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Post by martindn on Oct 18, 2015 9:37:41 GMT
So will we see Hayley performing the national anthem at the finals? XD No chance  In fact, all national anthems at the World Cup are sung by the World Cup choir. So no Laura Wright, Katherine Jenkins etc, and certainly no Hayley. Martin A great pity in my opinion. But I suppose they daren't have any proper solo singers, since it would show up how awful "The World in Union" sounds this time. Martin D |
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Martin
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team
Posts: 3,339
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Post by Martin on Oct 18, 2015 16:47:55 GMT
Two great games this afternoon. Argentina thoroughly deserved to win against Ireland but lucky, lucky Australia. Scotland deserved to win.
Martin
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Post by Richard on Oct 19, 2015 6:49:55 GMT
I know I predicted that the Rugby World Cup will be won by a country in the Southern Hemisphere, but I wasn't expecting a whitewash in the quarter finals! The All Blacks must be the hot favourites now. Richard  |
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Post by Jeff on Oct 19, 2015 15:52:56 GMT
The All Blacks finally found their true form last night to the detriment of the French who by the second half were totally shell shocked. I can't see South Africa stopping them next weekend. Martin It's an interesting match as it brings together the player with the best name in the tournament, Nehe Milner-Skudder (hence Kiwi cries of "Go Skud!") and South African Tendai Mtawarira aka "The Beast." It could be a bruising encounter ! |
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Post by Jeff on Oct 19, 2015 16:02:58 GMT
I know I predicted that the Rugby World Cup will be won by a country in the Southern Hemisphere, but I wasn't expecting a whitewash in the quarter finals! The All Blacks must be the hot favourites now. Richard Yes Richard, we have Referee Craig Joubert to thank for that ! |
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Post by Jeff on Oct 19, 2015 16:19:18 GMT
Two great games this afternoon. Argentina thoroughly deserved to win against Ireland but lucky, lucky Australia. Scotland deserved to win. Martin Yes Martin, Scotland were ROBBED ! Referee Joubert awarded Australia a penalty in the final minute claiming the Scots were intentionally offside. Under the rules he is not allowed to consult the TMO (Third Match Official) for penalties, only tries and foul play but had he looked up at the big screen (as Scottish captain Greig Laidlaw asked him to) he would have seen repeated slo-mo pictures of the ball hitting an Australian player last i.e. it's NOT offside in those circumstances and instead of a penalty kick it should have been a scrum to Australia. It's been nearly 50 years since I played rugby at school but I think I can still remember the rules ! Joubert then compounded his error at the final whistle by scampering off the Twickenham pitch like a frightened rabbit rather than shake the players' hands. He clearly knew he had cocked up a big match at a vital stage and should never be allowed to referee a big game again. But don't just take my word for it : www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/disgraceful-craig-joubert-should-sent-10285232SPORT IS FAIR AND JUST OR IT IS NOTHING ! Of course it would be some sort of justice if Argentina or more likely New Zealand beat Australia in the next two weeks since by rights they should no longer be in the tournament and I speak as someone who has a wee investment on them to win it ! (By the way Richard, when I say "wee investment" I don't mean I've bought a toilet !)  |
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Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
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Post by Dave on Oct 19, 2015 21:39:41 GMT
Two great games this afternoon. Argentina thoroughly deserved to win against Ireland but lucky, lucky Australia. Scotland deserved to win. Martin Indeed they did, Martin and all... and now, it's official! The Rugby Union governing body has issued a statement confirming that: However, it does look like an honest mistake that any referee in any fast moving close contact sport could make... it happens often in football, for example and teams just have to accept it. But the rule prohibiting the referee from calling on the video referee for a second opinion in cases like this is clearly bonkers and must be changed.Dave |
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Post by Jeff on Oct 20, 2015 10:50:12 GMT
Yes Dave. I think the Scottish team and their coach Vern Cotter deserve enormous credit for the dignity they have shown in this matter. One can only imagine the histrionics we would have witnessed had something similar happened in the Premier League, e.g. to Chelsea FC ! Jose Mourinho would say "the best team lost" and on this occasion he would be right ! Meanwhile Craig Joubert has gone to ground and not been sighted since the game. However some intrepid Scottish fans have stayed on in London and are searching for him  and police in London are continuing to search for 15 men in gold shirts who committed an act of daylight robbery on Sunday !!  |
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Post by Jeff on Oct 21, 2015 15:52:47 GMT
Jose Mourinho is a keen rugby fan and was interviewed on Radio 5 this morning. He said Joubert was "a very good referee who made one mistake !" He's not the only one and ITV News has compiled a list of the Top 10 worst referee decisions of all time. www.itv.com/news/2015-10-19/ten-of-the-worst-refereeing-decisions-of-all-time/By admitting his mistake World Rugby has hung Joubert out to dry and he will not be taking charge of the semi-finals. Hopefully Nigel Owens will referee the final as he's the best ref in the game. Meanwhile Craig Joubert will probably be enjoying a free holiday in Australia, lying on Bondi Beach, listening to Paloma Faith on his ipod and writing his autobiography entitled "To err is human !" |
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Post by martindn on Oct 21, 2015 19:48:07 GMT
Listening to Paloma Faith? Sackcloth and ashes maybe, but that's too much punishment.  Martin D |
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Post by Jeff on Oct 24, 2015 11:24:22 GMT
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Post by Ross on Oct 24, 2015 17:55:57 GMT
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Post by martindn on Oct 24, 2015 21:24:11 GMT
Yes, it can be brutal. Reminds me of a song
"There's no one left alive, it must be a draw.
So the blackcap barons toss a coin to settle the score"
I bet Comet recognises that if nobody else does.
Martin D
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Post by comet on Oct 25, 2015 11:49:41 GMT
Yes, it can be brutal. Reminds me of a song "There's no one left alive, it must be a draw. So the blackcap barons toss a coin to settle the score" I bet Comet recognises that if nobody else does. Martin D Flogging England by the kilo. Peter Gabriel is still writing an singing some wonderful material. |
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Post by martindn on Oct 25, 2015 16:47:46 GMT
Yes, there is only one Peter Gabriel....
Martin D
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