Oct 4th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 1 Comment | print
“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
Sep 25th, 2007 | RWC 2007 | 9 Comments | print
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of traveling to France for the 2007 Rugby World Cup with my wife and some close friends. It was an experience of a life time and something I plan on sharing with my son when he’s old enough to appreciate the sport. The atmosphere of an international event such as this one (officially the third largest international event behind the Summer Olympics and the Soccer World Cup) was something incredible to be a part of. You had people from countries all over the world in France to support their country’s conquest to hoist the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. People drinking in bars, eating in restaurants all eagerly watching whatever match happened to be playing. It didn’t even matter what teams were playing, if it was rugby, they were watching. It didn’t matter what country you were from either, there were South Africans mingling with Australians, two countries who are fierce rivals.
Not only did I get to just be in France while all of this was going on, I got to actually see two live matches. What an experience this was! I’ve been an avid sporst fan all my life. I’ve seen football both pro and college live, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer and even golf. Nothing compares though to being a part of such a special international event like a World Cup, something that only comes every 4 years. I think it’s the fans that really make it different. There isn’t that fear that when you’re sitting amongst a bunch of fans that are rooting for the team you’re not, you might get stabbed, something anyone who’s been to a inter-division pro football game would know. Everyone there is there for rugby, not even necessarily for their team. That might be an exaggeration, but it’s not far off. Even when a fan’s opposing team is taking a penalty kick, they quiet down to allow him to take his kick. This level of sportsmanship and respect is unheard of in the U.S.
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Sep 16th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 5 Comments | print
Always the underdog at the big show, Georgia (formerly of the USSR) is currently defending their reputation - earned at the 2003 Rugby World Cup - as a determined and spirited side. Despite almost missing the 2003 RWC (the IRB had to step in to finance Georgia’s RWC kit and traveling expenses), the Lelos played like tigers and won the hearts of spectators world wide with an impressive 19-46 loss to South Africa.
After playing both Argentina and Ireland, it seems that Georgia has returned to the 2007 RWC with the same vigor for the game, but with much improved skills, particularly in defense. Argentina struggled to crack the Georgians line - in large part due to their excellent sliding cover in the back line - and Argentina had only a 3-point lead at half-time. The 33-3 final score was more a tribute to the fitness and patience of the Pumas rather than a lack of skill or desire by the challengers. → continue reading
Aug 18th, 2007 | RWC 2007 | 1 Comment | print
RWC 2007 Predictions 2 - Pool A
As I noted earlier, this pool has all the suspense of drying paint: South Africa and England will undoubtedly advance to the Quarter Finals. The only question remains as to which team edges out the other when the two rugby powerhouses meet on September 14th in Paris. This is a critical consideration as the loser will most certainly face Australia in the Quarter Finals with the winner taking on Wales. Both England and South Africa can handily defeat Wales, but of the two only South Africa has a real shot at defeating Australia.
After watching both England and South Africa struggle during the last few years, my money is on the Springboks to take England and the pool. Both teams have very similar, very pedestrian playing styles with very little in the way of offensive creativity. Look for the ‘Boks’ to dominate in the set pieces, especially the scrum. On defense, I think South Africa is simply more accustomed to holding the line during repeated attack sequences. While England is desperate to defend their 2003 victory, I think the mounting losses (especially to France last week) will not be enough to overcome South Africa whose players know that this may be the last chance their country has at winning the Rugby World Cup for some years to come as ‘transformation’ extends it’s reach to rugby’s highest level.
So, is there any excitement in the rest of Pool A? Let’s look at the rankings:
- South Africa, 4th place in the IRB World Rankings
- England, 7th place
- Samoa, 11th place
- Tonga, 14th place
- USA, 15th place
The bottom of the pool actually looks like a 3-team race, with a lot of exciting match-ups. The USA-Tonga match should be great with USA Rugby enjoying a good domestic re-building program at the moment and the Tongans simply using their raw speed and power to stay in the top-20. After England-South Africa, USA v. Tonga is perhaps the next best match to watch in this pool. While I think Samoa will defeat the USA handily, Tonga v. Samoa also has a lot of potential for sparks and some exciting ball.
Jul 8th, 2007 | Test Rugby | 10 Comments | print
As I noted previously, the Springbok guests in Sydney on 07-07-2007 started the Mandela Challenge Plate as if their lives depended upon the outcome and quickly accumulated 17 unanswered points against the heavy favorites the Wallabies. In the first stanza, it seemed that the Aussie’s simply weren’t interested in scoring despite this match being the last home test match for the legendary team of Greegan (133 Caps) and Larkham (100 Caps).
Of course, with two Wallabies having the combined test match experience of the entire South African team, it is not surprising that cool heads prevailed. With tries before and after half-time, Australia brought the score-line level. A South African professional foul gave the home side a 1-man advantage and their opponents quickly took the lead and eventually the match, 25-17.
Despite the win, Australia again showed their major weaknesses: lack of focus early in the match and an underpowered scrum. Both of these deficiencies require solid solutions if the Wallabies are to have any chance at hoisting the Web Ellis Cup at RWC 2007.
In addition, an 8-point margin over the Springbok so-called ’second-string’ line is hardly anything to get excited about and is a testament to the depth of the rugby program in South Africa. If you remember that post-apartheid South Africa came out of almost 30 years of international sporting isolation to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the depth of the their rugby program doesn’t actually seem that surprising.
