23 Sep 07
Originally posted by buffalobillLol... did you make this up or read it in a SA fairy tale book. Very enjoyable.
Some SA rugby humour (a tokoloshe is the monster under the bed at night - rural South Africans are scared of them and lift their beds with bricks):
Schalk Burger is so tough that:
When he does a pushup, he isn't lifting himself up; he's pushing the earth down.
When the tokoloshe goes to sleep, he checks under his bed for Schalk Burger.
Schalk ...[text shortened]... he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
He'll be going to sleep tonight counting Tongans jumping over springboks.
I did enjoy that game.. a moral victory to Tonga... Bula Bula Boys
23 Sep 07
Originally posted by Tirau DanNah, didn't make it up. Got it out of a mag. I'm sure I've seen something similar about someone else before ... Anyway, I enjoyed it.
Lol... did you make this up or read it in a SA fairy tale book. Very enjoyable.
He'll be going to sleep tonight counting Tongans jumping over springboks.
I did enjoy that game.. a moral victory to Tonga... Bula Bula Boys
The best word to describe the Tongan game was fractious. But at least we won (just).
I also watched the Argentina - Namibia game last night. The Namibians got clobbered - lots to 3. But ... referee Stuart Dickinson had an absolutely appalling game. Missed numerous knock-ons, gave knock-ons that weren't there, allowed Argies (twice) to lift players' legs in rolling mauls. Truly terrible. It wouldn't have made a difference, but imagine if that was an important match ...
23 Sep 07
40-0 NZ over Scotland. Error ridden performance from ABs really awful to watch. Scotland put on a brave performance but were totally done in the forwards.
The ref was dominant and once again we witness the demise of the real game.. no rucking at all allowed players can lay on the ball and the ref stops play. Big shame for the game.
Also how many times does a ref have to ask a front row to stay up before giving a penalty for collapsing.. thats three games in a row we've seen scrums collapsing against the abs and refs no longer penalise it theyt try to educate as you hear them pleading with the collapsing guys to "stay a bit higher"..
Good on Dougie Howlett, now the most prolific AB try scorer.
23 Sep 07
Originally posted by Tirau DanI only saw the highlights, but the ABs were toying with Scotland - running the ball from inside their 25, that sort of thing. I wouldn't be worried because that wasn't their A-game.
40-0 NZ over Scotland. Error ridden performance from ABs really awful to watch. Scotland put on a brave performance but were totally done in the forwards.
The ref was dominant and once again we witness the demise of the real game.. no rucking at all allowed players can lay on the ball and the ref stops play. Big shame for the game.
Also how many ti ...[text shortened]... uys to "stay a bit higher"..
Good on Dougie Howlett, now the most prolific AB try scorer.
24 Sep 07
Don't know if anyone's done this in the last few pages of the thread, but here's a recap of what the QF's are now going to look like.
(And it's quite funny to look at how it's turned out compared with the predictions in the first few pages of this thread)
QF1: Aus vs (Tonga/England)
QF2: NZ vs (France/Argentina)
QF3: RSA vs (Wales/Fiji)
QF4: (Argentina/France) vs (Scotland/Italy)
My own thinking is that Argentina will give Ireland a decent beating and top their pool, but they are second only to NZ in terms of choking during the World Cup, so who knows. It hardly matters who will go through out of Scotland and Italy, the same with Wales and Fiji, as they'll both almost certainly lose their quarter finals.
However, I would LOVE to see Tonga go through ahead of England. That is one match I will definitely be watching. Whilst I don't think either team will be able to topple Australia, I'd love for Tonga to make them work for the win, instead of England's tactic of "Roll over and hope they take pity on us".
So my semi's prediction:
SF1: Aus vs NZ
SF2: RSA vs Argentina
The best four teams in the southern hemisphere (and consequently, the world) to duke it out!
24 Sep 07
Originally posted by JonoKyleFrance may not qualify, they may lose in the QF's (as you say), however they're still capable of winning it on their day. Personally, I'm tipping them to go all the way to the final.
Don't know if anyone's done this in the last few pages of the thread, but here's a recap of what the QF's are now going to look like.
