Rugby World Cup 2007

[Donnyboy]

I really hope that the RWC final wont be marred by any referee errors that will influence the outcome of the game. I know the refs only human, but plenty is at stake, and one hopes for consistancy.

IRB stands behind Barnes despite errors

Referee Wayne Barnes made at least three serious errors that went against the All Blacks late in the World Cup quarterfinal against France, an International Rugby Board (IRB) panel has found.

France scored the winning try from a forward pass and committed at least two other two offences that could have been penalised, the IRB referees' selection panel found.

The All Blacks lost 18-20, for their worst finish at a World Cup

more here

The referees' selection panel found Wayne Barnes made at least three errors during the All Blacks' quarterfinal against France. Photo / Getty Images

Edited October 17, 2007 by Donnyboy

[Old Croc]

I must consult the fly

Yeah, SS where are you, on holiday again? We miss your wild predictions and general bs

whos SS?

Siam Superfly (The Fly, Tsetse, etc)

Provided the old guard English supporters with much anger, indignation and amusement with his over the top attacks and predictions about various sporting events from cricket through boxing, soccer to rugby.

A character, but a real pain.

[Donnyboy]

I think he should stay as well.

Survey results say keep Henry

Most rugby fans think Graham Henry should be retained as coach despite the All Blacks making an early exit from the World Cup, according to a survey conducted by UMR Research.

New Zealand posted their worst World Cup result when losing in the quarterfinals to France this month, leaving Henry's position tenuous at best as the New Zealand Rugby Union reviews the failed campaign.

Previous coaches John Hart, in 1999, and John Mitchell, in 2003, did not stay in the post after New Zealand's semifinals exits at World Cup tournaments.

more here

A survey shows most rugby fans want Graham Henry to remain as All Blacks coach. Photo / Simon Baker

[Donnyboy]

I must consult the fly

Yeah, SS where are you, on holiday again? We miss your wild predictions and general bs

whos SS?

Siam Superfly (The Fly, Tsetse, etc)

Provided the old guard English supporters with much anger, indignation and amusement with his over the top attacks and predictions about various sporting events from cricket through boxing, soccer to rugby.

A character, but a real pain.

ah I see,

like Stephen Jones from the Sunday Times is to NZ and Aus rugby fans

Edited October 17, 2007 by Donnyboy

[scousemouse]

I was a bit suprised to see Cueto get the nod over Hipkiss .

I'm sure Ashton knows what he's doing though :

England turn to Cueto for final Mark Cueto replaces the injured Josh Lewsey on England's wing in Saturday's World Cup final against South Africa.

It is coach Brian Ashton's only change to the starting XV that beat hosts France 14-9 in the semi-final.

Centre Dan Hipkiss had been favourite to start after he came on as a substitute when Lewsey pulled a hamstring against France last weekend.

Mathew Tait and Mike Catt continue at centre as England look to become the first nation to retain the World Cup.

Hipkiss came on at centre when winger Lewsey limped out of last Saturday's victory at the Stade de France before half-time, with Tait moving on to the wing.

But the return of specialist winger Cueto is a straight swap for Lewsey.

Ashton admitted it had been a tough decision. He said: "It was a pretty close call.

"It was the fact Mark has played a lot of international rugby in the back three, and we expect a fair old aerial bombardment on Saturday."

It is the Sale star's fourth start at the tournament and his first since the pool victory over Tonga almost three weeks ago.

Cueto has scored 13 tries during a 23-cap Test career and began the World Cup as England's full-back against the United States.

BBC 5live commentator Alistair Hignell said: "He's been off form recently but he's a proven tryscorer at international level and I think that's what tipped the balance in his favour."

There are four starting line-up survivors from England's World Cup final triumph against Australia in 2003 - full-back Jason Robinson, fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, prop Phil Vickery and lock Ben Kay.

And centre Catt, 36 last month, will become the oldest player to feature in a World Cup final.

No country has ever successfully defended the Webb Ellis Trophy and South Africa will start as favourites after crushing England 36-0 in a pool encounter last month.

