Rugby World Cup 2007

[Donnyboy]

this is what its all about, spreading the passion for rugby

I would love the Pumas to go on and face & beat the Boks as they are my second favourites now,

Pumamania takes over Argentina

Argentina fans during the Pumas' victory over Ireland. Photo / Reuters

Argentina has been gripped by Pumamania with rugby pushing soccer, the national game, off the front pages and into second place in the sporting calendar.

Players and coaching staff at the World Cup, where the Pumas have beaten heavyweights France and Ireland on their way to the quarterfinals, are elated by the reaction at home.

The biggest soccer game in the country between Boca Juniors and River Plate was brought forward to an earlier kickoff on Monday (NZ time) so as not to clash with Argentina's quarterfinal against Scotland at the Stade de France.

"This is getting very good coverage," coach Marcelo Loffreda said of the team's results and performances in France where they have won their four matches so far.

"So, it also gets more people (interested), more kids playing rugby, who approach (the game), who start to like it, who begin to be attracted by what the Argentina players feel when they see them sing the anthem," Loffreda, a former Puma, told reporters.

Referring to the change in the kickoff time for the River-Boca classic, Loffreda added: "I think this is a lovely message that Argentine sport is not exclusively about football ...(and) also that (the Pumas occupy) the front pages."

Soccer fans put their first love to one side last weekend, either watching Argentina's 30-15 victory over Ireland on television or taking their transistor radios to football grounds to follow the Pumas match in Paris.

There are radio commentaries of the matches, bars show them on TV and kids are wearing shirts with the horizontal light blue and white Argentine colours in preference to the vertical stripes of the soccer jersey.

Newspapers have explained in their World Cup supplements how the Pumas came by their name, on their first tour abroad in southern Africa in 1965, and the meaning of such terms as try, conversion, drop goal, lineout and scrum.

"It's impressive what the Pumas are generating in the people," said student Nelson Lampert on a Buenos Aires street.

"Now people talk about rugby everywhere. People are getting into it who didn't even know what a try was.

"I think the commitment the team shows match after match got people following the game.

"The lack of success of the national football team, I think is also a reason for this furore. The Pumas lay down everything for the Argentine jersey."

Francisco and his friend Gaston, two 12-year-olds in their final year of primary school, have only just started playing rugby thanks to the Pumas.

"I started to play three weeks ago because, watching the World Cup, I realised I liked rugby," said Francisco.

"In my class we are three (boys) who started rugby this week," said Gaston two days after watching the Pumas beat Ireland 30-15 to secure their quarterfinal berth in Paris.

- REUTERS

[Donnyboy]

hope this is all they lose

All Blacks lose strip battle, go on spy alert

The All Blacks yesterday looked to have lost one battle in the leadup to Sunday's quarter-final against France but are doing everything they can to stop anyone else gaining an edge.

As the New Zealand Rugby Union revealed the All Blacks were on espionage alert, team manager Darren Shand lost a coin toss over who has to play in their alternate strip on Sunday.

That means France get to wear their first choice dark blue jersey in Cardiff, although the IRB was still determining whether a change of strip was required by New Zealand.

Black, blue, grey or white? The IRB are looking at the options.

more here

[Donnyboy]

trouble in the Bok camp

Another Springbok prop goes down

South African tighthead prop CJ van der Linde will miss Monday's rugby World Cup quarterfinal clash with Fiji after injuring a knee in training overnight.

South Africa prop CJ van der Linde. Photo / Getty Images

more here

[Old Croc]

Australia vs England tonight.

Just like with the Ashes - It's payback time!!

[Donnyboy]

Australia vs England tonight.

Just like with the Ashes - It's payback time!!

dont think so, as the game is being played saturday

[Sarge]

luv when Englands meets any aussie sport teams, there in Blighty, tabloids and broadsheet papers have field time, and it gets under the skin of the intended target, every time. Here a vivid example:

THE TIMES

England v Australia: A history of curses

Since the first boatload of criminals were dispatched Down Under, the Aussies have been having a go back at the Brits, which is typical – you send people off for rehabilitation in a sunny, warm country with great beaches and that’s all the thanks you get.

