Rugby World Cup 2011 - Page 3

denphone · 10-09-2011, 11:19

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

Osem · 10-09-2011, 13:06

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.

denphone · 10-09-2011, 13:11

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.

Osem · 10-09-2011, 13:55

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.

denphone · 10-09-2011, 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

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.

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.

Osem · 10-09-2011, 14:16

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.

denphone · 11-09-2011, 06:23

Australia 32 Italy 6

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

denphone · 11-09-2011, 09:01

Ireland 22 USA 10

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

Russ · 11-09-2011, 09:37

This is going to be a bloodbath

Kymmy · 11-09-2011, 09:39

YEP

Russ · 11-09-2011, 09:41

7-nil down with only 5 minutes gone

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

colin25 · 11-09-2011, 09:57

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

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

Ok, maybe fight back was a slight exaggeration

Kymmy · 11-09-2011, 09:58

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.

denphone · 11-09-2011, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ

This is going to be a bloodbath

Its onlly 10-6 Russ to SA.

colin25 · 11-09-2011, 10:10

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