RWC 2011 SF1 - Wales v France

[Hugh Jarse]

Well Well Well, 3 holes in the ground.

Who would have guessed the Leek Eaters vs the Garlic Munchers in a RWC Semi.

The way they are playing, it may be a good thing that we were beaten in pool play by the Paddy's, and did not meet the Taffy's today in QF 1.

I'm absolutely sure I predicted this earlier, and any evidence to the contrary is clearly fabricated, but IMHO Les Bleus may have played their "final", and what a final that was.

The Taffy's look like genuine contenders after their performance today.

I have the Boyo's into the final by 15 points over the Tricolours.

Longer term Warren "Cement Head" Gatland appears to be on the fast track to be the First Lord of the Admiralty of Darkness after the inevitable resignation of Lord Graham Henry.

 

[qwerty51]

Can't see France getting close, another blow out to Wales if they kick their points.

They'll storm into their first final.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Think we re-signed cement head before the tournament just like you did with deans. Think we got the better deal! He has worked a miracle.

Hang on qwerty. don't for god sake make us favourites! I know I just praised your tipping prowess elsewhere but the optimism gnome is a dangerous bugger and now he's loose, will wreak havoc.

Message to Tim Horan - on your track record, please back the Frogs!

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Can't see France getting close, another blow out to Wales if they kick their points.

They'll storm into their first final.

i havent been able to find a game for 2 weeks so I am bit out of touch but surely there is no way that the Welsh could beat the ABs in a final (or at all) I would predict a complete blow out
Now if we beat SA and NZ beat Argentina we will have the same semi finalists in 2011 as in 1987 - I think

 

[Cardiffblue]

Well...... we haven't had any 'complete blow outs' for some time. In fact, bit like against SA we've outplayed the darkness for large part of the games. No No,.ridiculous! We couldn't possibly........ could we?

Dying to hear from Rugby Nick what it ws like at the game.

 

[Ruggo]

People are writing off the frogs too early. They now have confidence and I expected them to pull something out their arse to beat the poms but not the methodical and calculated display they played. This game is going to go wright down to the wire and the young welsh need to keep their heads. I think Wales will be ready for them and will win a tight one.

GO WALES.

 

[Cardiffblue]

I'm not writing them off. Yes, they are playing a scrum half at 10. Yes rougerie has about as much clue playing centre as me, but for sheer guts and will power yesterday's game was impressive.

No sign of the bum slapping or high fives from the mickers

Was impressed with welsh sledging! Not used to us being good at that. there's a classic moment in about 35th minute when front rows face each other and Gethin says to Healy "F@cked aren't you boi, Adam's screwin ewe!"

 

[Cardiffblue]

this from observer newspaper.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/09/rugby-world-cup-support-wales

'we are all welsh' - yew wish!

 

[boyo]

Go Wales

 

[tigerland12]

Battle of the back three will be electric.

Clerc, Pallison, Meddard vs North, Halfpenny, Williams

All players with speed and attacking mindset.

 

[chief]

Should be a great game. I think it would be silly to write off the French, they have showed glimpses of promise throughout the last two years. Reality is, the French on their pre RWC form disregarding a few games probably deserve to be in the Semi Final. If there is one thing a RWC has ever taught us it is that you just can't predict the outcomes. Who would have thought a SA vs England final in 07, who would have thought a Aus vs England in 03. The list goes on and on.

What I love about the Welsh team is just like the Wallabies team, they are a team who are getting progressively better. They are full of youth, and who knows what will happen in the next 4 years past this RWC.

 

[Slim 293]

Jamie Roberts apparently in doubt with a broken nose...

 

[qwerty51]

Charteris as well, huge blows if they're out.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Hey Cardiff Blue, Are the above injuries examples of the havoc that can be caused by the optimism gnome that you warned us about in post #3?

She's going to be a tough week for you, methinks.

 

[Gnostic]

Battle of the back three will be electric.

Clerc, Pallison, Meddard vs North, Halfpenny, Williams

All players with speed and attacking mindset.

The battle of the backrows is more important IMO. Add in the second rows to that as well for that matter. Dusatoir has proved himself one of the great Opensides IMO even if he isn't a "fetcher" as such. Bonnaire was simply huge last night, probably the best game I have ever seen him play, like wise for Harinordoquy.

 

[tranquility]

France to get-up.

 

[Rev Spooner]

The Welsh have been the form team of the tournament (as well as the full strength ABs). No surprises they dominated the Irish and I expect them to do the same against the French. A quick thank you to Ireland for letting us slip through without meeting them in the QF.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Jamie Roberts apparently in doubt with a broken nose...

Gnome tells me Jaw and Clatheris wll be right. Hugh,thanks for concern but I'd be worrying if Australia has any surviving backs left at all. How's Beale pulled up, McCabe knackered shoulder. didn;t see AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) all second half. Mind you- all's not lost, yew've still got Cooper.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Going like a yo-yo between who I want to win here, Wales playing awesome, French knocked out England.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Going like a yo-yo between who I want to win here, Wales playing awesome, French knocked out England.

So I am guessing you are favouring the team least likely to beat yewer team in final. Go for the snail eating surrender monkeys

Game now up on RWC site. Much easier to view 2nd and third times