Rugby World Cup 07

Ok I had a big post almost finished where I wrote a little about each game that had been played so far as well as injury analysis then IE decided it had to close and I couldnt even Ctrl + P all of it. So while I may have defeated the urge to go spill some blood I am in no way in the mood to re write it all so i'll just write some comments for each game.

Pool A

England vs USA (28-10)

What are England up to?!? Im supprised that they only beat the USA by this much. I really dont expect to see much at all from the defending champions this time round.


South Africa vs Samoa (59-7)

I expected more from Samoa but SA showed why many are picking them as the 2nd best team in this WC. I still expect to see Samoa make some noise. Look out England I say.

Pool B

Australia vs Japan (91-3)

No supprise here, I guess I might have expected Japan to score at least one try and I thought their defence might have held Aussie to a bit lower than this. I did watch this game at the pub, but since it was after the New Zealand game I was completely boozed and cant remember much at all. The loss of Mark Gerrard could really hurt Aussie as he will be out for the rest of the WC. Adam Ashley-Cooper will probably miss the next game too.


Wales vs Canada (42-17)

Not much to say about this one. Apparently Canada didnt play too bad but in the end Wales were always going to be too good.

Pool C

New Zealand vs Italy (76-14)

I thought Italy might have caused us a bit more trouble, but nothing came of it. Dan Carter dominated the midfield with his playmaking and great vision with his chip kicks (6 tries were because of chips). Dougie Howlett equaled the NZ total tries scored record which is good. Tony Woodcock picking up an injury is bad, but it sounds like he will be back for the next game. I dont think the two tries scored by Italy leave much to worry about the ABs defense, one was a run away intercept mainly only because the ABs were getting a bit creative and the other was in the dying minutes.


Scotland vs Portugal (56-10)

No supprises here at all. I thought it may have been closer but since I dont really know much about the Portugal side it was probably just off.

Pool D

France vs Argentina (12-17)

Big upset! I think too much pressure was put on France, they were getting treated like they were the favourite to win the Cup, I guess thats what you get when you are the home side. Argentina simply dominated the French physically. Im happy for Argentina as they always play wtih a huge passion.


Ireland vs Namibia (32-17)

Namibia played very well, albeit for only part of a half. Even though they still lost I think it was encouraging for the rookie side. Ireland will want to look at their performance as they are expected to go deep into the Tourny however the loss of Brian O'Driscoll will deffinately hurt them, it will be interesting to see how long he is out for since without him they are deffinately a weaker side.


Anyway im not sure how many will actually be following this but I will continue to post, maybe not about all the games, but it is certainly going to be an interesting WC.

Some games to watch out for:

England vs South Africa (14th Sep) - Will be a very important game for both teams as the team that comes out top of the pool will only have to play the runner up of pool B which will probably be Wales, while the Runner up will have to play the winner of pool B which will probably be Aussie.

England vs Samoa (22nd Sep) - I see this a potential upset, especially if England dont improve form their performance vs the USA.

New Zealand vs Scotland (23rd Sep) - While I cant see Scotland beating the ABs this will be a good match to watch. The game will be played in Cardiff which means the atmosphere will be heated. I can see Scotland putting on a performance but the ABs will also rise to the occasion.

France vs Ireland (21st Sep) - If Ireland win this then they should deffinately be through, however should they lose to France and then beat Argentina then it will open this pool right up. I actually think this will be a France victory which assuming a Irish win over Argentina will see this pool decided by Points Differential.

Ireland vs Argentina (30th Sep) - Explained above. I dont really see Argentina being able to come up with two upsets, however France are ranked higher than Ireland so it could very well happen.

Last edited by Mark. on Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I have watched a bit of the wc not a real fan of union i am a league fan. I am sort of starting to understand the game better but still prefer league. I'll keep reading this though especially when bored.

I have watched a bit of the wc not a real fan of union i am a league fan. I am sort of starting to understand the game better but still prefer league. I'll keep reading this though especially when bored.

Yeah I the opposite, ive only just started to watch league the past few years. Imo its probably easier to understand league having followed rugby than the other way round.

Keep watching the games dude, there are gonna be some great match-ups, especially come quarter finals.


