2007 Rugby World Cup

[Turtle]

RugbyWorldCup2007 (http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/) is less than two months away. The U.S. has made the cut in the 20 team tournament and for the first time they have a chance to win two games (The past four world cups they have a record of 2 and 14) The Eagles are ranked 15th and will play Tonga (14th) and Samoa (10th- tey will need to play a great match to win this game), England & South Africa will prob play there B side against the Eagles.

RugbyWorldCup2003 vs Soccer World Cup 2006 (http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/)

[Hottub]

Damn, Turtle,
You guys thought my Copa America (http://www.ronfez.net/forums/showthread.php?t=61423) thread sucked???


I keed, budday! I'll give it a look-see. I'm always up for new entertainment!

[furie]

do you know what stations will be carrying the matches?

[Fezticle98]

I blame the All Blacks.

[DarkHippie]

Does anyone even have a chance against New Zealand? The All-Blacks are badass

[Fezticle98]

What of the Springboks?

[Turtle]

What of the Springboks?

The Boks have a good side, but they are very young and very old at the same time. Lots of new players and lots of older vets.

The All Blacks are the #1 pick again, they have a great side, but they have not been able to win the World Cup since there first victory in the early 80's. Just don't seem to be able to win the big game. Now watch they will pull off a victory in 2007.

Australia just beat NZ in the Tri Nations turny last month. However, the are in much the same situation as SA, very old players a nd a few yery young.

The Irish and the French are very strong and Fiji may make it into the semi finals.

[cougarjake13]

do you know what stations will be carrying the matches?

i'll check it out if theyre on at a decent time

[Turtle]

i'll check it out if theyre on at a decent time

Games are going to be in France, Wales & Scotland. You should be able to check out a few games.

[cougarjake13]

Games are going to be in France, Wales & Scotland. You should be able to check out a few games.

who will be broadcasting them ??

[Turtle]

who will be broadcasting them ??

I know they have been on ESPN2 in the past, if that is not the case this year they should be on the sat

[Turtle]

U.S. Team (http://www.usarugby.org/)

My pick to start

1 Tight Head Prop- Mike MacDonald
2 Hooker- Blake Burdette
3 Lose Head Prop-Chris Osentowski
4 2nd Row (Lock)-Mike Mangan
5 2nd Row (Lock)-Ben Wiedemer
6 Wing Forwar (Open Side Flanker)-Todd Clever
7 Wing Forward (Blind Side Flanker)-Fifita Mounga
8 8-Man - Louis Stanfill
9 Scrum Half-Kimball Kjar
10 Fly Half (1st 5/8 th)-Mike Hercus
11 Wing-Mike Palefau
12 Inside Center (2nd 5/8th)-Salesi Sika
13 Outside Center- Albert Tuipulotu
14 Wing- Paul Emerick
15 Fulback-Francois Viljoen

[cougarjake13]

I know they have been on ESPN2 in the past, if that is not the case this year they should be on the sat

thank you kind sir

[Turtle]

Rugby pits two teams against each other, each vying to score more points than the other. This can be achieved by carrying, passing or kicking the ball. Unremarkably, the team scoring the most points wins the match, but the qualities participants call upon include strength, discipline, technique and passion - traits that have seen rugby gain and maintain global status. Each team usually consists of 15 players, divided into backs and forwards.

The Forwards: Their collective role is to gain possession of the ball and get it to their backs, who should try and develop a running play. There are eight forwards in a team, and they are regarded as the heavyweights of the team.

The Backs: They should be more mobile, typically with the pace to translate the possession provided by the forwards into tries. Of course, as fitness and skill levels have improved (particularly in the Professional era) the roles performed by the backs and forwards are not only interdependent but also frequently interchangeable.

Match Officials: A game is controlled by a referee and two touch-judges, who interpret the laws of the game fairly. The referee is the most senior, and also takes note of the time and score. He is the sole arbitrator, whose decisions are final. Below are illustrations of how the referee will indicate his ruling regarding certain aspects of the game.

