The REAL World Cup

[lizzie]

My son has just started playing rugby at senior school and he loves it. He loves sport anyway, but he loves it even more if you get to slide around in the mud I was watching them train yesterday and the lads were so enthusiastic and loving every minute of it. He's lucky because his school does a lot of sport activities and the boys are actively encouraged to take part.

My son has just tried for the rugby squad and is hoping to get in. My brothers are now chuffed cos they both played, one for the RAF (who has been seen in the Officers Mess playing indoor rugby with a watermelon )and are hoping they can go and see him play.

So now, as well as football, i've got rugby on the tv too. I don't mind the rugby at all and have got the snacks in all ready. At least rugby players get on with it and don't roll about or get carried off cos they've broken a tootsie

[Piglet]

I am cooking chicken Jalfrezi for 10 tonight ready for tomorrow. The beers in, the champers on ice and there is a Romeo and Julieta cigar ready to be smoked when the fat lady sings, win or lose.

[Johnboy]

Hi Submariner,
Well I hope you enjoyed last nights match and what a super win for the Puma's. I for one thoroughly enjoyed the game and I feel the win was fully justified. I do feel that the way Chabal was taken out was disgraceful and deserved a turn in the sin bin though. I feel that the original French hooker got his just reward he is certainly a very dirty player and noted a whole list of infringements by him alone. The French player who is on film going for the eye's should be banned from playing again.
I suspect last nights game may eclipse tonight's final. I feel for England to even contain the Spring Boks they have a major job on their hands. I know that they have at last pulled their fingers out but I am full apprehension. I have a terrible gut feeling! I don't very often pray but "Our father -----
JB.

[submariner]

Agreed JB. There is no room for dirty play, sometimes it does get over vigorous, but going for the eyes is a reprehensible act. What made the game for me, was the look of sheer joy on the faces of the Argentine players. They played their hearts out, and deserved the win. To the shame of the IRB, there is still no place for them in any tournament, except the World Cup. Incidentally, the game in Argentina, is entirely amateur, and one of the present team is still an amateur. I think you are right though, the final is usually won on kicks. Whatever the result, I hope that this one is different, and we see as good a game as we saw last night.
Lizzie, you will soon be involved making sandwiches, for after the games! Without the females of the species, rugby at grass root level would be the poorer. Just one thing though. As a parent myself, and ex referee, leave the boys alone on the field, encourage them, not criticize them. I have seen so many young players ruined, by parents, who should know better. Don't forget that this is rugby football, not association football. Also, please do not give the referee abuse,because without him or her, there would be no game, and male or female, they are also trying to enjoy themselves.

[lizzie]

Hi Submariner

I'm not one of those parents, thank God. I leave them to get on with it and certainly don't shout at the ref.......

I think kids should play for the fun of it.....fitness and to build a sense of self worth. Also to learn to be part of something bigger which, I feel, is so important in this age of self....

Anyway, off the soapbox now so, if anyone else wants it, it's in the corner by the remains of the sprout wine

Hope it's a good game tonight.....

[Geoff]

Probably be decided on penalties like your local dust up.
England expects that every man will do his duty - as long as it doesn't result in the death of the captain!

[Chantal]

I suppose I should say "we was robbed" but to be honest I think the better team won. I still think we should have been given Cueto's try but hey, we'd still have lost.
All credit to South Africa.

[Geoff]

Yes, the best team won.
If you were a cynic you would say they knew our lineout signals but in reality we just had no idea how to win one - the one clean fast ball ended up as a knock on as the receiver was so shocked to get it so soon.
Not much of an advert for the game though.

[submariner]

Unfortunately, It went as all finals do. No one wants to make a mistake, so a poor game. Tait made one and it was a penalty. He had a very good game though, and is certainly one for the next World Cup. I'm sorry to have to say this again, but the hero worship of JW is not justified. Past glories cannot be taken into account. I feel for, and admire, the man though, to recover from all the injuries, and still play in a World cup final takes an incredible amount of guts and determination. However, he had another average game, and if England want to do anything in the six nations, then they must find a better play maker at OH. Charlie would be my darling!

[lizzie]

There were a lot of very depressed Evertonian rugby fans around last night. I dropped Sian and her friends off to another friends 18th birthday party and there were a lot of shirt wearing Everton fans standing outside the pubs, with their pints and fags, crying.

It was a very sad sight to see......

[peter]

Didn't see the England squad do a mass weepie.

Just took the result and got on with life.

[strawberry tart]

That microphone on the ref was a revelation to me.I was impressed by his polite authority and the way those Giants of men took notice of him.
P.S. and from every account Ive read the behaviour of the fans was impeccable too. well done all round...S.T.

[Chantal]

I always cry if we win, but if we lose I just get over it. I'm sure I'm not alone.