Now that was a good weekend of rugby
Alright, maybe the Scotland-Argentina error-fest wasn’t exactly a classic, but the other three RWC quarter-finals were incredible.
Earlier this afternoon, a decidedly shaky looking South Africa just scraped past Fiji in an absolute corker of a match. When Fiji start running with the ball in their hands, there is no team in the world better to watch. Some of their tackling, though… yikes.
And yesterday? What a day. It’s not the done thing to say this aloud here in Wales, but I was actually very pleased to see England stick one over on the Aussies.
Australia had to have been the most over-rated team of the tournament by far — a woeful pack and an average-at-best back line. Lote Tuqiri thought England only have one world-class back in Jason Robinson, but someone remind me how many tries Tuqiri scored in this World Cup? Oh yeah, zero.
And then last night with France beating New Zealand? One word: Wow. It even got Eddie Butler all worked up. It got off to a great start with France fronting up to the Haka, and the second half was probably the best 40 minutes of rugby I’ve ever seen.
I don’t mean to blow my own trumpet or anything, but I did have a tenner on France at 8/1 to win the whole tournament before it started. I wasn’t very confident after the opening match against Argentina, obviously, and France are still one of the least consistent sides in the world, but now I’m feeling slightly better. Allez les Bleus and all that.
Oh, and from my wallet’s point of view, that was never a forward pass. Well done ref.
And New Zealand? They’re still the best team in the world, but that don’t mean crap if you also hold the title of the biggest chokers in the world. Four more years, boys.
Andrew @ October 7, 2007