Anyone think England will beat Australia?? Hope Not

[bearman68]

As a died in the wool Welsh man, I am hoping beyond hope that Australia will win tomorrow. Not that I want England out (?) I just want Wales to go through, and I can't see us beating Australia. I think they will sneak it, as they always do, against us.
This means,if England beat Australia, and thump Uruguay, then Wales are out

All the experts are calling an England win......

Someone reassure me of the Australian desire and passion to win.. please.

[jkh112]

bearman68 said:

As a died in the wool Welsh man.

I think you mean dyed. As a proud Welshman you should know all about sheep.

[Johnny 89]

It should be a hell of a game and very tough to call... I think Australia may do it!

[bearman68]

jkh112 said:

I think you mean dyed. As a proud Welshman you should know all about sheep.

Think you're right.

[silverfoxcc]

beat me to it.Good one. I understand a lot of Welsh rugby players turn out for the Baa-Baas

[Hungrymc]

After spending last Saturday evening at Twickers watching England commit second half suicide. I'm really hoping they turn up and take the game to the Aussies, but the odds are againts.... :-(

[Derek Chevalier]

Hungrymc said:

but the odds are againts.... :-(

They're not - England are favourites

[Pints]

Derek Chevalier said:

Hungrymc said:

but the odds are againts.... :-(

They're not - England are favourites

I had to check this. I'm rather surprised.

[Hungrymc]

Pints said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Hungrymc said:

but the odds are againts.... :-(

They're not - England are favourites

I had to check this. I'm rather surprised.

I should have checked before posting that. I'm really hoping for an England win. Needs some calmer heads, better discipline (particularly at the breakdown).

[Fats25]

I know very little of rugby. I know I watched the wc final in 2003 as I remember the pubs opened early, and you need to have seen it to wind up Australians. I think I also watched the other final (in France I think) where we lost to some other team - could have been 2007?

Anyway today there is lots of replays being shown of Johnny Wilkinson kick in 2003 against the Aussies. One question I have always thought and never asked, and thinking there may be some egg chasing fans may know. Why did he kick it with his right foot? Every other piece of footage of him shows him as left footed. Yet the most important kick of his life, he chose to use the other foot. I am guessing from the little I know the whole move was planned, rather than spontaneous, so why kick with his "weaker" foot?

Obviously it all worked out well. I am just curious.

[Leins]

^^^ Wilko was left of the posts, so to step into it on his left foot would have narrowed the angle. Kicking with his right meant it was a straighter shot at goal

There was a tale of him being coached at a young age, and after banging over place kick after place kick the coach told him he could have a real future as a fly-half. In response, JW asked if he could use his left foot the next time

I might be an Ireland fan, but Wilko was a class act for club & country

[Fats25]

Leins said:

^^^ Wilko was left of the posts, so to step into it on his left foot would have narrowed the angle. Kicking with his right meant it was a straighter shot at goal

If that is accurate (and it makes sense to me) that is pretty impressive. I have seen footballers refuse to shoot on their wrong foot when 5 yards from goal!

[anonymous-user]

Fats25 said:

Leins said:

^^^ Wilko was left of the posts, so to step into it on his left foot would have narrowed the angle. Kicking with his right meant it was a straighter shot at goal

If that is accurate (and it makes sense to me) that is pretty impressive. I have seen footballers refuse to shoot on their wrong foot when 5 yards from goal!

Wilkinson practised obsessively, including kicking with his right foot. He really was a machine and despite being quiet really inspired those around him to go the extra mile.

[timlongs]

Fats25 said:

Leins said:

^^^ Wilko was left of the posts, so to step into it on his left foot would have narrowed the angle. Kicking with his right meant it was a straighter shot at goal

If that is accurate (and it makes sense to me) that is pretty impressive. I have seen footballers refuse to shoot on their wrong foot when 5 yards from goal!

Not true, Dawson sent the pass onto Wilko's right hand side meaning he was forced to kick it right footed.

Sir Clive had always told Dawson to pass onto Wilko's left foot, and the most important kick of his life, he received the pass onto his right foot.

[nickrex]

bearman68 said:

jkh112 said:

I think you mean dyed. As a proud Welshman you should know all about sheep.

Think you're right.

England need to really perform to save their BACON today. If they don't they could make a real PIG'S EAR of things. It certainly won't be BOARING! I hope it's a good and fair game without any controversy and the ref isn't labelled a DIRTY SWINE. May the best team win. Oink Oink ;);)

[nickrex]

Hungrymc said:

Pints said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Hungrymc said:

but the odds are againts.... :-(

They're not - England are favourites

I had to check this. I'm rather surprised.

I should have checked before posting that. I'm really hoping for an England win. Needs some calmer heads, better discipline (particularly at the breakdown).

We were 3-1 outsiders last week. Bookies have to offer odds to balance their book based on the bets they take. British bookmakers will generally have England favourite due to home fans backing their team. Doesn't always mean that they are better than the opposition. I do think England will win today though. Good luck to both teams!

[Derek Chevalier]

nickrex said:

Hungrymc said:

Pints said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Hungrymc said:

but the odds are againts.... :-(

They're not - England are favourites

I had to check this. I'm rather surprised.

I should have checked before posting that. I'm really hoping for an England win. Needs some calmer heads, better discipline (particularly at the breakdown).

We were 3-1 outsiders last week. Bookies have to offer odds to balance their book based on the bets they take. British bookmakers will generally have England favourite due to home fans backing their team. Doesn't always mean that they are better than the opposition. I do think England will win today though. Good luck to both teams!

Where did you see this - odds haven't moved much at all on Betfair?

[nickrex]

Derek Chevalier said:

nickrex said:

Hungrymc said:

Pints said:

Derek Chevalier said:

Hungrymc said:

but the odds are againts.... :-(

They're not - England are favourites

I had to check this. I'm rather surprised.

I should have checked before posting that. I'm really hoping for an England win. Needs some calmer heads, better discipline (particularly at the breakdown).

We were 3-1 outsiders last week. Bookies have to offer odds to balance their book based on the bets they take. British bookmakers will generally have England favourite due to home fans backing their team. Doesn't always mean that they are better than the opposition. I do think England will win today though. Good luck to both teams!

Where did you see this - odds haven't moved much at all on Betfair?

Apologies, by 'we' I meant Wales last week against England. My point being is that we were never really that far away from England. Same for Fiji at 6-1 against us on Thursday.

[johnfm]

I'm an Aussie. Quite happy to lose today as long as we knock Wales out and qualify. It's all about the next round really.

[bearman68]

johnfm said:

I'm an Aussie. Quite happy to lose today as long as we knock Wales out and qualify. It's all about the next round really.

That's exactly the Welsh worry. Now stop being such a winging pom,and get in there and give the English a good hiding. Go and stick 50 points on 'em, and blood your newer players in the Welsh game...