RWC: Wales v France
OK – off to the Millenium Stadium – along with 60,000 others. Let me know how we are doing. In the meantime:
Jonathan’s a fan again…
Enjoy!
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O’Toole’s New Republic – unfinished business or just a dream?
More as a trailer than a review – as it’s out on Thursday– I draw attention to Fintan O’Toole’s latest polemic “Enough is Enough – how to build a new Republic“. Fintan has been promoting the book vigorously on this side of the water, on Radio 4’s Start the Week and here at greater length [...] read our review »
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Debating the Churches’ Role in the Peace in Northern Ireland
This morning’s Sunday Sequence featured a substantial debate (about 35 minutes into the recorded programme) on a new book,Religion, Civil Society and Peace in Northern Ireland (Oxford University Press 2011), written by sociologists John Brewer, Gareth Higgins and Francis Teeney. The debate was framed in an opening vignette by presenter William Crawley in uncompromising terms, [...] read our review » -
Belfast port celebrated as hopes rise for lower corporation tax
The House of Lords was the suitably grand venue for the London launch of Alf McCreary’s magnificently illustrated tome Titanic Port, a history of Belfast Harbour. Before I got a chance to take a good look at my copy, my ears pricked up when the chairman of the harbour commissioners Len O’Hagan said hopes were high [...] read our review »
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Good luck, Dewi. Here’s hoping there’s one Celtic nation in the final!
Holy Sweet F… ! Warburton red carded. Wales, who looked so strong, so keen (if not as sharp as they might best be) now have given themselves something to do.
I cannot believe it. The referee has single-handedly ruined the World cup for millions of rugby fans around the World with the most appalling red card decision in RWC history.
At this juncture, Wales are ahead but the loss of Warburton completely alters the complexion of the match. Unless France have a sending off, Wales are doomed.
I am so disgusted.
it’s a disgrace seymour. absolutely disgraceful. i honestly think Wales should walk off the pitch. That clamit should never referee a game again.
Absolute disgrace! Come on Wales!
In order to grasp the magnitude of a red card early in an international match, consider the England – South Africa match in the Autumn of 2002
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2002/nov/24/rugbyunion.englandrugbyunionteam
England would have won that match without the sending off but nobody had ever beaten the Boks by 50 points and I doubt that will ever happen again in my lifetime.
It is half time now and Wales are still only 3 points behind, I think the impact of the sending off will start to tell on the scoreboard in the last 15 minutes of the match.
Alain Roland, an Irishman, has a French father. Which means he has French grandparents, which means he has an emotional attachment to that country.
He should not have been refereeing this game.
interesting point ROC
Go on Wales! If they had 15 they would win this match at a canter. The French have been gutless once more today.
It’s a travesty if Wales don’t win here.
Well,
I thought the margin would be greater but such was the strength of Wales even with 14 men. Welshmen can be proud of their team and look forward to them strutting their stuff in the next six nations.
Despite the closeness of the match, I am still disgusted. France are not worthy finalists. No other team has got to a final after losing two matches. The final will be a procession for the winner of the next semi final.
Damn that referee
It’s a travesty. But as McLaughlin said, the French have quality player by player.
Terrible tackle. He could have broken the French players neck.
Justice was done in the end !!
Gutted.
The Welsh did themselves proud, amazing to dominate the game with 14 men and barely give the French a sniff.
I think Stephen Jones didn’t fancy the drop goal though. They ran it more than they would have if he had his kicking boots on (a former No10 speaks!)
Just the same a credit to their country!
“Terrible tackle. He could have broken the French players neck.”
That is the trouble, it could have resulted in a serious injury but does the punishment really fit the crime?
The ITV panel were unanimous that the incident was a penalty at best – yellow card at worst. Meanwhile, Mark Reason of the Telegraph argues that the referee, based upon a relatively recent change to the law relating to dangerous play, had no choice
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/wales/8828750/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Sam-Warburton-red-card-harsh-but-what-choice-did-referee-Alain-Rolland-have.html
Terrible bad luck Wales.
Either a yellow card or a red card was justifiable but even with a red Wales should still have beaten them with fourteen men. The French were woefully short in all departments but it wasn’t to be, unbelievable. Also I can’t believe I don’t want the French to win next week’s final but there you go. Welsh boys very graceful in defeat.
At least the Kiwis had the right TV director controlling the shots this week, he was ahead of the commentators and no stupid spidercam shots
“He should not have been refereeing this game.”
NZ’s Bryce Lawrence has also been under fire – accusations of partiality by the Aussies and incompetence by the Springboks. Being a referee is no bed of roses …
Hell – daft weather – sending off (I thought he just let him go – ain’t that ok?) – but S. Jones missing the try conversion was what lost us. Can’t miss those kicks.
I really feel for whales today. Dissapointing way to go out.
New Zealand not bad..(starts weeping again…)
no RWC post for the second semi-final Dewi? You given up on the game now? Bit like most of the ireland fans -fair weather supporters…
FBFO – I’ll do one for the final. – Dagg man of the tournament?
mmm, man of the tournament – tough call. Dagg was sensational today – what a boot. McCaw and Muliana were awsome too. My shortlist would be
- McCaw
- Weepu
- Dagg
- Pocock
- Roberts
- Halfpenny
- Warbarton
- O’Brian
Harsh sending off although it was a dangerous tackle but thats the way it goes no more controversial than a certain line out at the 6 nations earlier in the year. Wales really should have won it if they were kicking well regardless of being a man down. I do hope New Zealand embarass the french in the final – their own coach sums them up well as a bunch of spoilt brats