World Cup Rugby 2007

[JAS]

Almost the 70th minute and SA score a try (and an earlier penalty) in a breathtaking second half.

SA 30
Fiji 20

Fiji came so close to another try in the 66th minute but were tackled on the line and rolled into touch with the ball getting to within a couple of inches of the ground.

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

79 minutes and 58 seconds...SA score a try after some brilliant defensive work by Fiji holding them off from the try line for around 6 minutes.

Final score

SA 37
Fiji 20

Phew...what a game Fiji played with so much passion...SA didn't seem to know what had hit them especially in the second half and had their customary reaction when they start making mistake they start getting the handbags out. Fiji really need to get on top of their discipline too though...far too many high tackles...very lucky not have more go to the bin. But it was a joy to see SA in disarray and starting to panic

Regards
JAS

[Dirko]

Argentina defeated Scotland 19 - 13.

Semi Finals are set...

England v France
Argentina v South Africa

Here are my bold predictions...

FRANCE & ARGENTINA to win...

[JAS]

Argentina defeated Scotland 19 - 13.

Semi Finals are set...

England v France
Argentina v South Africa

Here are my bold predictions...

FRANCE & ARGENTINA to win...

Yep you might be right but then again after the fright Fiji gave SA yesterday I think they will show a bit more respect for the enemy when they face the Pumas...they won't want to get caught off guard again...would be good if they were though Of course on the other hand their confidence may have taken quite a bashing even though they won...or are they too arrogant and aggressive to let that happen given their reputation as the bullyboys of the game

Oh hell, any of them could win now

Whatever happens it will be another south v north final
please not England, please not England, please not England

Regards
JAS

[Dog_ger]

Sorry JAS....

Go England...

[JAS]

Sorry JAS....

Go England...

No worries Dog_ger...glad to see you've survived Mrs. Dog_ger's disappointment.

What a boring world this would be if we all wore the same colours and waved the same flag

At least we can agree to disagree and barrack for whoever we want.

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Details of the semi's for those who like to plan ahead.

Saturday 13th 8pm (UK) 4.30am (Adelaide)

England no6 v France no5 ...
traditional enemies go head to head...title holders v hosts...should be one hell of a clash...sorry about the time Dog_ger...I won't post a word about it if you want to tape it to watch later

Sunday 14th 8pm (UK) 4.30am (Adelaide)

South Africa no3 v Argentina no4 ...
have SA had more luck than skill this year...now maybe the world will sit up and really take notice of the Pumas...SA won't want to lose face...Argentina would love this as a first win against the Boks

The games are on at a terrible time for you guys...hope you get some coverage of them.

Regards
JAS

[brod]

The AllBlack fans seem to be doing well with another early exit from the RWC. They have put the side up for sale with bids up to $1NZ.
"A used AllBlack Team - fully reconditioned earlier in the year and all parts rotated. Unfortunately the chock is stuck on full. Pickup from Auckland Airport."

[Dog_ger]

JAS feel free to post whenever you want. We enjoy all your posts. probably be live into Adelaide anyway.

[MagicKiwi]

Thanks JAS, I'm snowed under at work at the moment and my house looks like a bomb hit it after weeks of finals Footy and RWC. Will post more hopefully later this week with my latest musings.

One I have time for is that Fiji have played in both of my favourite games so far.

My heart was broken before I reached Footy Park on Sunday. Hate losing to a forward pass but we shouldn't have been in a position that the referee's game losing decision should make a difference.

[brod]

Strange to see that the ref for the NZ vs France match refereed his first Test Match in late Feb this year, only 7.5 months ago and to get such a game (RWC 1/4 final, Best Team vs Locals)
NZRB President has blamed the referee, saying that his decisions have cost the side 17points during the game - interesting to see someone in such a position come out and say that - guess hes trying to apease the locals

[Dirko]

IMO, at the end of the day, I wonder how much the Aussies losing had a impact on the Kiwis ?
The Kiwi's would've watched the game in Cardiff and thought holy sheet, they've been
knocked off, geez a bit of a upset that...upset, upset, upset Nah, not France surely not...
4 hours later...


They should play ALL finals games at the same time. Not that hard really, it'd then give the
competing teams the chance to focus on ONE game only and not bother re the other ones until
after...

[brod]

$28,000 - that one fair bar tab. this is the reported tab from the night out by a number of All Blacks that ended up with the arrest of Doug Howlett for criminal damage (damage of two motor vehicles)

[JAS]

This is the SkyNews report on what happened.

http://worldcup.planet-rugby.com/Story/ ... 60,00.html

Hope this is out of character as he's joining my boys at Munster in January.

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Good news for the rugby world...no positive drug tests so far.

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/ ... s+rwc+2007

I'm not saying that it doesn't go on in rugby...think we all know it probably does and testing only two from each team doesn't seem a lot but makes a nice change to see a story saying none have been found when the media tend to only be interested when drugs are found.

Regards
JAS

[silicone skyline]

I think they should allow one player from each team to partake in as much steroids as he can.
Then each side has one man/beast each.
Wouldn't that make things interesting:
"Larkham, passes wide to Giteau, who puts a small pass back inside to BEAST, OH GOD LOOK AT HIM GO, BEAST ALL THE WAY, Wilkinson tries to get across but is decapitated by the outstrecthed arm of BEAST, he's home!
Try Australia."

[Dirko]

I think they should allow one player from each team to partake in as much steroids as he can.
Then each side has one man/beast each.
Wouldn't that make things interesting:
"Larkham, passes wide to Giteau, who puts a small pass back inside to BEAST, OH GOD LOOK AT HIM GO, BEAST ALL THE WAY, Wilkinson tries to get across but is decapitated by the outstrecthed arm of BEAST, he's home!
Try Australia."

That was Jonah Lomu a few years ago

[JAS]

I think they should allow one player from each team to partake in as much steroids as he can.
Then each side has one man/beast each.
Wouldn't that make things interesting:
"Larkham, passes wide to Giteau, who puts a small pass back inside to BEAST, OH GOD LOOK AT HIM GO, BEAST ALL THE WAY, Wilkinson tries to get across but is decapitated by the outstrecthed arm of BEAST, he's home!
Try Australia."

That was Jonah Lomu a few years ago

Damn...you beat me to it

Remember the first game I saw him in...ball passed to England player who has nowhere to go and nobody to pass to...stands in the middle of the pitch and can only watch and wait as Lomu bears down on him...everyone (me, commentators, players) cringe waiting for the collision...Lomu did not disappoint

Regards
JAS

[Dog_ger]

Semi Finals are set...

England v France
Argentina v South Africa

What a Fabulous final series.....

[Dog_ger]

Is there a favourite JAS?

What do the Bookies say over there?