Paris parties like it's 1999 (65)
- 7 Oct 07, 02:06 AM
Paris 鈥 Anyone know where I can get my hands on around 3,000 boxes of painkillers?
The reason I ask is because I reckon I could make an absolute fortune selling them on the streets of the French capital after the mother of all parties on Saturday night.
And who can blame anyone from feeling slightly groggy the morning after one of the most incredible days in World Cup history?
It all started at the Frog & Rosbif bar where a pub full of increasingly well-oiled English men and women, shouted, screamed, swore and cheered as Brian Ashton鈥檚 men defied the odds to .
The bar went potty at the final whistle but, despite the celebrations, a group of English lads had the presence of mind to go out to try and find a hotel for next weekend. I, for one, was impressed with their forward planning.
And then it was off to the enormous marquee erected near the Trocadero to watch hosts France play World Cup favourites New Zealand in Cardiff.
An hour before kick-off, the place was rammed with face-painted French fans already in fine voice while outside the twinkled like a massive iron Christmas tree.
One of the few Kiwis brave enough to venture out brushed past me on the way to the toilets and just smiled when I asked him if he was confident. I took that as a 'yes'.
The French were in lively mood despite not being that hopeful of victory and the volume was turned up as a replay of France鈥檚 stunning semi-final win over New Zealand at the 1999 World Cup was shown on the big screens.
My ears were ringing and the match hadn't even begun yet.
The only moment that threatened the bonhomie was when the image of newly installed President Nicolas Sarkozy taking his seat at the Millennium Stadium led to boos and cheers in equal measure. Well, that鈥檚 democracy for you.
As you would expect, the events in Cardiff forced the French to go through a whole range of emotions. By the finish, most just had their heads in their hands, praying for the final whistle to go.
When Jean-Baptiste Elissalde battered the ball into touch to signal , all hell broke loose and you would have thought it was the final itself.
Young and old started to jump up and down, hugging, singing and cheering. Even yours truly got a cuddle from an overjoyed middle-aged lady 鈥 just don鈥檛 tell the wife.
The marquee shook and at one point the bouncing got so excessive that staff cast a worried eye at the gaps starting to appear in the creaking floor panels underneath us.
Scotland and Argentina fans, in town for Sunday鈥檚 quarter-final at the Stade de France, also got in on the act.
And after the initial pandemonium subsided, they held an impromptu ceilidh as the Kenny Rogers classic "" was played on the sound system.
The party continued as the hordes spilt out onto the streets towards the Tower, the roads already starting to fill with cars blaring their horns.
It did not take long for the celebrations to envelop a located on the Champs de Mars.
Well, if your team had just beaten the All Blacks, you wouldn鈥檛 be able to resist cavorting in front of a huge ball that has 鈥100% PURE NEW ZEALAND鈥 plastered on the side of it either.
It was an opportunity too good to resist.
Bemused Kiwi staff, who had been inside the ball watching the game, came out onto the steps and looked slightly concerned at the sight of the rowdy throng in front of them.
Some tried to conduct the crowd in a rendition of the La Marseillaise in a ploy to get them onside while others hurriedly tried to get a sign printed with the words 鈥淐ONGRATULATIONS FRANCE鈥 as a show of goodwill. Wise move.
Goodness knows what time people actually went to bed. By the time I finally hit the sack at around three in the morning, I could still hear the sounds of car horns in the distance.
It was one amazing day. And we do it all again later on Sunday. Just a little request to the Scottish, Argentine, South African and Fijian players - don鈥檛 put us through that again, my heart can鈥檛 take it.
Mark Orlovac is a 91热爆 Sport journalist based in London. He will be based in Paris for the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup.
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like i said before...what's all this about northern hemishere vs southern hemisphere? they've all been sent packing so far...watch this...France have had 'their' game and England are going to have theirs when they meet the French.
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WELL DONE FRANCE
You guys were great and showed tons of character. However you need to start with Michalak and Chabal - those guys did serious damage when they came on.
Anyway, see you next week in the semis.
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like i said before...what's all this about northern hemishere vs southern hemisphere? they've all been sent packing so far...watch this...France have had 'their' game and England are going to have theirs when they meet the French.
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A fantastic day for the Northerh hemisphere and the game of Rugby!!
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'French fans celebrate their shock win over New Zealand'
How is it a 'Shock' win.
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Stunning win for France!!
Hope they go on and win it now!
