'Come on England!' say readers

Sunday November 16 2003

Fans get behind 'Dad's Army'

Here are your e-mail responses from our question: 'Can it get any better for England?'. Most of you think that the English have what it takes to win the Final next Saturday, but a few of you are of the opinion that they are just too damn boring. Well, a win's a win ... Roll on Saturday and the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final.

Back, a back row star: Neil Back on the run

WELL DONE TO ENGLAND

"I'll take it anyway I can get it! Well done 'the' team! Onward England for Harry and St. George! I can just hear all the whinging Kiwis now saying that the ABs could beat England. They will get their chance, but in the meantime they have to face it, they lost to a better team on the day and I bet it hurts!"
- Bob Wise, North Carolina, USA

"Fantastic. Pragmatic, bloody-minded, hard-nosed rugby. Win ugly, win mean - it doesn't matter, just win. How New Zealand and France must wish they had this philosophy. Being pretty just does not cut it I'm afraid."
- Mark

"Quite simply, Michalak choked. That said, England did what they needed to do. Hats off to them and good luck on Saturday."
- Irish Fan

"Yes, November 22, watch out Aussies. Particularly 'Campo', you have a cheek talking about English arrogance, you're the most arrogant man on the planet ... Swing Lowwwwww!!!!!!!"
- Jason Adams

"Planet Rugby asks if it can get any better for England fans than the semi-final win over France. Of course it can!  If that's the level of control that England can get over probably the best team left in the semis [despite Australia's blood and guts domination of New Zealand], and if we can get a dry ball and some firm ground under foot for the Final, I reckon it can get a LOT better.  Fingers crossed.

"Forget the whinges that 'we like to run with the ball', France and New Zealand are power teams [from wet countries] who win when they dominate through their backs rows - they just couldn't do it when it counted. What this weekend proved was that championship-winning teams have to have both the ability and, more importantly, the mental strength to turn over their opponents. Both England and Oz were supposed to get toasted, and both came through. I, for one, am happy that the winners from the semis were the ones who dogged it out - France and NZ promised a lot, but in the final analysis, didn't deliver. Full-stop. Stop making excuses, Laporte, Galthié, Thorne - you didn't even get 5 out of 10 for style.

"The Final should be a hell of a hard game. England to win 25-12. Fans of running rugby and the faint-hearted should watch the third-place play-off or the Rugby League next weekend ..."
- Jon Jones, Worcester

"The class shone through today! How sweet it is that Australia knocked off NZ, and gave us the opportunity to play them in their backyard in the Final! It couldn't have been scripted better! I hope the Aussie media will continue their baseless bashing of the England team. Looking forward to November 22."
- Jason Dear, Canada

"Well, what a massive performance, the best England have displayed so far in this RWC. It was won by the forwards, yes Jonny scored all the points, but it was the forwards, who were supposed to struggle against the French pack, that scrummaged immensely, gained the hard yards and hit the rucks and mauls with a ferocity which the French just could not deal with. This gave us the field position to allow Wilkinson to kick his drop-goals and it put the pressure on France to force the indiscipline which led to our penalties. The main reason for this turnaround from the Wales game? Richard Hill - Awesome!!!! 10/10. Well done boys, I'm on cloud eight, take me to cloud nine!!!"
- Mally, Scunthorpe, England

"What a result! Give us those conditions again next Saturday and we'll show the Aussies who the real world champions are.
 
"Numbers 1 to 10 were heroic, and how great it was to see Richard Hill back and patrolling the rucks and mauls, giving England a much needed stability which ultimately led to victory. A victory that was ensured by that man again. Drop goals are not a problem with either foot, and to kick five out of eight in those conditions was a great effort. Leon MacDonald wouldn't have got one!
 
