The French have done it!

[sasguru]

Jeez you are acting like a sad little git who obviously takes way to much pleasure in the disappointment of others. I congratulated the french that I know, they were decent enough to take victory modestly. I do think the ref had a shocker, but big deal, the bulltulip being spewed out on here is ludicrous. The NH journalists crowing about the failure of NZ again at a WC are simply tabloid hacks with no understanding of the game and NZ's accomplishments over the last few years.

Dodgy is simply enjoying other peoples misery and it speaks volumes about him. I hope England win this weekend, I like some of the players, I live here now and I dont judge all England fans and the team on ass clown supporters like Dodgy. I dont often get annoyed by internet posters, but I have met Dodgy and he has met me, and I am stunned that he is spouting such vitriol against an entire country over a sporting result. France won, they deserved to win for various reasons, they deserved to lose for various reasons, but the scoreboard and record books show they were victorious.

Good luck England this weekend, and if you dont win, I wont start threads on here insulting all of Englands supporters.

Lighten up will ya? When England go out (and I expect that to happen) feel free to come and take the piss here. We can take it

[rootsnall]

I haven't noticed many Aussies on here moaning. Perhaps they are evolving after all...

I have been let down by my aussie mates, short accepting of defeat emails only with no excuses. The team were also most un aussie like in that they seemed to accept they were going to lose with a good chunk of time on the clock. Strange but enjoyable none the less.

[tay]

This is a stupid ignorant bigotted article.. I shall disect it for you.

How can it be that the self-styled greatest rugby side on earth, championed by Adidas as the template for teamwork and success across the sporting world, yet again failed to deliver when it counted? No longer can they dismiss the 'choker' taunts – time after time the All Blacks redefine the term at World Cups.

Sorry please show me anywhere where NZ has claimed ot be the greatest rugby side on Earth, we are ranked number 1 and have been for 3 years, we have a won over 90%v of our matches in the last 4 years, including a grand slam, whitewash of the Lions, 3 Tri Nations Titakles, and 4 Bledisloe cup, some would argue that beating all comers does actually make you the best. So up until the cup, they probably could have claimed to to be the greatest team on earth.. who was better? Thats chaging now obviously, but it doesnt mean post dominance was irrelevant. But even if we statiscally and results wise were the best, they still havent said it. The AB side has been very very modest.

Only once have New Zealand won the World Cup and that was when they hosted the inaugural competition in 1987, a tournament in which they were effectively the only professional team. Most of the other 'amateurs' pitched up for an end-of-season jolly and were not entirely sober for the duration.

Only professional team? Nonsense. The AB's had no full time rugby players, this is an outright lie.

If New Zealand are ever to regain the trophy which they believe is their birthright, they have got to get over themselves and take a long look at the way the rest of the rugby world perceives them. It will hurt, but the reward could be the Webb Ellis Cup


The All Blacks are day in, day out probably the world's best rugby players but they have a fatal character trait – a pure, unattractive arrogance that trips them up every time. Occasionally some PR guru encourages them to show their nicer side, and in fairness the class of 2007 have tried hard, but it rarely lasts long and their administrators do them no favours.

.

Vitriolic nonsense. Where is this arrogance demonstrated? He is confusing what others wnat the AB to act like so they are easier to dislike.

To win sport's biggest prizes you have to absorb and learn, not lecture and preach. You must be humble. The All Blacks have never been humble, it is not in their DNA. They are told they are special from the moment they first pull on the famous shirt and they expect special treatment from the rest of the world at all times. The All Blacks ethos is their Achilles heel.

Lecture and preach? When have they done that?

They are huge fish in a minute pool and everything they do or say goes unquestioned. If Graham Henry and the New Zealand Rugby Union want unilaterally to rip up the Super 14 and take their top 22 players out of the competition for special fitness training for two months, they plough right on ahead. If you happen to be Sky television, or the Australian and South African rugby unions, it is just tough. The All Blacks have spoken.

Like England sent a understrength teamto to SA this year? Or how SA left out 22 of its best players for the away leg of the 3N? Or how France sent a weak team to NZ over the summer? All teams messed with things towards the goal of the WC. NZ did it in a dnoestic comp instead of test matches.

It was that arrogance and insularity that made them blindly defend Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu when they nearly maimed Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll. They would have done the New Zealand game a much bigger service by banning the duo for two months apiece. Dream on.

Get a grip son. The INDEPENDENT citing commisioner found there was no case to answer. Get over it and move on. Maimed? Dont be so emotive.

There is extraordinary arrogance and pettiness over their commercially-driven haka, as though they were the only nation on earth allowed to express their individuality. So, too, the arrogant assumption that they always know better than the law-makers and referees. Unbelievable. Arm yourself with a law book guys, take an honest look at the match tapes and see just how much the All Blacks get away with.

