Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
+19
TJ
BamBam
DeludedOptimistorjustDave
nathan
Breadvan
jimmyinthewell68
king_carlos
Heaf
quinsforever
Hood83
Cyril
Cardiff Dave
Taylorman
No 7&1/2
GloriousEmpire
GunsGerms
fa0019
stub
doctor_grey
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The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Rugby Union :: International
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Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
First topic message reminder :
The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.
where were you when the match or just the kick happened?
The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.
where were you when the match or just the kick happened?
Last edited by doctor_grey on Sat 02 Nov 2013, 6:23 am; edited 2 times in total
doctor_grey- Posts : 12219
Join date : 2011-04-30
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
just watching the game now, it's pretty funny watching jason lennard running around.
nathan- Posts : 11033
Join date : 2011-06-14
Location : Leicestershire
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
I remember it more as a fluke, we saw a team lucky to beat Samoa in the group stages,struggle against the Welsh in the quarter final until the ref helped them out in the second half,a semi final when the French shot themselves in the foot, then go onto win it with one kick.
Hardly entertaining and hardly world beaters.
Hardly entertaining and hardly world beaters.
DeludedOptimistorjustDave- Posts : 655
Join date : 2013-07-03
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
DiddumsDeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember it more as a fluke, we saw a team lucky to beat Samoa in the group stages,struggle against the Welsh in the quarter final until the ref helped them out in the second half,a semi final when the French shot themselves in the foot, then go onto win it with one kick.
Hardly entertaining and hardly world beaters.
![Yahoo](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/479796.gif)
![Yahoo](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/479796.gif)
BamBam- Posts : 17226
Join date : 2011-03-17
Age : 35
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Errmmm - nothing great at all about it. did you watch the last all blacks / Aus game?
does anyone wonder why english sports fans get up others noses? this thread is a perfect example of why
does anyone wonder why english sports fans get up others noses? this thread is a perfect example of why
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
We can't do anything about it if there's a few other fans very very very bitter can we TJ?
No 7&1/2- Posts : 31361
Join date : 2012-10-20
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Fluke as in being unbeaten vs the 3N in 3 years and 12 matches home and away vs all up to and incl the RWC?DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember it more as a fluke, we saw a team lucky to beat Samoa in the group stages,struggle against the Welsh in the quarter final until the ref helped them out in the second half,a semi final when the French shot themselves in the foot, then go onto win it with one kick.
Hardly entertaining and hardly world beaters.
Fluke as in winning 3 out of the last 4 6N championships?
In 91, AUS were lucky to beat IRE in the QF.
In 95, SA were lucky to beat FRA in the SF.
In 07, SA were lucky to beat Fiji and not have to play NZ, AUS or FRA in the tournament.
In 11, NZ were lucky Joubert wears an ABs nightie to sleep each night.
Every team needs luck. England had some in 03, they made their own most of the time and that is generally the way things go in these tournaments.
fa0019- Posts : 8196
Join date : 2011-07-25
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
A little humility wouldn't go amis and your post is also indicative of why english fans are disliked.No 7&1/2 wrote:We can't do anything about it if there's a few other fans very very very bitter can we TJ?
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Oh it was a good win using the players they had and a gameplan to suit. No WC win is anything less than great. However great game? Great play?? No. Not even close. Dull limited game plan excecuted well.
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
doctor_grey wrote:The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.
doctor_grey- Posts : 12219
Join date : 2011-04-30
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Well and you wonder whay "anyone but england"
Or if that is supposed to be a series of questions..........
The greatest player of all time, Dan Carter or Zinzan Brooke
making the greatest play of all time, I like a trick play. NZ a couple of WCs ago having all the backs in a line behind the scrum but just maybe Wales 15 man lineout and maul - because of the game situation
on the greatest team of all time, GB cycling team at the olympics
in the greatest event of all time, Strathpuffer. Google it. an event for tough folk run and competed in in a very sporting manner
in the greatest sport of all time rugby union. Has to be
Or if that is supposed to be a series of questions..........
