Will you be watching the Rugby WC semi finals on Sat and Sun at 2000?

[Icy Gull]

Both of them, none of them or England vs France only?

 

[Dave the OAP]

what are the timings here?

England vs estonia...then France v England at 8?

What time does the england footie game KO?

 

[Uncle Buck]

what are the timings here?

England vs estonia...then France v England at 8?

What time does the england footie game KO?

3pm, I think.

 

[countrygull]

Definitely both: IMHO the two games last Saturday were two of the greatest sporting events I have ever seen in terms of excitement, edge of the seat tension and pure watchability. Very few football matches I've seen come close. The only comparable tension I can think of was the last 20 minutes during the 1983 cup run against both Liverpool and Sheff Wednesday. (I was away for our playoffs against Swindon which must also have come close). But quite simply the matches last weekend were fantastic. Somehow Rugby can do this more often because it is a game built on strength and determination on both sides, rather than occasional brilliance and flair. Also is is slower in the build up and you can see what both teams are trying to do over several minutes allowing you to get totally involved. It was awesome. God knows why I love football so much!!

 

[smudge]

Both, unless England lose.

 

[Da Man Clay]

Neither. Couldn't care less about the sport really, might watch the final if we get there though.

 

[Simster]

Definitely both. I think NZ v France was the greatest game of rugby that I've ever seen - it was absolutely awesome. Australia v England was right up there too, and I'm a bit annoyed I missed the SA v Fiji game which was predictably tight until the final quarter.

I know it's a cliche but the ethos surrounding the ref and players is a breath of fresh air. No back chat to the ref, hand shaking at the end and applauding the opposition off the pitch, even amongst arch rivals. I think this is what turns on a large percentage of the sporting public as much as the game itself, which I can see might have limited appeal.

I remember listening to an Ireland game earlier on and someone said "f***" in the middle of the scrum. The ref warning him for language which was a bit quaint.

 

[Icy Gull]

Definitely both: IMHO the two games last Saturday were two of the greatest sporting events I have ever seen in terms of excitement, edge of the seat tension and pure watchability. Very few football matches I've seen come close. The only comparable tension I can think of was the last 20 minutes during the 1983 cup run against both Liverpool and Sheff Wednesday. (I was away for our playoffs against Swindon which must also have come close). But quite simply the matches last weekend were fantastic. Somehow Rugby can do this more often because it is a game built on strength and determination on both sides, rather than occasional brilliance and flair. Also is is slower in the build up and you can see what both teams are trying to do over several minutes allowing you to get totally involved. It was awesome. God knows why I love football so much!!

Top level International rugby is generally much more exciting than the equivalent football imo. The games last week, as well as the Fiji vs Wales game last week, were real edge of the seat thrills and compelling for the full 80 mins. Football seldom comes close for such sustained excitement and thrills, for me anyway.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Definitely both. I think NZ v France was the greatest game of rugby that I've ever seen - it was absolutely awesome. Australia v England was right up there too, and I'm a bit annoyed I missed the SA v Fiji game which was predictably tight until the final quarter.

I know it's a cliche but the ethos surrounding the ref and players is a breath of fresh air. No back chat to the ref, hand shaking at the end and applauding the opposition off the pitch, even amongst arch rivals. I think this is what turns on a large percentage of the sporting public as much as the game itself, which I can see might have limited appeal.

I remember listening to an Ireland game earlier on and someone said "f***" in the middle of the scrum. The ref warning him for language which was a bit quaint.

that also happened in the Wales v Fiji game.- which I recon was the best game of Rugby I have ever seen.

One of the Fijians was trying to breal the maul, and Jones ( the curly perm one) leaned across and yelled "f*** off" at the Fijian. When the maul broke down, the ref went across and spoke to him about his language!!!

 

[tip top]

I've never been a big rugby fan but after watching the last two world cups, I've grown to admire the game and also those who play it.

Puts the ponces on the football pitches to shame.

