WELSH OUT OF TUNE, IRISH JIG BACK HOME

by Don, With Malice...

As predicted, the Welsh & Irish are out of the Rugby World Cup. The weekend all pretty well went as discussed – tho’ some margins were incorrect.

In review:

England 36 – Tonga 20
In the end, England just had a little bit too much of everything for Tonga. Including some nasty decisions from the ref that went the way of the English, and some divine intervention in the way of very cold and wet conditions to play in. What made for a sloppy game, Jonny was Jonny yet again – the English win & head to Marseille where Australia lies in anticipation of their quarter final.

New Zealand 85 – Romania 8
Whilst there were a few slip-ups for the All Blacks, this was indeed naught more than a training run for them. The Romanian forwards were quite impressive, and for 75% of the game equal to the AB pack. However games go 80+ minutes, and you can’t only play 60 of ‘em. Added to this lack of stamina, the New Zealand backs ran the Romanians ragged.
A fitting end to pool play for NZ.

Australia 37 – Canada 6
The scoreline doesn’t do the Canadians justice, as they fought hard against a superior team all day (despite this being a ‘B’ side). Australia’s backs were more than Canada could handle – Drew Mitchell scoring a pair of tries that made him the leading try scorer in the tournament to date, passing David Campese’s Australian record of 6 tries in the tournament.
Australia now play England in the quarters, in a replay of 2003’s final.

Fiji 38 – Wales 34
The upset of the tournament, and one I predicted to occur. With everything on the line – as the winner would go to the QFs, the Welsh were surprised out of the gates by a rampant Fiji, but they had the discipline to peg them back. With but a few minutes to go, Wales took the lead – only to have it stolen back by Fijian Graham Dewes with only 6 minutes to go. The 4 points were enough, and Fiji head into the Quarters to play South Africa. Unfortunately they’ll do so without inspirational Nicky Little, who injured his knee in the dying minutes of the game.

Scotland 18 – Italy 16
Scotland win what was a lack-luster affair. Any game that’s won by the team that scores the fewest tries is just ‘wrong’ in my book. Not that Italy scored a brace – they scored one. But Scotland scored their 18 points off 6 penalty kicks. Ugh.

Argentina 30 – Ireland 15
Ireland have sorely embarrassed themselves this tournament. For the first time ever, they have scored fewer points than have been scored against them. They struggled pretty much in every game, and some serious soul-searching has to occur in the Emerald Isle. Argentina have scoured the NH opponents they’ve faced, and they have to face another in the Quarters – Scotland. I do not see Los Pumas having any problems with yet another NH opponent.

France 64 – Georgia 7
France have built up a bit of steam heading into their quarter-final clash with the seemingly indomitable All Blacks. Since losing to Argentina in the opening game of the tournament, they have done what should be done. In 1999, the French achieved the impossible, and beat an All Black unit counted as unbeatable, expelling them from the tournament. This year, I think they’ll find the ABs ready.

South Africa 64 – USA 15
The US have played some damn good rugby this World Cup, but go home without a win. Excellent performances in the games against England, Samoa and Tonga… and perhaps the try of the tournament by Ngwenya on South Africa’s Brian Habana.
The Springboks move to play Fiji in the QFs – and really shouldn’t have too much trouble there.

Quarter Finals...
England vs Australia – too much from the backs of the Wallabies. Aus by 20.
New Zealand vs France – Another good game, but the All Black machine rolls on to the tune of 24 points.
South Africa vs Fiji – The islanders’ race is run. ‘Boks by 30.
Argentina vs Scotland – winning purely on penalties isn’t enough. Los Pumas by 15.