Referees Hate England

A scrappy win for England Rugby away at Stadio Flaminio in Rome, and one that was in the balance right up to final whistle as Italy bowed out all guns blazing.

Fair play to the Italians, they fronted up and played some great rugby. They never dropped their heads even as England were stretching away by the end of the first half. In the second half they gave it a lash.

But only because they were allowed to.

Here are some stats for the second period:
possession - Italy 68:Eng 32
territory - Italy 62:Eng 38
penalties against - Italy 3: Eng 15

Eh?

The referee is, in essence, saying that Italy were so good that England were reduced to cheating to keep them from scoring. Yet the match was not like that. Furthermore, these are Premiership players with bags of experience. They don't do it in the league so why would do they do it in the test arena?

The answer is they don't. The answer is a lot of international referees secretly hate us.

Today it was Irishman Alain Rolland's turn. A twerp with a chip on his shoulder he's got form too. For it was he that almost lost us the World Cup 2007 quarter-final against Australia when England's forwards were shitting all over the Australian pack yet we got given nothing.

This is happening too many times for it to be a coincidence. The most notable occasion of course being André Watson's almost surreal non-performance that almost cost us the World Cup in 2003. Our scrum in that match was clearly, obviously, 110% the dominant force yet he kept on not only nullifying it but actually penalising us for, in effect, bullying the poor Australian front row.

It's time someone spoke out about the celtic and antipodean bias against England. We're getting royally screwed almost every game we play. We have to play twice as well as the opposition just in order to win by a couple of points. What's the matter with these people? Did they get bullied when they were young? Do they have mental issues with the success of our fair isle? So what if they think we're arrogant? They're still supposed to play by the rules. Our arrogance or otherwise is irrelevant. I note that the refs who give England the fairest shout are the Frogs - whose own sense of arrogance is such that they're above having a chip on their shoulder.

Enough! Grow up and get over it colonials. You owe it to the game.

New Zealand Papers have Their Say

France Beat New Zealand - World Still Spinning On Axis

Half an hour ago the French rugby team pulled of the third genuine 'shock' of the current Rugby World Cup. Having been on the receiving end of the first shock, when the Pumas whipped them on the opening day, it was some turnaround to beat New Zealand.

A thrilling, heart-pounding match, I was intrigued to see how it passed on a live forum and had a look at the BBC's 606 live chat. Reading the comments all the way through, starting from the pre-match mud-slinging all the way through to the end gloating was fascinating.

I liked especially the way the All Black supporters, or those who were confidently predicting an easy win, started to fall back on criticising the ref.

Below is a copy of these comments: If you can bear it, work your way through from beginning to end. It's a great psychological study of the passion of supporting.

comment by joekiwiposted 12 Hours Ago
Why would you love to be wrong?, surely the best team should win, or do you just love the underdog?Its going to be a tough Test, we have beaten the French by big margins for the last 6 years or so, but if any team are capable of playing unbeatable sublime rugby they are.I just think that mentally we are too well prepared and have too much talent, but I wont be betting the house on it........Cant wait.

comment by alangrahamposted 12 Hours Ago
c'mon the blacks..they have been the best team in world rugby for the last twenty years and this current crop of players is even better than the 95 side which is the best
side never to have won the world cup, Also, don't fool yourselves if they hadn't capitulated 4 years ago then there is no chance our chums south of the border would have
won..
No offence to england, just the all blacks were better..

comment by throatwobblerposted 12 Hours Ago
But the point is that the all blacks always do capitulate at the world cups. What is the point being the best team between the world cups if you can't win the one tornament
that every team in the world is trying to win.As for the 95 team, they may have been the best team in the world never to win the world cup but heres the point. THEY DIDN'T WIN IT.I for one I'm hoping for a french victory tonight.

comment by Cowshotposted 11 Hours Ago
Yep, I'll be shouting for Les Bleus. Nothing against the Kiwi's, but France are the NH representatives and the souschiens.

comment by fats_aposted 11 Hours Ago
i don't think it's that clear cut. france may have this, it wont be the AB's playing badly, the french could shine.....
this will be a close game, the last french team the AB's played was a C grade french team, this'll be quite different.
i don't really understand all this 'come on the NH' rubbish seems so silly, and childish, surely as a neural you'd want the a great game with best winning, making it a good
day for rugby regardless of what hemisphere they are from.
I, however am not neutral and will be screaming for the AB's who may take this, but it's not the sure ting that some are saying.
the ENG v AUS game is a sure thing though, sorry brits.....you do other things much better than the ozzies though - and for what it's worth, i'll be supporting you in that
game...(none of this SH v NH rubbish)

comment by wombat2posted 11 Hours Ago
ABs 43 : les bleus avec score.

comment by joekiwiposted 11 Hours Ago
Throatwobbler and cowshot, desperately hoping for any geographical success now that your teams have been consigned to their rightful place in the also rans then.......?Sad.... Clinging on to the hope that NH rugby is anything other than woeful.

comment by oldfashionedrespectposted 11 Hours Ago
Being English living in France, I support England first and France second (I live in the heart of French rugby-land so I'd get lynched if I didn't......!). I don't think the
AB's will choke this time so whoever wins will do it simply by playing better. The French are smarting from having to play their QF in Cardiff. Their own fault on two levels
- first, using the promise of games in Cardiff & Edinburgh to bribe votes away from England to stage the RWC, second, losing to the Pumas. This only adds to their motivation.
Losing their 'choker' label will do the same to the AB's. I can't wait for this evening but I have to agree, my head says the AB's, but not by much.
alangraham: "No offence to England"? The other one's got bells on.
fats_a: Thanks for your support! Nothing is ever a "sure thing". France/AB's 1999 at Twickenham.

comment by aklatsposted 10 Hours Ago
I can hardly wait for this game, I hate the fact I have to play rugby myself today, a horrible distraction from my build up for the AB's game...and I have to miss seeing
England strike it lucky!
Why NZ will win: too much quality, Graham Henry is steering the ship, we've never entered a world-cup ranked so far ahead of the opposition before (IRB rankings) and because
we've learned from '99...
Why we might stumble: We have the highest error rate of the world cup apparently and France love teams making errors, PRESSURE, and because again we have to wear those cack
jerseys! Oh and because we know better than anyone the French don't always surrender!
Glad Michalak (sp?) is on the bench though, he's dangerous, and I hope French try to play the All Blacks at their own game, rather than exhibiting their dangerous flair...

comment by Cowshotposted 10 Hours Ago
joekiwi: Another 4 hours 'til we are consigned to also-rans! And there's just a chance (remote as it is) that we won't be.
Exciting, isn't it?

comment by cantabnzposted 10 Hours Ago
I am not one for superstition but the last time NZ won the world cup - er,...was when they played in christchurch against scotland who were in there home shirt (blue) and NZ
played in the old white strip. Deja vue anyone? The ABs to win quite easily. The french have played seven tests since august this will be their eighth. The french might be in
their new strip, but I think the alternative team will show, or rather won't. Comment.

comment by TrippyHippy2posted 9 Hours Ago
Based upon the average score of the last 5 NZ-France matches from the last four years - NZ should win by about 30 points or so. Something like 42-13, I'd guess.

comment by joecloudsposted 9 Hours Ago
France are kidding themselves on, why are people saying france might win if they do this, or do that. New zealand will destroy them, how big the score is depends on how much
the all blacks ease up in the last 20 when the game is wrapped up.

comment by Berba_Is_Kingposted 9 Hours Ago
Come on New Zealand! How any Englishman could want anything other then the French to suffer a crushing defeat is beyond me!
Seriously though; the Eng-Aus game is a big one of course but the NZ-Fra match it going to be one for the purists and should be a very good spectacle.

comment by etienne-frenchieposted 8 Hours Ago
Its BIG. This is the biggest game of the tournament so far. I am French and despite my head saying the All Blacks can't lose, my heart is telling me other wise. I was a child
watchng TV when i saw France beat New Zealand in 1999. My dad was at twickenham that day and it was the day that I started to love rugby. The power of the All Blacks with
Umaga and of course Lomu on the wings vs the French Flair with Dominici and Lamaison... it was brilliant. One of rugby's greatest games.
And now 8 years later I believe that france can do it again. We are playing Beauxis rather than Michalak and Traille is going to play full-back. Will it work? I hope
so.Laporte has gone for strong kickers capable of clearing territory. No French flair then? There will be. I know it. I hope France can win....
I shall be watching the game with my best mate who is a Kiwi. This fixture is the big, it always has been... Allez les bleus.
"IMPOSSIBLE N'EST PAS FRANCAIS"

comment by wrexhamjack123posted 5 Hours Ago
Comment by JoeKiwi....Sad.... Clinging on to the hope that NH rugby is anything other than woeful
What was the score with England V Australia today?

