Rugby World Cup 2007

[Donnyboy]

England mindset worries Springboks

The overwhelming favourites for Saturday's World Cup final, South Africa are wary of England's mental strength after the holders staged a remarkable comeback to make it to the game that matters.

Coach Jake White, who kept his faith with the same 15 that started last weekend's 37-13 semi-final win over Argentina, knows England are a different proposition since the return of Jonny Wilkinson.

England's clinical first five-eighths, who missed his side's 36-0 hammering by the Springboks in a pool game because of an ankle injury, kicked England into the final and is one of his team's several players with experience of lifting the trophy four years ago.

"England's players have won a World Cup away from home before... and that is a huge advantage," White said.

"They must be in a great mindset. They were dead and buried two weeks ago. They came back, they beat Australia and France in two consecutive weekends."

more here

England's Jonny Wilkinson is the danger man in the Springboks' eyes.

[Donnyboy]

Boks drop Skinstad for final

South Africa have named an unchanged starting team for the World Cup final against England at the Stade de France in Paris, but have dropped Bob Skinstad from their bench.

Coach Jake White has kept faith with the same 15 that started in last weekend's semifinal win over Argentina but made one change to the reserves bench.

Loose forward Wikus van Heerden, who started in the quarter-final against Fiji but missed the semifinal, returned at the expense of former Springboks captain Skinstad.

The starting side will be the most experienced South Africa has ever fielded in a test, boasting 668 test caps between them.

Loosehead prop Os Du Randt is the only survivor from the South Africa team that won the World Cup at home in 1995.

SOUTH AFRICA:

15-Percy Montgomery, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Francois Steyn, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Butch James, 9-Fourie du Preez, 8-Danie Rossouw, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Schalk Burger, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-CJ van der Linde, 2-John Smit ©, 1-Os du Randt.

RESERVES:

16-Bismarck du Plessis, 17-Jannie du Plessis, 18-Johann Muller, 19-Wikus van Heerden, 20-Ruan Pienaar, 21-Andre Pretorius, 22-Wynand Olivier.

Bob Skinstad

[Donnyboy]

Wilko salutes 'fantastic' flier Habana

England's Jonny Wilkinson admitted on Wednesday he's a huge fan of South Africa winger Bryan Habana, the man poised, like him, to dominate Saturday's World Cup final."I think he's been fantastic. He has done an enormous amount for rugby as a whole, for the development and growth of the sport, for the way rugby should be played," said the England fly-half.

"The way he applies himself on the field in terms of his demeanour and his respect levels, his values and his integrity, they are all doing wonderful things for the game.

more here

South Africa winger Bryan Habana scores against Argentina. Photo / Reuters

[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

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

Kathy Bates

[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

Kathy Bates

c'mon MB. Its a Eastwood movie not Stephen King!!

[Donnyboy]

MB,

are you gonna be kitted up for the final?

and be serving Castle?

[Donnyboy]

it would be great to see some RWC colours of the finalists in CM wouldnt it?

[Donnyboy]

this would be better

[miltonbentley]

this would be better

Quality!

[Donnyboy]

Im sure the jersey would look slightly looser on you MB

[Donnyboy]

this would turn me into a football fan should the players look like this

[Austhaied]

Go Yarpies !!!

Edited October 19, 2007 by Austhaied

[Donnyboy]

Go Yarpies !!!

hey Aus,

you may have lost that free beer now

[Donnyboy]

The fastest player of all time? Habana can do the 100m quicker than you can answer

So who is the quickest rugby player of all time? The way Bryan Habana - eight tries in this World Cup to date and with the power to add to that - has been leaving vapour trails across France has prompted many commentators to claim that the South African is the fastest player seen at Test level.

Possibly. His blazing pace and tryscoring instincts certainly make him one of the most lethal wingers in history and a potent threat against England in the final on Saturday. When the Boks win opposition ball deep in their own half they instinctively look for Habana, so dangerous is he from long range.

