Rugby Mad Blog

Third-place playoffs are normally renowned for being pretty dire affairs, with neither team’s heart usually in it. But I gather the France vs Argentina rematch was anything but.

I’m spitting feathers at ITV4, who I thought were showing the match. But when it came time to record the game (I was out on for the evening), all I got was several episdoes of “Police, Camera, Action”. Merde alors!

So I’ll have to content myself with reading the match reports from BBC Sport and the official Rugby World Cup website. Sounds like I missed a good ‘un. [Right, Aurelien Rougerie]

The French must be kicking themselves too; having lost to the Pumas once in the pool stage, the hosts were surely looking for revenge and a chance to save some face. But it wasn’t to be – especially with Argentina running in five tries to the Frogs’ one! Clement Poitrenaud [left] scored the only French try. Not the way Mad Bernie Laporte would have wanted to end his career as French coach, before ascending to the heady heights of Sports Minister.

Still, the Argentinians can hold their heads up high at a job well done. They’ve had a momentous World Cup, and have surely done enough for their case to be let into a major tournament to be taken seriously. They have also entertained along the way, showing some superb flair, flowing rugby and silky skills – just a shame it didn’t happen against South Africa last weekend!

[Argentina smash a French attack during their pool game on 7th Sept.]

Quite a few of the players from both sides will be retiring now, so it’s certainly the end of an era all round. I’m sure the Pumas will remember it more fondly than the French!

Finally, I heard a great joke the other day:
Q: What do you call the playoff for 7th and 8th place?
A: The Bledisloe Cup

It started with about five minutes of ping-pong, and just when it looked like the Pumas were making a break, South Africa struck back with an interception and Fourie du Preez [right] sprinted miles to cross for the Boks. Percy Montgomery added the extras and South Africa were 7-0 ahead.

Juan Martín Hernández had a half-hearted attempt at a drop goal at 9 minutes, but it went nowhere. A few minutes later, Juan Smith was judged to have obstructed Agustin Pichot off the ball, and Felipe Contepomi took the points to bring them back to 7-3. But then the Pumas let a pentalty go themselves, and Monty hit back with another three – 10-3.

It was the Boks who infringed again at the breakdown – Felipe Contepomi was unable to add the three points. At the restart, Lucas Borges [left] fumbled the ball horribly and nearly found Bryan Habana over the line with the ball – but Argentina hit back with an attacking run and a lovely kick for touch. The Puma forwards rolled a maul from the lineout, for a good few metres. But the Springboks backed off slightly and the Argentines were pinged for “truck and trailer” moves. Cunning strategy from the Boks?

At 23 minutes, Francois Steyn went for a drop goal from inside his own half, but it just bobbled along the floor into Argentine hands. The next Boks’ lineout was a bit of a mess, with the greens having to mop up at the back. They won the ball, just, but were then caught holding on. A shame that the next Pumas’ lineout was stolen by the South Africans.

At 28 minutes, Argentina won another penalty with the Boks holding on, this time Contepomi made no mistake, and it was 10-6. Despite the scoreline, I think the Argentines have been playing the better rugby in the first half hour.

Habana took a high kick and set off down the wing, but the Pumas’ defence was good, and the Boks were turned over. They made more inroads into the South African 22, but they turned over again, it was slung wide to Habana who chipped ahead, and off he went, ripping up the turf. Montgomery’s kick went plumb through the middle and it was 17-6.

With a minute to go before the break, Argentina fumbled the ball in their own half and it was picked up by Steyn – it went through Jaque Fourie, and Schalk Burger [right] to Danie Rossouw who dived over for a nail-in-coffin try – especially when Percy punted the two points. The Pumas went in with heavy hearts and 24-6 down.

The Pumas needed to keep the error count down in the second half, and not try too hard, just get the basics right. Argentina pushed a huge scrum and knocked the Boks back, and when they moaned about the penalty, ref Steve Walsh made them retreat another 10m! Hernadez’ massive boot kicked the ball deep into Bok territory. They camped down in the South African half for several minutes, Mario Ledesma took it up to 2m in front of the line, then it was spun wide with men over. Manuel Contepomi [left] was the man over the line, and the score was declared good by TMO Spreaders after a bit of deliberation. Brother Felipe Contepomi added the extra points and the Argentines were back in at 24-13.

Soon afterwards, the Pumas knicked a Springbok lineout but knocked on a phase or two later. But the South African scrum collapsed and the Pumas kicked long for territory deep in the SA half. The Boks stole the lineout and cleared, but then fumbled the possession when it came back to them.

