Rugby World Cup 2011. A few games...

I’m not going to write much about these games, because, well... they weren’t the best of quality.

Fiji v Namibia.

Well... apart from a massive penalty for Namibia from their own 10m line and three drop goals in the first 10 minutes, I thought this would be quite an entertaining game. And it was... but not for quality. It was entertaining because it was interesting to watch some bad quality rugby from half decent teams. It be honest, I thought Fiji would have played a bit better than they did, but maybe the disorganisation and amateur-like play from Namibia rubbed off on them and effected them. There were short periods of exciting rugby and a couple of good tries, especially from the Fijian winger Goneva with his hat-trick plus another. Also, I thought I’d name that grassy mound in Rotorua Stadium... Maori Mount!

FINAL SCORE

49-25

France v Japan.

What I reckon was the best and most entertaining of the night/day.

The Japanese are known as a very determined nation who never give up (apart from one incident), and that has shown over the last few centuries, often ending in victory or seppuku. And even against a top, yet unpredictable, team like France, they have shown this ferocious, tenacious determination and grit.

And despite coming within a couple of points behind France and rattling their cage badly (the French can be very sustainable to buckling under intense heat), they succumbed to the immense French power and size due to the average height and weight of the Japanese (and the rest of them). France, in the last quarter of the game, realised the danger and potential humiliation that were facing them, pulled up their socks, checked their breath for garlic, and racked up the points, ending the game with a score that really didn’t reflect the phases of play.

FINAL SCORE

47-21

Argentina v England.

Originally meant to be played in Christchurch, the venue was changed to Dunedin, to what is apparently the world’s only fixed roof, grassed stadium. And it does look like a massive aircraft hangar, however, the lack of wind or breeze really didn’t help the kickers Contemponi, Rodriguez and Wilkinson, who collectively missed 11 penalties. Rather unheard of from such world class kickers.

But the game itself was scrappy with non-flowing, scrappy play. Martin Johnson was not amused. The only try was scored in the last few minutes of the game, scored by England.

Not much to say about this game, really. Worst game of the tournament so far. Maybe the highlight was the streaker...

FINAL SCORE

9-13