comment by oligold11posted 5 Hours Ago
Beauxis is a genius, and if he can pull the strings then France stand a much stronger chance than anyone gives them credit for. In Bonnaire, they have a very strong 8 who has really picked up his form, and elissalde's form has been exceptional. Jauzion may not have done too much so far, but he is one of the finest players in the world, and might just prove the difference-maker.New Zealand to lead at half-time, France to turn it around and win!

comment by fastasfk2posted 5 Hours Ago
NZ then they get beat by England and if they are lucky they can share the flight home with Australia....or head off for a bit of backpacking around Europe. Eurorail ticket
anyone?

comment by Pieman79posted 4 Hours Ago
cantabnz
NZ played in thier away kit against Scotland in 1995 as well. That time they won ans played and beat England in the semis. We won't talk about the final though.

comment by walgertposted 4 Hours Ago
you made me giggle wrexhamjack and fastasfk...of course anything is possible, as seen between Aus vs Eng, what made me giggle is the the english supporter mentality, first
you knock your team around, call the players all sorts of names and now, you are going overboard..again, you won the Cup already! maybe England will meet France in the
semies, maybe not..,maybe Fiji throws a spanner into the South Africans dreams as well, wouln't that be a feast. oh and yes the Pumas. what are they going to do, lifting the
WC? anything is possible. but I ..will settle for the AB's......period!!
by the way, well done England, you bored ..as one english supporter said..the Aussies to death
comment by wrexhamjack123posted 4 Hours Ago
I am Welsh

comment by Cowshotposted 4 Hours Ago
Yaheeeeeeey!!!!
Whooopeeee!!!!!
YES!


comment by walgertposted 4 Hours Ago
I thought so

comment by wrexhamjack123posted 4 Hours Ago
so why did you say that i was using the typical english supporter mentality then?

comment by walgertposted 3 Hours Ago
sorry..then I didn't know you where Welsh!

comment by LHBatsmanRHBowler,Sobers-What a playerposted 4 Hours Ago
Allez les bleus! Having just watched England am feeling particularly europhile, Rather play France than ABs any day, but if France can just do a bit of damage....

comment by walgertposted 3 Hours Ago
if France can do a bit damage..just to themselfs

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 2 Hours Ago
Doesn't anyone realise that Wrexham is in Wales (the Welsh football team have played internationals there!)?
All things are possible. I'd love to see France win because an England v France semi would be a real classic. However, I just can't see it. France need to play out of their
skins and New Zealand to have an off day.

comment by Wackster219posted 2 Hours Ago
So England are gonna play the winners out of New Zealand + France
And the other semi is gonna be, Argentina/Scotland Vs Fiji/Scotland
Is that right?

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 2 Hours Ago
That's right Wackster.
You can't help thinking that the two halves of the draw are of slightly different strength. The side that gets through the half with Australia, New Zealand, France and
England really is doing it the hard way.

comment by truewitposted 2 Hours Ago
For some reason Casablanca is running in the back of my mind: 'I remember everything about that day: you wore blue, the Germans wore grey'.

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 2 Hours Ago
Mr. Harlow, you may be right. It could well have been the undoing of Australia in the first Quarter Final. But New Zealand's average score in the first round was a little
matter of 78-9. Weak sides were dispatched with brutality. It doesn't make you think that New Zealand are taking things easy.

comment by truewitposted 2 Hours Ago
That is right Wackster: you can get 25-1 on Fiji.

comment by adamjenkins9posted 3 Hours Ago
wrexhamjack123, I'm amazed your proud to be welsh after this world cup, I'd keep my head down if I was you.France are formidable, All Blacks equally tough on the day but the true decider will be the ENGLISH ref, lets see how many tries he disallows.

comment by MaverickWonderposted 2 Hours Ago
Wackster219, no you mean Fiji/South Africa not Scotland. It's weak because the French screwed up against Argentina.
Can't see France having a chance against the All Blacks. Of course, I thought the same about England against Australia.

comment by truewitposted 2 Hours Ago
I just hope Henry imposed a news blackout on the Australia-England result: the ABs don't need to be thinking about the next game when they are on the pitch.

comment by roddersrugbyrefposted 2 Hours Ago
Allez Les Bleus!
Then Scotland tomorrow...
Sorry this England win has sent me delirious

comment by Caymanianblueposted 2 Hours Ago
It is true that South Africa has got the easier run, but as the last big games showed that it is actually better for a team to go through the hard knocks to improve their
game. It worked for England and it may prove NZ's downfall.Go France!

comment by fleprechaunposted 2 Hours Ago
Traille and Beauxis to kick and kick and kick again, pinning the All Greys in their own 22 and winning 16-15.

comment by allblackpatposted 2 Hours Ago
France must keep the ball in hand to beat the All Blacks, picking a kicking fly-half in Beauxis and inexperienced fullback in Traille isn't the way to go.

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 2 Hours Ago
Mr Harlow, that was 78-9 as in "78 to 9" not 78.9...
Not a bad points difference!

comment by Brooksonlyposted 2 Hours Ago
missed it - got the England Oz game- wow - lucky - but so what- a win is a win and Oz looked like they were beat anyway.

comment by Phil Harlow - BBC Sportposted 2 Hours Ago
My mistake! Maths never was my strong point!

comment by Barnseyposted 2 Hours Ago
sorry to ask, because I'm sure someone has asked before but why is this being played in Cardiff?

comment by slogger_6posted 2 Hours Ago
Come on France.This game revolves around the first 20 minutes and which France comes out. Hopefully one full of grit and determination.

comment by gburg_chrisposted 2 Hours Ago
New Zealand has always been unfortunate with their world cup endeavors, but there is always a chance that they could turn their bad luck around....Honsetly as a Englishman i
find it hard to support France but to see the All blacks go down would be sweet!!!!
May the Best Team (OF THE DAY) Win

comment by fleprechaunposted 1 Hour Ago
Wayne Barnes is the ref. He's soft and won't penalise the Greys. Pity.

comment by abc_timposted 1 Hour Ago
ALLEZ FRANCE! ALLEZ LES BLEUS!!!!!!!

comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
there we go, I just hope, your prediction of the english Ref will not come to the fore!GO BLACKS!!

comment by EnglishmaninFranceposted 1 Hour Ago
If you think France haven't got a chance tonight you should come down here to the Cote d'Azur. There isn't a Frenchman here who doesn't remember 1999! P.S. They gave us great
support at Marseilles this afternoon

comment by neoharry16posted 1 Hour Ago
The All blacks look more like the London sky in those shirts

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
The radio is describing the injury. Sounds really bad. The Spanish sports magazine has broken off from the football to talk about it and are sounding really worried.

comment by Caymanianblueposted 1 Hour Ago
Both teams are serious about keeping the game fast with hardly any time between set pieces. France are looking even with NZ at the moment.

comment by fleprechaunposted 1 Hour Ago
Glad I'm not Betsen...

comment by bladeswingerposted 1 Hour Ago
Would it not be a thing of unspeakable beauty if the final was between two NH teams?
Come on France...!
To go off at a slight tangent, this Haka nonsense has got to stop. In a rugby international it has ceased to mean what it was supposed to mean, and has now become a form of
abuse. Full stop. And with every passing year, the sides who perform it look more and more absurd.
Haka, my bum. In NZ's case it should be called The Hokey-Chokey.......Hahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
bladeswinger, swing away with your nonsense...makes no sense to me! GO BLACKS!

comment by Caymanianblueposted 1 Hour Ago
NZ on the attack but the French defence is superb. No score as of yet making a lot of bookies very nervous.

comment by HG_orwhateverposted 1 Hour Ago
I'm all for a new reality vote, adjudicated by Phil 'The Harlot' Harlow.
Readers of the BBC website should be able to award points to the best pre-kick off display, whether its the Haka, the French lining up against that, or simply Phil Vickery
mooning to the world........points mean prizes.

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 1 Hour Ago
i think this game really has the potntial to be the game of the world cup, both sides are capable of playing really superb rugby. But have to say The All Blacks are probably
going to win.
......but then again the French on their day.... ), well here's to an entertaining match.

comment by hooptasticposted 1 Hour Ago
Stuck in Brussels, can't find a screen to see the game, "watching" on text on the BBC website!!! Sounds good...Allez Les Bleus!!!

comment by BulletInTheFaceOfposted 1 Hour Ago
Forgive my ignorance here, by why exactly are World Cup matches being played away from France WHICH IS HOSTING THE TOURNAMENT?!? It doesn't make any sense to me. If FIFA try
having a World Cup match in Brazil when South Africa are hosting, and the teams playing are Japan and Portugal, they'll be lynched!

comment by roomurrhamilposted 1 Hour Ago
impressive all blacks

comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
10 silch AB's superb try..fast and furios, the French need to lift their game, GO BLACKS!!!!!!!

comment by hawickposted 1 Hour Ago
Merde if the French, Haymans Beauxais Traille even Josien and co are just going to hoof the ball back to them all night, (which is what Laporte wants, more fool him) I think
the All Blacks might work it out............
The Blacks just so confident, that chip ahead in their own 22, so much trust in each other. This could get very one sided.