The match begins: Play commences with the toss of the coin between the two captains, with the winner being afforded the choice of kicking off, or choosing which end to defend in the first half. The game lasts for eighty minutes, excluding stoppages, each half forty minutes, with an interval for half time. However, if the fixture is a Sevens game then there are some distinct differences. Its a seven a side game, played on a full pitch each half lasts seven minutes, although major finals such as the Middlesex Sevens last ten minutes. In all matches, play commences with a kick-off. This is a place kick from the centre of the halfway line. At the start of the second half the other team will kick off. If, from the kick-off the ball goes directly into touch, lands directly in the in-goal area,or directly over (or on) the dead ball line then the opposing teamhas the choice of either 1)accepting the kick 2)asking for it to be re-taken, or 3)asking for a scrummage at the centre spot. At the kick-off,the kicker's team must be behind the ball at the time of the kick. If not, the referee can order a scrummage (scrum) at the centre.

Scoring System. There are four ways of scoring points

1 Try worth 5 points
2 Conversion worth 2 points
3 Penalty worth 3 points
4 Drop goal worth 3 points

A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition goal area. The ball can be placed on the try line (in line with the posts) or beyond, but no further than the dead ball line. For the ball to be grounded, the player must be holding it in his hand(s) or arm(s) when he brings it into contact with the ground. The ball can also be deemed to be grounded if a player falls on the ball, but the front of the body, from the waist to the neck must make contact with the ball. Every try is further rewarded with a kick at goal, and can increase the score by another two points. This is called a conversion. The kick is taken from a point level with where the try occurred. It can be either a place kick or a drop kick, and all the players on the kicker's team must be behind the ball at this time. Meanwhile, the defending team must stand behind their own goal-line. Once the kicker commences his run-up, the defenders can run forward in an attempt to put the kicker off, and perhaps even charge down his kick. A penalty kick is awarded against the offending team following an infringement of the rules. The rules concerning a penalty are very much the same as those for a conversion, with the exception that the kick must be taken at or behind the point where the infringement took place. There is also the option for a scrum, in which case the team awarded the penalty have the put in. Viewers of the last Lions' tour of South Africa will recall the efficacy of the drop goal. A player can, at any time during open play, attempt this. The ball is dropped onto the ground and kicked just as it bounces, and must pass through the posts without bouncing. Moreover, re-starts occur via a drop-kick, as well as at half time.

When and why - halts in play:

Throw forward - the ball must always be passed sideways or backwards. If it is thrown forward, then the player committing the offence will be penalised. If the throw forward is intentional then a penalty is awarded from the point where the infringement took place. If it was unintentional, then a scrummage shall be formed at the place of the infringement. Knock-on - the ball must always be gathered cleanly. If a player loses possession of the ball, and it travels forward towards the opposing goaline, or it strikes a player's hand and travels forward, then it is a knock-on and is penalised in the same way as the throw forward, unless the player can recover the ball before it has touched the ground or another player. The tackle - when tackled, the ball must be released immediately and get up or move away; you cannot touch the ball again or interfere in play until you are back on your feet. Failure to comply with this will incur a penalty for the other side. After the ball is released from a ruck, or maul, often forms around the ball. This is like an impromptu scrum with at least one player from either side closing around the ball, which is somewhere between them. When the ball becomes unplayable or stationary, a scrummage shall be ordered and the ball inserted by the team who were not initially in possession.

The lineout. If the ball goes into touch during the normal course of play, play is re-started with a line-out, the equivalent of a throw-in in football. The line-out is a way of gaining possession of the ball and at least two players from each side line up in single lines and at right angles to the touch-line. The number of players in the line-out is determined by the team taking the throw, and the throw is taken by the team which did not put the ball in touch originally. Physical contact is not encouraged, and the players must stand so that a clear space of 1m separates the two lines. The line-out starts from a point 5m from the touch-line where the throw is being taken, and stretches to a point 15m away. Any player beyond 15m is not deemed to be in the line-out. The ball must be thrown straight between the two lines of players; you cannot try to gain an advantage by throwing towards the side of the line-out containing your own players. Once the ball has been thrown, the two sets of forwards jump and try to get possession of the ball. Mark (fair catch) - a player can make a mark by catching the ball from a kick, knock-on or throw forward by one of his opponents, and shouting "mark". Significantly, the player must be on his side of the 22 m line. After making a mark, the player has the option of a free-kick which can be either a place, drop or tap-kick. A goal cannot be scored direct from a free-kick.

