posted Oct 17, 2007

Just goes to show that Farrell is a waste of space within the England set up! we don't need him and we never have!

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posted Oct 17, 2007

Jim;
Thank you for introducing me to 'subbuteo'.

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posted Oct 17, 2007

comment by Don Caster
posted 23 Hours Ago

Osma Bin Laden sent a recorded message to the Welsh Rugby Union coach saying Welsh Rugby was F..king terrible. The Security Services said it was no proof that Bin Laden was still alive as it could have been recorded anytime in the last 16 years.

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That's funny!

Firstly, 'm not sure I like drop goals. I think they should be in the game but worth less points. When South Africa beat us in 1999 with De Beer scoring 5 drop goals, I felt unterly cheated. Despite how much I dislike drop goals, I'd love to see us do the same to SA on Saturday so that they know what it feels like to be cheated like that.

Secondly, I'm English, so the main thing I want is an English win, but other than an English win, I want a Northern Hemisphere win, so I'm a bit disappointed that we had to play France in the Semis and not in the Final, as that final would have been perfect for me. I'd much rather lose the cup to France then SA, NZ or Aus.

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posted Oct 17, 2007

I believe that England now have the psychological edge to thrash South Africa. I agree with what Jamie Barker a leading sports psychologist at Staffordshire University has to say:-
[1] “Had England won the World Cup and not beaten South Africa after the group game, the South Africans would never have let them forget it. The longer England are in contention, the greater the pressure on South Africa.


[2]“South Africa are expected to win. The longer they play the game without establishing a clear lead, the greater the pressure on them.


[3]“England have won two tight games to get to the final. South Africa have not been tested in a tight game. England have, and they have come through.”[England psyched to thrash SA; Sapa Published Oct 17, 2007]

The psychological confusion reigning inside the minds of the Springboks' is obvious (and revolting to think of); we just have to watch them unravel on the field on Saturday. I will watch for [2] to kick in..................it will be a pleasure. And as SA vainly attempt the 'running game' we will contain them and then subject them to [3] THE TIGHT GAME. AND WE WILL SQUEEZE THEM SO TIGHT THAT THEY WILL CHOKE!!!! "SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT.............."

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posted Oct 17, 2007

erm yeah you may have to see a physchiatrist yourself after s/africa get a world record score against pitifuly inept england in a final . that is most definately on the cards, how quick to forget england are not very good just had very good luck , but you need more than that against s/afica you need tries and plenty of them.

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posted Oct 17, 2007

It's like banging your head against a brick wall.

Jim, it's not about tries, it's about points. That's where the Aussies messed up a few weeks ago.

I agree Habana is world class, but he didn't have a lot to add in the 36-0 victory a month ago. We won't be passing to him either like the Argies did. Hopefully.

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posted Oct 18, 2007

comment by jim040z
"wales may be out of the world cup , but they were far better to watch than subbuteo johnny and his happy slappers. when england ever meet the all blacks in a world cup then i will give them thier dues.luckiest finalists of any sport ever."

comment by Don Caster
"jim040z, I agree with you entirely, if the only wasy we can win is by Jonny 'sick note' Wilkinson kicking goals, then I don't want to watch it. Rugby is being ruined by the kicking game. Lets ahve some tries and play it as it should be played."

As I have seen previously reported on 606:

To win at rugby you need to get more points than the opposition, end of story.

There is nothing in the rule book that states that one side must score more tries than the other, there is nothing in the rule book that states players should wear hair gel, there is nothing in the rule book that states players must not play a kicking game, there is nothing in the rule book that states that teams must play 'pretty' rugby.

The World Cup is THE international rugby competition and as such it is an 'at all costs' type of competition where it is far more important to win than entertain both financially and for the fans of the particular side. If Wales etc. want to carry on thinking their brand of rugby is the best let them, they will continue losing. As for the Kiwis, who is scared of them anymore? The French weren't and the English pummelled the French.

If you don't want to watch it, don't!!

The records speaks for themselves

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posted Oct 18, 2007

I think the outcome will rest on the performances of Jason Robinson, Jonny Wilkinson, Percy Montgomery, Brian Habana and Schalk Burger.
I don't expect the game to be open and running (although, as a neutral, I wouldn't mind if that happened), but rather I expect it to be a tight contest, dominated by the forward packs.
Jason R is a man I admire tremendously. I have seen him in both League and Union, and have never seen him act or react in anger or in spite. A true sportsman. If the game IS open and full of running, he will certainly have an impact, but only for an hour. The heart might be of oak, but the limbs are of flesh, possibly 10 years older than he would like them to be. If the game is tight, as I expect, I think he will be safe, and adequate. He is one player that SA is wary of, and I don't think they will give him the space he needs.
Jonny, of course, is pivotal to England's chances. His kicking boot may well be, as it so often has, the difference between victory and defeat. He is among the greatest exponents of the placed kick (penalties, conversions) and has a special magic for the drop-goal. But what will be equally important for England's prospects is his other quality, often overlooked: His defensive play, the "killer" tackle he has developed, and his ability to take the hits that come his way, get himself up and dusted off, and keep on going. He passes well, but I don't, however, rate his attacking play as highly as that of Michelak or a fully-fit pair of Larkham or Carter.
Percy Montgomery has proven himself to be also good at taking penalties and conversions, and on this basis the England pack will have to be very careful to keep the scrums up, not come in from the sides and certainly not to infringe within their own half. It is my impression that he joins the backline in attack more often than Robinson does, and to provide the overlap rather than the more-solo efforts of Jason.
Habana is probably the biggest danger of all. Give him an inch, and he'll take the rest of the field. I won't dwell on his abilities -- others have done that eloquently -- but to my mind he underlines the need for Wilkinson's defensive game, for quick and early blanketing of the ball to deny possesion at the wings.
Then there is Burger, who is the loose cannon, the wild joker in the pack. I expect the packs to be equal in the "formal" forward work of lineout and scrum. If Burger can do the near-nigh-impossible, of avoiding infringement and sin-bin and still come up with his powerful, raging-bull aggression in the mauls and rucks, then England is in trouble.
Too hard to call. Around 21-19, either way, I reckon. They say that lightning never strikes twice at the same spot; there is always the chance that Jonny will prove the adage to be false. 'Luck to both sides.

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posted Oct 18, 2007

Belgianmick

I agree with you completely about JW's tackling. It's a very underestimated part of his game. Even when he's up against someone twice his size he never shirks and his tackle is often what gives time for the big boys to arrive and finish the job.

It will be an interesting game. Personally, I'd take SA to win by more than a converted try, but one never knows.

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posted Oct 18, 2007

England are in for a shock in the final. South Africa have the skill to show them up again. It seems like the fans are lapping up the media hype. You're in for another fall.

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