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
10-0 already. France are just about holding their own though. However, one more New Zealand score and you'd have to think that it will be just about all over as a contest.
This was the start that Australia failed to get against England.

comment by preciousMerryboyposted 1 Hour Ago
Scores NZ 10 France 0 Come on the All Blacks

comment by Caymanianblueposted 1 Hour Ago
NZ just threw the nitrous switch and are running amok between the backs. France is desperate with kicks into the NZ half. France will have to change tactics to disrupt the NZ
unslaught.

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 1 Hour Ago
Penalty AB done, but France defenceis holding well so far

comment by danielgpposted 1 Hour Ago
Anyone else see the punch on Betsen - Kiwi knocked him out cold with a fist, was NOT a knee.
Hope they show this at half time, and we get the French now.
If NZ win whoever did it should be banned rest of the World Cup - digusting...

comment by bobstyles007posted 1 Hour Ago
Vive le France

comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
no I didn't...if so, you might get your wish! GO BLACKS!!

comment by Shootsposted 1 Hour Ago
I'm not claiming to be a tactical genius, but surely giving the Kiwi's more possession by continually kicking the ball down their throats is not the best course of
action...as is proved by a 13 point lead.
Very strange indeed

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
13-0 and NZ just stretching away.
That heavens they are underdone! What would the score be if they were playing at 100%?

comment by Caymanianblueposted 1 Hour Ago
France is slipping away into a typical defensive style with no ambition to turn the ball over quickly to the outside backs. NZ is doing the opposite and it is killing France.
Great rugby from NZ letting France play the kicking game into their very capable running rugby hands.

comment by EnglishmaninFranceposted 1 Hour Ago
Les Blues have done it before. Don't forget 1999!

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
I mean "Thank heavens..."
At this rate New Zealand will be just running into form by the end of the final. Pity their poor opponents!

comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
stargazer, they just do the basics, holding a bit back I feel...on the other hand, one can just adept to what the opposition does and the french just try to disrupt the AB's
flow...bad tactic, they just should start to play rugby!

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
Remarkable Walgert, that such a brilliant side has won just one World Cup.
It seems that Mr. Harlow and the text commentary have died. The radio is admiring the French for sticking in there and not let NZ get away, but 13-0 is a clear enough lead,
especially if France are not looking like running in tries.

comment by bladeswingerposted 1 Hour Ago
Absolutely appalling live text coverage - currently 20 mins behind.
And thank you, BBC for making live broadcasts unavailable to overseas listeners.
Contemptuous nonsense.

comment by hawickposted 1 Hour Ago
The All Black kicking is almost as inept. Can't see Laporte changing the gameplan so the players need to do a 1999 second half and rip up their coach's plan on the field,
play from memory, with flair and imagination.
Can't see it though.
I take it our Mr Harlow has given up and gone down the pub. Can't blame him.
comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
mindgames Englishmanin France..the French kicking game is disastrous, what are they doing? 1999 is the past, RIP!

comment by IRISHFOOTBALLGUYposted 1 Hour Ago
Any time today Phil..

comment by Caymanianblueposted 1 Hour Ago
NZ looking not that great in their own 22. A few bad decisions from Carter and the French are all over them. The score is a little timid in portraying this game.

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 1 Hour Ago
France had let All Blacks to settle very early in the game and will be just near impossible to cause another sensational upset. The score is building already (13-0) and
doesnt look like Les Bleu have anything left in the tank.Or maybe another drama...

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
Bladeswinger, it's a rights issue. The BBC has to pay for the right to broadcast. World broadcasting rights have to be negotiated separately and are far more expensive. In
some countries they would need to pay country by country.
13-3 says the radio. Can France hang in there and close the gap a bit more?

comment by Shootsposted 1 Hour Ago
Les Bleus are paying the All Blacks too much respect. It's as if they came into the game expecting to lose.
They need to keep the ball in their hands - NZ had 12 phases at one stage. I don't recall the French having more than 3.


comment by Phil Harlow - BBC Sportposted 1 Hour Ago
Apologies everyone - our system has gone down here at the BBC. Believe me, it's as frustrating for me as it is for you.
Here is the last few minutes' commentary:
22 mins: France win another contested penalty decision after a New Zealand player gets on the wrong side of the ruck. The All Blacks are falling foul of the referee’s
interpretation at the moment.
But the kick at goal, from a fairly tight angle, by Lionel Beauxis fades right of the post.
26 mins: A lovely box-kick from Byron Kelleher gives Sitiveni Sivivatu the chance to absolutely cut Vincent Clerc in half, but France do recycle the ball.
As they have done on every occasion so far, they ignore the possibility of an attack from deep and instead decide to kick long for territory.
30 mins: PEN New Zealand 13-0 France Dan Carter kicks a long-range penalty after France are pinged for an offence at the breakdown. This is not going to plan for Les Bleus so
far. Surely they will have to start trusting their instincts and keep the ball in hand?
32 mins: Damien Traille persists with the policy of kicking long and pays the price as the ball rolls over the deadball line, giving New Zealand a scrum 5m inside the French
half.
35 mins: France win a penalty as New Zealand creep offside in midfield, and the kicking duties are handed over to scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.
But Elissalde, under the watchful gaze of French president Nicolas Sarkozy in the crowd, has no more luck and pushes a fairly straightforward kick wide of the posts.
38 mins: All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock muscles his way straight through to turn the ball over as France try to attack in the 22.

comment by weonlysingwhenwefishposted 1 Hour Ago
I thought Rugby was a Running with the ball game with the odd kick now and again. Its like a game of tennis.Hope it gets better second half along with the text coverage.
Strange isnt it they can follow the game from France but not Wales.

comment by Philsterboy61posted 1 Hour Ago
All Blacks need to stop giving away penalties.They will penalise themselves out of the cup if they keep on the way their going

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 1 Hour Ago
13-0 is could be a whitewash from the All Blacks

comment by bobstyles007posted 1 Hour Ago
all blacks good but other teams can beat them. SA and France. wait for 2nd half

comment by Phil Harlow - BBC Sportposted 1 Hour Ago
We have a computer support guy in the office as we speak trying to get to the bottom of it.
40 mins: PEN New Zealand 13-3 France Lionel Beauxis lands a penalty with the final kick of the match to give France some hope going into the half-time break.

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 1 Hour Ago
Laporte, A la Porte (sack him..). Im not a trainer but i know that if a tactic doesnt work , you change it.. He looks he wants to loose with a small margin instead of winning
the game...

comment by Phil Harlow - BBC Sportposted 1 Hour Ago
Of course that should read:
40 mins: PEN New Zealand 13-3 France Lionel Beauxis lands a penalty with the final kick of the HALF to give France some hope going into the break.

comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
lol, looks like Wales hasn't paid its broadcasting fee's or they still miffed they're not in the tournament anymore

comment by weonlysingwhenwefishposted 1 Hour Ago
Phil can i just comment about the coverage its all very well putting it on here but not everyone reads these articles. The commentary on ITV is no better. At least its not
Barnes,

comment by Caymanianblueposted 1 Hour Ago
Tactical kicking works great against teams that does not have a great counter attack and poor forward support. NZ is not that team and, I dare say, it would be better not to
give away possession that easily to NZ.

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 1 Hour Ago
comment by Philsterboy61posted Just Now
All Blacks need to stop giving away penalties.They will penalise themselves out of the cup if they keep on the way their going....................................
Agree with and All Blacks paid for it Make that score line 13-3

comment by hawickposted 1 Hour Ago
So far the tv feed I am watching the first half highlights have been the Haka and a kick ahead by Traille that went over the dead ball line. About right.

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
You can't help thinking that New Zealand are thinking that it's Christmas. No need to overstretch themselves, just enjoy a gentle game and at some point they plan to turn it
on for 10 minutes and score a couple of tries.
I hope, for the sake of my French friends, that I'm wrong.
comment by pauldb79posted 1 Hour Ago
danielgp,
yes I thought it was a punch on Betsen, as he started to rise. only obvious from the angle they showed live. NZ's no 4 - hope he gets cited.

comment by walgertposted 1 Hour Ago
anybody can be beaten..ask the Aussies!well done England, loos we meet in the Semies!! GO BLACKS!!

