Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: The Barbarians topple the All Blacks at Twickenham

Sunday, December 06, 2009

The Barbarians topple the All Blacks at Twickenham

An expectant 65 000 fans turned out at Twickenham yesterday to witness the Barbarians beating the All Blacks for the first time since that famous match back in 1973. Bryan Habana scored a hat-trick as the Baa Baas won 25-18.

The match was played more like a Test match than an exhibition, but reputations were on the line so nobody took too many risks. New Zealand scored tries through Ben Smith and Anthony Boric, but it was Springbok speedster Habana who stole the show.

"It hasn't quite sunk in yet. They were probably some of the easiest scores I've had. New Zealand haven't conceded a try on their last two tours to Europe so to score three is a real bonus," he said.

Skipper Victor Matfield was pleased to come out on top: "We watched a little bit of that game last night and to be part of something so great is awesome. We had a lot of fun but went out there and played like professionals.

"The guys are very happy. It's been one of the best weeks we've had as professional rugby players. We played for each other. We put our bodies on the line to play for the traditions the Barbarians stand for."

Mat Giteau was outstanding once again, as were centres Jamie Roberts and Jaque Fourie. Unfortunately the ball didn’t head in Baa Baas right wing Joe Rokocoko’s direction much, but he enjoyed the opportunity, and the Haka.

"I didn't stare face to face with the boys, I just veered off and looked to one side and the other side. It was just intense, something I haven't experienced, but a good experience," he said.

"I'm glad I'm part of the history of Barbarians rugby, they've won against the All Blacks and I can talk to my kids about it. We just had an awesome week, socialised really well and got to know each other. All we wanted to do was bring a bit of attitude."

The second-string New Zealanders were disappointed with the result, but now head home after a successful tour.

"It is different to playing a Test match, but you still like to win these games," said captain Richie McCaw. "We went into our shells in the second half. It is an experience to learn from and a disappointing way to finish the tour," he added.

Despite the large crowd being fairly subdued for most of the match, there was a great sense of occasion and the spirit and togetherness shown by the players and coach Nick Mallet at the end of the match was good to see.

Man of the Match, Habana, summed it up nicely.

"The Barbarians take us back to what rugby is really about - the friendship and camaraderie. This game was a fantastic spectacle."

Time: 08:02

"The Barbarians take us back to what rugby is really about - the friendship and camaraderie. This game was a fantastic spectacle"

Well said Habana.
To the a.b's... tough luck boys. Good season and looking forward to next year. Well done Baa-baa's.

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 1:20 pm
Tough luck All Blacks good play Barbarians thanks for the wonderful rugga boytjies!

By JoeF, at December 06, 2009 1:40 pm
Fantastic game, with some really entertaining rugby played.

I love The Barbarians, for me they are probably the most important rugby team in existence as we don't get enough "real rugby" played these days by any international teams.

It's good to see players who aren't only worrying about what would happen if they made a mistake so always play it safe.

I'm a little worried to see Habana get into yet another scuffle, it seems to happen far too regularly for my liking. Not sure what's made him change like this?

By Calon Lan, at December 06, 2009 1:49 pm
Habana is awesome. He's one of the hardest working players around, and that's why he does so well. Not all wings have his workrate.
I think he gets in a few scuffles because he's so driven and pumped up (a good thing) to get involved, and is highly competitive.
Oh and, he should also know better than to taunt an alcoholic.. ;) xx

By Scotsdale, at December 06, 2009 2:24 pm
Great game, but why Giteau and Steyn kicked two penalties at goal? I suppose they were tired, but it's still weird for the Baa Baas

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 2:28 pm
i really didnt like the way they kicked for goal so many tmes. thats not what the baa baas are about. but im just nitpicking though it was a really good game.

By Ireland101, at December 06, 2009 3:02 pm
It was strange that the crowd boo'd when a shot at goal was chosen but cheered when it was successful. Just thought it was odd lol.

The Aussies did well in support I thought, having a hand in 2 out of the 3 tries.

