Crazy Fool's Newsround

rwc
September, 14th 2011 20:06 PM

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The rugby bit:

Published 15.9.11

RWC 2011 New Zealand

The rugby World Cup eventually kicked off in the Land of the Large Thighs and despite the splendour of the opening ceremony, which was a far cry from a couple of Pom Pom girls back in 1987, the opening game was a bit of a damp squib.

New Zealand started heartily enough but fell off the boil in the second half, regardless of their 41-10 scoreline over Tonga – both sides will go back in the pot this week and hopefully come up with something more spicy against Japan and Canada respectively.

Romania gave the Jocks a scare and me, as I had them, albeit, a very dark horse for greatness. The Scots eventually came through with two late tries from Simon Danielli, which swung it, 34-24.

Fiji at least showed why they’re possible giant killers with a 49-25 win over lowly Namibia, although it was good to see the ‘minnows’ with points on the board.

Japan gave France a scare and gave the Cup some colour with a defiant display against the French, who ultimately had to pop 22 points in the last ten minutes to make the scoreline look convincing at 47-21

The first Big Game saw the Argies rattle a subdued and ill disciplined England, where both sides exchanged a few penalties, but missed more than they got – five misses from eight from Sgt. Wilko and nine from 12 from Martin Rodriguez and Felipe Contemponi settled any disputes as to who was the worst.

After 60 minutes England realised they were in the World Cup and began to contest at the breakdowns and eking out the possession rallied phase ball for sub, Ben Youngs to spy the gap and score a try under the sticks to reap breathing space 13-9.

Johnno said after, ‘I aged about 20 years today,’, nevertheless, ‘We got the win, it wasn’t fantastic performance by any means, but a fantastic win in the circumstances.’

Australia and Italy shared a hard fought battle on Sunday’s first game with suggestions there could be the Cup’s first upset. Then something clicked and for me it was Fain’ga gong off, Adam Ashley-Cooper moving into the centre and James O’Connor slotting in on the wing – the spark was there and the Aussies ran like an English riot in the second half, collecting four tries en-route to a 32-6 win.

Ireland played to the crowd, but they were more interested in USA, who matched the men in green in every position. They made a slog of it, but defeat never looked likely, but you’d have to take your hat off to the Yanks for a measurable display of guts and commitment. The Irish eventually rallied a close 22-10 win.

In the other Big Game, you’d have to say the Welsh blew it. Harsh perhaps but they dominated this game, had the Boks on the back foot, but never drove that final nail in. The experienced Bok shouldered the pressure and took their points – look out for them – this is World Cup rugby – not Hong Kong 7’s.

The Welsh instigated the play, executed quick ball with a fine backrow performance, but left the back door just ajar for 30 seconds and that was all it took for sub Francois Hougaard to sneak in off quick ball.

The Reds were unlucky not to be given a penalty that clearly went through the uprights, but an easy drop kick miss and similar penalty miss later on meant it’s not just Johnny who’s fluffing his lines.

fool says:

The Big Games this weekend are Australia ve Ireland, which the Wallaby’s will win 23-16

The other is Wales/ Samoa and we don’t need instincts to tell us this going to be a cracker – but I have Wales on top by 3.

Regards the rest of the games this week, as of writing, I’ll share fool’s predictions by margin only; Samoa over Namibia by 28/ Canada over Tonga by 3/ Scotland over Georgia by 20/ USA over Russia by 6/ All Blacks over Japan by 30/ Argentina over Romania by 15/ Boks over Fiji by 12/ England over Georgia by 31/ France over Canada by 19

ITM/ Currie Cup/ English Premiership and Magners are on hold till they stop playing every bloody day of the week and we get to somewhere near the finals!

Some shorts:

*Martyn Williams looks set to make his 100^th cap as a replacement for the injured Ryan Jones in Wales’ team, pending Jones’ fitness and subsequent departure from the squad – once you’re out – you’re out!

*There’s been some who-ha regards the ball. In case you were wondering, it’s already been tried and tested in the previous 6 Nations and Tri Nations. For the nerds; there’s 1000 of them deployed for this tournament – gratis from Gilbert. And they are adorned with a stylistic interpretation hammerhead shark (mangopare) and Fern Shoot (Kuru) – their length in line is 280-300ml, circumference from end to end 740-770ml and width 580-620ml. they weigh 410-460 grams and have a pressure of 65.71-68.75 kilopascals or 0.67-0.70 kilo’s per cm2 or 9.5-10lbs per square inch – fact!

For the latest news ‘see’ crazy fool’s Radio Show – click on red icon, top left of home page.

Some competitions now: If you’d like to take part in fool’s rugby comps check out the comps & results page –win a prize! – I should probably check it myself, as I can’t remember what comps are up for grabs.

Send your team(s) to cf.crazyfool@gmail.com – argh yes, teams, that was it - teams.

end rugby here!

A willow the wisp of cricket now:

And now ladies and gentlemen a thribble on the light side:

Jimmy snared 25-4 as the Indians faulted with a respectable 234-7 off 50 overs at the Oval that put England in front on 218 in a rain reduced 43 overs to win by 3wickets – follow? Good.

They won the series courtesy of a tie at Lords where rain halted India’s 280-5 by England’s 270-8.

Ravi Bopara fell four short of a ton, whilst Ms Dhoni and Suresh Raina snuck in 169 to no avail.

Brad Haddin was looking forward to use the new ball in Pallekele as Australia declared on 411 on Day 4, needing 8 wickets to extend their one Test lead but the rains came and so we go to Colombo for the third and final Test with the tourists edging favouritism.

In the snippets

*Trott won the ICC Cricketer of the Year with his 445 runs in the ODI’s against Australia earlier this year with Alistair Cook taking Test Cricketer through his sublime 766.

Trott said his most treasured memory was his run out of Katich in Adelaide’s second Test where he said, ‘It was the first time I’ve ever got to run around like a football striker after scoring a goal.’

It’s early now and… - I’m done

The team that likes roll mops and partying and belts and rum and temptations and feathers and Steve Finn and proverbs and coordinates and pigeons and tiddly winks and Jessie’s! And spin and the Beatles and Buddy Holly and side-show Bob and Ant and Dec and capes and japes and basketball and indoor cricket and psyche and a good rib-dig and loose ends and first balls and a good roasting, and triple tons and whoa-ha-ha’s and cooking and cradles and Yorkshire puddings…and 2010/11 Ashes, and the Gods