Rugby World Cup 2003, England-Aus, the greatest.........

by doctor_grey Fri 01 Nov 2013, 3:44 pm

The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.

where were you when the match or just the kick happened?

by stub Fri 01 Nov 2013, 4:20 pm

Yeah, can't believe it was 10 years ago either. I can remember being completely incensed with the referee and his interpretation of the scrum and having an awful feeling that Aus were going to nick it... Then I remember a truly slow motion moment as JW struck the ball and the rest is glorious history. What a man and what a team. Fantastic.

I can remember watching it in a room full of friends - I think in Cheltenham. Not sure if it was a pub... My memory for details is sadly lacking I'm afraid.

by doctor_grey Fri 01 Nov 2013, 4:46 pm

Was watching in Northampton. I remember the same things:
Andre Watson, the ref, being the Wallabies 16th man
and the excruciating slow motion of that kick going over.

by fa0019 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 4:51 pm

It was amazing how the Aussie front row somehow got the ascendency in the 2nd half even though they were getting smashed... outside of the scrum though I think England choked a little, AUS were competing well come ruck time and they were conceding many penalties off the back of it.

Easy the best RWC final mind in terms of entertainment, skill level and two equalling strong sides throwing the kitchen sink at each other.

by doctor_grey Fri 01 Nov 2013, 4:59 pm

Well, now that the wound has been re-opened, I thought Watson was blowing up Vickery every time he got a shove on. Jason Leonard was put in and told not to push. At that time, no one was going to penalise old Jason unless he made off with someone's under age daughter. And that wouldn't happen.

On the other hand, I do think England got nervous and got too conservative, which fed right in to the hands of George Gregan. I wonder what would have happened if Ben Kay did not drop that easy try? or if Jonny saw Ben Cohen on the inside instead of feeding the ball to Jason Robinson on the outside.

Can't complain, that match did wonders to grow Rugby. In reality, if we can get well played OT finals, we would be off the charts.

by stub Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:09 pm

Andre Watson. furious

Made the victory sweeter though.

And I think you're right that in the second half England were overly conservative. There was almost a palpable tension in the team.

by fa0019 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:17 pm

AUS were a better side then people give them credit for. They were missing a number of key players in Kefu, Giffin (who never really recovered from his earlier injury), Darwin and Larkham in the final whose on-off appearances totally disrupted their backline.

Thinking about it had England not achieved injuries to Alex King & Charlie Hodgson prior to the tournament I think England would have gone out in the QF/SF stage. Perhaps Grayson could have done a job in Catt's place but he didn't have the same level of aptitude as Catt, and King/Hodgson certainly didn't.

by GunsGerms Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:18 pm

Did anyone see Steve Thompson's 80 meter try last night?

by fa0019 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:19 pm

GunsGerms wrote:Did anyone see Steve Thompson's 80 meter try last night?

did he have a pitstop at 40m to refuel at the stadium burger van?

Steve Thompson doing an 80 metre try.... once you see that you've seen it all!!!

by fa0019 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:23 pm

http://www.thescore.ie/steve-thompson-hooker-80-metre-try-1156337-Nov2013/

if you're looking for a video of the try Guns.

Rather impressive how he threw a dummy to the fullback at the end.

by stub Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:24 pm

fa0019 wrote:
GunsGerms wrote:Did anyone see Steve Thompson's 80 meter try last night?
did he have a pitstop at 40m to refuel at the stadium burger van?

Steve Thompson doing an 80 metre try.... once you see that you've seen it all!!!

Yep - it was a site to behold! He just kept going - looked to offload a couple of times but thought better of it!

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:29 pm

I think I've still got a copy somewhere on an old VHS cassette. Remember those? Crikey, barely.

For those too young to have witnessed it, the game was played at a time when forwards were allowed to stuff the ball up their jumper and lie In a pile for 80 minutes. As a spectacle it was up their with witnessing an amateur catatonic sumo wrestling club fight for the last hob nob whilst being drip fed Ritalin and it says a lot for the preceding 100 tiresome minutes that the supposed high light was a drop goal.

by fa0019 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:33 pm

and yet you have kept an old video of it? Closet fan.

