The tournament so far has been one dominated by the southern Hemisphere countries. I will review each of the tournament contender’s progress so far.
South Africa
The Springboks have looked a team that could push the New Zealanders. They have had two very clinical victories over England and Samoa, the two other quarter-final contenders in their pool. They look to have the two of the best line out jumpers around in Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha, an area that they should dominate against any team. They look to have good pace on the outside in Brian Habana and JP Petersen. The only factor that I believe they don’t have is a world class first five-eight. Butch James is a mediocre player, not good enough to compete with the likes of Daniel Carter and Stephen Larkham. None the less, the Boks are a team in form and if they can maintain it, watch out.
Previous pick: runners up
Current pick: runners up
Ireland
The Irish so far have looked a depressing team. They escaped what could have been one of the biggest upsets in history against Georgia, winning 14-10. Despite winning, they also played very ordinary against Namibia. If they are to get up and beat France or Argentina they are going to have to step up a few gears. Truthfully, I don’t think the men in green have the firepower in the backs to cause pain to the bigger contenders.
Previous pick: quarter finalists
Current pick: packing early
New Zealand
Despite yet to face any real challenges the All Blacks still appear to be the team to beat. With huge victories over Italy ad Portugal the kiwi fan should be feeling happy with the progress of the team. A strength that the kiwis have, which has been shown in their early outings is their enormous depth in the bench. This weapon could become vital come the later stages of the tournament. Injury wise, New Zealand continues to be troubled in the locking department with injuries to Keith Robinson and Reuben Thorne with Chris Jack overcoming an injury in the lead up to the Portugal game. Apart from the locks, the only other concern is fullback Mils Muliana.
Previous pick: Winners
Current pick: Winners
Argentina
Before the tournament I picked them to be the dark horses, and could I be more correct. The Argentines produced the tournaments only upset thus far, beating France in this first match of the tournament. They have got some good players in key positions and are led well by Augustin Pichot, If they can knock over the out of form Irish they will have an easy root to the semi finals (expected to play Scotland or Italy). The South Americans look a dangerous side and have some good attacking flair to go with grinding defence. Don’t count them out. Expect the unexpected.
Previous pick: pool stages
Current pick: semi finalists
France
The host were the victims of the first upset of the tournament, going down to Argentina in the tournament opener. They received a lot of criticism by the French media and it was a thoroughly disappointing loss for the fans. They did bounce back with a demolition of Namibia but there are major improvements for the French to make if they are to be their at the business end. They face an out of form Ireland on Saturday morning but even if they can win that they will face the daunting task of facing the All Blacks in a quarter final. They desperately need some form.
Previous pick: semi finalists
Current pick: quarter finalists
Wales
The Welsh were overall disappointing in their crucial loss to Australia, which now puts them in a very difficult position. If they do manage to qualify over the Fijians they would then have to play the in form springboks in a do or die quarter final. Their first half performance let them down. They had very poor defence, letting in 25 points in the firast half and their attack was also pretty predictable. They were better in the second half but if they are to qualify and cause also sort of trouble to the South Africans they are going to need a lot more firepower in the backs
Previous pick: quarter finalists
Current pick: quarter finalists
Australia
The Aussies have had a strong start to the tournament with a comprehensive victory over Japan and a tough win over the Welsh in Cardiff. There are some good signs coming through and the wallabies attacking midfield of Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau is proving tough to defend against. The only real issue is a couple of concerning injuries to key players Stephen Larkham and Stirling Mortlock. Although they both should be back by the quarter finals, concerns are still their for a side lacking depth. Their defence overall looks strong but there are still some areas for apposing attacks to exploit, which Wales showed late in the second half in their clash. The Wallabies also need to work on their discipline as they conceded two yellow cards late in their match against Wales.
Previous pick: semi finalists
Current pick: semi finalists
England
The Poms have had a lacklustre start to a tournament that they were written off in. They were demolished 36-0 by a much better springbok outfit and now will be fighting for their place in the quarter finals. They do not seem to have anything there on attack and only just passing by minnows USA 28-10 their hopes of having a shot at the business end look very poor. South Africa scored some easy tries against a struggling defence and there are certainly lots of things to worry about for the reigning champs.
