The end game
October 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment |
The highly anticipated final of the World Cup Rugby was upon us this evening. Overall, I found the match a bit disappointing with two teams playing very careful rugby and showing nothing like the vibrant match we had yesterday evening between France and Argentina. Obviously, in a final for the World Cup the stakes are extremely high and this has consequences for the game play.
Was the end result of 15 - 6 in favor of South Africa a just result? I think it was. Both teams were almost equal in strength. South Africa was very strong in the line out and the English team was a bit stronger in the scrum. However, in the first half, the English team gave away two penalties and were denied a try in the second half. I guess such things have an impact on the game play of a team. There were no sparkling performances by star players on either side: Johnny Wilkinson did not kick any drop goals nor did Bryan Habana surprise us with one of his famous rushes. Only Percy Montgomery’s boot did not fail to kick in the five penalties awarded to South Africa…
So, that’s it for 2007. I thoroughly enjoyed this championship and watched some exquisite matches. I’m already looking forward to the 2011 Championship in New-Zealand!
Oh, by the way: my end result prediction was pretty bad. I was right with the prediction of South Africa as tournament winner. Everything else was wrong…
“Ich bin ein Argentinier”
October 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment |
I never was a fan of Argentinian national teams, especially not of their national soccer team. This probably has to do with a bit of an old grudge when they set our national Dutch football team aside in the 1978 Soccer World Cup final. However, this evening the Argentinian rugby team played such an incredible match against France in the “MINI FINAL” that only thing I can say is ‘chapeau!!!’. What a truly great rugby team they have…
When the final whistle sounded, the Argentinians had won the game with 34 - 10. As one the commentators said, this was within the realms of humiliation for the French. The French were just totally blown away by the sheer determination of the Pumas. A wonderful match, maybe one of the best of the competition and definitely a classic!
English oak, vulnerability and speed
October 14, 2007 | 1 Comment |
Dear readers, you will have to put up with my Rugby analysis for one more week, then it’s over…
Yesterday evening the French probably thought they were banging their heads against good ol’ English oak in the semi-final match for the Rugby World Cup. What a game! What tension! And what a super performance by the English team!! A spectacular try by the English after only seconds of game play, and then the English scrum: it was solid oak - no chance for the French there, and so was the English defense… just solid oak.
At about 60 minutes into the game, I really thought the French would get away with a place in “their final” but alas, it wasn’t so. In the end the English got the better of them and kicked them out. A deserved victory with 14 - 9…
And then tonight. The Pumas from Argentina had a chance, given their track record over the matches that led to the semi final, to set aside the Springboks from South Africa. But the Boks were merciless and in shape! Argentina just looked vulnerable and not as sharp as they did in previous matches. They managed to score only one try (see photo above). The speed of Bryan Habana of South Africa was again unbelievable. Once he turns on the afterburners, it’s bye bye… It ended in a 37 - 13 score for South Africa and with some yellow cards at the end: one for SA and one for Argentina. Unnecessary, but with all the anxiety and hormones running around to be expected.
I’m already looking forward to next weekend…
The eve of truth
October 13, 2007 | 1 Comment |
Only a few more hours and Paris will be the theater for a Rugby clash between England and France. Already much speculation is going about the chances of each team to get a place in the final. The online newspapers, the blogs… they’re all taking a pitch at each teams chances. Will the English surprise everybody and pull it off again and - like in 2003 - get a place in the final? Or will the French team hold their defense as they did against New Zealand and pull off another stunt? Let’s wait and see.
The match of Sunday between the Pumas and the Springboks is also heavily debated. Are cracks showing in the South African team after their marginal victory over Fiji? Are the Argentines really that good that they can put aside the South Africans? Again, we have to hold our breath until Sunday evening…
This will without doubt be a weekend where Rugby history will be written…
All Blacks, all gone…
October 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment |
Yesterday evening the All Blacks of New Zealand were beaten by France in the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup (20 - 18). In an intense match the islanders again did not materialize their role of tournament favorites. Shame! They were my favorite….
Now we’re off to a semi final next week between England and France as the English managed to beat Australians in a very tense quarter final.
Today the Argentines and the Scots and the South Africans and the Fijians will battle it out for a place in the semi final. My prediction for the end result of the tournament:
1 - South Africa
2 - France
3 - England
4 - Argentina
Let’s see if I’m right….
[Update Sunday, 7 October] The Springboks managed to get to the semi’s, but the score of 37 - 20 against a very brave Fiji was a bit flattered. The Fijians played a truly great match and gave the South Africans a major shock by pushing two great tries in the second half and draw level at 20 - 20. Another classic match…
[Update Sunday evening, 7 October] Scotland is out. Argentina’s defense was just too strong for the Scots to penetrate. So, we’re up for semi finals of England - France and South Africa - Argentina
By hanging and strangling…
September 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment |
That’s the literal translation of a Dutch saying when a goal is achieved with very small margins. This was certainly true for the Scottish rugby team when they entered the quarter finals of the World Cup today through a victory over Italy with 18 - 16. Disappointment was great at the Italian side… of course. An all time greatest was the match between Fiji and Wales. This was rugby at its best! What a great match. Suspense from start to finish with the Fijians victorious at end.
