So.
In the cool, clear light of a nice Monday morning, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England are sitting in grim realisation that all the training camps, videos, diets and so forth, cannot compensate for the enthusiasm and spirit which was shown by their respective opponents these past two days.
Scotland had the lightest outing - against the amateurs of Portugal - and there were plenty of big plays from the oral hygienist, the lawyer and an assortment of traders against the little flowers of Scotland.
Given all the 'talking up' that goes on when the six nations happens, Ireland's forwards were blasted all over the place by Namibia - a shocker of a performance, Wales had dirt in the carburretor against Canada, before finding their finishing touch...
So here are the qualifiers for World Cup 2007 Quarter Finals:
A) England, South Africa B) Australia, Wales C) New Zealand, Italy D) France, Argentina... I have probably made a mistake in there somewhere...
hey martin think youve been a bit harsh on your opinion of pool c. Scotland I think will beat Romania and Italy and go through 2nd in the group with New Zealand. Although( dreaming on a bit) whos to say we cant have a good go at New zealand at Murrayfield, or at least keep the score down. Thars a more realistic idea!!
Posted by: annie | 10 September 2007 at 15:28
Yeah - sorry...harsh but fair :¬)- but I am stalking controversy here Miss McTavish!
Posted by: Martin | 10 September 2007 at 16:34
Talking about 'talking up' etc - as mention here yesterday morning - read Mike Averis in today's (Tuesday) Guardian...
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyworldcup2007/story/0,,2166359,00.html
Posted by: Martin | 11 September 2007 at 08:29