Strange Famous

and we are champions still for one more day at least.

Without trying to be controversial - the Aussie scrum was actually so pathetic the ref really must have come close to considering calling for uncontested scrums. The Aussie backs were dynamic and threatening but the front five were an embarassment to them... I think they collapsed or went into reverse of almost every scrum. Andy Sheridan was immense. With no platform and with England winning the breakdown, Aussies had no chance, really the game shouldnt have been close and only poor execution by England gave them a shot at the end.

Les Bleu's will not buckle so easily. The English scrum is stronger, but they wont dominate the French... Ibanez is a lion and will drive the his pack.

With my head I have to say France are favourites - they have been the best team in the 6N's for a few years... but I can no longer make any judgement which my heart does not control... all I can see and think of is how England will win. The ommission of Michalak (sic?) is a massive mistake... the French crowd will get on their back if they fall behind... we have the best clutch kicker in world rugby (Patterson is better technically, but when does he have to take a REALLY clutch kick?)

No one gave us a prayer against Australia and we did them in.

4 more years George! 4 more years!

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also glad to see the dirtiest team in rugby lose. just proves that when the all blacks arent allowed to cheat in the breakdown its a diff game

As for the final... bring either of them on.

We have to get past a very strong French team first.

But if we do... the Puma's are a mighty pack, and have one of the best 10's in the world... but they are beatable.

And for the Boks... I would love to have them last up. Tonga pushed them and so did Fiji... they peaked too early. It wont even be necessary to motivate our boys... we know we were humiliated in the group stage and I know they will all be yearning to put that right.

All the talk of SH rugby being at a different level to the 6N's... looks a bit different now. Take out Habana and they are a limited threat. We can beat their pack.

The Kiwi's have no heart.

They THRASHED Romania... but there was a moment in that game I knew they were a weak team. The Romanian's just ran pick and drive's from 30 yards out and drove through the Blacks for a try in that game. They wanted that try, and NZ didnt really fight to defend it because they were winning the game easily.

Yes, they can play wonderful running rugby, but the French knew how to beat them... a "bend dont break" defence, kick deep and make them play... and fight like bloody hell in the breakdown.

The arrogant insistance on the Haka (basically having TWO anthems to the opponents one) is out of date. The arrogance of the NZ team asking to wear black and for France to change to white (even though France won the toss for home colours) just summed up everything I hate about them. Les Bleu's responded magnificently. I just hope they have gone as far as they can.

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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas