Well folks,

The opening game has just started between France and Argentina - with as it stands, the first points going to the Argies.
But lets look at the bigger picture...... Can England hold onto the Cup - despite spending the last four years with a pretty dismal record.....? Are the Aussies brave enough to grab it back? CAn the All-Blacks claim it? They`ve got a record as being a consistently good side, but in the World Cup you only have to be very good sometimes.....
How about France? Or Wales? or South Africa?

The current odds are on France, but I`d put money on South Africa...... ALTHOUGH a radio reporter today did say of this World Cup "19 teams playing for the right to play New Zealand".............. could well be true...

Ideas?

In a surprising game, the French lost to the Argentine aide 12-17. This is a real shock as no-one (least of all me) expected the host nation to lose. Did the Cheese eatin` surrender monkeys suffer a bit too much from the Argy-Bargys? Or did Argentina simply play the better game............

I admit to being racist. I cant stand New Zealanders. Individually I have some great friends but when they all get together and whinge about how much 'better' everything is 'back home'....ugh.

They are gonna win this by about 390 points. Then Im gonna have to hear about it for the next 4 years from 'kiwis' who've lived in Australia for 30 of their last 37 years but still support NZ.

When's the cricket start??

England beat USA 28-10. England played a fairly poor game though and it doesnt bode well for next weeks match against the Sifricans........ Hats off to the Yanks though for putting up a spirited performance.

What? No report on the Australia Vs Japan game?

I thought i`d leave that to Matt - I was still at work when the game started I understand the aussies duly kicked arse though

England's deficiencies were ruthlessly exposed by South Africa in yesterdays game, the Springboks condemning the reigning champions to a record 36-0 World Cup defeat. It means England must beat Samoa next Saturday to have any realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals, where Australia will probably await them. And I`ve got a pretty good idea of whats going to happen there..........
No Rugby World Cup holder has ever gone out in the pool stage, yet it looks like this is whats going to happen unless England get their act together

Hey, at least we`re doing well at the cricket.......... Or maybe not, I`ve just heard the words "defeat" and "crushing" mentioned.

Oh c'mon Tom...

I'm sure England can beat li'l ol' Samoa... Then all they have to do is defeat Tonga... Also should be an easy win.

Good luck!!!

Well I was pretty pessimistic about our chances this world cup but we put on a pretty good performance against the Welsh. Still - no real tough opposition yet (How did England manage to draw South Africa in the pool stage of 2 world cups??)

One thing about the Welsh - they're the only country who harmonise when singing their national anthem. Quite a yhing to behold.

I`ve seen the massed ranks of the Welsh supporters singing what seemed like the "The War Song of Beli Mawr" at the old Cardiff Arms Park grounds before, and as you say - quite a thing. They used to come over in the 12th century for our cattle and women, and now their rugby team does much the same thing

Sue, you were right! England 44 Samoa 22

Looks like the wheels are back on the chariot

It still remains to be seen whether England have got what it takes to carry them through the quarter-finals, but I await next weeks game against Tonga with renewed hope!

I think the headline should more accurately read:

"Current World Cup holders England struggled yesterday to get ahead of and finally defeat perennial minnows Samoa even with the return of the much hyped Johnny Wilkinson - who must have accidentally put on his wobbly boots for this game"

"Finally defeat"??

We led from the start my dear chap!

Anyway, Fiji manged 12 points against your mob earlier despite having an under-strength team!

Australia 55 Fiji 12

And yes, I know you`ve gone through to the Quarter-finals - we won`t be far behind

What game were you watching 'dear chap'?
10 all for a considerable time doesnt qualify as "led from the start" IMHO

I think 55-12 is pretty good against Fiji for our understrength side

Swiiiinggggg Looooowwwww.............................


England have booked a date with the Wallabies and the Tongans head home. England 36 Tonga 20. It`s been difficult for England so far, but next weeks clash with the Aussies with be a match and a half. Australia will be remembering the world cup defeat, and Engand will be hoping to keep the cup.... Englands game has improved tenfold since the game against the S`ifricans, and I hope it`ll be enough..............

pack yer bags......

...'cos once we beat the Aussies in Marseille the semis are in St. Denis.

Proved us right Mark. England 12 Australia 10

I didnt see the second half, due to being at work, but i`m told it was one of the truly great games. I believe we`re playing France or New Zealand next week, which`ll be fun..........

What a joke. Next we'll see england winning at cricket and soccer ferchrissake .

We stuffed up righteously by being forced to play england at their own game. I cant recall ever seeing Australia go for field goals before. I still believe they should be 1 point and penalties 2. Make it more desirable to score tries - thats what the games supposed to be about anyway. If I want to see goals I'll go watch the Aussie Rules.

/rant.

Anyway well done on a great game. Wilko's definitely not the player he has 4 years ago. Still at least the kiwis lost too so they wont be all cocky and smug

Yeah, thats true - on all counts! We`ve got France in the Semi-Final now........

Didn't watch the game myself but the guys out here went down the pub for it...

They said it was a waste of time going. Apparantly it was a crap game. They whinged ALL DAY about it not being world class rugby.


anyway... congrats to the brits... maybe you'll win again this year.

hmmm

ALLEZ LES BLANC!!!!


It's gonna be our's again. 'Bok's or corned beef eaters...bring it on!

Remember Agincourt! We showed those CHEESE-EATING SURREDER MONKEYS what we`re made of!

England 14 France 9

Less reliant in this match on St Jonnys golden boot though.... Something to consider.........

So England continues its mission to convert the greatest game on earth into Gaelic Football or Australian Rules. At least you actually attempted to and did score a try this time - but it was more arse than class.

Yes it's in the rules and we all play by the same rules, but for the good of the game this goal kicking obsession has to be changed.

For once I agree with you!

Just a reminder in case you forgot....

Hmmm yes........... I was wondering how long it`d take you to post that

So, I trust you`re a voluntary S`ifrican now

Heck no.... just hoping they both lose

Well put it this way - which team are going to be the most annoying about it if they DO win?

You`ll never get England living off past glories for years , whilst slowly letting their playing skills crumble will you?

Hang on....

*tap tap tap*
Ohhh they're all very quiet over theeeeeeeeeere!!

Seriously though bad luck guys... a pretty ordinary game what I managed to stay awake for. A few dubious decisions and again - not one bloody try. Something needs to be done about this before the game degenerates back to what it was 20 years ago.

Cheers for the wake up call Tom. Must admit I slept through the entire first half but at least I saw the final.

See you all in New Zealand in four years...

Yeah, we had that try disallowed, which was a real blow, still - I think only one team has managed to retain the Webb-ellis trophy, and I`m pretty sure Matt knows who it is!

Nope - no-one ever has!
Only 2 teams have won it twice (now)
Before that we won it in 1991 and 1999.

Must really make the Kiwis spit chips