But great and entertaining rugby from both sides :)

By Phil, at December 06, 2009 3:05 pm
Jimmy Cowan did something to Habana's face in the ruck, that's why he got pumped up.

Agree with Scotsdale on Habana, he isn't only about scoring tries, he is a wonderful defender and appears to be everywhere on the field.

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 3:06 pm
Habana and Giteau for me stole the show, two of the best players in the world and are really enjoying their game.

Great game all round, i had a feeling the Baa-Baa's would win, glad i was proved right! :D

By Promethean, at December 06, 2009 3:15 pm
Awesome game...that's why I love rugby.

The Baa-Baas are an inspirational model for all the kids around the world who want to play sport.

No doubts in my mind that "BaaBaas' rugby is the quintessential of sportmanship."

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 3:41 pm
when kiwis or any other team cheat in their 22, you punish them with 3 points score

By Jack, at December 06, 2009 4:16 pm
I have to disagree. 22,000 empty seats, no atmosphere and a second string All Blacks side....I was left with the feeling that the Barbarians has inevitably suffered from the pro era.

Go back and watch the 1973 game v. the All Blacks, the 1988 v. the Aussies or the 1994 game v. the Boks. Those games were against 1st string sides and had REAL test match intensity.

I was at Twickers for the 1992 game v. the Aussies and what made it great was the amazing matchups....Gibbs and Carling v. Horan and Little...Mick Skinner v. Willie O.....Tim Gavin v. Ben Clarke.

The unpurchased tix could have been given away to school kids or military veterans.

By JPM, at December 06, 2009 4:40 pm
^ agreed.

I watched and waited.. hoping for something great, but it never came. Habana tries were nice, with brilliance by Mitchell (better pickup than it looked imo) and Giteau, but the match lacked something for some reason.

The strange thing for me is, why would Henry not pick his strongest side? The All Blacks next play as a team again in June/July (I think). He has no real interest in Super 14, except that some players might be rested. But besides that, why not just let them play?

If anyone knows, please share.

On second thoughts, I suppose he wanted to give the youngsters a run in a 'not so important match'. Fair enough, but still a pity.

By FrankyH, at December 06, 2009 4:54 pm
Thanks for the highlights by the way. I see they're up now.

By FrankyH, at December 06, 2009 4:57 pm
In 1973 they couldn't tackle. True story. They were also part time "athletes".

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 5:28 pm
I think someone ought to teach Christoph Berdos what a forward pass and a knock-on are. Flat does not mean forward and dropping the ball behind you is not a knock-on...

"why Giteau and Steyn kicked two penalties at goal?"

Yeah, I could maybe understand Giteau's - to keep the Baa Baa's in it, but when Steyn did it near the end of the match when they were already ahead...why? The game wasn't about beating NZ - the IRB doesn't count it in their rankings - it's exactly what Habana said, plus it's about showcasing great rugby...NOT "punishing" sides for infringements with 3 points.

Whatever, it was still a pretty good game - the tries happened at the exact right times to keep the game interesting...any time it started to dull, Habana was there to save the day! I thought Roberts and Fourie had a nice little relationship going, too - good to see everyone smiling the whole game (except Habana's scuffle with Cowan - that was odd).

By Flapjack, at December 06, 2009 5:55 pm
Re the booing: maybe some of those who booed didn't cheer- the crowd is not homogeneous!

Fourie was caught by the oversized jersey he was wearing (not by the shorts, but the jersey if u see it from a different angle). Time for a bit of updating on that?

Re the atmosphere; its hard to develop one when there isn't a 'your team'. However, it was a lot better than many of the previous baa baa's matches of late (i.e. last 2-3 yrs). Should be hyped more - it could be a parallel to the Lions, PR wise.

But still with the kicking and the crowded pitch - the short sharp passes and angles form NZ is one possible way around this, but if even a baa baa's match is only reasonable in terms of running, we're up shit creek with a small ok paddle.

We need a better paddle.

By mise, at December 06, 2009 7:04 pm
Love the beast at the end, looks like a wee child jumping about! Classic!