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 1 Hour Ago

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 1 Hour Ago
13-3 HT, could be worst for France, after paying wrong tactics

comment by roomeatthetopposted 1 Hour Ago
A few sides have suffered kicking the ball away for territory, SA vs Tonga comes to mind, SA let Tonga play the open running rugby they like and almost paid the price. Then
again it worked well for SA vs England, sorry to rain on the English parade after the win today but its true

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 1 Hour Ago
If it was a punch, given the seriousness of the injury and the precedents in this tournament, you can imagine the culprit getting a very long ban.
No comments though elsewhere. What I've been hearing was that it appeared to be a chance collision with a knee.

comment by rsuppardsposted 1 Hour Ago
What are the odds on Robinson getting cited for what looked like a very cynical take out on Betsen? Betsen was getting to his feet after the first tackle.
And can Smith tackle anyone without trying to rip their face off?
Otherwise a nice competitive game.

comment by Caymanianblueposted 58 Minutes Ago
There is that French flare!

comment by walgertposted 56 Minutes Ago
and the English Ref gets into the game...well, well, predictions come through. what a Mister Barnes

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 55 Minutes Ago
Caymanian, what flair???
The radio has given up on the rugby and the text commentary is still struggling to catch up. What has happened????

comment by Welshdragon164posted 1 Hour Ago
Only 10 points in it. Still anybody's game!

comment by drdisskposted 1 Hour Ago
Did anyone not spot the punch on Betsen? He didn't go down from the collision with Rokocoko it was a punch that knocked him out

comment by weonlysingwhenwefishposted 54 Minutes Ago
Is it me or is this Murray Mexted watching a different game. Arent Commentators meant to be not bias. But hey it is ITV

comment by walgertposted 53 Minutes Ago
that was nothing, McCallister turned and the Ref interpreted as taking a player out, the sideline Ref had no quarrel with it, what a call Mister Barnes, what a call!!

comment by Philsterboy61posted 53 Minutes Ago
ABs lineout is still dismal

comment by terrypaineposted 52 Minutes Ago
Caymanianbleu: "There is that French flare" Going up in smoke?

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 52 Minutes Ago
If France can use this moment to score a try or at least two penalties we might just in for another drama and before i finish the sentence make the score line 13-6

comment by hawickposted 52 Minutes Ago
Now we might have a game. Maybe the French onfield can rip up Laporte's plan.
On tonight's showing from both teams England will not be worried.
But so professional from the Blacks, 19 phases just burning up so much of the ten minutes from the sin bin.
Expect NZ to step up a gear now.......

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 51 Minutes Ago
The radio now says 13-6, but with time running out.
This is frustrating. Perhaps Mr. Harlow has had to run to yet another office...
Hmmmm. The text suggests that the English referee is not necessarily injust in penalising even New Zealand.

comment by itsmaselposted 1 Hour Ago
At this rate, France are going to shut the world cup down and leave the home nations to get on with it.
comment by Philsterboy61posted 50 Minutes Ago
Ref shouldnt be there.Too inexperienced

comment by Caymanianblueposted 48 Minutes Ago
I am saying that they are giving up on purely kicking for territory and starting to run the ball more, however NZ is better at that game hence the battle running all the time
between the two 22 lines. Exiting stuff. You can watch the game live on Setanta broadband live which is what I am doing.

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 46 Minutes Ago
13-13 says the radio.
Another stunning French comeback???

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 57 Minutes Ago
Dirty play by the AB , now they are 14for 10 min and score 13-6

comment by hawickposted 45 Minutes Ago
Stargazer updates more or less ok now 13-13; 56 mins gone as I type

comment by Caymanianblueposted 45 Minutes Ago
My words are hardly cold and France scores a great try.

comment by moggydave1posted 45 Minutes Ago
Yellow card was tough but you sometimes see them given and sometimes not. Could be crucial though.
This is exciting. Chabal should have started as France need a bit more physicallity.

comment by KINGSEVILposted 44 Minutes Ago
Is it my imagination, or do New Zealand look very ordinary?

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 44 Minutes Ago
I cant seem to forget that night eight years ago at Twickeham when All Blacks seemed cruising and what happened.......13-13

comment by Wot Kuyt 'e didposted 42 Minutes Ago
What's happened to the text commentary, stalling 6 minutes behind..?
Are they just checking it's true? France are back to 13-13! Upset on the cards?

comment by DrBulletposted 53 Minutes Ago
Come On France!!!!Following online in Canada. Using three sites to get the most complete coverage

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 40 Minutes Ago
The text seems to run hot and cold: sometimes it is very slow, as much as 10 minutes behind, this time I heard the score called on the radio and the text has updated very
quickly.
BBC gremlins, unfortunately. I wonder where the text commentary is coming from.

comment by KINGSEVILposted 39 Minutes Ago
Chabal...what a player. A creative wrecking-ball! Starting to resemble Jesus more and more as the tournament progresses. Hmm...

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 38 Minutes Ago
At 13-13 its game on and Les Bleu seem to have their tails up and the noise in the stadium is electrifying coz expecting have reached maxima....potential semi final of
England vs France looming

comment by Wot Kuyt 'e didposted 38 Minutes Ago
France doing a lot of defending... just a matter of.. seconds...
Try for the ABs

comment by hawickposted 38 Minutes Ago
This is not the All Black team of 6-9 months ago. Warning signs were there in the Tri-Nations. Perhaps as usual they peaked too soon. Still expect them to win this game, but South Africa (who were a shambles 6-9 months ago) emerging as tournament favourites for me.
All Black try!

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 37 Minutes Ago
And Dan Carter goes off injured. New Zealand must be wishing that they had put some more points on the board earlier when the French were playing like headless chickens and
New Zealand were just cruising.
Can France bring off a second massive shock of the day?

comment by roomurrhamilposted 37 Minutes Ago
tough game !!!

comment by Caymanianblueposted 36 Minutes Ago
NZ is not looking anywhere near the impervious team they were made out to be. Bad criticism maybe, scoreline speaks the truth!

comment by KINGSEVILposted 36 Minutes Ago
Ah, it was my imagination. But New Zealand look very beatable.
comment by andy_clogsposted 31 Minutes Ago
who else thinks murray Mexted is the most biased commentator on tv?? he is constantly going on about how NZ are getting hard done by by the ref... no NZ are just not the
"awsome" team everyone thinks they are..

comment by roomeatthetopposted 30 Minutes Ago
hawick from your lips to gods ears!!

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 30 Minutes Ago
What is the score someone????
The radio is talking about the football and the European Women's Basketball Championship. Now that the football has started they have forgotten the rugby.

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 30 Minutes Ago
Finally the French resistance is broken, let see how they respond to that..

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 48 Minutes Ago
Vaillant French defence, its Verdun again!

comment by warriorwillposted 46 Minutes Ago
Horrible ref....horrible....

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 46 Minutes Ago
Chabal Caveman. Could France win with him? in

comment by walgertposted 27 Minutes Ago
I think the AB's are a bit underdone, not from the French though, but the AB's haven't got their rythm ..yet!but there is no doubt in my mind, the go and win this one! French look very tired, the tackles they made, incredible. Michalak comes on, see what he has to offer!

comment by Wot Kuyt 'e didposted 26 Minutes Ago
Could be down to who's going to tire most in the last 10 mins... & who's going to have clear head & be able to create an initiative.
ABs in front on balance of play for me, so the score looks fair at 18-13. England earlier were a nose in front v. Oz from the beginning, so...
... then it takes a French breakaway!
18-18 conversion to come!

comment by andy_clogsposted 26 Minutes Ago
awsome!! try time france!! get in u blues!

comment by roomurrhamilposted 25 Minutes Ago
great game !!!

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 25 Minutes Ago
18-18 says the radio. Is that true?
I take back what I said about this not looking like being a close game!!
Now the radio says that France are leading, but won't give the ruddy score!!!

comment by duckmachineposted 25 Minutes Ago
France are using up there luck .. clear forward pass for me ... but still, 'Allez les bleus!'

comment by hawickposted 25 Minutes Ago
LOL Room. -
What a finish French try 20-18 Bleux; 9 mins left.


comment by Caymanianblueposted 24 Minutes Ago
Oh God, I am in tears. How will I ever get back to normal working life after this tournament. Too much excitement for this ticker.

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 24 Minutes Ago
Another drama on the card France goes into the lead 20-18

comment by chrisoxposted 24 Minutes Ago
Come on Frogs!!

comment by bobstyles007posted 44 Minutes Ago
Blacks are beginning to crack

comment by danielgpposted 43 Minutes Ago
Glad it wasn't just me that saw the punch on Betsen...amazed the pundits didn't show it at half time, if he doesn't get cited I'll be furious...esp wioth Betsen being a
pretty key player, disgracefully cynical.
Brilliant try they just scored tho' - Vive Le France!

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 43 Minutes Ago
TRY FRAAAAAAAANCEEE Excellent play!!! :o)
comment by Wot Kuyt 'e didposted 23 Minutes Ago
20-18 to les Bleus
These guys are roasting! They can smell 1999 all over again!
8 mins to go...

comment by neoharry16posted 42 Minutes Ago
Alle la francais, 18-16 to France in the end

comment by nuttywrayposted 41 Minutes Ago
Send the all blacks back with the Aussies! Im sure they can share the same flight back.

comment by muthabalooposted 41 Minutes Ago
Shocking commentary by Murray Mexted. He needs shooting for making such biased statements on international TV. How could he possibly say that nobody was impeeded after the
chip for the possible French try? Moron. I hope the French wipe the floor with the Semi Greys now.

comment by ArgieGastonposted 39 Minutes Ago
I can't believe that I can't see this online!!!allez les bleus, I want to play them again in the final!!!!:o)

comment by Lorcan's Manchester Reds (Champions of England 06/07)posted 22 Minutes Ago
If France win then England are going to get Killed in front of the French

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 21 Minutes Ago
Under 10 minutes and we will have France -England semis how about that...

comment by Johnposted 21 Minutes Ago
I can`t see it ,I can`t hear it,I`m living off these updates,sounds like a cracking game,COME ON FRANCE.

comment by hawickposted 21 Minutes Ago
5 mins left. What price NZ like Oz get one kick to win the game.

comment by chrisoxposted 20 Minutes Ago
5 mins to go and NZ driving fwd 14th phase

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 20 Minutes Ago
Now might be the moment to put some money on Fiji and Scotland!
Australia and New Zealand both losing in the Quarter Finals? You'd have got very VERY long odds on that happening.

comment by duckmachineposted 19 Minutes Ago
surely it has to b a drop goal

comment by Wot Kuyt 'e didposted 19 Minutes Ago
4 mins left... French on their line...
Time to screw it all up

comment by Zasar_Manposted 18 Minutes Ago
Allez Les Bleus! Lets send all these Southern hemisphere big mouths back home!

comment by EnglishmaninFranceposted 37 Minutes Ago
I don't like to say I told you so....but I told you, don't forget 1999!

comment by norfstandladposted 35 Minutes Ago
This is turning out to be a very ineresting game...except that I've got to follow it on BBC text. No radio feed....
Why is there no BBC radio feed if you're outside of the UK?
Bloody frustrating....

comment by Johnposted 18 Minutes Ago
I`d swear Wales were playing ,my heart is beating like a drum,COME ON FRANCE you can do it.

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 18 Minutes Ago
I wouldnt bet against Fiji and Scotland also...the clock is ticking for All Blacks or 1999 de javu

comment by chrisoxposted 16 Minutes Ago
26 phases from NZ to within 5 yards and they lost possession it is back on the French 22 with NZ looking menacing....... Frenach win the ball again and 2 mins remaining.....
into touch on half way and it is looking desperate now for NZ.

comment by hawickposted 16 Minutes Ago
Ref saved France there hands in ruck. Comments about Englishman wanting Francce in semi final to Phil harlow
comment by Wot Kuyt 'e didposted 17 Minutes Ago
One foolish pen...?
1 min...

comment by shop assistantposted 16 Minutes Ago
come on france.

comment by Exhookerposted 16 Minutes Ago
OMG neither of these sides are mine and this is incredible none the less!

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 16 Minutes Ago
The big screen is saying we have 2 minutes...its now or never for All Blacks or are they choking again

comment by roomeatthetopposted 15 Minutes Ago
chrisox I think someone at the beeb needs to give you a job

comment by KINGSEVILposted 15 Minutes Ago
Ha! Ha! Ha! Invincible All Blacks! Don't make me laugh. King of the chokers!!!

comment by Johnposted 14 Minutes Ago
I can`t bear it ,someone tell me France have won Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

comment by Shootsposted 14 Minutes Ago
Les Bleus - I applaud you!!!
Fantastic turnaround

comment by roomurrhamilposted 14 Minutes Ago
woowwww the abs didnt want to win this definitely

comment by ste1000posted 13 Minutes Ago
vive la france

comment by Cold War Kidposted 13 Minutes Ago
It a Southern Hemisphere massacre.Can't wait for the England France game.

comment by shop assistantposted 13 Minutes Ago
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
get in!

comment by Lawro_Slayerposted 13 Minutes Ago
Fiji tomorrow anyone?
The way it's going it's a possibility.

comment by duckmachineposted 13 Minutes Ago
I'm staggered - I never would have believed that the Kiwis could choke yet again ...

comment by Zasar_Manposted 13 Minutes Ago
Bye bye New Zealand. New Zealand in Rugby and South Africa in Cricket the biggest chokers ever.
So much for the Southern Hemisphere shut out!

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 13 Minutes Ago
I don't believe it!! I don't believe it!!!
A stunned and emotional Spanish commentator announces a French victory.

comment by walgertposted 13 Minutes Ago
yes excellent play France congrats!!

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 13 Minutes Ago
Done its official France vs England

comment by jim040zposted 12 Minutes Ago
i always said an england scotland final .

comment by bobstyles007posted 36 Minutes Ago
vive la france
comment by Exhookerposted 16 Minutes Ago
Sacred Feces!!! What a day for Rugby. England v France. Oh baby!!!!

comment by bobstyles007posted 36 Minutes Ago
vive la france

comment by moggydave1posted 16 Minutes Ago
So many oppurtunities for the drop goal when they were at the 22 and they only had a go when at the halfway line. They cracked.
Well done Les Bleus. Vive La France

comment by arightleftwingerposted 15 Minutes Ago
The two most arrogant teams in world rugby have now been beaten - Australia and New Zealand. So much for the vaunted Southern Hemisphere dominance. Allez Les Bleus

comment by graeme82posted 15 Minutes Ago
Unbelievable! What a day for NH rugby! Well done England and France, great results! Now I hope Scotland can copy and get past Argentina...

comment by hackerjackposted 15 Minutes Ago
FFFF this, thats the last match i'm watching in the RWC. We have been denied the best team in the tournament by yet more stupid and incompetent refereeing. Every single
person in the stadium sa a pass go 45 degree forward to Michilak for the French try but the officials CHOSE not to see it, yes CHOSE, there is no way that three of them could
have missed it, not 3 people in the stadium or watching on TV missed it live.
FFFF the RWC, FFFF Rugby.
(BTW, I'm not a New Zealander, I'm Welsh, i'd have loved to see France beat the All Blacks fairly.)

comment by Johnposted 15 Minutes Ago
Yahoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo,ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,chockers again,4 more years ,4 more years ,4 more years,

comment by MightySpurs07-08posted 14 Minutes Ago
bahahahahaha!

comment by IRISHFOOTBALLGUYposted 14 Minutes Ago
Black Monday (1999) Black Sunday (2007)

comment by Zasar_Manposted 14 Minutes Ago
Although, France will now crush England next week though.
If the All Blacks are struggling to get through that defence what hope for England?

comment by LatvianAllBlacksFanposted 14 Minutes Ago
Hats off to French - about 170 tackles to about 40. Congratulations! Now I'm wholeheartedly will support France (and Argentina) in this cup.
Oh, geez... all forums definitely will be full of "choking" thing. Seems, I will have to ignore forums for another 4 years.

comment by Englandlad23posted 13 Minutes Ago
Four More Years Boys!!!! Four More Years Boys!!!! Four More Years Boys!!!! Let the moaning beging, let it begin. Like i said there was always a chance with NZ having breezed
through the semis ... looks like the Northern Hemisphere sides have turned up to the tournament.

comment by Exhookerposted 13 Minutes Ago
Hacker jack...seriously? all I have is the text feed, no visual.

comment by Lorcan's Manchester Reds (Champions of England 06/07)posted 13 Minutes Ago
MARK MY WORDS:
ARGENTINA WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP

comment by Austin_SJposted 13 Minutes Ago
Northen hemisphere teams ftw, that foward pass it was not the most obvious bit of bad refereeing i have seen, the all blacks have got away with some appalling stuff in the
past, as have other teams, and what goes around comes around. allez les blues for tonight then it's england all the way.

comment by Shrews07-08posted 12 Minutes Ago
Haha stupid kiwis

comment by shop assistantposted 12 Minutes Ago
hackerjack don't turn rugby into the whining mess that is football support.
or every match will just become an excuse for every amateur lawyer to whinge on about various incidents in the game.
welsh eh? look forward to meeting you in the final then. what's that? you're out already?
shame.

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 32 Minutes Ago
TRYYYYY FRANCE!!!!!!! 18 all!!!

comment by DaiRbuposted 32 Minutes Ago
The Kiwis are just Lambs!

comment by AClarkinposted 32 Minutes Ago
This ref is a joke obviously wants an easier semi final for England!