Vive la France
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I never thought I would cheer on France!! So many people have raved about southern hemisphere but when it comes to the crunch they lose the bottle - they cannot pitch in and hunker down and this has been proved over and over again. In their defense look at New Zealand's group, they had no big games and were not tested at all - they weren't ready for the big game. France and England have had big games and big losses, they have had to accept what has happened, rebuild both the team and their confidence and get themselves back on track - and look how they have got back on track! What a fantastic word cup, so good for rugby. Maybe the best yet for results? Argentina in the final I hope!
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Well done England and France absolutely brilliant results for the Northern Hemisphere and what is now, after the last two world cups, the premier Rugby Union competition "The Six Nations"!
Here's hoping Scotland or Argentina and let's not forget Fiji, as anything can happen now, do the business against the final remaining arrogant triplet.
Lets get Argentina into the fold and make it the Seven Nations, their inclusion can only strengthen and promote the sport.
As a Scot I was cheering England on, this is probably one of the few fixtures they get my full support. Australian insults towards them and their arrogance is way out of order and they got spanked again for it, it's high time they learned a bit of civility.
I'm praying Scotland can emulate England and France and go further in this competition. Success in this competition for any of us goes a long way to promoting the sport and strengthening the Magners League and Six Nations.
Well done guys!
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Gutted as a New Zealander but delighted for the tournament.. the Rugby World Cup like all World Cups - except cricket - has questions over its merits in deciding which is the best team in the world for at least the past/next 4 years, but it's certainly a terrific world advert for the sport and results like this are only great for the sport. And it does unite fans from all over the world even if they don't share the same emotions over the result. I was in Cardiff and right outside the Millenium Stadium - having watched it at the City Arms pub which was electric inside! - after the game and the atmosphere was great.. Us Kiwis were gutted but that didn't stop us from partying with the French - and English and Welsh! Rugby has traditionally been a sport that unites home and away fans with after game functions.. It's great to see that spirit alive! Great day for rugby! Hope there's plenty more to come in this Rugby World Cup..
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I work with a New Zealander and for the past three weeks it has being a nighmare sharing the same office with him. I cannot wait ontil Monday morning!!
Well done ENGLANG & FRANCE - To my NZ colleague come on the 6 Mations and win the tournament.
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Possibly the best quarter final day ever?
No I don't work for a certain danish lager.
As a Scotsman was delighted for england and then was doubly delighted for France.
Have lots of kiwi & aussie friends and haven't dared talked to them yet. I do feel sorry for them - to some extent they can be forgiven to think it was there year - although, you have to do a lot more than just show up for the world cup.
awesome, awesome day..
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The Bokke r the best team left and must surely win
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Last night was such a party atosphere. this was aided by the fact that last night was like a mini holiday in paris anyway where all the bars stay open till the early hours and the metro runs all night.
whatever the result, last night was going to be a party. myself and a group of other brits were walking through place de la concorde singing swing low sweet chariot and being joined by jubilant french men - a sight i never thought i would see. friends for now in celebration, bring on the semi!
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If you think Paris was fun, you should have been here in Marseilles!! I think I was the ONLY sober person here yesterday. It was all very good humoured though and a lot of franglais, entente cordial and Pernod fuelled an English/French love fest!! Walking out to try and find breakfast this morning there were sleeping, snoring bodies EVERYWHERE. On benches, in shop doorways and the promenade looks like an unusual school of whales has beached itself.
I tried, 8 weeks ago, to put a bet of 拢10 on England v Fiji in the final for no other reason than I was interested to see what odds I would get. I was laughed out of several bookmakers and the internet ones didn't even have an option for it. The only bookies that would touch it gave me 8000 to 1. That's EIGHT thousand to 1. And what will I do with my 拢80,000 winnings? A nice long trip to Fiji, I think!!!
It's not over until the captain cries, is it, Stirling?
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I work with a New Zealander and for the past three weeks it has being a nighmare sharing the same office with him. I cannot wait ontil Monday morning!!
Well done ENGLANG & FRANCE - To my NZ colleague come on the 6 Mations and win the tournament.
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One of the best strategically-planned games I have ever seen. It finally demonstrates that rugby has grown into being brain-and-heart. Talent is important, but not enough. Can you have too much talent? Yes you can: look at the All Blacks. Can you have too much arrogance? Yes you can: look at the All Blacks. The result of the combination is trying to show the World how to play rugby. The result of the patronising stance is loosing in big games.
