BS: Rugby World Cup 2011

Subject: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 08:50 AM

The competition proper kicks off tomorrow (9/9/11) at 9.30 am (UK Time) With New Zealand V Tonga.

Welsh involvement starts at the same time on Sunday against S.Africa.

For a full fixture list see Here a site which also has a little gizmo to let you change times to display the local equivalent.

Come on Wales!

Cheers
Nigel (eternal optimist)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: theleveller
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 09:48 AM

Bit of an injury-hit England, but at least Wilko's in there to give the Argies some of their own medecine in the kicking stakes.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 11:20 AM

Hopefully lots of close matches. I'm looking forward to New Zealand v France, Russia v USA, all Scotland's games and of course all Wales's.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 02:52 PM

I'll feel very proud (and have more than a few nervous butterflies) as I watch Mike lead the team out on Saturday and become England's most capped centre too(73 caps). They'll have a tough match against Argentina! Come on England!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: paula t
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 03:08 PM

Sorry! The last posting was from me!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Lox
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 05:37 PM

Will be up to watch the Haka face off with Tonga and NZ - perfect start too the world cup should set the tone for an exciting and culturally diverse tournament.

If Argentina play the way the played in the last world cup, when they were unlucky to lose to the eventual winners SA, England could have one hell of a fight on their hands.

I'm not feeling optimistic about Ireland - but I'll still end up shouting at the telly with red veins bursting from my bulging eyes and my heart a whisker away from arrest ... my survival is linked to Irelands ...

Weird that NZ have to face their bogey team France in the group stages ... I guess it will be a good indicator of their intent ... if they beat France their momentum will be very hard to stop!!

How very inconsiderate though of the new zealanders not to stage the matches at 3 in the morning their time so that we can watch it in the afternoon here in the UK ... its just selfish is what it is ...

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 08 Sep 11 - 07:44 PM

Picture of the Christchurch pitch in this morning's Independent - I've seen shinty played on worse. Fixtures are probably as good as could be hoped, finishing the group with England, especially if they play in white (the Saxons only seem to play well if they're pretending to be Welsh or Kiwis). Less than 9 hours to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Little Robyn
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 05:11 PM

OK, the first game is over - we beat the Tongans 41/10.
Hey, that's not too good compared with earlier games when the ABs beat them by about 100.
The weather was good tho' and thousands of people watched the opening and fireworks before it started.
The only problem was, the public transport in Auckland couldn't handle the crowds and some people spent too long stuck in trains - they didn't get to the venue at all. And the buses and ferrys were stopped when the party venue was full, leaving long queues waiting on the wrong side of the harbour. Lots of disgruntled fans!
The next game is likely to be in pouring rain down south.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 09 Sep 11 - 10:00 PM

Your very own Fossil will be out on the pitch tomorrow singing the Welsh and South African National Anthems!

The NZ Choral Federation has organised a number of choirs to do this in the various venues around the country.

I'm in the Wellington area and will sing at four matches in total over the next few weeks, including the USA vs Australia, France vs Tonga and the first quarter-final.

For a chorister, it is a new venture, as you have to memorise both the words and your part. Parts aren't that much of a problem, but the words certainly are! Welsh is kinda hard anyway and the South African anthem has about four (or is it five?) different languages in rapid succession. Fortunately the last two are Afrikaans (basically Dutch, which I understand anyway) and English. When we get to the English, it's basically all over.

Look out for me in the bass line-up if you're watching the matches!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 04:32 AM

hi

I have watched some of the first couple of games. Both a bit one-sided.

Hoipe that England's will be for us but we never do things the easy way do we??

We don't have flair or open running backs but we are well equipped for the close contact fierce tackling game that does well for us in the World Championship.

So I guess it will be more nail-biting and white knuckles for the next two weeks.

Come on England.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: paula t
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 05:30 AM

Nails being well and truly bitten at the moment!Come on England!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 06:53 AM

hi

Well we did it........just.

It was the sort of game that I expected. Grim,dour,and very hard up front.

Still a win is a win and in cup rugby that is what counts in the end.

When did we last see Jonny Wilkinson miss 5 kicks in one game?????

