And then there were 8. The quarter-finals of the 2007 RWC are set to kick off in a few days and to be honest, the match-ups are quite interesting. Even if you are a die-hard All Black fan, I think the fixtures are going to captivate rugby enthusiasts of all persuasions. → continue reading
“Nothing left but the crying” is probably the sentiment for many Irish, Welsh, Italians and Tongans this week as the pool stages end and the 3rd place finishers head back and start thinking about either retirement or the 2011 RWC in New Zealand. For a World Cup that was supposed to be a predictable spectacle by the ‘top-tier’ teams, the so-called ‘minnows’ flexed their might (and their hearts) and produced more flair and excitement than the championship favorites like France and the SANZAR nations. Here is how it breaks down pool-by-pool. → continue reading
Has anyone other than me noticed what has happened to the All Blacks in the last 8 years? Aside from hardly ever losing and absolutely destroying even good teams, the All Blacks have spun completely out of control with their image and mysitque. This year’s Rugby World Cup has already seen the All Blacks demolish all of their opponents so far, albeit in a very week pool and all signs point to an inevitable victory for the storied All Blacks. But as in past years, the All Blacks will fall again.
The problem with the All Blacks is that their team has become Americanized as I like to call it. That is the team has lost sight of what the game of rugby is about and have turned it into more of a them against the world conquest. This team is so far ahead of other rugby teams in the world that it almost seems as if they’re a different race of people. I mean have you seen the size and speed of these guys, it’s disturbing at the very least. I often wonder if the pressure of being the best in the world has driven many of them to do steroids. I read an article recently about one of their players who had to stop working out his biceps because he was having trouble wrapping up people for tackles!!
The pressure has become so great for the All Blacks that several players have been quoted saying they don’t even enjoy playing for the All Blacks because it’s too much. Too much pressure, too much hype, too much of everything. → continue reading
RWC 2007 Predictions 4 - Pool C
There’s no arguing that New Zealand will do anything but crush every team in their Pool as warm-ups for their all-but-certain Quarter Final against Australia. Once we get past this though, there is an interesting match-up in Pool C: Italy vs. Scotland on Sep. 29th. Italy has made HUGE improvements in their rugby program since joining the 5 Nations in 2000 (to create the Six Nations Championship). Italy finished 4th above both Wales and Scotland in the 2007 Six Nations campaign, and turmoil in the SRU since then could spell trouble and a pool-round exit for the Scots.
Well, it seems that the surprise defeat last week of the New Zealand All Blacks by the Australian Wallabies has resulted in most major media outlets all but handing a win to the home team in Sydney tomorrow against the visiting South African Springboks. In addition to Australia’s confidence-building match last week, the South African’s are sending their second XV and resting their top 20 players.
Those of you who know me are aware of my penchant for the underdogs, so naturally I am counting on the Springboks to show the depth of their rugby program. But it’s more than that.
I see a tired, (over)confident group of banged-up veterans in yellow jumpers (Australia) taking the field against a crew of guys in green (South Africa) who have nothing to lose, are not as battle-weary and know that a great performance could land them a spot at the big dance in France in the fall.
I don’t think it will be easy, but if the ball bounces right and the rugby gods are shining down, look for the Springboks to take the lead in the Tri-nations tables tomorrow.
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