Drop-out. The drop-out is a drop-kick taken by the defending team. The kick is taken from anywhere on or behind their own 22m line. If taken from behind the 22, the ball must reach that line from the drop-out . If it does not, the opposition can request it to be re-taken or choose a scrum - formed at the centre of the 22. The scrum - the object at the scrum is to gain possession of the ball and get it out to your own scrum half so that he can engineer an attacking move. Once the scrum is formed, the ball is put in by one of the scrum-halves, and the hooker attempts to hook the ball back to his team-mates, who in turn gradually hook it out to the scrum-half who will have taken up a position at the back of the scrum. The most effective way of gaining advantage is by pushing the opposing forwards backwards (a tug of war in reverse). When formed, the scrummage shall occur at the place where the infringement took place (or as near as possible).

The line of scrummage. The imaginary line between between the two sets of front-row forwards - should always be parallel to the goal-lines. The scrum is used to re-start play after certain infringements and can only be formed on the field of play - it cannot be formed in the in-goal area or within 5m of the touch-line. If any infringement by the defending team takes place in their own in-goal area, or within 5m of the touch-line. If any infringement by the defending team takes place in their own in-goal area, and the penalty would be a scrum, then the scrummage must be formed 5m from the goal-line on the field of play. A minimum of eight players are required from each team to form a scrum. Of those, three players MUST form the front row. The player putting the ball into the scrum must make sure the ball bounces on the line of scrummage beyond the feet of the nearest player. The ball MUST be put into the scrum in a straight line.

[Turtle]

Guide to positions.

Prop #1,#3 Props support the hooker in the scrum, lift jumpers at line outs and provide push at breakdown (rucks & mauls). Think NFL linemen

Hooker #2 "Hooks" the ball with his foot in a scrum and throws the ball in at line outs. Needs to be strong enough to withstand the scrum (All the weight beasrs down on the hooker) and have quick feet.

2nd Row aka Locks #4#5 Provide much of the forward push in a scrum and are the line out jumpers. Think NBA centers

Wing Forwards & 8 man aka Flankers- Good size, speed are needed to be a flanker. Must be able to run with the ball and to tackle 8 Man is also a good jumper. Think Tight End & Linebacker combo

Scrum Half aka Halfback #9 feeds the ball from the forwards to the backs, must have good ball handiling skills. Often the smallest man on the field. Quick and shifty.

Fly Half aka 1st 5/8th #10 The QB of the rugby world, must be a good decision maker, and have a good leg to kick. Will run, pass or kick the ball. A good flyhalf may not win the game but a bad one will lose it for a team.

Wing #11 & #14 Speed, Speed, Speed Think NFL Wide Out or a track star

Centers #12 #13- Strong and powerful runners the # 12 is usually a better kicker and a bit less powerful (think a NFL 3rd down back) and the #13 is the big stron power back

Fullback # 15 The last line of defence. Also the player who will launch the counter attack. Good kicker, great tackler and good runner

[weekapaugjz]

Prop #1,#3 Props support the hooker in the scrum, lift jumpers at line outs and provide push at breakdown (rucks & mauls). Think NFL linemen

i played rugby in college for about a month before i royally fucked up my ankle. i was a prop and is possibly one of the most painful positions to play in all of sports. i thought my shoulder was going to fall off.

[Turtle]

i played rugby in college for about a month before i royally fucked up my ankle. i was a prop and is possibly one of the most painful positions to play in all of sports. i thought my shoulder was going to fall off.

I played for 12 years, flyhalf and fullback. In one game our hooker got a red card and i "was luck enough" to be the hooker for srum downs...wow the impact is huge.

[Dan 'Hampton]

Setanta had the broadcast rights to the Rugby world cup. So if you don't have direct tv good luck finding it.
I'll be sitting here with my all blacks shirt on hoping for highlights on ESPN.

[furie]

i'll check it out if theyre on at a decent time

decent time? It's called DVR

[Turtle]

RubyWorld Cup 2007 Super Stars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=essrx3vmHZY)

[cougarjake13]

decent time? It's called DVR

yeh but if its on at the same time as something else i record i wont be able to

[Turtle]

2006 Soccer World Cup Final v 2003 Rugby World Cup Final (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DICdXTPYgpA&mode=related&search=)

[Turtle]

Does anyone even have a chance against New Zealand? The All-Blacks are badass

Another strong side for the All Blacks. A few key players.