Here are my picks for the quarter finals:

Australia vs England
South Aftrica vs Wales
New Zealand vs Argentina
Scotland vs Ireland

Im picking a huge upset in that France will lose to Ireland as well and not manage to make it out of their pool. Realistically I think it will be Ireland and France who make it out, but I thought id make it a bit more fun.

I've watched some of the games. It's pretty entertaining, I just got started watching Rugby

Rugby league is the far superior sport, alot more exciting.

Yeah I guess its all a matter of opinion, seeing that Union is our National sport I as brought up on it where as League has only really become popular in the last 5 years or so. I have to admit that League seems to be over all more fun to watch, but if you get a good match up rugby can be very exciting.

I still like union, it just bores the shit out of me sometimes. The early group stages of the World Cup are good because there's heaps of tries, but I'm not looking forward to the kickfests in the semi's.

Argentina over France was not a huge upset....they've beaten them 4 out of last 5 times I believe....they have one of best forward packs in the world....they've got a chip on their shoulder from just missing quarter finals last couple of World Cups....I think they are also ranked 6th overall in World Rankings (above England, Wales, Italy & Scotland, but below NZ, Australia, South Africa, France & Ireland)....France is always susceptible in pool stages, that's just the type of team they are....plus about 80% of the Argentinan players play pro in France so they know how a lot of the French players play....

in the Canada game, I think the Canucks led 17-9 with only about 25 minutes to go, but Wales reeled off 33 straight points to save face....not a good win by them....

5 most interesting games for me in pool stages are:
England v South Africa
Australia v Wales
Scotland v Italy
Ireland v France
Ireland v Argentina

I'm thinking that Wales at Cardiff is going to give Australia a run for their money....

I've been saying for months that Argentina was my darkhorse to make the semis, so if they can win the Group of Death, then they should be good enough to make it that far....

Yeah X I was thinking about that after I worte about the Argentina v France game, I do remember someone saying that they have beaten them 4 of the last 5 times. I still think it was more of an upset in the sense that the media hype and expectations on France, along with France's recent form would have led a lot to expect France to win.

Ive been thinking about that pool and I actually think that it may be Ireland that gets left out. I think France will ost likely beat them, and I dont see them being able to beat Argentina. So in that situation we would be looking at the ABs facing France in the Quarters, which makes your prediction of the Pumas making the Semis even more realisable.

On the Argentina victory or Georgia (33-3), it sounds like Georgia put up a bit of a fight until just after half time. The Pumas didnt score their first try until the the 47th minute. However Argentina were resting six of their key players for the match. Also in the game recap it mentions that Argentina are ranked 4th in the world, so that would put them above France wouldn't it? since sure Aussie, the Bok and the ABs make up the top 3.

Mark, Argentina jumped up the World Rankings from #6 to #4 after their win over France. I think it's NZ, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, France, Ireland & England as top 7 teams....

whilst I don't think Argentina are better than full strength teams from France, Ireland or England, I would place them as the 7th best team in the World & very, very tough at home in Bueno Aires....

when I made the prediction for Argentina as darkhorses, I hadn't seen the draw....obviously if they don't win the group, I can't see them getting past the AB's, but getting past the likes of Scotland is most likely than not....

it's looking like NZ-Australia in one semi & RSA-Argentina/France in the other....part of me hopes that Wales beats Australia so that it can set up a potential NZ-Australia final....either way, anyone who wins the World Cup deserves it....once quarter finals come round, they're all tough matches....

Ah yes that would make sense, I just assumed that the rankings would be recalculated at the end of the WC. Yeah a New Zealand vs Australia final would be really good, but its not looking that hopeful. Yeah thats the great thing about the WC, the ABs are ranked first, but its not like it would be hard to an of the top 6 nations to topple them.

South Africa def England 36-0 As I thought England were no match for South Africa, the Springbok pretty much dominated. Sounds like Jason Robinson had a good game for England, but he had to leave the field with a Hamstring injury.

Im looking forward to tonights ABs game as there will hopefully be heaps of tries, but I dont expect it to be too inspiring as the All Blacks will be resting some of their top players including Dan Carter and McCaw, in fact only four players from the side that faced Italy will be starting on the field.

