Oct 10th, 2007 | Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 4 Comments | print
‘It’s how you win, not how you play the game’.
That seems to be the consensus among international media who have collectively dubbed the All Blacks ‘world class chokers’ following the exit of New Zealand, the pre-championship favorites, from the 2007 Rugby World Cup at the hands of France.
However, the players learned a good lesson as they returned home on Thursday to a warm reception by 2000+ fans.
It was only as they absorbed the overwhelming warmth of more than 2000 die-hard supporters, swathed in All Black colours, waving flags and clamouring for autographs, that some [players] allowed themselves a smile.
Unfortunately, the players also brought back some shame as reports of an All Black arrest became widely publicized. Doug, your timing couldn’t have been worse. I hope you practice a little more restraint in Munster next year. If you need an example of how to behave, just look to your fans…they seem to have it right.
Oct 8th, 2007 | Satire, Test Rugby, RWC 2007 | 26 Comments | print
At a joint press conference today, the New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions announced that they have withdrawn from future World Cup competition as a protest to the current format which encourages complacency by pestering the teams with pointless fixtures against developing rugby nations.
‘Crushing teams like Italy, Scotland and Portugal by as much as 95 points puts too much pressure on our boys,’ said Andy Leslie, President of the NZRU. ‘When we finally get some opposition, the performance anxiety is too great and we buckle beneath it…who wouldn’t,’ he continued. → continue reading
Oct 7th, 2007 | Laws and Refereeing | 18 Comments | print
International Rugby Board Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien explains the Stellenbosch experimental law variations and their status with the IRB. This is part 1 of the 20 minute video. → continue reading
Oct 7th, 2007 | Laws and Refereeing | 4 Comments | print
International Rugby Board Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien explains the Stellenbosch experimental law variations and their status with the IRB. This is part 2 of the 20 minute video. → continue reading
Oct 6th, 2007 | RWC 2007 | 3 Comments | print
“Four more years…four more years”. Those were George Greegan’s words to New Zealand upon Australia’s semi-final victory at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. I suspect many English and French fans are echoing this sentiment today as their National sides upset two championship favorites in the first day of quarter final action at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and sent Australia and New Zealand home early.
In Marseille, England starved the Wallabies of ball, stealing much possession in the rucks and disrupting their opposition set pieces. They defended with great conviction and, despite a failure to break the Aussie line, took advantage of their undisciplined opponents as Jonny Wilkinson captured the Rugby World Cup all-time scoring record with 4 penalties.
In the other test, fans in Cardiff were treated to a second-half magic show from the back line as France came from a 13-3 half-time deficit to defeat the All Blacks 20-18.
Both Australia and New Zealand will now have to wait for 2011 to get their revenge for defeats in 2003 (England over Australia in the 2003 RWC final) and in 1999 (France over New Zealand in the 1999 RWC semi-final). Todays results will make these wounds even more painful when/if these teams meet four years from now.
For Australia and New Zealand, it’s back to the drawing board. Australia have a large personell shift as their veterans retire. New Zealand on the other hand must investigate how four years of meticulous planning again failed them at the crucial moments. The Southern Hemisphere media and match commentators have been cruel and biased following weak performances by France and England, especially the latter as England have failed to impress in all of their pool matches. Now however, expect a swift and harsh introspective response as the Wallabies and All Blacks return home.
As for George Greegan, today’s loss marks the end of his International rugby career with a record 139 caps. Sorry George, but “no more years” is a lot worse than “four more years”. Welcome to the Old Boys club (well, when you hit 35 next year anyway 
).
