Rugby: Australia vs. New Zealand, a Tale of Two Countries, a Clash of Confidence

"Four more years, boys."Four innocuous words that still resonate loudly in the ears of many All Blacks fans. For these four words were uttered in the closing stages of the last match these two behemoths played at a Rugby World Cup. It was 2003. Sydney. A semifinal match that the Australians won 22-10.Australia and New Zealand have always shared an unusual relationship. To outside observers the people of both countries are like peas in a pod. People who intermingle freely at so many different events due to an apparent similarity in culture. New world countries with similar family... 

Rugby World Cup 2011: New Zealand vs Argentina Game Recap

Argentina were given a hard introduction to the culture of Tri--Nations rugby yesterday, when they lost to the world's No. 1 team and World Cup favorite New Zealand All Blacks. It never hurts, of course, that the tournament is being held in New Zealand.Though Los Pumas, who are set to be added to the Tri--Nations tournament in 2012, trailed in the final score, 33-10, they remained steadfast in their dogged gameplan, and forced New Zealand to fight for it.It was Argentina's Julio Farias Cabello who scored the first try of the game at around the 31 minute mark.New Zealand's... 

Rugby World Cup 2011: Weepu Kicks All Blacks to Victory; Still Plenty to Ponder

Piri Weepu kicked seven penalty goals to ensure the All Blacks will progress through to the semifinals of Rugby World Cup 2011. However, the win was much harder work than many had anticipated, as they got home over Argentina 33-10, in a scoreline that didn't reflect the closeness and intensity of the game.It was a tight game that saw the All Blacks struggle to make use of their lethal backline, as Argentina did a good job of slowing the All Blacks ball at the breakdown, allowing their defence to regroup. The Pumas' defence was outstanding, taking everything the All Blacks threw at them, holding... 

Rugby World Cup 2011 Quarterfinals: Here’s the Stories That Won’t Make the News

Just before you get sick of reading reviews of the quarterfinals and start reading previews of the semis, here's a list of unfeasible murmurings that definitely won't make the newspapers. (1) After the Welsh performance against Ireland (with plenty of free-flowing rugby) the IRB have launched an enquiry to confirm if Wales (as in the country) is actually located in the Northern Hemisphere. (2) Warren Gatland (the New Zealand born Welsh coach) would be nuts to change jobs before 2015. The young Welsh team has proved they're the one to keep an eye on over the next few years. (3) Ireland, Scotland,... 

Rugby World Cup 2011: Last Round for Martin Johnson’s England Rugby Team

Sorry England. As in, that was a "sorry England performance."Where no team can beat England is column centimetres generated. However, the England headlines are usually headache creators rather than cause for celebrations. Off the field, on the field, offsides and online; this was a World Cup where England scored poor marks across all domains.One things for certain is that Eve (as in Adam and Eve) must have been English. Maybe a well endowed Mancunian or Geordie lass, whose cleavage was too hard to resist. Since those ancient biblical times this gene of weakness has been passed down through generations... 

Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales, France Claim Wins in 1st Quarterfinals

Wales and France have both won brutal games to see them progress through to the semifinals of Rugby World Cup 2011. The results see that Ireland and England both go home, in what was a massive disappointment for both teams. Wales 22 Ireland 10Wales defence held strong as they withstood wave after wave of attack from Ireland to claim a famous victory in one of the most anticipated games of the Rugby World Cup thus far.After an early try, Wales were made to defend for nearly the entire first half, as Ireland applied continuous pressure, looking to attack through all areas of the Welsh defence.... 

Rugby World Cup 2011: England vs. France Game Recap

"Les Bleus vont se battre a nouveau!" one could say (thanks Google Translator), following the French victory, 19-12, over England on October 8. The win, which comes 205 years to the day after the English bombardment of the French sea side city of Boulogne, not only exacts some long overdue revenge on English Admiral Sir Edward Owen (thanks Wikipedia), it also puts the French one step closer to hoisting their first Webb Ellis Cup. France will now take on Wales in semifinal one on October 15 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The match began with England attacking the French territory with... 

Rugby World Cup 2011: Why England Failed

It’s over. England’s stuttering World Cup campaign came to end with a comprehensive 19-12 defeat to France in the quarterfinals. The damage was done in the first half, as tries by Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard gave the French a 16-0 lead they never relinquished. Now the inquest begins.The English media, not renowned for its sympathy toward failure, will be unrelenting, tearing Coach Martin Johnson and the players to shreds over the next few days. So where did it go wrong for the nation with the most money, resources and players?Begin Slideshow Read More →

Rugby World Cup: England Are a Disgrace (Part 2)

I wrote the first article in the middle of the Georgia matches. The old warning signs were there.What was different was that, in my opinion, the off-field shenanigans had fuelled the on-field indiscipline.I hoped that lots of serious rugby followers would read it and somehow find a way to get the message across. I half-hoped that somebody in a position of influence would read it and get Johnson to jump all over it.Frankly, taking on and off field, England have been the most undisciplined "professional" international rugby side I can remember since.... England and a bottle of aftershave in Paris... 

Rugby World Cup 2011: Wales V. Ireland Game Recap

It was Wales over Ireland, 22-10, in the first Quarter Final match of Rugby World Cup 2011.The loss for the Irish marks the end of famed outside-center and captain Brian O'Driscoll's appearances in World Cup competition. Other top players for the Irish are expected to sit out the next World Cup of 2015 as well, such as No. 5 Paul O'Connell and his locking partner, No. 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, and left wing Ronan O'Gara.  The match was easily the best the Welsh have played since their one-point loss to the defending champions South Africa on September 11.Wales... 

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