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Originally Posted by Luke McAlistar
Well here it is the business end of the world cup, its been by far the best WC since the competition begun in 1987. So this weekend the shock semi final lineup will be France vs England and the Pumas versus the Springboks. Both im sure will be tight cagey affairs with so much at sake so they could be relatively low scoring. What are your predictions for the respective games?
France vs England- This will be a thrilling game im sure especially after both teams great wins last weekend, France bet England in both their warmup games plus with the home advantage they will be firm favourites to make the final. England have really improved since their first couple of games, as ever their main weapon will be the forwards who should have the edge over the French. However England havent scored a try against a top ranked side in their last 5 games so the backline will need to provide more penetration, the French backline is certainly better. Goal kicking wise Wilko should be better than Ellisalde but he has been off target alot since his comeback so they should share the spoils.
France by 10-15 pts
South Africa vs Argentina- This will be an enthralling match, two great sets of forwards will probably cancel each other out so the lineout will be extremely important and the south Africans are the best in the world in this particular area. The Springboks have made quite a few mistakes in their recent matches which could cost them against the confident Pumas, the kicking skills of each team are excellent but Hernandez edges it due to his brilliance with the drop goal skill, something that Monty isnt good at. But as far as place kicking goes between Contempomi and Percy Montgomery, Monty edges it so far, he is back to his metronomic best is seems. In the backs the Argentineans have some tremendously skilled backs like Corletto and Borges, but they havent beeen used so much, if the Pumas make handling errors in the wrong part of the field they will be punished by the rocket Bryan Habana and also JP Pietersen. Again should be an enticing encounter, but the Springboks have the better all round game and i think they will emerge as finalists.
South Africa by 10 pts
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It is a fact, we were plainly defeated by the Springboks but our Pumas did their best, as a friend told me, he played for the Pumas many years ago, the experience and know-how of the South Africans was a key factor in their today’s victory, no doubt they are wonderful and I love their rugby and especially the genius of Brian Habana and the other great player who is Percy Montgomery. I am convinced that our dear team must start playing in other championships so they can obtain more familiarity with international competitions. At least we did not loose like England in the first march with the South Africans in such inexcusable way. Since the beginning of the match, when they starting to sing our National Anthem, I noticed that most of the Pumas were extremely nervous and tense, this was something that operated against them, diminishing their chances. But Corleto, Contempomi, Hernandez, Pichot and others they confronted the Boks with all their strength, who had played much better were those who are playing in Europe in these days, In spite of my poor knowledge of rugby, I am convinced that they must play other international tournaments in the future, depending mainly in the rest of the nations to accept them in those cups. Our Pumas had lost the match, but we are still extremely proud of them, they are our heroes and this defeat with such powerful rival will not diminish what they had done during the World Cup. God bless them, and I believe confidently that this cup will help us to have much more rugby players in our country, and new Pumas will give us a victory in the near future, perhaps some of the same team that had played this evening. If England defeats South Africa in the final will be a real miracle, Springboks look invincible, since the first match were for me the best in this tournament, but I had always hope that they may prevail against all predictions. We are now feeling very sad but we are not downhearted, the future is from us and we will show to the rugby world what we are capable to do, which will be much better of our performance until now in France. Our glorious Pumas will be welcome back as they deserve, with all our love and admiration, regardless of this defeat.