Rodney So'oialo -8man/2ndRow. Impact player, very fit and strong defender.
Richie McCaw -Flanker. The best flanker in the world, big hits, will take the ball from teams and a team leader.
Jerry Collins-Flanker. Great in attack and another big hitter.
Dan Carter-Flyhalf- May be the best flyhalf in the world. Has a howitzer for a leg, and can kick the ball 3/4 of the length of the field. Good strong runner and average in defence. Good but not great speed.
Ma'a Nonu-Center. Power back, big hitter. He is rugbys Earl Campbell or Jerome Bettis. A power runner, good but not great speed and needs to improve his ball skills, average kicking skills.
Joe Rokocoko-Wing. Fast! Not a large man but he puts lots of poins on the board. Average in defence and kicking but he is an try scorer.
Sitiveni Sivivatu-Wing. Even Faster. Young player not a lot of exp but lots and lots of speed.

[Hottub]

2006 Soccer World Cup Final v 2003 Rugby World Cup Final (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DICdXTPYgpA&mode=related&search=)


That was pretty good, Turtle.

http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/04/soccercheapjoke.jpg

I'm a huge soccer fan, but I will be watching this.

Count me in on your list of followers!

[sailor]

can't believe no one's posted aboot the guy what had an opponent's tooth stuck in his forehead (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.flipside18jul18,0,839345.story).

[Turtle]

That was pretty good, Turtle.

http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/04/soccercheapjoke.jpg

I'm a huge soccer fan, but I will be watching this.

Count me in on your list of followers!

Another good comp of the two games. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObgRofdiS_Q&mode=related&search=) I will say soccer is a great game but i hate the fake "I'm hurt guys"

[Turtle]

can't believe no one's posted aboot the guy what had an opponent's tooth stuck in his forehead (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-sp.flipside18jul18,0,839345.story).

Nice! good find, thanks.

[Hottub]

To be fair, these guys are playing "oh, it hurts" to draw a potentially game winning penalty kick.

I agree 100% that is has become way over done. It gives the game a pussy stigma. And to have a dive result in a game winning goal is shameful.

Never forget Ireland v Spain in the semifinals of World Cup 2002.
A pussy dive cost my lads the championship match!

[sailor]

To be fair, these guys are playing "oh, it hurts" to draw a potentially game winning penalty kick.

I agree 100% that is has become way over done. It gives the game a pussy stigma. And to have a dive result in a game winning goal is shameful.

Never forget Ireland v Spain in the semifinals of World Cup 2002.
A pussy dive cost my lads the championship match!

agreed. and it is a bit like comparing football to basketball. one's supposedly a non-contact sport.

[Turtle]

South Africa

Brian Habana- Wing/Center
Strengths- Good speed and power, great acceleration, very aggressive player.
Weakness- Sometimes out of position because of his aggressiveness & penalized because of his aggressiveness. Average kicking skills.

Percy Montgomery-Fullback/Fly half/Center
Strengths- Good utility back can play three positions very well. Arguably the best Fullback in international rugby. Great passing and ball retention skills. Great distance on punts and a superb goal kicker.
Weakness- Lacks great top end speed, more quick than fast (CC with other backs)
Better than average in counterattack but not great. Would rather kick the ball than run.

Scott Burger-Flanker
Strengths-Big powerful man who is a punishing tackler and a real ball hawk. Arguably one of the top four flankers in international rugby. Better than average speed for his position.
Weakness-Broke his neck playing rugby about 18 months ago, the injury may have tempered his passion for the game. Still a young player.

Andrew Duplow-2nd Row (Lock)
Strengths-Dominant line out jumper and excellent in the scrum with a huge forward push. Big strong man who plays big as well.
Weakness- Slow and not quick at all. Not a player who does well in the open field.

[Turtle]

Ireland

Ronan O’Gara- Fly half
Strengths- One of the most balanced fly half’s in the world does just about everything well; good speed, good acceleration, good passer, good kicker, good vision & good goal kicker.
Weakness- Not great at any of the above.

Shane Horgan-Inside Center
Strengths- Big strong man, good kicking skills, good speed, good kicker and can play fly half in an emergency. Good defender.
Weakness- Like O’Gara good at lots of things, not great at any.

Brian O’Driscoll-Outside Center
Strengths-Incredible acceleration and power. Great vision and ball control skills. A good kicker but more importantly he scores try’s. Without a doubt the best running center in international rugby. Good top end speed. The Irish captain.
Weakness- Has been hurt the past year with a few nagging injuries. Sometimes puts too much on his shoulders to carry. Needs to pass the ball a bit more to his wing.