I'd consider South Africa the 2nd favourites to win the World Cup....it's going to be an interesting South Africa-Australia quarter final, that's for sure

Hell yes, thats what I rekon as well, although I think I undervalued the Wallabies a little too much going into this WC

Hell yes, thats what I rekon as well, although I think I undervalued the Wallabies a little too much going into this WC

never underestimate the Wallabies....only reason I think they "might" lose is that they're playing in Cardiff & Larkham (the star of the show) has an injured knee & might not play....

It's Kurtley Beale time! ... oh wait.

It's um... Berrick Barnes time

looks like Berrick played well, so all is good for the inevitable NZ-Australia semi....

Australia 10 - 12 England

Quite shocking really, more a fact of Aussie losing as opposed to England winning. Aussie just choked, they got dominated by the England forward pack, and then in the areas that they should have won in they kept making mistakes. I was waiting the whole second half for the Wallabies to strike back with a quick try, but nothing eventuated.

I wanted Aussie to win because I HATE the way that England plays, but I guess England will be a better Semi Final oppoenent for the All Blacks (assuming we beat France in 4 hours time) England wont be as lucky against NZ as they were against Auz, simply because we have a forward pack that will easily match up against England's.

you spoke too soon Mark, it was always going to be a tough game, a 18-20 loss....despite the mild hangover, I did wake up at 5am to watch it....a good game overall....

it sucks to lose on a blatant forward pass for a try but that is the game of rugby union & that is the norm rather than the exception....but I wouldn't blame the one play for the loss....I wouldn't blame the injuries to frontline All Blacks (Daniel Carter, Jerry Collins, Byron Kelleher & Carter's backup Nick Evans), I blame the selection of the team....it was disgraceful & was hard to stomach when I saw the lineup name mid-week....

the guy at work is from Auckland so he didn't necessarily agree, but you select a dickhead like McAlister, who is essentially a Carlos Spencer-lite is never good....good runner, bad instincts, not a great kickers, bad passer....he might've scored a great try, but he got sin binned on a stupid professional foul when France weren't going to score anyway....in that time, France scored 10 points....when McAlister came back on, he missed a fairly easy & crucial conversion kick that ended up being the final difference....I don't know why Nick Evans or even Leon MacDonald wasn't kicking....

I didn't like the picking of an unhealthy Mills Muilana (sp?)....he had no impact....I had no problem with Rokockoko (sp?) pick as he was in nice form & played alright....I thought it was a travesty that Doug Howlett, who is a try scorer machine, was in superb form & is a decent kicker & defender....why have 2 running wingers & neither can kick the ball out of trouble?!? so, of the backline, I would've had Kelleher, Carter, Mauger, Smith, Rokockoko (sp?), Howlett & MacDonald....forward pack was fine, although I've always liked running hooker impact of Mealeamu (sp?) off the bench....I would've still had Nick Evans on the bench, maybe McAlister on the bench too....Toeva sucks a fat one....to think that someone can become an All Black but can't catch or throw a simple pass....what has it come down to, athleticism?!?

full credit to France though, they played disciplined rugby (not fouling through what, 25-30 phases in their own 22 was superb) & they didn't get the AB's much chance....great job France, they deserved it....

the World Cup is now South Africa's to lose....I'm really hoping a team like Scotland (my bloodline) or Argentina make a strong bid for it though....wouldn't pain me to see France win it as that would bring them into the "elite" company of RWC winners in Australia, NZ, South Africa & England, & they are of that calibre....

as for Australia, I had predicted during the week that Australia might lose & they have historically been a very poor quarter finals team (struggled to get passed 1/4's in 1991 & 1999, as well as being knocked out in them in 1995 & now 2007)....

in other games, I expect South Africa to advance comfortably over Fiji....the Argentina-Scotland game isn't a gimme like everyone is making it out to be....I think Scotland can win that one as long as they are disciplined & fight hard all game, & take the most of their opportunities....

either way, a South Africa-France final isn't so bad....the All Blacks need to learn the lesson of the US national basketball program....they have to pick the best team that works as a team, not the 15 or 22 best players in the country....

ahh well, I've said my piece & got it off my chest....my workmate from Auckland is going to hear it from me though on Monday

I pretty much agree with you on everything you said Andrew, I don't believe that McAlisters infringement was a yellow card as it deffinately didn't look intentional, he was just running his line, even so that little twat of a ref should have consulted with the linesman on that call.