At 52 minutes, Argentina won a penalty for offside, and Contepomi was quick to step up for the kick. It banana’d wide, so the score remained static. Argentina had a half opportunity, but then at 62 minutes, Habana took off for the line but had received a forward pass.

The next Argentine scrum was solid. Then Habana was caught offside and the Pumas kicked long for a lineout. It was stolen by the South Africans, who promptly kicked it back into the Pumas’ half. A minute later, Argentina were pinged in the Boks’ half, and Francois Steyn stepped up for a huge penalty – it just didn’t quite have the length.

Then Pichot was offside at the back of the scrum, and Percy Montgomaery lined up the ball, punted it squarely over, taking the score to 27-13. They were done again at 73 minutes, and Monty punished them again, 30-13.

At 74 minutes, Argentina had a scrum deep in South African territory – it was looking good, but then the missile that is Bryan Habana intercepted a wayward pass and ran most of the length of the pitch to dive over between the posts. Monty added two, and the poor old Pumas were done for, 37-13.

There was a bit of argey bargey late on in the game, after Juan Smith was sent to the sinbin for a high tackle. Eventually Steve Walsh calmed things down, but then Contepomi lashed out and was sent to the bin as well.

It’s a great shame the Pumas just didn’t have it in the tank to pull off another win – they have achieved so much during this tournament, and gained an awful lot of respect, both on and off the pitch.

Both sides made a slightly nervous start, with Garryowens raining down from both Fullbacks. Hernadez missed a drop goal in the very first minute, and he chased his own kicks like a man possessed.

The Scots conceded a penalty in the 15 minutes, with Felipe Contepomi not able to hit the target. One minute later, Dan Parks [right] made no mistake for Scotland, taking a 0-3 lead.

It was cagey for the next five minutes or so, before Nathan Hines was penalised for a high tackle – this time, Contepomi did the honours and it was back to level pegging, 3-3.

Argentina won a lineout in Scottish territory, and Hernandez went for another of his trademark drop goals, but it floated wide. Two minutes later, the Scots were penalised again, with Contepomi sure with the boot, giving Argentina a 6-3 lead.

Just after the half hour, Fullback Rory Lamont kicked the ball out on the full, giving the Argentines an attacking lineout. They won it, but were turned over. But Dan Parks‘ clearance kick was charged down and the Scottish defence couldn’t beat Gonzalo Longo [left] to the ball, he dived over it and slid across the line. Contepomi added the extras to give Argentina a 13-3 lead, and a significan psychological advantage.

With three minutes to go before half time, the Argentine forwards gave away a soft penalty at a ruck, and Chris Paterson punted the ball for the points, the Scots clawing back the defict to 13-6.

Scotland needed a score to steady their nerves after the break, but instead they gave away a penalty for bringing down an Argentine maul – once again, Felipe Contepomi’s boot punished the indescretion and they were 16-6 up.

At 49 minutes, Argentina infringed but Dan Parks could not add the three points from a long range attempt, Scotland’s first miss of the tournament. Not a good time to buckle! A few minutes later, Lucas Borges took a wonderful high ball from a Scottish boot, passed back to the Fullback Corleto, who booted it down the touchline, just bouncing out by the corner flag.

Back in Scottish territory, the Pumas won the chance of a lineout, Mario Ledesma’s [left] throw found his man and the ball worked it’s way to Juan Martin Hernandez who dropped a lovely goal, inching them further in front at 19-6.

After 57 minutes, Frank Hadden decided to bring on four replacements to try and change the direction of the Scots’ game. But they were still making plenty of unforced errors, gifting possession and territory to the Pumas – something for which the Argentines made them pay. Even with a man down injured, the Pumas still manage to get themselves into Scottish territory.

In the 61st minute, Scotland woke up, made a great break, the ball going through countless pairs of hands. Finally the replacements had made their mark – Kelly Brown and Chris Cusiter [right] being the men to work it over the line. Paterson’s 100% kicking record still stood – the ball bouncing over the crossbar from the left hand upright. A vital score for the Scots, who were back in the game at 19-13.

Three minutes later, Rory Lamont [left] made a second serious error when he knocked a long kick from the Pumas out into touch, giving Argentina a great lineout opportunity. But they knocked on at the rear; the Scottish scrum was in trouble, time to wheel on the rest of the replacements, including Hugo Southwell on for the hapless Lamont.

The Scots had another scrum in their own half, and although they won it, the ball was turned over almost immediately. But Agustin Pichot was disrupted at the base of a ruck, giving the initiative back to the men in dark blue.