Pet Stringer-Halfback (Scrumhalf)
Strengths-Feisty and full of energy, very quick and an excellent passer. Gets the ball from the forwards to the backs with crisp accurate passes. Good kicking skills from the breakdown.
Weakness-Not a big man, in fact he is small as a result he can be worn down by larger scrumhalves n the second half of a game.

Overall the Irish have a solid set of forwards who have a good mix of exp & youth. They will try and drive the ball forward with there pack & centers. They have good backs esp in O'Driscoll & O'Gara, but lack world class speed at the wing.

[sailor]

Ireland

Ronan O’Gara- Fly half


for a white guy.

[Hottub]

for a white guy.




:clap::clap:

[Turtle]

AUSTRALIA IRB Ranking:2

Key players

George Smith-Flanker / 8-Man
Strengths: Probably the second best flanker in international rugby, an incredibly productive ball hawk and tackler. Has good strength and translates that power into his runs. Smith is a smart rugby player who does not draw a lot of penalties.
Weakness: Under 6 foot, not a good line out option and at just over 200lbs Smith is a bit on the light side which will affect the overall scrum weight.

Nathan Sharp- 2nd Row
Strengths: At 6ft 8 inches Sharp is a big target in the line out. He has soft hands and will contest position every set piece. He is a good tackler in open space and not a bad runner for such a big man.
Weakness: At 32 years of age sharp is getting a bit old to be playing at this level especial in the forwards.

George Greagan- Scrum half
Strengths: A staple of the Australian side, Greagan has a huge amount of experience to draw from. He has great defensive organizational skills and has been considered by some to be the best scrumhalf to ever play for Australia.
Weakness: Greagan is 36 years old and this will be his fourth World Cup for the Wallabies. He has lost some of his speed and his passes are not as good as they were last World Cup.

Stephen Larkam- Fly half
Strengths: Lots of experience and a real playmaker for Australia. Larkam has been another mainstay on the Australian starting 15. He is a team leader and has very good quickness and acceleration.
Weakness: Another guy who is getting old, Larkam will be 35 this World Cup. At 6ft 2 inches and under 200 lbs he is a bit small and will not be a threat to break long runs. His passes are more “at” players than “to” them. Average kicking power.

Lotie Tuqri- Wing/Center/Fullback
Strengths: Natural position is at wing, but has good enough size (6ft 3inches & 220lbs) to play center. He has great acceleration and world class speed. Tuqri is a point scorer.
Weakness: Not a very good kicker and just average in defense.

Sterling Mortlock- Center/Wing
Strengths: Good acceleration and top end speed. Is a natural center and is a guy who will run over people.
Weakness: He seems to get nagging little injuries every season, never seems to be 100% every game.

Australia beat the All Blacks a week ago in the Tri Nations Tournament and will be a force in the 2007 World Cup. However most of there big play guys are getting older and some of the youth need to step up there game. They lost a key player, Big ‘Del Sailor, this year to cocaine charges he will be missed at wing.

[Turtle]

Sep 7th is the opening match between France and Argentina. The French will pull off a win here but look for a solid performance from Argentina.

France 33
Argentina 13

The French team has several great players and the national team has a history of doing well in the World Cup

French players to keep an eye on

Sébastien Chabal- 8 Man, looks like something out of the opening scenes of the movie Gladiator with long black hair and a wild beard. He is a very good tackler and runs the ball north south, a hard nosed and determined defender. Could be better in the line out and if he was a bit quicker he could be one of the best in French history.

Yannick Nyanga-Flanker/2ndRow/8man- In my opinion the one of the fastest flankers in the game, good in defense, great in attack and a ball hawk. He is a real threat at 8 man in the line out and with good size and speed he can score from a set piece.

Yannick Jauzion- Center. 6ft4inches and close to 230 lbs this guy is fucking huge and has good speed and acceleration. He lacks break away speed but makes up for it with strength and a brutal attacking running style. He has good hands and maintains possession of the ball when tackled.


Argentine Players

Felipe Contepomi-Fly Half/Center. Good kicking skills, better than average runner but has the ability to show flashes of magic and flair in his play. If he is on he can be great, if he is off…well it could be a tough night.

