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| krishna |
Posted
on 18-Nov-03 03:54 AM
It all began last month in the land down under when teams from around the world were selected to participate in the prestigious RWC. It has produced some enthralling moments throughout the days that passed by and finally ended up with four teams going head to head. Australia, the host, produced a brilliant display of international Rugby when they dominated the favorite all blacks in the first of the semi-final. It was that sheer power and aggressive scrum-strength right at the centre of the midfield that once again provided enough for Aussie to dominate this encounter. There has definitely been some fine moments when the two sides meet, but the Kiwis had that extra strength to become the favorite going into this one. However, it was Australia who produced a disciplined and clinical demolition of the tournament favorites.
Another one was a scrappy encounter with the much improved England line up, with golden booted fly half Johny Wilkinson kicking them to victory against the French side that shocked the Kiwis last year in the semi-final. He scored an outrageous 24 out of 24 points in the victory which is sure to put him at the top of the contender list for the MOS award.
So the questions is England or Australia?
I think this is going to be a very fascinating encounter, no doubt. It will be a tactically interesting game by both teams that could realistically be won or lost even before the game starts. On the day and the ocassion, this Australian line up can produce some devastating performance but now and again England have provided equally effective ones which Rugby fans are well aware of. So, it will definitely be a cracker of a game. England will have to produce a blistering performance and will have to play their skins out. they cannot rely on the boots of Johny Wilkinson all the time. They have a strong back line up who can do the trick for them and strategy is definitely the bottom line for England. It will not be, as it has never been, easy for any team to beat the Aussies in their back yard with hundreds of thousands of fans cheering, and below par performance will not be effective from England like the one they did against the French in the semi final.
I think Australia definitely has upper hand. Matt Burke is a fine Fly half, and with players like Mortlock and Larkham, it is that extra speed, strength, desire and drive that far outweights anything guttish fancy England have produced.
Just my thoughts on the game I love the most....!
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| Golkhadi |
Posted
on 18-Nov-03 11:39 AM
Matt Burke a Fly-half?? i think he is (was) a Full-back. Larkham is a Fly-Half ( No. 10) ...but Burke is old and not even in the team.
But i am pretty confident "player of the year 2002 and 2003"' Jonny Wilkinson will again score all the points for England and give a thrubbing against Wallies. And will take the first World Cup ever to the Mother Of Rugby Nation. Before doing that, they have to stop Mortlock who broke the advantage line again and again against the 'Team of the Year 2003' Mighty All Blacks. and unpredictable Larkham and not to forget "Cunning" Goerge Gregan.
Well, now who ever wins hope the game will be free flowing.
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| OZ Guy |
Posted
on 18-Nov-03 10:02 PM
England are clear favourite but if Wallabies repeat the performance witnessed in upsetting the Cup's most favourite Kiwis, they will be hard to beat.
I think it's too close to call and whoever is good on the day wins (obvious isn't it?).
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| krishna |
Posted
on 18-Nov-03 10:05 PM
Yes definitely. Australia have the upper hand going into this one, but England sure can defeat them, without doubt. I have a strong belief in the scrum-half Dawson and Dillaglio, and they has pulled England out of the brink of defeat many many times. Mike Tindall has replaced the veteran Mike Catt, chances are, England are waging a strong young line up with a full-fledged attack. The stats are with them too. They have won the last four encounters against the Aussies, but it seems though that whenever there is a crunch situation, Australia seems to produce a mightily impressive display, like they did against the all blacks.
Good luck to both sides..
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| Golkhadi |
Posted
on 19-Nov-03 12:46 PM
I still think England will beat Aust, Baxter in for Darwin in the front row. But englandç pack are the world's best, even though they have been given various names. "dad's army". I guess experience really counts in this sorta game and combine caps between the england forward is more than 500. Leonard getting his 112th cap, most ever for a front rower.
I still beleive it should have been Nz Vs England final but what can u say. just a game counts. Merhtens for Nz was always important and i cannot beleive Mitchell dint want him. ...u are a pooft Mitchell..!!
Go England.
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