rugby world cup 2007

[Bruce Wayne]

Ireland should do well as they looked good in the Six Nations, plus you have a flyer in Brian Carney. He could be the surprise star of the tournament as he has the strength and elusive running of Jason Robinson at his best. Tempting to say it must be something about Rugby League that allows us to produce these type of runners but I'll keep schtum

 

[bluekiwi]

Being quite one-eyed, the Abs should do the job, but, and it's a big BUT, we are a bunch of chokers. It's been 20 years since our one and only raising of the Webb Ellis trophy, and for bloody near every single kiwi is willing them on. But to be honest I think it'll be a tough call between the Safas, French and ABs - write off the French at your own peril!

As for the English/Welsh/Scots/Irish - I'm sorry but not this time round guys! As for the Aussies, hmmm, a hard one, I might have put them in with the others to win, but I really not sure about them - being kiwi I really dont want the to get past the quarters, but since I've said all this, they'll prolly win the bloody thing!!

 

[Neiler]

Argentia beat France 12-9. Get in contepome (a fine leinster man)!

Group of death my ass, come on the Irish.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It was a deserved victory as well, they played well, although France had a stinker, especially in the half backs. Wow did they bottle it.

 

[monty]

The Irtish certainly have the best chance of the n hemisphere teams but they cannot get round the fact that they stand no chance against the AB's, Bok's or Wannabies. Can you imagine if they did pull it off, Neiler would be on the first plane home for the piss up

 

[SuitsBlue]

NZL vs ITA

43.......7...at HT

its not much of a spectacle, the italians are grossly outclassed.

what i have noticed is the utterly beautiful weather in marseille - clear blue sky, loads of sun. nice to know the french got a summer.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

What has impressed me about the All Blacks is firstly the speed with which they recycle posession. The runner is tackled and almost instantly the ball is back and they're off on the second phase. It makes it very difficult to organise the defence.

Then there is the play of Dan Carter. His kicking has been quite cute and the team as a whole have made good use of short kicks in behind the defence. Oh for Sir Jonny to show such creativity.

 

[bluekiwi]

What has impressed me about the All Blacks is firstly the speed with which they recycle posession. The runner is tackled and almost instantly the ball is back and they're off on the second phase. It makes it very difficult to organise the defence.

Then there is the play of Dan Carter. His kicking has been quite cute and the team as a whole have made good use of short kicks in behind the defence. Oh for Sir Jonny to show such creativity.

I have to say they did look awesome, but I think this had a lot to do with the fact that the Italians didn't make them have to work that hard. I think the scoreline would have easily cracked the ton had the ABs not taken the foot off the gas for the 20 mins after halftime. But saying that a good workout, and all came through unscathed!

Yup, DC is the man, but the workrate of the forwards was a good sign of things to come for us (I hope)!

As for the French, hmmm, I wouldn't expect them to lose another pool game, be afraid Ireland, be very afraid!

I just looked up the England score - ouch, not exactly a convincing start!

 

[Neiler]

The Irtish certainly have the best chance of the n hemisphere teams but they cannot get round the fact that they stand no chance against the AB's, Bok's or Wannabies. Can you imagine if they did pull it off, Neiler would be on the first plane home for the piss up

No need mate theres more Irish over here there are at home, add a sprinkleing of aussie girls who like our accent and roberts your fathers brother!

 

[Neiler]

What has impressed me about the All Blacks is firstly the speed with which they recycle posession. The runner is tackled and almost instantly the ball is back and they're off on the second phase. It makes it very difficult to organise the defence.

Then there is the play of Dan Carter. His kicking has been quite cute and the team as a whole have made good use of short kicks in behind the defence. Oh for Sir Jonny to show such creativity.

I think the Kiwi backs though are poor at defending, admitedly their amazing going forwad but big questions remain about their back conentration. I know it was Italy and the game was over but they gifted them some soft tires. I noticed the same in the tri nations. For me the smart money is on the Aussies. Oh and the Paddys of course!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I have to say they did look awesome, but I think this had a lot to do with the fact that the Italians didn't make them have to work that hard. I think the scoreline would have easily cracked the ton had the ABs not taken the foot off the gas for the 20 mins after halftime. But saying that a good workout, and all came through unscathed!