In terms of finals it surpassed 2011, 2007, 1999, 1995, 1991 (didn't see 1987 although I have seen highlights and it was all very one sided).

It was a wet day, final tension so don't expect anything bar a slug fest. NZ in 2011 were meant to be all conquering... what happened in the final???

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:34 pm

They conquered. Next stupid question...

by doctor_grey Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:35 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:I think I've still got a copy somewhere on an old VHS cassette. Remember those? Crikey, barely.

For those too young to have witnessed it, the game was played at a time when forwards were allowed to stuff the ball up their jumper and lie In a pile for 80 minutes. As a spectacle it was up their with witnessing an amateur catatonic sumo wrestling club fight for the last hob nob and it says a lot for the preceding 100 tiresome minutes that the supposed high light was a drop goal.

wrong-o, matey. Since your tv ain't working, you must be into a little sacramental beer?
The greatest play, by the greatest player..........

by No 7&1/2 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:38 pm

So you weren't supporting us in 03 but were in 2012. You sure started to support us at the wrong time glorious!

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:43 pm

doctor_grey wrote:
GloriousEmpire wrote:I think I've still got a copy somewhere on an old VHS cassette. Remember those? Crikey, barely.

For those too young to have witnessed it, the game was played at a time when forwards were allowed to stuff the ball up their jumper and lie In a pile for 80 minutes. As a spectacle it was up their with witnessing an amateur catatonic sumo wrestling club fight for the last hob nob and it says a lot for the preceding 100 tiresome minutes that the supposed high light was a drop goal.

wrong-o, matey. Since your tv ain't working, you must be into a little sacramental beer?
The greatest play, by the greatest player..........

Maybe the greatest English play by the greatest English player. I could believe that given the paucity of alternatives.

by doctor_grey Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:44 pm

doctor_grey wrote:The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.

by No 7&1/2 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:45 pm

Have you got another account set up already GE just in case England happen to run in a few more tries against NZ this year? Maybe come back as an Irish fan before morphing?

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:47 pm

doctor_grey wrote:
doctor_grey wrote:The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.

Is that blanket of delusion really keeping you psychologically warm?

I'm so glad that every time I anticipate a game of rugby I don't feel compelled to reference it back to dusty events a decade old.

by No 7&1/2 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:51 pm

I'll take that as a yes then ghost

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:53 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:Have you got another account set up already GE just in case England happen to run in a few more tries against NZ this year? Maybe come back as an Irish fan before morphing?

Why? Do you have an inside word on the catering?

But more to the point. Are the powers at twickenham going to persist with the fratellis, tom Hark and the humiliating hand pumping geriatric pool exercise dance this year? Or grow up a bit?

by No 7&1/2 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 5:58 pm

Thought the dancing happened in the 3rd game? Still think you should go old school and bring the ghost back rather than go through the palaver of pretending to be another nationality. Would save you some time.

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 6:02 pm

No idea what you're talking about dude. But it sounds like your fantasy world sure is colourful.

by No 7&1/2 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 6:04 pm

You know the story. Old NZ fan disappears when team gets spanked by England, new England supporter appears only to slowly turn into a NZ fan after a couple of posts. It's as old as boy meets girl!

by stub Fri 01 Nov 2013, 6:05 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:
No 7&1/2 wrote:Have you got another account set up already GE just in case England happen to run in a few more tries against NZ this year? Maybe come back as an Irish fan before morphing?
Why? Do you have an inside word on the catering?

But more to the point. Are the powers at twickenham going to persist with the fratellis, tom Hark and the humiliating hand pumping geriatric pool exercise dance this year? Or grow up a bit?

Blimey - you're really annoyed by a lot of English stuff GE...

by doctor_grey Fri 01 Nov 2013, 6:06 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:
doctor_grey wrote:
doctor_grey wrote:The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.
Is that blanket of delusion really keeping you psychologically warm?

I'm so glad that every time I anticipate a game of rugby I don't feel compelled to reference it back to dusty events a decade old.