As a francophilic argie, I am hoping the Pumas to go on to the finals, when we should meet again with our loved foes Les Bleus.
PS: by the way, what's the excuse for not inviting the Pumas to the Tri Nations now?
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I can't remember a year where, as an Englishman, I have jumped around and screamed at the TV for the French to win so much - excluding the games with England. My bet at the beginning of the tournament was with S.Africa but i have this odd vision of Mike Catt lifting the trophy so I'm off to Ladbrokes and laying down some cash. Yesterday was the best day in rugby world cup quarter finals I can remember. Australia were arrogant, self-aggrandising and rightfully sent packing. NZ, an altogether more grounded nation, were not only outplayed but out-passioned as well. France's resolve in the face of the AB's assault on their try line was exemplary. How many teams could have sucked up so much pressure without conceding a penalty? Awesome stuff. We all owe a massive thanks to Argentina for making this world cup the unpredictable delight it has become. What a bonus if they were to make it to the final.
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I love rugby! I love drinking with the losing side after the match and not being hated for it. I love celebrating a game, without feeling the need to rub people's noses in the fact they lost. This is so much better than the tribalism of soccer.
Two amazing games. We will be talking of these in years to come. Thankyou New Zealand, thankyou Australia. You are great ambassadors for sport. Thankyou England, thankyou France, that was amazing.
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well 2 brilliant games, and I hope that Scotland, beat the pumas and fiji beat S.Africa.
Really I am hoping for a ENGLAND v SCOTLAND Final, it is possible in this tournament.
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as the previous comment says, we have argentina to thank for this truly thrilling world cup. it was their beating of france on day one that not only upended the tournament, changing it from a predictable tri-nations+ AN Other semi final set, to the unpredictable and brilliant event it is now, and it gave other sides the belief that they could win against the odds too.
what price and England-Argentina final?
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This was Like the England and Australia match,I watched the game with several other's at a public house in Hampshire it was worth every Second and with this tournament producing so many Shock result's we witnessed the BIGGEST of them all.It was hugely gripping,nerve-wracking and intense New Zealand piled on relentless pressure but France where MORE than a match for them,in EVERY DEPARTMENT they fought back dug in deep and THOUGHLY DESERVED THERE AMAZING VICTORY despite being an england fan I am DELIGHTED for the french team and for the french people the french team showed that they where not going to be intimidated by the showing off Antic's or the IMMENSE Arrogance of the New Zealand players nor there reputation before the start of the game.yesterday was a day where team's from the northern hemisphere showed what they can do against those from the southern Hemisphere!!!
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Shock? How is this a shock result?
Nobody in France thought it a shock, and anyone with a keen knowledge of the history of Rugby would think likewise. Unless of course you heeded the usual arrogance of the Antipodeans, who seem to think that the sporting world should observe them with a hallowed-like reverence!
Here's to a France v Argentina final- a non-English speaking final. Such a final make shake the game from it's haggard colonial mindset, and make rugby a truly world game.
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Great composure & displine by the French. In the beautiful knockout stage anything can happen. Cheers Les Blues & England. I hope to see a new winner of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Rugby is alive & kicking at both hemispheres ok!! Harban Singh, Malaysia
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Great composure & displine by the French. In the beautiful knockout stage anything can happen. Cheers Les Blues & England. I hope to see a new winner of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Rugby is alive & kicking at both hemispheres ok!! Harban Singh, Malaysia
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Allez les bleus!!!! Well done from a very happy Irish fan.
You have done Europe proud. Southern Hemisphere rugby best in the world? Are you having a laugh!
Australia lose by two points to England when Ireland put over 40 on them. Well done England for sorting yourselves out.
We are now looking forward to playing in 6 Nations with the world champs...France.
And lets get Argentina playing up here - they play as if they are Europeans anyway.
Rugby in Europe is alive and well!!!!!
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Help - someone get a Dr. I have been laughing for 20 hours solid only taking time off to drink more refreshment and concentrate on taking a pee. I am in severe pain and live in hope that this guffawing will die down to a chuckle some time during the midweek. The main course in Marseilles yesterday was sumptious in its presentation and delectable to the pallet - followed by a splendid petit gateux from Cardiff to follow. Specialite de la maison.
We have been accused of all sorts over the last 4 yrs. Ineptitude of those managing the game in the RFU - sure, that's completely justified. But the players are as good as anything around given adequate preparation and a good coach appointed just in time.
