Rugby Mad Blog

Unlike most of the other World Cup games which I saw at home, I was out at the George in Fleet Street to watch the final. It was crammed to the rafters but I managed to squeeze into a corner to watch the big screen and scream with the rest of them!

After having to play knockout rugby for the preceding 4 games, England did their very best, but the Springboks just seemed to have the edge. Everyone in the pub was convinced Mark Cueto‘s try should have been allowed, but in the cold light of day, and having seen the replay properly, I’m prepared to admit it was the right call.

The South Africans never really got into top gear, with their supposedly secret weapons Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen not getting much ball and therefore never really cutting loose. But I think the Boks had played the better rugby for most of the tournament, so in the end they were worthy winners and the William Webb Ellis trophy [above] will be going home with them.

Jake White will be in charge for one last game, against the Barbarians at Twickenham on 1st December, but then he’ll be looking for a new challenge. Who knows where he’ll end up. The game is rather amusingly being billed as “Socks vs Boks”, from the tradition that Barbarians’ players may wear the black and white hooped jersey, but they always bring their own current team socks with them. It will also be Jason Robinson‘s last ever game, so I’m sure he’ll get a good sendoff from the crowd, whatever the final score.

Really nice to see Jason Robinson running out for his 50th cap – something in doubt a few weeks ago, when he limped off with his hamstring injury.

The French knocked on at the kickoff, and England’s scrum was strong – getting a free kick. Andy Gomarsall‘s kick to the corner was dithered over by Damien Traille, and Josh Lewsey [right] snuck up behind him and mugged him for the ball – crashing over the line in the corner for the fastest try in World Cup semifinal history. What a fantastic start!

France were on the counter-attack after 7 minutes, when Nick Easter was pinged at the ruck which formed after a 55m drop goal attempt. Lionel Beauxis added the extras.

Mark Regan made a great chargedown in the 10th minute, the French defence panicked and kicked it over the deadball line, to give England an attacking scrum 5. The forwards rumbled towards the line, but were pushed back 10 meters. With England back on the attack, Sackey was penalised for holding on, giving France a chance of a lineout on the half way line.

At 15 minutes, France were on the attack again, and Beauxis ran down the wing, but he was given a forward pass, so the ref called them back for another scrum. Easter made a great break from the back of the scrum, but Serge Betsen [left] put a huge hit on Martin Corry and he lost it forward. The next scrum collapsed, and France had a chance at the posts from just inside the half way line. Lionel Beauxis struck it well, to take the hosts up by one point, 5-6.

At 21 minutes, France kicked deep into English territory and out the touchline, but the lineout held firm. France got another lineout at the other side of the pitch, with old warhorse Fabien Pelous [right] taking it at the back. England’s defence was good, with Jonny Wilkinson felling the big lock in the tackle. He got up initially, but had to go off in the 24th minutes, replaced by Sebastien Chabal. Chabal’s not really as good a second row as he is back row, so the French scrum could suffer.

Jonny missed a drop goal attempt in the 26th minute, just fading to one side before it reached the posts. A couple of minutes later, England were on the attack and Betsen came in from the side at a ruck. It was a long shot from inside his own half, but Wilkinson stepped up to take the penalty. It fell just wide.

Chabal took a knock tackling Phil Vickery [left], but eventually got up and lumbered back to the scrum. The French supporters breathed a sigh of relief. Shortly after, Les Bleus had an attacking lineout which was won, but Lewis Moody turned it over and the lines were cleared a few metres back down the pitch. This time the lineout was far too long, and it was snatched by Mike Catt and taken back into the French half.

In the 33rd minute, Serge Betsen stole an English lineout in our half, eventually it went back to Jason Robinson who cleared it to safety.

Catt made a terrible pass back to Matthew Tait, who just scrambled to collect the ball and cover it safely. With a minute to go before half time, Dan Hipkiss came on for a limping Josh Lewsey, a shame to see him bow out injured. The ref blew for half time, and we could all catch our breath again for a while.

