GolfHos

Starts tomorrow.  Time to broaden your horizons stroh.   ;)

All or at least the vast majority of the games are broadcast on Setanta.  The free month on Dish Network ended yesterday and it's a pretty steep $15 per month but I'm going to have to take the plunge. 

Rugby Union is one of the best sports in the world.  I played for three years when I lived in Alabama.  Some of the best times I've ever had were at rugby tournaments.  Nothing like bleeding into your beer with a guy who was trying to rip your *goshdarn* head off 30 minutes ago.

Anyway, here's the site - http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/.  At least cheer on the Eagles against the evil Sassanach on Saturday.   [sm_devil]

Shoot the Boot!!! Beyatch!!!

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cc/Ireland_rugby.png)

My money is on the Kiwis.


Actually I don't even know if they're in it.  I just felt like saying that. :)

I've always wanted to see a rugby match live.  Though I know little about the sport, and don't follow it, I imagine the intensity of it all, in a large arena would be unmatched.   

I have seen a half dozen or more speedway motorcycle races in the UK, and it is beyond belief at the fervor for which they root for their respected teams.  If they are this intense for 4 motorcycles going around in a circle, the clamor of a rugby or football match is something I would really like to experience. 

 [sm_rolling]

Does Anheuser Busch sponsor any of it?

They're good for the Haka but that's about it... ;)

You're in denial.   ;)

They'd have to be second favorites behind Ireland.   :o  Just kidding, Ireland are in the Group of Death with France and Argentina. 

Do you think the England v USA match will be slightly one sided? ;)

Probably, but you never know.  Although England are about as poor a side  as can be imagined for holders.  Their decline has been abrupt to say the least. 

The usual suspects have to be considered the favorites.  You can't say enough about home field advantage.  France could do some damage. 

Hell, I'd just take a northern hemisphere champion.  Keep you guys 'down under' where you belong.   ;) :o [sm_devil]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Hf3_u5mm7s

So the whole idea behind that is to intimidate their opponents.  So why do the opponents stand there and watch it.  I'd go have a piss or something while they had their little dance.

It's just tradition... the whole thing makes more sense when they play against the aussies..it's about atmosphere. I guess most other countries really couldn't give a toss, and would deem it an opportune time to go take a leak...

Aw! What a pretty logo with lovely green flowers! It's so cute!

 ;)

And they called me culturally insensitive for not giving a bollocks about that Maori business.   >:( >:( >:(

The best team in the world has a *goshdarn* feather for their logo.   >:( >:(

You hit me where it hurts gleek.   >:(

 ;)

;D

I find the logo for the Aussie team interesting too.

(http://static.flickr.com/97/247353365_3a74233c81.jpg)

What's the story behind that dance by the All-Blacks anyway? It's pretty well-choreographed. I think they should try out for "America's Got Talent". I hear that show's being broadcast in New Zealand now.  :D

So we have green "flowers", a feather, a choreographed dance, and a cute, furry, docile marsupial representing this "tough" sport.

Are all these rugby teams just being ironic? You know--like calling a really big guy "Tiny"? ;D

Dude, England's a rose.  If yer gonna make fun of the shamrocks, the feathers and the rodents yer gotta make fun of the rose.

In fact, I'll jump right in and support you on that one.   [sm_devil]

I wasn't familiar with all the teams' logos yet, but that one definitely deserves a ribbing.  :D

I now see that Japan uses 3 pink flowers and Tonga has a white dove.  ;)

OK, what's the "elevator-ride" explanation of the differences between rugby union and rugby league?

• Union 15 players v. League 13 players
• Emphasis on set pieces (scrums, line-outs) v. Emphasis on open play
• More rules, more strategy v. Fewer rules, less strategy
• Bigger, better international competitions vs. Prominent league play at the national/regional level

There are wars fought over which is better.  They're close enough to the same for me.  I prefer union simply because that's what I get to watch and that's what I used to play.  The biggest functional difference?  Union requires you come out of set pieces with authority if you want to win.  League strikes me more as 26 guys running to-and-fro and maybe the fitter team outlasts the other.

I was going to post some pictures but when I started seeing pictures of nude rugby players I had to stop looking.

and please don't ask me why

Rugby players get naked in the most unusual places.  Moderate blood loss followed by excessive alcohol consumption.  You know.

Woah, opening ceremonies seem to involve a crowd of people doing the Haka while on acid and wearing court jester outfits.  I'm pretty sure I'm headed for a pretty severe coulrophobia attack.  I'll be under my bed if you need me.

Man, you'd better have some serious game to pull off a ritual like that. 

Either that or serious tradition. It's no Steely McBeam or anything.

This guy did one at Pinehurst a few years ago...

(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0Je5xcmD.JG5LQAY2mjzbkF/SIG=12m4cpmlq/EXP=1189306534/**http%3A//content-golf.live.advance.net/images/gd199605/campbell1.jpg)

France 12-17 Argentina

Wasn't that close.  Bad news for Ireland because France will be looking for blood.  On the plus side, they showed some serious weakness tonight.  Poor play in the pack.  If you can keep them in tight you can get them.  Argentina put on a tackling clinic.  Compone (sp?) brothers were outstanding at the centers.

They're ranked No1 in the World right now.... but only just. ;)

Historically Rugby Union was played by the 'Upper Class' and Rugby League by everyone else.

Union is a much better game to watch ;D

Aussies and Enzeds crush.   :o :o :o

Finally got to watch England v. USA on DVR.  Much closer than it should have been at 28-10.  England don't look very good at all considering they're the holders and top-8 (I think) in the world.

Conspiracy theory.  South African ref doesn't give England's Vicary (sp?) a yellow for an obvious kick/trip.  A yellow would have him off for ten minutes and that's it.  Now it'll be reviewed and he'll probably get a suspension.  Can you guess who South Africa play next?   :tinfoil: :borg: [sm_smoking]

Ireland v. Nambia tomorrow.   [sm_buddies]

Alright, I was thinking about roughing you guys up about not getting into this but then I went to ESPN.com.  Nothing on the home page at all.  No rugby or RWC link easily accessible.  I can follow "More +" (which, by the way, is subordinate to arena football) and there I find ESPN's rugby page.  Excellent!!!! Right?

Errrmmm, no.  Not really. 


Nothing on the Tribune or Deseret News sports pages either and the sole try scored by the Eagles yesterday was by a guy who plays for Park City.  Not only that, the best high school rugby team in the country for something like 25 straight years is Highland High in Salt Lake County. 

Expectations a tad high Uisce?   :sad3:

Or does the second biggest sporting event in the world (subjective) warrant the tiniest of mentions here in the states?   [sm_dunno]

Update!!!  I need scores man!  Where the hell are you?

Ah, stroh.  You complete me.

Ireland win 32-17 but they looked horrible.  Bad passes, dropped balls, knock-ons, late to the mauls, etc.  They should have been expected to clear Namibia by 50-60 points.  They got the bonus point for four tries and that puts them at the top of the group for now.  They need a 180 if they're going to get out of the group.

[sm_confused1]

 :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

(http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_01/corryMS0610_186x250.jpg)

Yeah..... the Aussie's played like crap :'( :'(

Atleast the Kiwi's got beat, albeit by France :o ;)

Breaking news....  Ireland sucked.

Congrats South Africa.   [sm_beertoast]