Rugby World Cup 2007

[sandgk]

England is screwed.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I'm way behind on this thing. I've got matches stacked on the DVR waiting to be watched and the NMR is threatening to pull the plug if there isn't enough hard drive room to record Dancing with the Stars.

Watched the first half of the France/Ireland match last night and it was the most enjoyable so far. Both teams played really hard.

Still haven't seen NZ, Argentina or OZ play, but I have the NZ/Scotland match recorded to watch tonight.

 

[tmporter]

The New Zealand/Scotland match was fought tooth and nail by Scotland leading to one of the worst matches I've seen NZ play in a while. NZ played sloppy rugby at times and had a hard time with the Scottish defense. Still the NZ quality is very noticable.

 

[wadc45]

I'm way behind on this thing. I've got matches stacked on the DVR waiting to be watched and the NMR is threatening to pull the plug if there isn't enough hard drive room to record Dancing with the Stars.

Watched the first half of the France/Ireland match last night and it was the most enjoyable so far. Both teams played really hard.

Still haven't seen NZ, Argentina or OZ play, but I have the NZ/Scotland match recorded to watch tonight.

NZ couldn't have played much worse against Scotland and still come away with a 40-0 victory...Graham Henry can't be pleased.

USA plays Samoa tomorrow. Glad to see Mounga is going to get the start over Bloomfield. Why Thorburn continues to play Sika on the wing I will never understand. That kid is a born center in my eyes. Hopefully Hercus and Erskine get the fellas off to a good start. This game is clearly the USA's best chance to sneak a W away from someone.

Ireland is probably going home as the most disappointing side this tournament...

 

[RugbyBuck]

USA lost to Samoa. Down 22-3 at the half, we rallied, but lost 25-21.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I watched NZ/Scots last night and agree with the above assessments. NZ was sloppy, for them, but they got it done and their caliber was clear. I'm looking forward to the quarterfinals, but wish that I had DTV as I would've liked to have seen some of the smaller nations' games.

USA / Samoa is on Vs. at 5:00 tonight. Got it set to record if it doesn't get trumped by yet another night of Dancing with the, ahem, Stars.

 

[Steve19]

I finally got to watch the Boks match, Steve. Yes, it was a clinic. The defense was exceptional, I loved the scrumhalf play, and Habana and JPP on the wings are fantastic. England needs to bring up a new generation of players. I've seen them twice now in the RWC and they look old and lethargic. I'd like to see more tries from the Boks, but I guess if the other team is giving you penalty kicks and you keep knocking them down and playing crushing defense, you don't need ten tries to win.

Hmmm...South African kicker on Buckeye team. Tressel-ball influencing thinking in South Africa?

 

[RugbyBuck]

Hmmm...South African kicker on Buckeye team. Tressel-ball influencing thinking in South Africa?

If you check your really old IMs, my friend, you will notice that I once made just such a comparison between the Bucks and Boks. Now, if we could only get Bryan Habana returning kicks for the Bucks... Is Pretorious a naturalized citizen? Could he play for the USA when he's done at tOSU? First things, first, of course.

I just noticed that South Africa is playing the USA on Sunday. Looking forward to it with anticipation and dread. I assume that the Boks will be sitting much of their first XV. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles step up. Playing for nothing but pride now.

 

[RugbyBuck]

Also, two great "home nations" vs island nations matches are coming up with berths in the quarterfinals at stake. Tonga and England play tomorrow at 3:00 EST and Wales plays Fiji on Saturday. I expect to see some REALLY hard hitting. Scotland could be the only home nations team to move on to the quarterfinals.

 

[Steve19]

If you check your really old IMs, my friend, you will notice that I once made just such a comparison between the Bucks and Boks. Now, if we could only get Bryan Habana returning kicks for the Bucks... Is Pretorious a naturalized citizen? Could he play for the USA when he's done at tOSU? First things, first, of course.

I just noticed that South Africa is playing the USA on Sunday. Looking forward to it with anticipation and dread. I assume that the Boks will be sitting much of their first XV. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles step up. Playing for nothing but pride now.

The American Eagles had the try of the match and have nothing to be ashamed of. They represented the US well but South Africa was always going to be far too high a mountain to climb and the final score did not really show how much improved the US is.

I think Pretorius is now an American citizen. Habana reminds me a bit of Ted Ginn at times. Geez, blinding speed.

 

[RugbyBuck]

I watched the match last night and got two pleasant surprises. First, SA played its starters most of the match. I was sure they would sit out with the quarterfinals already locked up. I guess that's why I'm playing USA Division 3 rugby and not coaching in the World Cup. The Boks got a great warm-up for their finals run and I was really impressed with the way they handled themselves. Second, the USA gave, I think, the best accounting of itself of the tournament, especially when you consider the level of competition.

Our guys can rightfully say that they gave the Boks a good match. Others may disagree, but I think in rugby the way that you play really is more important than the final score. We were never going to threaten SA on the scoreboard, but we never packed it in and let them score at will because we weren't trying. The tries the Boks scored were because they are just that good; nothing wrong with that. I didn't see the Eagles hang their heads or lose focus and they didn't seem physically intimidated by the Boks.

The collision between the wings was scary. I thought Habana might be done for good when I saw the replay. Both those guys were playing really hard and I agree with the Teddy Ginn comparison. BH is just a lot stronger in the upper body.

 

[wadc45]

I will agree...a good match and not a bad performance by the Eagles overall at the RWC. I know most would have liked to have picked up at least one W but I think there is plenty to build on for the future. Thorburn seems to have the team pointed in the right direction.

Still don't understand playing Sika on the wing...

Glad to see Dan Payne get a start in the tournament. Tough break for Mounga.

RB, did the 19-year old get in the game?

 

[RugbyBuck]

RB, did the 19-year old get in the game?

Yes, he and four others got in at about the 74th minute. Trivia: he has the same birthday and the NMR and I. Turned 19 on 9/22. Too bad he didn't play in the first couple of matches. Would've been an international cap at 18, 19's not shabby, though.

Conversely, I scored a try against Chattanooga RFC on my 38th birthday.

 

[Steve19]

Well done on the try David. Did you see that NZ and the Aussies got knocked out of the RWC? SA better keep their eyes on Fiji today. That's gonna be a brutal game and I hope there aren't too many injuries.

Beat Fiji and the winner of England-France and the RWC is ours!

 

[RugbyBuck]

Thanks, I score a LOT more as a 38 year old scrumhalf than I ever did as a 25 year old wing! I'm old, but I am slow.

I saw the second half of the England/Australia match and all of France/NZ and I definitely agree; it's there for the Boks' taking. I didn't see the Fiji match yesterday, but I'm going to go watch the replay at 2:00, if I can get away.