The West London's RWC blog

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So, the candle that was lit when France fell at the first hurdle of the pool stage in the Rugby World Cup 2007 is beginning to flicker, as another four nations battle for team pride, searching for that elusive result that will move them from 0 or 1 point in their respective tables. On the face of it, not very exciting games, but we have seen Georgia, Namibia and the USA give their far 'grander' opponents a hard time.  Samoa too - although we have come to expect more from the players with 'pow'! They'll win tonight, as will Georgia - mere peanuts on the bar prior to the three course feast of elimination matches taking place over the weekend...Anyway, what is the common thing linking all four sides playing in tonight's games?
They all end in the beginning of the alphabet!

Tuesday Matches

Ho hum - Japan's final fling, and they might get a win against Canada's second string...the first XV will be saved for the Australia match on Saturday. It is Portugal's 'final' tomorrow too. The team that has won over the crowds will be jousting against Romania's second XV...as the first team will be saving themselves for a tilt at the All Blacks. It has been a bit quiet on the World Cup front so I'll tell you a little bit about the weather in London. Pelting rain this morning, followed by warm sun with a dessert of Easterly wind. In the middle of England there was a tornado blitz - eleven in all - which caused damage throughout the country. Here's a picture of the rosbif's tournedos...

"Och Aye The Noo Zealand"

" Okay gentlemen, I'll be brief - we have a table booked for McTavish's restaurant in half an hour...
First of all, to even things up a touch, we'll arrange it so that both teams play in identical kit - everyone watching will be a bit confused and that way, the Scottish public will see their team running with the ball, maybe scoring and they will flock back to Murrayfield for the next match.
"Good idea boss"
"Secondly, we get the haka meisters to do a new dance - we don't allow the others because it'll fall foul of the Health & Safety regulations - incitement to riot etc etc...make 'em do a highland fling or a cheeky, more feminine number. Definitely don't let any big, tattoed Maori lead it too - give it to someone who's a bit on the shy side maybe...
"Yeah - great boss - when's dinner?"
"And we need to think about the referee, I don't want..." "That's OK boss - the guy is Joubert - South African. He's not gonna care much anyway."
"Sorted. Let's eat."

Cut to the NZ team meeting - Graham Henry is briefing his men...
"Right boys, we gotta take this one easy - not too many tries and give the crowd their money's worth. Let the oppo tackle a bit and run around. Sure, score a few but make it look as though you're screwing up under tackling pressure. The ref has told me that to make it fair, he's going upstairs for any try we score within five metres of the touchline, so Douggie, you're bound to get a chance - just make sure you get under the posts...you have been warned."
"Oh - one last thing - we gotta do haka number 3b in the songbook - gotta make it a bit... er Scottish looking - bit poncey - that sort of thing, not too much of the old eyeball stuff this time - got it?"

And so it came to pass that Scotland were defeated by forty points. Which is not bad under the circumstances - at least the teams do not need to swap jerseys (- a shambolic decision on someone's part). Highlights included watching Nick Evans the replacement back for the All Greys - lovely running skills; and someone (Masoe?) putting in a big hit on poor Craig Smith - the big hairy potato I mean prop got picked up and shovelled back towards his try line as he 'accelerated' from the Scot's '22' with ball in hand.
Apart from France, it seems that all the next pool matches for the six nation's sides are 'knockout' games - is that true?
Woe.
Have a lovely evening and a nice break from the rugby tomorrow.

Fiji Tings...Sunday Matches

Look forward to a good match this afternoon when Australia look to outplay Fiji in Montpellier. Could be a bit miserable if you have clicked on the link and seen the weather, but Nice Nigel is refereeing today so there will be a good feel to the game. (Famous last words..!)
(Now, the above words may seem a bit 'ooo er missus' if you read the link to Nigel Owens but I assure readers that I knew nothing about his background when composing the words! When I said 'famous last words', I meant that, knowing my predictions, he could be officiating at a mass punch up...) A good ref and a good ref.
Anyway, Scotland's second team get a crack at the All Blacks too - at Murrayfield, where we, the TV viewers, hope not to see blue plastic seats galore but whiskey galore! Tries galore! Rugby galore! South African referee alors! Actually, Scotland could deal out a bit of power in the forwards if all goes to plan, and it will be interesting to see if New Zealand need to call for extras - as South Africa did yesterday. I watched their game develop and, after going out and coming back to the TV screen, I saw Habana, Big Percy, VapourVic, Francois Steyn and Smit on the pitch? All change! - and they were on their knees at the end too. Let's hope Scotland force the pace like Tonga did - thistle liven up proceedings!

Great Game!

Tonga!Tonga!TONGA!Tonga!Tonga!TONGA!Tonga!Tonga! Tonga!Tonga!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TO TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!
TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!TONGA!

Great game -well played! Roll on England!
 

Boom Bang-a-bang...

1966 The World Cup at soccer, 1969 The World Cup at singing  and 2003, The World Cup at Rugby.
Fast forward to 2007 and the latest challenge for England's finest...staying in the tournament.
Let us hope for a good contest eh?

The Croke 'chicken' - how the bird flew!

Just a word for Vincent Clerc - scorer of two tries that buried Ireland. He is the bain of the Ireland team, denying them a home victory in the six nations and now, thanks to all the girl's favourite non-caveman, Frederick Michalak, he got another. Of course, that's the glamour: the blast came from the France back row, with Bonnaire being periscoped to win line out ball as required. The Irish forwards seemed ponderous, no, just sluggish in comparison. Argentina will be going out with all guns blazing this evening, looking for a bonus point against the abrasive Namibians. Should be interesting for a while as the Argentine boys also 'do' abrasive! England? More words, more stepping up to the plate etc - where is all this going to end and rugby entertainment begin? Doesn't ultimately matter if it is a win or a loss I suppose, but at least be beaten whilst competing, not just lose the plot again...England expects. Meanwhile, in the Samoa team hotel, the players are recovering from an all-night party, having spent the day at the races...they're tucking into piles of crepes, Nutella sandwiches, sausages etc etc - such is the threat of England in full roar! Finally, a look at something interesting; you hear it everywhere,from coaches, rugbymen, even some soccer players who can pair off their brain cells, everyone is supposed to head in that direction...it's the plate!

Un Mot Juste...

BAM! Ireland without form, fitness and invention. Well played France.

O'Straw poll - 15 minutes before kick-off...

In a straw poll taken by moi just now. I have final scores of    26 - 15 , 26 - 7, and 32 - 28...all in favour of a French win. Our Hanlon brothers, skiving...er supporting Ireland at the Stade think the results will be Patrick: 100 - 0 to Ireland (he's piss*d) - and Tyrone is not answering. ( give him time...). Meanwhile, a portrait to remind you of friends in foreign parts:

Friday showdown.

Big games galore this weekend with France, South Africa, England, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand likely to be the top dogs by the time the last whistle has been blown on Sunday evening. Anyone got a view on the Irish side? Or any of the others come to that?
The only team that has 'improved' this tournament (according to my prognostications!!!) is Scotland. They seem to have that extra bit of stamina - late into the second halves of their games. For any number of reasons they will need all of that and more to get past Italy but, just for now, it looks possible - just.
Going back to the France v Ireland game, I think the French will win it through significant efforts by Heymans and Clerc. They get well looked after by the very good Dusautoir and his back row colleagues, and I think they have too much talent - even against the  Irish rugby passion (that we spectators are still waiting to see!) No Geordan Murphy either, which will be another handicap to a busted Irish machine. Still, hope for the best and it may happen - it used to be a Double Diamond that worked wonders... after tomorrow it could be a few pints of  Guinness!