Originally posted by -Pr-Agreed, I am please Ireland secured a quarter final spot. The Samoa game was a whitewash.
Hopefully the typhoon passes without too much trouble.
Originally posted by -Pr-and yes Walshy they did, I am also pleased they are in the next round.
Hopefully the typhoon passes without too much trouble.
Originally posted by walshyA Wales Vs England final would be the greatest ever final in the world cup imho.
A Wales England final would be amazing.. If we win of course otherwise it would suck but yeah South Africa are good and honestly if France didn't have a red card they might have beat WalesAaron Wainwright took that elbow like a champ though
They faced tough opponents. The Springboks usually perform well in World Cup tournaments (the complete opposite of our Cricket team *sigh*). In the 6 other cups since rejoining international competition, it's never been lower than the quarter finals, with 2 wins and 2 3rd places, IIRC.
Wales made a good fight of it though. I don't think the points gap was ever more than 3 at any given time (or if it was, not for very long).
Originally posted by TheVaultDwellerAhh, you are in South Africa. Yes, you do. That said, you have declined somewhat since being allowed back on the World stage and the first world cup win. Before the Apartheid ban you were very dominant. Then of course, you guys managed to negate Lomu, when nobody else could. I think, and I will eat crow if you win the limitation of South African rugby is 1 quota's and two the old fashioned forward mentality.
They faced tough opponents. The Springboks usually perform well in World Cup tournaments (the complete opposite of our Cricket team *sigh*). In the 6 other cups since rejoining international competition, it's never been lower than the quarter finals, with 2 wins and 2 3rd places, IIRC.Wales made a good fight of it though. I don't think the points gap was ever more than 3 at any given time (or if it was, not for very long).
Our general form hasn't been that consistent for the last 2 decades or so, but we do still tend to excel in tournaments. But a dip in form was to be expected with the transformation process and the growing pains that come along with it though. Our talent pool hasn't depleted. But the infrastructure to draw it out has deteriorated a bit (but that has more to do with missing funds due to government corruption, which is a whole other can of worms I am not getting into right now).
Unfortunately, there is a lot of unnecessary politics behind the scenes of our sports, in general, and it has driven many talented players, coaches and other support staff overseas. I am happy to say that the average RSA citizen cares little for that crap though and most of us are united behind the team as South Africans.
Originally posted by TheVaultDwellerI've been to SA a few times, I live in Lagos a lot of the year for work. I like the place, when I was playing myself, I spent some time in the free state as a foreign player. The ball travels so far at altitude in your place lol.
Our general form hasn't been that consistent for the last 2 decades or so, but we do still tend to excel in tournaments. But a dip in form was to be expected with the transformation process and the growing pains that come along with it though. Our talent pool hasn't depleted. But the infrastructure to draw it out has deteriorated a bit (but that has more to do with missing funds due to government corruption, which is a whole other can of worms I am not getting into right now).Unfortunately, there is a lot of unnecessary politics behind the scenes of our sports, in general, and it has driven many talented players, coaches and other support staff overseas. I am happy to say that the average RSA citizen cares little for that crap though and most of us are united behind the team as South Africans.
Quotas trigger many South Africans I know. I personally get the need for them but I can see why they are disliked.
Quotas are a part of it (and even there, it's more to do with the manner of application than the concept itself for most people), but not the whole picture. There is a general issue with mentality at the moment. To give a recent example, after the RSA Cricket team's fairly dismal display at that World Cup, the Minister of Sport came out and made excuses, saying something along the lines of that we weren't there to win, just to compete. And that actually triggered a ton of people, including myself. Our team should be competing to win. Not going to tournaments for an attendance badge. And, obviously, athletes want to win. Coaches want winning teams. Sponsors want to back winners. So, that drives all of them away as well.