The greatest player of all time, Dan Carter or Zinzan Brooke
making the greatest play of all time, I like a trick play. NZ a couple of WCs ago having all the backs in a line behind the scrum but just maybe Wales 15 man lineout and maul - because of the game situation
on the greatest team of all time, GB cycling team at the olympics
in the greatest event of all time, Strathpuffer. Google it. an event for tough folk run and competed in in a very sporting manner
in the greatest sport of all time rugby union. Has to be
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Could yon tell me a more exciting final where two sides threw the kitchen sink at each other back and forth???TJ wrote:Oh it was a good win using the players they had and a gameplan to suit. No WC win is anything less than great. However great game? Great play?? No. Not even close. Dull limited game plan excecuted well.
Any team can perform when the pressure is off, those 2 teams that day made the best final in RWC history then or since because they went at each other and gave the fans a real test match full of drama, tries, excitement and a final scene any Hollywood scriptwriter would be proud of.
Finals are never great games in the purest sense...that one was closest as we've had though.
fa0019- Posts : 8196
Join date : 2011-07-25
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
TJ wrote:A little humility wouldn't go amis and your post is also indicative of why english fans are disliked.No 7&1/2 wrote:We can't do anything about it if there's a few other fans very very very bitter can we TJ?
It's true. I represent all England fans. You have quite a cheek after reading some of your recent comments. You're bitter, what can I do?
No 7&1/2- Posts : 31361
Join date : 2012-10-20
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
I am not bitter at all. Jeezo I am a scotland and edinburgh fan. Bitterness is a luxury to those like me
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
I just had to chortle at that oneDeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember it more as a fluke, we saw a team lucky to beat Samoa in the group stages,struggle against the Welsh in the quarter final until the ref helped them out in the second half,a semi final when the French shot themselves in the foot, then go onto win it with one kick.
Hardly entertaining and hardly world beaters.
![Laugh](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/810156456.jpg)
Good old view!
![Cool](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_cool.gif)
Don't forget sneaking past SA by 19 points and being lucky that Georgia and Uruguay didn't bring their 'A Game'.
Cyril- Posts : 7162
Join date : 2012-11-16
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Maybe but it was by no means a great game. One team playing territory and scrum and look for penalties, the other unable to break them down. Not great for the neutral. Have you watched the last NZ / Aus game? Now that was a great gamefa0019 wrote:Could yon tell me a more exciting final where two sides threw the kitchen sink at each other back and forth???TJ wrote:Oh it was a good win using the players they had and a gameplan to suit. No WC win is anything less than great. However great game? Great play?? No. Not even close. Dull limited game plan excecuted well.
Any team can perform when the pressure is off, those 2 teams that day made the best final in RWC history then or since because they went at each other and gave the fans a real test match full of drama, tries, excitement and a final scene any Hollywood scriptwriter would be proud of.
Finals are never great games in the purest sense...that one was closest as we've had though.
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
You mean the one that meant sod all in the greater scheme of things and both sides could just throw it about? You can't compare that with a WC Final.TJ wrote:Maybe but it was by no means a great game. One team playing territory and scrum and look for penalties, the other unable to break them down. Not great for the neutral. Have you watched the last NZ / Aus game? Now that was a great gamefa0019 wrote:Could yon tell me a more exciting final where two sides threw the kitchen sink at each other back and forth???TJ wrote:Oh it was a good win using the players they had and a gameplan to suit. No WC win is anything less than great. However great game? Great play?? No. Not even close. Dull limited game plan excecuted well.
Any team can perform when the pressure is off, those 2 teams that day made the best final in RWC history then or since because they went at each other and gave the fans a real test match full of drama, tries, excitement and a final scene any Hollywood scriptwriter would be proud of.
Finals are never great games in the purest sense...that one was closest as we've had though.