“Mad Bernie” decided to ring the changes in the 51st minute, bringing on Dimitri Szarzewski and Frédéric Michalak [left]. They immediately made an impact, and chipped ahead for a chance – but England managed to chip it over the dead ball line. France had a 5m scrum, the short side wasn’t going anywhere, and passed it wide across the pitch. Michalak’s attempt at a drop goal was nowhere near, perhaps Beauxis would have taken the points?

Elissalde was mugged for the ball at a ruck, in the 54th minute, with some excellent tackling from England. Both sides still looked rather cautious, however. Lots of ping-pong. At 58 minutes, England were steaming up the middle, and Jonny tried another drop goal – it hit the post and bounced off, but it was kicked back to Jason Robinson who scythed through the French defence. It was going so well, until we gave away another penalty.

Simon Shaw took Wilkinson’s restart kick and powered off into the French half, then Lewis Moody charged down the middle. A few fumbles later, then France had a decent scrum, but then Easter was pinged again for rucking in from the side. Beauxis took the points and the hosts were 5-9 up. England needed to pull themselves together and stop the silly penalties.

In the 45th minute, Englahd made a superb intercept from Lewis Moody, who passed it off to Dan Hipkiss and the backs got themselves up to within 5m. The French gave away a penalty and it was time for Jonny to take some much-needed points. Fans in white heaved a sigh of relief, to take them back to within a point, 8-9.

The French inched their way back into English territory, winning a lineout and driving up the pitch. The forwards rumbled, but Matt Stevens [right] turned over the ball when it went to the backs. A minute later, Stevens made a huge hit on Chabal. He was making a nuisance of himself as far as France were concerned.

Simon Shaw had a good run into French territory, but it was turned over and the French gained vital yards. George Chuter was brought on just as France got the lineout. Their forwards rumbled on, and then Michalak chipped ahead but Matthew Tait was just in the right place to clean up under the England posts.

At 67 minutes, English hearts were in mouths when Vincent Clerc broke away, but Joe Worsley [right, in action against the USA] managed a fantastic fingertip tap tackle, then the English defence closed in around Chabal who had taken the pass. He was held up at 5m, but England knocked on – Scrum V to France. They botched it, and England won a vital penalty when France held on in the ruck. Jonny cleared.

Time to wheel on Lol – Dallaglio coming on for Nick Easter. Gomarsall was down for a moment after colliding with the touch judge. After the lineout, Jonny Wilkinson seemed to go down injured, along with Michalak. They were dropping like flies! They both got back up and play continued.

France had a lineout on the half way line, England needed to compete. The forwards drove, but they lost it forward and it came back on the English side. Toby Flood was impatient and tried for a drop goal in the 73rd minute. Buy England were still in the French half after the restart. Wilkinson was lined up for a drop goal again, when Jason Robinson was taken out with a high tackle by Szarzewski – Wilkinson’s boot was on song at last – England went ahead 11-9.

France were counter-attacking when Paul Sackey and Toby Flood took their man out into touch – Chabal used an elbow and gave away a penalty. The catch and drive lineout rumbled up the pitch, with Martin Corry right in the middle of the maul. England were hanging onto possession for grim death, ticking down the clock. Wilkinson hovered in the pocket and popped over a sweet drop goal to take them 14-9 ahead.

At the restart, France were looking dangerous, pushing up inside English territory. But the French knocked on and England went for the scrum. With one minute to go from a World Cup Final. What a game! Then France had a lineout on the half way, all England had to do was hang on. Attack from Les Bleus, defence from Les Blancs. The clock went red. Hearts pounded. The English defence just would not crack. France knocked on…

England are in the FINAL!!!

Kickoff – I feel slightly sick!

Berwick Barnes‘s long kick in the 3rd minute just wouldn’t go over the deadball line, and England took a dodgy 22m dropout, with Australia turning over deep in the England 22. The Aussies won a penalty but Stirling Mortlock missed the chance at 3 points. Seconds later, he had another go with a longer range kick, but less of an angle. No mistake this time, 3-0 to Australia.