(And it's quite funny to look at how it's turned out compared with the predictions in the first few pages of this thread)
QF1: Aus vs (Tonga/England)
QF2: NZ vs (France/Argentina)
QF3: RSA vs (Wales/Fiji)
QF4: (Argen ...[text shortened]... four teams in the southern hemisphere (and consequently, the world) to duke it out!
24 Sep 07
1 edit
Originally posted by JonoKyleI reckon that’s a fair semis prediction. It’s worked out to be a really tight world cup pool end stage, we are going into the final weekend of the pool games and the majority of QF places are still open and contested, great for rugby...here is how I see it going...
Don't know if anyone's done this in the last few pages of the thread, but here's a recap of what the QF's are now going to look like.
(And it's quite funny to look at how it's turned out compared with the predictions in the first few pages of this thread)
QF1: Aus vs (Tonga/England)
QF2: NZ vs (France/Argentina)
QF3: RSA vs (Wales/Fiji)
QF4: (Argen four teams in the southern hemisphere (and consequently, the world) to duke it out!
England vs. Tonga
A much improved English performance against Samoa, however still not convincing. If they can keep Wilco fit and possibly get Robinson back I feel they will just squeeze the victory. Tonga showed some real spirit against the Bok, however, would they have been 10-7 up at 50 mins if the bok had their first team with the likes of Habana from the start? England to squeeze a tight victory and get second place to set up QF draw with the Aussies.
Wales vs. Fiji
Wales still have problems with selection, great backs but still don’t seem to know their best centre partnership, and for this potentially open game that could be crucial. They are scrumaging well enough but the line out has got some cracks, and for once Welsh forwards have a chance to dominate. Fiji rested a host of players this weekend and consequently got hammered by the Aussies. Their backs have looked creative and expansive, scoring some great tries. This will be an open game, but I feel the Welsh forwards should be able to starve Fiji of possession just enough for the welsh backs to get on top. Wales to come second in the pool, QF against the bok.
Scotland vs. Italy
This is an out and out forwards vs. forwards game. Italy will be going into this game relying on a big pack. Scotland will be doing the same, evident in Sundays game when a second string pack were out against the All Blacks. Italy have not looked convincing this world cup, where Scotland are a vastly more improved team than the one that played the six nations this year. I think Scotland will squeeze this one, their not making as many mistakes as Italy and I feel defensively they are superior to Italy. Scotland to get a second place and set up a QF with winner of Group D, which will be the Pumas!
Argentina vs. Ireland
The Irish are proud boys and will be really hurting thanks to a very poor world cup. There are so many problems in this team right now I'm not sure where to begin, if they are going to get anything from this game they need to be disciplined, they gave France the font foot early on in Fridays game due to indiscipline time and time again. Argentina are solid, a fantastic pack and some handy backs, defensively superb. This is tight, but I feel the Pumas will edge it, even if they do lose it they wont lose by much and I just cant see the Irish getting 4 tries, which means without the bonus point the Irish go out. If the Pumas lose then it will be tight and within a score, they will pick up the all important bonus point, thus topping the group on virtue of beating France. Argentina to face Scotland in the QF with the French travelling over here to Cardiff for a showdown with the All Blacks!
Edit: France vs. Georgia
Needless to say I think France will run riot and win scoring the 4 tries for the bonus point!
25 Sep 07
Canada 12 - Japan 12. A most enjoyable game, fast, free-flowing, lots of energy (boy those Japs are like Eveready bunnies) and in a good spirirt with lots of guts. Japan scored after fulltime, kicked the conversion and levelled the score. Lack of experience saw a Canadian deliberately knock the ball back over the dead ball line when all he had to do was try to catch it. The final score came from the penalty. This rugby treat was refereed by my favourite Jonathan Kaplan.
26 Sep 07
Originally posted by buffalobillI was hoping for a more open game, but handling errors and bad play by both teams at the breakdown meant both teams struggled to really get going. Still, as you say, it was enjoyable to watch.
