ChrisB

Hats off to the Islanders - fantastic display from them.

As your ever optomistic Englishman, I'd like to say the sign of a good team is winning even when you suck Also, it's a good kick in the pants to remind everyone just turning up doesn't win you any trophies.

planky

Yep agree

The try by Samoa was world class and they have really great hands,which is probably something to do with the rugby sevens they play.

I don't think we can play average/cr@p against the top teams and get away with it,so hopefully,when we get to the semis we will be playing again top class rugby

ronny555

Planky - 'when we get to the semis??'

What about the quarter final first?

Us welsh boys may surprise you.

planky

LOL don't take literally but if you think you've got a chance good on ya! and i'll have a bet if you fancy one

Jonto

Jonny had an off day too.............much prefer to see dawson in too........makes everything tick.

ronny555

Planky - I will take a £1 at 1000-1 for wales to win.

RB5320

England barely scraped a victory over Samoa. Not looking good (especially as all the really good Samoans play for the eventual winners - the Mighty All Blacks).

Steve

CrisPDuk

All the pre-tournament talk was of the order in which England and South Africa would go through to the next round, based on that Samoan display I reckon it could be them & not the South Africans that finish second, I reckon if they play like that the 'boks won't know what hit them

planky

The pressure is back on the AB's now we ain't the favourites anymore!! and we all know the AB's don't like the pressure

Must be better for the England players IMO

ronny,i might be even persuaded to put a tenner on them odds

RB5320

yes, and now we know that JW doesn't like it either

it's true, everyone now expects the Blacks to win. Still, that kind of pressure has been on the All Blacks for the last 100 years. I guess that is what comes from being the most consistently successful team in the history of sport.
Contrast Wilkinson's kicking yesterday with Leon Macdonald on Friday - 12 from 12. And he is struggling to even get in the team. I would hate to be John Mitchell at the moment - how can you only pick 2 players out of Mauger, Macdonald, Nonu, Carter and possibly Umaga. What a tough choice.

To be honest though, I think the scare England got yesterday will be a good thing for them in the end. It will give them a kick up the a##e, and they did after all beat the Samoans while playing badly themsleves. Let's hope it is an England/NZ final. It'll be one hell of a game.

Steve

planky

Consistently successful in what??? one world cup is totally cr@p IMO and at least we've got a excuse but i don't see any from the AB'S

We could be level with the so called 'consistently successful' team in final world cup wins soon

Btw just wondering who have you played recently in the world cup?? any top teams

RB5320

No, not played any decent teams yet. But then again, we have not nearly lost any games either
England havent really played any decent teams yet either. Samoa played brilliantly but they are not potential World Cup winners. South Africa used to be a force in world rugby, but not anymore (although England were obviously lucky that Louis Koen did not have his kicking boots on for that game!) Dearie me, really not looking that good for England is it?
Still, second place isn't so bad...
See you in the final.

Steve

planky

Come on you WELSH DRAGONS!!!!

planky

Well the Welsh nearly beat you!! and people slag off England for lasts weekends match

RB5320

yes it was a bit of a close call wasnt it!
Fair play to Wales. They were superb. Looks like we may have to play them again in the final

planky

jasey

RB - You've got to get past Scotland first - bet you're worried

RB5320

you said it planky!

planky

LOL...You only want the taffs to win so you don't have to play us in the final