No sooner did they get the ball than Argentina turned them over again. The Pumas’ discipline was beginning to slip, giving Scotland a great scoring opportunity from a 10m lineout. It was blown when the throw went long and into waiting Pumas paws. They had another go from close to the half way line, but the Scots were having trouble turning possession and territory into the vital points.

Patricio Albacete [left] made a silly error to give Parks a long kick for the corner. Scott Lawson found his man at the lineout and the Scottish forwards rumbled on slowly towards the Pumas’ line. The ball was spun into midfield, turned over to Argentina, won back by the Scots in front of the posts. The clock was ticking down, with 90 seconds to go. A crossfield chip went towards Sean Lamont but it went out into touch. Perhaps the move which blew their chances at the Semifinal.

The Scots had one final chance at glory, with seconds to go. Agustin Pichot knocked on in his own in-goal area – the Scots got a 5m scrum but they squandered the chance and knocked on as the clock went over 80 minutes. The canny Argentines have survived for another week – their very first World Cup Semifinal. Go Pumas!
Who knows, we could have a France-Argentina final – finishing the tournament as it began. How weird would that be?

Ireland came out with all guns blazing, the first couple of minutes saw some ferocious tackling. Ireland won a penalty close to the Argentinian line and O’Gara immediately went for the corner. Jerry Flannery [right] threw to Paul O’Connell but it went straight through his fingers, into Argentinian hands at the back of the lineout.

Argentina had a punt at goal in the 9th minute, but Felipe Contepomi couldn’t manage to score. They nearly had a try shortly after with a chip and chase, but the Irish defence held firm.

The first 10 minutes saw Irland in charge, but the next twenty seemed to belong to Argentina. In the 14th minute, Argentina had a great drive to the line, the forwards rumbling along, eventually winning a put-in at the scrum on 5m from the Irish line. From the back, it swung out to the right wing and Lucas Borges [left] went over for a vital first score. The conversion went wide, so it was only 5-0 up for Argentina.

Ireland won a penalty in the 19th minute, this time Ronan O’Gara chose to take 3 sure points to make it 5-3. At the restart, Argentina were on the attack, and the try wasn’t quite on, so Juan Martín Hernández [right] dropped a lovely goal from midfield to nullify the Ireland penalty.

In the 23rd minute, Hernández took a fantastic high ball like a pro fullback, and the resulting chip ahead from Agustin Pichot saw O’Gara have to clear to touch in panic. Phases from the lineout and resulting scrum saw Argentina push right up to the line, only coming up short with a knock-on.

The Ireland scrum was won but they had to clear quickly from the in-goal area, giving Argentina a couple of attacking lineouts in the Irish half. Eventually, Argentina were done for not releasing the ball, and O’Gara finally found a good kick into the opponents’ half. Ireland were making headway, but some hard tackles saw Ireland driven 20m back into their own half.

Soon after, Ignacio Corleto gave away a penalty by shouldering Geordan Murphy. From the penalty, Brian O’Driscoll [left] ran through the Argentine defence to score next to the posts, the first try Argentina have conceded so far, and the conversion came easily to bring Ireland into the lead, 8-10.

The pendulum seemed to swing back again, with the Irish bossing things around. Argentina won a scrum on the half way line, and they were back into attack mode in the Irish half. The defence held the try at bay, but Hernández took another pop at goal to bring the lead back to the Pumas, 11-10.

It was another fantastic piece of play in the Irish half, which started with Hernández again taking a high kick of his own, some great passing out of the tackle and winger Horacio Agulla scores a try in the corner! Contepomi converted with a bounce off the woodwork. Ireland looked in trouble, going in at the break 18-10.

After the restart, Argentina mauled their way into the Irish half, won a penalty and Contepomi did the honours – 21-10. Another nail in the Irish coffin…

The men in green worked their way patiently upfield from a lineout, but Argentina turned it over. They cleared, but Ireland had another lineout, worked it across field and Geordan Murphy [right] was the last man in the line to dive over in the right corner. O’Gara’s kick went wide, so it was 21-15.

At 50 minutes, Ireland won a scrum in their own half, kicked high, but it was a 22m dropout. Just after, Argentina lost their lineout, but turned over Ireland’s attack, and drilled the ball back into the Irish 10m zone. Argentina’s turnover abilities seemed prolific – how often did we see green go to ground with the ball, only for it to emerge in the hands of a blue and white jersey?