England team: Jason Robinson; Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Mike Catt, Mark Cueto, Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Gomarsall; Nick Easter, Lewis Moody, Martin Corry; Ben Kay, Simon Shaw; Phil Vickery (capt), Mark Regan, Andrew Sheridan

Replacements: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Peter Richards, Toby Flood, Danny Hipkiss

[miltonbentley]

I was also surprised that we didn't go for Hipkiss with Tait moving out to wing. Having said that Cueto is experienced in that position and Hipkiss is available on the bench.

[Donnyboy]

Boks unfazed by England tactics

South Africa centre Jaque Fourie claims his team have made no special plans aimed at counteracting England's tactics in Saturday's World Cup final. Reigning champions England are expected to adopt the forwards-orientated game that has been key to their shock progress to the showpiece in Paris.

But Fourie said: "I don't necessarily think they will just play 10-man rugby.

"We are not going to change our game plan. We just want to do things even better than we have so far out here."

South Africa side will start as firm favourites against Brian Ashton's side, not least because of their 36-0 defeat of England during the group stages.

They also boast some of the tournament's most stand-out players in the likes of Bryan Habana and Percy Montgomery and Fourie believes his side will do something Australia and France failed to do consistently and that is cause England problems defensively.

more here

I think we will ask questions of their defence

Fourie on England

[Donnyboy]

Boks defeat still hurts - Vickery

Skipper Phil Vickery admits England cannot forget about their 36-0 pool stage thrashing by South Africa. Vickery, who was suspended, and the injured Jonny Wilkinson missed that defeat, but both are in the team for Saturday's World Cup final rematch.

"We would like to be able to erase the memory, but unfortunately they don't go away," said prop Vickery.

"It still hurts, but Saturday's a World Cup final and whatever has happened doesn't really count for anything."

No team has ever gone on to win the tournament having lost a pool stage match.

more here

Vickery (left) and Ashton (right) face the media

[Donnyboy]

White set to step down after World Cup

Jake White is set to step down as South Africa's national rugby coach if the Springboks triumph in this Saturday's World Cup final against England.

In an interview with the Star newspaper, White said the title of world champions had been his ultimate ambition ever since he took over three years ago and he was cool on the idea of being moved upstairs after the tournament.

"What can I say? When I took over as coach, I said that I really wanted to win the World Cup," he said.

"That was part of my first speech to the guys in 2004 when I got the job. If this group wins, it is the most I can achieve."

more here

[Donnyboy]

i love the headline.

Burger relishes forward battle against England

South Africa flanker Schalk Burger is relishing the thought of a forward battle against England when the two teams meet in the World Cup final on Saturday.

Both the Springboks and the English have progressed through their respective pool games and knock-out phase on the back of dominant performances by their packs, and Burger, conspicuous by his flowing golden locks and known for his abrasive all-action style, cannot wait for the challenge.

"They've been playing well, especially their forwards, which is something we also pride ourselves on, so we are looking forward to the contest," Burger said. "I can't wait to get started on Saturday."

Burger said South Africa's 36-0 trouncing of England in the pool stage was now water under the bridge, and Saturday's game was starting afresh.

"It's a final. We are starting over," he said. "That pool game has been forgotten. We have now got a job to do on Saturday.

"It's a brand-new week and it's a brand-new game. Since then they've come through the rest of the tournament pretty well."

Burger acknowledged that England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, who did not play in the pool loss, was an experienced player who could only bolster English hopes.

more here

[quiksilva]

what are your views on the Boks quota system coming into the team for next season? I think that the Boks will be a weakened side should they have a quota system based on colour and not ability, but will be still competitive.

I agree they can only be weaker. I think its a shame that politics has such an influence on sports (for thats what this quota system really is). Unfortunately South Africans are not living in a meritocracy. Whilst I can see how black empowerment may seem to be a reasonable step given the years of living under an oppressive apartheid system, it should not be based on a quota system, it should be based on ability with equal opportunities for all.