Yup, DC is the man, but the workrate of the forwards was a good sign of things to come for us (I hope)!

As for the French, hmmm, I wouldn't expect them to lose another pool game, be afraid Ireland, be very afraid!

I just looked up the England score - ouch, not exactly a convincing start!

Well Italy are a damn site better than America, put it that way

 

[Neiler]

I have to say they did look awesome, but I think this had a lot to do with the fact that the Italians didn't make them have to work that hard. I think the scoreline would have easily cracked the ton had the ABs not taken the foot off the gas for the 20 mins after halftime. But saying that a good workout, and all came through unscathed!

Yup, DC is the man, but the workrate of the forwards was a good sign of things to come for us (I hope)!

As for the French, hmmm, I wouldn't expect them to lose another pool game, be afraid Ireland, be very afraid!
I just looked up the England score - ouch, not exactly a convincing start!

Bring them on we so owe them one for the six nations, if we loose every game for the rest of the tournament i dont care, they ruined my Paddies day!

 

[Welton Toffee]

Pretty awful display from England, lots of missed chances.

However I was glad to see Olly played really well. Great kicking and got a deserved try as well. He should definitely start against SA, whether that be at 10 or 12.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The one good thing from that performance is that it will hopefully shut Guscott and Carling up. Their anti-League bleetings and one-eyed support for Mike Catt has been quite nauseating in the run up to this World Cup. Andy Farrell made more of an impact in five minutes yesterday than Jamie Noon did in the entire match and has to start against South Africa. For me the midfield should be Barkley at 10, Faz at 12 and Tait at 13. We also need to ditch this idea that Mark Cueto is a full back. I don't know quite who put that idea in Ashtons head but he's never a full back in a million years and the better sides will really exploit that. Robinson should go back to 15 as despite not being a natural full back either has better positional play than Cueto and will make far more use of broken play with his elusive counter attacking.

I've said it before though and I'll say it again, it's the back row where we lose out time and time again. You only had to look at the All Blacks against Italy. They hit the contact area and bam, the ball was out in an instant. Quick play of the ball is so important to allow your backs a run at a broken defensive line. Instead we seem to fanny about for an age, either because the back row don't get to the breakdown quickly enough to clear the ruck or because the scrum half farts about waiting for divine inspiration or something before passing the thing. Oh and then of course there is the odd trundle of a few millimetres by the forwards, which I guess is supposed to draw in defenders but does bugger all because they're so slow.

Dallaglio had a stinker, a real stinker and if he can't boss the USA then he won't have a hope against a strong SA back row. Compare his speed to that of So'Ialo, or his physicality to that of Chabal and he's found wanting.

Rees shows promise, but needs to improve. For me the two roles of the open side flanker is to support any runners and to boss the breakdown. Richie McCaw is exceptional at both. Rees shows potential in the loose, although there were still a number of instances of people breaking the line and having no one on their shoulder in support (again compare that to NZ who always had several options - heck their prop forwards were even supporting breaks). At the breakdown he's nowhere near good enough yet, either at getting quick ball for us or slowing opposition ball down. The problem is he's the only open side flanker in the squad so he has to play. Magnus Lund showed promise but was left at home for some reason.

Then there is Joe Worsley. He's a player that I want to like, I really do. He's got the size and is reasonably quick and does occasionally make an impact in both defence and attack, but again you have to compare him against the best in the business. I look at France and they have Betson, Aus have Smith, NZ of course have the imperious Jerry Collins, SA have Berger. They're all better than Worsely both in attack and defence.

 

[Welton Toffee]

Good assessment Bruce. I totally agree

I really have no idea what Mike Catt is doing in the side. He is completely past it. A prime example was when there was an easy chance for a try yesterday. Someone, think it may have been Olly, played a nice little kick that totally undid the USA. All Catt had to do was pick the ball up for an easy try, and he made a complete bollocks of it.

As you said, Dallaglio should also not be in the team. I think the England management like to pick these experienced players as they think it will give us a better chance. But surely playing our best players would give us the best chance?!