Just having a bit o Friday fun, mate.

by Taylorman Fri 01 Nov 2013, 6:33 pm

Good one Doc...revving up for the game I see.

As well a winning in 03 it was hugely important in the context of the world cup in general.

If oz had won and everything else since remained the same we;d have oz on 3 wins, also wining back to back, home and away and the SH winning 7-0.

So a very important win and very deserved. But we like to think we did our bit too as like 07 and 99 we took the wind out of the sails for you before you got them...

no...its ok...you're welcome... thumbsup

by Cardiff Dave Fri 01 Nov 2013, 6:38 pm

fa0019 wrote:http://www.thescore.ie/steve-thompson-hooker-80-metre-try-1156337-Nov2013/

if you're looking for a video of the try Guns.

Rather impressive how he threw a dummy to the fullback at the end.

Quick feet too at the start.
Should've stretchered him back for the restart though coz the walk done him.

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 7:55 pm

England also deserve a word of thanks to Samoa for knocking out Wales. Had England met Wales they surely would've lost on all evidence.

by Cyril Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:01 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:England also deserve a word of thanks to Samoa for knocking out Wales. Had England met Wales they surely would've lost on all evidence.

Think you might be a bit confused there.

by GloriousEmpire Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:03 pm

Not really.

by Cyril Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:04 pm

Care to explain please? Smile

by Hood83 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:09 pm

GloriousEmpire wrote:I think I've still got a copy somewhere on an old VHS cassette. Remember those? Crikey, barely.

For those too young to have witnessed it, the game was played at a time when forwards were allowed to stuff the ball up their jumper and lie In a pile for 80 minutes. As a spectacle it was up their with witnessing an amateur catatonic sumo wrestling club fight for the last hob nob whilst being drip fed Ritalin and it says a lot for the preceding 100 tiresome minutes that the supposed high light was a drop goal.

Hook, line, sinker.

by Cyril Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:13 pm

Hood83 wrote:
GloriousEmpire wrote:I think I've still got a copy somewhere on an old VHS cassette. Remember those? Crikey, barely.

For those too young to have witnessed it, the game was played at a time when forwards were allowed to stuff the ball up their jumper and lie In a pile for 80 minutes. As a spectacle it was up their with witnessing an amateur catatonic sumo wrestling club fight for the last hob nob whilst being drip fed Ritalin and it says a lot for the preceding 100 tiresome minutes that the supposed high light was a drop goal.
Hook, line, sinker.

by doctor_grey Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:19 pm

The Gods of Rugby wrote:The greatest player of all time,
making the greatest play of all time,
on the greatest team of all time,
in the greatest event of all time,
in the greatest sport of all time.

by Cyril Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:22 pm

I get the impression GloriousEmpire develops a violent twitch whenever England is mentioned.

He really is in vein-popping, mouth-frothing form recently.

by stub Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:24 pm

Cyril wrote:I get the impression GloriousEmpire develops a violent twitch whenever England is mentioned.

He really is in vein-popping, mouth-frothing form recently.

Yes, what is that all about? What's happened to make him this way?

by Cyril Fri 01 Nov 2013, 8:29 pm

stub wrote:
Cyril wrote:I get the impression GloriousEmpire develops a violent twitch whenever England is mentioned.

He really is in vein-popping, mouth-frothing form recently.
Yes, what is that all about? What's happened to make him this way?

It difficult to say. I think the latest indignity he's had to suffer is not being able to get Channel 5 in his London grief hole. He's WAY behind on Neighbours.

by stub Fri 01 Nov 2013, 9:08 pm

Cyril wrote:
stub wrote:
Cyril wrote:I get the impression GloriousEmpire develops a violent twitch whenever England is mentioned.