So far for rugby. It would almost make you forget the wonderful weather we have the past days. It’s like an after-summer and long may it last! We’re making good progress with the garden project. If the good weather holds the work should be ready by the end of this week.
This morning I could not resist taking a picture of our own private bay. When the moon is full, this part fills up with water during high tide and this morning the early sunlight was making it a great picture. I had to experiment a bit with the shutter time to capture the light just right. I think it worked out ok. Notice the reflection in the water due to the complete lack of wind…
Small world
September 15, 2007 | Leave a Comment |
Today the world looked really small. A thick layer of mist, clouds and rain obscured the otherwise wide views we have over the loch. Strong winds made the rain go horizontal. Claire went out to feed the rabbit and that was it. Not to worry though, as this gave us excellent opportunity to do some house cleaning and also made it just very easy to sit in front of the telly and watch all three rugby matches today…
New Zealand - Portugal
The All Blacks obliterated the Portugese with 108 - 13. Great match with some awesome rugby. New Zealand has strong offensive play but maybe lacks a bit in their defense.
Wales - Australia
Very, very interesting match with Australia winning with 32 - 20. This game was played in Cardiff. The Welsh had a hard time penetrating the Australian defense which was extremely well organized.
Ireland - Georgia
Ireland just escaped with 14 - 10 from Georgia. Close to the end there was a near try for Georgia which would have made them the winning team but alas, the referee decided otherwise. Not such a high level game play but very entertaining near the end.
My favorite?
September 13, 2007 | 2 Comments |
Ha! I’m really getting into this. The Rugby World Cup 2007, that is. I’ve seen the majority of teams play their first match and my favorites are: New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Also Fiji and Tonga are great although I don’t see them win the championship. They’re extremely physical but lack tactics and endurance, however are great fun to watch.
The most versatile team is probably South Africa and if I was to put any money on it, that would be my bet. Although I hope that New Zealand wins… An ultimate finale would be New Zealand - South Africa… That could possibly generate the same amount of anxiety as a football match between Holland and Germany…
The Haka revisited
September 12, 2007 | Leave a Comment |
Well, I got rather fascinated by the opening ceremony of the New Zealand Rugby team called “The Haka” (by the way, it’s not only the New Zealanders performing this ceremony also the teams from Tonga and Fiji have a Haka opening before their game). Suspecting some historical background, I poked around a bit on the internet.
Here’s some information about the origins and the actual words chanted and their meaning (source: about.com):
…But with the All Blacks promoting one version of the haka which starts with the chant “Ka mate, ka mate (It is death, it is death”), it is this haka, called Te Rauparaha’s haka (so named after its perceived traditional origins) that most people, particularly rugby union football fans, know as the haka.
This version of the haka is both war chant and challenge and is customarily performed by the All Blacks before major games against non-New Zealand teams.
It is characterized by loud chanting, much aggressive flailing of arms and stomping of feet, fierce looks and, in the end, an angry sticking out tongues.
Te Rauparaha
The All Blacks version of the haka is said to have come from Te Rauparaha (1768-1849), chief of the Ngati Toa tribe and one of New Zealand’s last great warrior chiefs. Te Rauparaha cut a swathe from the Waikato to the South Island where his followers killed both European settlers and southern Maori.
His haka is said to have actually originated during a time Te Rauparaha was fleeing from his enemies, hid in a sweet potato field one night and by morning awoke to be told by a hairy chief that his enemies had gone. He then performed his victorious haka.
Ka mate, ka mate
The words of Te Rauparaha’s haka (1810) used by the All Blacks:
Ka mate, ka mate
Ka ora, ka ora
Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru
Nana i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra
Upane, upane
Upane kaupane
Whiti te ra.These words are translated as:
It is death, it is death
It is life, it is life
This is the hairy man
Who caused the sun to shine again for me
Up the ladder, up the ladder
Up to the top
The sun shines.
Haka… Haka…
September 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment |
Yes! It’s on! Yesterday was the start of the World Championship Rugby which is this hosted by France. Unfortunately for the French they got beaten - surprisingly - by Argentina. Neither countries share my sympathies so I could not be bothered.
Today featured three matches: New Zealand - Italy, Australia - Japan and England - USA. By far the best match was New Zealand against Italy. Well, the “All Blacks” really spanked the Italians with a staggering 76 - 14! I was not impressed by the English team, although they managed to beat the USA team.
Now you might wonder about the Haka… haka… thing in the title of this post. It refers to the traditional opening ceremony performed by the national team of New Zealand. Play the YouTube video below. Watch the All Blacks do their thing and notice the looks of the South African team. Great video!!
Unless the Scottish team will show some really great rugby, I think my cheers will go for the New Zealanders…
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Latest music...
Hair (1968, Original Broadway recording). Some naughty lyrics for that time!!
An Rathad a Bhatarsaigh, by the Vatersay Boys