I felt a bit sorry for the Welsh but they were not really at their best throughout this tournament. The French chucked it away against them. Eddie Jones is a great coach who has built England up for this tournament perfectly. Saturday will be a final though and that can put everything up in the air. Although England look determined and focused.
We watched the England game in the Sports Bar & Grill at Marylebone, which was packed out by 8.30. Great game. I backed England & SA to win the WC, so I can't lose.
South Africa are a good team with some very good elite level players. If they allow us space we will chalk up points, if they do what they did to the Welsh today then it will be a scrappy, kicky, niggly game with lots of stupid penalties, stupid criticism of not running the ball instead of kicking and probably a fight or two
If England play how we are completely capable of playing and switch play, move the ball fast then we will win. If SA slow it down and make it gritty and attritional then they will win
South Africa are a good team with some very good elite level players. If they allow us space we will chalk up points, if they do what they did to the Welsh today then it will be a scrappy, kicky, niggly game with lots of stupid penalties, stupid criticism of not running the ball instead of kicking and probably a fight or two
If England play how we are completely capable of playing and switch play, move the ball fast then we will win. If SA slow it down and make it gritty and attritional then they will win
I think England can do the dirty stuff too. We hammered the Aussie and ABs physically in both games. Just hope everyone keeps a cool head and we keep 15 players on the pitch all game. Do that and I think we can win it
Oh 100% England can grind it out, I just think with the squad we have we are set up to move the ball a lot more than South Africa are as good as some of their players are.
Reporting from Taupo, New Zealand. All Black fans said to be going through the various stages of grief. A comment yesterday that the result could actually affect the result of next years General Election (sense of well-being etc).
Bit dramatic given that after 1995 they didn't even reach a final again until 2011.
I hope they wipe the smile off the face of de Klerk who I find most annoying and irritating liitle s**t. That said I appreciate that is partly what makes him effective. I used to admire van der Westhuizan as a scrum half who wasn't annoying at all, except for being annoying good I suppose!
Worst haka ever. Although it seems some of the current all blacks are doing their best to emulate these past heroes. Mustaches and mullets as far as the eye can see!
I hope they wipe the smile off the face of de Klerk who I find most annoying and irritating liitle s**t. That said I appreciate that is partly what makes him effective. I used to admire van der Westhuizan as a scrum half who wasn't annoying at all, except for being annoying good I suppose!
Worst haka ever. Although it seems some of the current all blacks are doing their best to emulate these past heroes. Mustaches and mullets as far as the eye can see!
No match to rush off for on Saturday morning. In 2003 about 25 of us had booked a train to Leicester for a time about 45 mins after the game should have finished. I didn't take in to account going to extra time when i made the big booking. Bit of a nightmare as we were boarding the train when Wilkinson took that kick! Bad timing but was a great day out. The whole stadium singing Swing Low a few times.
Worst haka ever. Although it seems some of the current all blacks are doing their best to emulate these past heroes. Mustaches and mullets as far as the eye can see!
Worst haka ever. Although it seems some of the current all blacks are doing their best to emulate these past heroes. Mustaches and mullets as far as the eye can see!
Worst haka ever. Although it seems some of the current all blacks are doing their best to emulate these past heroes. Mustaches and mullets as far as the eye can see!
No match to rush off for on Saturday morning. In 2003 about 25 of us had booked a train to Leicester for a time about 45 mins after the game should have finished. I didn't take in to account going to extra time when i made the big booking. Bit of a nightmare as we were boarding the train when Wilkinson took that kick! Bad timing but was a great day out. The whole stadium singing Swing Low a few times.
Looking forward to Saturday.
We had to forego the extra time and piled into our car in Dartford as the whistle went at full time .
Listened to 5Live en route to Leicester & could see most occupants of cars going in the same direction leaning forward as if they could influence the match by getting as close as possible to the radio.
It was great to see arms flung up in celebration & to hear car horns honking when JW's kick won the match.
I hope they wipe the smile off the face of de Klerk who I find most annoying and irritating liitle s**t. That said I appreciate that is partly what makes him effective. I used to admire van der Westhuizan as a scrum half who wasn't annoying at all, except for being annoying good I suppose!
Brilliant, brilliant player throughout the ten years of his career. But desperately sad how his life and his body completely fell apart in the fourteen years that followed.
Comments
:-)
on the BBC comments page a lot of non English posters were saying the ref had a nightmare and was favouring England.
We didn't just deserve it, we probably deserved to win by more.
My worry though is that South Africa will try and make this an ugly, stop start match as it's their best chance of victory.
I backed England & SA to win the WC, so I can't lose.
If England play how we are completely capable of playing and switch play, move the ball fast then we will win. If SA slow it down and make it gritty and attritional then they will win
Looking forward to Saturday.
While rugby has gained from the professional era in terms of strength and fitness, it's also lost something in terms of relatability.
Listened to 5Live en route to Leicester & could see most occupants of cars going in the same direction leaning forward as if they could influence the match by getting as close as possible to the radio.
It was great to see arms flung up in celebration & to hear car horns honking when JW's kick won the match.
Great memories.