RWC: Argentina - England (10-09-2011, 20:30)

[TRF_Olyy]

Haskell's now said that it wasn't a gouge

He said that he felts hands/fingers around his eyes, so with adrenalin etc. over reacted to stop it happening, but he's been proper-gouged before and that that wasn't it

 

[Izzoard]

wayward analogy... I didn't spend months preparing to perform when I lost my virginity,

That's odd, most teenage lads spend years preparing and practicing ;-)

Wilkinson had a bad days kicking, but then again Hartley had a shocker throwing last season, then the bext game hit each target bang on.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Haskell's now said that it wasn't a gouge

He said that he felts hands/fingers around his eyes, so with adrenalin etc. over reacted to stop it happening, but he's been proper-gouged before and that that wasn't it

So he was being a footballer then..

From a neutral's perspective; Tindall is so, so bad. Hard to believe with so many players in England there isn't one 12 better than that. I couldn't see him starting for a super 15 team let alone the AB's. England looked pretty bad, but at the end showed a lot of composure to close out a game that they were looking like losing. Playing crap and winning is a good attribute, especially in knockout footy.

If I ever played against Steve Thompson I'd last about 3minutes before punching him, can;t stand guys like him. I'd stick with Wilkinson, no first five would play well with Tindall outside him, he offers nothing other than being physically strong and a decent tackler. Wilko won;t kick that poorly again. Wobbly start but you got there in the end.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So he was being a footballer then..

Pretty much
Though his reaction could have been justified if he hadn't said "He gouged me" - Hands in your eyes isn't nice, and whoever it was was trying to twist his head off at the time, Haskell just tried to make it seem worse than it was which was stupid

 

[donmcdazzle]

Pretty much
Though his reaction could have been justified if he hadn't said "He gouged me" - Hands in your eyes isn't nice, and whoever it was was trying to twist his head off at the time, Haskell just tried to make it seem worse than it was which was stupid

That's the bit that irks me, I don't mind people reacting to ****le but don't make it out to be something it wasn't. Thought HAskell had a useful game otherwise, some nice work at the breakdown.

 

[WetAndCold]

Dayuuummmm...

England where beyond crap

 

[j-dawg]

Pretty much
Though his reaction could have been justified if he hadn't said "He gouged me" - Hands in your eyes isn't nice, and whoever it was was trying to twist his head off at the time, Haskell just tried to make it seem worse than it was which was stupid

After a game that tense Ill stick my hand big fat hand and fingers all around your face and we'll see how you react Olyy

 

[Sixesandsevens]

Come off it. Your pumped up in a massive game and somone sticks their fingers near you eyes, you go mental. Peoples hate for Haskell is getting ridiculous!

 

[smartcooky]

RWC 2011 Match Summary: Pool B - Match Two

England... Clueless
Argentina... Clueless
Bryce Lawrence... Clueless

"That's all I have to say about that!"

 

[gingergenius]

RWC 2011 Match Summary: Pool B - Match Two

England... Clueless
Argentina... Clueless
Bryce Lawrence... Clueless

"That's all I have to say about that!"

+ 1

about as simple and correct as you could put it!

on the Haskell subject, I can understand people being annoyed by perceived arrogance etc., but I seriously think England haven't had a better player in 2011. The sheer work rate of the guy, the amount of tackles and carries he gets through, as well as attempting turnovers (which isn't his strong point). People go on about Brand Haskell, which in some way tars him with the playboy reputation of a Henson or Cipriani. But while those guys are insanely talented, know they are, and never live up to it, Haskell's entire life is dedicated to becoming a better and more rounded rugby player (look at the experience abroad, judo etc.), and the cocky, outgoing personality is by the by. And if you don't believe me, look at how much he's improved over the last few years.

 

[Black Heart]

Booing kicks is unclassy now? It's called a great atmosphere and being a fan.

I never said that. I was just stating a fact.

 

[Black Heart]

Why do people even care that England are wearing a black jersey? France played in white earlier and I couldn't give a shite. Even if I was from NZ I really wouldn't care at all. Even if its heritage it doesn't give you the right to exclusively own a color. I really do wonder if the reaction to it would have been been the same if it were any other team other than England wearing black.

I don't particularly care, but let's be honest, what country other than England would have toured New Zealand in an all black strip?

I think it's just petty. But by all means, wear whatever you like.

 

[shtove]

So he was being a footballer then..

From a neutral's perspective; Tindall is so, so bad. Hard to believe with so many players in England there isn't one 12 better than that. I couldn't see him starting for a super 15 team let alone the AB's. England looked pretty bad, but at the end showed a lot of composure to close out a game that they were looking like losing. Playing crap and winning is a good attribute, especially in knockout footy.