The restart was much more promising, with the forwards chasing and wrapping it up. Mike Catt [left] kicked to the corner for Paul Sackey but he was taken into touch. The Australians took the lineout but England continued to pressure.

The first scrum was an Australian putin, but after two collapses, there was a bit of argey-bargey. It went down again at the reset, and again. The penalty went against England, despite looking like the gold shirt being the first one to buckle. Mortlock had a go at the posts from the helfway line, but it went very wide – perhaps justice was served.

George Gregan, making his record 139th appearance for Australia, snuck through a half-hole off a lineout, England defended and turned over in the Aussie’s half. Keeping the ball alive, Twinkle Toes Robinson made a massive break up the middle. It went both ways across the field, England keeping possession. A couple of minutes of furious defence for the Australians, eventually they turned over. A good passage of play from England.

Australian lineout on the half way came back to them, but the loose ball was turned over and England pressed upfield again. The Aussie hooker made a shocking clearance putting them offside, and England won a penalty. Jonny did the honours to take them level after the first quarter. England looked sharper and the more dangerous of the two teams.

23 minutes in, Australia had another scrum. The same old story – collapsing all round. Finally, England won the penalty in the Aussie half. Wilkinson lined up the kick, and over it sailed – taking him to the highest points scorer in the history of the World Cup, surpassing Gavin Hastings’ record and boosting morale for the Men in White – 6-3 up.

The restart was won by Australia but Mike Catt and Paul Sackey tackled furiously and the forwards turned over the ball. Daniel Vickerman was pinged for infringing in the ruck. Wilkinson lined up for the posts again: he couldn’t quite make it through the sticks.

The 22m dropout was kicked over the English try line by Barnes. England looked much more lively at their own restart. Australia’s lineout was solid in 30th minute, with Chris Latham making strides through the midfield. England had to drop back into defensive mode, with Loti Tuqiri breaking the line too. Then the Australian forwards had a go at inching up. Then through more hands and rucks, back to Tuqiri and the big winger went over for his first try of the tournament. Mortlock’s conversion banana’d between the posts and Australia were 6-10 up.

Then at 35 minutes, Paul Sackey was taken out in the air, catching a high kick, and Adam Ashley-Cooper was penalised. Wilko kicked a huge ball downfield for a lineout and the England forwards rumbled on. The maul was brought down, but Wilkinson pulled the kick from out wide. Half time came soon after.

Mike Catt got himself a bloody nose just as the second half got under way, and then England won a penalty at the scrum. The next lineout was deep into Aus territory, but England were turned over. Then back again, and Wilkinson knocked on.

At 45 minutes, England disrupted the Australian lineout in their own half, and although the Aussies had the scrum putin, England disrupted well – almost winning against the head. England turned over, Mike Catt was unable to pickup without knocking on – but they were right under the posts.

The scrum was reset – 5m closer to the Aussies tryline. Andrew Sheridan was making mincemeat of the Aussie front row. They won the scrum – scrambled – but the clearance kick was a shocker, so England had a 5m lineout. The forwards went inching up the field, sniffing the line. Eventually it was flung wide, then back again. The Australians got themselves offside. Jonny Wilkinson had taken a battering during the play, so there was a short delay before he took the kick, and he scored the crucial three points to take them just one point behind, 9-10.

The restart saw Australia going into attack, but Nick Easter [right] fed off the scraps and turned over. The England clearance gave Australia a lineout, but that was immediately turned over. A bit of ping-pong later, Chris Latham tried for a long-range drop goal, but it went very wide.

Australia had a go at attack at 55 minutes, but England kept up their defensive discipline. England turned over and kicked back upfield for territory. The lineout was exactly on half way – it went loose and Matthew Tait kicked ahead to take England right up to the Australian line but they knocked on. England got the putin at 5m: a vital position to score.

Wheel on the replacements! The forwards drove towards the line and Australia infringed – 3 points were better than nothing, so Wilkinson lined up the kicking tee – England were ahead 12-10 and the Wallabies were beginning to creak, particularly at the scrum.