Cyril- Posts : 7162
Join date : 2012-11-16
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Maybe I'm harsh but after reading endless posts of lucky England and putting them down etc I may have jumped to conclusions. One post back and I'm proving why people don't like the English. If the boot was on the other foot...it would be me proving why people don't like the English. Just gets tiresome sometimes.TJ wrote:I am not bitter at all. Jeezo I am a scotland and edinburgh fan. Bitterness is a luxury to those like me
No 7&1/2- Posts : 31361
Join date : 2012-10-20
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Just read the thread - its not that bad but its the continual drip drip drip of stuff like this that leads to the "anyone but England" mindset. read it again with a neutrals mindset adn seewhat you see
Oh - and i am of english birth with an english name and an english accent. I'd rather be a Sarries and England fan but you can't change whats in your heart
Oh - and not prooving - showing. Just ano0ther drip insiugnificant in itself but infuriating for the 459.908 time
Oh - and i am of english birth with an english name and an english accent. I'd rather be a Sarries and England fan but you can't change whats in your heart
Oh - and not prooving - showing. Just ano0ther drip insiugnificant in itself but infuriating for the 459.908 time
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
I would say that if you read the thread on the game you would also see some posts that appear to offer no acknowledgment on what England managed to do. I'd also say there are quite a few fans around today who are very bitter about the England win and doing anything they can to play it down. Think the world will stop spinning if we do manage to get another win against NZ.
No 7&1/2- Posts : 31361
Join date : 2012-10-20
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
i love the game of rugby, but at international level sometimes i wonder whether england should really bother. we are damned if we do damned if we dont. arrogant and boring for winning in a confident manner, just plain arrogant for failing to win as we obviously assumed we would in the other 6 RWCs.
seriously, why do we bother.
oh yeah, because without england half the finances of rugby would evaporate, so actually our ongoing participation is more charitable than arrogant....
seriously, why do we bother.
oh yeah, because without england half the finances of rugby would evaporate, so actually our ongoing participation is more charitable than arrogant....
quinsforever- Posts : 6765
Join date : 2013-10-10
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
doctor_grey wrote:The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.
where were you when the match or just the kick happened?
The Me'm Sahib and I watched the match in the Scruffs Bar of the Warrant Officers and Senior Rates Mess at the Navy establishment where I was based at the time. The bar was open, the place was packed and we even had a token Aussie who was over here on exchange service at the time. Give him his due, he took a damned good bantering like a man and rang the bell at full time. I dread to think what his bar bill looked like that month. Top bloke though. Kudos to him.
We especially enjoyed bantering the Chief Stoker in the Welsh Shirt and wearing a green and gold scarf. Served him right.
But what a great day, and even better to be in Trafalgar Square for the homecoming. A freezing cold day, and a long wait for the bus to arrive (nothing unusual in London), but worth it.
The Fourth Lion- Posts : 835
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Location : South Coast
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
See my post above.TJ wrote:A little humility wouldn't go amis and your post is also indicative of why english fans are disliked.No 7&1/2 wrote:We can't do anything about it if there's a few other fans very very very bitter can we TJ?
TJ....... You weren't in the Scruffs Bar of the WO & SR mess, wearing a Welsh shirt and a green and gold scarf on that day by any chance, were you..?
The Fourth Lion- Posts : 835
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Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
The Fourth Lion wrote:See my post above.TJ wrote:A little humility wouldn't go amis and your post is also indicative of why english fans are disliked.No 7&1/2 wrote:We can't do anything about it if there's a few other fans very very very bitter can we TJ?
TJ....... You weren't in the Scruffs Bar of the WO & SR mess, wearing a Welsh shirt and a green and gold scarf on that day by any chance, were you..?
He's a Scottish fan, so I doubt it.
Guest- Guest
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Griff wrote:He's a Scottish fan, so I doubt it.The Fourth Lion wrote:See my post above.TJ wrote:A little humility wouldn't go amis and your post is also indicative of why english fans are disliked.No 7&1/2 wrote:We can't do anything about it if there's a few other fans very very very bitter can we TJ?
