Rugby Gilly

Tough going, that. Argentina were really solid in their spoiling tactics. They do make for a boring game. But they are a tough side. A win's a win I suppose. Both teams looked better moving the ball. It's a shame that tournaments can breed negative tactics. Not that these sides do anything else usually, anyway.

Nath wrote:

JGK wrote:These black jerseys that England are wearing is taking the piss a bit isn't?.

so why are they wearing black?

They're a bunch of arrogant qunts.

And I thought Johnny Wilkinson was dead?

skully wrote:
They're a bunch of arrogant qunts.

And I thought Johnny Wilkinson was dead?

Wilkinson may as well have been, quite an awful display if kicking. Thought it was pretty negative not to be going for the corner with some of those long-range half-chances.

Wearing black in memory of their own skills?

At least this will lower any expectations that may have been bubbling back in Blighty.

We always start slow and time our run of form well. We'll scrape through the group, then start to play well and make at least the semis.

A mate sent me this text:
One interesting thing which actually clearly demonstrates englands bad atttude, was haskill started a fight in the last ruck then screamed " the garqing qunt was gounging my eyes". Funny cause it was broadcast globally via the refs mic but funny because had both eyes open and wasn't rubbing them - a miracle since they'd just been gouged yet the argentinian was on the ground holding his face!

Hardly prime face evidence, that.

Having watched the game on replay, we were perhaps fortunate to win. However, it was like playing with farquin Horrie refing the game!

Yeah the ref was awful, just thankful Brian Moore wasn't commentating! The fact that none of the three goal-kickers used could hit a barn door with a banjo on this occasion surely prevented a record number of penalty goals in a match.

England would have lost this match 2 or 3 years ago and at least Youngs produced a bit of inspiration to effectively win it (surely he has to start next game, maybe Flood as well?) but there's a lot of work to be done. It's not how you start though, remember that first match against the Yarps four years ago?

Yup, 36-0 wasn't it?

In 2003 we were the best side that year going into the tournament. In 2007 we had a team on the slide who fought hard for every scrap but without the talent of the side 4 years earlier. Is the 2011 model even as good as that?

We've shown we can beat a southern hemisphere side on a one off but we'll need to do it 3 games in a row - in 2003 they knew they were capable of that, not sure anyone does atm

We've got more talent in the side than '07 I think, but the forwards lack the discipline we've had in the past. There doesn't seem to be a real game plan a lot of the time.

As we saw last time anything's possible in the knockout stages though, if the All Blacks do their usual then England have to be one of three or four in contention. Let's see how Aus and SA start.

Yeah, I agree that we have more talent in the back line than 4 years ago, aside from losing Robinson who could create a try out of nothing. Never been a fan of Flood but he seemed an integral part of the side that produced some really good spells last 6 nations. Seems strange that he has been axed on a coach's hunch, a bit like when Giles and G.Jones were recalled despite no form to speak of in 2006/7.

Why was the kicking so bad? No rain and no wind, but most of the efforts sailed wide by 5-10 metres.

Terrible game by England. Had to resort to taking cheap shots at the Argies to get past them. Wilkinson is trying to relive his 2003 glory but he just looks like an 'also ran' . Some big improvements are needed if they want to progress.

England were poor but beat the side that finished 3rd last tournament and beat the hosts twice. Move along... Onwards and upwards....

Read a few articles by people suggesting England should follow NZ's example in how to play at RWC's.

Ah... no thanks

Weather for Australia's match, going from a cross to a bloke on Sky news this morning, is utterly abysmal. Pissing down, blowing a gale, cold as a witch's tit.

Zat wrote:Weather for Australia's match, going from a cross to a bloke on Sky news this morning, is utterly abysmal. Pissing down, blowing a gale, cold as a witch's tit.

A bit reminiscent of conditions playing golf here yesterday, except for the rain that it. At one stage I flushed a 4 iron that went 80 metres forward & 30 metres sideways. I had 29 points & was top 10 of around 40 who played in my division.

Which course what that?

The weather had sort of cleared and settled for a couple of hours, but now seems to be closing in again with torrential rain and strong winds just in time for kick off.

Not cold, though.

Stoopid Welsh weather.

And I love those Italian names on their bench. McLean and Derbyshire...

What a God awful half of rugby. The referee is a dickhead. The Australians are playing like they did two years ago and the Italians content to kick it and let Aust make the mistakes.

Sagaciy in extremis from JGK.

JGK wrote:Which course what that?

North Lakes, on the northern fringes of Brisbane rather than Auckland, sadly.

Very average game from Australia. Did'nt get going until half way through the second half. Ashley-Cooper had a shocker as did Quade. Was'nt until O'Connor came on that the backs started to look like anything. Good effort from the forwards though, against a heavier pack.

Anway , decent second half from the Wobblies. O'Connor looks to have won his starting spot back.

The scrum was a bit of a worry though. Italians were unlucky not to get a pushover try.

Yanks are putting up a credible performance against the Paddys.