Just when Ireland seemed to be putting a few phases of play together, they have a shocking forward pass and give Argentina the scrum 40m out. In the 61st minute, Argentina forced another penalty and Contepomi added another three to take them 24-16 in front. Donncha O’Callaghan [left] made a high tackle on Contepomi in the 64th minute, and gave away another penalty – 27-16 ahead. The Irish hill seemed insurmountable – time to bring on some subs.

In the 67th minute, Ireland nearly touched down but for a massive defensive catch from Ignacio Corleto, taking the ball out of his hands. Argentina camped in the Irish half again, going through the phases and waiting patiently for points any way they can – drop goal, penalty or try. Pichot passed but the drop goal attempt was wide.

The Pumas pack had the game by the scruff of the neck, rucking for their lives, turning over possession and making massive hits. Ireland had a late renaissance during the last ten minutes. Roncero gave away a penalty in his own half, and Ireland went for the corner. The lineout was taken well, the Irish supporters were singing away, the forwards rumbled on, possession was kicked away and Argentina’s scrambled defence took off the heat.

The final nail in the coffin came in the 79th minute when Juan Martín Hernández slotted a left-footed drop goal, his hatrick, taking their final tally to 30-15.

Every time Ireland came at them, the Pumas seemed to have an answer. They looked by far the sharper team, and can now look forward to a quarter final against Scotland in Paris, sending the French to Cardiff to face the All Blacks for their quarterfinal. Not at all what the host nation had hoped for, and those pesky Pumas have done them no favours. And with the way Scotland have played so far, they must be seen as underdogs for the match – so who knows h
ow far the Pumas can go? Good for them!

A month ago, who would have put money on England and Scotland being the only two home nations to make it into the quarters? And I’m not betting my mortgage on how long Eddie O’Sullivan can remain in his job, after such a promising Irish team (at least on paper) have failed to deliver. Funny old game, eh?

The Argentines had a quick turn round from their bruising game in Paris, and although Georgia are not one of Europe’s top tier nations, they are very physical and really stood up to the South Americans, who must have been tired with only 5 days since their last run out.

[Georgia show some flair against France in the 2005 IRB London Sevens]

After 27 minutes, the two teams were still level at 3-all. The Georgian defence was immense, with Argentina having one chance under the posts. It wasn’t until 47 minutes that Lucas Borges [right] crossed for the first of his brace of tries, the second coming just ten minutes later. Felipe Contepomi converted the first to take Argentina ahead.

Georgia’s Irakli Machkhaneli had a fantastic game, as did their big lock Mamuka Gorgodze. However, it was Argentina’s lock Patricio Albacete [left] who made the next score, storming over the line at 71 minutes.

Three minutes later, Georgia’s other lock, Ilia Zedginidze made a try-saving tackle, but just into injury time, Martin Aramburu went over the line for the all-important 4th try, giving the Argentines that vital bonus point, and leaving the final score at 33-3.

Seems like it’s ages since the last one, but the Rugby World Cup opening game has finally rolled round.

Opening Ceremony
Fans of all allegencies turned up for the opening ceremony and first game of the tournament. The French were, of course, in the majority, but I saw lots of English, a few Irish, a significant number of Argentines and the odd Aussie & Kiwi wandering about outside the ground. All getting on famously, and the French riot police in attendance had little to do except strut around in their body armour looking menacing, as only the Gendarmes know how.

The French seemed very keen to dress up, and I caught this bloke [left] wearing a chicken on his head and still grinning madly!! (The French team’s emblem is a Cockerel, but I’m not convinced it should have been blue and furry).

Once inside, the atmosphere was building as the minutes ticked by. The opening do was a bit pants, to be honest – lots of tumblers cavorting around in brightly coloured suits, but I think the analogy was lost on most people, it certainly was on me.

I was glad the exuberant flag-waver above wasn’t sitting directly in front of me, or I wouldn’t have got many pictures!

The Game
France vs Argentina was always going to be an entertaining show, and how it turned out to be! Not the result the French would have liked, but most of the English supporters I could see seemed to be shouting for Argentina!

[The Pumas win their lineout]

The French just didn’t live up to the promise of recent games. Cedric Heymans kept dropping stuff and suffered from wayward kicking. The rest of the team didn’t seem to be able to intercept or pass very well. On the Pumas’ side, Juan Martin Hernandez [right] had a great game, his first playing at Fly Half. He ran all over the place and kicked accurately. His Fullback Ignacio Corleta seemed to chase every high ball, and scored the only try of the game.