TJ....... You weren't in the Scruffs Bar of the WO & SR mess, wearing a Welsh shirt and a green and gold scarf on that day by any chance, were you..?
The shirt may differ but the mentality is just the same.
The Fourth Lion- Posts : 835
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Location : South Coast
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
You guys are so funny. You wonder why the "anyone but england" mentality exists and then you make posts like on this thread with a huge disrespectful arrogance and a nasty denigration of others. Oh the irony. can you not see what you are doing?
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
TJ - I think that you made your mind up a long time ago that the English are arrogant and "english fans are disliked." I think that this is real shame and unfortunately I doubt that there is anything anyone can do or say to change your mind. Most posts I read from all nationalities show great respect for others and plenty of humility. There are of course exceptions to this but again these are from all nationalities. I think your comments are unfair and disproportionately targeted at the English. I'm not going to let it spoil my day though. Off to watch my son play rugby now
![Smile](https://2img.net/i/fa/i/smiles/icon_smile.gif)
stub- Posts : 2226
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Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Stub - just read this thread and try to view it from a neutrals viewpoint to understand why english fans are perceived as arrogant.
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Yes, every single english fan is on this thread.... You can't make generalising sweeping statements based on a few english fans on here. It's pretty clear as stub said you made your mind up a long time ago.TJ wrote:Stub - just read this thread and try to view it from a neutrals viewpoint to understand why english fans are perceived as arrogant.
nathan- Posts : 11033
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Location : Leicestershire
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
England were lucky to get pass Wales in the quarter final of that world cup if I remember correctly, the ref just killed us in the second half, although at the time England were easily the best side from 1 to 8 in the world, add into the Johnny Wilkinson at 10 and they were a pretty formidable side, I do not think we will ever see a pack of forwards as good as the English 1999-2003 circa ever again.
LordDowlais- Posts : 15419
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Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
And I only had a pop after reading your one eyed posts on the match thread!
No 7&1/2- Posts : 31361
Join date : 2012-10-20
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Nathan - I did not claim that at all. what I said was quite clear that if people want to understand why the "anyone but england" ethos is so active then this thread shows the sentiments that produce this reaction.
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
What a pity that a good and interesting thread..... about England's 2003 world cup win.... has been hijacked by one individual who clearly has an axe to grind and turned into something it was never intended to be.TJ wrote:Nathan - I did not claim that at all. what I said was quite clear that if people want to understand why the "anyone but england" ethos is so active then this thread shows the sentiments that produce this reaction.
But I can see that there is an element of antipathy towards England..... in the mind of at least one person..... amongst the group on this site, so, what say you we start an "Anyone but England" thread where we can discuss this phenomenon. Much better that way, eh?
I'll cobble something together and put it up, and then those who feel a need to do so can vent their spleen in an appropriate place. I'll get typing.
The Fourth Lion- Posts : 835
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Location : South Coast
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
$th lion - you shoot yourself in the foot. its easy to write off my comments as bitter antipathy rather than listen and try to understand. Of course it was not intended to be this but to claim
Its much easier for you to close your ears and say its the rantings of a bitter individual than it is to listen to the explanation i give and to try to understand.
For the england WC win is simply arrogant. It was none of those thingsThe greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.
Its much easier for you to close your ears and say its the rantings of a bitter individual than it is to listen to the explanation i give and to try to understand.
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
TJ - It's something called an "opinion". People are allowed to have them.
With regards to arrogance, I remember seeing some Welsh fans on SSN before the RWC 2011 semi-final against France, crowing about how they were going to score five tries and get in the final.
Oops.
With regards to arrogance, I remember seeing some Welsh fans on SSN before the RWC 2011 semi-final against France, crowing about how they were going to score five tries and get in the final.
Oops.