John O’Neill, the chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union, stirred up the murky waters of Aussie-Pom rivalry again this week. “Whether it’s cricket, rugby league or rugby union, we do all hate England. All I’m doing is stating the bleeding obvious. This is all a by-product of their born-to-rule mentality. It’s been there for a long time now and nothing has changed.”

read the full article here > >

I hope that England will win but I don't hold my breath, the wallabies are a stronger side and deffo fav to win. But so they were back in 2003 ....

[Donnyboy]

France pick Beauxis at fly-half

France have opted to play Lionel Beauxis at fly-half with centre Damien Traille at full-back for the World Cup quarter-final with New Zealand.

Coach Bernard Laporte has made eight changes to the side that beat Georgia 64-7 in the final pool match.

more here

France: Traille, Clerc, Marty, Jauzion, Heymans, Beauxis, Elissalde; Milloud, Ibanez (capt), De Villiers, Pelous, Thion, Betsen, Dusautoir, Bonnaire.

Replacements: Szarzewski, Poux, Chabal, Harinordoquy, Michalak, Dominici, Poitrenaud

[Old Croc]

Australia vs England tonight.

Just like with the Ashes - It's payback time!!

dont think so, as the game is being played saturday

Hope I got the second line right!

[Donnyboy]

Carter back to face France

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has ushered fly-half Dan Carter back into the side for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with France in Cardiff. Carter, 25, missed the 85-8 victory over Romania with a calf strain and has yet to return to full training, but he is hoping to be fit to face the French.

New Zealand: MacDonald, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Robinson, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.

Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Jack, Masoe , Leonard, Evans, Toeava.

more here

[Donnyboy]

Carter back to face France

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has ushered fly-half Dan Carter back into the side for Saturday's World Cup quarter-final with France in Cardiff. Carter, 25, missed the 85-8 victory over Romania with a calf strain and has yet to return to full training, but he is hoping to be fit to face the French.

New Zealand: MacDonald, Rokocoko, Muliaina, McAlister, Sivivatu, Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Robinson, Williams, Collins, McCaw (capt), So'oialo.

Replacements: Mealamu, Tialata, Jack, Masoe , Leonard, Evans, Toeava.

I would have put Howlett on instead of Sivivatu, and put Joe on the left wing. And Jack starting instead of Robinson.

Looks like Muliaina has the nod over Conrad Smith @ Center, unless Smith is still shaking the injury. Otherwise, this is agreeable to me.

now bring it on!

[miltonbentley]

Gosh Donny I turn my back for a second and you go posting balmy

Some feedback

Pumamania takes over Argentina

Great superb for rugby and great for Argentina. Go PUmas

All Blacks lose strip battle, go on spy alert

Of course they have to play in the white strip otherwise there will be another absurd kit clash involving the AB's

Another Springbok prop goes down

Good news for Fiji and they need all the help they can get. C'mon Fiji

England v Australia: A history of curses

Par for the course from the Aussies. I would love it if we beat them

France pick Beauxis at fly-half

French wioll have to be on top of their game a la 1999 oops sorry Donny mentioned it again

Carter back to face France

Hope he's been practising his kicking it might be very tight

[miltonbentley]

France pose absolutely no threat to the All Blacks

Thank goodness for the great World Cup jersey fiasco this week. Apart from recalling what the dastardly French did in 1999, when they cheated the All Blacks out of their birthright by playing a spell of blindingly brilliant rugby, it's been difficult to get overly concerned about Sunday's quarter-final in Cardiff.

So an apparel conspiracy and a delayed coin toss to decide who wears the alternate strip have stepped in to fill the build-up breach.

Not that it matters, because the All Blacks could play in sackcloths and they'd still stomp all over France.

More

Bit cocky this Donny

[midasthailand]

Donny, I'm pretty sure I have the right thread? That said, where will all the TV Rugby maniacs be watching the final on the 20th Oct? I will be arriving an 17th and would enjoy meeting a few of the people that enrich my life on TV. I hope the wife wont mind if I leave her at the hotel.