Aussies were gutless yesterday - change the mustard shirts to 'canary yellow' for your next outing so you don't forget that at the heart of this game is confrontation. If you don't front up when it counts then you'll get smashed.
In the UK we had to put up with Murray Mexted on the commentary - whining like the favorite at the World Whining Championships. Only NZers can really reach this level of irritation. Hopefully he'll be going home with his team.
FOUR MORE YEARS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO GAZE AT THE SOUTHERN CROSS!
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well. what can i say?
- im a new zealander living in new zealand and everyone here is heartbroken. we have spent four long years waiting for this day and when push comes to shove...its the english ref who lets us down in the long run.
i mean cmon seriously, did u see that wayne barnes! first sending an all black off for no reason, then ignoring a major forward pass which cost us the game, stupid stupid stupid game and i have never felt more ashamed to rugby in all my life.
france didnt deserve that win, oh well sigh, bring on the 2011 new zealand rugby world cup then...
can't wait to meet u frenchies here in nz then :P
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Does Seeboobies know where Argentina is? 7 Nations indeed.
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Does Seeboobies know where Argentina is? 7 Nations indeed.
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I'm so glad that france made it ! It was amazing ! I wasn't sure about the french victory but this team shown so much energy and yes there was a forward pass but the referee was behind michalak and it was obviously hard to see but if you watch the game again you will see a forward pass for NZ too before their try ! Go France !!!!
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Dear Mike,
In France, you would be called "un mauvais joueur"... Stand up to AB's reputation, and be "classy"...
We had more passion and will, c'est la vie!
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Teams keep paying the price for underestimating their opponents - perhaps the TriNations score 2 and we'll score 3 mentality, perhaps players and coaches guilty of looking one or two games ahead. Wales, Australia and NZ all fell short in this way. In all three games, their respective forwards were ultimately outmuscled and their coaching teams out thought.
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Am still trying to recover from yesterday and seeing the Wallabies and All Blacks sent packing. All this rubbish about the superiority of southern hemisphere rugby was put in place. The Wallabies cannot scrummage to save their lives and have been protected by referees for years. How Al Baxter can command a place in an international side is beyond me. As for the All Blacks - well there is just so much baggage attached to that lot. Going back in time to Colin Mead's tackle on Graeme Hodgson of Wales after he had made the mark at the Arms Park, Andy Haden's jump out of the line out, John Ashworth's cowardly raking of JPR's face and the condoning of it by the management by picking Ashworth to play against the Barbarians a few days later, Sean Fitzpatrick's raking of deGlanville's face in a ruck, Tana Umaga's spearing of Brian O'Driscoll ........ They got what they deserved yesterday. They too have been protected by referees because of their so called status. And as for that Haka, it's nothing more than a blatant attempt at intimidation now. If it was attempted in any high street around the country after opening hours the whole lot would be carted off to the local nick. What a joke it has deteriorated into.
My best souvenir from yesterday evening, apart from McAllister being nailed for blatant obstruction of Jauzion (how on earth could the ex All Black Captain Murray Mexted, the ITV commentator critcise the referee for sin binning him?) was the site of Sean Fitzpatrick, in the TV studio, almost choking on his restrained tears and Thomas Castaignede finally apologising to him for his nation beating the mighty All Blacks. The truth was there for all to see - to be a good winner you first of all have to learn how to be a good loser.
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Am I the only one who new England would beat the Oz? Does anyone know if there are going to be any big screens up in London when we beat the French.
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I went shopping in Cardiff this morning ,got their just before Ten o'clock and Queen st was just a complete sea of litter, then the street sweepers appeared and started to clean up, Looked like there was one hell of a party going on last night.
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at this level, the mental toughness plays an immense part for the outcome of the game. We have seen over and over in this world cup, the underdog has been competing tremendously and causing some famnous upsets. Please fellas, gives the ABs some credits, they were/are still the best team in the world. Which other team in the world (besides South Africa and Australia) have put them under any threat in recent years? I, as an English, can not be any prouder today. Having say that, still do feel sorry to see Gregan and Larkham ending their test careers in such a way, my outmost respect to both fellas, they have done so much for the world rugby for the last decade. Let us all the rugby fan enjoy another two weekends of the game of heaven, and give the credits to all teams for making a memorable world cup.
