MASSIVE WEEK IN RUGBY WORLD CUP...

by Don, With Malice…

Rugby World Cup, well… the week in review:

1. Scotland 42 – Namibia 0. The Scots did well here, keeping any team from scoring in a World Cup is a feat. Still, only a minnow, and the Scots will have to improve considerably if they’re to threaten any of the major powers.

2. Italy 31 – Romania 5. Ugh. Ugly, ugly game. Italians face Scotland end of this week, and the winner will go on to the Quarters. Won’t be Italy.

3. Wales 72 – Japan 18. Despite the scoreline, Japan were in this for quite a while. They actually had more territory gained than Wales, tho’ the Welsh had a greater time of possession. Wales face Fiji to see who will join Australia from this pool to go to the Quarters… and they have their work cut out for them. Bloody awful.

4. France 25 – Ireland 3. Ireland have gone steadily from bad to worse this World Cup… and this loss just about finishes it. They face an in-form Argentina this week & must beat them by a considerable amount to get through. Not. Going. To. Happen. The French are on the improve… look out for them in the Quarters…

5. South Africa 30 – Tonga 25. South Africa – you’ve used your “get-out-of-jail-free” card. Starting what was almost their ‘B’ side, the ‘Boks went into the half-time break down by 3. Shocked into bringing 4 resting stars on, they still only just fell in. 2 more minutes, and Tonga win this game. And that would’ve been one of the upsets of the century.

6. England 44 – Samoa 22. Despite this score, Samoa were in this. Only the boot of Jonny Wilkinson won the game here (2 drop-goals, 3 conversions, 4 penalties). Still not convinced England can get past Tonga, let alone make the QFs.

7. Argentina 63 – Namibia 3. Only team to not have a try scored against them thus far, Los Pumas look very strong indeed. Namibia are going to be lucky to win a game this WC… I don’t think they can get their last game against Georgia.

8. Australia 55 – Fiji 12. There were times when Australia didn’t look too convincing in this game, & I for one believe that’s just testament to the impact skipper Sterling Mortlock has on the team – he was resting. Chris Latham was in awesome form – his tactical kicking is amongst the best in the game.
Still, Australia have yet to be seriously challenged in the tournament thus far. Fiji look to Wales, and the possibility of a QF berth.

9. New Zealand 40 – Scotland 0. Bloody confusing affair – Scotland as home team insisted that the All Blacks don’t wear their black uniforms as it would clash with their dark navy home strips, then the SCOTS wear their away strip & it’s difficult at times to tell them apart. Whoever made that decision should be shot.
Anyway… the All Blacks waaaaaaay above anyone else in their pool – as proven by their slaughter of ‘Scotland the Brave’.

On to next week:

Scotland play Italy - winner through to QFs...
Tonga play England - winner through to QFs...
Wales play Fiji - winner through to QFs...
Argentina play Ireland - winner through to QFs... but Ireland would have to beat Los Pumas by a lot.