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 8th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 1 Comment | print
RWC 2007 Predictions 3 - Pool B
Well, I should start by saying that a detailed analysis of Pool B is (i) totally unnecessary as Australia and Wales will undoubtedly advance to the quarter finals and (ii) I’m in Paris at the moment on Day 2 of RWC 2007 and simply don’t have time to write a lenghtly analysis. 
The one thing that sets this pool apart from Pool A and Pool D is the fact that Australia is guaranteed to finish at the top, with Wales following in second place. Everyone else is fighting for respect. Fiji and Canada (ranked 12th and 13th respectively) both want the #3 position, and their clash on Sep. 16th is the must-see game of the Pool. Win or lose, Canada must show up strong for their match against 18th-ranked Japan on Sep. 25th for the world to know that the canucks are truly developing their rugby chops.
Let’s go Canada, make you’re mark and soon you’ll be breaking into rugby’s top-10!