The Blue Bulls winger is listed as being a 10.4 seconds man for the 100 metres and looks like a player who might be even quicker with the ball in hand. He has the sculpted, fat-free body of a pure athlete and a panther-like quality that marks him out as special. He also possesses the invaluable twin qualities of speed off the mark - sensational, probably only Jason Robinson can match him over the first 20m - and serious long-range gas.

more here

[Austhaied]

Go Yarpies !!!

hey Aus,

you may have lost that free beer now

Shit-a-brick, ok i have just decked out the gaff in pommie colors..That beer still on..errr.. hello..

[miltonbentley]

Go Yarpies !!!

hey Aus,

you may have lost that free beer now

Shit-a-brick, ok i have just decked out the gaff in pommie colors..That beer still on..errr.. hello..

Nice looking semi you have there Austhaied and you've put up a Scottish flag too I see.

[baabaabobo]

[Austhaied]

Go Yarpies !!!

hey Aus,

you may have lost that free beer now

Shit-a-brick, ok i have just decked out the gaff in pommie colors..That beer still on..errr.. hello..

Nice looking semi you have there Austhaied and you've put up a Scottish flag too I see.

That's to keep the riff raff (jocks) out..

2am Sunday ?? Gonna be on at you know where ???

And about the semi, i woke up with one, sorry.

Edited October 19, 2007 by Austhaied

[miltonbentley]

2am Sunday ?? Gonna be on at you know where ??? wink.gif

Tis

[Austhaied]

2am Sunday ?? Gonna be on at you know where ??? wink.gif

Tis

Good news. Will sneak out ninja style and be home in time for breakfast...

[jackr]

Ole Jonah the steam-roller. Most impressive AB of all time

France's players are throwing their weight behind the Springboks in Saturday's final.

Who isn't?

[jackr]

this would turn me into a football fan should the players look like this

Strewth!

Mind if I borrow this one for the Hot Bum, Good Ass thread, Donny?

[miltonbentley]

So infuriating this waiting. I just want today to end so tomorrow can begin

[Captain Chaos]

2am Sunday ?? Gonna be on at you know where ??? wink.gif

Tis

Good news. Will sneak out ninja style and be home in time for breakfast...

Just take yer bats with you and claim you have a really really early tee off time - bound to work!

CC

[Austhaied]

2am Sunday ?? Gonna be on at you know where ??? wink.gif

Tis

Good news. Will sneak out ninja style and be home in time for breakfast...

Just take yer bats with you and claim you have a really really early tee off time - bound to work!

CC

Thanks for the tip CC, just might do that..

Milton..Jai yen yen matey..

[miltonbentley]

Milton..Jai yen yen matey.. tongue.gif

Always. Come early tomorrow. Limited space.

[Austhaied]

Milton..Jai yen yen matey.. tongue.gif

Always. Come early tomorrow. Limited space.

Is midnight too late ? Otherwise i will give it a miss.

[chavy]

what sort offlag is that then ?

It'sgonna be a long day & night but it will be worth it.

[miltonbentley]

Milton..Jai yen yen matey.. tongue.gif

Always. Come early tomorrow. Limited space.

Is midnight too late ? Otherwise i will give it a miss.

Midnight OK for you as a formal representative of Australia

[Donnyboy]

the play off for 3rd and 4th- like does anyone give a sh*t?

I guess they are still above NZ and Aus

well done Pumas, now the IRB should give them that spot in the Tri nations and they will start beating us on a regular basis

France 10-34 Argentina

The Pumas, the revelation of the tournament, ran in five tries to snuff out French hopes of revenge for their opening-match defeat last month.

Argentina scored through Felipe Contepomi and Omar Hasan in a fractious first half for 17-3 at the break.

Further scores from Federico Aramburu, Ignacio Corleto and Contepomi heaped further embarrassment on France.

Full-back Clement Poitrenaud scored a late consolation for Bernard Laporte's side but Argentina made it six wins out of seven against the French following their 17-12 victory in the pool stages. more here

France (3) 10

Try: Poitrenaud

Pens: Elissalde

Cons: Beauxis Argentina (17) 34

Tries: F Contepomi (2), Hasan, Aramburu, Corleto

Cons: F Contepomi (3)

Pens: F Contepomi