[miltonbentley]

Farrell & Vickery to face Aussies

England team

Jason Robinson; Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Andy Farrell, Josh Lewsey; Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Gomarsall; Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan, Phil Vickery (captain), Simon Shaw, Ben Kay, Martin Corry, Lewis Moody, Nick Easter.

Replacements: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Peter Richards, Olly Barkley, Dan Hipkiss.

More

[Donnyboy]

Donny, I'm pretty sure I have the right thread? That said, where will all the TV Rugby maniacs be watching the final on the 20th Oct? I will be arriving an 17th and would enjoy meeting a few of the people that enrich my life on TV. I hope the wife wont mind if I leave her at the hotel.

I for one will be @ Tuskers, where they have a sports lounge upstairs, where its comfy and beers are cold. The owner has delusional thoughts about Englands ability to retain the RWC, but otherwise he's a likeable chap. Im sure your wife wont mind you staying out, unless you get enlisted on one of McG and Crowboys tour of duty down some dark alley

[Donnyboy]

France pose absolutely no threat to the All Blacks

Thank goodness for the great World Cup jersey fiasco this week. Apart from recalling what the dastardly French did in 1999, when they cheated the All Blacks out of their birthright by playing a spell of blindingly brilliant rugby, it's been difficult to get overly concerned about Sunday's quarter-final in Cardiff.

So an apparel conspiracy and a delayed coin toss to decide who wears the alternate strip have stepped in to fill the build-up breach.

Not that it matters, because the All Blacks could play in sackcloths and they'd still stomp all over France.

More

Bit cocky this Donny

NZ Propaganda MB

should be a close game ..............in the first 30 mins!

will post my quarter final predictions on Friday.

[Donnyboy]

Gosh Donny I turn my back for a second and you go posting balmy

sorry MB, helps keep the number of postings up thou

just wait till we get to the finals......I should be up to 2000 by then

[Donnyboy]

didnt take me too long to choose

Henry: My toughest choice yet

Henry later conceded the final choice for the test against France involved some of the hardest decisions in his four years as coach alongside Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith and Sir Brian Lochore

more here

Ex-All Black and Cardiff No 8 Xavier Rush (centre) trained yesterday with some of his old teammates.Photo /Brett Phibbs

[Donnyboy]

I dont think its much of a gamble so much as Henry is still tweaking with the midfield combo pairing I believe. Muliaina shores up the backline defense, and is a good offloader of the ball. Mils maybe the centre against the Aussies (English?) as well should NZ get thru, As Mortlock can be dangerous running on the angle and slicing through. Morts got thru Toeava twice in the trinations this year.

Henry gambles on Muliaina

Hoary old chestnut. Maybe, but Graham Henry used it as the example of how he did not want to repeat the mistakes of the last World Cup.

No way, he said, did he want to be left like the last regime in being forced to pick a player like Leon MacDonald out of position at centre in the playoffs.

more here

Mils Muliaina has been picked ahead of two specialist centres. Photo / Brett Phibbs

[Donnyboy]

RWC Blog-worth a laugh

England unleash cunning new plan

England will be hitting Australia with the following astonishing tactics:

1. George Chuter will spend the entire game lying on his back with his bum in the air, gently wiggling his legs

2. Olly Barkley will be employed as a second left winger, with the sole task of doing keepy-ups with a second ball

3. Mike Catt will jog around slowly behind a reconfigured back line, carrying a wire basket containing eight bottles of protein drink

I know what you’re thinking: “That’s utter madness.”

more here

[Donnyboy]

England may still have a chance

Australia suffer Staniforth blow

Australia utility back Scott Staniforth is the latest player to be ruled out of his side's squad for Saturday's game against England because of injury.

Australia have already lost wing Mark Gerrard and backrower David Lyons for the tournament and fly-half Stephen Larkham is a doubt.

more here

[Donnyboy]

England may still have a chance

Australia suffer Staniforth blow

Australia utility back Scott Staniforth is the latest player to be ruled out of his side's squad for Saturday's game against England because of injury.

