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Rugby World Cup 2007
England v France
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<blockquote data-quote="stormmaster1" data-source="post: 154944"><p>My two cents:</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>Great victory. Character, courage, guts and glory. Pretty much sums up Englands win. I watched the game in a pub with my Brother, great atmosphere. </p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>As a game, it was fairly poor to watch, a few exciting moments throughout, but the action only really started with 15 mins to go. Most of the excitement was simply because of what was at stake. It was very heavy on arial ping pong, and while England have got heavily criticised for this, TBH i thought it was how the French decided to play. At one point in the second half they had enjoyed 65% territory (according to some stats in the Times). The reason they were ahead was because their lineout just had an edge, but they were kicking better. Robinson kicked ok from fullback, but Traille consistantly made 10-15 yards more. France were mostly in control, not trying to be too adventurous. England stopped them from getting decent attacking possession though and the territory wasn't turned into points. They brought replacements on at 50mins. too early in my opinion given that they were controlling things. Michalak started the attacking game more, but the English defence held on. France broke through once and were denied first by Worsley's fingertips and later after a 5m scrum by some strong tackling and pressure on the ruck. Michalak tried a chip to the in-goal area, but all came to nothing. 50m out, France still played rugby, but were knocked back turned over or tackled out of play and England finally had attacking chances. And they scored. Twice. </p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>England won because they had the guts to win it, to score points when it counted. Wilkinson wasn't great, but it a game like that he's the guy you want to slot goals in the last 10 mins. If i wanted to choose a fly half to win games i'd choose Carter. If the games are important i'd choose Wilkinson.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>Most things have been discussed to death here, but some points for the 10 man rugby flame war:</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>1. France instigated the arial ping pong. According to the times partway through second half they had 65% territory. Their kicking game was controlling things, but England hadn't succumbed to the pressure so France didn't have a lead. Don't blame a boring style solely on England as France were didctating the style and pace of the match</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>2. 50 mins Michalak comes on and ups the pace. France nearly capitalise, but don't. More runing in own half gives England back the ball. This isn't 10 man rugby. This is great defence.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>3. England attacked. Crazy i know, but Hipkiss broke the line, Robinson broke the line. Resulted in opportunities for tries. Unfortunately they weren't finished off. Earlier in the match England attacked out wide whenever space was there. Unfortunately passing let them down and they stopped the runners hitting the line at pace to take advantage. Desire to play was there. Execution was not.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="stormmaster1, post: 154944"] My two cents: Great victory. Character, courage, guts and glory. Pretty much sums up Englands win. I watched the game in a pub with my Brother, great atmosphere. As a game, it was fairly poor to watch, a few exciting moments throughout, but the action only really started with 15 mins to go. Most of the excitement was simply because of what was at stake. It was very heavy on arial ping pong, and while England have got heavily criticised for this, TBH i thought it was how the French decided to play. At one point in the second half they had enjoyed 65% territory (according to some stats in the Times). The reason they were ahead was because their lineout just had an edge, but they were kicking better. Robinson kicked ok from fullback, but Traille consistantly made 10-15 yards more. France were mostly in control, not trying to be too adventurous. England stopped them from getting decent attacking possession though and the territory wasn't turned into points. They brought replacements on at 50mins. too early in my opinion given that they were controlling things. Michalak started the attacking game more, but the English defence held on. France broke through once and were denied first by Worsley's fingertips and later after a 5m scrum by some strong tackling and pressure on the ruck. Michalak tried a chip to the in-goal area, but all came to nothing. 50m out, France still played rugby, but were knocked back turned over or tackled out of play and England finally had attacking chances. And they scored. Twice. England won because they had the guts to win it, to score points when it counted. Wilkinson wasn't great, but it a game like that he's the guy you want to slot goals in the last 10 mins. If i wanted to choose a fly half to win games i'd choose Carter. If the games are important i'd choose Wilkinson. Most things have been discussed to death here, but some points for the 10 man rugby flame war: 1. France instigated the arial ping pong. According to the times partway through second half they had 65% territory. Their kicking game was controlling things, but England hadn't succumbed to the pressure so France didn't have a lead. Don't blame a boring style solely on England as France were didctating the style and pace of the match 2. 50 mins Michalak comes on and ups the pace. France nearly capitalise, but don't. More runing in own half gives England back the ball. This isn't 10 man rugby. This is great defence. 3. England attacked. Crazy i know, but Hipkiss broke the line, Robinson broke the line. Resulted in opportunities for tries. Unfortunately they weren't finished off. Earlier in the match England attacked out wide whenever space was there. Unfortunately passing let them down and they stopped the runners hitting the line at pace to take advantage. Desire to play was there. Execution was not. [/QUOTE]
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