Agustín Pichot-scrum half. I think he is one of the very best scrum halves in the game today. Feisty and tough has great passing skills. He gets the ball out to the backs quickly and accurately. He also is a good field general esp. in defense

[Ay Kay Forty2]

If you've heard of the channel called Versus (http://www.versus.com/) which has some hunting, bullriding and other stuff, they are having a couple of games that they are going to air on what looks like a 2 day delay. I kinda wish they had more. I'm kinda new to understanding and following Rugby but I've seen a couple highlights of games and it looks really cool.

according to the Versus Channel:
9/9/07 France VS Argentina 3-5pm
9/10/07 USA VS England 5-7pm
9/13/07 USA VS Tonga 5-7 pm
9/16/07 England VS South Africa 6-8pm
9/23/07 France VS Ireland 6-8pm
9/24/07 Scotland VS New Zealand 6-8pm
9/27/07 USA VS Samoa 5-7pm

I'm hoping they'll have more games with the semi-finals and finals.

[sailor]

If you've heard of the channel called Versus (http://www.versus.com/) which has some hunting, bullriding and other stuff, they are having a couple of games that they are going to air on what looks like a 2 day delay. I kinda wish they had more. I'm kinda new to understanding and following Rugby but I've seen a couple highlights of games and it looks really cool.

according to the Versus Channel:
9/9/07 France VS Argentina 3-5pm
9/10/07 USA VS England 5-7pm
9/13/07 USA VS Tonga 5-7 pm
9/16/07 England VS South Africa 6-8pm
9/23/07 France VS Ireland 6-8pm
9/24/07 Scotland VS New Zealand 6-8pm
9/27/07 USA VS Samoa 5-7pm

I'm hoping they'll have more games with the semi-finals and finals.

versus also do the hockey nowadays.

[Turtle]

All Black Squad List
D. Carter-Fly Half*
J. Collins-Flanker*
A. Ellis-Scrum half
N. Evans-Fly Half
C. Hayman-Prop*
A. Hore-Hooker
D. Howlett-Wing/Fullback
C. Jack-2nd Row*
B. Kelleher-Scrum Half*
S. Lauaki-Flanker/8man
B. Leonard-Scrum Half
L. MacDonald-Center/Fullback
C. Masoe-Flanker
A. Mauger-Center/Fly Half
L. McAlister-Fly Half/Center
R. McCaw-Flanker*
K. Mealamu-Hooker
M. Muliaina-Fullback/Wing/Center
A. Oliver-Hooker
K. Robinson-2nd Row
J. Rokocoko-Wing*
C. Smith-Center
R. So'oialo-8 Man/2nd Row/Flanker*
G. Somerville-Prop
R. Thorne-Flanker/8Man/2nd Row
N. Tialata-Prop
I. Toeava-Fullback/Center/Wing/Fly Half
S. Sivivatu-Wing*
A. Williams-2nd row*
T. Woodcock-Prop*

I got around to looking at the NZ team & I was shocked by two players being left off the squad and the number of Scrum Hals & Hookers on the squad. Rico Gear is a great utility back(can play wing, center or fullback & Ma'a Nonu the big power back in NZ are not on the team. However three hookers and three scrum halvs...I don't get it. A team like the All Blacks run a fast game, with quick wing and a powerful pack of forwards, to keep teams honest you need a threat in the center and Nonu is that threat. Gear is a great utility back to have on the bench. Three hookers? Three guys at scrum half? Five guys who can play Fly Half? Anyway the * is for a lock at 1st team player. Anybody with several positions, well they are in order of what position they are best at.

[Turtle]

England
The English are loaded with talent & experience. The biggest problem the English team has is that they are the defending WC champions & some of the key players on this side are getting a bit long in the tooth. Look for the English to use lots of tactical kicking and drive forward with the big strong pack of forwards.

M. Catt-Fullback/Center/Fly Half- Catt played in his first World Cup in 1995. He has lots of experience and leadership to draw from. Blessed with a cannon for a leg he can drive the ball deep into opposition territory with powerful accurate kicks. He has lost much of his speed and elusiveness but is still a player to keep an eye on.

L. Dallaglio-8 man/Flanker- IMO the very best 8 man in the world. He is a throw back kind of player, in your face & very aggressive. Has a talent for winning possession of the ball at the point of breakdown (rucks & mauls). Not great speed or acceleration, but very strong and plays big.

B. Kay-2nd Row The only two things you need to know about Kay are; he is dominant in the line out & gives a big push in the scrum. That’s all you need as a 2nd Row.

J. Lewsey-Center/Wing/Fullback- Hard nosed runner who has great ball control & is a stand out in defense. Not great top end speed nor a dominant boot, but good enough to get England out of a tight spot when needed. Best when he is running with the ball.