Australia have already lost wing Mark Gerrard and backrower David Lyons for the tournament and fly-half Stephen Larkham is a doubt.

more here

maybe not

Farrell ruled out of England side

England centre Andy Farrell has been ruled out of the World Cup quarter-final against Australia in Marseille on Saturday. The 32-year-old former Great Britain rugby league captain injured his right calf muscle in training on Wednesday.

more here

Farrell's World Cup could be over after suffering a calf strain

[Donnyboy]

the mudslinging started late hasnt it?

Wallabies expect 'dirty' English

Australia have accused England of dirty play ahead of their World Cup quarter-final in Marseille on Saturday.

Wallaby coach John Connolly has even spoken to referee's manager Paddy O'Brien to make sure the game is clean.

"By the forwards they have chosen it's a pretty rough pack," said Wallaby forward Hugh McMeniman. "You can expect anything from the English. "Definitely off the ball stuff.

more here

The fiery Mark Regan will play at hooker for England

[Donnyboy]

hes back!

Mortlock fit to captain Australia

Stirling Mortlock has been passed fit to lead Australia in their World Cup quarter-final against England.The centre missed Australia's last two games with a dislocated shoulder but is back for the crunch clash in Marseille.

more here

Mortlock's return is crucial with Mark Gerrard and David Lyons out

[Donnyboy]

hes gone mad.

Connolly barks underdog

Having a laugh?: John Connolly plays the underdog card

Australia coach John Connolly is expecting England to pose a significant challenge when the two teams resume their World Cup rivalry in Saturday's quarter-final match in Marseille.

Connolly has shrugged off suggestions that his team are the clear-cut favourites ahead of the do-or-die showdown against the defending champions, instead ruling the Wallabies as second best.

"We think we're the underdogs here," Connolly told Sportal.

more here

[miltonbentley]

the mudslinging started late hasnt it?

Wallabies expect 'dirty' English

Australia have accused England of dirty play ahead of their World Cup quarter-final in Marseille on Saturday.

Wallaby coach John Connolly has even spoken to referee's manager Paddy O'Brien to make sure the game is clean.

"By the forwards they have chosen it's a pretty rough pack," said Wallaby forward Hugh McMeniman. "You can expect anything from the English. "Definitely off the ball stuff.

more here

The fiery Mark Regan will play at hooker for England

I hope we stuff the mouthy sods

[Donnyboy]

the mudslinging started late hasnt it?

Wallabies expect 'dirty' English

Australia have accused England of dirty play ahead of their World Cup quarter-final in Marseille on Saturday.

Wallaby coach John Connolly has even spoken to referee's manager Paddy O'Brien to make sure the game is clean.

"By the forwards they have chosen it's a pretty rough pack," said Wallaby forward Hugh McMeniman. "You can expect anything from the English. "Definitely off the ball stuff.

more here

The fiery Mark Regan will play at hooker for England

I hope we stuff the mouthy sods

agreed, but they still dont shut up

[Donnyboy]

its looking grim MB

Now Barkley buckles

England star Olly Barkley, poised to replace the injured Andy Farrell in the XV to face Australia on Saturday, has revealed that he is also struggling for fitness.

But the Bath playmaker has moved to allay any fears about his fitness as England target a win over the Wallabies and semi-final showdown against New Zealand or France in Paris.

"I got a dead leg in training yesterday," said Barkley on Thursday.

more here

[Donnyboy]

the Pumas are looking good

Pumas plan for Paterson

Argentina utility back Federico Todeschini believes maintaining a high standard of discipline will be the key to defeating Scotland in Sunday's quarter-final in Paris.

The Pumas are the only team left in the tournament who did not receive either a red or yellow card in the group stages.

more here

[Donnyboy]

the Boks have a few worries too

Bismarck injury adds to Bok woes

The Springboks' front row crisis at the World Cup tournament took yet another turn for the worse on Thursday when replacement hooker Bismarck du Plessis joined the team's casualty list.

It was revealed that Du Plessis' "stiff back" has become a bigger headache for Springbok coach Jake White, with the Sharks hooker set to consult a neurologist on Friday to determine the full extent of his injury.

more here