"Doubtless the Aussies will lay into us for not scoring a try, but they should be reminded the only reason they got one is due to Carlos Spencer's moment of madness. It should also be pointed out to them that we only conceded seven points to one of the two most potent attacks in world rugby. The statistics speak for themselves on that point. 'Wilko' has scored more points than England have conceded. His kicking and the team's solid defence is what will make England world champions next Saturday."
- JR

"Would you replace one single player in the England team with his Australian counterpart? Not on your life [although to be fair you'd probably have said the same about the All Blacks and Oz took care of them].
 
"We've got the Final we wanted and a chance to 'turn the tables' on the 1991 Final. There's no Campese to deliberately knock the ball on with the tryline beckoning [he's still moaning about the laws not allowing enough tries. Message for 'Campo' - watch basketball and tell me it's exciting just because they score a lot!].
 
"Unless Eddie Jones really is Harry Potter I can't believe he can work his magic two weeks running, whereas England are surely slipping into top gear at the perfect time. Doubtless the rude Australian press will try all week to convince the world that arrogant, boring England blah, blah, blah.

"Well done on beating a side without a forward pack, but next week will be very different. England by 14 points ..."
- Kevin, Croydon

"Come the day, come the man!!  Every man in white stepped up to be counted when it mattered. Wilkinson had his best game so far this tournament despite the atrocious conditions [class will always show], ably supported by Back in particular who was outstanding. Roll on Australia - this is England's year!"
- Mark, Brazil based Brit

"At long last England has a sporting team that is genuinely world-class. Not like the footballers who think they are! I'm proud to be English with a team of real men!"
- John Gavin

"As an England supporter I enjoyed this game immensely, although I can appreciate that for the neutrals it wasn't much of a spectacle. No doubt, in accordance with standard practice, 'Campo' and the rest will be defrosted and wheeled out to whinge about England not scoring any tries. Nonetheless in conditions that were, to say the least, not favourable to running rugby England went out there and got the job done pretty emphatically.

"Also, for the first time I felt that England were genuinely on top of their game and choked the life out of the French who suddenly looked one-dimensional when faced with sustained pressure and adverse conditions. The Antipodean pundits will, obviously, continue banging on about how much we rely in Wilkinson, but will make no mention of the superb forward performance that makes this possible. Nor will they engage with the fact that Wilkinson only has these penalties because the other team infringes, frequently in a cynical effort to avoid continued England attack. Although I accept there is a risk that England will look like they are lacking penetration let's consider how well France's magic backline did in that weather. The only try was from a forward, and this was due to determination and not beautiful rugby.

"I now look forward to next week's Final with a genuine sense of hope which I haven't had since the Springbok game. The prospect of beating Australia in Australia in the World Cup Final is the stuff of dreams and can presumably only be matched by the joy the Aussies would take in putting away England under such circumstances. I only hope that this week will be free of so much of the miserable anti-English sentiment that has, for me, marred the World Cup.

"France had two men sin-binned today. Had that happened to England the press tomorrow would be full of allegations about lack of respect for the rules; something which will not happen, and probably isn't warranted, in the case of the French. With the exception of that unfortunate incident involving Joe Worsley I am not aware that England have shown anything but contrition and humility, including when they have shot themselves in the foot with dire play against opposition that would normally be considered unexceptional but have been playing extremely well.

"Frankly, I have seen nothing on the part of the English camp which begins to match Eddie Jones' outrageous allegations that the Scots would play violent, 'last-resort rugby' in their quarter-final with Australia. Surely it is now time to accept that England are not a pantomime villain, but are a genuinely gutsy and decent outfit. If that has been proved against France then Australia did nothing less against New Zealand. We're set for a potentially classic Final between two excellent sporting teams with a great rivalry. Please can we just try and keep it as rivalry, though, and leave out the persecution?"
- Stephen, Oxford

"Of course, more of the same next week will do just nicely thank you. I think we will be able to handle any criticism both before and after when the 'All Whites' prevail. Don't expect a repeat of 1991 in terms of any change of tactics - this side has nothing to prove."
- Duncan Jeffrey

"One of the most attractive features of the sport of rugby is that it can accommodate players of all shapes and sizes, of different pace, of different temperament, of different background, and of different style. This great tournament has demonstrated that in classical fashion. This weekend  we have watched the top four sides in the world compete; all four teams have ably demonstrated, both at this tournament and elsewhere, that they are capable of playing scintillating-open-running-try-scoring-rugby [no matter what 'Campo' says]. However, we must value the "differences" and this weekend we witnessed that it was the teams that were able to be different, and adapt, that prevailed. 
 