Canada 12 - Japan 12. A most enjoyable game, fast, free-flowing, lots of energy (boy those Japs are like Eveready bunnies) and in a good spirirt with lots of guts. Japan scored after fulltime, kicked the conversion and levelled the score. Lack of experience saw a Canadian deliberately knock the ball back over the dead ball line when all he had to do was ...[text shortened]... inal score came from the penalty. This rugby treat was refereed by my favourite Jonathan Kaplan.
Would this game count under 'upsets'?
What do you think about this 'conspiracy' to get talented SA players out of the competition before the knock-out stages, William?
Burger getting cited, Steyn going to a judiciary when there was absolutely no evidence to justify it and Habana getting a very bad call from the ref, earning a yellow card.
26 Sep 07
Originally posted by CrowleyOn principle I don't think so because I'm not a big one for conspiracies. But SA players often do seem to get singled out. Other countries, though, call us dirty and players like Bakkies Botha often are close on the edge.
I was hoping for a more open game, but handling errors and bad play by both teams at the breakdown meant both teams struggled to really get going. Still, as you say, it was enjoyable to watch.
Would this game count under 'upsets'?
What do you think about this 'conspiracy' to get talented SA players out of the competition before the knock-out stages, W ...[text shortened]... idence to justify it and Habana getting a very bad call from the ref, earning a yellow card.
Habana got the call but the ref was within his rights as it was a professional foul. They just need to be a bit more clever - Habana should have slowed the ball down, but then made an effort to get out of the way. Their timing is often slow.
We've been through Burger before, but what's clear (many times) is that if there's an Australian or New Zealand administrator involved then the South African's going to get the short, sticky end of the stick. Steyn's citing was ludicrous.
26 Sep 07
Originally posted by buffalobillI think it's the IRB putting pressure on the refs to clean up the game and take total control rather than bias. The SA's are loud complainers and don't tend to endear themselves to refs which would naturally lose them 50-50 calls.
On principle I don't think so because I'm not a big one for conspiracies. But SA players often do seem to get singled out. Other countries, though, call us dirty and players like Bakkies Botha often are close on the edge.
Habana got the call but the ref was within his rights as it was a professional foul. They just need to be a bit more clever - Habana ...[text shortened]... African's going to get the short, sticky end of the stick. Steyn's citing was ludicrous.
Steyn only got off because there was no video footage of the inside of the ruck. He had to be cited because the Tongan had teeth marks in his arm and I understand Steyn has form for biting. I think maybe he was lucky.
26 Sep 07
Originally posted by Tirau DanWhat is "form for biting"?
I think it's the IRB putting pressure on the refs to clean up the game and take total control rather than bias. The SA's are loud complainers and don't tend to endear themselves to refs which would naturally lose them 50-50 calls.
Steyn only got off because there was no video footage of the inside of the ruck. He had to be cited because the Tongan had teeth marks in his arm and I understand Steyn has form for biting. I think maybe he was lucky.
No, he was not lucky. Lucky is when you do something wrong and get away with it. The citing was for a bite on the finger (when did it move to the arm?) and the Tongan - Vaka - himself said he wasn't sure when it happened and that it could have been an accident. The conspiracy theorists can have a field day, because the Tongans said they had nothing to do with the citing which happened just before the 48 hour deadline. There are massive inconsistencies in the citing process which are apparent when one looks at who is cited and who not. Brian Lima (Fiji - late, high tackle), Drew Mitchell (Aus - spear tackle) and Carl Hayman (NZ - punching) get nothing, yet Steyn is cited on not the slightest bit of evidence.
To quote a newspaper report:
"In essence, the hearing was conducted with no evidence, and a witness who contradicted himself. As one observer noted: "Looks like a stitch-up job if I've ever seen one."
27 Sep 07
1 edit
Originally posted by buffalobillI agree. I don't put much stock in the whole conspiracy theory either, but some of the decisions and citings against SA players in this world cup have been bloody ridiculous, while players from other nations have gotten away with murder.
What is "form for biting"?
No, he was not lucky. Lucky is when you do something wrong and get away with it. The citing was for a bite on the finger (when did it move to the arm?) and the Tongan - Vaka - himself said he wasn't sure when it happened and that it could have been an accident. The conspiracy theorists can have a field day, because the Tongans icted himself. As one observer noted: "Looks like a stitch-up job if I've ever seen one."