Up The Palace

[Donut]

Originally posted by Memnoch: Soccer? Game for pansies. Anyone want to talk about the rugby? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Always happy to oblige Mems!

England 21-15 Australia

England withstood a typically gutsy comeback from Australia to retain the Cook Cup at Twickenham on Saturday.

Two second-half tries by the Wallabies threatened to spoil what had been a superb performance by England.

But with Australia scenting an improbable victory, brave English tackling kept the world champions at bay.

Jonny Wilkinson's boot supplied all of England's points, but it was a storming performance from the pack that provided the platform for the win.

Although Australia's Matt Burke and Phil Waugh scored the game's only tries, England played the more consistent and effective rugby.

A delighted England captain Neil Back was full of praise for his side after the game.

"This is right up there with the best in terms of all-round performance. Today was first class," said Back.

"We kept hold of the ball and dominated possession and territory."

But England coach Clive Woodward was not so easily pleased.

"I'm a bit disappointed to be honest because we did not score a try, but our commitment was fantastic," said Woodward.

"I'm delighted that we've beaten them two years running. It's good for English rugby, everything is very, very healthy."

England's forwards completely controlled a one-sided first half.

They repeatedly broke Australia's first line of defence with their powerful running, giving scrum-half Kyran Bracken the freedom of Twickenham to launch England's attacks.

The front five were particularly impressive, with second rows Danny Grewcock and debutant Ben Kay more than holding their own in the lineout and restarts, and Graham Rowntree leading a new-look front row.

And livewire former rugby league star Jason Robinson justified his controversial selection at full-back, with an assured display.

But Wilkinson will undoubtedly take the lion's share of the praise as he stroked over five penalties and two drop goals.

The first of those penalties - a huge effort from the half-way line - came after only three minutes.

After missing another shy at the posts on six minutes, the Newcastle fly-half coolly slotted over a drop goal to give England a 6-0 lead.

That margin was stretched to 9-0 when England made the most of Australian flanker Owen Finnegan's spell in the sin bin with another Wilkinson drop goal.

Three minutes later, Wilkinson kicked a penalty to take the margin to 12-0, and Australia were looking a shadow of the normal selves.

Although they were able to launch few attacks of their own, the Australian defence was up to its usual high standards, and twice England were thwarted after concerted efforts on the Wallabies try line.

The first half closed with another Wilkinson penalty to give the home side a richly deserved 15-0 lead.

But Australia charged out of the traps at the start of the second half and scored a well-worked try on 48 minutes.

Matt Burke touched down in the corner and added the conversion to close the gap to 15-7.

Five minutes later, Burke, who had a poor afternoon with the boot, slotted home a penalty as the Wallabies enjoyed their best spell of play.

But England responded to the challenge, and two Wilkinson penalties were scant reward for the quality of their play.

The elusive Jason Robinson and direct Dan Luger continued both to stretch the Wallabies defence, but still England could not break through for a try.

There were a few nervous moments at the death after second-half substitute Phil Waugh scored a late try for the visitors, but England, and Wilkinson, were not to be denied.

[ 02-06-2003, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: Donut ]

[Donut]

Originally posted by Charlie: My team Crystal Palace (The Eagles) just toppled the mighty Liverpool. We were down to ten men too. Well Alex Ferguson only kept his job by sacrificing Jim leighton last time. Hope we can make him retire this time. I love the FA cup

Congratulatons and thanks! Now only Chelsea stand between us and the retention of the trophy!

[AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe]

What is this thread about?

[johnny]

Originally posted by AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe: What is this thread about?

From what planet are you ?

[Epona]

Originally posted by johnny: Quote: Originally posted by AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe: What is this thread about?

From what planet are you ? [/QUOTE]LOL I was going to comment, but I think you said it all Johnny!

[Memnoch]

Originally posted by Donut: England 21-15 Australia

Wasn't that two years ago, when we didn't have Mark Bosnich in goal to prevent your future Arsenal striker Jonny Wilkinson from scoring all those goals? At least we got the ball over the line a couple of times - obviously your blokes thought the ball was round!

And if we're picking historical results, this would be my choice!


Australia 76 England 0

England, under the guidance of Clive Woodward, travelled to the southern hemisphere with a controversial tour party and a schedule that defied belief.

The lack of experienced English internationals in the squad through injury and withdrawals due to domestic commitments and squabbles caused considerable dismay particularly in Australia who came close to cancelling the tour.

In their opening game of the tour, England handed debuts to five players and the obvious deficiencies in the young England side were ruthlessly exposed in the first international in front of the Brisbane crowd who witnessed a rampant Australian side run in 11 tries, with Ben Tune and Steve Larkham both grabbing hat-tricks.

It was England's worst ever Test defeat in 127 years of international rugby.

After the game, ARU officials lashed English rugby after the tourists' humiliation.

"What can you do, pretend it didn't happen?" ARU chief executive John O'Neill said after the 11-try slaughter. "They sent a squad with 20 uncapped players and they've been beaten 76-0.

"It's a sweet and sour taste. You win 76-0 and you don't celebrate. If ever there was a message to the English RFU, this is it This is not what international rugby is about, it's not a contest. Those poor players, as determined and proud as they are, are not Test players."

England would suffer further heavy defeats in the coming weeks against first New Zealand and then South Africa.



[img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Charlie]

Originally posted by johnny: Quote: Originally posted by AzRaeL StoRmBlaDe: What is this thread about?

From what planet are you ? [/QUOTE]I nearly fell off my chair laughing. Great Answer.

This is the year, the FA cup is ours, it should have been years ago, it was made for us, BWAHAHAHA....EAGLES....