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 7:15 pm
as far as steyns kicking goes probably just for novelty sake? the man who kicked sa to many wins should at least get to show his boot off a bit?

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 7:25 pm
Anyone else think that with a few exceptions Luke McAlister was in a class of his own in that all black side?
As a welshman that game was a wonderful chance to enjoy the talent of those players in a way i simply can't when its an international test match. long may it continue.

By Gary, at December 06, 2009 7:30 pm
Alright game, so dissapointed the ball went to joe rocokoco once or twice in the whole game

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 7:33 pm
As for those kicks, the Baa baas is made up of a mix of the best rugby players from around the world, you don't get to that level without the sort of competitive drive that most men don't have. with a few minutes to go the last penalty essentially guaranteed the win and you could tell every guy on the baa baas really wanted it. hardly spoilt the match.

By Gary, at December 06, 2009 7:34 pm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8397819.stm

Aussie center Quade Cooper arrested on burglary charge! oops

By JPM, at December 06, 2009 7:49 pm
hey RD is there any way i can donate to your great site, thanks

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 7:50 pm
Please, tell Schalla the 70s are over!!
Of course, I know it's a pity, but they're over! :D

And tell him that Movember ends in the last day of November... :D

Great athmosphere, nice match, nice high from some players (my italian Perugini, Fourie, Gits, Roberts, Elsom... well, they're worldclass)! I also see a bright future for Ben Smith!

By Madflyhalf, at December 06, 2009 9:47 pm
Anyone seen my brother James? He posts here regularly. I need his help quick, our poverty is getting the better of me :(

By QuadeCooperTheConvict, at December 06, 2009 10:15 pm
great game by mcalister !!!

By Flanker, at December 06, 2009 10:19 pm
@ Anonymous - scroll to the bottom, big yellow button.

By Greiffel, at December 06, 2009 10:20 pm
Rugby is the new football, ruined by money. Cheating, playacting, no ethics, lots of boring matches, the good old days are long gone.

Baa Baas v New Zealand should be a sell out with NZ fielding a full strength team and giving everything.

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 10:20 pm
i have to say it was an awesome game and my opinion of schalk burger went up massively. After the nastyness of the eye gouge incident, i realised that he gets roughed up the entire time and never complains and never really fights or swings a punch, he also got a few good tackles in here, fair play schalk

By Eddingtonsons, at December 06, 2009 10:21 pm
^ hallelujah. Well said Eddingtonsons. He's awesome. A bit stuuupid at times, but awesome.

Nice game, I feel a bit lost now that Andy Powell has cut his hair though.

By Dave, at December 06, 2009 10:26 pm
Nice to see people appreciate Schalk, Id think that Schalk Is a nice guy. He takes alot of hits and rarely gets up from a ruck holding someones neck looking for a punchup.For a man who gets boo'd often he shure has alot more caracter then the people who call him names. As if they never did something eligal in a rugby match. The eye gouging was rong, but even the best make mistakes. Ask Tiger.

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 10:50 pm
Andy Powell looks like Bakkies Botha!

By JPM, at December 06, 2009 10:51 pm
I gotta say, i think maybe the fact the AB's had a weaker side than they could have had, maybe did justice to the game.....

i mean mccaw is good, i dont care what anyone says, he is one of the number 1 flankers in the world....so lets try and just agree (he wouldnt have got as far as he did today if he wasnt!) (forget player of the year etc!)

So mccaw playing would have sped the ball up somewhat...then without carter there was less pinpoint accuracy with kicks...etc etc, so maybe the fact it wasnt a top ab side let the game become more running....although i do admit it was a bit quite on occasions!..

awesome video!

cheers RD

By :), at December 06, 2009 10:54 pm
On the subject of Quade Cooper being in the BaaBaas...
This typical aussie sportsman and model of decency won't be in any teams the way he's going - arrested by police on the weekend for burglary on the Gold Coast! What a loser! Oh yeah maybe if he was in the baabaas he wouldn't have been committing larceny! What a joke. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26449701-5003411,00.html

By Anonymous, at December 06, 2009 11:59 pm
'typical aussie sportsman'?