"And so, the dream (?) Final - the world champions v the World Rankings' No.1. Throughout the Championship the Australian media have snapped at the heels of the English team and this match-up provides the ultimate winner-takes-all contest; a veritable feeding frenzy in the press is to be anticipated in the next six days. No doubt the two highest profile coaches in the world will have plenty to say during this week, some of it might even be intelligible [if we discount anything that Eddie Jones has to say], as they try to figure out the strategy which will deliver victory.

"Roll on next weekend. Is it just too much to hope for - England 76 Australia 0?"
- Ian, Switzerland

"This is the best rugby team the world has ever seen. I predict total world domination. Long live English Rugby!!"
- Charles Courtland-Smith, UK

"It was a good day for England ... maybe the result would have different had it been dry. However, credit to England or should I say Wilkinson? Gameplan for Australia ... Get Wilkinson injured and half your battle is won [not that is worked for the Boks!!]."
- Amani, South Africa

"Well talk about finding feet at the right time! England's somewhat cold feet appeared to be warmed up significantly for today's match and if Jonny leaves his feet on those hot water bottles all this week then the Ozzies will be up for a right good kicking! COME ON ENGLAND!!!"
- William Hazzeldine

"A front row that took punches and stayed cool, a second row that adapted and stood their ground and a back row that proved themselves once again. For me the depth and strength in this pack is astounding. Take it in boys, one more to go."
- Gail Kemp

"That was an awesome demonstration of wet weather rugby. The style of rugby fit the conditions on the night. What was it that Brian Moore famously said about not letting the French get F%*k all ball?"
- Nick Carter

"I hope that Australia and all international teams that face England will take a note from this match - if you give away penalties inside your own half, Jonny Wilkinson will kick the penalty and build his three point tally bit by bit! England don't play rugby, they play football - kicking the ball between the posts!"
- Andrew, Ireland

"What can I say, we are there and have kept most tricks up our sleeves! Woodward will learn much more about Australia from their semi-final than Jones will from our semi. What is more, I think I know which team are likely to have the most left in the tank, especially up front. Bring it on!!"
- Andy Nicholas, Surrey

"Both teams played the game that was needed. Under those conditions, both teams showed that throwing it wide wasn't going to work, and England just showed more control and tactical competence. Discipline was much improved on England's side, while the French showed again that under pressure, they are fragile and short-tempered."
- Pete

"A professional performance from the lads who finally raised their game to the standards required to win the tournament. Some very good performances namely 'Wilko', Dawson, Catt but my player of the match was Richard Hill, who was just everywhere in the first few minutes he laid a marker for future back row forwards. Only one moan really Neil back will you leave the ball alone at the ruck for Dawson, he lost us around four rucks because of his eagerness to impress. Come on Saturday finally we can shut up the Aussies and 'Campo' ... all the best lads your country is right behind you."
- Justin, Devon

"In the end England's pack just overwhelmed France, in the second half they hardly got into England's half. Apart from line-out problems [yet again] it was a very solid performance. France just cracked under the pressure exactly as NZ did yesterday.