He really is in vein-popping, mouth-frothing form recently.
Yes, what is that all about? What's happened to make him this way?
It difficult to say. I think the latest indignity he's had to suffer is not being able to get Channel 5 in his London grief hole. He's WAY behind on Neighbours.

by quinsforever Fri 01 Nov 2013, 10:23 pm

Watched the game in a Walkabout in central London. awesome atmosphere, half Oz, half Eng fans.

favourite moment was dawsons dummypass to wilko from the second last ruck, which got wilko properly in range for his final boot.

by Hood83 Fri 01 Nov 2013, 10:33 pm

A little bit worried about GE. The usual studied wummery has collapsed and been replaced by this weird, billious, spittle-flecked rage. Good job the ABs will probably pump us or I'd be genuinely concerned for the guy.

by quinsforever Fri 01 Nov 2013, 11:00 pm

i'd be pretty unhappy if i was forced to live in a country where i apparently hated everyone and everything about it. must be an unbearable irritation, knowing your own country, which you see to be so great, can't do for you whatever it is that england does for you.

by quinsforever Fri 01 Nov 2013, 11:04 pm

does he always get this way before an eng/AB game?

by Heaf Sat 02 Nov 2013, 1:36 am

quinsforever wrote:i'd be pretty unhappy if i was forced to live in a country where i apparently hated everyone and everything about it. must be an unbearable irritation, knowing your own country, which you see to be so great, can't do for you whatever it is that england does for you.

Yes I'd be fascinated to know what keeps someone in a country when they think their own country is so much better ...

by king_carlos Sat 02 Nov 2013, 2:06 am

It was great fun watching those players back together on the pitch the other night that's for sure and Thompson's 80m try was a sight to behold!

The best compliment of that 03 side is that I can't name an England player since in any position I'd definitely take over the incumbent at the RWC.

1.Woodman - Sheridan come close at times but struggled for consistency and if Corbs can stay fit he may exceed Woodman
2.Thompson - Been some good hookers since, Regan in 07 and Youngs now but at his peak Thompson was great in the scrum and around the park
3.Vickery - Cole is a cracking player but Vicks at his best was exceptionally physical
4.Johnson
5.Kay - The nearest competitor I can think of in the SR is Shaw and as he was in the 03 squad only proves this point further IMO!
6.Hill
7.Back
8.Dallagio

9.Dawson/Bracken - Gomarshall was excellent in 07 and Youngs has all the potential but yet to find the consistency and game management of the Dawson and Bracken
10.Wilkinson

11.Cohen
12.Greenwood
13.Tindall - Tuilagi is probably the closest any come to surpassing a member of the 03 side but Tindall played his role in that side very well
14.Lewsey
15.Robinson

As said very few England players since who challenge the side from that time with Corbs vs Woodman and Tuilagi vs Tindall the closest competitions IMO.

The back three in particular shines out compared to the years since for myself when you consider that Ballshaw and Luger were also in that squad with JSD left at home. For far too long now our back three has offered very little credible threat. One of the many reasons I find it frustrating that most are so accepting of Wade not being selected!

by doctor_grey Sat 02 Nov 2013, 6:25 am

Where was everyone when the cathartic event occurred? Not talking about your first kiss in the back of a car, I mean Jonny's kick?

by jimmyinthewell68 Sat 02 Nov 2013, 7:59 am

mine was in a pub shouting , you lucky bas**ds with other Welsh lads Wink

. to be honest it was nice a NH side to win it . i always thought France would be the first and even tho they knocked Wales out last time i cheered for them against New Zealand

by doctor_grey Sat 02 Nov 2013, 8:55 am

GloriousEmpire wrote:England also deserve a word of thanks to Samoa for knocking out Wales. Had England met Wales they surely would've lost on all evidence.

In 2003, mate, England did beat Wales. In the Quarter Finals.

The interesting thing about England's performances in this World Cup. England were doing very well until the matches when Richard Hill was out with injury. If I recall that was the Samoa and Wales matches. He returns and the ship is righted. Quite probably the most under-rated (is under-appreciated a better way to say it?) player I have ever seen.

by Breadvan Sat 02 Nov 2013, 9:10 am

Well it's that time of year when NZ are over so it'll only be a matter of time when GE has a another mental breakdown over a penalty given against his beloved All blacks. censored

An early xmas gift to the first poster to guess his new psueydm after the customary ban...

by Sponsored content