The green and gold came fighting back after the restart, they looked dangerous for a couple of phases and then knocked on. They got another opportunity, but Daniel Vickerman was seen to take out Andy Gomarsall [elft] well after he’d passed the ball, giving England the chance of a penalty, to kick deep into the Wallabies half.

At 63 minutes, Mike Catt was subbed for Toby Flood, a chance to see what the Newcastle boy could do. England took the catch right at the back of the lineout. Simon Shaw [right] powered up the pitch, with plenty of support for him. Josh Lewsey knocked on from
a pass from Jason Robinson, but it was another avarage scrum for the Wallabies. England turned over, but had to kick to clear – the Aussie lineout was shakey, turned over from the back. Jonny Wilkinson attempted a drop goal but it went wide.

At 67 minutes, Australia were back on the attack, but Nathan Sharpe knocked on in England’s half. Lawrence Dallaglio [left] was brought on in time for the scrum. Then Australia got another putin at 69 minutes – George Gregan was having trouble getting the ball in the tunnel with a collapse, and England won a free kick. They chose to take another scrum – it was a good call, given the dominance of the England forwards. It collapsed again.

After a bit of ping-pong with poor kicks, eventually Australia kicked long and it went dead over England’s try line. Australia won the dropout and were on the attack again – Gregan knocked on and they gave away a penalty – time for Jonny to stand up for the kick right on the half way line. The most important kick of his career since THAT drop goal. It went just wide to the left.

Five minutes to go, and it was another kicking ping-pong scenario. The Wallabies won their lineout at the half way line. They kept pushing, England kept defending. Worsley gave away a penalty. Stirling Mortlock went to take the kick – but it didn’t have the accuracy.

Countdown – two minutes to go, two points in it. Australia won the restart, then England tackled and knocked on. The scrum was on, Gregan feeding, but Autralia couldn’t clear it far enough. England had the lineout throw, with twenty seconds to go.

George Chuter got the ball to English hands, but Australia turned it over somehow. The clock ticked over the 80 minutes, Australia knocked on, and the whistle blew!

So England have pulled off what many thought was highly unlikely – the Aussies go home and the Sweet Chariot can rumble on towards the semis in Paris next weekend.

It was a remarkable turnround from the 36-0 pumelling England got against South Africa just three weeks ago. They looked like a completely different side – competing at the breakdown, scavanging ball wherever they could and certainly getting the upper hand in the scrum. They tackled as if their lives depended on it, and that sort of defence can only stand them in good stead for the next game. Andrew Sheridan [left] was named Man of the Match, an indictment of the forwards’ contribution to the win. But Australian supporters will spare a thought for George Gregan, retiring after the match with a mammoth 139 caps. I’m sure he’ll be missed.

Just when England fans thought it couldn’t get any worse, South Africa gave the red rose boys a lesson in how to play the game. Ten minutes in and Englad were 10 points down. Then Matt Stevens gave away another penalty and the Boks made it 13-0. Three drop goal attempts by the South Africans went wide, but with two minutes to half time, J P Pietersen crossed the line for the first of his two tries. Percy Montgomery added the extras and England were staring down the barrell of a 20-0 gun at the break.

Andy Gomarsall was brought on in place of Perry as the second half started, and he marshalled the forwards but didin’t make a significant difference. At 45 minutes, Montgomery kicked another penalty to take his tally beyond 800 points for the Springboks.

Like the last game, Jason Robinson [left] was one of the brighter sparks in the team, time after time he chased the high kicks and got some possession, only for it to be squandered later by a wayward pass or fumble by other players. It was really sad to see him pull up with a possible Achilles injury at 58 minutes. It would be a great shame for his rugby career to end there and then, but it was great to see the ovation he got from England and South African fans alike as he hobbled off the field. Let’s hope the news isn’t as bad as it seemed.

The other worry was Jamie Noon being stretchered off the field with one minute to go – God knows we don’t need any more injury worries.

As for the rest of the game, it was a depressing one way street, and 36-0 was the worst defeat ever suffered by England during a World Cup. I thought Fourie du Preez [right] had a great game at Scrum Half, but generally, England were out-thought and out-muscled in all areas of their game.

