Rugby world cup 2007 - quarter final matches

I watched the England Aussie game. I don't think England won, I think it's Australia that lost.

As for the French, their script for this world cup couldn't have been more perfect. Start by losing the first game so that every other win is truly appreciated.

Worst team to be part of now? The All Blacks. I saw a documentary the other day of an All Black who was part of a losing team in a big match in the 60s. He was too embarrassed and never went back to his country.

I watched the Blacks play the French and between the 10th and 20th minute, it looked like they were going to cruise through that game like all the previous ones. The French were there to ensure the Blacks scrum, mauls, line-outs etc were tested to the maximum. As one commentator said near the end of the 1st half "Finally, a team the begins to test the All Blacks" Of course there'll be the usual controversy...were they denied a try just before their first try? That aside, that first All Black try was pure brilliance! It's sad to see them leave....

As for the Boks, they actually lost the plot 20 minutes from the end of that Fiji match. How does a team that is one man less actually score 2 tries in the space of two minutes?

Predictions? Of the big test playing nations, the Pumas have never beaten the Boks or the Kiwis. However, the Boks have a cleaner record (since the Kiwis have drawn with the Pumas once). I suspect the Pumas will walk into that semi-final wanting to turn the records for more
reasons than just wanting to be at the finals.

If the Boks play closed, set-piece based formations they could win. However, Pumas will want to open up things (am sure they have been studying those critical minutes in the 2nd half when Fiji almost won the game) and if that happens, they are guaranteed to win. Am sure the Boks will want to replicate the clinical performance they had against England....what a game!

PS I bet you Jake White had waited 4 years to either meet the Aussies or the Kiwis and probably hired Eddie Jones for that purpose. Meeting any other team is almost an anti-climax.