Congratulations for your first world cup since 1966, the one you stole from us... :beer:
Yep, but they sure as hell made it as hard for themselves as they possibly could. I watched it with a couple of friends prior to the game we all thought the only team that could beat us was ourselves, and we nearly did. But, who cares, we're world champions at something!
I'm not big on rugby but have spoke to a few people who follow it passionately. MOst of them said they expected England to win, but that with the style in which they play, it would be bad for the game. The team's obviously going to play to its strengths, and it's main threat is of course Wilkonson. But that style of play doesn't seem to appeal to much to the people I know who follow the game. And England winning could therefore be *bad* for the game. It would be like if Italy were to win the football world cup. In their casethe stereotype Italy team would score one, then shut up shop with all men in defense. If teams start winning like this, then it sets a trend. Yet another reason why victories like Celtics over (the ultra defensive), Inter Milan are so significant Yea, and well done.
Well we made a bit of a meal of it and should really have wone comfortably (and saved my fraying nerves), but who cares, a win is a win:banana: :boogie:
Amazingly tense game. England with a good lead at half time and then blow it in the second half. Aussies are 3 points behind just before the end of normal time and then put a late penalty over. England then go 3 up and, again Aussies get a penalty back and square the game late one. Then, with a minute or two to go, Golden Boots, who's been missing drop goals all game, get's one final chance to get it right - with his "wrong foot" and he slots it over. If you made a movie with that script people would say it was unbelievable and that things don't ever happen like that in reality! Matt.
It was a great time to get the christmas shopping done, Nottingham was half-empty and very quiet (except from the roars coming from the pubs)
They showed Wilkinsons's MOther out shopping at her local Tesco's during the match! Too nervous to watch it.
I think we won News from the land downunder then and now; http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522481039.html http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522474721.html http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522474724.html http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522474733.html http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522474769.html http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522474772.html http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522474775.html http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/articles/2003/11/23/1069522477998.html Auric
reading a few of those aussie news peices, with every couple of lines trying to put down england in some, petty and childish tbh. LOL we Won
I know almost nothing about this game, but scoring points mostly kicking the ball doesnt sound very stylish to me... NZ scored more touch-downs then AUS, isnt that what the game is mostly about...
It's the same rules for everyone - the Aussies could have kicked points too...if they had a decent kicker If you just look at the final though Australia and England both scored 5 points from tries (the proper word for touchdowns in Rugby) and 12 points from penalty kicks. England then of course scored the winning extra 3 points with a kick aswell. It varies from game to game - some have a lot of tries, others are just points from kicking. A good team has to be good at everything. Michael. PS: what channel was it showing on in Portugal - was it only on SportTV? I'm glad I was in England for the game :MILD:
Yes, it was SporTV, you have to get a Powerbox... But New Zeland scored more tries then Australia, didn't they, isn't that supposed to be better rugby...
the game is all down to how the skills lie in the team if you both have good defence then the chances are it will be a game thats desided by kicks. When England played Wales, Wales got 4 trys to Englands 1 so Wales had better attacking then Englands defence but Wales consided to many penalties which is why England Came through with the Kicking.
Yup, penalties are there for a reason! If you concede them expect to be punished IMHO, England largely dominated the play so overall I think the result was the right one. A great, tense and exciting game, with a final twist that had me jumping out of my chair : echoes of Rob Andrews last minute drop goal against Australia in the semi final years ago! The only downside is that it has given the media a classic opportunity to go ludicrously over the top - another example of media hysteria. Anyway, well done lads