There’s a hell of a long way to go if England are to even contemplate beating Samoa next weekend. It’s a depressing time to wear the white jersey…

What a contrast with last night’s opening game. England fans who travelled to Lens for the game were disappointed with a lacklustre performance from the team. It was a slow start, and after the first quarter, it was England 3 USA 3. The Eagles had defended well and had the only chance of a try, before Phil Vickery kicked out and tripped centre Paul Emerick. Vicks has since been cited for the offence and banned for two games.

Olly Barkley was one positive – he had a good game and fully deserved his Man of the Match award. He distributed well, and went over for a try. Despite the spear tackle from Paul Emerick [right] late on, he got up and finished the game. Emerick’s World Cup is over after being banned for 5 weeks for the dangerous tackle.

Mike Catt had the chance of a try around the half hour mark, but USA defended well and cleared their lines. USA’s Esikia was sent to the bin around the same time, and Olly managed to kick the points. Soon after, Josh Lewsey made a good break, which ended when he tripped over his own feet! However, he managed to offload to Tom Rees, then across to Jason Robinson who crossed the line for England’s 100th World Cup try. Barkley’s conversion attempt floated wide.

Just before half time, Mike Hercus attempted a drop goal, which was collected by Mark Cueto, then passed off to Olly Barkley who crossed over for a morale-boosting try.

[Olly Barkley clears the ball close to his own lines]

In the second half, Tom Rees [left] darted over the line for a score with Barkley kicking the extras. However, the rest of the England team were sloppy and kept making silly mistakes. They were never really dominant in the scrum, and Mark Regan‘s throwing wasn’t terribly accurate. George Chuter didn’t do much better when he came on. Perhaps Lee Mears would have been a better bet?

The Eagles’ Blake Burdette nearly got a try, but Mark Cueto saved the day. Lawrence Dallaglio was sent off at 73 minutes, for lying on the ball. He hadn’t played well anyway, looking sluggish and out of form. [right, one of Dallaglio's few high points in the game]

Replacement prop Matekitonga Moeakiola made it over the line for a well-deserved score just after, with Hercus hitting the conversion. Andy Farrell made a decent break during the dying moments of the game – he looked reasonably sharp when he came on as a replacement with some of the other heavy brigade.

So, England won 28-10, but it was far from pretty. They’ll have to do a lot better next Friday if they’re going to get another win against South Africa. Pull your socks up, lads!

This blog is one year old today.

Not much of a milestone in blogging terms, you may say. But I’ve enjoyed blethering away about my favourite sport for the past year. Whether anyone else is reading is immaterial!

I’m looking forward to the rugby-fest that presents itself on Saturday: three games on the trot. Need to stock up on beer and take the phone off the hook!

Jason Robinson’s training injury is a bit of a worry, having been scoring well since his return to international duty. Let’s keep the fingers crossed it’s nothing serious. I’ll stick my neck out (no pun intended) and make a few predictions:

Scotland vs Italy, 15:00, Murrayfield
The Scots are on a roll from last time round, and Italy have now lost two in a row. Plus, the Scots have home advantage, even if the ground will be far from a sellout. I think if Italy were to beat anyone this year it would most likely be Scotland, but I’m not sure they’re fired up enough yet. So, Scotland to win.

Ireland vs England, 17:30, Croke Park
The clash everyone’s talking about. Brian O’Driscoll, fit for this game, thinks Wilkinson will be a big influence (he’s not wrong). England looked relaxed in training yesterday, according to reports. If they can keep their composure, they may upset the party at Croke Park. But Ireland’s midfield are more of a threat than either Scotland or Italy have been – so Andy Farrell better be on his toes. I think Ireland will win, but not by much. Actually, I don’t mind either way as long as it’s a great game and doesn’t get swung by iffy refereeing decisions.

France vs Wales, 20:00, Stade de France
The Welsh are smarting from two losses, and basically have nothing to loose by going to Paris and doing a number on the French. Captain Raphael Ibañez is worried about Gallic complacency, which could indeed by their undoing. But do Wales have the bottle at the moment? I think not, so my money’s on France to win.

