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Blackleaf · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:15 pm Post subject:

We've done it! We've done! Wooohoooooo!!!!!!!!!!

And England have confounded the critics who say they can't score tries by outscoring the French by one try to none. And it was the fastest try ever scored in a World Cup Semi Final.

I don't care if England lose in the Final. I'm just happy that we got through to the Final, and as put me in a good mood for the rest of the night.

sgmillerton · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject:

Blackleaf · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:00 pm Post subject:

Bearing in mind that Jonny Wilkinson wasn't playing when South Africa beat England 36-0 in the group stage, I don't think that the Springboks will have it so easy in the Final.

But even if South Africa do win, it won't bother me too much, as the team have done the nation proud by just reaching the Final again for the second successive time in what is probably the greatest turnaround of fortunes for any team in a world tournament. Earlier this year England were only third in the Six Nation then on Saturday night they could be crowned World Champions for another four years.

Reaching the Final has also boosted both teams in the World Rankings. South Africa are now ranked second in the world after New Zealand and England are now ranked third (with France one of the teams they have leapfrogged), with only the All Blacks and the Springboks ranked higher.

Here's how it works out for the rankings after the Final: if South Africa beat England, then South Africa overtake New Zealand as the No1 ranked team in the world. A win by any margin over England will do. If England win by 15 points or less, then they overtake South Africa into second place. A win by England of more than 15 points then they become the No1 ranked team on the planet.

Of course, throughout most of 2003, England were ranked No1 in the world despite Australia being the World Champions, having won 15 of the 16 games we played before the World Cup and, even then, England's only defeat was against France after having fielded a weakened team - and it was by a margin of just one point. England also beat New Zealand about three times that year. Then we went on to win all our games in the World Cup.

I think the 36-0 defeat against South Africa has reawakened the English rugby beast again.

For the last 20-30 years England has been better at rugby than at any other sport including football and cricket. The current mentality of the England rugby team for reaching two World Cup Finals in succession is similar to that of the England football team in the 1960s in the run up to the 1966 World Cup. The England football and cricket teams need to start emulating our rugby team.

Cymro · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

25 - 10 to South Africa

Blackleaf · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:03 pm Post subject:

A letter to the Daily Mail newspaper:

We English should take a moment to feel sorry for those poor Scotsmen who, in three weeks, have had to equip themselves with Australian, French and now Springbok supporters' kits. Without the Barnett formula, they might not have been able to afford it.

JOHN LILLYWHITE
Great Waltham, Essex

Firefox · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject:

Lord Pitsligo · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 12:36 pm Post subject:

Check out this page:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm and open the "Your Picture of the Day". Anyone spot the sign in the sky behind Jonny?

Note - this pic may be gone in a day or 2!
_________________
"Grace Me Guide"

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:48 pm Post subject:

Blackleaf · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject:

Despite losing, all England fans should be proud of the team's achievement. Reaching the World Cup Final despite being written off as no-hopers before the tournament. For the next four years I can happily say we reached the Final of the last World Cup when most people tipped us to get no further than the Quarter Finals and that we are, for all intents and purposes, the second team in the world.

The happiest fans should be the South Africans, the English and the Argies.

ALso, what happened to the supposedly deadly Habana? South Africa have never scored a try in a World Cup Final and England were suspiciously disallowed one by the Aussie (surprise surprise) video ref.

England should now be saying they scored more tries than their opposition in the last two World Cup Finals..

Cymro · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:

SUSPICIOUSLY! Have you actually watched it? It certainly was a difficult one but the correct one none the less. The rules state if a players foot is on the line or out before the ball is put down then that ball is out. The decision was correct - painfull for England but correct.

England couldn't say they scored more tries than SA in this final as neither side scored a try.

Cymro · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject:

I love this picture. Certainly looks out to me Blackleaf!

elidir · Nationalist Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 140

Well done to england for reaching the final of the poorest quality world cup to date. However, SA won without even getting into second gear which is truly frightening and just underlines the limitations of the english squad with forward parity england were easily controlled by a more dynamic backline they didn't even have to put Habana into space and use him! I was hoping Argentina would get through as their forwards really controlled the boks for most of their semi.

SLG · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:59 pm Post subject:

I thought it was a poor final and totally agree with you regarding SA in the final, I thought there were a lot of excellent games in the competition though.

Cheers for posting that image Cymro... makes it all look so clear cut eh!