The World Cup (Rugby)

[Minty]

Well, its now started.

France got a beating by an awesome display by the Argentinians yesterday. No team has ever lost their first game and gone on to win the world cup, so not looking good for them.

England start our defence later on today against the USA (yes, you do have a rugby team!!). The All Blacks start their campaign against the Italians, who may not be quite as much of a walk over as everyone thinks. They are he team with something to prove, as well as the Blacks.

[angry]

Yes i was chuffed when Argentina beat France last night, Wales play Canada 2morow which i am looking forward to, plus there is 3 good matches on today including as you said Minty England v USA...

Here is a link for you rugga fans to check out schedules etc:

Link : http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/

And for the match times of every game and channel check following link:

Link: http://www.itv.com/Sport/rugbyworldcup/Fixtures/default.html

[Gebadire]

Good result for wales last night! Along with Ireland, Scotland and England! Lets just hope they can keep it up! (Especialy England!). I know its early days, but what are your predictions?

[Frakus]

Hoping Ireland can win there Pool and also for a good showing from the Scots.

[Minty]

Right, I know this is a month old, but the World Cup is still on.

After the unsurprising exit of the American team, and a poor effort by the Canadians, I know even fewer people stateside will be interested, but.......

OH MY GOD to yesterdays rugby- 2 of the most exciting games Iv seen in a long time. Brilliant rugby, and both NZ and Australia out, and England looking like weve got a spot in the final again :D :D :D

[Gebadire]

Great game for England yesterday! Fingers crossed they can go all the way! Lets hope the games today are good as well! at 300-1 to win, im guessing Fiji don't stand much of a chance!

[Frakus]

Was great games all around I was so pulling for Scottland after Ireland failed to make the finals. Right now I am thinking South Africa to win it they are looking real good, but so was Australia and NZ man what a crazy finish.

[Gebadire]

Well...England through to their second world cup final in a row! What a tense game yesterday! The student Union was heaving, and had one of the best atmospheres I have ever been in! And what an awesome finish! Wait and see today who we face, but It should be a cracking game next saturday who ever we play! Come on England!!

[xJoex]

He does it again! Going to be a tough final, whoever we play...

England FTW!

[Minty]

I couldnt believe the performance last night. It means more to them this time then it did 4 years ago, you could see it.

Thought we had more of a chance on when they brought Chebelle on after 25 minutes- you knew they werent planning on that till the 60th. We were fresh enough to control him. Same with Michilac on the 50th- seemed like they were desperate early. And after about 55 mins you could see we believed it. Was an incredibly disciplined performance by both forwards and backs.

When we got the penalty on 70ish mins, it was all over. Gave us the breathing space we needed which allowed Jonny to drop a kick under immense pressure. Then we were guarenteed extra time pretty much at worse case as long as we kept them on the sidelines- they tok their kicker off and Michi couldnt kick for toffee last night.

Well deserved win. I really hope we get another shot at South Africa- we would love a second crack at them. The 36-0 was the best thing that could happen to us in this tournament. We wouldnt be in the final without it. However, I have a real feeling the Pumas will beat the Boks.

[Gebadire]

Gutted about last night! Granted they were probably the better team in the end, but we were there the whole game, and had a few more chances to score than them, but gave away stupid penalties! Tripping someone up in the world cup final? Probably not the way to go! Anyway, we did really well to get there after our early form, and to be a very close second to the team of the tournament isn't a bad achievement at all! Well done lads!

[Cold Rival]

The try that wasn't...

The match exploded into controversy in the second minute of the second half when Mark Cueto, 27, the English winger, appeared to go over for a try in the corner.

But after a three-minute wait the score was disallowed for a foot in touch by the Australian fourth official, Stuart Dickinson. Instead, England was awarded a penalty which Wilkinson kicked to make the score 9-6 to England. If the England try had been given and converted, the team would have led 10-9.

In my opinion, Cueto's ankle/leg was off the turf as the ball was grounded, so if that was the case, then it was indeed a try. I cannot find any video evidence online that supports this (I suppose it's too early at the moment). I'm sure that if that try was allowed, things would have turned out very differently, but there's no point crying over spilt milk - what's done is done.

[jimbonoel]

I think that the referee's desicion was diabolical I don't know rugby that well and even I knew that was a try:@
South Africa played well though and so did ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DrH3rbz]

Real shame we lost, looked like it was indeed a try, but S.Africa were the favorites to win and showed why they were favorites, thought that we were still in it but then it went to high to catch in the last 20 minutes or so :(