Monday, October 10, 2011

And the Rugby World Cup semi-finalists are...

Richie McCaw and FanImage by Geoff Trotter via Flickr

And the Rugby World Cup semi-finalists are...

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New Zealand v Australia

Wales v France

Has history repeated itself? These were the four semi-finalists in the inaugural RWC back in 1987.
In 1987 NZ beat Wales, and France beat Australia. In the final the All Blacks beat France 29-9
During this final a great career was begun by a young open-side flanker by the name of Michael Jones. Undoubtably one of the all-time greats along with a certain Richie McCaw who has become the first New Zealander to play 100 games for his country. Something about the NO 7's?

The saddest part about these play-offs in 2011 will be the absence of Dan Carter, arguably one of the greatest No 10's produced in New Zealand, along with a certain goalkicking No 10 in 1987, Grant Fox.

So its on to next weekend for the semi-finals: Three of the coaches involved are New Zealanders: Warren Gatling - Wales; Robbie Deans - Australia; Graham Henry - New Zealand. So the odds of a successful Kiwi coach are pretty high.

http://sport.msn.co.nz/rugbyworldcup/glance/194282/all-blacks-beat-argentina-33-10.glance
http://sport.msn.co.nz/rugbyworldcup/glance/194228/france-topple-england-at-eden-park.glance
http://anzacbloggersunite.blog.co.uk

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