At the set pieces, the Argentine pack seemed to be doing well in the scrum – perhaps their lineouts weren’t as good as they could have been, but they certainly didn’t get pushed about too much. The French were certainly surprised to go in at the break on the wrong end of a 17-6 scoreline. I can only imagine the Gallic ranting of M. Laporte in the dressing room at half time.

The dressing-down must have had some effect, as I thought the French were going to score just after the break. They were camped in Argentine territory, about 5m from the line, for over a dozen phases of play. But the Argies put up some immense defence, and eventually only gave away 3 points for an infringement.

David Skrela [left] had a shocking game, and never really looked comfortable. He missed a straightforward penalty on 55 minutes, and didn’t link well with Pierre Mignoni at Scrum Half. Skrela limped off in the last quarter, to be replaced by Freddie Michalak who didn’t fare much better, missing a morale-boosting penalty on 70 minutes. Mignoni was subbed for Elissalde with 8 minutes left. Too little too late.

One player who did make an immediate impact as a replacement was the scary figure of Sebastien “Sea bass” Chabal, who stole a lineout almost as soon as he stepped on the field. He didn’t get it all his own way, as the Argentines weren’t afraid to go after him with the ball:

[Sea Bass Chabal gets attention of the Argentine defence]

France kept plugging away in the last minutes of the game, with amazing defence from their opponents. Argentina thought they had cleared but France got the ball back and managed to kick a final penalty, but still went in at the end down by 12-17.

All in all, a fantastic game, tremendous atmosphere and a great way to kick off the 2007 tournament. Bring on the next games!

I’m very excited. After much dithering, I’ve finally booked my trip to the Rugby World Cup 2007.

I’ve signed up for a package which takes me to the Opening Ceremony plus the first game, France vs Argentina in the Stade de France, Paris. That promises to be a big spectacle, and I expect both teams will be out to prove something, but especially France, hosting the tournament.

Then I’ll be off to Lens for the Red Rose Boy’s first pool match, England vs USA.

The games fall on the first weekend of September, and there was another (non-rugby) event which clashed, so I had a big decision to make. In the end, I figured the other thing was annual, and there’s always the 2008 event – whereas World Cups only come round every four years, and the next one is somewhat further away than France, so there wasn’t really any contest!

Argentina have pulled off the win of their lives and beaten England 18-25 at Twickenham, their first win at the ground. It was only a matter of time, really, as they have been getting stronger as a team for a while now.

I didn’t watch the game, and have only read reviews of it, but it sounds like England were their own worst enemies. They just can’t seem to fire as a unit. BBC Sport gives the England player ratings.

Corry says the players are to blame, and Robinson’s vowed not to quit. But what will it take for the team to pull their socks up?

I suppose one face-saving fact is that we didn’t get the thumping from the All Blacks last week that France endured this weekend… They went down 3-47 in Paris, only managing one drop goal to the AB’s seven tries. Merde encoure!

Meanwhile, Ireland beat the Springboks 32-15, so South Africa will be coming to Twickenham next weekend, looking to put some points on the board with even more determination.

Let’s hope the pain doesn’t continue… not sure if I can watch!

Andy Robinson has named his Elite Player Squad for the 2006/07 season, and Sarries’ Andy Farrell is once again on the list. Let’s hope he’s fit enough this year to actually get a run out on the park! Farrell apparently has an aura about him, akin to Martin Johnson. Perhaps a bit early in his Union career to be making such statements, but I would dearly love him to make a difference to the England team this year. God knows we need a boost somehow.

Similarly, Jonny Wilkinson returns to the White Jersey Brigade after his injury battles. I have seen him play for Newcastle and The Lions, but never managed to catch him playing for England. Fingers crossed.

Also, the usual close-season merry-go-round has finally stopped and we can now see who’s sitting where (and who’s got no chair when the music stops).

Here’s a picture of Jonny lining up a penalty for the Lions vs Argentina game last year in Cardiff.

I read with interest that Saracens have signed promising young Argentinian winger/fullback Tomas de Vedia, for the new season. (Plus a Samoan for the pack).

It sounds like the lad has plenty of pace and, as the Argenitian League’s top try scorer last year, hopefully he will be able to contribute quickly and get on the score sheet soon.

I don’t have a photo of him, but here are some of his Argentinian compatriots in an image I took during the Lions v Argentina match in Cardiff last May. It shows Pablo Bouza winning a lineout against Martin Corry, plus Danny Grewcock, Federico Méndez, Donncha O’Callaghan and Mariano Sambucetti giving some lift.