Rugby

Bwahahahahahahahahaahah.

What's that, Skippy?

Samoa 32-Aus 23

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/14175299.stm

Absolute quality. The perils of offending 15 fired-up Samoans

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/5302181/Fired-up-Samoans-offended-by-Deans-approach

Samoa beat Australia A, not a huge surprise.

Team sheet was Australia.. It was a test match.. Despite the side being full a noobs.. Giteau was in the side.. I'd still expect Aus A to beat Samoa given strength and depth.

History will record a defeat by Samoa in Sydney.

Not a first choice team to be sure but they didn't respect their opposition and were made to look like numpties because of it

I was just saying don't expect pre-world cup (or tri-nations) warm ups to necessarily relate to the performances in the tournament.

Well done to the Samoans, tough luck to the Aussies but you always run the risk when you play a weakened team.

Robbie Deans will probably be more worried with the performances of the back up players being given a chance than with the overall result.

Anyone know where I can stream the Scotland Ireland match live? (I'm in Australia so can't get it via the BBC or TVcatchup)

Matt Giteau gets dropped from the wallabies WC squad, throws toys out of pram, announces it early on twatter and retires in the same breath:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/8706126/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Matt-Giteau-confirms-Australia-squad-omission-on-Twitter.html

@ewanmac - bit late sorry, but www.myp2p.eu/ is what you're after.

• Aussie Rob has had enough of the sulky Rocky and installed a captain that will at least be in the starting line up next month.
  
  

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/elsom-had-to-go-once-his-position-in-the-team-came-under-threat-20110818-1iz7t.html#poll

@ewanmac - bit late sorry, but www.myp2p.eu/ is what you're after.

Super thanks! Not too late by far, there is always the italy game :)

• Aussie Rob has had enough of the sulky Rocky and installed a captain that will at least be in the starting line up next month.
  
  

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/elsom-had-to-go-once-his-position-in-the-team-came-under-threat-20110818-1iz7t.html#poll

Good move, Horwill has been a great captain for the Reds this year and is a certain first pick for the Wallabies any day of the week. Would be good to see Elsom play well against the All Blacks this weekend, but must say I'm more of a Higginbottom fan.

Good move, Horwill has been a great captain for the Reds this year and is a certain first pick for the Wallabies any day of the week. Would be good to see Elsom play well against the All Blacks this weekend, but must say I'm more of a Higginbottom fan.

Higginbotham has been the form Australian blindside flanker all season, I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting this w/e and Rocky sulking on the bench.

Higginbotham has been the form Australian blindside flanker all season, I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting this w/e and Rocky sulking on the bench.

Your right, Higginbottom has had a great season and really does deserve a run-on. Just picked up my tickets, its going to be a fantastic night. The potential Aussie starting back 5:
Horwill, Vickerman, Pocock, Higginbottom, and Samo
Probably the biggest nastiest back 5 I can remember Australia fielding. Maybe swap Simmons for Vickerman based on current form, but really looking forward to two full strenght teams really going for it for once in the Tri-nations.

All Blacks squad has a couple of surprises. No Hosea Gear and Sivivatu.

Your right, Higginbottom has had a great season and really does deserve a run-on. Just picked up my tickets, its going to be a fantastic night. The potential Aussie starting back 5:
Horwill, Vickerman, Pocock, Higginbottom, and Samo
Probably the biggest nastiest back 5 I can remember Australia fielding. Maybe swap Simmons for Vickerman based on current form, but really looking forward to two full strenght teams really going for it for once in the Tri-nations.

Should be a good game, atmosphere always seems pretty good in Brisbane. I think the AB's will be too good in the front row and back 3, but I don't think a loss will worry them too much at this stage.

All Blacks squad has a couple of surprises. No Hosea Gear and Sivivatu.

Toeava for Gear

Since start up 3 years ago. We won our first game ever on Saturday. Against last years national champs to boot.

My body hates me. I havent the strength left to lift my own kids, only half my fingers can still grip, and every joint is has an intense burning sensation. But I havent stopped smiling since.

We played the same disorganised, untechnical, rugby we always play. But with a shite load of heart.

chuffed.

'grats! That's awesome.

Good stuff smallfurry.. First game of the season is next saturday for me, not sure how it'll go.

Cheers guys.

We moved a guy back into the front row, which freed me up for flanker. Our 9 is awaiting an operation, so I had to balance pressuring the opposition 10, with making tackles for the 9. I love tackling above all else, so had a blast.

All the best for Saturday Wibble.

I'm setting up a fantasy world cup here.

Once I've set up a league I'll post the details in here for anyone that's interested.

League: LFGSS
PIN: 7856

Just entered my team, is under my proper name though

I was just saying don't expect pre-world cup (or tri-nations) warm ups to necessarily relate to the performances in the tournament.

Just as well for the Irish

World Cup will be the same as it always is: -

NZ = pre-tournament favourites, get knocked out and bitch about it because it's their birth right to win the cup (which they haven't in the professional era)
France put in at least one awesome performance showing why they should be the best in the world, but never will be
Ireland turn up old and jaded and fail to live up to expectations
Argentina/Italy spring at least one surprise
England beat Australia in the knock out-stages and piss off everyone with their arrogance
Everyone wonders afterwards whether Wales and Scotland were actually there
South Africa win (or possibly not on this occasion)