Rugby World Cup 2011 - Page 13

denphone · 08-10-2011, 21:11

Well he has about 2 months left on his contract and my hunch is they will not renew it but we shall see.

http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-...ry/151653.html

Osem · 08-10-2011, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

l feel Johnson was a great leader when he was playing but have never been convinced by him as a coach.

Where were the great leaders on the pitch this morning? It wasn't Johnson's failings which led to their exit, it was theirs. My feeling is that Johnson will stay unless he wants to go but that a number of players have played their last games for England. Right now, I'd include Wilkinson, Tindall, Moody, Thompson and Shaw in that list.

denphone · 09-10-2011, 07:46

Yes England certainly need to rebuild as there are too many players past their best but their are some talented young players out there but also England need to play a more expansive type of rugby as at the moment they are one dimensional.

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Latest score in the rugby after 30 minutes is Australia 8 South Africa 0

The springboks have fought back strongly and now lead Australia 9-8 with 20 minutes to go.

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Congratulations Australia on reaching the semi final and a clash with the All Blacks

Final score

South Africa 9 Australia 11

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/ma...+pressure+lead

Kymmy · 09-10-2011, 07:47

If SA had to go out I'm glad it was to a team like AUS.. Great game, some amazing defence from two very big teams

Well done AUS

denphone · 09-10-2011, 10:18

33 minutes gone in the other quarter final and Argentina are leading 7-6 against the All Blacks.

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Half time

New Zealand 12 Argentina 7

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Full time score

New Zealand 33 Argentina 10

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/ma...as+reach+semis

Osem · 09-10-2011, 11:31

From what I've heard of the game it seems that the Wallabies out-defended the Springboks in a very tough game. It's always nice to see tries and expansive rugby but tough, close games like these are no less entertaining to real rugby fans and are often decided in favour of the teams who slow down the ball and nullify the opposition's attack. It seems that's where SA suffered today but once again there were some odd refereeing decisions - one of which apparently saw a charged down kick given as a knock on in favour of Australia.

Even David Campese felt it was a very poor decision at a key point in the match.
Of course there will always be tough decisions which can't even be sorted out using TV replays but IMHO there are too many bad decisions and instances of inconsistent refereeing cropping up about which more needs to be done. With all the technology available today, there's no excuse for some of them and God forbid that a world cup is decided by a really controversial refereeing decision. Perhaps something along the lines of the 'challenge' system in cricket could go some way to sorting this out and focus the minds of some of the officials a little. As it is there doesn't seem to be much done about decisions made which really stink. I think South Africa will feel they lost a game they should and could have won with almost all the second half territory and yet nothing to show for it.

Argentina have clearly come on a long way and made NZ work hard for a result that flatters them a bit I think. NZ looked pretty average for quite long periods but in the end fitness, professionalism and skill took their toll. Given their limited exposure to top class international rugby, watch out for Argentina next time around when they've had the chance to develop as part of the new southern hemipshere 4 Nations competition.

All in all I reckon NZ have come out of this round better placed that Australia who apparently have lots of injuries to contend with and must be feeling the huge battle they've just been through. However, Argentina showed the the All Blacks' back line can be tamed so there's hope for the Wallabies next week.

If the All Blacks win next week they'll win the competition I believe but if they're knocked out I think Australia will lose in the final simply because they've given too much in getting there. Who joins them in the final will be determined by which French team turns up next week. Maybe the French have had their final...

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Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Yes England certainly need to rebuild as there are too many players past their best but their are some talented young players out there but also England need to play a more expansive type of rugby as at the moment they are one dimensional.

There's no doubt that some of England's decison making at scrum half and fly half was poor but with the best will in the world you can't play expansive rugby when the opposition won't allow you to. Late last year England showed what they can do against Australia by beating them comfortably and scoring some great tries including one (from their own goal line) to rival the very best. We've seen that in other games too which is why Chris Ashton scored so many tries. However, if you're constantly being pinged by the referee for whatever reason or your opponents are depriving you of the ball and/or slowing the game down it's hard to play fast and pretty. It seems Australia did exactly that today against the Springboks and look what happened to Habana and all their fabled speedsters. Had SA played the entire match the way they started the second half they'd have won I reckon and that wasn't playing expansive, attractive rugby. Neither did Australia win by playing wide, running rugby.

I believe the will is in the England team and the ability to match the best but what's really let them down this time around is poor discipline and a lack of quick ball both of which ought to have been sorted out by better captaincy on the field.

denphone · 09-10-2011, 11:41

Who would you make captain as l have always liked Sheridan but of course he went home injured..

Osem · 09-10-2011, 14:32

That's a very hard call and I'm glad I don't have to make that decision.

I do believe the captaincy should go to one of the 'younger' players, however. There's no point picking a captain who clearly won't be around for the next RWC and England have nothing to lose and plenty to gain by being bold now and taking advantage of some of the newer blood. Although he's yet to prove himself internationally I reckon Owen Farrell (Saracens) could be one to watch and a future captain.

denphone · 09-10-2011, 14:36

Yes you could well be right and the clear thing English Rugby Union has to do is have a clear plan and prepare for the World Cup in 2015 on home soil.

Osem · 09-10-2011, 14:50

Well the England U20's have been doing rather well of late (IRB JWC finalists in 3 of the last 4 years) and playing some very exciting rugby to boot:

http://www.rfu.com/News/2011/June/Ne...WC_report.aspx

Lots of hope for the future there.

denphone · 09-10-2011, 14:57

Yes most definitely a lot of hope for the future.

Russ · 09-10-2011, 17:14

As much as I want to see Wales winning the RWC, I can't help but feel NZ will take it and if we get to the final there's no shame in losing to the best team in the world.

colin25 · 09-10-2011, 17:23

I am hopeful Wales can do it. Not sure New Zealand is that good. But could be proved wrong.

Russ · 09-10-2011, 17:38

I can handle losing to NZ in the final just as long as we get there - because it'll mean we beat the Frogs

colin25 · 09-10-2011, 19:11

I would be surprised if France can do it two weeks in a row. They weren't that good, just that England played so badly.

And I am not ruling out an Australia vs Wales final