Pumas leave a lasting impression
Tue, Oct 23, 2007
Rugby World Cup 2007: Gerry Thornley looks back on a World Cup where the up-and-under became the designer label fashion statement of the tournament.
Habana voted world's finest player
Mon, Oct 22, 2007South Africa winger Bryan Habana has been named IRB Player of the Year.
Gold at end for rainbow nation
Mon, Oct 22, 2007
Rugby World Cup: On the coldest night of the 2007 World Cup, even to vast swathes of rugby followers in their own living-rooms or bars, Saturday's final probably left them a little cold too.
Euphoria as South Africa unites
Mon, Oct 22, 2007Rugby World Cup: Scenes of euphoria are set to greet the Springboks when they fly into Johannesburg tomorrow as South Africa unites in celebrating its Rugby World Cup victory.
Springboks prove best equipped in bore war
Mon, Oct 22, 2007
Match report: South Africa 15 England 6 : The Springboks are the world champions and good luck to them. They deserve it.
Unbeaten champions deserve their title
Mon, Oct 22, 2007Warren Gatland Rugby analyst : South Africa deserved to win the World Cup. They were the only team to go through the tournament unbeaten and in the final merited their victory, albeit in a closely fought encounter where there was little to choose between the teams.
'It's a dream come true' for Smit
Mon, Oct 22, 2007Match reaction : The English players having received their runners-up medals from the outgoing IRB president, Syd Millar, like boys collecting their rations at school lunchtime, there was one lovely moment as John Smit looked back across the Springboks' squad to the last man on the podium, Jake White. p
Punters' moments - John O'Sullivan
Mon, Oct 22, 2007BEST MATCH : France v New Zealand. It was a compelling spectacle, the intensity of the physical exchanges counterpointed by cameos of high-quality rugby. The French tackle count was truly phenomenal as was the resilience they displayed. Ultimately paralysed by they desire not to lose, the All Blacks lacked the mental clarity to prevail. p
Punters' moments - Matt Williams
Mon, Oct 22, 2007BEST MATCH : France v New Zealand. This was my pre-tournament selection for the final. I wish I had been correct because it had everything: four great tries, brave defence, drama in the final moments, controversy in the second, brilliant French try, passion from both sides, heartbreak for the "All Greys", ecstasy for Les Bleus and a fairytale ending for the hosts. p
Punters' moments - Gerry Thornley
Mon, Oct 22, 2007BEST MATCH : France v All Blacks. From the moment the French stood up to the haka in red, white and blue T-shirts there was something special in the Millennium Stadium air. p
Punters' moments - Johnny Watterson
Mon, Oct 22, 2007BEST MATCH : Wales v Fiji. The plucky but doomed-to-fail Islanders exploded the stereotype and hit the Welsh like darts hitting the treble 20 at Purfleet. When Fiji had the ball they ran it with bravado and menace. p
Punters' moments - Gavin Cummiskey
Mon, Oct 22, 2007BEST MATCH : New Zealand v France. A haka confrontation to rank alongside Willie Anderson's of old was followed by a typically electric NZ start, led by the hitherto imperious Luke McAlister, before the Toulouse set ripped it up. Three images: Richie McCaw unable to secure ruck ball; McAlister's failure to drop into the pocket; the haunted looks of Messrs Carter, Kelleher and Oliver all helplessly sidelined. p
Punters' moments - Warren Gatland
Mon, Oct 22, 2007BEST MATCH : England v France. It was an old-fashioned dust-up, a Test match where the primary qualities were as much mental as physical. Even though it was a low-scoring affair, it didn't diminish the enjoyment. p
Punters' moments - Risteard Cooper
Mon, Oct 22, 2007BEST MATCH: Fiji v Wales. It sparkled from beginning to end. It might have been short on defensive quality, but there was no shortage of courage, pace, skill, creativity and wonderful tries. p
A good one for . . . A bad one for . . .
Mon, Oct 22, 2007For some players it was a tournament to remember, while others had less positive experiences. p
Springboks have the history
Sat, Oct 20, 2007
Rugby World Cup Final : It ain't the "dream final" maybe, but in this curious, absorbing, at times wonderful, uniquely unpredictable and even bizarre 2007 Coupe du Monde, it's somehow appropriate. South Africa versus England.
Springbok lineout the platform for victory
Sat, Oct 20, 2007Warren Gatland Rugby Analyst : The rugby might not have been aesthetically pleasing but England won't care one whit ahead of tonight's World Cup final. Given the starting point, theirs has been a remarkable journey.
Rainbow nation under a cloud
Sat, Oct 20, 2007Rugby and race in South Africa: Joe Humphreys on why a Springbok victory may trigger more recriminations than feelings of unity in South Africa.
Magnificent obsession with being the perfect 10
Sat, Oct 20, 2007England's Jonny Wilkinson: Gerry Thornley on the pressures, from within as well as without, that weigh on Jonny Wilkinson. p
Swing to the chariot one heaven of a ride
Sat, Oct 20, 2007His team may be the one many love to hate, but James Helm is relishing their unscripted success. p
Argentina finish as they started
Sat, Oct 20, 2007Rugby World Cup Third place play-off/ Argentina 34 France 10 : It may be remembered as the World Cup where France memorably beat the hot favourites from New Zealand, but it will also be recorded as the World Cup in which the hosts lost three times - twice to their Latin bêtes noires .
Lapasset succeeds Millar as IRB chief
Sat, Oct 20, 2007Frenchman Bernard Lapasset was elected as the new International Rugby Board (IRB) chairman yesterday, the body said. p
Decision on World Cup format delayed
Sat, Oct 20, 2007News round-up : New Zealand officials are still none the wiser about whether the 2011 World Cup they will host will be cut to 16 teams from 20, the tournament's chief executive said yesterday. p
World Cup speak: What they said
Sat, Oct 20, 2007All things Irish "I think it would be fair to say Ireland will win." - Namibia coach Hakkies Hasselman was right in his prediction, but his team ended up running the Irish close. p
Master and commander
Fri, Oct 19, 2007
Rugby World Cup Final countdown: Gerry Thornley on the long journey travelled by South Africa captain John Smit and coach Jake White.
White points to preparation as key to success
Fri, Oct 19, 2007Final countdown: If somebody had told Jake White that to win the World Cup the Springboks would have been required to beat Fiji, Argentina and England in the knock-out stages he wouldn't have believed it.
War of words between camps
Fri, Oct 19, 2007Third place play-off/ France v Argentina : Were it a heavyweight boxing fight for some obscure title, with the distinctive coiffure of Don King lurking in the background, you would almost certainly presume it to be an attempt to boost ticket sales.
Mistakes but Barnes not to blame for All Blacks defeat
Fri, Oct 19, 2007News: English referee Wayne Barnes made three errors in the final 15 minutes of New Zealand's World Cup quarter-final defeat against France, the International Rugby Board (IRB) has said.
White keeps the faith
Thu, Oct 18, 2007South Africa coach Jake White has named an unchanged starting XV for Saturday's World Cup final against England in the Stade de France.
Robinson calls for final push
Thu, Oct 18, 2007Jason Robinson is calling for "one last push" as England go for glory in Saturday's World Cup final against South Africa.
