Rwc 2003

[hong]

There doesn't seem to have been any thread on the rugby World Cup at all in the last month. Terrible omission. So here's an attempt to redress things, now that the silliness of the pools is out of the way.

Impressions on the quarterfinals:

NZ v SA: the Blacks are back. That was a win with the authority you'd expect from a champion side, and shows that they can go all the way. Made all the better considering how many stars weren't present (Umaga, Lomu, Cullen, Wilson, etc). Going by this match, you'd expect them to trounce Austria next week in the semi. Complacency may be their biggest enemy; but given their experiences of crashing out in the last 3 World Cups, including the biggest boilover evar in 1999, they'll no doubt be aware of this.

Austria v Scotland: terrible first half for us Austrians, but we improved a lot in the second. Scotland were supposed to be easy pickings, but clearly nobody told them. It took until three-quarters of the way through for the result to be beyond doubt, and the Scots were fighting all the way. Unfortunately, match fitness seems to be the key dividing factor between the top teams and the rest, and Scotland just couldn't keep it up for the duration. The Wallabies will need to do much better if they're going to beat the Blacks next weekend, though. You can't go to sleep for 40 minutes and still expect to win the tourney.

France v Ireland: devastating stuff from the French. At 30-0 at halftime, it was over as a contest by then. I was surprised by how dominant they were over the Irish, who put up a spirited fight against the Austrians in their last pool match. But going from recent history, this probably doesn't mean a thing; the French can be sizzling hot one day, totally stone cold the next. They played the match of the century to upset NZ in the 1999 semis, but had nothing left for the final against Austria.

England v Wales: another match where the underdogs didn't read the script. The first half was an absolute cracker, a display of some of the best running rugby I've seen yet in this tournament, and it came from the Welsh. Nobody would have expected them to be leading 10-3 at halftime against the top-ranked side in the world. But a 3:1 penalty count against is going to kill you, especially when England has a kicking guru like Jonny Wilkinson in their side. Wales scored three tries to one and it still wasn't enough against an English side who did just enough to win.

Semifinal match-ups:

NZ v Austria
England v France

The semis should be great. I'd like to pick Austria, but going from results over the last year, you'd have to say the All Blacks have it all over the Wallabies. Still, it should be a close one, and the Wallabies should gain something from the home ground advantage. But then you could have said the same thing in 1987....

England should also take it from France. The English were totally rattled for half the match against Wales, but in the end they had enough left in reserve to win. That should be enough against France, who are better than the Welsh, but not that much better, I think. France still has a chance, but they'll have to repeat their quarterfinal performance to do it, and it's hard to see them doing that.

Anyone else following RWC 2003?

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Anyone else following RWC 2003?

No, but I've never let ignorance of a sport stop me from passionately and violently championing the cause of any given team in the finals.

So, who am I rooting for and who are the bubbleheaded simpletons who are going to get crushed by them?

 

[Derulbaskul]

RWC? Sure, LOVE my rugby but that's been tempered by the sure knowledge that, for once, I do not would believe Oz stands a chance of winning... and I really hate to say that.

All Blacks are the ones to watch; England also stands a reasonable chance but I wouldn't be surprised if the French upset them next weekend. Either way, the Blacks are going to win... after they first destroy us next weekend (OK, I'll make this on-topic... it will be a TPK).

I think we need to make some fairly big changes at the back: I would move Rogers to the bench and bring Larkham in at fullback while replacing Larkham at five-eight with Giteau. Actually, I would make more changes than that but I think this is about as "courageous" as the team's management is going to get.

Really, it's too late. I think Eddie Jones has made some major mistakes in the side's preparation over the past couple of years and his management, sadly, reminds me of the Greg Smith period... and those are not pleasant memories.

Anyway, Hong, I can only hope Roy and HG's late night efforts can inspire you to update your really excellent "call" of RttToEE... pretty please?

 

[Derulbaskul]

(snip) So, who am I rooting for and who are the bubbleheaded simpletons who are going to get crushed by them?

Um, as we're discussing a sporting event being held in Oz it is probably best to warn you that the expression, "rooting", does not pass the Eric's grandmother test in this fair land.

You have four choices of teams to "barrack" for: Oz, New Zealand, England and France. England were the favourites going in, New Zealand are probably the favourites now, France came second in the last World Cup (to Oz... after playing one of the greatest games ever during the previous week to dispose of the Kiwis) and Australia are the previous winners but have been playing really, really, REALLY badly for about two years.

The French are fantastic to watch but, in d20 parlance, they're either rolling natural 20s all night... or naturals 1s. The All Blacks are traditionally the best team in the world (even though we have won two cups to their one); the English have suddenly improved to where they are the current number one ranked team globally. And Australia seems to have simply stumbled through to this point by some unknown means.

Also, union players are not bubbleheaded: absence of necks and cauliflower-like ears, however, are distinguishing features.

 

[Olive]

Surprisingly, given my long standing lack of intrest in sport, I have been following. There's something about being a New Zealander in Australia that seems to make me feel like a NZer for the first time in my entire life.