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 35 Minutes Ago
Wow, what a game, 2 tries.WOW. And France leading now

comment by Johnposted 15 Minutes Ago
if I had one wish now ,I would wish I was in a Walkabout pub in Earls Court full of Aussie and Kiwi fans,ARRRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAA.

comment by Cricketing_stargazerposted 15 Minutes Ago
Talk about "The Great Escape". New Zealand were cruising and felt that they could score enough points at will. Instead of killing France dead in the first half they let them
back in.
Amazing. One of my French colleagues has already emailed me. Methinks that we will all watch the game at his house next week.
Who would have bet on England and France knocking out Australia and New Zealand given the way that both teams started the tournament?

comment by roomeatthetopposted 14 Minutes Ago
As a bok fan heres hoping thats enough upsets for this world cup thanks

comment by Justice_wa_Barutiposted 14 Minutes Ago
Good nite everyone and please enjoy the celebration and also enjoy the Chinese grand prix tomorrow...hope we will be celebrating another victory of perhaps major proportion.

comment by norfstandladposted 28 Minutes Ago
This is shaping up to be a classic !
And NO RADIO FEED OUTSIDE UK
Aaaargh

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 27 Minutes Ago
5 mins to go, AB on the attack,i wonder how it will end?
Any bets yet guys?

comment by RebelArmyRedDevil(Official Matchday Thread Man!)posted 13 Minutes Ago
One of the great sporting events of the decade.Cracking atmosphere and what a game!
Ellisalde running towards the touchline at the end was one of those things you won't forget for a long time.

comment by kinsangposted 12 Minutes Ago
Well done to the French - they played their hearts out. No doubt a bad missed call with regards to the forward pass, but NZ still had good chances to put the game away, also
had so many chances for a drop goal attempt when close to the game-line.

comment by Johnposted 11 Minutes Ago
altogeather now,4 more years,4 more years ,4 more years,4 more years ,4 more years ,4 more yeeeeeaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssssssssssss. goodbye mr henry ,hello new coaching team.

comment by Hendraluxposted 11 Minutes Ago
All the hot air from the Antipodeans has gone blowing in the wind. The arrogance and over-confidence ended in gutless performances from Aus and NZ when it really mattered.
Their dismissal of NH rugby now looks foolish. I think the word 'chokers' was created just for the All Blacks.

comment by RobVillaposted 11 Minutes Ago
Aussies thought they just had to turn up to win and lost big style up front to seriously the most mediocre England team in 20 years.So did New Zealand who seemed oblivious to today's previous result and played into France's hands. When NZ lost in previous tournaments the opposition has been inspired not
so today.

comment by LatvianAllBlacksFanposted 10 Minutes Ago
Now I can see a possibility of England retaining the world cup. Which - for the game itself and for Englands development - will be a utter disaster.
What a black day.

comment by richie4eva1posted 10 Minutes Ago
Who would have thought it? South Africa last of the Tri Nations standing and an England v France semi final

comment by rsuppardsposted 10 Minutes Ago
So what about that then?Good pulsating stuff - and to think only a week ago I was wondering if the AB's had peaked too soon.
On this form anyone left in as of tonight must seriously fancy their chances.Neither side tonight looked too convincing up front Now let's see if England can produce a repeat performance of the 6 nations.

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 26 Minutes Ago
and everyone predicted it would be SH teams in the semi's.
Wondr if France will mkae it like England did?

comment by ronhutchposted 26 Minutes Ago
come on the all blacks another southern hemisphere scalp always welcome

comment by joshyg1306posted 25 Minutes Ago
C'mon france, i dont want england playin NZ!!!

comment by bobstyles007posted 25 Minutes Ago
WOW Vive la france


comment by moggydave1posted 11 Minutes Ago
It was a forward pass I think....
That being said NZ (and most good modern teams) win by getting away with what they can.
NZ should have won not because of this but simply because they had so many easy drop goal oppurtunities in the last 5 mins and didn't have ago untill it was too difficult.

comment by Zasar_Manposted 10 Minutes Ago
Yes the Walkabouts will a great place to be tonight.
It would be great if Scotland take out Argentina tomorrow now. It was also great to see the look of disbelief on Graham Henry's face. I can't stand that man!

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 25 Minutes Ago

comment by EnglishmaninFranceposted 25 Minutes Ago
I said I told you so twice now. Does nobody believe me about the spirit of 1999?

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 25 Minutes Ago
a minute to go, how will it end? Are the Boks rubbing their hands cos France win?

comment by Kalahari_Surferposted 23 Minutes Ago
omg, the French did it AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

comment by saracen5dposted 22 Minutes Ago
Allez Le Bleu ....... well done France
From an ecstatic English Fan

comment by bobstyles007posted 21 Minutes Ago
Vive le france HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAy

comment by Spiro1959posted 21 Minutes Ago
New Zealand -Chokers once again !!!!!!

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 21 Minutes Ago
OOUIII YEEESSSS BRAAVEEE SUPERB FRAAANCCEEEEEEEEEEEEE

comment by leveseposted 20 Minutes Ago
Amazing. NH going to have their cup of tea in the most classic match. But just until the final match...

comment by nuttywrayposted 20 Minutes Ago
2 upsets! this is a legendary tournament!HAHA!! Australia and NZ have a lloonnggg flight back home!

comment by Austin_SJposted 9 Minutes Ago
hang on, brian ashton is trying new development tactics, and who cares about playing good rugby, surely winning is good? NZ and Australia are out, no one can say that they
have the right tactics now can they?If england are dominant through the fowards and kicking then it is a good tactic, and well done to Brian ashton for his choice of development.

comment by moggydave1posted 8 Minutes Ago
Also, G Henry and S Hansen may be out of a job now, which would be good for us Welsh....

comment by lostinflyzposted 20 Minutes Ago
that was the worst ref. i have ever seen. ever. ever. if he ever goes to new zealand he will be lucky to leave alive

comment by jmdonoghueposted 20 Minutes Ago
Good for England's chances,France still rubbish

comment by Greekmacedoniaposted 19 Minutes Ago
Love you les anglais, what a great semi final in my birth town

comment by donkeyadamsposted 19 Minutes Ago
By binning McAlister that ref robbed New Zealand, they levelled the game then. I think his meteoric rise to reffing this game at 28 was a bit too fast, it was never a binning
offence.

comment by Scubar2k8posted 19 Minutes Ago
Im shocked that New Zealand lost to a team like france. This world cup keeps getting stranger and stranger.
Whats next Fiji beating South Africa and Argentina beating Scotland ?

comment by Camel Hair Coatposted 19 Minutes Ago
I'd buy the kiwis a beer but I'm worried they might get knocked out when they choke on it

comment by abc_timposted 14 Minutes Ago
J'ADORE!!!!!! ALLEZ
Now bring the Roses

comment by KennyBarnesTorresposted 14 Minutes Ago
I am one happy man!!!! i bet on France vs South Africa Final...NOW I HAVE WON...only 2 Rugby teams left in the tournament
SOUTH AFRICA WILL WALK THIS NOW

comment by DrBulletposted 14 Minutes Ago
FANTASTIC!!!Just goes to show, you can spend 4 years doing all the flashy stuff but, at the end of the day, rugby is a man's game! Only ONE tri-nations team in the semis.Another 4 years for New Zealand...most of their team won't even have been born when they won it!Joy.

comment by bobstyles007posted 13 Minutes Ago
YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

comment by Zasar_Manposted 2 Minutes Ago
I was under the impression that Carter was supposed to show that he was the greatest 10 ever, in this game!

comment by Spiro1959posted 13 Minutes Ago
Enjoy it now France-Jonny will destroy you next week !!!

comment by bubwalposted 13 Minutes Ago
Having seen my side knocked out in a blaze of embarrassment - (Wales) it is our national sport after all - and we are as critical of the Welsh rugby side as the English are
of their fottball team, I am please to have seen the Wallabies and now the Kiwi's knocked out at the quarter finals. It is great for Northern hemisphere sides - who said the
southern sides played better rugby!! Graham Henry said he was happy where he was when questioned by the Welsh media about becoming head coach of Wales again - not so sure
now, he may be sacked and submitting his CV to the WRU.

comment by edwardo63posted 12 Minutes Ago
Four more years boys....four more years....oh dear.

comment by TeniPuristposted 12 Minutes Ago
hahahahahahahaahahahah what a great day! the arrogance of the aussies and the kiwis comes back to haunt them!!! to tink of all those ars**oles before licking their lips at
the prospect of playing england in the semis....I DONT THINK SO!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA GO BACK TO THE 3rd WORLD !!

comment by subedeithemomgolposted 12 Minutes Ago
Always thought forward passing was illegal in rugby - obviously not. So, was this disgraceful display of refereeing just incompetence, or something more sinister?

comment by lostinflyzposted 12 Minutes Ago
looking at the teams you would have to say they have a really good shot

comment by barker657posted 12 Minutes Ago
What a fantastic second half. The French substitutions ultimately won it for them, as well as the All Blacks injuries to key players but not to take anything away from the
final try from the French. Exciting stuff!
No-one at the start of the day would have believed a French - English Semi...
Looking forward to it.

comment by tafer2ukposted 11 Minutes Ago
Agreed, two of the best three teams in the world are out of the 2007 RWC. It just goes to show spirit and heart can beat arrogance and complacency any time. NZ you choked
(again), Australia thought the game was already won before a ball had been kicked. These two results don't mean England or France are better than Aus and NZ, just that on the
day they were! Well done to both of you!

comment by TheSavageGunnerposted 11 Minutes Ago
Refereeing failures ruined the game, seemed like he wanted to give every decision to France. Not good enough in a World Cup QF. Did anyone honestly think that an English
referee wouldn't be biased? Pathetic.



END ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Club Vs. Country

This week I got into a debate in the comments section of the Daily Telegraph rugby blog (hosted by Mick Cleary, that paper's rugby correspondent).

The subject was club vs. country in the wake of yet another injury to Super Jonny Wilkinson. Below I reproduce my original comment:

"I was born in East Anglia and was brought up in Cambridge. We have no Premier League rugby. There's North Walsham in Norfolk, who are quite strong, and Bedford is just down the road - but I've never bothered to watch them. Indeed, the only team I watch regularly is Delia's NCFC in the round ball game. But my one true love in the sporting arena is England Rugby. I go mad for England playing rugby. It sets my heart racing like no other game. I was brought up by my father as a rugby player and the annual 5 nations tourny was the focus of the year - now the 6 nations. I've watched England play in Australia, Italy, France, Cardiff and at HQ. I never miss a match and have gone to enormous lengths to watch them play in remote places on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Several wedding receptions have been disrupted by my zeal to be in front of a box for a game. The days when England are playing rugby are the most important days in my calendar. Oh, and I'm a big fan of the Lions too. I couldn't give a monkeys about the Premier League. I may tune in to a Heineken cup semi or final but ultimately I have no connection to these regional teams. I find their bleating about damaged goods shortsighted since without a successful England rugby team their clubs are worth less - much less. Notwithstanding my own feelings about Premier League rugby, it is surely true that the national team's success directly reflects on the popularity of the game as a whole. And I sometimes feel as if they don't recognise this. The only point I feel in favour of the Premier League teams is that possibly England play too many games. Combined with the 4 yearly Lions matches we spread the players too thin. It's a brutal game rugby and we're burning the players out. The number of England matches needs to be properly limited and planned out well in advance."

Woof! And what a response I engendered. However, none of the freaks who said club was more important than country had any new arguments and most simply whined about how their clubs had to pay the hospital bills for players injured playing for their country. Pah! It should be the other way round. When Jonny W got injured YET AGAIN playing for Newcastle in the week before the England vs France match it struck me that Newcastle should be paying us - England Rugby supporters - for stealing our Jonny away from HQ.

Consider this as well: The best supported rugby teams in Europe have smaller crowds than 3rd Division football teams. My own club, Norwich City FC, averages over 26,000 spectators for league matches - that's more than any other rugby club in Europe. However, when England play a Six Nations match the domestic audience averages between 5-6 million. And you can add another 4-6 million when incuding live worldwide viewers.

The RFU needs to stamp down on the clubs now and show them who is boss. All clubs should be 100% subservient to the national team. If the clubs choose to employ players who are in contention for a place in the national side they need to account for that in their planning and alter their wage structure accordingly. There are 6 million supporters out there who want a winning national team. Why should the 1 man and his dog who support club rugby therefore dictate to us?

It's Always Handy To Have A Jonny

As my dad used to remind me when I hit late teenage years and started going out with girls - always keep a jonny in your back pocket, just in case. Brian Ashton, newly installed England Rugby coach, must have given the same advice to his own sons and taken heed himself of this excellent advice. Re-introducing Jonny Wilkinson to the England fold for this season's match vs the Scotch was in many ways a risky choice. With only 42 minutes of rugby under his belt this season, and precious little time on any rugby field since his last-minute drop goal to win the world cup back in'03, many were the critics of this bold decision. The fall-out if Jonny had got injured would have been horrendous. Or even if he had performed badly and let the Scotch gain momentum in the early stages of the game you knew the press, the slavering wolves of hackdom, would have slaughtered Ashton.

But the England supporters were all for it. Jonny W was their talisman. The key to the lock. The little engine who could. The atmosphere at HQ was totally changed from that last, horrible outing vs the Boks. Tension was absent, pre-match beers were sunk in hope rather than dread, the chat was upbeat. They agreed with Ashton.

And then... Oh boy and then. 70 minutes later, with 27 individual points in a total over 40, blinding breaks, creation of tries, a full-house of scores (try, conversion, penalty and drop goal) the hero was substituted to a standing ovation. Jonny was back. England were back. All was well with the world.

A quick mention must also be made of Jonny's teammates who also came good that day. Jason Robinson returned to the national team after previously retiring - and scored a try. Andy Farrell (or 'Faz' as the League boys insist we should call him) played solidly and was a great foil for Jonny. The forwards finally looked like English forwards should -frightening. Harry Ellis at scrum-half was magnificent (my personal MOTM) and the new chap at full-back, Olly Morgan (who attended my alma mater - Millfield School), acquitted himself well too.

God how I love international rugby union. No other game makes me so revved up. It takes true courage to front up in this game. It makes me laugh when football commentators talk about courage before a match. Don't get me wrong, I love footy, it's a brilliant game requiring many athletic skills - but it doesn't require courage. Vinny Jones wouldn't have lasted 2 minutes on a rugby field. He'd have been found out for the bully he is before he could grab anybody's nuts. No, international rugby union is the toughest team sport on the planet and all the men who play it - yes, even the Welsh - should be lauded as present day gods.

Review of a Year in Sport 2006

What sporting moment do you remember most about the year past? Was it Zidanegate – the headbutt that shook the world? Shane Warne’s 700th wicket in Test cricket in front of his home crowd at the MCG? Maybe Monty Panesar’s defining exuberance frolicking about the pitch having just taken a wicket sticks most in the mind. Or how about the image of an imperious Roger Federer winning any one of his 12 major titles and three grand-slams in 2006? Another great year in sport was perhaps tinged with disappointment for English fans who had little to shout about or celebrate but here I run over some of the key events in the last 12 months and award a few gongs along the way.

Football

Man Utd’s Alan Smith’s shocker of an injury during a 1-0 loss to Liverpool was a rude introduction to the soccer year and many Irish fans were also rather stunned to get Steve Staunton as their new manager. Cheeky chappy Jose Mourinho’s blue machine secured back-to-back Premiership titles whilst England prepared for the World Cup tourney without Wayne Rooney who had broken a metatarsal. Liverpool lifted the FA Cup and Barcelona triumphed in the UEFA Champions League. Steve McClaren was named as the next England manager and would remain Eriksson's right-hand man in Germany where Italy claimed their fourth title, and in doing so inadvertently destroyed the image and reputation of ‘le racaille de moment’ Zinadine ‘I’m a thug’ Zidane. Juventus were relegated to Serie B for the Moggi led match-fixing scandal in Italy whilst in England the footballing community grappled with bung allegations and the results of Lord Stevens report into football's finances. November saw Fabio Cannavaro crowned European Footballer of the Year, but football lost one of its greats as Ferenc Puskas passed away.

Football Person Of The Year: Marco Materazzi (for ‘psyche’ of the year)
Runner up: Jose Mourinho (for endless entertainment)

Cricket

Australia, Australia, Australia we love you, Amen. Well, no, this blog tends more towards the hatred and envy feelings rather than love, actually, but on any fair reckoning they’re clearly the best team in the world with the best individual players. While the rest of the world scraps around for cricketing heroes (Ashley Giles, King of Spain?) the Australians can pick any from 10, which was also the number of test wins they racked up this year – out of ten matches –and they also triumphed in the ICC Champions Trophy in India. A mixed year for England as drawn series against India and Sri Lanka and a victory over Pakistan were then followed by a total mauling Down-Under.

Cricket Person Of The Year: Shane Warne (for 700 wickets and all-round cricketing ability)
Runner up: Monty Panesar (for endless entertainment)

Rugby

Oh dear, everything is going dark. All I see is blackness enveloping me. It’s a strange nightmare. Yes, folks, team of the year are the very scary All Blacks who are looking ominously powerful as the Rugby World Cup approaches in 2007. Only the Springboks bested them this year (and gave them a good kicking in the process too) and only Ireland managed to run them close. Everyone else just got blown away. It has been an unending source of mirth and glee being able to remind NZ rugby people that they haven’t been World Champions for 20 years but it looks like that run is soon to be finally over. Certainly England will not stop them. A dismal year for the reigning World Champs was finally put to sleep following Andy Robinsons resignation following defeats to…, well, just about everybody really. I think we might have beaten Italy at some point but I’m not sure. Everything is a daze. Oh, here we go again, it’s getting dark, so dark. Help me mummy, big brutes in black shirts are coming for me. Mummy, heeeeeelp.

