Rugby World Cup 2011

[jmc]

Ireland top the pool for the first time in their world cup history with a 36-6 win over Italy in a very heated match. The game was tight in the first half with both teams fired up knowing losing was no option, Italy had plenty of possession but failed to capitalize on it whilst Ireland dominated territory and took a half time lead of 9-6. Ireland came out firing in the second half and showed their class running in 27 points as the Italians started to crumble. Ireland now play Wales in the first quarter final next weekend, for Italy that allusive goal of qualifying for a quarter final place they've so desperately wanted for years will have to wait another 4.

Ireland 36
Tries: O'Driscoll, Earls 2
Con: O'Gara 2, Sexton
Pen: O'Gara 4, Sexton

Italy 6
Pen: Bergamasco 2

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

 

[jmc]

Final Pool standings

Pool A
New Zealand - 20pts (4-0)
France - 11pts (2-2)
Tonga - 9pts (2-2)
Canada - 6pts (1-1-2)
Japan - 2pts (0-1-3)

Pool B
England - 18pts (4-0)
Argentina - 14pts (3-1)
Scotland - 11pts (2-2)
Georgia - 4pts (1-3)
Romania - 0pts (0-4)

Pool C
Ireland - 17pts (4-0)
Australia - 15pts (3-1)
Italy - 10pts (2-2)
USA - 4pts (1-3)
Russia - 1pt (0-4)

Pool D
South Africa - 18pts (4-0)
Wales - 15pts (3-1)
Samoa - 10pts (2-2)
Fiji - 5pts (1-3)
Namibia - 0pts (4-0)

 

[jmc]

Quarter Finals

Ireland v Wales @ Wellington
England v France @ Auckland
Sth Africa v Australia @ Wellington
Argentina v New Zealand @ Auckland

 

[Hound55]

Argentina/New Zealand seems like the only forgone conclusion, every other game could go either way depending on who turns up...

But you'd think Wales, England, Australia and New Zealand get through...

Wales/England is 50/50 as well and you'd fancy New Zealand to beat us with the injuries we've been copping (since they'd still be favourites even if we went in 100%).

 

[jmc]

Wales - Ireland should be a cracker of a game. Hard to pick that one going off the form these two teams recently showed. France-England looks the most dour game of the bunch based off recent form.

 

[Hound55]

You still never know which French team will turn up though.

As for England I wouldn't attribute too much to the Scotland game. Scotland lifts to play England and kind of scrags and drags their level of play at the same time.

I'm saying England, but really I wouldn't be at all surprised if France won.

Wales is a quality team, but again those 6 nations teams are very familiar with one another, if nothing else it'll be good to watch. Wouldn't be surprised to see Wales run over them though, this isn't the best the Irish team has been really. They put Italy away, but really they should have and they toppled Australia when we were down 3 key guys.

 

[jmc]

One thing is for certain, it's going to be a southern hemisphere vs northern hemisphere final.

 

[Hound55]

The winner of New Zealand's SF (which will likely be NZ themselves) will win it all.

 

[Kaleb]

Quarter Finals

Ireland v Wales @ Wellington
England v France @ Auckland
Sth Africa v Australia @ Wellington
Argentina v New Zealand @ Auckland

Semi: Wales vs England
South Africa vs New Zealand

 

[RoboAmish]

Ireland/ England.

New Zealand/ South Africa.

Seems everyone's already writing us off, just the way I likes it.

That's fair enough, they do look mighty impressive. Should be a cracker and I can only hope that our experience over a young team will be enough.

 

[jmc]

The knockout stage of the tournament begins today with 2 all-European quarter finals on the cards. First up Wales and Ireland do battle, both teams in very good form, the winner of this match will fancy their chances in the semi-final no doubt. Second match is old foes France and England going head to head, France have looked abysmal all tournament, England equally not that impressive, without doubt the worst quarter final match up of the weekend.

Ireland v Wales @ Wellington
England v France @ Auckland

 

[jmc]

Wales secure a place in the semi-finals for the first time since 1987 with solid 22-10 victory over Ireland in a highly entertaining encounter. Wales showed their intention early by playing with pace resulting in an early score. Ireland too was not to be outdone refusing to take penalty goal attempts instead opting to go for the line. Wales lead 10-3 at half but Ireland started the stronger in the second half eventually leveling the game at 10-all, but the Welsh attack shone through scoring two more tried and booking a place in the last 4.

