Rugby World Cup 2011: Go Canada! - Page 14 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Stay Golden · 10-04-2011, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Knockout rounds.

Ire/Wales
Eng/France
SA/Aus
NZ/Arg

Ire/Eng
SA/NZ

NZ/IreIt really sucks that only one of NZ/Aus/SA are able to advance to the finals, they have been the 3 best teams in the tournament imo.

Ireland vs Wales
England vs France
South Africa vs Australia
New Zealand vs Argentina

NBC · 10-07-2011, 03:33 AM

I don't know about Aus/SA being 2 of the 3 top teams at the RWC. Wales were desperately unfortunate not to beat SA and Ireland were thoroughly deserving in their win over the Diggers. NZ have run in a lot of tries as they usually do, but their performances (as they will admit) haven't been as good as they would like them to be. There has been a lot of parity this WC, lots of scrappy performances and some of the bigger teams have toiled.

One would think that this in NZ's WC to lose, however with Carter out and how vital he is to their success, that could hurt them, especially in the semi final against Aus or SA. Ireland v Wales is the most interesting match I think as they are both in great form. Too close to call for me.

Slava · 10-07-2011, 06:26 AM

I'm also going with Ireland, England, SA and NZ. SA actually has a couple injuries but I think they still win this week and actually I'd put them into the finals over NZ as well.

Ireland should win against Wales. They've played really well, and while the Welsh aren't easy its still the Irish who should come out on top. The England/France game is the hardest to call in some ways. France hasn't looked good...but then again neither has England! I give it to England though based on the quality of opponents they've faced.

NBC · 10-08-2011, 02:29 AM

Wales were magnificent this morning. They were better than Ireland in every facet of the game.

England on the other hand have been terrible in the first half. France are a different side, but England aren't getting the basics right. Losing line out ball, losing scrims, conceding penalties. Very poor rugby.

NBC · 10-08-2011, 03:28 AM

Better by England in the 2nd half, but not good enough. While they managed to stop conceding penalties, basic handling errors and losing possession was a real problem.

This France team is annoying. They scrape by Japan, leave it very late against Canada, are destroyed by NZ and humiliated by Tonga. Facing Wales in the semi final after the campaign they have had must be making the entire team wonder if God is French.

Slava · 10-08-2011, 09:07 AM

Thats a great line! (the god is French line). I actually though Ireland would get through to the finals, they looked so good before last night. Well shows what i know. My predictions were both wrong to start the QFs.

Stay Golden · 10-08-2011, 01:50 PM

Looks like Wales vs France in the first semi. Wales was brilliant last night over Ireland. The welsh line was unforgiving.
Lets go Wales Cymru um byth!

CaramonLS · 10-08-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

did you see how hard Kleeberger hit the turf after knocking heads?

If that had been on the ice, it's a career ender.

http://www.bcdailybuzz.com/media/896...leeberger_Hit/

Video of the hit.

NBC · 10-09-2011, 12:56 AM

Wow. That was shocking. How the diggers managed to eke out the win is mindboggling. No possession, no territory, multiple lost line outs, no imagination in the backfield, no sustained pressure and in defence constantly. Lawrence missed some calls that would have led to RSA penalties, most notably on an Aus lock for a high tackle with a few minutes to go. And the line out penalty against Matfield was terrible. I don't know what the touch judge was thinking.

Based on this performance I can't see Aus threatening NZ, presuming they beat the Argies.

Locke · 10-09-2011, 01:40 AM

What a match! The Wallabies pull it off.

NBC · 10-09-2011, 02:38 AM

NZ committing too many errors and the Argies are still hanging around. 12-10 to the ABs. Match far from over. NZ need to be careful here.

NBC · 10-09-2011, 03:39 AM

Scrappy match from the Argies. They defended ferociously for 65 minutes but ultimately you can't defend like that for the full 80. I think they had in excess of 140 tackles, which is a pretty significant statistic.

