England Rugby Teamm !?

Question

In 2003 we were the BEST in the world ..

4 Years later we are the 2ND best in the world !

So why is everyone dissing us ? .. We've done class in this World Cup ffs ..

Answer 1

Probably because the way England played in some of the matches they were damned lucky to be in the quarter finals. England did not play particularly well in some of the initial games.  However, they did play well in the quarter final match against Australia and even the final match.

New Zealand and Australia are good teams and should have made it to the semi finals at least but when push came to shove, they both played badly on the day.  Both nations did not lose a game until those fateful ones in the quarter finals.  With all expectations, I would have expected both to be in the semi finals at least with one or even both in the final game.  

The world cup has been a cup of big upsets and surprises and a lot of it came down to luck, I think, as to who was drawn against who to play.  I must say, I expected Australia to whip England in the quarter final.

England however, is far from best in the world and I think deep down you know it.

Answer 2

Graham B you are a breath of fresh air....

Answer 3

All Blacks Rule!!!

I think you will find that you are still ranked behind NZ in the IRB rankings. South Africa have not yet gone to the top but they will, NZ will the go to second and England is third.

This, after England got the benefit of both an incompetent English ref and match officials in the quarter finals.

Following is a list of all the mistakes and the times in the game they were made over the last 20 minutes of the match as seen by a rugby referee in the replay of the quarter final France v All Blacks.There were a number prior to these but this was a crucial time in the context of the game. Check the replay.

60.12 - a ruck is called by Barnes - but Chabal still picks it up in a crucial turnover for France. Hands in the ruck. Again, a kickable penalty.

60.53 - France get a penalty for Jerry Collins offside at a scrum. Wrong. The scrum had gone 90 degrees and should have been reset. The French No 8 had detached so Collins was legally allowed there; it just looked bad as the scrum had wheeled.

64.20  - French put up up-and-under at about halfway, several players offside do not back up to the 10 m line before they are put onside and at least two tackle the All Blacks, cutting down the options. Offside, should have been a penalty for the All Blacks. This is another penalty the touch judges could have helped call.

67.59 - French throw forward pass and score. Barnes is coming across the field from the breakdown and behind the play. There are players obstructing his view and you just cannot guess if a pass is forward of not. Touch judge Jonathan Kaplan is only two metres behind with a clear view - surely he could have called this?

73.58 - French openside flanker is offside at ruck, cutting down otptions. Barnes lets it run - but is should have been a penalty.

76.31 - French have hands in ruck and are offside. Barnes is on the infield side. These offences should have been clearly obvious to touch judge Spreadbury.

77.48 - French number 21 and 9 miles offside and spoiling the ball. Barnes again on infield side - touch judges' call.

79.05 - advantage All Black, McAlister takes dropkick and misses. Barnes does not come back for the advantage - which would have been a kickable penalty. There has been debate amoung referees as to whether we should come back for the penalty in these situations as many of us believe advantage has actually been used in the drop goal attempt, I agree with this. However, a big game like a World Cup quarter-final is not the time for such 'sharp practice;. Barnes may also just have forgotton to come back given all the pressure. Both ways he has erred.

80.40 - Turnover to France, but their players are offside.

Should have been a kickable penalty to the All Blacks.

So England don't you dare whinge about the referee who officiated in the final.

Answer 4

couldn,t agree more...where were New Zealand and Australia?     they were so sure they would be in the final all you could see were the fans trying to sell tickets they had bought months ago..it doesn,t matter that we lost, the main thing is we whooped the Aussies

Answer 5

Unfortunately, there is a minority of idiots amongst every countries so-called "fans". These people, who unfortunately have an excellent soapbox to spout their moronic views from on the internet, are incapable of thinking rationally. Some may be bitter about losing a quater final, for instance, and to make themselves feel better they need to belitle the achievements of others.

The rational amongst us can commiserate those who lost, while congratulating those who won.

Answer 6

They are not the second best.  They played really well (apart from the first game against SA!) and have the nucleus of a team that can complete a hat-trick of final appearances in 2011, and compete against the Southern Hemisphere teams...................more than the Welsh, Scots and Irish will be able to do!

Answer 7

I don't think anyone's knocking the England team.  I'm a Scottish fan, I think our team did well.  But the English had a fantastic tournament and are to be congratulated for their efforts and for making it to the final again.  They hadn't done too well of late and it was a fantastic recovery to get as far as they did.  And contrary to what many people believe, many Scots wanted the English to win once Scotland were eliminated.

Answer 8

Well according to the IRB rankings England have slipped from 3rd to 4th in the world.

so you do the math!

Oh and why is everyone dissing ya'll?? well gee let me guess.... um ya'll dissed every man and his dog on the way to the final..... ya dissed ya neighbours, ya dissed the RWC hosts.... gosh ya dissed everyone who had the gall to stand up for there country!! piiiillllease banter I can handle inconsiderate wording from english inflated egos are most annoying and need to be brought back down to earth!!