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LDiCesare
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La Ferté sous Jouarre France
Jan 2001
time: 05:31
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Well, I'm finally up and will see France-Japan.
Meanwhile, Australia is busy crunching Romania.
I would contend that Australia-Argentina was a clash of the same level as England-South Africa. I believe the Boks may suffer as much as the Argentinians did, particularly if they lose their nerves and get penalised.
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:31
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France 51 -d- Japan 29
Okay, France took a step backwards from the Fiji game, but I suspect it's not that easy playing against the Japanese. Their speed and sheer unpredictability must make it a nightmare for more structured teams. The difference for the Japanese this time around, too, is the presence of a couple of the ex-New Zealanders. The big fly half, in particular, is a lynchpin. That said, the French could and should have done much better. The Fiji -v- Japan match should be a ripper - both sides will be running helter skelter from everywhere.
Wallabies 90 -d- Romania 8
Good and bad from the Wallabies. Good to see the backline finally getting its opportunity. Good to see Matt Giteau getting at least half a game at halfback to show what he can do. Good to see some strong scrummaging. But the mistakes, mainly in the first half - the handling errors, the dreadful absence of forwards at the breakdown - will cost the team dearly against better opposition than the Romanians. Still, if nothing else, this should give the Wallabies confidence.
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LDiCesare
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La Ferté sous Jouarre France
Jan 2001
time: 05:31
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Half time:
England 6 - 6 South Africa
Undecided, but I think that Bracken is one tone below Van der Vesthuisen and this may be a problem for the English. Koens missed many penalties, the English forwards seemed to struggle more than the Boks, including in scrum (the Bok loose head seems good - Havak, what do you think?), but Robinson has been the most impressive back.
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:31
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We'll have to wait for Havak's strong dose of Valium to wear off! 
England 25 -d- Springboks 6
England's fitness and Wilkinson's boot won 'em the match. It was really a question of how long the Springboks could keep up the astonishing pressure. They had to tire, and they did. Pity Koen couldn't kick straight and they butchered that try by kicking instead of passing. I also suspect it's a very long time since England's pack - and their forwards in general - have been under so much pressure. I suspect it's an even longer time since a Test player has forgotten to ground the ball in-goal before flicking it forward to a team mate. Drinks are on you, Mr Greenwood!
I think you're right about Bracken, LDiCesares. He's not up to the same class as the players around him. His talent seems to be harassing the opposing halfback rather than doing what good halfbacks do.
The Springboks' effort didn't surprise me. It's pretty much how they played against the All Blacks in the return Tri-Nations match when they went down narrowly - incredible pressure, tremendous defence. Unfortunately, they're not as strong in attacking options.
Great game, though. Best of the tournament so far, I thought. And, best of all, played in very good spirit. The Boks left their unpleasant habits in the dressing sheds.
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kiwiman
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Just finished watching England-Sth Africa.Both teams seem to have this wonderful ability to not score tries.Wilkinson has a wonderful boot but seven pointers are a lot harder to pull back than penalties.Neither team comes close to the AB's in their ability to move the ball wide quickly-could be a major problem if the AB's cut down on their mistakes.
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LDiCesare
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La Ferté sous Jouarre France
Jan 2001
time: 05:31
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kiwiman, I disagree. England is able to send the ball wide, but the boks pressed them hard on so they decided to get the drop goals instead. Tactically, it was very clever from Wilkinson. And it remains to be seen if the ABs could pass the ball wide under the pressure of an English pack. Moody didn't counter Koen by chance.
I'd like to say, also, that the most impressive fly half I have seen yet is Miller, the Japanese kiwi. This guy is really a threat. I am not sure if I'll be able to see Japan-Fiji and Japan-USA but watching the Japanese play is a real pleasure.
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:31
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I think tries were always going to be rare things under the pressure that was being exerted tonight. England is usually perfectly capable of scoring tries. The Springboks less so. I have to agree with LDiCesares that Wilkinson's kicking - especially the drop goals - was tactically spot on under the circumstances.
It's also worth thinking back to the last Tri Nations match between the Boks and the ABs. It was very close, and the ABs didn't go on any sort of try rampage in the face of the Boks' defence and pressure. The Boks are masters at it when they choose to be.
Edit. I love watching the Japanese play too. And the halfback fits into their game beautifully.
Last edited by finbar on 18-10-2003 at 19:38
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flipside
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for Sean Marcelo
Jun 2003
time: 05:31
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quote:
Originally posted by finbar
Ireland 64 -d- Namibia 7
Good effort by the Irish in very wet conditions here in Sydney. And I wasted water on the garden today!  The Irish had an ordinary third 20 minutes, but finished it off well.
Do I have the strength to sit through Georgia -v- Samoa? |
Hi!
We are missing Geordan and the choice at 10 is worrying to me.
We are playing to a pattern that suits Humphrey, with the flat lines, but if he plays we miss O' Gara's place kicking.
If O'Gara plays ................
At the level that the knockout phase will be at, it just cannnot work with the current tactics.
So, what do we do?
Drop the placekicker, and if Humps misses the big kick .........?
Drop Humps, and we have to change tactics as O' Gara cannot play to the backline tactics at the highest level, not, IMVHO, because he is a poor player but, because he likes to sit deep and we play better flat.
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flipside
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for Sean Marcelo
Jun 2003
time: 05:31
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I think that Humps will play. He sets our backline better, It is a bit of a sore point with my mates at home at how the Ulster boys are viewed.
The big fecker is a talented player, but a third centre, in my opinion, not a natural finisher.
I don't mind that, it works, BUT, you have really hit the point , Geordan or Rob Henderson would give that bit of flair and the , mainly natural, uncoachable, ability to break a game.
I think we will have a bit too much for the Pumas, but will lose to Aus. .
We are, however,capable of beating France and then?
We have been the quiet team so far and other than the extra week break by having to play Scotland, our group is very neutral for the playofffs.
We cannot win it, but, on our day, we can stop another team that could.
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finbar
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Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Jan 1970
time: 06:31
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quote:
Originally posted by flipside
The big fecker is a talented player, but a third centre, in my opinion, not a natural finisher. |
This is the most I've seen of him and I think you're right. Very strong midfield.
quote:
I think we will have a bit too much for the Pumas, but will lose to Aus. |
Unless the Pumas suddenly develop a game beyond their forwards, you should win well. I think you -v- us is the other great pool match after England -v- Springboks. I suspect it's going to depend on the mindsets. You rolled us up there last year playing a very specifically targeted game, one to which, I reckon, we're still vulnerable. We shall see. 
quote:
We are, however,capable of beating France and then? |
Well, it depends, as always, on which French team turns up.
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18-10-2003 06:42
I mean I, as a player, bet the Stade Francais.
Seroiusly, some of those tries (even though against Canada) were just too precise. At least they had a fair amount of little errors...
Where do you guys get the money, Havak? It's nearly paid off, yes, but I think if anyone's going to choke . . .
).
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