If the NZ 3rd string 10 can step up and if McCaw is close to fully fit, I'd fancy them to go through to the final. Australia will be feeling their QF with the 'boks for some time. That was smash-mouth rugby at its finest. There will be some sore bodies in that camp. Plus NZ hasn't lost at home in 2 years ('09 Tri-nations to SA in Hamilton) and haven't lost at Eden Park in 17. Home field advantage I'd say.

I'd love to see NZ-Wales. Two countries where there is little more than rugby union and sheep. That would be a great final.

Stay Golden · 10-09-2011, 03:39 PM

So glad that Argentina lost what dirtbags, can't stand their tactics!

Sets up some nice semi finals

Wales vs France

Australia vs New Zealand

NBC · 10-15-2011, 04:10 AM

I feel sick after watching that. That was a terrible referring decision. Poor Wales. Having said that Wales didn't make their kicks. Hook and Jones had chances to win but missed a few straightforward attempts at goal. Wales was far better even with 14 men. France should be embarrassed.

Barnet Flame · 10-15-2011, 06:53 AM

The ref ruined that with an idiotic decision. In fact the decision not only decided the game, it has wrecked the final. Give the trophy to tomorrow's winners, pack up and go home.

NBC · 10-15-2011, 07:47 AM

France came to defend today. They had little imagination or enthusiasm for playing proper rugby. They were content to kick a few penalties and kick away possession. It was really poor rugby for their part.

That was the cruelest of sendings-off. The ref really got that one wrong as there was no malice or intent to injure. Penalty yes. Yellow card sure. But a red card for that tackle was a bit harsh. Wales should feel aggrieved with that most unfortunate of decisions.

A Wales - NZ final would have been a wonderful showcase for rugby union. Both sides are great in attack and have strong defenses and both like to run with the ball instead of kicking away possession. If the diggers beat NZ tomorrow, the final against the French might be very boring, defensive, sloppy kicking rugby. NZ and France would provide at least one side intent on scoring.

Poor Wales.

browna · 10-15-2011, 09:49 AM

A complete farce in this game, and in this tournament that France gets to move on.

Dont watch a lot of rugby, but that sending off was an atrocious call given other similar stuff I've seen in this world cup, especially given that its a semi final.

The fact that for the next 50 minutes and for the entire game that France couldnt and didnt score a try tells you all you need to know about the French team.

To top it all off, the one French player proclaiming that they won this game on "Pure heart" tells you all you need to know about that French egotisim and arrogance. Wales playing a man down, their captain no less, for 3/4 of the game, scores the only try, and outplays an overrated team at a huge disadvantage, but its France that shows more heart?

France lost all its credibility and claim of any heart when they failed to show up against Tonga, so to pretend they won this game with anything other then referees assistance and a whole bunch of luck, against a team that showed a lot more resilience and courage then French teams (rugby or otherwise) ever have, is a complete joke that no one is buying.

Here's hoping to a 50 point final loss against the AB as some sort of small justice.

Stay Golden · 10-15-2011, 10:46 AM

BS decision by the ref. Sealed the game against Wales 10 min in. They played their hearts out to keep it close.
France was disgusting with the constant stalling and wasting time.
The deliberate foot stomps to Welsh players on the ground was garbage.

HOF Canadian Gareth Rees had it right you issue a yellow. Not a red.
Wales was forced to play not just a man short. They lost their friggin Captain who has zero yellow cards against him according to the announcers.

I hope the All Blacks win and torture the French. Dismember them

Congrats to Gareth Reece btw what an accomplishment!

GirlySports · 10-15-2011, 12:32 PM

What kind of sport lets a ref who's half french! take charge of a semifinal involving FRANCE!

NBC · 10-15-2011, 12:41 PM

As much as I would like to see New Zealand exorcise some demons by dismantling this very poorly performing French side, I'm not convinced that they are going to beat Australia. It is a massive match against their auld enemy. They are the top team in the tournament and should win. But it is far from decided.