They raid the Pacific to replenish their player stock, yet have New Zealand ever played a full international at Apia against Samoa by way of encouragement or even, perversely, a thank you? I think not. The truth is New Zealand are terrified that Samoa, Fiji and Tonga will get their act together and become competitive international teams who can hang on to their star players. On the evidence of France 2007, their worst nightmares could soon come true.

Oh dear oh dear. The reason NZ doesnt play in the Pacific Islands is because NZ has the largest population of pacific Islanders in the world. The unions of these countries request to play in NZ as they get bigger crowds than they can fit in thier stadiums, ALL proceeds go to the PI union and NZ lends out facilites for free, the PI win from this deal and get a financial windfall as well as full ground of supporters. This arrangement is at the request of the PI nations. NZ dfoes have a yearly competion with PI teams, but its the NZ A side and they played in Apia and Suva this year. They soundly beat both teams but provided great preparation for the PI sides. They also ignored the IRB ruling that hosts have to pay the costs of the visitors and funded the entire trip themselves.

As for raiding of players... lets have a look at sime FACTS

NZ has these foriegn born players at the WC (8)


We have 27 NZ born players playing for other countries.

Importers

1. Italy - 15
2. Samoa - 14
3. USA - 12
4. Scotland - 10
5. New Zealand - 8
6. Australia, Wales - 7
8. Japan - 6
9. England, France, Ireland, Namibia - 4
13. Canada, Portugal - 3
15. Argentina, Fiji, South Africa, Tonga - 1
19. Georgia, Romania - 0

Exporters:

1. New Zealand - 27
2. South Africa - 16
3. England - 13
4. Argentina, Tonga - 8
6. Fiji, Samoa - 5
8. Australia, France - 3
10. Canada, Zambia, Zimbabwe - 2
13. Belgium, Brazil, Cameroun, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Saudi Arabia, USA - 1

Of the countries at the 2007 World Cup the following have no exports - Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Namibia, Portugal, Scotland and Wales

New Zealanders slag off the Six Nations incessantly but, bless them, miss the point entirely. Yes, the Tri-Nations is inherently more athletic and skilful, and produces some very watchable rugby, but the Six Nations is played on an epic scale, in giant stadiums packed with up to 80,000 mad, half-drunk partisans.

So you say the "the Tri-Nations is inherently more athletic and skilful".. we dont. But then you accuse us of being arrogant? Thats like telling someone they are smart.. and then having a go at them for being arrogant.


I am not surprised so many of you guys are ignorant about rugby if this is the quality of the journalism you believe.

[tay]

Lighten up will ya? When England go out (and I expect that to happen) feel free to come and take the piss here. We can take it

I am sure I would be really popular if the England football team had dominated world football for 4 years, was ranked number 1 for 4 years, had beaten all other sides in the previous 4 years (by record margins) then won its pool matches at the Football WC by record margins.. and then lost.... and I caem on here and started slagging off not just the players but all the supporters and the entire country as well. Some wouldnt mind, but some who do like thier team would find it very irritating and not very clever.

Yeah and I know my spelling (actually typos) are REALLY bad.

[Troll]

I am sure I would be really popular if the England football team had dominated world football for 4 years, was ranked number 1 for 4 years, had beaten all other sides in the previous 4 years (by record margins) then won its pool matches at the Football WC by record margins.. and then lost.... and I caem on here and started slagging off not just the players but all the supporters and the entire country as well. Some wouldnt mind, but some who do like thier team would find it very irritating and not very clever.

Yeah and I know my spelling (actually typos) are REALLY bad.

I think you would be killed in the rush by the Scots,Welsh & Irish et al...

[The Lone Gunman]

I am sure I would be really popular if the England football team had dominated world football for 4 years, was ranked number 1 for 4 years, had beaten all other sides in the previous 4 years (by record margins) then won its pool matches at the Football WC by record margins.. and then lost.... and I caem on here and started slagging off not just the players but all the supporters and the entire country as well. Some wouldnt mind, but some who do like thier team would find it very irritating and not very clever.

Yeah and I know my spelling (actually typos) are REALLY bad.

We did all that upto and including 03 (not the full 4 years mind), won the bloody trophy and still got slagged off by all and sundry.

[sasguru]

This is a stupid ignorant bigotted article.. I shall disect it for you.



Sorry please show me anywhere where NZ has claimed ot be the greatest rugby side on Earth, we are ranked number 1 and have been for 3 years, we have a won over 90%v of our matches in the last 4 years, including a grand slam, whitewash of the Lions, 3 Tri Nations Titakles, and 4 Bledisloe cup, some would argue that beating all comers does actually make you the best. So up until the cup, they probably could have claimed to to be the greatest team on earth.. who was better? Thats chaging now obviously, but it doesnt mean post dominance was irrelevant. But even if we statiscally and results wise were the best, they still havent said it. The AB side has been very very modest.