The referee was a little harsh on England , especially in the first half and that stopped any fluency to be brought into the game.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 10:20 AM

I know I said I wanted to see some close games, but that was a bit too tight against Roumania. Even Patterson couldn't control the ball (especially when it fell off the tee just as he was kicking - nearly a Gaelic three-pointer).

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 10 Sep 11 - 02:32 PM

hi Dave

Like you I was hiding behind the sofa !!

Blowed if I didn't have to dive back for the England game.

But no need for the Man United v Bolton game...5-0 to M.U.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: paula t
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 06:54 AM

That was the type of game I expected. I don't understand why the commentators always expect us to beat Argentina easily. They are no longer amateurs. They are tough, determined players who will fight for everything. Their front row are experienced and hard (like ours at the 2003 world cup!). I can't remember the last time we beat them after an easy match. A win is a win. It was never going to be pretty. Still, a win is a win. What a relief!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 10:02 AM

Nice to see that the minnows are going the distance nowadays. And Steve Welsh refereed a complete game without getting in a fight. But why are Les Tricoleurs trying to pretend they're English, and the English dressing up as New Zealanders? At least the All Black strips still look like All Blacks (from a distance, anyway).

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: gnu
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 05:11 PM

I was impressed with the Yanks against Ireland. The game was on a national US network this afternoon much to my surprise and delight. Had it not been for their panic play at times they would have been in the running. They could become a force to considered in future if they can get some more experience and settle their nerves.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 11 Sep 11 - 11:40 PM

Wales vs South Africa, what a match! The outcome uncertain right to the final whistle, and a fantastic party atmosphere in downtown Wellington.

And, get this footie fans - after the game was over (S.Africa won!), I personally witnessed lots of encounters between SA fans and disappointed Welsh fans - the invariable outcome a handshake or a clap on the shoulder. No violence, no aggro. Nothing but sheer good sportsmanship.

And walking out on the pitch to sing the anthems was a blast, too!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 12 Sep 11 - 01:39 PM

I'd say after round one that Wales and South Africa are the only two teams up and running - that would have graced the final. As for Hook's disallowed goal, it went over the post so only the touch judge directly underneath could judge correctly.

We knew it was a bit of a gamble only having 2 warm-up matches, so hopefully we'll be in our stride for Georgia, and Patterson works out what's happened to the air in New Zealand.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: GUEST,bokkie.
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 08:59 AM

Gaan, Bokke !

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: gnu
Date: 13 Sep 11 - 05:16 PM

It just amazes me that we get to see few games here in Atlantic Canada. Also pisses me off. Sorry for the ween but the garbage they put on the sports channels for hours... people talking about sports instead of actual games... agggghhhhh!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 07:51 AM

A dour match in heavy rain for Scotland against Georgia but Scotland came out ahead at 15-6, lots of dropped ball and missed kicks. Why is kicking suddenly so difficult?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Newport Boy
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 08:02 AM

According to Neil Jenkins (Wales' kicking coach) before the tournament kickers' reputations would go down. He claimed that the balls as delivered for matches would not be 'kicked in' and would be more difficult to flight (reported by Shaun Edwards).

Looks like he may be right, and Martin Johnson is quoted giving the same reason for Jonny Wilkinson's 5 misses.

Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 05:50 AM

Well, tonight's match was USA vs Russia, which the Americans won.
A pretty good game, too. Marred by lots of handling errors, probably down to the wet ball, greasy pitch and cold. but Russia missed a lot of penalties, which could've made a big difference for them.


But who designed the USA strip? The upper part was a dark blue jersey, outlined with white piping, all good. But OMG, the shorts - a white ovoid panel covering the ass and front, with broad dark blue stripes at the sides and bottom of the legs: in the wet muddy conditions tonight, playing under floodlights, the entire team looked as if they were wearing giant, soiled diapers.

How to make your boys look ridiculous!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 09:00 AM

I hear Canada have beat Tonga in a very well-played match. Would somebody please check for other signs of the approaching Apocalypse?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 11:01 AM

The USA and Russia were in the same strips (Canterbury) except the Russians were in red and the US in blue. Great block from Todd Clever, except he wasn't playing Gridiron. I agree with the commentators that he should have been carded.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 03:12 PM

hi fossill

<"A pretty good game, too. Marred by lots of handling errors, probably down to the wet ball, greasy pitch and cold">

It's always like that in England !!! We do play mainly in the Winter !!

