I will start by congratulating England.You guys deserved your victory.
What a frustrating match to watch!I have never been a Louis Koen fan and I cant understand how our coach could have picked him for this game.We have the 2nd best flyhalf in the world warming the bench.I say 2nd best only because he hasnt been given any game time.We have tp play Hougaard or otherwise we can pack our bags and come home.The forwards played well.They deserved a win.
The All Blacks must be worried.With a bit of luck and Hougaard we will play the English in the final.
Do I detect a hint of bitterness from our Southern Hemisphere friends on RHP. Just because all of a sudden the Tri-Nations no longer hold the dominance in World Rugby Union it must be because England cheat, or over-rely on Johnny Wilkinson. Put it this way, if Johnny were Australian or South African, would you drop him to maintain the asthetics of rugby - no? I didn't think so!!!!
Mark
Originally posted by mmanuelAbsolutely agree with you - and its more than just a hint of bitterness (with the exception of Johan, who has accepted the defeat more gracefully).
Do I detect a hint of bitterness from our Southern Hemisphere friends on RHP. Just because all of a sudden the Tri-Nations no longer hold the dominance in World Rugby Union it must be because England cheat, or over-rely on Johnny Wilkinson. Put it this way, if Johnny were Australian or South African, would you drop him to maintain the asthetics of rugby - no? I didn't think so!!!!
Mark
To moan on about 10 man rugby and the slowing of the ball around the ruck, ignores the fact that SA adopted exactly the same tactics. How often did SA attempt to move it wide? It looked to me that their gameplan was set up to disrupt England first and second phase ball, kick for position and defend solidly. Hardly groundbreaking stuff.
In any event had SA played their best game, they would have won, no question. They met us on an off-day and should have beaten us.
What I don't understand is, why single England out for special criticism? All of the teams are trying to push the boundaries of the laws to the max - it is a professional game after all. England's approach is no different to the approach of the Southern Hemisphere teams - everyone is looking to grab any advantage they possibly can.
I suppose we should feel flattered that Oz, NZ and SA feel threatened by English rugby for the first time in a long time. The constant sniping seems aimed solely at undermining the English game.
Until the Southern Hemisphere unions succeed in ruining the game by turning it into a cross between a glorified version of sevens and league, I'll continue to enjoy the impact of the set pieces upon the game.
And Heaven forbid if any gamemanship creeps into forward play!! 😉
Well, maybe everyone is singling out England because all this finger pointing is true...
I like to see lots of tries and an open game, but against the better teams, usually the game is played by the forwards and the half-backs.
This point I'll concede.
Also, England has a great defence, so you basically have to play very unorthodox rugby or 10-man rugby. Unfortunately 10-man rugby doesn't work against England.
I'm sorry about the cheating comment, that isn't fair. England has just perfected this strategy.
Only one other thing remains to be said: "A good loser, is a born loser..."
Originally posted by Crowleyhuh scotland will beat the lot of you`s.😉
Well, maybe everyone is singling out England because all this finger pointing is true...
I like to see lots of tries and an open game, but against the better teams, usually the game is played by the forwards and the half-backs.
This point I'll concede.
Also, England has a great defence, so you basically have to play very unorthodox rugby or 10-man rugb ...[text shortened]... his strategy.
Only one other thing remains to be said: "A good loser, is a born loser..."
Lots of tries? You mean like the hammering you received at Rugby HQ 2 years ago, when SA's only tactic was to cripple as many Englqand players as possible. How can you possibly critise England as one dimensioned, when in the last world cup SA beat England by 5 point thanks to JdB's 5 yes 5 drop goals! Hypocrites!!! Second half there was only one team in it, end of!!😀
And I quote:
Originally posted by Crowley
I like to see lots of tries and an open game, but against the better teams, usually the game is played by the forwards and the half-backs.
I like to see lots of tries.
Also, England has a great defence, so you basically have to play very unorthodox rugby or 10-man rugby. Unfortunately 10-man rugby doesn't work against England.
I should probably have said this as well - Or if you have a good goal-kicker, just out-kick JW
Have you even been reading the thread?
I thought South Africa were a little unlucky. The scoreline was hugely flattering to England. Dallaglio was amazingly lucky to avoid being cited too.
England have been in this kind of position in previous World Cups. They've not been playing quite at their best, and people say "When they hit top gear..." The question is: is there a higher gear? If so, I think that England will win. If not, then they may lose to France let alone Australia or New Zealand.
Do you reckon that South Africa can beat the Kiwis?
Mick 🙂
I reckon we can be the Kiwis provided the right guys are are picked.We cant go with Koen again,he should not have been in the squad to start with.We need to play Hougaard at flyhalf and Greeff at fullback or even Greeff at flyhalf and van der Westhuyzen at fullback for that matter(although I dont prefer the latter)
I am starting to think the Aussies are going to go damn close to the final if not go all the way.Scary I know!
Dallagio was very lucky and probably should have been cited - thank goodness he wasn't. Retaliation is always a difficult one to call though, and for those of us who play know, often the only way to get someone off you either holding you back or down is a gentle 'dink' which is all it really was.
I reckon SA can beat NZ but they will have to play as well as they did against England and put over all their kicks.
The difference between this England sqaud and previosu world cups is that this team has not lost to Southern hemisphere sides for over 3 years that builds a huge amount of confidence and when the going gets tough they do not panic they believe they will win, a huge asset and one they have not previously had.
I am hoping Scotland can cause an upset and beat France that would put France in the Aus SA NZ side of the draw they still worry me!