Duty281- Posts : 34052
Join date : 2011-06-06
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Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
The point is its not said as an opinion its said as if its a self evident fact- read it. try to understand why this sort of attitude annoys folk.
TJ- Posts : 8539
Join date : 2013-09-22
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
And I've seen a couple of people on here (Welsh fans) citing the recent Lions victory as a Welsh victory. In light of that, do you believe I should adopt an "anyone but Wales" attitude?
And of course it's an opinion, just because he hasn't wrote "I think" or "I believe" beforehand doesn't make a difference.
And of course it's an opinion, just because he hasn't wrote "I think" or "I believe" beforehand doesn't make a difference.
Duty281- Posts : 34052
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Location : I wouldn’t want to be faster or greener than now if you were with me; O you were the best of all my days
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Anyway.......I was in Balham and extremely annoyed that my wife had booked us to take kids and godchildren to see Disney on Ice straight after the game. I had to leave all my mates straight after the final whistleas they began a massive bender.
It was such a come down from the previous weekend when I was there as We beat France in the pouring rain. I had 3 nights in Sydney for the semi-finals and it was an epic weekend. What was especially nice was that as both semis were in the same location you had fans from every country in town and out partying. Some were delusional in actually thinking they would make the semis, but their presence was gratefully received by the Sydney bars and restuarants. And everyone got on well!
![furious](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/177851.gif)
![furious](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/177851.gif)
![furious](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/177851.gif)
![furious](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/177851.gif)
![furious](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/177851.gif)
![furious](/users/3014/26/22/82/smiles/177851.gif)
It was such a come down from the previous weekend when I was there as We beat France in the pouring rain. I had 3 nights in Sydney for the semi-finals and it was an epic weekend. What was especially nice was that as both semis were in the same location you had fans from every country in town and out partying. Some were delusional in actually thinking they would make the semis, but their presence was gratefully received by the Sydney bars and restuarants. And everyone got on well!
hugehandoff- Posts : 1318
Join date : 2011-06-02
Location : London
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Duty281 wrote:And I've seen a couple of people on here (Welsh fans) citing the recent Lions victory as a Welsh victory. In light of that, do you believe I should adopt an "anyone but Wales" attitude?
And of course it's an opinion, just because he hasn't wrote "I think" or "I believe" beforehand doesn't make a difference.
I've seen a couple of welsh doing it for a bit of banter, but no one seriously. The only serious one was an Irish poster yesterday (GunsGerms I think).
Guest- Guest
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
My pleasure Cyril,anything to lighten up your evening, i imagine them evenings alone can get pretty dull?!Cyril wrote:I just had to chortle at that oneDeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember it more as a fluke, we saw a team lucky to beat Samoa in the group stages,struggle against the Welsh in the quarter final until the ref helped them out in the second half,a semi final when the French shot themselves in the foot, then go onto win it with one kick.
Hardly entertaining and hardly world beaters.
Good old view!![]()
Don't forget sneaking past SA by 19 points and being lucky that Georgia and Uruguay didn't bring their 'A Game'.
Suppose you must be bored of wearing ass less leather pants your leather studded hat oiling yourself up in the mirror listening to Duran Duran's Wild boys?.
DeludedOptimistorjustDave- Posts : 655
Join date : 2013-07-03
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Cripe, that's not necessary, Dave.
Well, were England not World Beaters in 2003? Let's see the record......
Total 17 tests, 16 wins
HIghlights include:
France, 4 tests: 3 England wins, home and away, only loss was by 1 point in a RWC warm up test
Wales, 2 tests, 6 Nations and RWC: 2 England wins, in Cardiff in Six Nations, in the RWC
Australia, 2 tests: 2 England wins, both in Australia, one in June and the other the RWC final
New Zealand, 1 test: 1 England win in Wellington
South Africa, 1 test: 1 England win in the RWC
Ireland, 1 test: 1 England win in Lansdowne Road to clinch the 6 Nations
Scotland, 1 test: 1 England win in Murrayfield
I think this is the type of record we all aspire to each year for our teams. Only NZ has consistently been able to do it.
