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RWC Final review
Looking back at previous RWC finals, there have generally been only a few points in it and only a few tries scored, and this one was no different. I’m sure many supporters were optimistic of a convincing attacking display from New Zealand, but that was never going to be true to history. Read more…
RWC – Third and Fourth playoff review
The Australians managed to overcome the shock of losing stars Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper to injury and led their team to a 21-18 win. Berrick Barnes, who has spent most of Australia’s World Cup campaign on the bench, was the hero on the day for the Wallabies, earning the man of the match award for his outstanding display. Which kinda leads you to think, why was he not playing earlier in the semi? Read more…
RWC 2011 Finals Preview
On Sunday night we will finally crown our RWC champion. Four years have flown by in just about no time. It is guaranteed to be a nerve-jangling culmination of 7 weeks of ferocious test match rugby, with the victor deserving the title of world champion and number one team in the world. Read more…
David Does RWC – Semi Finals
The semi finals are now in the books, with both New Zealand and France facing off for the greatest prize in world rugby. But how did they each perform in the match that got them to this stage? David Shipton picks apart both semi finals in this great edition of David Does RWC. Read more…
RWC Semi Final Preview
This is it! Two of the biggest games of rugby you will ever see will take place this weekend, with four teams vying for a spot in the 2011 RWC final. David is here to preview both these matches, giving his tip for each. Do you agree with him? Let us know in the comments. Read more…
David Does RWC quarter finals
Our Chief Rugby Analyst is back with his take on the quarter finals. How did your team perform? Where can they improve? Read on to see how David saw the first knock-out stage of the tournament. Read more…
David does RWC days 18, 19 and 20
David does RWC – Days 18, 19 and 20
Sorry this has been a bit late, but I’ve been really busy of late. The atmosphere up in Auckland for the games was amazing. I have to give props to the organisers of the RWC as they have done a superb job on creating such a good tournament. Both at the game and in the fanzone, it was great to see that heaps of people were getting into the games and supporting their team. Read more…
David does RWC – Days 15, 16 and 17
The 2011 Rugby World Cup is well under way in New Zealand, and we’ve sent our Chief Rugby Analyst David Shipton along to cover the entire tournament for us (well… not really. He lives there.)
RWC Days 15, 16 and 17
The RWC has been chugging along quite nicely so far. There was a lot of talk in the build up to the RWC as to if New Zealand would be able to host a good RWC. There were fears that that the All Blacks would be the only team supported and that the other teams really would not get a look in. However, most of the crowds (the majority kiwis) have really gotten behind other teams and have really decided to adopt a second team. It has been really enjoyable to watch on the TV/Fan Zone. I will be, however, travel up to Auckland to watch to South Africa v Samoa game (watch for me in the crowd) and will give you an update on facilities there.
David does RWC – Days 12, 13 and 14
The 2011 Rugby World Cup is well under way in New Zealand, and we’ve sent our Chief Rugby Analyst David Shipton along to cover the entire tournament for us (well… not really. He lives there.)
RWC Days 12, 13 and 14
As per the last article I want to start this one with a bit of a rant. I was watching Argentina and Scotland play in really bad conditions, and couldn’t happen to notice that there was quite a high injury toll during the match. Now, if the injury to the player is serious enough, the ref will stop play and award a scrum. This is generally also done to stop the injured player and the medics getting in the way of the game.
However, on Sunday night I watched as Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe got what seemed to be a serious enough injury, yet nothing was done about it. A couple of seconds later the play was round him, and he couldn’t get out of the way (he had done something to his knee and therefore could not walk off). There were several Argentinean rucks only meters away from where he lay with a medic guarding him, and on several of them he influenced the play. Now this is just unacceptable. You cannot have an injured player influencing the game like Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe did (no fault of his). He should have been allowed to go straight off instead of having the possibility of a ruck potentially forming near or even on him, and having an influence on play. The IRB have dropped the ball on this one for me. Read more…
David does RWC – Days 9, 10 and 11
The 2011 Rugby World Cup is well under way in New Zealand, and we’ve sent our Chief Rugby Analyst David Shipton along to cover the entire tournament for us (well… not really. He lives there.)
RWC Days 9, 10 and 11
The RWC has marched on through the week, only taking a break on Monday. The minnow nations that are taking part are beginning to tire a bit and I don’t really blame them. This is one area that I think the IRB needs to take a look at. The minnow’s (basically everyone bar those in the Six Nations and Tri Nations plus Argentina) have had such quick turnarounds that they are getting fatigued in the last 20 minutes of the game and letting the bigger sides romp all over them. How is it fair that they regularly have to play 2 games in a week (including at least one against the top dogs) yet none of the top teams have to play more than once a week? It would help even the playing field so much if they did this. Teams like Fiji and Samoa have enough talent to be competitive and win games against the top 10 but will stand no chance if they have had to back up a couple of days later and play a strong and well rested side? Anyway that’s my rant over, now onto the games. Read more…
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