Are you ready for some .... rugby

[Van Basten II]

Don't know exactly why but international rugby has always fascinated me. Some of the rules may go way over my head. But i can easily understand the spirit of the game anyway. To see a competitive game is a huge thrill.

To me the 2003 final was probably the greatest rugby game i ever saw.

For this year, in the pool a which is maybe the stronger pool England and South Africa should move on, in the b section, don't think our national team will do very well in a group that is a little too deep for them, i'll pick Wales and Australia to advance.

For the c pool the All Blacks and Scotland seems to have an edge over their less experienced opponents. Finally in the d pool, expect the host to go through and a tough battle between the Argentines and the Irish to get the second spot. Think the South American will pull it.

Anyway for more info here's the official web site

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/index.html

[kenny weir]

Some of the rules may go way over my head.

As a Kiwi born and bred, who has followed the game all my life, I'm happy to admit that ... the rules go over my head, too!n It's very technical in regards to breakdown -play, scrums and so on. Still, it can be beautiful.

My fear for the all Blacks is that they may have peaked too soon. They were playing out of their skins about a year and a half ago.

I'll be cheering for them unless they're playing the Aussies. And cheering for anyone who plays the South Africans. And for the Welsh; in some ways I regard them as our blood brothers in rugby. And for the Wallabies. But - bottom line - I want the All Blacks to cream everyone they face. And I mean completely obliterate.

And I like the fact that the Italians and Argentines seem on the cusp of major country status, which could make for some upsets.

I'm suprised and glad the World Cup has finally rolled around. It seems to have been on the way in terms of speculation for years and years.

A plus for us: Many of the broadcast times are quite Aussie friendly.

[Tim McG]

Rugby?

Australian rules football without any rules.

[Tim McG]

....or maybe it's the other way around.

[Van Basten II]

Bummer, won't be able to see any games, fuckin' Setanta is broadcasting the tournament :bwallace2:

[Van Basten II]

Talk about ridiculous

http://www.viewerschoice.ca/events/rugby/

25 $ per game or the incredible deal of 200 $ for all games, was there a survey done that gave them the info that most rugby fans had an income of 100 k per year and were clueless about how to spend their money.

[porcy62]

I am ready

...though I am not sure if I could see the matches for free

[sidewinder]

Argentina beat France tonight.

[kenny weir]

And I like the fact that the Italians and Argentines seem on the cusp of major country status, which could make for some upsets.

Seldom if ever have my sports prognostications been so accurate. Blimey. I haven't studied the draw, but from what I've heard on the radio on the way to work this morning, France must now beat Ireland and then will face NZ in the quarters.

[Van Basten II]

Here's the official site, better rely on it because apparently major news agency are boycotting the event.

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/

[kenny weir]

I've just had a quick read of our Wallabies story for tomorrow's paper - the gist of it being that now NZ, Aust, SA and Franch can all end up on the same side of the draw for the next round.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Thanks for the links VBII.

I don't know whether to support Scotland, where I was born; England, where I was brought up; Wales, where I've lived more than half my life; or Namibia, where we'd planned to live when I retired.

I think SA is the likely winner.

MG

[porcy62]

Damn! I can't see the opening match NZ-Italy, they'll broadcast it in a pay tv.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

My wife is off to South Africa and Namibia on Monday, but she'll be back two days before the final, so I can't ask her to film the celebrations

MG

[porcy62]

Damn! I can't see the opening match NZ-Italy, they'll broadcast it in a pay tv.

Final result: Italy-NZ 14-76, I am almost happy I haven't got the pay channel

[Van Basten II]

Aussies are doing a number on Japan 23-3 at the half.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

And an even bigger number at the end. 91-3 almost made the Japanese Prime Minister wish he were Italian

USA v England just started not long ago. England a bit shocked. 3-3 after 12 mins.

MG

[BruceH]

I'm not ready for this.