This 2003 team won every match they played except one. And they played all the world's best teams.
Does this mean they were world beaters and very good? yes, most big wins were on the road
Does this mean they were the best ever? Of course not, no one can say that, and I doubt anyone here has said so
Does this mean we English fans can't look back wistfully? of course we can, will, and do (can't help ourselves, really)
Does this mean we can do it again? well, er, um, I hope so (but not playing like we just did against Australia)
Does this mean we can do it with this group of players? They do seem to need a little shoring up here and there, no?
Does this mean we can do it with these coaches? I hope so, but the jury is very undecided (similar, but opposite to a little obstruction)
Well, were England not World Beaters in 2003? Let's see the record......
Total 17 tests, 16 wins
HIghlights include:
France, 4 tests: 3 England wins, home and away, only loss was by 1 point in a RWC warm up test
Wales, 2 tests, 6 Nations and RWC: 2 England wins, in Cardiff in Six Nations, in the RWC
Australia, 2 tests: 2 England wins, both in Australia, one in June and the other the RWC final
New Zealand, 1 test: 1 England win in Wellington
South Africa, 1 test: 1 England win in the RWC
Ireland, 1 test: 1 England win in Lansdowne Road to clinch the 6 Nations
Scotland, 1 test: 1 England win in Murrayfield
I think this is the type of record we all aspire to each year for our teams. Only NZ has consistently been able to do it.
This 2003 team won every match they played except one. And they played all the world's best teams.
Does this mean they were world beaters and very good? yes, most big wins were on the road
Does this mean they were the best ever? Of course not, no one can say that, and I doubt anyone here has said so
Does this mean we English fans can't look back wistfully? of course we can, will, and do (can't help ourselves, really)
Does this mean we can do it again? well, er, um, I hope so (but not playing like we just did against Australia)
Does this mean we can do it with this group of players? They do seem to need a little shoring up here and there, no?
Does this mean we can do it with these coaches? I hope so, but the jury is very undecided (similar, but opposite to a little obstruction)
Opposing Teams | For | Against | Date | Venue | Competition |
France | 25 | 17 | 15/02/2003 | Twickenham, London | Six Nations |
Wales | 26 | 9 | 22/02/2003 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff | Six Nations |
Italy | 40 | 5 | 9/3/2003 | Twickenham, London | Six Nations |
Scotland | 40 | 9 | 22/03/2003 | Twickenham, London | Six Nations |
Ireland | 42 | 6 | 30/03/2003 | Lansdowne Road, Dublin | Six Nations |
New Zealand | 15 | 13 | 14/06/2003 | WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington | Summer Tour |
Australia | 25 | 14 | 21/06/2003 | Colonial Stadium, Melbourne | Summer Tour |
Wales | 43 | 9 | 23/08/2003 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff | RWC Warm-Up Test |
France | 16 | 17 | 30/08/2003 | Stade Vélodrome, Marseille | RWC Warm-Up Test |
France | 45 | 14 | 6/9/2003 | Twickenham, London | RWC Warm-Up Test |
Georgia | 84 | 6 | 12/10/2003 | Subiaco Oval, Perth | World Cup Pool 3 |
South Africa | 25 | 6 | 18/10/2003 | Subiaco Oval, Perth | World Cup Pool 3 |
Samoa | 35 | 22 | 26/10/2003 | Colonial Stadium, Melbourne | World Cup Pool 3 |
Uruguay | 111 | 13 | 2/11/2003 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | World Cup Pool 3 |
Wales | 28 | 17 | 9/11/2003 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | World Cup Quarter Final |
France | 24 | 7 | 16/11/2003 | Stadium Australia, Sydney | World Cup Semi Final |
Australia | 20 | 17 | 22/11/2003 | Stadium Australia, Sydney | World Cup Final |
Last edited by doctor_grey on Sun 03 Nov 2013, 11:05 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : I wanted to report the FACTS)
doctor_grey- Posts : 12219
Join date : 2011-04-30
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Very well put fa0019 - every RWC winner has had a bit of luck on the way. As far as entertaining goes they didn't play the most expansive rugby but they had some cracking open field runners (Robinson, Lewsey, Cohen and Ballshaw) plus some very good playmakers in their own right (Dawson and Greenwood).fa0019 wrote:Fluke as in being unbeaten vs the 3N in 3 years and 12 matches home and away vs all up to and incl the RWC?DeludedOptimistorjustDave wrote:I remember it more as a fluke, we saw a team lucky to beat Samoa in the group stages,struggle against the Welsh in the quarter final until the ref helped them out in the second half,a semi final when the French shot themselves in the foot, then go onto win it with one kick.