I enjoy having a laugh at the convict thing mate - but you can't lump the rest of the country's sporting elite into the same group as him. If you do you're a tool. Where are you from by the way anonymous? Or don't you have the guts to put a name or origin to such a ridiculously insulting post for risk of having some muppet (as you did) dig up a news story and tie it to your national stereotype?

Well done Baa's btw - Habana is still class, Gits et al. played well too.

By Matt_Drinks_New, at December 07, 2009 12:26 am
^Habana is always class.

By Ubi, at December 07, 2009 12:47 am
lol at powell trying to lift Nel at the end...embarrassing...

I've gotta say i think Tendai Mtawarira might have had, imo, the best game yet....there was huge hype when he came into boks and really ive yet to see him live up to it, i know he plays well, and he had a good run against the irish, but i feel he had a really good game for the baa baas.... and actually lived up to the hype!

i dunno, im sure the die hards will prove me wrong....

I wonder if its the fact this game is (im trying to choose my words, dont jump to a conclusion yet) not really worth anything in terms of rankings or final goals or stuff like that, only pride and the chance to play with some amazing players that sometimes brings out the best....

i have played some real grudgy games which are great in one aspect, but i cant help feel sometimes when you decide to just speed things up and relax that things work better.... and i guess maybe the freedom in this game allowed him to produce some finer rugby!

Cheers again RD

By No.7, at December 07, 2009 1:56 am
^The Beast plays more games than just the EYOT, maybe you should watch the Tri-Nations?

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 3:22 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 3:29 am
Habana stole the show for real. Saw this game at the rugby bar. It was get seeing all the Kiwis look upset. Play of the game had to been when Habana stole the ball, and ran it in for the try just before the half.

By Hendrick, at December 07, 2009 3:52 am
What does Cooper have to do with this game?
I mean he's an idiot, obviously, but that's not relevant to the baa-baas beating NZ.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 4:04 am
I didn't go digging up a news story mate, it was front of the Courier Mail this morning, thought it was worth sharing here. As you might have guessed I'm from Qld and I'm actually embarrassed by the amount of Aussie stars who find themselves front page for these kind of things (and worse). Let me think now...Ricky Ponting, Brendan Fevola, Andrew Symonds, Wayne Carey, Nick Darcy, so many NRL players I can't count etc etc. All have had run ins with the law, drunk and disorderly, assaults etc. It's a bit sickening, they're meant to be role models.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 4:09 am
to the anonymous....who commented on my post...firstly use a nickname, it makes things easier. and secondly i was referring to the hype that surrounded 'the beast' and what he was going to do the opposing teams when playing for boks....so it was good seeing him at international level doing really well....

By No.7, at December 07, 2009 4:30 am
the wins nothing to be proud of. it was pretty much a dream team against a b-team all black side. if carter,nonu,smith,muliaina,read and thorn played, baabaas wuld have been killed like france. no doubt about it.

By te-tank, at December 07, 2009 4:37 am
Nonu and Smith still would have been outplayed by Fourie and Roberts. Those other players you mentioned, with the exception of Carter, are either washed up or journeymen and wouldn't have added anything.

The precious New Zealand fans are starting to get arrogant again. Are they already forgetting the Springbok games?

By Natalianation, at December 07, 2009 4:55 am
ok first off you kiwis need to back down right now, i mean it. next person who disses the quade coops has to deal with me!!!! he is young and will make mistakes but that does not mean that you have to mock him how dare you!!!

Oh and yeah im counting this as a wallabies victory over the all blacks, the wallaby players were the only guys out there trying with all their heart

By Cameron Maxted, at December 07, 2009 5:37 am
Oh good god, Cameron, your parents should've never given you a computer.

By Smith, at December 07, 2009 5:50 am
If Henry is smart McAlister should be wearing the #12 jersey for the ABs next year. Much wider skill set than Nonu.

By Douglas, at December 07, 2009 7:59 am
Cameron:

Please give it a rest. You're giving the rest of us Aussies a bad name.

There's a difference between pride and arrogance or bad sportsmanship.

