Looks like Sean o brien is in trouble over here!some private txt messages of his going viral-got rubbered at a friends house and pissed in the laundry and apparently had sex with girl in blokes bed.Also just seen a clip of him topless trying to eat a spud absolutely legless.Someone is in big trouble!
Today two of the Rugby Union heavyweights step run out for another of their on going brutal clashes. The Republic of South Africa and New Zealand have a rich history that stretches back to the beginning of the last century, and for a vast majority of that time, have stood atop the world rankings. Before the introduction of the World Cup, these two Rugby powerhouses were ranked one and two in the World on 77 of 79 occasions. The All Blacks have been the bench mark for most of that period, with the Springboks winning 37% of their encounters. Australia is next with 27%. There can be no more fierce a clash in a World Cup semi than that between these two titans. Past players have described going into the games, as akin to going to war. Obviously that's a bit far fetched, but it gives an insight into the mentality of the combatants. These meetings mean the world to the Kiwis, but for the Boks, it seems to mean a bit more. If the spilling of blood is needed, there'll be a mass lining for the offering. South Africa go into match as the outsiders, and rightly so. Even the coach Heyneke Meyer has gone on record this week claiming that this New Zealand outfit is probably the finest of all time. This of course must be part of his pregame strategy, maybe he's trying to lull the All Blacks into a sense of complacency. He'll not be silly enough to believe this his ploy will send the Kiwis onto the park feeling that they only have to go through the motions to win. But Meyer will be looking for any edge he can get. One real advantage he might just have, comes in the shape of his tight five. The Boks have long held the opinion that this part of their pack is their real weapon, and they'll be out to use it to their best advantage. If they can get their engine room going forward, they'll hope to unleash their backs. This is a big if though. They struggled to get the ball across the white wash against Wales, and unless they can find ground to spring their back line, they could be in for a long night. Another thing they can't afford to do, is to play at New Zealand's pace, they'll get run over big time if they try matching the Kiwi's speed game. They need to slow down the play and concentrate on the set pieces, and turn the game into an arm wrestle. I think the Boks will probably think they'd do well if the skies opened. Kiwis for mine.
Yep Stick, the real teams get stuck into it now, not the B class outfits. Hang in there though mate, one day your grandchildren might just get to lift the trophy. Oh, sorry Stick, I forgot, you guys do than already, when you make the presentations.
Well I got the prediction right about NZ v SA being in one of the semi's, but can I get my bet on the Boks to come in by getting past the Kiwi's...? Got the bit wrong about England, but hey-ho, that's life... I'm hoping more than expecting SA to beat the AB's as they have looked good recently but if it gets to be a battle within the forwards then the Boks have a chance... As for the other semi then it would be great for the Puma's to reach the final but you would imagine that the Aussies will have too much for them. Their backs look in great form and with them pinching their forward coach, he will know the strengths and weakness's of his old side... But you just never know... Heart say's Boks to win by 8, head says AB's by 15... Puma's to go down fighting to the Aussies by 12...
I know nothing about rugby and don't watch it if I can help it but, based on a comment my daughter made the other day, I'll go for NZ to win (if they are still in it).
New Zealand should win it but although they can seem to be on a different planet to the oppo I find it hard to warm to them. They are a very cynical team and appear too often to get the rub of the green from the referee which given their brilliance they don't really need. If the much maligned Joubert had refereed the 2011 final properly they would probably as nervous as kittens going into their semi final this afternoon.
Hopefully SA give them a stern test this afternoon. Nothing as bad as an uncompetitive semi final game, would be great if it was tight going into the last 10, from a neutral point at least.
Why the 4 o'clock kick off? Those Saturday evening kick offs were excellent (plus got me out of watching X Factor )
Right old tussle but the right side came out on top- just. Now over to the Aussies and Argentina. I fancy the Aussies in the -20 handicap and have backed them as such. Cannot see the Argies turning up like they did last week and expect Aussies to boss them. No sitting on the fence.
Hope your right Top Class, but I fear the Argies. My heads telling me they'll have to much fire power for the Aussies. They look like a side that can score points for fun, and have got better as the tournaments gone on. Where as the Aussies look like a side who've already run their race after coming through a tough group
Last week was a get out of jail free card. Individual errors. This week they have the proper back row back and Israel Folau. I think they have far too much firepower for an Argentina side whose tournament will be left in the Milennium Stadium.
Just to elaborate on why its so different this week: Firstly, when I say the Argies have left their tournament in Cardiff, I think that's because they elevated their game to a new level. They were fantastic against Ireland and came out like a steam train. I just don't know if they can hit that intensity consistently against the Wallabies, who will be much-improved this week. Secondly, Australia are different to Ireland. Ireland are a very European side in style (for obvious reasons) and tend to have solid platforms and predictable foundations. What Argentina were absolutely brilliant at last week is that they never allowed Irelands defence to set. They steamrollered the ruck for quick ball and went very wide from side to side until they found Irish forwards labouring in the back line. Ireland lost all formation and platform and found themselves scrambling. They would have had problems regardess but to lose Sean O'Brien and Paul O'Connell was massive, particularly in leadership terms but O'Brien would have slowed Argentinas ball down and prevented this massive stretch attack. This week, the Argies face Pocock and Hooper. They'll be at every ruck and they will cause complete havoc. IF Argentina do try to stretch this game, they are taking on the wrong side. Australia are perhaps the best counter attacking, athletic rugby side in the world and they prefer an open game as opposed to a tight physical one. Argentina may be better suited to tighten this game up, but the issue with that is what we saw when England played Australia- if you are too direct and unimaginative, their back row will just slow you down and steal from you at the breakdown. I think Argentina will find themselves in catch 22 and that they will end up being a little scrambled by Australia, providing the Wallabies bring their A Game.
What a struggle yesterday's game was. A tough, grinding affair. The Kiwis deserved the win, but it was a shame from the Boks perspective that they ballsed up that line out with about 5 minutes left on the clock. Deep in NZ territory, the game was theirs for the taking...until Victor Matfield had a word with the hooker. They threw long and lost the lineout. Crazy stuff. When 2 points down with time running out, ball security is paramount. Take the short throw to the from of the line, maul it towards the middle and take a shot at goal. The maul is one of their strengths, use it. Once the ball is thrown long, the odds of retaining it drop. That said, the New Zealand crew deserved the win.