J. Robinson-Wing/Fullback- for years the fastest man in international rugby. He will retire after the world cup. He is a point scorer.

A. Sheridan &P. Vickery-Props-These two guys are the best prop team in the international game, big strong powerful men who will be a challenge to every other group of forward in the tournament. They run north South and are also ball hawks.

J. Wilkinson-Fly half- Won the last RWC with a drop goal against Australia in double overtime. He is the best kicking Fly Half in the game today. His passing skills are excellent as well. Would like him to be a faster & more powerful runner.

[Turtle]

The US team has a good chance to win two games. The Eagles (IRB ranked 15) play Tonga (IRB ranked 14) & Samoa (IRB ranked 10) in Pool A. The Samoan team has sufferd four injuries to players in warm up matches so far which may help the Eagles in the long run. I know it's a shitty way of thinking but I would love to see 2 wins in this WC for the USA.

[AJDELAWARE]

So stoked for this. This usually leads to my sleeping schedule getting destroyed. Gotta see what channels are going to be showing this on Comcast.

[Turtle]

Pool A
Winner: England
2nd: South Africa
3rd: USA
4th: Samoa
5th: Tonga

Pool B
Winner: Australia
2nd: Wales
3rd: Fiji
4th: Canada
5th: Japan

Pool C
Winner: New Zealand
2nd: Italy
3rd: Scotland
4th: Romania
5th: Portugal

Pool D
Winner: France
2nd: Ireland
3rd: Argentina
4th: Georgia
5th: Namibia

Quarter-finals
Australia v South Africa
New Zealand v Ireland
England v Wales
France v Italy

Semi Finals
Australia v New Zealand
England v France

Third Place Match
England v Australia (England)

Final
France v New Zealand (France, take the dog at home)

[Turtle]

From the RWC 2007 page.

PARIS, 4 September - England head coach Brian Ashton on Tuesday announced the England team to play USA in Saturday's Pool A opener at Felix-Bollaert Stadium.

1 Andrew Sheridan - Sale Sharks
2 Mark Regan - Bristol Rugby
3 Phil Vickery - London Wasps (c)
4 Simon Shaw - London Wasps
5 Ben Kay - Leicester Tigers
6 Joe Worsley - London Wasps
7 Tom Rees - London Wasps
8 Lawrence Dallaglio - London Wasps
9 Shaun Perry - Bristol Rugby
10 Olly Barkley - Bath Rugby
11 Jason Robinson - Unattached
12 Mike Catt - London Irish
13 Jamie Noon - Newcastle Falcons
14 Josh Lewsey - London Wasps *
15 Mark Cueto - Sale Sharks

16 George Chuter - Leicester Tigers
17 Matt Stevens - Bath Rugby
18 Martin Corry - Leicester Tigers
19 Lewis Moody - Leicester Tigers
20 Peter Richards - London Irish
21 Andy Farrell - Saracens
22 Mathew Tait - Newcastle Falcons

* Josh Lewsey will be winning his 50th cap


Well kids at least Johnny Wilkinson will not be at Fly Half, otherwise this is the best the of the English team. USA will get crushed. England 50+ points USA<10

[AJDELAWARE]

Has anyone been able to find a decent tv schedule for this?

[Turtle]

From RWC 2007 page

LILLE, 6 September - USA head coach Peter Thorburn named his team on Thursday for the IRB Rugby World Cup Pool A match against England in Lens on Saturday.

USA

1 Mike MacDonald
2 Owen Lentz
3 Chris Osentowski
4 Luke Gross
5 Mike Mangan
6 Louis Stanfill
7 Todd Clever
8 Henry Bloomfield
9 Chad Erskine
10 Mike Hercus (c)
11 Takudzwa Ngwenya
12 Vahafolau Esikia
13 Paul Emerick
14 Salesi Sika
15 Chris Wyles

Replacements:

16 Blake Burdette
17 Matekitonga Moeakiola
18 Alec Parker
19 Inaki Basauri
20 Mike Petri
21 Valenese Malifa
22 Albert Tuipulotu

[Turtle]

Argentina 17
France 12

This is a huge win for Argentina, Contemponi was in great form and kicked four goals. The French are given their first loss of RWC 2007 at home.

The Eagles play England Sat.

[Turtle]

England 28
USA 10

Well it was a loss for the US, but what a great match. The Eagles showed up and played a great game, the put some big hits on the English and worked hard in defense to keep the English under four tries. Great job Eagles. Tonga in four days.