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at this level, the mental toughness plays an immense part for the outcome of the game. We have seen over and over in this world cup, the underdog has been competing tremendously and causing some famnous upsets. Please fellas, gives the ABs some credits, they were/are still the best team in the world. Which other team in the world (besides South Africa and Australia) have put them under any threat in recent years? I, as an English, can not be any prouder today. Having say that, still do feel sorry to see Gregan and Larkham ending their test careers in such a way, my outmost respect to both fellas, they have done so much for the world rugby for the last decade. Let us all the rugby fan enjoy another two weekends of the game of heaven, and give the credits to all teams for making a memorable world cup.
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i'm french; and i'm very proud to my team rugby. i'm very happy that we'll play england next which everybody in france respect.for france i that michalak; chabal; dominici and ellissalde will play.Without them it's not the same.For me michalak and wilkinson are the best player of the world.good luck for france and england.i'm sure it will be very tight.
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i'm french; and i'm very proud to my team rugby. i'm very happy that we'll play england next which everybody in france respect.for france i that michalak; chabal; dominici and ellissalde will play.Without them it's not the same.For me michalak and wilkinson are the best player of the world.good luck for france and england.i'm sure it will be very tight.
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Hernan asked:
PS: by the way, what's the excuse for not inviting the Pumas to the Tri Nations now?
Answer: they're afraid of the competition.
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Well done England. Well done France.
But I really wish France beats England's arrogance next week - and then concedes to Argentina in the Final. That would upset all plans and RWC2007 would be the best thing that happened to Rugby since... France-NZ 1999?
It's going to be a tough week at work but the followin Monday I'll get to work at 9 sharp with a smile on my face - allez les Bleus!
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Ouch!!
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What hurts the most is not that we lost but we lost because of poor refereeing decisions.France got 10 points when Luke McAllister dubious sending off happened and then the forward pass which lead to the second try was missed by ref and touch judges..In such a crucial situation all events leading up to the try should go to the TMO..A frenchman who committed a similar infringment to McAllister was not sinbinned so therin is great inconsistency. I had heard that this was this refs first big game is that right??? and should he have been reffing it!! But such is life I will get over it because there are more important things in life than Sport.A man named Jesus died for me and I hold onto that hope rather than a sporting one.Go France for the Final
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That game was a disgrace, do you think that we kiwi's thought that all we'd have to do is show up get a result your kidding ... we've spend three years planning and trying different combinations and trying different methods of aproach to each game we spend weeks anaylising and planning the best stratagy to overcome the opposiion we had the stratgy we had the personelle ...we went down to our third first five eight (because we had planned for that) we killed france in all the statistic and every stat that mattered
and the ref ... he wanted to make a spectical of the event and make sure it was a close contents by making outrageously biased called ... anyone with two or four eyes could of seen that
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Congratulations France and England, Magnificent and deserved victories!
Although, as a kiwi, I was very disappointed to see the All Blacks lose, I was very happy for the French. I loved the irony of the teams who had been pilloried by their own press, put the favorites to the sword. I don't believe refereeing had an impact, I believe heart and defending like your life depended on it won the day. You could tell the AB's were all out of answers to the brilliant French when they dithered so much in getting the ball out of the rucks... "Mike 2977" and "a kiwi", I'm sure you are John O'neil in drag, trying to take the poor sports heat of Australia... if not, grow up... respect to France & Eng(a)land
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Congratulations France and England, Magnificent and deserved victories!
Although, as a kiwi, I was very disappointed to see the All Blacks lose, I was very happy for the French. I loved the irony of the teams who had been pilloried by their own press, put the favorites to the sword. I don't believe refereeing had an impact, I believe heart and defending like your life depended on it won the day. You could tell the AB's were all out of answers to the brilliant French when they dithered so much in getting the ball out of the rucks... "Mike 2977" and "a kiwi", I'm sure you are John O'neil in drag, trying to take the poor sports heat of Australia... if not, grow up... respect to France & Eng(a)land
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I cannot believe the whinging of the New Zealand fans. They are blaming everyone but themselves. You guys had the best team in the world player-wise but you blew it!! The country is blaming the referee - they really don't know how to lose with dignity.
If you guys are ever to become respectable world champions first of all learn how to hold yourselves in defeat. Even if things go against you, by immediately coming out blaming everyone but yourselves is giving your nation a very ugly image, and you are will gain the label of a nation of 'bad-losers'.
What has happened came deservingly due to the arrogance of the Southern Hemisphere rugby nations. It will now definitely be at least a quarter of a century the supposed "best rugby nation" hasn't lifted the trophy.