Hardly entertaining and hardly world beaters.
Fluke as in winning 3 out of the last 4 6N championships?
In 91, AUS were lucky to beat IRE in the QF.
In 95, SA were lucky to beat FRA in the SF.
In 07, SA were lucky to beat Fiji and not have to play NZ, AUS or FRA in the tournament.
In 11, NZ were lucky Joubert wears an ABs nightie to sleep each night.
Every team needs luck. England had some in 03, they made their own most of the time and that is generally the way things go in these tournaments.
Given the players at their disposal they were right at the time to play a very structured game plan as that is what suited them. You just have to look at the depth in the pack in 03 to see why they favoured set piece play.
1.Woodman, Leonard
2.Thompson, West, Regan
3.Vickery, White, Rowntree
4.Johnson, Shaw
5.Kay, Grewcock
6.Hill, Worlsey
7.Back, Moody
8.Dallagio, Corry
king_carlos- Posts : 12589
Join date : 2011-05-31
Location : Ankh-Morpork
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
When the world cup is up and running, does every nation have access to all their players? I seem to remember Dan Baugh not featuring for Canada some time ago because nobody would insure his dodgy knees. The South Sea Islanders I understand suffer in a similar way too. Any truth in this?
Cardiff Dave- Posts : 6596
Join date : 2011-11-29
Location : Cardiff reejun
Re: Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........
Dave, the regulation, as I understand it (talked to a coach of the US team about this some time ago) is all clubs have to make time available for any player who qualifies for their national teams to play in the RWC. There were some exceptions, but I don't recall the speifics.
I recall two issues with the Pac Island teams. First was being able to afford paying the salaries of their players during the RWC. Seems each tournament, there are a few players who elect to continue to play for their clubs because they need the money. I remember it usually happens with the Pac Island teams, but also with some other smaller national teams. Hard to blame them really.
The second issue occurred in the last RWC. Fiji's government at the time came to power in a coup d'etat, and it was not recognised by the NZ government. So the question was whether the Fiji team could enter NZ, but that was resolved.
I don't remember the Dan Baugh incident, though I remember the name. It could well be the Canadian team couldn't afford the higher payments to insure Baugh. On the other hand, if no insurance company would insure him, maybe it was time to stop playing?
That's all I got mate. Hopefully someone else can fill in the blanks.
I recall two issues with the Pac Island teams. First was being able to afford paying the salaries of their players during the RWC. Seems each tournament, there are a few players who elect to continue to play for their clubs because they need the money. I remember it usually happens with the Pac Island teams, but also with some other smaller national teams. Hard to blame them really.
The second issue occurred in the last RWC. Fiji's government at the time came to power in a coup d'etat, and it was not recognised by the NZ government. So the question was whether the Fiji team could enter NZ, but that was resolved.
I don't remember the Dan Baugh incident, though I remember the name. It could well be the Canadian team couldn't afford the higher payments to insure Baugh. On the other hand, if no insurance company would insure him, maybe it was time to stop playing?
That's all I got mate. Hopefully someone else can fill in the blanks.
doctor_grey- Posts : 12219
Join date : 2011-04-30
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