... and hopefully France will pull out one of their wonder performances - I put a tenner on Eng reaching the final before the cup started - I admit I was rather hoping they would beat SA and go through that side of the draw - still it is still a live bet!
As for comments re penalties vs tries - a converted try can still only be overhauled by 3 pens. If the pens don't hurt they are worthless - I have certainly given away a penalty as I reckoned 3 was better than 7 - devalue it and it will happen even more.
I had said to various people I had been playing chess against that if we could rule in the front 5 we would win that was after the Fijians performance against the Aussies - we need to remember how to score tries now!
I thought it was a thrilling game - and defence has won every WC so far.
Now just need Fra to beat ABs - (poss) Sco to beat Arg(maybe) and Fiji vs SA I think will be a cracking contest!
Originally posted by buffalobillCounting down to the NZ France game..
Well, one has to say NZ but they will be the nervous ones and France have nothing to lose. Against France is that it's an away game for both teams, so NZ will win and maybe even handsomely, although it won't be easy.
England/Aus fabulous? Nah, Aus will walk away with it. As for Catt, pfft. The only thing he's got going for him is experience. He's 36 deed, but they're not a team.
The match of the weekend definitely must be France/NZ.
England played it brilliantly.. a superbly engineered forward ambush dominated the Australians for much of the game. Aus won the backline encounter with great defence. Jonny missed a three droppies and two pens and poor old mortlock missed a penalty in the last couple of minutes..
I loved it.. classic old style test rugby 2 pointer to England one try in the game from a rare english mistake. 12-10
Catt played well enough to prove himself one of the finest 2nd fives in world rugby.
Originally posted by Mat KelleyI can vouch for that - good call Mat.
I had said to various people I had been playing chess against that if we could rule in the front 5 we would win that was after the Fijians performance against the Aussies - we need to remember how to score tries now!
Edit - I should be asleep, but this NZ France game is very nicely balanced with 7 mins to go.
Originally posted by rhbWhat a second half!
this NZ France game is very nicely balanced with 7 mins to go.
The ref seemed to play a very short advantage for NZ's last drop at goal. Surely, if there is an advantage the ref has to give the team 1 chance to make something happen?
All credit to France who defended superbly against NZ's massive number of phases, an unbelieveable 25 at one stage, I think.
Anybody have any money on today's results?
D
Originally posted by Ragnorakwas i the only irishman cheering for france?
What a second half!
The ref seemed to play a very short advantage for NZ's last drop at goal. Surely, if there is an advantage the ref has to give the team 1 chance to make something happen?
All credit to France who defended superbly against NZ's massive number of phases, an unbelieveable 25 at one stage, I think.
Anybody have any money on today's results?
D
watching france slaughter england will be something to look forward to next week 😀
and i'm off sat night again 😀
what a f'ing game 🙂
Originally posted by Ragnorakeveryone that i know that gave a crap wanted NZ to win.
I was cheering for France to try to make us Irish feel a bit better.
On the other hand, I was also cheering for NZ as their phase count went up and up.
It's great being the neutral.
D
i made more money today not working than i would've if i'd worked 😀
can't see past a france SA final now, you?
Originally posted by Ragnorakharsh decision on mcallister too, perhaps a penalty but the card as well?
[b]What a second half!
The ref seemed to play a very short advantage for NZ's last drop at goal. Surely, if there is an advantage the ref has to give the team 1 chance to make something happen?
All credit to France who defended superbly against NZ's massive number of phases, an unbelieveable 25 at one stage, I think.
Worst refereeing/touch judging in a rugby game that I've seen for a very long time. Countless times, France weren't pulled up for being offside, weren't pulled up for hands in the ruck, and weren't even called for a blatant forward pass that ended up in a try.
The yellow card on McAlister? Shouldn't have even been penalised, yet the ref somehow managed to find something malicious there. Made it easy to exploit their low numbers on defense and score another try.
It's tough playing against 16 players, especially when you only have 14 on the field yourself. Granted, the AB's gave away way, way too much posession through handling errors, and there barely seemed to be a single kick that found touch from them...