Wales 22
Tries: S Williams, Phillips, Davies
Conversions: Priestland 2
Penalties: Halfpenny

Ireland 10
Tries: Earls
Conversions: O'Gara
Penalties: O'Gara

Referee: Craig Joubert (Sth Africa)

 

[jmc]

France do a complete 180 from their earlier games in the tournament by dominating England 19-12 in what was a high quality match. France looked the complete opposite of the side who lost to both New Zealand and Tonga outclassing the English who were no match in attack or defence as the Tri-Colours went to the break leading 16-0. England came back in the second half as the French began to tire but the damage had already been done, France once again showed that no matter how badly the play in previous game, they can beat anyone on their day.

France 19
Tries: Clerc, Medard
Penalties: Yachvili 2
Drop Goal: Trinh-Duc

England 12
Tries: Foden, Cueto
Conversion: Wilkinson

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

 

[jmc]

Final two quarter finals today and it's a prelude to next years expanded Four-Nations. First on the list Australia go head to head with South Africa, both teams had decent hit outs in their pool games, both have suffered some injuries on the way as well, South Africa probably the team in better form. After that Argentina look to cause a huge upset as they take on New Zealand, on paper it looks a comfortable win for the All-Blacks but the Argentinians will not go down without a fight, the last time these two teams played was 5 years ago where New Zealand narrowly won by 6 points so they will have to be aware of complacency.

Australia v South Africa @ Wellington
Argentina v New Zealand @ Auckland

 

[Kaleb]

so close,anyway congrats to the Aussie hypsters on here.

 

[Hound55]

Quade Cooper can breathe again...

 

[jmc]

How the **** did we win that match?

 

[Hound55]

David Pocock - The greatest player in the world.

And a bunch of other guys did some awesome things as well. McCabe, Horwill, Elsom, Samo, Genia (although Genia had a few minutes where he was under pressure as well).

Habana's grandkids are going to be born with headaches after Samo's hit in the first half.

 

[jmc]

Australia somehow against all odds manage to scrape through to the semi-finals with a hard fought 11-9 win over the defending champions South Africa. Australia led at half time 8-3 but had almost no ball or territory in the second term with South Africa looking the stronger of the two, only resilient and desperate Wallaby defence stood in the way of the Springboks getting the game winning score they probably deserved. South Africa dominated every stat in the match, possession, territory, attacking raids, except the one stat that mattered.

Australia 11
Try: Horwill
Penalties: O'Connor 2

South Africa 9
Penalties: Steyn 2
Drop Goal: Steyn

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)

 

[jmc]

Pocock got Man of the Match

 

[Hound55]

Not enough.

Virgins should be sacrificed in his name.

 

[Hound55]

"...and they will play the winner of Argentina New hahahaha. Sorry. The winner of Argent- hahahaha. Alright. Let's be serious. They'll be playing the All Blacks."

 

[Mandalore464]

Well the Blacks did win but it was definitely a tough win... It's only when the Pumas really tired in the last 30 minutes that they were able to score tries.

I do hate the Pumas with a passion, but I have to give it to them, they went down with class.

 

[jmc]

New Zealand get the work out they so desperately needed with a hard fought and slightly flattering 33-10 win over Argentina. New Zealand were reduced to penalty goals in the first half as their attacking raids were nullified by sensational Pumas defence taking a 12-7 half time lead. Argentina were still within striking distance with 15 mins to go but the All-blacks managed to finally break through the Pumas line twice to secure a place in the semi-final against old foe Australia. Argentina depart heads held high knowing their inclusion in an expanded 4-Nations is well deserved.

New Zealand 33
Tries: Read, Thorn
Conversions: Cruden
Penalties: Weepu 7

Argentina 10
Try: Cabello
Conversion: Contepomi
Penalty: Bosch

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

 

[Hound55]

Really?

Why would anyone hate the Pumas? Or is this some kind of regional thing?