Regardless, I watched back to back games on Saturday night, enjoyed myself a lot, and think that NZ have a pretty good chance to make it past the Aussies. I suspect the England/France game will actually be the important one to decide who we play in the final.

 

[Chingerspy]

Watching each game with a passion mate!

Its not been an easy ride through to the Semi's and France next week should prove to be an interesting game. Better make sure Hill is ready as we want to be at full strength. Leonard will no doubt start at prop to beat the record but Woodman will probably replace him near or just after half time.

Good luck to Oz and NZ next week, hopefully see one of you in the final

C'mon England!!!!

 

[hong]

You have four choices of teams to "barrack" for: Oz, New Zealand, England and France.

I should also mention that England are like Manchester United or the Yankees: the team that nobody likes. Whoever's playing against England, you support, simply because they're playing against England. Unless you are an English fan, of course. Then you laugh with disdain at everyone else's efforts.

England were the favourites going in, New Zealand are probably the favourites now, France came second in the last World Cup (to Oz... after playing one of the greatest games ever during the previous week to dispose of the Kiwis) and Australia are the previous winners but have been playing really, really, REALLY badly for about two years.

Mind you, "really badly" for Austria is still not that bad, relatively speaking. We're still one of the top-shelf teams around, and we managed to see off Ireland, Scotland and Argentina. But yeah, in terms of what the team's really capable of, we've been all at sea ever since Rod Macqueen retired.

Also, union players are not bubbleheaded: absence of necks and cauliflower-like ears, however, are distinguishing features.

That's only the forwards, though. The backs are usually too pretty for their own good.

Well, except for people like Tana Umaga, who are just effin' terrifying.

 

[hong]

I think we need to make some fairly big changes at the back: I would move Rogers to the bench and bring Larkham in at fullback while replacing Larkham at five-eight with Giteau. Actually, I would make more changes than that but I think this is about as "courageous" as the team's management is going to get.

Giteau doesn't look likely for the next match, after what he did to his ankle. But I thought Larkham had an okay game, he just kept getting let down by the people outside him bombing passes. I'd bring in Mortlock at the start and leave Sailor on the bench.

Really, it's too late. I think Eddie Jones has made some major mistakes in the side's preparation over the past couple of years and his management, sadly, reminds me of the Greg Smith period... and those are not pleasant memories.

You have to wonder why he's persisting with Sailor and Rogers. I guess the ARU top brass don't want to have egg on their faces, by spending pots of money on leaguies and then not using them in the World Cup. Tuqiri is brilliant though.

Anyway, Hong, I can only hope Roy and HG's late night efforts can inspire you to update your really excellent "call" of RttToEE... pretty please?

Heh. I've been kinda short on spare time since when I wrote those up... but we'll see.

 

[krazykid]

As a Kiwi in Melbourne...

I have to be pleased that finally a real sport is on rather than the Aerial Ping-pong that is Austrian Rules - my wife dispears at my solo cheering from the couch when wales scored again - but she was badly brought up

(BTW hong I do like the fact that you are trying to hide a very large island with bouncy kangaroos in the middle of europe - next you will be saying a land-locked nation will win the America's cup!)

The match of the the semis will be the french-england game - those frogs have been very under-rated and had a easy run (maybe because they are playing so well ) - The Kiwis will their game win convincingly and the Aussie press will be a nasty to their own as the English Sun paper is when the POMS lose.

It is a shame that the pool matches were so often one-sided - some of the smaller teams played excellent games against each other then got THUMPED by the big-boys. Then again games like somoa-england were magic - I was lucky enough to be at the game and both the atmosphere and the game was awesome. And as a bonus England was behind at 1/2 time - what would they do with-out Johnny W?

 

[Derulbaskul]

Giteau doesn't look likely for the next match, after what he did to his ankle.

I hope it magically repairs itself.

But I thought Larkham had an okay game, he just kept getting let down by the people outside him bombing passes.

True, but I think his current style of game better suits fullback... plus who else to replace Rogers?

I'd bring in Mortlock at the start and leave Sailor on the bench.

I would leave Mortlock in the centres and Sailor on the wing. If he actually got some good, quick ball he would be OK... although as Gregan will never be changed he won't be getting good, quick ball.

You have to wonder why he's persisting with Sailor and Rogers. I guess the ARU top brass don't want to have egg on their faces, by spending pots of money on leaguies and then not using them in the World Cup. Tuqiri is brilliant though.

Hehe... I still think Sailor is OK, and I don't think I am only saying that because I come from the Northern Alps region of Austria where they grow bananas. Rogers, however, has to go. If you can't catch you can't play: simple as that.

Heh. I've been kinda short on spare time since when I wrote those up... but we'll see.

Well, two of my three gaming groups have enjoyed your write-ups thoroughly; I must remember to email the third group. Perhaps Roy and HG could "call" CotSQ... See Oh Tee Ess Queue, I mean?

Cheers
D