Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 8th November 2007
When Graham Henry was appointed as All Blacks coach in 2003, he was given one simple goal: win the 2007 World Cup. Henry not only failed to do that, he was given everything he wanted to achieve that goal and for that reason he has to go.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 23rd October 2007
During pool play at the Rugby World Cup there was free and opening running but in the knockout stage the game was dominated by stifling defence. The South African’s ability to switch gears was one of the major reasons they now have the Webb Ellis trophy for the next four years.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 21st October 2007
In a titanic struggle fitting of the World Cup final it was South Africa who made the most of their chances to claim their second World Cup title with a 15-6 win over England at Stad de France.
Posted in England, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 19th October 2007
The IRB have finally admitted what All Blacks fans knew all along, Wayne Barnes made a number of mistakes in the quarter-final between New Zealand and France. However their public backing of Barnes raises a number of questions.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 15th October 2007
An interesting statistic was posted by Rugby News Service on the Rugby World Cup site that makes for some quite interesting reading.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 14th October 2007
The only two remaining undefeated teams at Rugby World Cup 2007 meet at Stad de France on Sunday evening with a place against England in the World Cup final at stake. It doesn’t get much bigger than this.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, South Africa, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 14th October 2007
England hung tough, trailing for most of the game before 2003 hero Jonny Wilkinson produced some more heroics in the dying moments of the game to kick his team into the final with a 14-9 victory over France at Stad de France.
Posted in England, Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 13th October 2007
It may be a replay of a semi final from the last World Cup, but France will be doing anything they can to avoid a repeat of their 2003 performance, while England will be hoping they can repeat their triumph of four years ago.
Posted in England, Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 9th October 2007
I was lucky enough to go to the World Cup this year, thanks to Sportingo and now that I have been back in New Zealand for over a week and have had a chance to reflect on my experiences, I thought I might share a few stories that I find myself telling often.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, blog, opinion | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 8th October 2007
After the All Blacks crashed to their earliest exit ever in a World Cup, the calls for blood letting and the search for a scapegoat has already begun in New Zealand. But the blame rests entirely with the players.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
