Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 7th October 2007
France have shocked the rugby world by dumping the tournament favourites out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup by 20-18 in Cardiff.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, rugby | 1 Comment »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 6th October 2007
The focus during the build up to the second of the quarterfinals between New Zealand and France has been on, of all things, which jersey each team will wear. But regardless of what the teams are wearing, it is the French who will be singing the blues.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 5th October 2007
It is quarterfinal weekend at the Rugby World Cup 2007 in France and up first are Australia and England in Marseille on Saturday.
Posted in Australia, England, Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 2nd October 2007
The Rugby World Cup began a little over three weeks ago and has treated fans to some wonderful rugby so far, but the festival atmosphere and high scoring games are about to come to an end as the tournament shifts gear into the knockout phase.
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, England, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 2nd October 2007
Overnight in Paris an IRB judicial hearing found All Black Sione Lauaki guilty of a dangerous tackle and handed down a two week suspension. Given the minor nature of the infraction, it would appear that the IRB crack down has finally reached ridiculous proportions.
Posted in All Blacks, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion | 1 Comment »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 30th September 2007
The draw said today’s Pool B clash between Wales and Fiji in Nantes was just another pool game, but it was effectively sudden death to decide which team would qualify as the runner up in Pool B. In perhaps best game of the World Cup so far, Fiji stunned the more fancied Welsh 38-34 to move through to the quarterfinals where they will face South Africa.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 14th September 2007
The clash of these two rugby powerhouses will not only determine the winner of Pool A, but with the prospect of facing either Scotland or Italy it also provides the winner with an easier road to the semi final. The loser of this game will find their road to the semi final goes through the Wallabies.
Posted in England, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 10th September 2007
The opening weekend of the 2007 Rugby World Cup has shown that referees have been given a mandate to deal with foul play harshly, and as the world is focussed on France, showing non rugby fans that foul play is not part of rugby can only raise the profile of the sport.
Posted in All Blacks, England, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, opinion, rugby | 1 Comment »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 10th September 2007
All of the major teams at Rugby World Cup 2007 have now played one game and, while the quality of opposition varied, some teams have put in very good performances and others will have alarm bells ringing after poor showings. The divide between Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams has been obvious as the Southern Hemisphere teams have all played well, while the performances from their Northern rivals ranged from average to dreadful.
Posted in All Blacks, Australia, England, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, South Africa, opinion, rugby | No Comments »
Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 8th September 2007
The World Cup got under way in front of a vocal sell-out crowd at Stad de France in Saint Denis where the host nation France took on Argentina. In a shocking upset Los Pumas dominated a flat and idealess French side and won 17-12.
Posted in Rugby World Cup, rugby | No Comments »
