Fair enough, although what would you call swapping the ball to give the kicker a better chance of scoring points?



Could not agree less. They can keep JW on the field as long as they like - I'm enjoying watching him miss goal after goal (2003 still stings).

It's only cheating if it works.


Well so long as if he is on the field he scores a drop goal at the most opportune time.

Fair point, well argued.



Grrrrr.

Right - tips for this weekend.

I'm giving the first one to the Welsh, I think they're the form team going into the quarters.

Sadly, I think England will get through theirs by repeating the same formula that got them through their pool: arse about on the field for three-quarters of the match then turn up in the last 20 to win by a fraction.

South Africa v Australia is the hardest one to pick. The Wobblies have lived up to their reputation in the pool, but they've had the measure of the Springboks lately. If their forwards turn up for the match, I'm giving it to Australia.

Sadly for Argentina, I don't think this is the game the ABs will choke in.

Of course, now that I've said all that it's highly likely the semis will comprise Ireland v France and South Africa v Argentina. I'm like that with tips.

WHich team is going to show up from the French. If its their sublime rugby side goodbye England. If its the ill disciplined version we have a good chance.

WOW well I have a sneaking feeling its Wales v NZ for the Final.

well i think that has been answered.

Well done Wales, some lovely play there.

As for England. Well, let's be honest. This match is showing that we have previous used the tactic of giving away dozens of penalties in order to break up play and rely on the opposition kicker missing a majority of their kicks.

That doesn't work with the French and so that tactic isn't being employed.

Get your arse in gear boys.

Edit: Go on, finally a try and JW actually converts! Praise be!

Took their time to make a match of it. A tad too late and too many mistakes...

Oh dear.

As Parra was lining up that kick, I was explaining to my son that the only chance that England had was if he hit the upright, England got the ball, and scored a try.

Lo, and behold, he hit the upright. It's a shame the rest of it didn't come to pass.

I still think it'll be a Wales v New Zealand final, despite only being halfway through the QF stage.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss!

I knew you'd pop up.

Fair play to her, the French were much the better side overall. As above, They didn't let England get away with masking their weaknesses as they had in the group stage. Semi finals are looking like cracking matches, let alone the final.

Jon

Right, so I'm one from two and to be honest, rather happy about that. Sorry, but England have been playing dull, unimaginative rugby that didn't deserve to be in a World Cup. Their game plan, unchanged for years, is: pick and drive, ball to Wilkinson, drop goal. Wales v Ireland was just how rugby should be played: tough in the forwards, and get the backs running to score tries.

Which brings us to tomorrow. I'm going out on a limb and saying the Wobblies over the Boks - just. I reckon the Aussies will keep their form against the Saffies. They hold the Tri-Nations and the Super Series titles - not easy things to win.

ABs v Argentina - could be interesting. I still think NZ will get through, but the Pumas will throw everything at them.

I have to agree.

I blame the banning of British Bulldog from school playgrounds...

NZ and Aussies to make it through for me. I'll go out on on a limb and say Wales v Aus in the final with a Wales win.

In fact I may put a bet on, I'm an eighth Welsh afterall.

Utter rubbish. I'd agree that England are.. well, pragmatic is probably the best way to describe it. It's percentage rugby. And it doesn't make for great entertainment for the neutral. But they scored pretty much as many tries as the other big sides in the group stages. And they scored just as many tries as France did today. They patently deserve to be in the WC, more so than the likes of Georgia who basically seem like little more than target practice for the test playing nations.
This thread has been pretty civilised so far, perhaps try to keep your prejudices under control, eh?

Jon