The Rugby World Cup

[Crazy Jamie]

I watched the odd game in the first few stages, but other than that the tournament has not grabbed my interest. However, no doubt like many others, my interest has now been perked up a little now that England have pulled off a shock result and find themselves in the semis.

Anyone else watching?

[Mr. DNA]

I don't know what it is about Rugby Union. Although I enjoy the game itself, there seems to be a distinct lack of energy and enthusiasm from the fans at these events. Whilst football fans are seen to be a gregarious lot, getting hammered and belting out their songs, your average rugby supporter is more tempered and docile, which transmits onto our screens and gives us the impression that they're not as bothered about their team winning as a football fan might be. I think that this lethargic atmosphere puts us armchair viewers off, and there isn't a strong sense of importance attached to the proceedings.

Oh yeah, and Scotland blew a great chance against a poor Argentina. Scotland were crap.

[Xu Huang]

I was really into rugby up to when we won the world cup in 2003, then we turned crap overnight. I became disillusioned with rugby after that and lost interest, but the Australia game changed all that. I'll definitely be watching the semi final on Saturday with great interest.

[Xu Huang]

And we're in the final! An ugly game with Wilkinson far from his best, but he came through in the end as France fell away in the final 10 minutes and we won 14-9. I think we were second best for large parts of the game and France had two or three great opportunities to score tries but they seemed full of nerves and we defended very well when it counted. Overall a great team effort with a gameplan exquisitely executed, but we'll have to raise our game considerably for the final against (presumably) South Africa, and convert more of our scoring opportunities.

[Powerslave]

Robinson was just immense tonight, never put a foot wrong. you can't fault them. i never gave them a chance of getting past the quarters. getting to the final is fairytale stuff. the only worry is a repeat of the group game against South Africa.

[Partizan]

England were waiting for their moment for a drop opportunity and they almost were knocked out if it weren't for that crucial tackle from Worsley on Clerc near the end.

[Crazy Jamie]

That match wasn't pretty, but I don't think anyone can begrudge England for going out there and just getting the job done. In the World Cup semi final the result is all that matters, and England just did what was required to guarantee their place in the final.

I don't fancy our chances if South Africa beat Argentina, but then again I doubt any right thinking England fan fancied our chances of even making the semis at the start of the competition.

[dimmerwit]

Looking forward to this one, not just for the game but the atmosphere only a final can provide.

South Africa to win!



(I've called them all wrong so far, so.....)

[Crazy Jamie]

The atmosphere and tension really is starting to build. I can't decide whether to stay in for this or go to a pub to watch it.

[dimmerwit]

You should go to the pub, a final like this only comes around once every 2 years. The pub atmosphere will make it that much better.

[Crazy Jamie]

Well, we lost. It was a great effort though, and all in all the England team can certainly be proud of their achievements at this World Cup. They have overachieved, something which is quite unusual for an English sports team.

[Powerslave]

yep, no disgrace for them to lose this match. South Africa always seemed to have the upper hand, and dominated the line-outs and the physical stuff. i think the decision to not allow Cueto's try was correct, although it was incredibly tight.

[Crazy Jamie]

I agree, the try decision was the correct one, even if it didn't look like at the time. We're talking about an inch either way in making that decision. Very tough. South Africa were dominant though, and deserve their victory. They were the best team in the tournament.

[dimmerwit]

It was a good game especially considering the 36-0 defeat in the pool stages.

However I do think there are problems in English rugby. The side did well in stepping up to the challenges of the World Cup knockouts, something a team like New Zealand can never seem to do. However considering the terrible form of the side since 2004 and the fact that we never looked like winning the 6 Nations in that period, serious improvement needs to be made. We can't rely on strength and determination all the time, especially when there is no World Cup to win.