NORTHERN HEMISPHERE: YOU SUCK!

by Don, With Malice...

Since the last update of the Rugby World Cup 07, the Northern Hemisphere big-boys have continued to be sucktastic, whilst the 'minnows' & Southern Hemisphere powers have continued to impress.

1. South Africa 36 - England 0. Yup, the current title holders are in serious danger of not even making it out of pool-play. Never in the history of the World Cup has the previous Cup's winner been beaten so comprehensively. The only English player who looked at all like he'd come to play was Andy Robinson, and he went off in the 57th minute with a torn hamstring. The Boks were damn impressive, and ran over the English at will. The English Rose looked tired & cumbersome - I cannot see them getting beyond the quarters... as mentioned before, they will have trouble getting that far!

2. New Zealand 108 - Portugal 13. A pretty impressive performance - by Portugal! Yes, to score a try when you're a minnow against the best team in the world is indeed, an impressive feat. Still, the All Blacks trotted out a 2nd string line-up, and still got the biggest score differential thus far this tournament.
All Black 'Ka Mate' Haka versus Portugal...


3. Australia 32 - Wales 20. Played in Cardiff, Wales (yeah... pretty crappy for a tournament supposedly held in France)... the Wallabies fought both a disgustingly unstable surface and a pathetic refereeing performance from Kiwi Steve Walsh. They got out in front early and despite the occasional threat from Wales, defended their score well. Two yellow cards towards the end (and the resulting expulsions to the sin-bin), made it appear closer than it should have. Disgusted that Drew Mitchell was carded, but Welsh Captain Gareth Thomas got off with a 'talking to' for his extremely late & hard hit on Australian newcomer Berrick Barnes.

4. Ireland 14 - Georgia 10. Yet again Ireland have one helluva time beating a team they were expected to THRASH. One of the 'powers-of-rugby' that the Northern Hemisphere had been boasting about, and at this point in time, it's very difficult to see them getting by France & Argentina. Quite simply, the Irish were lucky to get away with this one. They are floundering in the deep end, and Georgia smelt the blood. Ireland have played the two minnows of the pool in Namibia (32-17) and Georgia. Failing to get the bonus point for 4 tries here may make the difference in seeing who goes through to the finals, with the Irish yet to face Les Bleus or Los Pumas. In my mind - Ireland will be able to sample the French wine a lil' earlier than Argentina or France.

5. Fiji 29 - Canada 16 (in Cardiff). Welsh commentary. Ugh. Had to put up with the parochial buggers in the Wales/Australia game, and this was almost as bad. Very pro-Canada (some ex-Welsh playing there)...
Still, the uncertain footing of the surface made it closer than it should've been - with the Fijian boys struggling to play the running game. Canada did fight hard, but the strength out wide of the Islanders made it just an impossible task.
The game versus an injury-depleted Japan could be a damn interesting one for Canada on the 25th...

6. Tonga 19 - Samoa 15. This was huge. Two of the hardest-hitting teams in the tournament... For these two sides, here's your World Cup right here!
Earlier this year Tonga were beaten by Samoa by some 50 points... so for the Tongans to get up here was awesome. They simply played with more hustle, more passion than the Samoans.
Samoa vs Tonga - Kailao vs Sipi Tau


7. France 87 - Namibia 10. The fact that the Irish only managed to beat the Namibians by 15 still amazes me. This smashing victory by Les Bleus puts that in sharp contrast. Finally, a performance by one of the Northern Hemisphere powers worth commenting on. France didn't do anything special tho' - this is just what was expected. France loom large for Ireland, coming up on Friday.