No, not the former Beatles member but the person on this site who comments on my Rugby posts.
Here's a joke for you actually; what's the difference between Australia, New Zealand and a teabag? A teabag stays in the cup longer.
As people will know...if you read my profile thing...I am an Australian (and quite proud of it) who lives in New Zealand. However, I do not share a common Aussie (and New Zealand...will get to that in a moment) trait of arrogance. The Australian cricket team is regarded as the best in the world since they've won the last three One Day International World Cups and sit on top of the test nations standings.
After the 2005 Ashes series in England, which I regard as the greatest series I've ever seen, a lot of Australians were angry at the way our team played...not really sure why since England stuck it to us and it was just what the test version needed to get some interest back in it. So as you can see, I guess I am not your typical Australian...heck I don't even have the 'traditional' accent (I detest it by the way. It's horrible to listen to. Give me Irish or Canadian anyday)...since I don't mind seeing our teams coming home with their tails tucked between their legs and I can admit and say the very simple phrase of "we got outplayed by a better team."
To New Zealand then where, for a country of only four million people, they have an extreme case of arrogance when it comes to Rugby Union. Now I don't care what any other Kiwis say, but the way many react when the All Blacks (or 'Oblix' as Will calls them) lose is atrocious; it's always the ref's fault, or the linesman, or the coach...it's never the fact that the other team played better.
Now we come to the point of this post; the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals.
The William Webb Ellis trophy will be given out on October 21 in Paris.
Australia played England yesterday morning (my time) while New Zealand battled France a few hours later. Going into both games I was nervous for Australia as the Poms have a handy forward pack while we didn't, and with a fit Jonny Wilkinson I felt that the English were a good chance of beating us...and that happened. 12-10 was the final score in a bruising affair, and while the Aussie press back home will probably rip them to shreds, it doesn't matter to me since that's the nature of a knockout competition; don't play well and you go home.
So congratulations to England, and to RINGO, for pulling out a blinder (as opposed to the South Africa game a couple weeks ago) and repeating the result of the 2003 Cup final.
New Zealand were expected to beat France...in fact, some media people here were boasting about how they'd win by as much as 50 points. Perhaps with good reason as the last few times both teams have played, the All Blacks have won handsomely...but this was the crunch game, this was the one that they had to win.
Yet they didn't.
As a result, the word 'chokers' will be associated with the New Zealand Rugby Union...for another four years at least anyway.
France tackled their hearts out all game (ending up with having to do an extra 100+ tackles than NZ) and scored two tries on the scrap of ball they had (NZ dominated with something like 72% possession and territory). The All Blacks tend to peak between World Cups...and they did again. By being knocked out in the quarterfinals yesterday, they achieved their worst World Cup showing...how the mighty have fallen.
So, another congratulations to the French for showing the world that the All Blacks aren't the invincible team many thought before this tournament started.
Yes the referee missed a couple of calls and the French were lucky not to be penalised for offside, but you won't find me blaming anyone. The French outplayed New Zealand and showed more desire to win; end of story.
Don't get me wrong, I'm disappointed that both 'my' teams are out but hey, the sun still rose this morning (I think anyway, it's overcast today) and we have the semi-finals next weekend before the final on October 21. South Africa will now be favourites I suppose but, as yesterday proved, that title means nothing...it all depends on how you play on that given day.
Tez - G`day mate ,you are a scholar and a gentleman!
Sorry about the earlier gloating but I couldn`t help myself.
I would contact the black sheep(s) of the family in Yarrawonga but electrickery hasn`t reached that corner of NSW yet!
I bet that rule book is thinner than the one they use now, husker!
:P
Cricket is rather complex to get to know at first....and it's not as fast paced as baseball so I can understand why a lot of Americans don't really like it.
Nice piece of writing, Tez! I enjoyed reading this and you do yourself proud. Sorry that your teams are out but someone has to be and my team live on to fight another day. Go Jonny!! Go England!
Last edited by Racechick on October 7th at 5:51 PM.
should be a great game next weekend between England and France....actually both semis could be close since Argentina are playing well too and could topple South Africa.
From what I've seen of the teams, SA has a dude who could play in the NFL, he's fast.
Then again, France has a guy that looks like a cave man. He's the oldest looking 24 year old caveman.
I must say that I am stunned that I have more than a handful of comments. Usually only RINGO (and Fightin' Fugee....but I don't know what country that person is from, sorry about that) comment and that's it, lol
slshusker
I'd like to explain the sport of cricket to you but I'll suffice with the fact that I'll post something up that nay or not peak your interest. As for the Rugby World Cup now that it's getting down to its final stages this is where all the hype and hysteria will all build up.
tezgm99
Where've you been and what's been happening ?
It's been a long time since I've heard from you within the forum. I've two new posts up that I thought you'd be interested in reading. Under this guise there's Big B*ang Theory Well We've Got One Too ! It's about the upcoming Premier League game between Man Utd and Arsenal this weekend. And under the main guise of tophatal there's Sporting Heroe's ! As to the merits of both pieces have a read and let me know what you think ? I'll look forward to reading your comments.
Tez is a rare creature; an Australian who was living in New Zealand before moving to Canada. He's also a Civil Engineer who is hoping to spend his Monday to Friday sitting in front of a computer surfing the inter...uh, working hard for an Engineering Consultant or Contractor when he finds a job. His heart is torn between his two loves; F1 and NASCAR.
Due to his high interest in those, his blogs will likely focus on them with the occasional foray into sports that don't get much (if any) mention on this website. All blogs and/or comments will more than likely have his usual dollop of sarcasm and general Aussie spin on them.
Amazingly, he also managed to score 2 MiB nominations on consecutive days (August 5 & 6, 2007) after announcing he had been keeping track of them...he's considering hiding under his bed as a result.