 

[Icy Gull]

I know it's a cliche but the ethos surrounding the ref and players is a breath of fresh air. QUOTE]

The moving the offence 10 metres forwards for any backchat or comments has a lot to do with it I'm sure. To lose 10 extra metres as a forward who has given blood metaphoricaly to gain ground is a major blow to them.

 

[Gully]

Will definitely watch the England game, the last game was gripping even for someone who generally doesn't do rugby, probably won't bother with the other one unless we make it to the Final.

 

[Simster]

Top level International rugby is generally much more exciting than the equivalent football imo. The games last week, as well as the Fiji vs Wales game last week, were real edge of the seat thrills and compelling for the full 80 mins. Football seldom comes close for such sustained excitement and thrills, for me anyway.

Top level rugby and top level football are both excellent to watch IMO, but the nature of football and its global footoprint make it far more interesting for me.

For a start, minnows in rugby rarely cause an upset. They came close on a few occasions this time round, but in any case, in most of those minnow nations, it's not as if the general public actually cares about the result. And nothing in the sporting world comes close to the excitement I feel on the opening day of the football World Cup. The whole world cares about it, you can feel the passion, the tension, great goals from tournaments past are trotted out, we salivate at the potential world beaters, and the opening game rarely disappoints. Nearly the whole tournament is compulsive viewing, whereas who is going to stay in to watch USA v Samoa in the rugby?

I've never been a big rugby fan but after watching the last two world cups, I've grown to admire the game and also those who play it.

Puts the ponces on the football pitches to shame.

I'd agree with that. My interest has definitely shot up in the past 5 or 6 years. Incidentally I took my 6 year old son to his first rugby training session on Sunday and he loved it every bit as much as he enjoys his Monday night football.

 

[Simster]

The moving the offence 10 metres forwards for any backchat or comments has a lot to do with it I'm sure. To lose 10 extra metres as a forward who has given blood metaphoricaly to gain ground is a major blow to them.

Sadly as we've said before, it simply can't work in football because football is a game of low scoring possession whereas rugby is territorial.

No reason not to operate a 20 min sin-bin in football though. Cheating throughout the game needs to be stamped out.

 

[Icy Gull]

Sadly as we've said before, it simply can't work in football because football is a game of low scoring possession whereas rugby is territorial.

No reason not to operate a 20 min sin-bin in football though. Cheating throughout the game needs to be stamped out.

Sin bin could definitely work and I still can't think of a reasonable reason why tv replay ref cannot be used at the top level of football. It takes, what a minute? Players can argue for longer than that

 

[Easy 10]

Perfect excuse for an all-day bender on Saturday. I will be mostly in The Waterfront in Shoreham for the Estonia game. Dunno about the rugby, might stay there for it if the place is PUMPING, or we might go maruading down Shoreham High St and find somewhere down there for the ruggerbuggers.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I'd agree with that. My interest has definitely shot up in the past 5 or 6 years. Incidentally I took my 6 year old son to his first rugby training session on Sunday and he loved it every bit as much as he enjoys his Monday night football.

Great days. It is better coached (generally) and better structured for then as they get older, from tag, to contact, to size of pitch, to allowing kicking, scrums etc. Not all lads stick with it - particularly when it gets to full contact - and also there is the pull of football - but if he enjoys it - he is playing a great game.

 

[Meade's Ball]

I can think of little more big-manishly drab than rugby. I prefer the storylines in wrestling, rather than the designer-cauliflour-eared, unblemished, beams of arian perfection strutting homo-erotically in Bullgod's name.
My dream would be An Audience With David Bryant: His Hat, Balls and Pipe.

 

[perth seagull]

I won't be watching it will be on too late over here and I didn't think the England win over the Wallabies was that entertaining.

 

[South Yarra Seagull]

I won't be watching it will be on too late over here and I didn't think the England win over the Wallabies was that entertaining.

You haven't been polluted, have you perth seagull?

I thoroughly enjoyed cheering the boys on in a lounge room of fanatical aussies all in their gold tops and everything!

The look on the faces of the Channel 10 presenters was truly priceless!!!