Only professional team? Nonsense. The AB's had no full time rugby players, this is an outright lie.



Vitriolic nonsense. Where is this arrogance demonstrated? He is confusing what others wnat the AB to act like so they are easier to dislike.



Lecture and preach? When have they done that?



Like England sent a understrength teamto to SA this year? Or how SA left out 22 of its best players for the away leg of the 3N? Or how France sent a weak team to NZ over the summer? All teams messed with things towards the goal of the WC. NZ did it in a dnoestic comp instead of test matches.




Get a grip son. The INDEPENDENT citing commisioner found there was no case to answer. Get over it and move on. Maimed? Dont be so emotive.







Oh dear oh dear. The reason NZ doesnt play in the Pacific Islands is because NZ has the largest population of pacific Islanders in the world. The unions of these countries request to play in NZ as they get bigger crowds than they can fit in thier stadiums, ALL proceeds go to the PI union and NZ lends out facilites for free, the PI win from this deal and get a financial windfall as well as full ground of supporters. This arrangement is at the request of the PI nations. NZ dfoes have a yearly competion with PI teams, but its the NZ A side and they played in Apia and Suva this year. They soundly beat both teams but provided great preparation for the PI sides. They also ignored the IRB ruling that hosts have to pay the costs of the visitors and funded the entire trip themselves.

As for raiding of players... lets have a look at sime FACTS

NZ has these foriegn born players at the WC (8)


We have 27 NZ born players playing for other countries.

Importers

1. Italy - 15
2. Samoa - 14
3. USA - 12
4. Scotland - 10
5. New Zealand - 8
6. Australia, Wales - 7
8. Japan - 6
9. England, France, Ireland, Namibia - 4
13. Canada, Portugal - 3
15. Argentina, Fiji, South Africa, Tonga - 1
19. Georgia, Romania - 0

Exporters:

1. New Zealand - 27
2. South Africa - 16
3. England - 13
4. Argentina, Tonga - 8
6. Fiji, Samoa - 5
8. Australia, France - 3
10. Canada, Zambia, Zimbabwe - 2
13. Belgium, Brazil, Cameroun, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Saudi Arabia, USA - 1

Of the countries at the 2007 World Cup the following have no exports - Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Namibia, Portugal, Scotland and Wales






So you say the "the Tri-Nations is inherently more athletic and skilful".. we dont. But then you accuse us of being arrogant? Thats like telling someone they are smart.. and then having a go at them for being arrogant.


I am not surprised so many of you guys are ignorant about rugby if this is the quality of the journalism you believe.

Did someone mention the NZ lack of perspective earlier?

[tay]

Of course I lack bloody perspective, I love Rugby, and its a hobby of mine. My team just got knocked out of the WC at a very early point, I am hardly going to a bastion of bloody calm am I!!

Doesnt change the fact that the article was full of tulipe and that some morons believe it, when its actually just tabloid rubbish.

I just think the English assume NZer's slag them off a lot, but the reality is that we leave that to the Celts and Aussies mainly, we just arent very good at it, plus we know we usually end up with egg on our faces very quickly.

I do comfort myself with the fact no one at work or the rugby club has teased me much, I think I get the 1000 yard stare and look like I am about to go postal so they realise its not worth the bother, plus I wasnt 'big upping' our chances beforehand... thank god.

[sasguru]

Of course I lack bloody perspective, I love Rugby, and its a hobby of mine. My team just got knocked out of the WC at a very early point, I am hardly going to a bastion of bloody calm am I!!

Doesnt change the fact that the article was full of tulipe and that some morons believe it, when its actually just tabloid rubbish.

I just think the English assume NZer's slag them off a lot, but the reality is that we leave that to the Celts and Aussies mainly, we just arent very good at it, plus we know we usually end up with egg on our faces very quickly.

I do comfort myself with the fact no one at work or the rugby club has teased me much, I think I get the 1000 yard stare and look like I am about to go postal so they realise its not worth the bother, plus I wasnt 'big upping' our chances beforehand... thank god.

Just try not to beat up your wife and kids, ok? Although you'd probably get away with it a a NZ court if you plead extenuating circumstances

[wendigo100]

Don't take it all so personally! Anyone would think New Zealanders had nothing else but their Rugby Union team!

The NH journalists crowing about the failure of NZ again at a WC are simply tabloid hacks with no understanding of the game and NZ's accomplishments over the last few years.

The All Blacks are considered the greatest rugby union nation on the planet, and it is true that they have accomplished much over the past 20 years, but not at the world cup.

They crush the little guys in the group games, then come unstuck against the bigger guys who they would usually beat on most other occasions. That is why they are called world cup chokers, not because hacks talk out of their arses.