What you're suggesting is not in line with the Barbarians ethos and is, frankly, embarrassing.

By Phil, at December 07, 2009 8:57 am
Cameron, go back up to the top of the comments page and read all the comments from real rugby fans who love watching these games because they love rugby. They're not here to big themselves up or the countries they come from, they just love watching rugby.

That is what you're aiming for when you get all grown up.

By Ted, at December 07, 2009 8:58 am
Hahaha,did anyone else notice Powelly trying to pick up WP Nel after the last ruck and he can't lift him!Brilliant!

A great match and despite the fact that 'it was played like a test match',it was a hell of a lot better than the vast majority of the Autumn internationals.Great to see the celebrations at the end.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 9:37 am
"Oh good god, Cameron, your parents should've never given you a computer." - Smith.

Well said. I second that, as well as the other blokes who politely told the young guy to zip-it, Phil etc.

Nice match. Fantastic teamspirit and just a pity the top AB's didn't play. Good that McCaw did at least. Their youngsters do look good though. The try that Boric scored was setup from some brilliant handling. Made to look simple, but pure quality.

Habana, Giteau, Roberts, Burger - great games.

Maybe it's time they REALLY turn this into something big, and have a 3 Test series between a side like that, and #1 NZ team, or whoever is top in the rankings most consistently over the year?

That would be awesome, and would create huge hype and ticket sales too. One match Millennium, one Twickenham, and one Croke Park. Would be fun for the fans.

By Shaft, at December 07, 2009 10:00 am
Therés always a couple of idiots talking rubbish on every video.

Im sick of this rotation crap from henry. Some of the players on the a.b's are not International standard. That ben smith & Corey Jane look the goods though. Didnt even know who they were till they made the team.

By Bobby S, at December 07, 2009 10:00 am
I remember Cory Jane playing for the ABs against Munster last year - he had a pretty good game, even thought it wasn't a full-on test match. Speaking of Quade Cooper - thinking back, I believe Jane was sporting a dead animal on his head then, too.

Nice to see him getting some more play this year - the 4th Bledisloe match and now this against the Baa Baas. One of those players that you hate to see on the bench for 65 minutes, but I guess that's just how it is.

By okie, at December 07, 2009 10:26 am
te tank, the baa baas players have everything to be proud of, they were invited to play for an invitational only team, which is not a world XV but come on guys, it is second to that, but only because some players cant be released! so yeh, they were invited to that, which is something to be proud of to start with! they have a couple training sessions together, come out on the day and put on a performance like that, and finish with a win!

I dunno about you guys but i'd be pretty damn proud in that position!!!

yes it wasnt a top notch AB team, but we are talking about players who are good enough to be selected to play for the NZ international rugby team....

By No.7, at December 07, 2009 10:46 am
Please... if this Barbarians team didn't play fun rugby and actually played proper test match stuff they'd whip this AB team by 30 points.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 11:02 am
i response to a few comments about Henry's squad rotation:

There's been a lot of news coverage in NZ about the gap between the ABS 1st XV and the rrest of the squad - the boks seem to have the same problem.

Henry is just trying to expose a lot of the second string guys to some top class rugby so they aren't given a baptism of fire if someone gets injured and they get thrown into the 1st XV.
That said, i still would have preferred to see the best side line up. Carter would have made a big differnece and mccaw playing 90 mins as well.

Hopefully stephen donald has played his last match for the all blacks - he was playing 10 for 4 of the 5 defeats the all blacks have had this year and threw that habana interception.

if cruden and brett have a decent time in the Super 14s then we won't have to see donald in a black jersey ever again.

btw - i though burger was impressive - close to back to his best.

lastly - brian moore seems to have a real dislike for the NZ scrum halves - cown and leonard - and sugests this is a weak area.

imo cowan is top quality, a real scrapper - I appreciate he is arrogant and obnoxous (but aren't all good scrum halves?)
and leonard is a great running scrumhalf - he was really good against the baabaas both with ball in hand and in defence. i think the ab's are spoilt for choice in this position.
anyone agree/disagree?

