Quarter Finals Reviewed

Firstly apologies for the lack of paragraphs. The blog editor isn't my friend today. I will try to edit this later this evening from Wellington all being well. Still won't let me insert paragraphs. Oh well, will have to make do for now. Now that the pain has subsided, I feel able to review a cracking weekend's rugby. Yesterday's outpouring was cathartic, in that it helped ease the cloud that appeared following Quarter Final 2. The memory is still painful, but time will heal that fully I am sure. On to the games. Wales started quickly agains Ireland and sneak Shane Williams dodged in for an early score. Ireland seemed intent on scoring the try through muscle that would get them back in terms and lay down a marker, and twice turned down kickable penalties in favour of kicks to the corner. Ultimately, these decisions have hurt them, as 6 points closer and the game is very different. Wales would have been dominated in the tight, but cleverly played at pace, tapping and going to reduce the threat of painfully quiet Healy particularly. O'Connell and O'Callaghan had their moments, but it wasn't to be, as Warburton cancelled out O'Brien effectively, Philipps pulled the strings around the base, and Davies broke through the previously impenetrable line of O'Driscoll and D'Arcy to kill off the Irish challenge, with Philipps providing the coup de grace. Wales deserved and surprise winners and they were the first to qualify for the semi finals (for the firs time since the first World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in 1987). I have gone on at length about England's failings. France pulled a rabbit out of the hat in the first half against the staid English. Despite a good start, with a clever kick pinning France back on their own line, Thompson missed his jumpers and found Nallet instead, the danger was cleared and, early though it ma appear, the writing was on the wall. 2 penalties, 2 unconverted tries and a missed penalty and drop goal later, and England were looking down the barrel at 0-16, with minutes to play in the first half. France had been as good as England had let them be. They still appeared disjointed, but when you're under no pressure, either in attack or defence, the game gets easier and confidence returns. Tuilagi's bullocking runs apart, the French weren't concerned until the very last seconds of the half but inaccurate passing, panic and buttery fingers let them off the hook and saw the half-time score fairly reflect the game. The second half was better from England, who would rue their imprecision in the dying seconds of the first. 2 well worked tries sandwiched either side of a crucial Trinh-Duc drop fed a element of undeserved hope to the hordes of English fans. It wasn't to be however, and the fans were left to puzzle the selection, particularly of Easter, whose lack of energy around the base of the scrum saw Harinordoquy roam free time after time. Nallet and Servat proved invaluable, and Servat is head and shoulders above an hooker in this tournament for me. Parra was solid enough at 10, and the backs all contributed at times. A false dawn for France, or a return to form at just the right time? A Wales vs France semi final next Saturday will not be for the faint-hearted. Personally I want France to win that. Allegiances to the French, coupled with my complete disdain for the way the Welsh react to the English lead me to that view. With the odd honourable exception, the Welsh criticise English arrogance, failing to remember that any arrogance exhibited was taken straight from the Welsh playbook of the 1970s. The French reaction to me in the bar after the game, which was equal amounts sympathy and joy for their own time said a lot. So Allez Les Bleus. Having rewatched the previous days games, I was sat with new friends Jodie, Nicola and Matt, some fresher than others after the Jagerbomb infused Saturday, and old friends Lorraine and Nodge for game 3. If you thought Wales vs Ireland was the ultimate in Quarter Finals, then this disproved that theory. No quarter asked, as the saying goes. No eighth, sixteenth or thirty-secondth was asked in this game. Brutal rugby from both sides. How South Africa lost this I will never know. 80% possession and territory in the first hour. The only try of the game came to Aussie captain Horwill, who collected a pass after the Boks coughed up possession in front of their own posts. A criminal mistake for which they payed the ultimate price. Kicks were exchanged, and South Africa nudged ahead only for Justin Bieber to win the game with the coolest of late penalties. Hard on South Africa, but the Aussies proved that lessons learned 4 years ago in Marseille had not been forgotten (are you reading this England?) So the Springboks go home early, ultimately paying the price for the idiosyncratic ideas of their coach, who quit virtually immediately. Smit over Du Plessis? Hard to put the defeat down to that alone, but it was a factor. New Zealand needed to save my honour and avoid a complete blackwash in terms of predictions. Shaky was the word of the first half hour. New Zealand looked nervous, and I was nervous. Right at the top of the temporary sky scraping stands which will be on their way to London for the 2012 Olympics after this tournament. The Argentinian supporters (average age 21 seemingly) made much noise and really didn't want to sit down. An early try set the tome for a dogged and thoroughly professional performance from them (once more, are you reading this England?). You know what you will get with the Pumas, and the really gave it everything, until after 55 minutes, a justified yellow card was the pin that burst the balloon. Piri Weepu, who until now was most visible as the leader of the Haka, stepped up to silence the Pumas time and again, kicking 23 points, and easing the nerves of the All Blacks who feared a choke. Welcome additions to the 4 Nations these Argentinians. As the crowd dispersed and Muliaina received his 100th cap, they probably revelled in seeing him in Black one last time. He looked off the pace and with Dagg, Kahui, Toeava, Williams, Jane and Guildford providing multiple options in the back 3, I would be surprised to see him feature. So there we are. France vs Wales and New Zealand vs Australia. The same 4 teams as 24 years ago. I'm leaving the predicting till later this week, but don't think Mr Ladbrokes will be quaking as the week goes on given this weekend's record. Finally, here's my team of the tournament so far. 1. Guthro Steenkamp (RSA) 2. William Servat (FRA) 3. Martin Castrogiavanni (ITA) 4. Sam Whitelock (NZL) 5. Dani Rossouw (RSA) 6. Jerome Kaino (NZL) 7. Sean O'Brien (IRE) 8. Jamie Heaslip (IRE) 9. Will Genia (AUS) 10. Morne Steyn (RSA) 11. Richard Kahui (NZL) 12. Ma'a Nonu (NZL) 13. Conrad Smith (NZL) 14. George North (WAL) 15. Israel Dagg (NZL) Only 1 Welshman, yo might cry. Teamwork is the reason they are where they are, not outstanding individuals. Warburton is close at 7 and a good game against France could see him leap in there, but that said, Pocock could outMcCaw McCaw and become a shoe-in. More during the week bye for now