RWC 2007 - state you case!

[Infidel Castro]

Roger, almost all the professional Argies play for European teams, so I doubt it\'d work that way as the clubs would be unlikely to release them. I can see the lads setting up in the north of Spain in San Sebastien and playing in a 7 Nations tournament, 3 home and 3 away matches. That would be ideal!

They walloped France yesterday, fair play. France had every reason to put on a show for the home fans and I think they tried, but the Argies played the game they should have in the semi. I was disappointed by how they played against SA, but they have made some amends at least. Can\'t wait to see the rankings after this tournament is over!

 

[lono]

Originally posted by reverend
Lono, you\'d sell your soul for a Mars Bar! Or so I have heard lol

I would, but I already sold it for a Snickers - well, it was back in the days when they were called Marathons, but same difference. I don\'t think a product\'s name change gets me out of a deal for my soul. Unfortunate, as I really fancy a Mars Bar right now.

 

[Roger Bunting]

Right, I\'ve got the sedatives ready just in case my nerves don\'t hold out.

 

[Roger Bunting]

Congratulations to South Africa. They just had that bit more, in particular the lineouts.

 

[Bill]

Yeah, the lineouts were our downfall... though I think it might have gone a little differently if that try had been allowed. Ah well.

 

[Roger Bunting]

It was a close call but I think his foot touched the line before he put the ball down. England defended their title with guts and determination. After such a poor start to the campaign they did themselves proud.

 

[Beelzebrush]

Absolutely gutted

Well done to SA though.

Aye, if the try had been allowed and we hadn\'t gifted the penalties that we did, it would have been a different outcome. Well played and gutsy performance from England - did us proud!!

At least I have a rather large cash bonus to cheer me up though (told you SA were going to win lol)

 

[Modderrhu]

A funny thing happened on my way to the tryline...

... I smacked into a brick wall. That\'s pretty much how SA won - preventing England from scoring, and cashing in on inevitable penalites. Not exactly the noblest of strategies, but it worked.

As for the try, even had the English been allowed it, it would only have placed England four points further along, not the necessary ten for a win.

Still, a good grinding game, with serious, serious tenacity and determination shown from both sides.

 

[Roger Bunting]

How about we share the cup from now on and don\'t let NZ or the Aussies win again. lol

 

[lono]

Originally posted by Modderrhu
As for the try, even had the English been allowed it, it would only have placed England four points further along, not the necessary ten for a win.

With the score where it was at that point the try and then a possible conversion could have completely changed the game, so you can\'t exactly say that. Not that I think it was a try, so it\'s no biggie.

Good game chaps!

 

[Modderrhu]

Originally posted by lono
With the score where it was at that point the try and then a possible conversion could have completely changed the game, so you can\'t exactly say that. Not that I think it was a try, so it\'s no biggie.

That\'s exactly it! It\'s useless to say \"what if\", or \"if only\". For my part, I\'m just fending off conjecture. Just as, if Australia had not missed that drop-kick, damn straight the WC would\'ve been a different tournament! Conjecture is pointless, what matters is what did happen.

But true to the nature of rugby, the scoreboard doesn\'t represent the actual game.

 

[breadhead]

Bleh, i\'ve got the mother of all hangovers after watching that game.

I knew if England were going to compete it would a low scoring, grinding game. But that doesn\'t make it any easier to watch.

Met a nice South African guy in the pub as well, he was the only one that cheered when the final whistle went!

Great tournament overall. The England team did us proud

 

[freakinacage]

meh i was working and it was the busiest couple of hours of the bloody night! only saw parts but from what i did see, s.a. deserved the win although i reckon it was a try (as it has been pointed out, it wouldn\'t necessarily have made a difference)

 

[Infidel Castro]

I was convinced it was a try too, but SA deserved the win for the last 20 minutes where they seemed to just out-think England a bit. It was all incremental, but it came together just at that point to my mind. A shame England never won, but what an effort to get that far and be in the hunt all the way to the final whistle. Watch all the retirements now though...

 

[Roger Bunting]

Aye, it\'s not quite a youthful team.

 

[Infidel Castro]

Like last time all over again almost!

 

[Avelorn]

Rugby is not a major sport in Sweden, actually I hardly knew the World cup was going on until I came to Paris. But there was a small report yesterday on the news.. and it got my interest. I really like the violence on field/no violence off field thing. Might be a sport suited for me as some say I play football the same way others play rugby.

 

[Infidel Castro]

It epitomises the Corinthian Spirit. Play hard, play to win but play fair. Play with enjoyment too. Professionalism in sports is putting the Corinthian Spirit to the sword, so I\'m happy rugby keeps it alive, whatever code of the game it might be.

 

[Modderrhu]

Originally posted by breadhead
Met a nice South African guy in the pub as well, he was the only one that cheered when the final whistle went!

I was in Edinburgh when the Bokke were playing the Scots at Murraysfield in 2004. As the sole SA supporter, I was basically given the best seat in the pub. Quite an experience.

Sometimes the violence on the field can be a real shame, but that\'s where it stays.

 

[freakinacage]

Originally posted by reverend
It epitomises the Corinthian Spirit. Play hard, play to win but play fair. Play with enjoyment too. Professionalism in sports is putting the Corinthian Spirit to the sword, so I\'m happy rugby keeps it alive, whatever code of the game it might be.

hear hear