England VS South Africa

[Tomfurbs]

bring on the beers!

[Oli]

South Africa crush England 36-0 in Paris
PARIS, 14 September - A polished and ruthless South Africa scored 36 unanswered points as IRB Rugby World Cup holders England saw their grip on the trophy loosen.

South Africa were superior in every part of the field, consigning England to a first blank scoreline in their world cup history.

Jason Robinson was one of the few bright sparks for England, catching a series of high balls and providing most of his side's scant penetration. But it wasn't enough to counter the talent and nous of the Springboks, and just 57 minutes had passed when Robinson left the field, injured and bloodied by his efforts.

Behind 20-0 at the break after a masterclass from South Africa scrum half Fourie du Preez, the second half began with more bad news for England as Percy Montgomery added three points from a penalty. Then a Robinson-inspired move saw veteran Ben Kay presented with a golden opportunity to put Paul Sackey through on the left wing, but he tamely kicked straight into grateful South African arms.

Montgomery put his third penalty in the bag, to add to his two conversions, on 55 minutes. Then, England suffered a hammer blow just as a try was in their sights.

Acres of space opened up on the left as England worked the ball out to Robinson. But just as he started off on his run, with Josh Lewsey on the outside, he pulled up and hobbled to a standstill clutching his left hamstring. He was helped off the field, shirt spattered in blood from a wound above his right eye, to be replaced by Mathew Tait.

Without their star player, England fell further behind. Francois Steyn jinked out to the right and offloaded to du Preez, who had a simple task in putting JP Pietersen through for his second try. Montgomery converted to make it 33-0 and keep his 100 per cent conversion and penalty record, kicking a further penalty a minute from time to rack up 18 points from the boot.

Du Preez's intelligent kicking caused England all sorts of problems in the first half after South Africa took a lead through Juan Smith's sixth-minute try and Montgomery's conversion. Then Steyn struck a penalty to make it 10-0.

South Africa had England pegged back for most of the half and an infringement from prop Matt Stevens allowed Montgomery to kick a penalty and make it 13-0 four minutes from the whistle.

Seconds later, Pietersen finished a length-of-field break to leave England already staring defeat in the face.


http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/teams/team=39/index.html

[ParisTlover]

Who do you think will go on to win it?
The All Blacks
The Wallabys
The Springboks
The Puma's
Les Bleus
Or another team?

[ARMANIXXX]

I thought this was a soccer thread.


*shrug*

[Oli]

England beat France to book place in final

PARIS, 13 October - Jonny Wilkinson performed more world cup heroics at the Stade de France on Saturday night to steer England to a 14-9 victory over France and send them into their second consecutive world cup final.

Wilkinson's goal-kicking had again been below par, landing only one of five attempts prior to his match-winning contribution.

But he delivered when it mattered most, kicking a penalty on 75 minutes after a dangerous tackle on Jason Robinson, then landing a drop goal on 78 minutes to clinch the victory.

In what had been a tense, closely fought match France looked to have the edge when they led 9-8 with five minutes remaining.

The hosts had led England 6-5 at half time after an even opening 40 minutes dominated by the boot. Both sides battled to assert their authority but neither were able to gain control.

England opened the match in sensational style when wing Josh Lewsey took advantage of a fortuitous bounce to crash over in the corner inside two minutes, though France full back Damien Traille should have been more assertive in attacking the ball to clear the danger.

The England try stung France into action and Lionel Beauxis had reduced the margin to two points when he kicked truly on eight minutes after England were penalised for not staying on their feet in a ruck.

And the fly half booted France ahead 6-5 when he landed another penalty goal on 18 minutes from just inside 50 metres after England were penalised for incorrect binding at the scrum.

Beauxis booted France further ahead four minutes after the restart when England conceded a penalty for coming in at the side of a ruck.

But Wilkinson finally found his kicking boot to cancel that out three minutes later after France were penalised for the same offence.

However, the England fly half missed again on 59 minutes when he wobbled another snapped drop goal attempt with his right boot off an upright back into French possession.

When it mattered most, though, Wilkinson again proved England's go-to man and he didn't fail them.

Looks like England wants some revenge against the 'Boks. South Africa/Argentina tomorrow for the other spot in the final.

[Night Rider]

if england win we'll NEVER hear the end of it. 1966 is still fresh in there minds!

[Oli]

South Africa 37 - Argentina 13

Final next Saturday

Go Boks.

[Night Rider]

oh dear!!! south africa 15 - 6 england..it was a close match and england had a try disallowed that probably should have been given. Argentina were the team of the tournament even though they finished 3rd

[bob85]

i agree with Argentina being the team of the tourney
they really showed they should be considered one of the top teams, especially when it comes to the 10 nation cup

personally i am an Australian fan, but they dont have any forward play, thats what ruined it for them once again

i was happy to see South Africa win it rather than the English