Six Nations Game 2 – England vs Scotland (42-20)

What can you say? For someone who has not played international rugby for 3+ years, and has barely played more than a handful of club matches in that time too, you just have to admire Jonny’s skill and determination to then come on at Twickenham and play a blinder of a game.

Whether or not you agree with the try that was awarded to Jonny in the second half, you can’t deny he made a huge impact in the game.

Harry Ellis [right] was held up over the line after a few minutes, then two teams traded a couple of early penalties, then Jonny punted over another before Simon Taylor‘s try from a crap England lineout. Paterson converted and all of a sudden, England were down 6-10.

To be fair, most of England’s lineouts were solid, and Scotland didn’t seem to compete much in the air, which was a surprise.

I thought Ellis played a blinder of a game too, as did Brian Ashton who thought it was his best game in an England shirt.

A few more penalties later (to England), and all of a sudden, Billy Whizz [left], another player recently out of the Interanational wilderness, strikes for his first try of two during the game. And England went in to the break leading 17-10.

Thankfully for the English fans, there was more of the same in the second half, with Martin Corry stealing a lineout, followed by a huge shove from the forwards, a tackling error from Sean Lamont, and Jason Robinson was over the line for his second.

So, two gambles in selection from Brian Ashton paid off – and so did the third, that of Centre Andy Farrell [right]. He was passing and distributing well, made some good breaks and generally looked like a far more experienced Union player than he actually is. He worked well with Mike Tindall, too, which is great news for the midfield.

A few more points for Jonny, plus a late consolation try for Scotsman Dewey, and the final score was 42-20. Other notable points from the game – Danny Grewcock was winning his 67th cap, which made him the most experienced England man on the field. He made some great lineout jumps and generally behaved himself discipline-wise. And Jonny’s 27 points beat Rob Andrew‘s record of 24 for a Calcutta Cup match.

Jonny and the rest of us were hugely relieved the only injury he picked up was a fat lip, and he said the rest of the game went like a dream.

So, a great start for England. Bring on Italy next week!

Or read my Ten Word Review

After a break for Christmas and the New Year, I shall resume normal service for 2007, blogging and blethering to myself. If anyone’s listening, that’s great. And talking of Christmas, if you’re now suffering from the excesses of the Festive Season, you might raise a chuckle at the Halfbakery‘s suggestion of a Trolley For Dieters.

Now, on to the rugby… what’s been happening since I last posted?

• Brian Ashton got the job as England Head Coach (I’m sure you know that already). He’s now picked his squad for the Six Nations and beyond, naming Phil Vickery as Captain [see right].
• Some surprises in the squad – Billy Whizz is back from International retirement. Lawrence Dallaglio doesn’t even make it into the England Saxons squad. Jonny Wilkinson gets the nod as one of three No. 10′s, but is still not fully fit from his last injury and isn’t likely to be playable for the first game against Scotland.

Meanwhile, Sarries have been doing OK over the break. They beat Quins away on 22nd, and Northampton at home on 27th December, but lost away at Leicester on New Year’s Day. As of now they sit at 5th in the Premiership table. Heady heights indeed – let’s hope they can keep it up in the second half of the season!

My next visit will be for their home game against Narbonne (European Challenge Cup match) on 14th January – so I’ll post some photos after that.

Mr Farrell’s training is coming along nicely, apparently. He’s been in full contact sessions with his team mates as well as hitting the tackle bags. But the boss Alan Gaffney says he won’t be ready until the Brisol game on 10th September. Pity, I was looking forward to seeing him run out at Twickenham in a week’s time. Oh well. Hilly’s also making great progress, and might be back on the park by the end of October.

Also, the coaching changes at HQ may possibly tempt Jason Billy Whizz Robinson out of international retirement. He’s certainly been flying for Sale at the end of last season. And if he stays in-form this year, who knows?

Here’s a picture of Jason the day after he announced his international retirement last autumn, playing for Sale against Sarries.