Rugby World Cup

Nobody following it?

A couple of huge matches for us home nations this weekend. If England can compete up front in the breakdowns, scrums and lineouts, we've got a chance. We're never going to overrun them in the backs so we could do with a big, physical game from the forwards.


As for the Scots, they're up against it playing one of the form sides of the tournament. They need a strong kicking game again from Paterson and maybe a bit more invention from Lamont, who seems shy of taking on players, despite his huge frame.

Good luck to both.

France vs New Zealand

I wished this to be the final in Paris, but thanks to France's poor opening match and the organiser's wisdom to grant the competition host a chance to play a game abroad (how stupider could they be?)... it's a 1/4 final in Cardiff.

Laporte's selection is weird with an inexperience n°10 and full back that hasn't played in that role for years. Chabal, Rougerie & Michalak on the bench. He's prepared a team for a dirty tactical game hoping to keep the All Backs as far away from our line as possible. Maybe maybe not... but everytime France managed to beat New Zealand it was with an attacking team and French flair.

I can't see France getting out of this one... but then again I couldn't see Marseille beating Liverpool at Anfield yesterday so... here's hoping.

In the same way I don't see how England could pass the Australian test, nore Fidji pass the Springboks.

And who ever wins between Scotland & Argentina, it's cool for the sport that one of these two will be in the semis and maybe even further.


Ponrauil

The French are taking a huge gamble, leaving that lot on the bench. They're obviously looking to destroy the AB lineout, with the team they've picked and I honestly see it as an area of New Zealand weakness. I'd keep an eye on Beauxis; I fancy him to do well if he gets good ball, he was excellent against Georgia. The flip-side of leaving he players out that he has is that the bench is very strong; almost as strong as New Zealand's, in fact. Good luck France, it would be great to see an upset there.

Well here's a first surprise!

Congrats to England!

Hope the French will follow the example


Ponrauil

A great front-5 performance. Mortlock aside, we kept the big names out of the game; Gregan was on the back foot the entire game, Smith hobbled off without doing a thing and we didn't give Latham anything to work with.

Ecstatic.

Come on Les Bleues.

And that was also with a fairly poor kicking display from Wilko too! The Aussies must be seething that we managed to pull it off again!

THEY_DID_IT!!!!!!

France knocked out the All Blacks who were 10 pts ahead at half-time!

After the Brits beating the Aussies... What's that about the South being so much better than the North? Hehehehe.

I hate Laporte's guts, but he obviously knew what he was doing, and what a great heroic finish from the players... That's rugby!


Ponrauil

NO F**KING WAY!! I can't believe that!

Saying that, I'd rather the English lads lose to the All-Blacks in the semis than to the French....


.... I guess England better turn up and make sure that doesn't happen!

This will be a great revenge of the 2003 semi-final... Seeing both quater finals so far, it's very hard to say which team has the edge. But with the French crowd behind the team in a real home game (not like today)... France can get through and of course I hope they will.

South-African players must be quite happy too...


Ponrauil

After yesterday's results, I wouldn't bet against a Fiji vs Scotland semi!!!