[porcy62]

And an even bigger number at the end. 91-3 almost made the Japanese Prime Minister wish he were Italian

Well, at least they have all those nice King pressings in Tokyo's vinyl shops.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

And an even bigger number at the end. 91-3 almost made the Japanese Prime Minister wish he were Italian

Well, at least they have all those nice King pressings in Tokyo's vinyl shops.

Indeed! I didn't take NEARLY enough money to Japan in 2002!

England 28-3 to USA. But from what I see in BBC blog commentary (football on other side), USA showing up well from time to time.

MG

[Van Basten II]

And an even bigger number at the end. 91-3 almost made the Japanese Prime Minister wish he were Italian

Well, at least they have all those nice King pressings in Tokyo's vinyl shops.

Indeed! I didn't take NEARLY enough money to Japan in 2002!

England 28-3 to USA. But from what I see in BBC blog commentary (football on other side), USA showing up well from time to time.

MG

If there is one problem with this competition is that they are a lot of teams who are mostly looking for moral victories.

[porcy62]

And an even bigger number at the end. 91-3 almost made the Japanese Prime Minister wish he were Italian

Well, at least they have all those nice King pressings in Tokyo's vinyl shops.

Indeed! I didn't take NEARLY enough money to Japan in 2002!

England 28-3 to USA. But from what I see in BBC blog commentary (football on other side), USA showing up well from time to time.

MG

If there is one problem with this competition is that they are a lot of teams who are mostly looking for moral victories.

I didn't get it, sorry, I mean what Italy are supposed to do against ALL BLACKS, or U.S. against ENGLAND? Men, it's like a W. Allen vs M. Alì match, and Woody would consider a moral victory if his heirs could have his whole corpse without have to look for pieces around the Madison Square Garden.

[Van Basten II]

And an even bigger number at the end. 91-3 almost made the Japanese Prime Minister wish he were Italian

Well, at least they have all those nice King pressings in Tokyo's vinyl shops.

Indeed! I didn't take NEARLY enough money to Japan in 2002!

England 28-3 to USA. But from what I see in BBC blog commentary (football on other side), USA showing up well from time to time.

MG

If there is one problem with this competition is that they are a lot of teams who are mostly looking for moral victories.

I didn't get it, sorry, I mean what Italy are supposed to do against ALL BLACKS, or U.S. against ENGLAND? Men, it's like a W. Allen vs M. Alì match, and Woody would consider a moral victory if his heirs could have his whole corpse without have to look for pieces around the Madison Square Garden.

I know that, i don't blame the teams for aiming for a moral victory. I'm lamenting that they are too many teams in this tournament who are there mostly as sacrificial lambs. The gap is too big between certain teams. The sport by itself is so uncompromising that gives us results that are along the lines of a NCAA top football team against a high school team.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Well, just watched Wales v Canada, with commentary in Welsh It wasn't on the English language channels.

Wales won 42:17.

Very strange match. Missed the first twenty or so minutes 'cos of lunch, but in the first half, Wales were playing crap. And were down 9:12, as a result of a brilliant Canadian try. But they picked themselves up in the second half and there was a very exciting period in which Wales was just piling on the tries. Then, towards the end, when the result wasn't really in doubt, Canada spent what felt like an age on the very edge of the Welsh line - heroic play from both teams, slightly more heroic from Wales, who kept Canada out.

Wales should have done a LOT better. Canada put on a good game, generally.

I was really pissed off when I saw Canada get a try; Wales ALWAYS plays in red - I thought it was Wales scoring!!!

MG

[kenny weir]

One commentator I heard last night put up a pretty good way of looking at the tournament - the early stages are really a rugby "festival"; the tournament starts with the quarters; these guys () minnows only rarely get a chance to match themselves against the ABs, Wallabies, Boks and so on; enjoy it befort the serious stuff starts.

Actually, I've enjoyed some of the matches and been reasonably impressed with the ability and zeal of some of the minnows to make a go of it for at least a half against far superior opposition. And not just kicking the odd penalty either, but scoring tries. Go Canada, Samoa et al ... !!!!