"Very interesting game in prospect but if England can sort out their line out then I think the combination of forward muscle and 'Wilko' will be too much for Australia. I have a worry about Mortlock crashing through England's backline without Tindall and the Aussies have more penetration in the backs generally, but I think England will just pin them back and play territory."
- Bill, Doncaster

"So much for the vaunted French team and wonder No.10 Michalak. Like the Oz-NZ semi, the team that applied the most pressure and controlled the ball won - England. The French backline had little opportunity to attack because England played a tight game in difficult conditions. Wilkinson showed that you need to be cool and play a thinking game. Roll on the Aussies - the Rugby World Cup is England's for the taking."
- Andrew Wall, UK

"Firstly commiserations to NZ it must be difficult to turn up and CHOKE so badly like that - maybe Clive could drop around and give them a few lessons in how not to CHOKE in important games ... I think the key must be humility twinned with self belief, combined with an ability to ignore biased reporting and media insults - the sort of basic ability that England have in spades. Finally, to get the opportunity to play the most arrogant sporting nation on earth, at home and to take their trophy off of them is a heaven sent opportunity, Roll on Sunday."
- Tony Doolin, Gloucester

"I can't believe listening to post match reaction on Radio Five how many people, including supposed England fans, are deriding our performance. We played the conditions and whether we scored any tries or not is immaterial. We are there to win the World Cup. If it is fine and dry next weekend we will repeat our three-one try-count against the Aussies from the Summer. If it is wet the forwards will strangle them and Jonny will kick us to victory."
- Eric

BOOOOORRRRRRRRINNNGGGG

"Can a game of rugby be more boring? No wonder rugby in England is a minor sport, even if the Boys in White win, they look so ugly while doing it they must drive young would be players away in droves. England are bad for world rugby!"
- A fan of running rugby, London

"Drop-goals should only come into it when a team cannot break the defensive line - England didn't even try to break it. How dull, and what does it say about their belief in their outside backs? It's a throwback to the days of Geoff Cooke and Rob Andrew - they would be pleased. What happened to Clive's total rugby? Yet again England has shown it is scared of playing the game, all they can do is play 10-man rugby. What's sad is that there is a lot of talent in the side, but they don't use it. Even when dominating the game they still did the same. A sad reflection on the England team - this must be one of the worst performing England teams ever if they can't even bring themselves to move the ball in a game that they clearly dominated."
- Neil, NZ

"A win without even scoring a try? Gimme a break! This is rugby, not bloody football! The laws have to be changed. Let's make it two points for penalties or conversion and six points for tries! And shorten the fields too while you're at it. No, seriously something had to be done. Maybe changing the laws is going too far but at least awarding extra points like in the preliminary phases is the answer?"
- A disappointed Frenchman in San Diego, CA

"With England having the most exciting team I have seen, why is it they resort to type and play their boring ten man rugby, grinding out laborious, frustrating and unsatisfying results? One of the commentators today said the weather caused them to change the way they played. Bollocks! Obviously the England team have realised that the exciting expansive game is not within their capabilities when it comes to the big occasion. Australia v New Zealand showed that despite the high stakes, rugby was the winner with a gripping game with both willing to use the undoubted talents of ALL players instead of the nine and Jonny Beckham [only good at kicking, nothing else] currently employed by England."
- Alistair McLean

"G*d help us as spectators if this is what rugby has degenerated into. England never looked like scoring at try. Australia never looked like scoring a try [except when gifted by Carlos]. Even New Zealand only looked like crossing the chalk two or three times. France scored one good try, but didn't threaten to again. For me the NZ/Aus semi-final was won by the 'better team on the day' rather than the better team [season results considered].

"The other semi-final was ruined by the appalling weather and really it played into English hands. France were destined to lose in those conditions as their expansive style could not deal with the wet. The final is shaping up to be a dreary affair. We can only hope Australia overcome the English team so we won't be subjected to 'how good we are' [were] for the next 30 years. The play-off third and fourth has the potential to be a spectacle, but who knows how either team could pick themselves up after such disappointment."
- DA

"Boring England at it's boring best, but the question has to be asked, with all the points coming from Wilkinson's boot, are England capable of scoring tries and winning crucial, high pressure matches without him? It was a shame the weather took so much away from a game that promised much, but in the end it wasn't a game we would like to use as an advertisement to promote it. I hope the conditions for next week's Final are conducive to a running game that enhances the game of rugby."
- Mark, Brunei