :

Are you going to tank the Irish

The quarter finals are all very itneresting matches. Will France continue to be as dreadful? Will England look convincing? How will NZ function without DC?

I can't wait to see what happens!

As for the other question, Wales v Ireland, well, the feeling maongst the Welsh ex players is that it will be a very tight game, with only one kick and a few points in it. Who am I to disagree with the experts?! It could go either way, which is what makes it so exciting!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Delon Armitage, the full-back and emergency winger, will now miss England's quarter-final match against France, due to receiving a one match ban for his high tackle on the Scotland full back Chris Paterson.

 

[Greenback]

I think most of the experts were expecting a two week ban, minimum, given his previous history.

Armitage appears to have got off lightly!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think most of the experts were expecting a two week ban, minimum, given his previous history.

Armitage appears to have got off lightly!

It is reported that the offence would normally warrant a two-match ban, but they took his admission of his transgression into account, when the length of the ban was decided upon.

 

[HST Power]

More trouble for England this morning, with a player being fined £5,000 for breaching sponsor regulations.

One rugby commentator has branded the teams behavior as being 'beyond belief.'

I have to say, I thought this was the rugby world cup, but they seem to be turning into footballers!

 

[Greenback]

Here is another assessment of the teams in the last eight:

http://samhopwood.blogspot.com/2011/10/dominant-england-on-course-for-world.html

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Here is another assessment of the teams in the last eight:

http://samhopwood.blogspot.com/2011/10/dominant-england-on-course-for-world.html

I think that of all the 54 comments under this article, there is one that says all that needs to be said:-

A closed mouth gathers no foot!!

 

[Greenback]

I think that of all the 54 comments under this article, there is one that says all that needs to be said:-

A closed mouth gathers no foot!!

I think the humour in the blog has been missed by some, as it is highly reminiscent of some more serious articles in the press concerning football world cups!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The French coach, Marc Lievremont, has only decided to make two changes to the team that embarrassingly lost to Tonga, in readiness for the quarter final match. He has withdrawn the tighthead prop, Luc Ducalon, and the number eight, Raphael Lakapia from his selection pool. He has replaced these with forwards Nicolas Mas and Imanol Harinordoquy.

 

[Oswyntail]

Both of whom are massive improvements!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

As for the other question, Wales v Ireland, well, the feeling amongst the Welsh ex players is that it will be a very tight game, with only one kick and a few points in it. Who am I to disagree with the experts?! It could go either way, which is what makes it so exciting!

Ireland, after some deliberation on the matter, have made the decision to play Ronan O'Gara rather than Jonathon Sexton in the fly-half position against Wales in the quarter-final match. Declan Kidney has chosen to go with Ronan O'Gara because of his experience of big match situations and this coming match will see his 116th cap for Ireland.

As you quite rightly say, kicking ability could be a decisive factor in this match.

 

[Greenback]

Ireland, after some deliberation on the matter, have made the decision to play Ronan O'Gara rather than Jonathon Sexton in the fly-half position against Wales in the quarter-final match. Declan Kidney has chosen to go with Ronan O'Gara because of his experience of big match situations and this coming match will see his 116th cap for Ireland.

As you quite rightly say, kicking ability could be a decisive factor in this match.

I am sure the Wales team have different plans for the game depending on whether O'Gara or Sexton start!

Whoever wins, I will support them to the final hopefully!

 

[Zoe]

Whoever wins, I will support them to the final hopefully!

I can't see any of the teams in that half of the draw beating New Zealand though in the final.

 

[Greenback]

As I said, my money is still on NZ even without Dan Carter. I can't see them not getting to the final - like South Africa in 1995, I think NZ are destined to end their long wait by winning this year at home.

 

[Ferret]

As I said, my money is still on NZ even without Dan Carter. I can't see them not getting to the final - like South Africa in 1995, I think NZ are destined to end their long wait by winning this year at home.

I still think there's a chance they'll choke again. I believe it's known in cricketing circles as 'doing a South Africa'!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

England have decided that, in spite of his poor place kicking form in this World Cup, Jonny Wilkinson will retain the fly-half position in the quarter final.
Toby Flood has not been overlooked, as he will be the replacement for the injured Mike Tindall at inside centre. This gives two options now for the place kicking.

 

[Greenback]

I bet France are pleased that Grandad Wilko is playing, he has had a pretty wretched tournament so far!

But then again, so have the French!!!

Wales have picked an interesting XV for the Celtic Clash. No Byrne, no Stephen Jones and Hook on the bench. Shane Williams is back, though, otherwise I'd have to say the old guard are finished!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Wales have picked an interesting XV for the Celtic Clash. No Byrne, no Stephen Jones and Hook on the bench. Shane Williams is back, though, otherwise I'd have to say the old guard are finished!

The new players in the Welsh squad have added a new team committment to their play as a team unit and this was evident in their quarter-final victory today over Ireland. The Irish defence was very suspect for a certain Welsh try, where at least four of the Irish defence failed to make an effective tackle, at such a dangerous position.

Well done Wales, as being the first qualified semi-finalist in this World Cup.

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I will make a prediction that the poor indiscipline of the English team will cost them dear against France in the later match today if they keep conceding penalties at the same rate that they have done in earlier matches of this World Cup.

 

[HugePilchard]

I find myself wondering just how many of the home nations will be in the competition by lunchtime!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The first 55 minutes that England played against against France were very poor indeed and left them far too much to do, even though they scored two tries after this period. France were worthy of their 19-12 victory and a place the semi-final and the margin would have been wider had France not missed some place kicks in the first half, when they held the ascendancy.

 

[Greenback]

I have to question both the English selection and the tactics. Their best game plan was taking the ball up the middle and stifling the life out of the French, but they kept trying to pass the ball along the back line. It was all rather static and ponderous when they did so.

Nick Easter tried hard but the starting back row looked very ordinary depsite their efforts. Right from the kick off France had the momentum.

Wales played very well. It was well worht getting up early to watch the game! I don't think the Welsh camp will have minded whether they played France or England, they have no reason to fear anyone after their performances so far.

I think it was a good day for the sport, the best rugby playing teams on the day went through.

 

[Scotrail84]

Ingerland should have been knocked out last week against Scotland. Got what they deserved today a week too late

 

[Minilad]

Ingerland should have been knocked out last week against Scotland. Got what they deserved today a week too late

Not bitter at all then

 

[Scotrail84]

Not bitter at all then

LOL im not an egg chasing fan but you know what cross border rivalry is like haha

 

[Minilad]

LOL im not an egg chasing fan but you know what cross border rivalry is like haha

Oh now you have done it. Calling it egg chasing. All the Rugby lovers will be on your back now

 

[Barrett M95]

Allez les Bleus!