Previous pick: quarter finalists
Current pick: quarter finalists
e premte, 21 shtator 2007
e diel, 16 shtator 2007
All Blacks Thrash Amateur Portuguese
stand-in captain Jerry Collins scores a try in his manof the match performance against minnows Portugal.
The All Blacks have put in a overall pleasing performance to overcome the courage of the amatuer Portuguese in a 16 tries to 1, 108-13 thrashing.
It only took a couple of minutes for Fijian flyer Joe Rokocoko to dot down. And he got another a few minutes later with an individual effort giving New Zealand an early 12-0 lead. But the biggest cheer of the first half went to the Portuguese back Goncalo Malheiro when he slotted an impressive 40 metre drop goal to the delight of the 45,000 strong Lyon crowd who gave him a standing ovation.
The Portuguese defence improved and they kept the All Blacks try-less for the rest of the first quarter. But then the tournament favourites upped the tempo and scored six more tries before the half time break. These went to Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Aaron Mauger, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe. The Portuguese seemed to be running out of fuel as the All Blacks scored some brilliant free running tries. .
It wasn’t all glory for the kiwis as a rejuvenated Portuguese side came out for the second stanza. An intercept and then a kick down field gave the Europeans a line-out five metres out from the All Black line. The Portuguese clamed the line-out and set it up for pick and drives. They inched their way closer every time before Rui Cordeiro scored a try that he will remember for the rest of his life. The try was converted to get the Portuguese into double figures.
But then the All Blacks kicked back into gear as Brendon Leonard scored a good try before Andrew Hore scored another with a barnstorming run. Fly half Nick Evans scored his only try to go along with his tidy kicking as the Portuguese started to tire.
The New Zealanders then magnificently ran in six tries in the final quarter of the match. Centre Conrad Smith scored two of those in his first game back from injury. The others went to Andy Ellis, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald and Carl Hayman. Earlier Portugal landed a penalty to give them a respectable thirteen points in the match.
Nick Evans had a solid game with the boot just missing two of his sixteen attempts and getting a match tally of 33 points.
The All Blacks should be pleased with their performance but there are still improvements to be made to cut down the unforced errors. There was only one injury scare as fullback Mills Muliana went off in the seventh minute.
The Portuguese can go with there heads held high. They scored a try against the number one ranked side in the world and they showed mighty courage in their play.
The Portuguese defence improved and they kept the All Blacks try-less for the rest of the first quarter. But then the tournament favourites upped the tempo and scored six more tries before the half time break. These went to Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Aaron Mauger, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe. The Portuguese seemed to be running out of fuel as the All Blacks scored some brilliant free running tries. .
It wasn’t all glory for the kiwis as a rejuvenated Portuguese side came out for the second stanza. An intercept and then a kick down field gave the Europeans a line-out five metres out from the All Black line. The Portuguese clamed the line-out and set it up for pick and drives. They inched their way closer every time before Rui Cordeiro scored a try that he will remember for the rest of his life. The try was converted to get the Portuguese into double figures.
But then the All Blacks kicked back into gear as Brendon Leonard scored a good try before Andrew Hore scored another with a barnstorming run. Fly half Nick Evans scored his only try to go along with his tidy kicking as the Portuguese started to tire.
The New Zealanders then magnificently ran in six tries in the final quarter of the match. Centre Conrad Smith scored two of those in his first game back from injury. The others went to Andy Ellis, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald and Carl Hayman. Earlier Portugal landed a penalty to give them a respectable thirteen points in the match.
Nick Evans had a solid game with the boot just missing two of his sixteen attempts and getting a match tally of 33 points.
The All Blacks should be pleased with their performance but there are still improvements to be made to cut down the unforced errors. There was only one injury scare as fullback Mills Muliana went off in the seventh minute.
The Portuguese can go with there heads held high. They scored a try against the number one ranked side in the world and they showed mighty courage in their play.
e shtunë, 8 shtator 2007
Los Pumas Spoil French Party
Felipe Contepomi played a key role in Argentina's upset victory over France.
