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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Tonga, Tonga, great win but still so Longa Tonga 5 views
01 October 2011 by deep
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Tonga prove yet again something. Just what I'm not sure, but huge to finally have a real upset, and great to give the massive Tongan population here in NZ something to cheer about - by far the loudest and proudest supporters of all in this campaign.
Tonga beat France, but even still, so longa Tonga, pack your bags and see you at the next RWC. How can you beat up France but not get up over Canada? That's a game which now must double hurt, because a win there would have seen France go home and Tonga into the quarters. (There's a tantalising thought that would have stirred emotion among a few kiwis!)
This follows hot on the heels of a near boil over by Samoa over South Africa but in this case Tonga came through with the goods. 80 minutes of quality rugby. Go Tonga!
That said, I didn't actually see the end of the game as I had to foot my way to Eden Park for the England v Scotland clash, but felt the result was pretty assured. 5 minutes to go, playing well (more like dominant) and more than a penalty ahead. Turns out I was right.
There are many things I still don't understand about this game. Why can the AB's go unbeaten against Scotland, unbeaten against Ireland and almost unbeaten against Wales, but get toasted by France and England on all too many occasions, but both those teams regularly get a roasting by Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Why can Samoa go close against South Africa, and Tonga beat France, but neither Pacific country ever does more than provide a training run for the AB's? South Africa and France invariably give the AB's a run for their money and more.
As for the Scotland v England affair - the crowd was immense. Chants of "Scotlaaannd, Scootlaaannd" and "Englaannd, Englaannnd" punctuated by handful of hard kiwis.. "Go the Warriors" (Auckland's favorite league team is in the NRL finals tomorrow). The game itself - mostly felt pretty average in all honesty. I was surrounded by a bunch of poms and was quietly hoping the Scots could hang in and give the second upset in a day. Soooo close, leading all the way until England finally managed to manufacture a try with only a couple of minutes left.
Still, well worth a visit and yet another awesome day in this awesome tournament.
Looking forward to the business end of this comp. Hope it doesn't come down to the 'last man standing' with so many key players falling like flies.
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