If I ever played against Steve Thompson I'd last about 3minutes before punching him, can;t stand guys like him. I'd stick with Wilkinson, no first five would play well with Tindall outside him, he offers nothing other than being physically strong and a decent tackler. Wilko won;t kick that poorly again. Wobbly start but you got there in the end.

Agree on Thompson - complete wind up merchant. But that works for England.

I think you underestimate Tindall - mostly crash ball stuff to set up a new ruck, but he has a few tricks up the sleeve and is a good leader. He certainly wouldn't be out of place in the AB midfield, unless the ABs see sense and go with Sunny Boy.

OK start for England. Solid set pieces, but need work on the mauling off the lineouts. Biggest worry is the number of penalties they gave away.

Arg are always difficult - they love to grind it out, but I think they always make a mistake in opening up their play too late. Last world cup they came with a horrible kick and chase game, but there were some brilliant flashes of talent. Lost their nerve against SA.

Going to be a difficult group. Arg lost a couple of players to injury today. Scotland are a insanely physical, so more injuries to come.

 

[lance2010]

I don't support neither of these two teams that played BUT i loved the game right to the bitter end.

The forwards battle was awesome i know its not the fun running rugby fans like to see,BUT its what all forwards love....

Well done both England and Argentina.

 

[RoosTah]

I don't particularly care, but let's be honest, what country other than England would have toured New Zealand in an all black strip?

I think it's just petty. But by all means, wear whatever you like.

This hits the nail on the head: who else but England would do it?

Either way, I didn't see anything there that the actual All Blacks would have anything to fear. The English set piece was solid and would still be a source of concern to Australia, but the All Blacks, with their strong scrum and line-out and massive and talented versatile back-line will have far too much for England should they ever meet.

I strangely feel less secure about Australia though... the boys have produced some incredible performances against the best teams in the world over the last year, but they have also had some shockers... Quade Cooper is a little too Carlos Spencer for my liking and I have a nasty feeling he could unravel in a big high pressure match against England the same way he did in Auckland. In fact I'd almost be tempted to start Berrick Barnes if that game happens and bring Cooper on in the last 20 to take advantage of tiring legs.

 

[JW.]

I don't particularly care, but let's be honest, what country other than England would have toured New Zealand in an all black strip?

I think it's just petty. But by all means, wear whatever you like.

To be honest I don't like the jersey I think they should've stayed with something like the 07 jerseys white/red and red/white BUT I am loving all the NZ's saying its disrespectfull and bad you guys wear a white away shirt do we care? [joking]We have a freaking bigger history than you have? We founded that bloody country Bloody hell we invented the bloody game whats up with you disrespecting us with your white shirts.[/joking] No, but seriously typical media hype making it a bigger thing than it is. Just focus on the Rugby why even care about what shirts they wear we're not freakin fashion guru's are we?

 

[lance2010]

Whats up with the sellotape numbers on the England jerseys lolz

 

[JW.]

Ref can't pin us that easily when we haven't got a number on our back... .

 

[RoosTah]

To be honest I don't like the jersey I think they should've stayed with something like the 07 jerseys white/red and red/white BUT I am loving all the NZ's saying its disrespectfull

Most people aren't saying that it's disrespectful. Again, I think everyone recognises it's a bit of a non-issue really, but England still does look ridiculous wearing all black (yes NZ have a white away jersey, but their national colours are actually black AND white - just look at their soccer team).

But yes, the rugby should really be the focus. England played very badly for an awful lot of that game and it should be a serious source of concern that they only just managed to beat (and were in fact heavily dominated by for much of the match) an Argentina who have barely played together and who had lost their captain and fly-half in the first half.

 

[Black Heart]

To be honest I don't like the jersey I think they should've stayed with something like the 07 jerseys white/red and red/white BUT I am loving all the NZ's saying its disrespectfull and bad you guys wear a white away shirt do we care? [joking]We have a freaking bigger history than you have? We founded that bloody country Bloody hell we invented the bloody game whats up with you disrespecting us with your white shirts.[/joking] No, but seriously typical media hype making it a bigger thing than it is. Just focus on the Rugby why even care about what shirts they wear we're not freakin fashion guru's are we?

Like I said, I don't particularly care. Anyone who calls it "disrespectful" is just being an ass.

As for our away strip, it's no coincidence that it's white. New Zealand's sporting colours are black and white (just look at any of our sporting teams) and the All Blacks away jersey has always been white. England on the other hand has no association with black so the reason is pretty obvious why they chose to bring out an all black kit. Thankfully most people in New Zealand are just taking it on the chin - maybe the odd person here and there is huffing and puffing about it but I think everyone else just considers the concept stupid.