But yes full props to France, they did everything they needed to win. The ABs just didnt take advantage of their chances. Still its always in the back of my head that we shouldnt have needed to score any more points since France should have had 7 (or 14) less points.

I would like a Southern team to win the Cup so any of Fiji, SA and the Pumas would be fine with me.

Finally I hope that ref never refs another top flite rugby match, I would not wish that on any team no matter how much I disliked them.

my bold prediction is that McAlister will never play another game for the All Blacks ever again....he's off to England for 2 years & by the time he gets back, he's not going to be in front of Daniel Carter or Nick Evans (who I think must now be a frontrunner for starting second five-eights or starting full back)....maybe we'll find some centres by then....where's Umaga when you need him....Frank Bunce anyone?!?

if South Africa go on to win it all, which I rate as a 75-80% probability (it was about 40-45% in my eyes before the two upsets last night & this morning), then I would consider them the greatest World Cup country of All-Time....out of 4 World Cups they've been in (provided they win it all), they would've won it twice, got 3rd place in 1999 & been a beaten quarter finalist by the AB's in 2003....that would have to put them slightly ahead of Australia who in 6 tries has 2 World Cups (1991 & 1999), beaten finalists (2003), beaten semi finalists (1987) & twice beaten quarter finalists (1995 & 2007)....

I wonder how the rugbyheads over the ditch feel about being only the 3rd best rugby World Cup team of all-time with only a record of 1 World Cup (1987), beaten finalists (1995), 3 time beaten semi finalists (1991, 1999 & 2003) & beaten quarter finalists (2007).

Can't take anything away from All Blacks being the best team in the World over the last 20 years, but you can take it away from them as maybe only being the 3rd or 4th best World Cup team....the long white cloud over NZ has turned a shade of grey (reminiscent of the jersey colour)....

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4229063a1823.html

Thats pretty shocking, fucking unloyal bastards. I can understand the older guys like Kelleher and Mauger going since they are nearing the end of their AB careers, but Collins the fucker still has another WC in him too, as with Joe. Show some loyalty to the country that fucking raised you to be the players you are. Ungrateful bastards.

Sorry about the abusive rant, but im in a pretty angry mood today I think I might have to drink away my sorrows while watching Bathurst, soo much for studying for exams today.

Oh and I think this is most appropriate report ive seen so far on the net:

http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4229103a22363.html

They actually acknowledge the way the ref raped the All Blacks.

I hate sounding like a bitter fan who is blaming it all on the ref, which im not, but had those 14 points never happened it wouldnt have mattered whether we made the most of our last few chances as we would have been fine scoring the 18 points we did.

Oh and yeah why the fuck do the French have to wear Navy?!?!? Arent they normally Royal Blue, FFS they should stick to their colours and we to ours, we all know the gay grey strip is cursed. I wouldnt be supprised to see in the next few years that the French team is wearing Black

Holy crap! That was my first reaction when I heard that NZ lost. Tomorrow will be very interesting.

I don't blame the players for going to Europe....that's where the money is....but I really feel that these players think they can play 2 years in Europe, then return to NZ & take back their spots in the All Blacks....it probably won't happen as a new breed of players will come through....

I'm not going to blame the ref, even though there were some poor decisions....I knew in the last 10 minutes of the game that the ref wasn't going to blow the whistle unless he absolutely had to....he swallowed it as NBA refs tend to at ends of games (unless Wade has the ball)....

all in all, the All Blacks only have themselves to blame....the best team in the World will win the World Cup....is it going to be South Africa, France or could the upstarts Argentina get 2 more wins than I predicted at the start of the tournament & run the table?!? either way, I won't be waking up to watch the games, that's for sure....

Yeah in the heat of my anger I forgot that most of them are only going for 2 years, which will actually be good for NZ as it will give the super 14 and NPC teams to bring through younger players. But yeah im not too sure that many will get their places back, Collins is pretty irreplaceable so maybe he will, but I don't think the rest will have that good a chance.

Yeah I seriously think it wil be SA, they have been amazing this World Cup and their team is just so solid currently, had the ABs managed to stay in I wouldnt have rated our chances at beating the Boks.

Oh well now its time to support Canterbury in the NPC, hopefully they wont let me down (Although the already lost the log of wood to Auckland)