Quote Originally Posted by X
I will watch every minute of every game. A proper sport (I was flicking between the rugby and the football on Saturday and itwas amazing to see the footy players disrespecting the ref, diving and gettung 'hurt' all the time)
That is the reason I don't watch it much anymore (the club games anyway)... so much fakery going on and the players are way overpaid, there is very little pride left in the jersey.

Quote Originally Posted by X

The TRi-Nations countries have looked ruthless, while all the Northern hemishpere countries have had a shock, though most have puuled through. I think having tougher games at the beginning helps, as the players are getting used to be in tight situations while the NZ etc may choke (again) when in a tough game? Have theFrench blown it ..... they only perform when they are underdogs?

Great tournament, I still think its a NZ - South Africa final.
Yeah man,
The most impressive sides have been New Zealand and South Africa for sure. Australia were good against a poor Japanese side, so it is difficult to pass judgement on them yet...
The South Africa vs. Samoa game was awesome! Very physical stuff and you rarely see the South Africans getting smashed back in tackles as was happening yesterday. Those Samoans are monstrous! Henry Tuilagi in particular, total monster! Did you see brian Lima knock himself out by tackling the South African so hard at the end? Legend.
Bryan Habana grabbed himself 4 tries... early signs are he could be the top try scorer in the tournament if he stays injury free. He is so dangerous! If you give him even an inch, he will take a mile.
Ireland, Wales and Scotland all looked very shakey yesterday to be honest... hopefully it is just a mentality they are in because they are playing the lower ranked teams. They'll need to seriously up their games if they are to get out of their respective groups though.
France are very hot and cold... I wouldn't write them off just yet, but I agree that they haven't done themselves any favours with their performance against Argentina. Why the hell is Laporte playing Heymans at full back? Argentina killed them with the high ball because Heymans is not a fullback... he isn't supposed to be catching balls as much he was against Argentina. Though, having said that, Poitrenaud isn't much better under pressure even though he is a natural full back... dilemma for France!