By felix, at December 07, 2009 11:32 am
All I have to say to people that say us kiwis get arrogant and are full of it is this:

Take a look at the irb official world rankings for once ?
1. New Zealand
2. South Africa
3. Australia

We might talk the talk but least we can walk the walk in the northern hemisphere ?

p.s McCaw = Player of the Year

By te-tank, at December 07, 2009 12:07 pm
In my opinion, Kiwi fans are the least arrogant, well its a toss up between them & the frenchys.

By Anonymous, at December 07, 2009 1:18 pm
te-tank, I hope the IRB rankings help you sleep at night.

The Boks have all the trophies they can win in the SH. You were destroyed three times by them.

By Ubi, at December 07, 2009 1:36 pm
^ Get a Nic, It takes like 30 seconds.

I suspect Cameron Maxted is Quade Cooper.

Some good comments on this blog, apart from some Idiots.Good game to watch. Why the Springboks kick the ball and not give it to Habana is a mystery.
Something ive seen over the past 2 years about Mat g.
5 meters from the line he will never pass the ball, and yet 99% of his tries come from that. Everyone on defence knows it but still dont seem to stop him.

By WGMDelko, at December 07, 2009 2:19 pm
ok first off you kiwis need to back down right now, i mean it. next person who disses the quade coops has to deal with me!!!! he is young and will make mistakes but that does not mean that you have to mock him how dare you!!!

cameron maxted = internet hardman
really cameron im terrified that you might use caps lock or another exclamation mark that would really show us whos boss wouldnt it...

By number7, at December 07, 2009 3:31 pm
te-tank yea bro look at that hey yea u gotsa numba 1 ranking bro and the playa of da year yea bro youse are so good aye!

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 10:24 am
^^ I didnt know Jar jar binks is a fan of rugbydump.

By Anonymous, at December 08, 2009 10:37 pm
anon above ? ^^
im sure your not my bro.
and just stating the facts.

and to Ubi.. they do help me sleep at night. and the fact that S.A looked like fools against France and Ireland also helps me sleep.

By te-tank, at December 09, 2009 12:36 am
Does knowing SA holds all the gold help u sleep at night, too? Let me remind you "bro", WORLD CUP, TRINATIONS, SUPER 14

We also demolished the Lions this year and didn't lose to some third rate French team on HOME SOIL. Sleep tight, don't let the ghost of world cup past bite.

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 2:35 am
Oh yeah, and 3 - 0, plus a barbarians win. zzzzzzz

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 2:37 am
anon, the world cup was 2 years ago.
stop living in the past ?
and well see what happns next year.
s.a are yet to beat the all-blacks when they're full strength.

p.s use a nickname if you want people to take you seriously instead of hiding behind ''anonymous''

By te-tank, at December 09, 2009 3:38 am
And the screen name te-tank doesn't make you anonymous? lmfao. I know you haven't held the WC for well over two decades, so don't blame you for forgetting, but the reign lasts for four years. Hence, "FOUR MORE YEARS, BOYS!"

The All Blacks were full strength during the trinations. When McCaw and Carter play, the Blacks are at full strength. NO MORE EXCUSES!

Now, please tell me what you did after the French quarter final?

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 5:38 am
Long life to the Baa-Baas. They are so inspirational to young kids..as it was for me. My interest for rugby started two decades ago becasue of the legendary feats of these group of rugby players..who represents the quintessential of Rugby (with capital R)...

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 2:17 pm
Barbarians should be the world 15 minus players from the team they're playing. Barbarian rugby should be taken more seriously. At the end of every year, the 22 best players on this great planet should join forces and together take on a nation just one time a year and it should be hyped as something special not just some entertainment match because i think it undermines the importance of what the barbarians stand for. just my opinion.

By Hayden, at December 09, 2009 2:44 pm
Mmmmmm, just looked at those photos of the Springboks holding the Webb Ellis Trophy. How do you feel when you see your National team holding the Webb Ellis after a great world cup.

By Anonymous, at December 09, 2009 7:43 pm
lol you anonymous s.a supporters get more arrogant with every post.
extremely amusing.