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Interesting reading all of the above. I think respect goes to all teams involved. A thrilling game between England and the Ozzies, and yes if you go on form the Ozzies should have beaten us - but on the day we played out of our skins and finally produced some good form, well done England and well done the ozzies.
The NZ France game was equally a dazzler. Maybe not the best rugby but the heart and soul was in it for the French. NZ are still likley the best world team, but again on the day is when it matters most - the rub of the green,a wrong decision by the ref, maybe, but cest la vie. And c;mon NZ you must admit, that all the chances you had for a drop goal in the last 5 minutes were unbelievable.
Please dont blame the loss on the referree, you could have made amends, you had the chances but you didnt take them. Great weekend for the game of rugby.
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What a weekend. Great for the Northern Hemispehere!! Never thought I'd cheering France with such passion. Looking forward to next weekend, whatever the result a great World Cup.
Unlucky Scotland and Fiji, but a HUGE Thanks to all the Scots cheerng on the England team in the bar with us!! An amazing day or North v South and North is on top!!!
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As a Frenchman I thought I would just pop in my two ha'penny worth and say thanks to the NZ coach who, after the game, went into the French changing room to congratulate our team. That was not only very courageous but also very sporting of him. He's done the sport of rugby proud.
As for next week:
"Allez les Bleus!!"
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Re: masterchivas... That's a bit of a daft comment. Could you not then say that England have already had 'their' game against Australia? Personally, I think both semi's are going to be very close. The problem with the 'favourites' so far in the knock out stages is that they have simply gone out tho play their own game, and when it's not worked they have not had a Plan B - a bit naive I think. However, for the sake of entertaining rugby, and having a spectacle for a final (most finals have been poor i the past), in my opinion a SA-France final would be best.
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NZ are bad losers and bad winners. I was lucky enough to visit NZ on the last Lions tour. After the first test we had an uncomfortable evening in Christchurch with the Kiwi youth being loud mouthed and very disrespectful. A fine example of them being bad winners. Having read some of the comments above, they want to blame everyone except themselves. They should learn to be gracious in defeat and remember that this is only sport. NZ is a beautiful country, and the majority of the population are wonderful people. Dont take rugby so seriously........we will still come and visit you at the next world cup!
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Are the Kiwis whiging so much becaus
e they had already booked there hotel rooms and tickets for the semis and finals and now have to go back all that way with nothing apart form the Scotland away kit!!
Also how many times down the years have we seen the All(Whinging)Blacks get away with murder as i think has been previously stated.. I mean how Jerry Collins stayed on the pitch against was it Italy or some one else earlier in the tournamnet was beyond me and about 50 other blokes at the Club earlier in the tournament....
Vive La Northern Hemisphere!!
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Kiwis and Aussies. great people but when in comes to sport they deserve everything they get. For 20 years the kiwis have been claiming they're the best team in the world.
Food poisoning, refereeing decisions, wrong colour shirt. Lets face it, your judged on World Cups and Kiwi teams can't handle the pressure.
Michael Lynagh is humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Zinzan and Sean Fitzpatrick could learn from a lot from him. Their anti English bias and non stop pro Southern hemisphere rugby stance has no place on British TV. Go home and remember to book another seat for your arrogance on the plane. Sky, ITV please take them off our screen.
Well done France and England. Great wins.
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France loves you Wayne Barnes!!!!!!
Allez les Bleus!!!!!
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Amidst all the complaining about the forward pass before the French try, I'm amazed that no-one has said anything about Soa'aiala's try for NZ. Since when are you allowed to crawl to the try-line on your knees when you are being held? He made at least two clear 'steps' on his knees without which he would never have managed to burrow over the line. I couldn't believe that in spite of the fact that it went to a video referee, the try was still awarded.
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Anyone who is saying that NZ fans are bad loser, should have been in Cardiff on Saturday night, congratulating the French fans and being in a happy mood no matter what.
I am French and I was in Cardiff. Of course I support my country, but ideally I would have liked France to win without the help of the ref who was unfair and did a terrible job.
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Over in Bayonne New Jersey we had the France / ABs game recorded so we could see it after our local game.
I am happy to say that we did not know the outcome and were able to go crazy with our French players who were totally insane I might add at the ending. Any talk about the calls is just whining and sour grapes. This is Great for Rugby, and it one of the best days in a long time! Swing Low Les Blues! Woo Hoo!!!!!