[Donnyboy]

Legends give it to the Boks by Gavin Rich

Posted on 17 October 2007 - 08:22

The Visa Rugby Legends are quite unanimous that the Springboks will win their second World Cup title at the weekend. Indeed, if you took your lead from the five former prominent players acting as ambassadors for World Cup sponsor company Visa, you would have to say that the Springboks have an 80% chance of success in Saturday's final against England.

The only member of the panel at the weekly Visa Legends debate at Rugby Town near Trocadero on Tuesday who did not back South Africa to win was former England captain Martin Johnson. In Johnson's words, "England have produced two miracles in the past two weeks and who is to say they cannot do it again when it really matters".

For the rest though there will be only one winner, with former Springbok Joel Stransky, All Black Zinzan Brooke, Wallaby John Eales and French centre wizard Philippe Sella all going for the Boks to round off their World Cup campaign in style.

The predictions were based on a feeling that the Boks have much more pace and skill out wide than England, while there is a general belief that the South Africans can blunt the England threat at forward.

more here

Edited October 18, 2007 by Donnyboy

[Donnyboy]

Lomu hoping Habana breaks record

Former All Black winger Jonah Lomu will be quick to congratulate Bryan Habana if the South African sets a record for tries scored in a single World Cup in Saturday's final against England. The lightning fast Habana equalled Lomu's 1999 record of eight tries with his pair in the semifinal defeat of Argentina and will be a major threat to England's hopes of retaining the title in Paris.

"The sky's the limit for him," Lomu told BBC Radio Five Live on Tuesday. "When he got to the eight the other day I was the first to stand up and applaud.

"He's a great ambassador for South Africa and a great ambassador for the sport. I'm hoping he will break it on Saturday because records are there to be broken.

"If you're defending against him you've got to shut his space down quickly. If he gets it in a dangerous area, nine times out of ten he will score."

Lomu, who never managed to get his hands on a World Cup winners' medal, said he was not surprised that England had recovered from a 36-0 defeat by South Africa in the pool to reach the final.

"If England turn up with the forwards playing as well as they can they are tough," Lomu said. "They also have players with experience of winning the Cup like Dallaglio and Catt.

more here

[Donnyboy]

im backing White

France back Boks

October 18, 2007 - 12:49PM

Bruised and battered after their Rugby World Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of England, France's players are throwing their weight behind the Springboks in Saturday's final.

But the hosts insist that despite having lost to their bitterest rivals at the semi-final stage for the second tournament in succession, it is not a case of sour grapes.

They believe a South Africa win is vital for the health of sport, in general, and the World Cup in particular with the English side having come under fire for their reliance on force rather than flair.

"I hope with all my heart that South Africa will win the World Cup," said France fly-half Frederic Michalak who will play his club rugby with South African Super 14 franchise the Sharks next season.

"Not because I am going to play there, but because their style of play is more spectacular than England."

more here

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[quiksilva]

But the hosts insist that despite having lost to their bitterest rivals at the semi-final stage for the second tournament in succession, it is not a case of sour grapes.

They believe a South Africa win is vital for the health of sport, in general, and the World Cup in particular with the English side having come under fire for their reliance on force rather than flair.

Yeah rugby is far too rough, perhaps tackling should be banned all together!

[miltonbentley]

what are your views on the Boks quota system coming into the team for next season? I think that the Boks will be a weakened side should they have a quota system based on colour and not ability, but will be still competitive.

I agree they can only be weaker. I think its a shame that politics has such an influence on sports (for thats what this quota system really is). Unfortunately South Africans are not living in a meritocracy. Whilst I can see how black empowerment may seem to be a reasonable step given the years of living under an oppressive apartheid system, it should not be based on a quota system, it should be based on ability with equal opportunities for all.

There can be little doubt that this will damage South African rugby. For a sporting team to be chosen on anything other than skill and talent on the field of play is absurd.

Having said that increasing the access of the black population to rugby at all levels is a laudable aim and will of course improve the national side as they will have a bigger pool of talent from which to select the team.