[Ay Kay Forty2]

I just watched the opening game on the Versus Channel. I tried to not look at the scores. But, it was really fun. Good time for my first rugby watching game. I really rooting for the France.

[Turtle]

The USA had a tough go of it during the 1st 15 min and the last 10 min of this game...with four days rest, well, a tough loss for the USA. This was our best chance at a win.


MONTPELLIER, 12 September - A muscular performance by Tonga brought the USA back to earth as the Pacific islanders registered their first victory of the IRB Rugby World Cup and their first world cup win since 1999.

Tonga's 25-15 victory was set up in the opening 20 minutes when they raced to a 13-0 lead. It was sealed with an individual try in the final 10 minutes when substitute forward Viliami Vaki beat off four tiring tacklers to score under the posts, just as the USA had drawn to within three points.

Tonga fly half Pierre Hola admitted to some panic in the ranks when the USA clawed their way back to trail 18-15, but captain and flanker Nili Latu took control and told the team to be patient and keep to the game plan.

"This tournament is about fronting up or going home. It's about mental toughness and we have that," Latu said.


Quick score

The Tongans went over with barely a minute gone, number 8 Finau Maka's five-pointer the fastest try in Tonga's RWC history and the second fastest at RWC 2007.

"We started very slowly. We were sort of 'deer in the headlights' in the first half, I
guess," said Eagles captain and fly half Mike Hercus.

USA coach Peter Thorburn (NZL) admitted his team's widely praised effort in the physical confrontation with England four days earlier had probably taken more out of his players than he thought.

USA prop and try-scorer Mike MacDonald said the Tonga defence was no tougher than they had faced in the England game, just a little smarter having had the benefit of video analysis.

"They probably did their homework (from USA v England): they knew the lines we were going to run and were waiting for us."


Stifled attack

He said Tonga won the game with their hard, spirited play and ability to choke off the Eagles' attack at crucial times by slowing their ball.

"What they did really well was slowing our ball up - more so than England did. Our cleaning out or rucking ability wasn't as good as we needed it to be. I think that was the main factor in the game. They slowed our ball down very effectively."

The USA forwards did their best work in settling play in the second half with a series of pick and drives around the ruck to try to tire the Tongan defence.

"When we got within three points I thought we had a chance. We thought they were tiring but silly mistakes cost us," said Hercus.

Wasted ball

While the Tongans took their chances, the Eagles squandered possession and territory with handling errors and poor decision making.

"We had territorial domination, more possession, but we were unable to score," said Hercus.

"We had the same problem against England - good situations but too many mistakes. That's a point we have to work on."

Perhaps Thorburn summed it up best in the match program: "The USA have got some very good athletes and people that have adapted to rugby very well but if you don't grow up with the game - if you don't subliminally learn the basics of the game - then, under pressure, these things break down."

RNS plr/ap/mp/mr

[Turtle]

The pool stages of the 2007 RWC are over and the US did not win a game. Results are important and the Eagles squandered two opportunities to win games against Tonga and Samoa. Slow starts in both matches resulted in loses despite strong play throughout the tournament and both of these games in particular. The opening game against England showed that the Eagles can play against rugby powerhouse nations. A few positives can be taken from the US performance though; the only blowout was against RSA but the Eagles played well and scored an amazing try to end the first half, Tonga and Samoa did not dominate the Eagles in fact in all aspects of the game (other than scoring) the US was on top, and dispite a side that has only three professional player, several US players will be selected by pro teams in Europe. A few notes, the Irish and Welsh did not advance to the semi finals.

My picks for the finals
Semi Finals
England vs. Australia – England won
New Zealand vs. France- New Zealand should win
RSA vs. Fiji- RSA should win
Scotland vs. Argentina- Argentina

Qrt Finals
New Zealand vs. England- New Zealand
RSA vs. Argentina- RSA
Third place match
Argentina- England- Argentina
Final
RSA- New Zealand- New Zealand

[Turtle]

Best moment of the 2007 RWC for the USA.

USA v RSA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWtBTvCDjX4&feature=related)

[cougarjake13]

man

put some pads on him and send him to the nfl

[OleBullNuts]

USA Rugby needs to tap into the population of Division 1 college football players not pursuing football, and get some of those guys playing rugby. I am heartened by the increase in youth and high school teams though.