It is much easier now to handle the ball than when we played. Back then the ball was as heavy as a lump of lead and as greasy as a bar of soap.
The pitches were much worse then too with mud mainly the order of the day.....I even lost a boot on one particularly bad pitch !!!

And now the players can wear shoulder pads and.....GLOVES......yes GLOVES so handling should be easy.

So England and Scotland should have no problems with handling when they play each other.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 04:17 AM

Any team that has problems handling should get a new 'handling coach'.


I understand Maradona's available!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 06:10 AM

Well, I *did* play rugby a lot when at school (in England, a number of years ago...). but it was exceptionally wet and cold, so can excuse a few handling mistakes.

But what about the kicking in this championships?

I really don't believe that Jonny Wilkinson could have missed so many- in a closed stadium, no wind - on sheer nerves. That man has *no* nerves, he has proved it many times. And other noted place-kickers have been having problems.

I put it down to the Coriolis effect myself....

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 08:08 AM

Maybe we need to go back to the practice of the stand-off lying down and holding the ball at the right angle with his index finger?

MikeL I played with that ball too I well understood the importance of getting rid of the big slippery leather thing before getting knocked down and trampled in the mud ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 09:56 AM

Hi Wandering Minstrel

Yes I too used to have someone to lie down in the mud and hold the ball for me when I used to do the kicking.

On occasions I used to return the favour for other kickers - never liked that.

Nowadays they have nice flat pitches, a light ball with no lace and a "spider" to tee up the ball. Oh and they have infinately better boots too.

I can't understand how anyone can miss. But miss they do - just shows what good kickers we were ........!!!

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 08:45 PM

Started off watching the All Blacks play Japan last night, but gave up on it after about 10 minutes. Purely cruel to watch.

But the final score (83-7) wasn't such a huge margin as some past games. However, still more akin to potting fish in a barrel than a game of rugby.

Hopefully today's games: Argentina v Romania, Australia v Ireland, S.Africa v Fiji will produce a bit more balance.

At least I'm not singing this weekend, but am in the choir for the Australia v USA match in Wellington on Friday next, which should be a good 'un.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 06:31 AM

I see Ireland have beaten Australia 15-6.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: GUEST,Guest down
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 10:49 AM

Great win for the Irish, you never give Aussie a look in.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Lox
Date: 17 Sep 11 - 11:58 AM

Somebody help me down from the ceiling ...

... what a win for Ireland!!!

The forwards were awesome - when australia got the ball they looked dangerous - but Ireland wouldn't let them have it - and their most dangerous spell of play very nearly turned into a try for Tommy Bowe after he intercepted the ball beautifully and ran the entire length of the field, only beaten in the end by the fatigue in his legs.

We're a small country with just 4 league teams - FOUR!! one for each of the 4 provinces - and one of those in non-professional ...

The Irish can be proud tonight - there's nothing to lose now and suddenly we could be in for a decent world cup finish!!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: MikeL2
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 10:14 AM

Hi

Cogratulatulations Ireland !!! The best game I have watched so far in the World Cup by far.

England won today but I was still hard going and the score somewhat flattered them. I hope I am not taking anything away from Georgia who played extremely well for 70% of the game.

This was a very physical game and England will be glad that they have a week to recover from some of the bruising tackles.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Bruce from Bathurst
Date: 18 Sep 11 - 11:14 AM

Ireland certainly played better rugby than Australia and fully deserved the win on Saturday. Not nearly enough open play from our Wallabies, but the Irish forwards were too good to let it happen.

The scheduling of the match was less than ideal for our band. We were at The Turning Wave Festival in the town of Gundagai, and we were playing on stage for the entire second half of that match. Turning Wave is a strong Irish music festival so there was a lot of interest in AUS v. IRE. There was a large TV on the wall just behind the last seats, so at least half the audience were happy to have us playing background music while they watched rugby.

It's a slightly surreal experience to have your music applauded by a crowd with their backs to you.

At least we were able to watch the TV, from a distance, over the top of their heads.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 11:36 AM

Was that Mr Bean's twin brother taking the kicks for Tonga?

