posted Dec 6, 2007

I still believe the decision to refer the try to the replay official was petty and unsporting. It was an honest try and nobody on the other side would have objected in the slightest if it had been allowed without review. The SA players looked as surprised as everyone else when it was disallowed. International rugby is a money making business. Millions watching the game, seeing rugby for the first time, would have been put off by what they saw.

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posted Dec 7, 2007

So like what exactly disallowed the try anyway? Was he out of bounds, or must you touch the ground beyond the line with the ball only or what?

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posted Dec 7, 2007

This is complicated but I'll try and explain. I often visit Sleaford, a town where rugby is very popular. I asked my friends there, who live and breath the game, if they would normally have expected the try they saw being scored to be referred to the replay official. They all said it was unbelievable that it was. Having done so the replay official had an impossible task as the equipment available was unable to clock-sync the two views, one of the ball being touched down and the other showing the foot brushing the touchline which is 'in touch' i.e. out of play. He could not therefore be in a position to decide whether the player was definitely in touch before he touched the ball down for the try or not (if he brushed the touchline after the ball is touched down the try stands). In the end he decided that the try be disallowed.
I think if it had stood the SA team would still have won. In the end they did, but the sport of rugby, in the eyes of many I fear, was the loser. Teams at that level will increasingly try to get into kicking range, force a penalty, and getting three definite points, rather than continue to press for a try which may leave them with nothing to show for their pressure and penetration, aspecially if every try is subject to such a minute degree of forensic scrutiny.

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posted Dec 7, 2007

"Francious Steyn, the best playmaker I have ever seen"

oh come on.
So you must be one year old then?

You make some decent and fair points and yes South Africa certainly deserve to win the World Cup tournament. Although for me NZ remain the best side in the World.

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posted Dec 10, 2007

at last someone making a comment without blinkers. And to call the Brits sore losers, you having a laugh?

Graham Smith was happy with the 20/20 world cup format until he lost, then suddenly changed his tune! Clearly someone forgot to tell Pakistan (who were the best team over the 2 weeks) that they were meant to lose!!

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posted Dec 10, 2007

and can anyone tell me how you post your comment under the comment you are commenting about, and not have it just placed at the end? It loses its point then!

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posted Jan 14, 2008

(SORRY STUK CAP KEY)

DISCARDING THE BIASED VIEWS ON THIS SITE AND ELSEWHERE IE WE ENGLISH WHO BELIEVED IN OUR HEARTS IT WAS A TRY, AND THE ANTI-ENGLISH WHO “KNEW” IT WASN’T , THAT LEAVES US WITH THE PIX, THE VIDEO, THE NEUTRAL FANS AND THE GAMES EXPERTS, WHO AFRAID TO SAY WERE ALMOST 100% OF THE FACTUAL VIEW THAT

IT WAS NOT A TRY .

WE NEED TO DEAL WITH FAX NOT OPINIONS -

END OF

GET OVER IT

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posted Jan 14, 2008

Hardly anyone sends faxes these days!

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posted Jan 14, 2008

Can't remember the last time I even saw a fax. A bit outdated now aren't they?

Somebody must come from the backwoods!

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posted Jan 14, 2008

whats he talking about anyway - have i misseda major international event - I thought the world cup was last year - or is he practicing for the next one?

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