Rugby Person Of The Year: Ronan O'Gara (for telling the truth about English rugby)
Villain of the Year: Andy Robinson (for getting it oh so wrong)

Tennis

Roger Federer was the dominant force in men's tennis once again in 2006, winning three of the four Grand Slams, while Amelie Mauresmo captured two of the four major titles in the women's game. 2006 also saw the return to action of former women's world number one Martina Hingis after a three-year retirement. The year began with Federer's third successive Grand Slam success (following victories at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2005) while in the women's event, champion lezzer Mauresmo beat Henin-Hardenne to win her first major. Nadal beat Federer in Paris making it back-to-back French Open titles for the muscles from Majorca and destroying the Grand Slam dream of holding all 4 titles at once for Federer - shame. Henin-Hardenne beat Svetlana Kuznetsova for the women’s Roland Garros title. Federer exacted revenge for his Paris defeat by beating Nadal in the final at Wimbledon to become only the third man ever to win four consecutive titles at the All England Club, while Mauresmo beat Henin-Hardenne in the ladies final. Roddick found some mid-season form and went all the way to the US Open final before losing to Federer, who made it a hat-trick of titles at Flushing Meadows and Sharapova grunted her way to a second Grand Slam title in New York, where Henin-Hardenne completed the set of major finals for the year, but suffered her third defeat. In September, Italy won the Fed Cup final for the first time with a surprise win over Belgium. Federer wrapped up his magnificent year with a 12th title, thrashing James Blake in Shanghai to win the Tennis Masters Cup for the third time and Marat Safin led Russia to Davis Cup success clinching the deciding rubber by beating Jose Acasuco of Argentina in four sets to spark wild celebrations in Moscow.

Tennis Person Of The Year: Roger Federer (for 3 Grand Slam titles)
Runner up: Roger Federer (because he is so dominant he even wins second place)

Other Sports

In Rugby League it was business as usual - St Helens winning the engage Super League and the Powergen Challenge Cup in the UK while Australia regained the Tri-Nations Series as it was staged in the southern hemisphere for the first time. Boxers Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe both enjoyed great years, with the Welshman providing several ‘boxing lessons’ to several would be contenders. Michael Schumacher bowed out of F1 (hooray!), Jenson Button scored his first GP win (hooray!) and Benetton / Renault and Alonso won the titles (hoo.. well, er, polite applause). On two wheels beautiful pixie Valentino Rossi had to cede the Moto GP title to Nicky Hayden, but only by 2 points and in the very last race of the season. Troy Bayliss won the Superbikes whilst Jason Crump was speedway's dominant figure. In golf, Tiger Woods came back from missing his first cut in over ten years by winning two majors but could not prevent Europe's glorious and boozy weekend at the K Club in the Ryder Cup. Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy won the other two majors. Although Jamaica's Asafa Powell equalled his own world 100m record of 9.77 seconds at the British Grand Prix in Gateshead, highlights in the athletic world mainly revolved around drug testing and cheating, the curse of which also touched cycling as exemplified by Floyd Landis who got caught after ‘winning’ the Tour de France.

And finally, to the internecine world of darts where the passions ride high and the bellies even higher. BDO world champion Jelle Klaasen will not have to face his fellow countryman and biggest threat when defending his title – as Barney has moved over to the Dark Side and joined the rival PDC organisation. Their final, to be played on New Year’s day, will feature Van Barneveld versus 13-time world champion Phil Taylor. Barney’s been giving it the old Rocky treatment: "I wanted this man. I gave up everything to get to this final. It was my biggest dream. A lot of people in Holland were telling me I had won Lakeside four times and that I was the best player in the world. But there was a voice in my head saying 'no, you're not, there's one better than you'. That was in my head in January and February and so I decided I had to give up everything to come here. Now I hope I can beat him in front of everyone. The final was my biggest target - beating Phil is something else. You have to play world-class darts to beat this man. I hope we have a great final." That’s right, world class darts requires dedication, stamina and mental toughness – and the only drugs these boys consume is triple vodkas and pints of ale. What a wonderful way to start 2007. Best of order now ladies and gents. Let’s Play Darts!

Sports Quote of the Year
"All their players have tested positive for being assholes." - Lance Armstrong on the French football team after their World Cup final defeat to Italy.

Well Goodbye Mr Robinson

You know, life used to be so much simpler and days more carefree. Once upon a time, the England rugby team would turn up at Twickenham in nice clean white shirts, run out on the pitch, catch the ball, stick it up their jumpers and roll remorselessly towards the opposition try line. We in the crowd would shout 'Heave!', Brian Moore would punch a Frenchman when the line-judge was unsighted, and two hours later we'd be in the car-park quaffing champers and munching on mum's mini-sausage rolls discussing yet another victory.

This tactic was so successful that with a few modifications (adding kicking machine Jonny Wilkinson and getting someone else to do the punching of the Frenchman bit) it eventually led to a World Cup.

However, this wasn't good enough for new broom Andy Robinson, a man who I'd amired on the pitch but could never get my head round accepting as England manager. Apparently, winning games of rugby was no longer the point. No, what we had to do was play the super expansive southern hemisphere type game, with lots of running about, girlie backs crashing into each other somewhere in midlfield, rugby league type scrums and cricket results for final scores. It seems that this is what 'new' rugby union was all about. Each game should feature at least twelve tries, each one accompanied with a burst of 'rock' music from the tannoy, fifty substitutions, cheerleaders with pom poms and 'zonal' defensive systems. Now this is fine for NZ or Ozzie types I'm sure, but this is not the English way. For generations we have played rugby a certain way - fat boys hog the ball and bully their way forward, very occasionally allowing the fly-half to kick for position and maybe three times a match spreading the ball wide to a suitably lank winger who would make a spirited dash for the corner. It was simple, it was effective, and above all, it was fun. We, the English crowd, enjoyed it. Even when England lost at least we knew that the opposition had had to pay some blood for their triumph. And make no mistake, triumph it was because England used to be the one match they all wanted to win the most.

There can be as much, if not more, enjoyment taken from an 8-4 scoreline as a 43-24 try-fest. A more 'rugby-sophisticate' eye can see the battle of players as the core of the watching experience rather than just watching the tally. Indeed, at 8-4 a match can still go either way with just a few minutes left on the clock, whereas the high-scoring games are usually all but over by half-time. There is as much art and invention in a good rolling-maul that takes two minutes to move ten yards as there is in a bunch of crash-ball touchdowns. It's bitter vs lager, John Rutter vs Backstreet Boys, Jordan vs Britney Spears, err no, scrap that last one. Anyway, you get the drift.

But Andy didn't get the drift and got re-drafted. England have now lost something like 8 out of 9 games but it could be more - I lost tally. Several of these were at HQ. One of them was to Argentina. It's been a long and desolate road to this expansive rugby heaven and frankly I want to go back to mortal earth where England is the one match they all want to win again. Because right now, I don't think that's the case.

The Quality Of Mercy Is Not Strain'd

So, now it's official. Violence, in the form of a butt to the chest, is only marginally worse than insulting someone's sister. The self-serving football gods who sit in Zurich have pronounced on Zidanegate and the result is that the violent thug Zidane gets a three-match ban (he's retired anyway so I presume that means he'll have to rule himself out of the family kick-about at the beach this summer) and a Euro7,000 fine, while Materazzi, nipple-tweaker and sister-sledger, gets a two-match ban and a Euro3,000 fine. A ridiculous judgement in light of what it signals to the footballing world. Mind you, what should we have expected, coming from an organisation who's chief thinks that women should be made to play the game in skimpier shorts?

It also begs the question about what is the sliding scale for similar but different offences. If an amateur footballer cuffs someone about the head in response to an insult about his auntie, what does he get? If multi-millionaire ZZ is worth Euro7,000 for a head-butt then I'm estimating it's a £5 fine and being made to stand by the corner flag with a dunces hat on for the Sunday parks player.

In a more civilised part of the sporting world, England put up a good show vs. Pakistan in the cricket. Notching up a creditable 500+ runs and a first innings lead of 90, ultimately a draw was always on the cards when they couldn't raise the run-rate in the second. Only the diamond-stud earring'd one Pietersen had a strike-rate suitable for creating enough time to bowl out a very long batting Pakistani line-up. When they put their minds to it they can bat for months these Pakistanis and I expect this to be the dominant theme for the next two tests.

Finally, great amusement was had in our house last weekend watching TV coverage of the NZ vs. South Africa Tri-Nations rugby. After the Boks humiliation in Sydney the week previous everyone was expecting a Pakistani batting-score in New Zealand but instead it was reasonably close and the South Africans put two tries on the All-Blacks when going down 35-17. The NZ commentators could barely believe it and spent the whole game belittling the ref, since clearly he could only be the reason "The World's Greatest Team" couldn't put the Boks away. If you thought US Olympics coverage provided the most biased TV coverage in the world, listening to NZ rugby commentators would soon put you straight. Nothing the opposition do right is ever credited whilst every decent move from a man in a black shirt is greeted with an orgasm. As far as New Zealnd rugby commentators are concerned only one team in the world actually play rugby while all the rest of us simply cheat or don't know the rules. (Rule number 1. You never beat NZ, you can only score more points than them). Someone needs to remind them that New Zealand have only won the World Cup once - and that was on home soil nearly twenty years ago.