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 08:12 AM

Maybe but it was definitely Mr Bean reffing. Those passes were just a bit forward!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:27 PM

Another of these revelations - Leo Cullen (Irish No 5) is really Alfred E Neuman!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Lox
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:31 PM

.

          Not Neumann,

          The BFG ...

.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 06:38 PM

Him as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: gnu
Date: 25 Sep 11 - 08:32 PM

Agghhhh!!! Disappointing loss to Argentina. But... an exciting match!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 07:50 AM

Arrgghhh indeed! Scotland should have had that sewn up and still threw it away with dropped ball and lack of finishing. So now we have to beat England and get a bonus point.

How did Contepomi get away with being 5 yards offside for Parks drop-kick? even Pienaar described it as "indifferent refereeing!"

Rooting hard for a surprise Georgian victory...

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 07:59 AM

Wales 81 Namibia 7

A good result

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 12:37 AM

Well, here in NZ, the general public is going apeshit about the All Blacks v Canada match, it's all being pundited to death as though there were *any* chance at all of it being anything other than a Maple Leaf massacre.

Myself, I have the wonderful job of learning the national anthems for the France v Tonga match in Wellington on Saturday. Even if it's overshadowed by the AB's, this game holds out the prospect of much better rugby. But even so, I'll be surprised if the Bleus don't win.

I'm OK with the "Marseillaise", having lived in Belgium and speaking fluent, if rusty, French. Tonga's anthem is actually rather nice, but the words are difficult to learn.

If anyone is watching the beginning of this match, the NZCF choir stands in a two-row semi-circle behind the two national flags and the teams line-up. We dress in black, with the RWC scarf round our necks. And while the orchestra comes on a pre-recorded tape, and there *is* a choral tape too, we are told that in the matches so far, the TV crews have been getting good enough sound off the field choir to be using that in the broadcasts. Anyway, I'll be in the bass back row, second from the left as you look at the flags. Wish me luck!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Lox
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 06:22 AM

I've been enjoying your performances so far Fossil.

Good Job on "Irelands Call".

We don't sing our national anthem in Rugby, but an anthem accepted by both northern and southern players, catholics and protestants as representing a United Irish team.

Which I Guess renders the soldiers song morally obsolete, since "Irelands Call" is the only song that can be said to represent all the people of Ireland.

Like the rugby, its not sectarian, and like the Murphy's, its not bitter!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 05:38 PM

Yes, Lox is right: just looked in my RWC Anthem Book and "Ireland's call" is the one that's sung. Though I have to disclaim any credit for the singing, I haven't done any of the Ireland matches yet: having passed the audition and got signed up, you are allocated to specific matches. In Wellington, there's a pool of about 100 singers, who sing in different combinations - always 30 singers per match. And it's the same in Auckland and Dunedin and the other centres.

But the Aucklanders get the best deal: 3 out of 4 quarter finals, all the semis and the final itself are at Eden Park, so I won't get a look in. But it has been great fun so far!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: gnu
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 06:18 PM

Break a leg Fossil. I'll be watching the Canuck game on tape on Sunday unless I get a second wind and stay up until 1:30AM on Saturday night/Sunday.

I don't know about such dire straights but I expect the All Blacks will prevail. In any case, just to see that The Maple Leaf is flying in NZ warms my heart. In my home town, rugby plays well down the list.. hockey... Canuck football (actually, Yank football is more popular)... baseball... football (known as soccer here)... etc. Rugby is WAY down the list. So, the fact that many games are being televised here means a lot to promoting rugby. About time!

Subject: RE: BS: Rugby World Cup 2011
From: Fossil
Date: 27 Sep 11 - 07:46 PM

One of the really nice things about the RWC so far has been the way in which the Kiwis have welcomed fans from all the nations.

At the Australia vs USA match, more than half the Wellington stadium had decided to support the underdogs - the USA team. The place was awash with the Stars and Stripes, people in costumes, chants of "U! S! A!". Mexican waves, the lot. It all made for a terrific atmosphere.

It can only be good for the game - hopefully in Canada too. Though I don't see Wellington getting behind the Canadian team in quite the same way, not against the AB's! But the Canucks will be getting a good run against what is arguably the best team in the world at the moment. Not necessarily the winners of the Webb Ellis Trophy mind - I still think and hope that England can surprise us all, yet.