World Cup Rugby 2007

[Dirko]

Well at least the Kiwi's lost too....geez what a upset that was.
Seeya Aussies
Seeya Kiwi's

well done Roses, well done le Frogs...

[sydney-dog]

both the Aussie's and Kiwi's chocked

[silicone skyline]

What are the characteristics of a good game?

Offside - is it similar to the real football rules?
Why the hell do they kick the ball out of bounds? Isn't the point of having a boundary line to keep the ball IN?
Why do they have a scrum and what's the point?
If you get 3 points for a field goal, why don't they just keep pinging away at the goal AFL style?

One thing I really find silly is that the point is to go forward, but you have to pass backwards. Just seems dumb to me.

Offside: Does differ between codes i think but I believe it stems from after each tackle, every player from the defensive side barring one marker must start approximately five metres further up the ground until the ball is played.
Then they may move forward and tackle.

Kicking the ball out is simply a tactical move to push the ball back into the oppositions half, it's a territorial game so it will relieve the pressure off the team with the ball playing in their defensive half.
Also gives them a chance to turn the ball over in their attacking half, giving them a better chance to score.
Also after a penalty is given, the team kicking the ball out from the penalty recieves the line out too.
I think that's it, i don't know for sure being a south aussie AFL head, but thats my interpretation.

The scrum is a chance to stick one anothers head in places where it would be deemed weird without a genuine excuse.
Thats open to interpretation too.

You get one point for a drop goal, three for the penalty kick, two for the conversion after a try.
Earning the penalty kick is half the trouble.
Generally teams will have a crack when the opportunity arises to have a ping.
Drop goals aren't really worth it.

I dont understand alot of things, and i may have many of the rules wrong, but its an okay game in small doses such as the world cup, bledisloe and tri-nations.

[am Bays]

You get one point for a drop goal, three for the penalty kick, two for the conversion after a try.
Earning the penalty kick is half the trouble.
Generally teams will have a crack when the opportunity arises to have a ping.
Drop goals aren't really worth it.

3 points for a field/drop goal in Union one pt in League.

The defensive 10 man Rugby England showed last night is akin to a Nill all draw in Soccer DA, can understand why you found it boring. When played in ats truest form running Ruigby with losts of phases it is sensational - not as good as footy but still god nothertheless. As the Welsh call Rugby "the game of the gods"

[Mr66]

both the Aussie's and Kiwi's chocked

Did Mark Williams coach these teams as well?

[JAS]

I've never really watched much rugby and never understood it.

I watched todays game, and if that's anything to go by, I'll NEVER watch another game of rugby in my life.

Not because us Aussies went down, but because GOD SAVE US ALL, THAT RUBBISH IS BORING!

Wow...you would right off a sport just because the one game you took time to watch wasn't exceptional...maybe if you said you had watched half a dozen games involving different teams I would say fair enough at least you gave it a go.

If you really would like to try and understand the game a little better this link will take you to a site that has quite a good 'game guide' for people new to rugby union.

http://www.scrum.com/906_1068.php

Would be nice if you could try and watch a few more games before you decide...England are not the most exciting team to watch...haven't been for years...rely far to much on gaining points through penalty kicks...whilst it might help them win games it's boring as hell for the spectators

Regards
JAS

[devilsadvocate]

Cheers lads. Even reading those rules, it's still a bit shady, but some of the things I saw yesterday make a little more sense.

I watched a fair chunk of the 1999 semi between France and NZ on replay on Friday night, which was dubbed as one of the greatest games of all time. It bored me to tears. I just can't get into rugby. Rant over.

Enjoy the final fellas. I'll stick to the beautiful game.

[JAS]

Now it's my turn...commiserations to MagicKiwi on two counts

Never expected the All Blacks to lose...hope to god England don't take the trophy again...one success followed by yet another 4 years of nothing...sorry Dog_ger but I'm afraid to me that will never make them true champions.

I must admit that even though the All Blacks lost it was still great game to watch. Several heart-stopping minutes at the 4.30 minute mark when Serge Betsen was grounded performing a hard but legal tackle and then took at least one knee to the head and was knocked out cold...seemed to take forever for them to get his gum shield out and fire up the oxygen. Thankfully appears to have made a full recovery.

Was a little strange suddenly hearing the strains of 'Fields of Athenry' from the crowd after the All Blacks got the first points on the board. Apparently there was a huge Irish contingent at the game (still had tickets from sport packages) and they didn't appear to be barracking for France

For those not celebrating or drowning sorrows there's a couple of games today...

South Africa v Fiji
Argentina v Scotland

I ain't predicting nothing...after yesterday bloody anything could happen

Regards
JAS

[Dirko]

Yeehaa Fiji and Scotland to win !!

[JAS]

Time for the start of the 3rd quarter final

South Africa v Fiji

Today's trivia...it's also Fiji Day when they celebrate their independance from the UK hopefully that will be a good omen for them.

Also good to see Nicky Little getting to take part as a touchline commentator...at least he appars to be standing without crutches which must be good

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

At almost the 8 minute mark the Boks get a penalty

SA 3
Fiji 0

Looks to be a huge open air stadium and it's packed...sounds like most are neutrals barracking for the underdogs...hope they get a try...the noise will be staggering

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

25th minute and Fiji get points on the board with a penalty and a great roar from the crowd

SA 8
Fiji 3

Have a feeling the heat may take it's toll before this is over...my widget thingy says it's 25C over there and that would be in the shade...most of the pitch is in full sun.

Regards
JAS

[bulldogproud]

What a weekend, Central and England!!!!
Now do I wear my Central shirt tomorrow or my England one?

[JAS]

What a weekend, Central and England!!!!
Now do I wear my Central shirt tomorrow or my England one?

I'm slightly biased but if I were you I'd opt for Norwood or Ireland

Regards
JAS

[bulldogproud]

Okay, will put on my Ireland one. Mum was from Northern Ireland!
Cheers

[JAS]

Half time

SA 13
Fiji 3

Thankfully Percy Montgomery's kicking is a little off today or SA wouls have another 5 points. Fiji have made a couple of very stupid high tackles...they need to be careful...can afford to have anyone sin-binned...SA would be all over them like a rash if they did. Hope DA watches this one...much more eciting than the England game

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Okay, will put on my Ireland one. Mum was from Northern Ireland!
Cheers

Thats fine...Ireland rugby doesn't discriminate...always had plays from both sides of the border...unlike soccer

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

51st minute and Fiji do the unthinkable....

Rabeni gets binned for a high tackle

SA 20
Fiji 6

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

56th minute...did I say there would be noise or what...a converted try for Fiji and the crowd go mental

SA 20
Fiji 13


Regards
JAS

[JAS]

OH MY F**KING GOD they only go and score another in the 58th minute

SA 20
Fiji 20

Don't forget they still have only 14 men on the pitch.

Regards
JAS