Wales became the first country to book a semi-final spot with an outstanding display of rugby in Wellington tonight, denying the golden generation of Irish rugby a final shot at glory on the world stage by a score-line of 22-10. The Irish dominated large portions of the game, including almost the entire first half, but struggled against a dominant Welsh defence; Wales had no … [Read more...]
RWC: Quarterfinal Preview: England – France
France meets England for the fourth time in World Cup competition on Saturday, 9pm local time. The French have failed to impress in their previous three meetings; rumours of a player revolt against the increasingly embattled Marc Lievremont, amidst a poor showing in Pool D, has left Les Blues without an ounce of momentum going into the knockout stages. England meanwhile topped … [Read more...]
RWC: Quarterfinal Match Preview: Wales – Ireland
In a Celtic battle rarely seen on New Zealand shores, an Irish squad in good form faces resurgent neighbours Wales in the opening quarterfinal of the Rugby World Cup on Saturday, 6pm local time. The Welsh have deployed an expansive game of running rugby throughout the tournament, a style that has paid dividends with a single point loss to defending champions South Africa the … [Read more...]
RWC: Incerdible Welsh annihhilate Fiji
Wales booked their passage to the quarterfinals in style in Hamilton tonight, thrashing a hapless Fijian outfit 66-0 with a menacing display of pure attacking rugby that puts them very much in frame for an extended run in the knockout phases. The Welsh backline rediscovered the golden days of old in an outstanding display of running rugby that featured seven tries, while two … [Read more...]
RWC: Carter-less New Zealand crush Canada
New Zealand produced a promising performance as the host nation adjust to life without Daniel Carter, whipping Canada by 79-15 in Hamilton this afternoon to storm into the quarterfinals without dropping a point in pool play. Zac Guilford scored four in an eye-catching return to the team as the All Blacks’ high-paced approach to the game was too much for the plucky Canucks … [Read more...]