[Doza]

The thing about quotas is no self respecting guy wants to feel he was picked in the team because of his colour and not because he is the best in his position - it would be ambarrassing. But perhaps they would work in lower grades or at junior / development level.

[miltonbentley]

The thing about quotas is no self respecting guy wants to feel he was picked in the team because of his colour and not because he is the best in his position - it would be ambarrassing. But perhaps they would work in lower grades or at junior / development level.

They are already in position in lower level rugby at everything below S14 and the National side. That includes the Currie Cup. I have no problem with it at junior levels in the case of South Africa but it is simply not appropriate at the top competition/professional level.

Quotas were why Pieterson left South Africa in favour of joining the England cricket team even though he could now walk into any side in the world.

[miltonbentley]

Clint Eastwood to make a movie about the 1995 RWC!

Cup inspires Clint's Bok-buster

AS South Africa prepare for this weekend's World Cup final, Clint Eastwood is set to make a movie about the Springboks' memorable 1995 tournament triumph.

Morgan Freeman has been signed on to play the role of Nelson Mandela and Bourne Identity star Matt Damon is in preliminary discussions to play the victorious Springboks captain Francois Pienaar.

More

[Austhaied]

Bloody Poms...

[miltonbentley]

Bloody Poms...

Very gracious Austhaied - worthy of a beer

[Austhaied]

Bloody Poms...

Very gracious Austhaied - worthy of a beer

Done deal..

[miltonbentley]

The Final

England and South Africa have played each other on 29 occasions.

South Africa lead the series 16-12 with 1 draw.

In the World Cup they have met 3 times. In 1999 SA won in the quarter finals 44-21 (5 drop kickss by Jannie de Beer doing the real damage.

In 2003 England won in the group game 25-6. In this world cup South Africa humiliated England 36-0.

Both have won the World Cup once with England being the holders.

At th bookies South Africa are massive favourites at 9/4 on whereas England are 9/4 against.

In handicap betting England are given a 9 point headstart.

It's going to be a cracker

[teatree]

Reading about the upcoming final I keep seeing a focus on England's forward orientated play and how they are winning ugly. This is all true but has any team played a really expansive, incisive game in the knock-out stage? The games have been very defensive with lots of terrirtorial kicking and up and unders.

[miltonbentley]

South Africa unchanged for final

outh Africa have named an unchanged starting XV from the side which beat Argentina to face champions England in the World Cup final on Saturday.

Coach Jake White has made one change to the replacements bench, with flanker Wikus van Heerden returning at the expense of ex-skipper Bob Skinstad.

South Africa team to play England in the World Cup final:

P Montgomery; JP Pietersen, J Fourie, F Steyn, B Habana; B James, F du Preez; O du Randt, J Smit (capt), CJ van der Linde, B Botha, V Matfield, S Burger, J Smith, D Rossouw.

Replacements: B du Plessis, J du Plessis, J Muller, W van Heerden, R Pienaar, A Pretorius, W Olivier.

more

[scousemouse]

Just why Jonnny is the man :

<H3 style="CLEAR: none; WIDTH: 365px">Why Wilkinson is the main man (110)</H3>

[quiksilva]

What time is the match on in Thailand?

[Austhaied]

What time is the match on in Thailand?

20 October 2007 - 21:00, Stade de France, Saint Denis

That would make it 2am Sunday in Thailand.

[Donnyboy]

Bloody Poms...

Very gracious Austhaied - worthy of a beer

Done deal..

talkin about gracious, someone sent me this the other day

[Donnyboy]

Clint Eastwood to make a movie about the 1995 RWC!

Cup inspires Clint's Bok-buster

AS South Africa prepare for this weekend's World Cup final, Clint Eastwood is set to make a movie about the Springboks' memorable 1995 tournament triumph.

Morgan Freeman has been signed on to play the role of Nelson Mandela and Bourne Identity star Matt Damon is in preliminary discussions to play the victorious Springboks captain Francois Pienaar.

More

whos playing Suzie, the hotel employee that alledgeldy poisoned the ABs food the night before the final