Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

Well l prayed for a miracle and the miracle came but frankly England did not deserve it.





England 13 Argentina 9


http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/ma...24/report.html


http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011...entina-england

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

World Cups should be about tough games, not 80-3 thrashings of no hopers and if I had a choice I'd want a really tough opener not a stroll in the park. Argentina gave us that. They are a much improved side and have shown England that if they want to progress in this competition they have a lot of work to do. I haven't seen any of the second half yet but the score doesn't suggest that very much changed during the last 40 mins so this is indeed a wake-up call. Great sides rise to such challenges, so it'll be interesting to see whether or not England react positively or implode under the pressure.

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

But the trouble is in the last 2 or 3 years England have been a average side as their game is based too much on attritional rugby and not enough on playing the more expansive side of the game like the top sides do.

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

Johnson will want England to be playing the game they need to win not just entertain. If they can do both so much the better but the 2 previous RWC competitions have shown England perform best when they've had to grind out results. IIRC NZ lost a key match against Australia in the recent tri-nations series because they declined to take safe penalty points in favour of tries which never came. Their style is wonderfully attractive for the most part but has sometimes cost them dear when it really matters. The reverse seems to be truer for England - it may not be pretty but it's got them the winners and runners up medals in the last 2 competitions.

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

They will have to improve considerably even playing the grinding out game to stand any chance Osem but l will still be supporting them even though l am pessimistic about their chances.

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

Going into and during the last RWC, nobody gave England a chance - including me - and look what happened. ;) I don't expect that to happen again, however, and as I've already said, they will need to step up to the mark now.

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

Australia 32 Italy 6

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/ma...allaby+victory

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

Ireland 22 USA 10


http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/ma...26/report.html

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

This is going to be a bloodbath :(

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

:D YEP :D

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

7-nil down with only 5 minutes gone :(

Watch for SA to record their biggest ever win over Wales.....or anyone....

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

Hold that thought, Wales are starting a fight back, they must have spotted the sheep :D

---------- Post added at 09:57 ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 ----------

Ok, maybe fight back was a slight exaggeration

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

I think the first games are normally either nervous or over exuberant affairs.. Win or lose most teams do settle for the rest of the contest.

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

Its onlly 10-6 Russ to SA.;)

Re: Rugby World Cup 2011
 

I'm enjoying the Wales game, i wasn't too impressed with Ireland's game