[aftermathman]

20 - 41.

At least you knew who Anthony Allen was.

I know you will be gracious in victory

Aftermathman.

[Howardh]

screaming fans filled Twickenham Stadia Sunday for the much awaited international Rugby clash between the mighty All Blacks (NZ) and the current World Champions and World Cup Holders England. The world wide audience watching this game was staggering.

Both teams looked rusty early on as the All Blacks had not played for six weeks and England had only their local rugby competitions to rely on for form. I thought England played the first 20 minutes brilliantly and had ample ball possession. How desperately unlucky were you guys in not being awarded that first try after 5 minutes. The try was legitimate and how the TM missed that will remains one of life’s mysteries.

Still England went over for three tries, and if the first one had of been given it would have made the final score more respectable. Dan Carter had another dream game. That penalty kick from inside his own half just before half time was absolutely stunning. The Carl Hayman try just on half time, started from inside their own 22, and from a defensive position, went through eight pairs of All Black hands, had the whole of New Zealand erupting from Cape Reinga to Bluff. It was still only 5.15am Monday morning down here, but that brilliant All Black try changed the match as the All Blacks jumped out to a significant led.

The final score 41 to 20.....we did not expect that scoreline.

Now it's on to Maseille, Lyon, and Paris and two games against the French. Bring it on. Can't wait

GO HARD RUGBY
GO HARD ALL BLACKS

[aftermathman]

you don't want to meet the All Blacks.

The simple fact is your guys are bigger, stronger, faster and more creative football players than anyone else in the world.

Dan Carter is a legend, outscoring the entire English team singlehandedly, kicking, running, passing, just no discernible weakness. As for our number 10, we have never really replaced Jonny Wilkinson.

As for England, we need to look to the world cup after this one. We have talents, Ryan Lamb (at 10), Anthony Allen, Matt Tait, etc, but these guys are out of their depth at present against the best. I worry for the lack of creativity in the forwards.

Anyway Howard, lets settle down for the game between the best 2 teams in the world, (your match vs France). From memory you owe them for a bit of a pasting they gave you and with France hosting the world cup you guys need to put out your best to make a statement.

France are an excellent team with very exciting backs and traditionally strong scrummaging forwards, should be one hell of a match.

GO HARD ALL BLACKS (at least vs France )

Aftermathman.

[Howardh]

Aftermathman,

France have not beaten us since that diabolical shambles in the world cup semi final in 1999. Sadly that is the match that sticks in our phsyche as we prepare for this weekends international in Lyon. Last year we belted the French in Paris with a similar score line to last Saturdays international against England. Since 1999 we have won convincingly four zip.

There is no doubt the French will be tough on their home turf, and as you say they have a formidable forward pack, and their backs, on their day can be destructive, unpredictable, and scintilating for any oppossing team.

Graham Henry has made 11 changes to the team that played England last Sunday. It should be a cracker.

Good luck to you guys for your game against Argentina. Last year Argentina gave us a fright in Bueness Aires and we only snuck home by six points.

GO HARD ALL BLACKS

[aftermathman]

next door to you who France beat. See, I am now inventing my own reality where England will win the world cup and the sun never sets on her majesty's lands. How much better that world would be

Aftermathman.

[Howardh]

are free Aftermathman. England may win the world cup if they can quickly clone your winning 2003 side. And then it still would be a stretch as todays teams are faster, stronger, healthier. On their day any team from the top six nations have a chance. This time next year we will know one way or the other.

GO HARD ALL BLACKS/SCIENCE

[Howardh]

Aftermathman, England have finally stopped the rot of losing, with their narrow but influential win over South Africa on the weekend. Is this the turning point? Only time will tell.

The All Blacks are the only Southern Hemisphere team sticking it to you Northerners. Two good wins over France has us all smiling way down here in the South Pacific Australia got done by Ireland big time and with you guys sticking it to the Springbox all is not lost in your neck of the woods. Remember Ireland gave the All Blacks two close encounters on our turf during your summer. They could be the dark horse come World cup time.

The All Blacks have one final fling against Wales this weekend. I'm picking a grand slam to the AB's.

Anyway, onya England the fans have something to cheer about. Good luck in the six nations.

[Lara]

Sorry to butt in on your thread here

The Irish are presently thrashing us Aussies as I type. Howard, I see you are in NZ. I thought the game was live here, but I guess it's not?

[aftermathman]

this isn't a closed thread. Howardh and I will talk rugby with anyone who is interested, Howard in his educated, confident manner as befits NZ presently, myself in an increasingly hysterical and delusional manner as befits an English fan.

Lara, to coin an immortal phrase once used used about the English soccer team, "your boys took one hell of a beating" against Ireland, was this a particularly weakened Aussie team because the general view around the six nations is that Ireland are now by some way the world's no. 2 team, (and some way behind Howards ABs).

Howard, we did win, God knows how and it was a shambles. Our coach has to go and I was in 2 minds whether to hope for an England win and the possibility of the coach staying, or hoping for a loss and his position becoming untenable. We are ranked no. 7 in the world and that is a fair reflection of our current form.

Still, no one can accuse us of peaking between world cups and the present view is that only an act of nature can stop the ABs !!

Take care,
Aftermathman.

[Howardh]

ditto Aftermath's comments...this is not a closed thread..... We are shocked and stunned across the ditch at the hiding Ireland dished out to the Wallabies at Lansdowne Road. Still, one must be wary of a wounded Wallabee. Who can forget the rubbish you guys played out in the last world cup leading up to the semi finals and then you played out of your skins to beat us in an epic game only to lose the final to England with that infamous Jonny Wilkinson droppie in extra time.

Aftermathman, yeah Robinson has to go. And quickly. England has a nucleas of quality players to build on. Surely there is someone that can build confidence 10 months out from the world cup.

Leave all the peaking between world cup to us thanks mate This time I think we can nail it. It will take an extroadinary performance from either France, Ireland, South Africa, England, Australia, to beat us. Unfortunately extroadinary efforts do occur against us at world cups. Aussie in the semis 1991, South Africa in the finals 1995, France in the semis 1999, Aussie in the semis 2003. The difference this time around we have built two strong teams that have been creaming all and sundry of late. A luxury we have never exprerienced previous.

Rugby aside...Big day tomorrow (Wed) with the start of the Ashes. I will be glued tO the box to watch all the action. Can't wait. Should be a thriller. And Lara with a name like Lara, you may be called upon to do some batting for Australia..

GO HARD THE WINNER