Argentina have put in a dominant second half performance to upset a scrappy French side at Stade de France. In front of a capacity crowd the French side were never settled from the start. The Pumas played with an incredibly physical intent shocking Les Bleus.
The South Americans started off physically and looked very promising on attack. Just a few minutes into the tournament opener Argentine second five-eighth Felipe Contepomi got the Pumas on the board with a penalty goal.
The sides then traded penalty goals to give Argentina a 6-3 lead. But the French still looked troubled and seemed to be lacking the experience of Jean-Baptist Elissalde and Frederik Michalak directing the backline. The Argentinians continued to dominate, with the French having no answers. Contepomi then struck a mammoth penalty to extend the lead to six.
Then the French made a break and an attack was on. The ball was intercepted and a few passes later Argentine fullback Ignacio Corleto scored the first try of the 2007 World Cup. The sides again traded penalties to give Los Pumas a 17-9 half time lead. A lead that proved unassailable for the French.
The Pumas clearly dominated play and their backs were moving the ball freely. The Contepomi twins were linking up well in the centres and the experience of halfback and Captain, Agustin Pichot was paying off. The French never looked good and their game plan was clearly not working. The forwards couldn’t get clean ball for what seemed to be a struggling backline.
The French looked a better side in the second half but still didn’t trouble the Argentinean defence. French fly half David Skrela slotted a simple penalty to reduce the deficit to five points. It stayed that way as Skrela missed a penalty even Matt Dunning could get with his eyes shut before his replacement, Michalak followed suit.
Contepomi had a couple of chances to seal the game but couldn’t execute. It was then up to the French who had to work a 90 metre try on fulltime, only to the crowd’s disappointment, they were unsuccessful.
It was a deserved victory for a committed Argentina team, who will now top their pool if they can beat the Irish in a couple of weeks. If they can pull this off, they will advantage from an easy road to their first Semi Finals in World Cup Rugby with a predicted quarter against either Scotland or Italy. For the French, they now have the tough road as they must beat the Irish to qualify and even then they would play the All Blacks in a quarter final in Cardiff.
The South Americans started off physically and looked very promising on attack. Just a few minutes into the tournament opener Argentine second five-eighth Felipe Contepomi got the Pumas on the board with a penalty goal.
The sides then traded penalty goals to give Argentina a 6-3 lead. But the French still looked troubled and seemed to be lacking the experience of Jean-Baptist Elissalde and Frederik Michalak directing the backline. The Argentinians continued to dominate, with the French having no answers. Contepomi then struck a mammoth penalty to extend the lead to six.
Then the French made a break and an attack was on. The ball was intercepted and a few passes later Argentine fullback Ignacio Corleto scored the first try of the 2007 World Cup. The sides again traded penalties to give Los Pumas a 17-9 half time lead. A lead that proved unassailable for the French.
The Pumas clearly dominated play and their backs were moving the ball freely. The Contepomi twins were linking up well in the centres and the experience of halfback and Captain, Agustin Pichot was paying off. The French never looked good and their game plan was clearly not working. The forwards couldn’t get clean ball for what seemed to be a struggling backline.
The French looked a better side in the second half but still didn’t trouble the Argentinean defence. French fly half David Skrela slotted a simple penalty to reduce the deficit to five points. It stayed that way as Skrela missed a penalty even Matt Dunning could get with his eyes shut before his replacement, Michalak followed suit.
Contepomi had a couple of chances to seal the game but couldn’t execute. It was then up to the French who had to work a 90 metre try on fulltime, only to the crowd’s disappointment, they were unsuccessful.
It was a deserved victory for a committed Argentina team, who will now top their pool if they can beat the Irish in a couple of weeks. If they can pull this off, they will advantage from an easy road to their first Semi Finals in World Cup Rugby with a predicted quarter against either Scotland or Italy. For the French, they now have the tough road as they must beat the Irish to qualify and even then they would play the All Blacks in a quarter final in Cardiff.
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