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Tell me that they are going to take Murray Mixedup home too? Please...please...please...
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The New Zealand France game was an abosulute dissgrace to the tournament. The officials organising the tournament should never have allowed such an inexperienced (and utterly incometent) refferee to call such a critical match. Although the All Balcks did miss the drop goal oppertunity to clinch the match, there is still no excuess for such poor refereing that missed an obvious forward pass. as for the sin binning of McAlister, from all the games i've watched of this tournament it seems to me that there is a worring trend from the northern hemisphere players to take falls in order to milk penalties. - if your going to fake it, go and play football.
French Rugby fans have nothing to be proud of from this hollow victory. it's a shame to see a second rate side make it to a semi final where they don't deserve to be.
All the best to England!
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The all Blacks came into the tournanament as always thinking that they had one hand on the trophy. The audacity and disrespect NZ RFU showed by pulling out key players from the Super 14 was unbelievable. (Ruined the Tournament)If the South Africans or Aussues did that, there would have been hell to pay. They would have been better off playing competetive matches in the Super 14 to be more prepared as they knew beforehand that group matches were not going to be the most testing encounters.
But with this Masterplan of "special preparation" done by Mr Henry & co they can not fail right...WRONG.
Once again the mighty ABs underestimate the opposition & fall on their own sword. Things they have a lot of: Skill, talent, arrogance & beleif in their own hype. Things they lack: Heart,humility,tactical nouse, character & BOTTLE.
Lets face it, as an England fan, we know times have been hard for the last 3 years and we have not been playing as world champs. Clive Woodward left a big legacy behind & hopes in general for this tournament were not high. And what with stuttering against the Yanks, Getting butchered by the Boks, the aussies saw us as easy pickings.The QF saw England Man up, show grit & determination to grind down the Aussies & book a semi-final place.
So All Blacks take a leaf out of our book. Dont underestimate the opposition, show them some respect. Be humble & focus on winning, not arrogant and constantly complaining.
Remember boys "pride comes before the fall"
Have a nice flight home...Come on England..
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come on fellas, no matter what country you are supporting, gives all the players and coaches that have been involved in this world cup full credits, each one of them has been surely sacrificing loads for preparing the big event. No one should be insulted, let's put our words in the right frame, please. For me, ABs have some great sportsmanship as always, even after Saturday's shocking loss, they were full of praise for the french, .. I AM A PROUD ENGLISH man, but honestly speaking, I would rather to see us playing ABs (no disrespect to the French) in the semi-final, Why? simple, if we are/are going to retain our cup, we simply have to beat the best in the game, and to me, ABs have been the team for the last four years, the only other team can pose some threats is the Springboks and Aussies .. as for the semi-finals, let's hope the best teams win ... Go Bokkes, England, French and Ar'gine
lastly, my outmost respect to Gregan and Larkham
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You gotta admit that the Puma's threw the whole of Pool D and the competition up in the air when they beat France in the first game. The Pumas were always the dark horses in the tournament and i put 拢20 on the argies getting to the final at odds of 60-1! What am I gonna do with my 拢1200? **** knows!
In reply to comment 17: Remember, although you think the Boks will lift the trophy, but you had an odd vision of Catt lifting it, well just think, technically Catt IS a Springbok!
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ya last comment no 63- i totally agree with you. were it not for some awful refereeing and moronic linesmen, the kiwis would be playing england and not france. lets face it france have been lucky with one or 2 of the referees this tournament.i also think new zealand are still the team to beat and will keep beating everyone.they play fantastic rugby. as an irish woman, i will be supoporting england our nearest and dearest neighbours- not being sarcastic here. im really impressed with how england have fought back from adversity and many of their greatest players retiring etc- hopefully ireland can do the same.ill never forget the english fans in dublin this year- were fantastic to watch a game with and we had a great night afterwards! good luck england- i hope the team will get a few tries aginst the french and that the ref will be fair to them too.
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For years I've been a football fan and taken little notice of Rugby, but this has recently been rapidly changing. Now since the RU World Cup I am COMPLETELY converted. It is a fantastic game full of amazing people, both players and fans. Despite the seeming bad grace of some of the S.Hemisphere the two games no longer, for me, even compare. To read some of the earlier comments about the shared parties and celebrations between fans of different nations & teams and see how fans at the game and in the bars behave so differently than in soccer is very moving! Long live RU and the fantastic spirit of this amazing game.
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