By rugbyfan, at December 10, 2009 12:27 am
lol amen ^^

By te-tank, at December 10, 2009 12:29 am
'Mmmmmm, just looked at those photos of the Springboks holding the Webb Ellis Trophy. How do you feel when you see your National team holding the Webb Ellis after a great world cup.'

like im ashamed to be in the same company as someone like you!!

really it was 2 years ago....yeh we won but things have changed since, and things will change in the future....

its people like you that caused all the NH supporters to take every and any opportunity when we lost autumn games!

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 2:58 am
It was a poor world cup as a spectacle and certainly was not a showcase for the great game. So I assume you are talking about '95 or '99.

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 5:50 am
2007 was the best world cup. NZ and AU, two obnoxious nations, were kicked out in the quarters by France, the host nation, and England, the defending champions. The minnow nations stepped up and knocked off a few "big guns" and Argentina took a stand and said, "no, I am not going down that easily". Then there was the ultimate showdown in the final. Defending champions, England vs the mighty Springboks. Wilkinson vs his mentor, Percy; the legendary Os Durrant's last game... stunning, absolutely stunning.

By McBull, at December 10, 2009 6:52 am
More Mcbullshit, Mcbull?

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 7:17 am
We have the cup, so suck it.

By McBull, at December 10, 2009 8:39 am
The cup? Too awkward.

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 12:37 pm
I think Mcbull has a point....to a point...in terms of what we probably agree the 3 best SH nations, SA, AUS, and NZ....all made it....then NH nations, ENG and FRA....(not the best NH nations...)

But like he said, AUS and NZ out....and they were a danger...then the defending champs being in the final.....

I think it makes it a bit more exciting....i mean imagine next WC if the boks get knocked out in the 1/4's or the pools....for their players it would be great to be in the final and try and retain the position....

But it wasnt a particularly exciting game....but i can appreciate it nonetheless!

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 1:59 pm
....just gotta add, its a shame it wasnt time for the quota team to step in for the final...

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 2:00 pm
Habana is in a class of his own!

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 4:32 pm
^habana is world class!

By Anonymous, at December 10, 2009 4:38 pm
As I said b4, stop living in the past.
NZ 2011

By te-tank, at December 10, 2009 10:12 pm
^ Yip te-tank nz to CHOKE AGAIN come 2011, at least it will be right under your noses this time!!

By Anonymous, at December 11, 2009 9:48 am
New Zealand won't make it was the quarter finals. They're weak at the moment and not going to get any better. On top of that, the European nations are starting to improve.

By Anonymous, at December 11, 2009 2:52 pm
anonymous above ^^
N.Z are weak at the moment ?

We beat every European team put in front of us. Wales, Italy, England, France. We were beaten fair and square by the baa baa's but the majority of the team were Southern Hemisphere. European teams are getting worse mate.

Face the facts.

By te-tank, at December 12, 2009 1:26 am
te-tank im not disagreeing that NZ are strong, but im not entirely sure where you got european teams are getting worse from....

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 2:27 am
HABANA!!!!
Btw LOL at that guy who said that kiwis are the least arrogant supporters. I live in nz and it's just embarrasing listening to them, just like te-tank I can't stand them

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 3:00 am
HABANA!!!!
Btw LOL at that guy who said that kiwis are the least arrogant supporters. I live in nz and it's just embarrasing listening to them, just like te-tank I can't stand them

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 3:00 am
K I admit the European teams arnt getn weaker but the Southern H teams are getting stronger.

Anon above.
You bring shame to our country

By te-tank, at December 12, 2009 5:05 am
Anon, you live in NZ, but can't stand Nzers?
Why the fuck do you live there then?
What's wrong with you?

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 10:37 am
^ I live there because I'm trying to teach them rugby, well at least how to win a world cup!! :)

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 11:50 pm
HABANA!!!! I like him but I don't like the boks!

By Anonymous, at December 12, 2009 11:53 pm
In all truth, I like more watching baa-baas games than guiness ones.
nc

By Anonymous, at December 13, 2009 4:31 am