The West London's RWC blog

Barnes' Stormy Black Skies On The Wane...

A gloomy mood descended on the World Cup today when there was need for a rebuttal of the malicious comments made by some of the New Zealand fanbase. It is worth recording this because it is not sporting, has no nobility attached to it and those responsible for making the comments should be condemned then ignored. They neither support their team in a true fashion or have enough good grace to admit that the team with the best mentality won on the night. Forward pass maybe - but LOOK AT THE SCORE! You lost - and that's all there is to it.
I thought that I was the only one writing crap about this World Cup but it seems that there are a lot of Southern Hemisphere 'pundits' who put their egos way above reality and chunter on about all sorts of rubbish. Can you imagine the scenario next Sunday if the Springboks  get a grade 1 shakedown from the Argentine XV - I can hear the elephant guns being cocked in readiness by the extremists in the supporters' midst...
However, those New Zealanders - the majority I'm sure, who embrace the unique non-agressive nature of the amiable rugby supporter - will be pleased to know that Adidas are working on a new All Black accessory. A senior agent of this venerable (venerial?) blog managed to get a snap which we are pleased to offer for your opinion... Neat huh?

Aussie Rues...

Not  a happy time for the Rugby Heaven  er  maybe that should be Hell, readers...

Loste In Translation...

This was on the front page of Le Parisien rugbyweb this morning:

La phrase du jour 

«Je le répète, ce n'était pas un match gagné par des joueurs de classe mondiale».

Lote Tuqiri, ailier de l'Australie, après la défaite contre l'Angleterre.

Roughly translated, Lote Tuqiri is saying " Dammit, I hate losing to the Poms...we're not good enough but there's no way I'm gonna admit that."


Look out for a new vintage from Chateau Whinger
- the last cuvée was a sell out - see above...this one's
going to taste even better!

Great Film Titles...

"For A Few Dollars More.." or maybe "Get Carter".  There must be others..?
Check out this small ad - very important, particularly if you are on the lookout for a busted flush..!

Monday's Game

Ha ha - fooled you!
Try this. Remember the code to continue the game afterwards..!
Addictive, addiction, addict, Bloxorz,

Sackey, The Sack and Sacre Bleu!

Ok Paul is there to give a lilt to the headline but, he did play well in the England team. Graham Henry has got the sack after losing the battle of minds in Cardiff last night, and 'Sacre Bleu!' - the Rugby World Cup has come alive!
Today's results were a bit more realistic however, both losers were in with more than a shout with ten minutes left on the clock. South Africa proving too strong  - in a formal, old school trundle style of rugby against the fizzing Fijians. Rabeni beat someone every time he touched the ball...unfortunately he beat someone when he made a tackle too and received 10 minutes in the bin. Alan Lewis' refereeing, the delays, and his interpretation of advantage will not see him referee the final. (Please no...) Video judgement is fair enough but the delays are wasteful in my opinion  - and he is an arch time waster.
Unlucky Scotland, who did nearly enough to snatch a game that was a grinding affair for the most part. They just didn't have the collective firepower, despite some individual moments, to edge a win.
For me, Argentina were looking tired. (I wish I could be as tired on a rugby pitch as, say Ledesma or Roncero...non-stop big units.) Satisfyingly, South Africa and Argentina will be knocking lumps out of each other next week  - whoever gets to the final will be well tested. As for the other match well - it's only a game, we're all friends, and it doesn't really matter anyway does it?! Cheers cock!

Q: Why Is Alan Lewis So Useless As A Referee?

Don't send your answers on a postcard because I'll have to go upstairs and check if you have actually sent it to me... Bah!

Herald Tribunal...

What the New Zealand Rugblogy public think about the event.

A brief read...there are, at time of writing, 69 pages of 'how to' ,'rubbish ref', 'forward pass', 'didn't lose - just didn't score as many points that's all...' etc etc as well as some decent stuff. I think I'm getting to like this rugby lark, must try and watch a game sometime!

Sunday Supplement...

If the excitement of yesterday was not enough for you (far too much for me) there is another pulse raising pair of matches today.
I'll try again with my (50% accurate) predictometer.
Form: Argentina, South Africa. Romance: Scotland Fiji. Actual: Scotland, South Africa or maybe Argentina, Fiji - oh bother...
Yesterday's events illustrate that anything cna apphen (There you are - it happened again!). Scotland seem a bit more powerful in their physical game than their results have shown. Like France, a good defence and 'Punishment by Paterson' may be enough. Argentina have remained consistent throughout, no self-destruct buttons have been seen yet but maybe it is now a question of conditioning that will prove the difference; their forwards have been working long and hard in their group matches...could be the time to make a hash of it?
South Africa? My original tip for World Cup winners. Unfortunately, they seemed exposed when the big guns are out of the game - Tonga peeling back the thin layer of competence on that occasion. Oh! and by the way ref. watch out for 'Big Vic' Matfield standing up in the mauls with his back to the opposition, making no effort to move out of the way, pretending to bind on, grabbing shirts and allsorts...grumble grumble...
And Fiji complete the Party Four. They always entertain, they are always liked and will be supported for their efforts whatever they may do (like smash the Boks for instance we hope...)
Once again, may the best team win - it's only a game after all...

Tickets...

Anyone want tickets for Scotland v Fiji next week?