Rugby World Cup Semi Final - England v France

nors

Any value in this game. I can see it being close with "Gallant England so close". The england handicap looks like my bet here. If it becomes a kicking game England may prevail but England at around 10/11 + 9 or 10 looks ok to me.

By the way someone mentioned the rugby odds compilers with the bookies being spot on, i have to agree the way thay have priced up the handicaps has been uncannily accurate in lots of matches.

thetitan · At Stud Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 2966

I agree. This should be a tight and cagey affair, either side could win it IMO, although French are rightly favourites, but they still haven't convinced me enough to put my money on them. England also have momentum, and I don't think the winner will prevail by more than a few points. England on +10 or so looks good to me. Win

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topnotch · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:32 pm Post subject:

just agreeing with the above posts. i admit i thought someone had spiked my beer with hallucinagens last week when the aussies and all blacks collapsed. but it was all the pressure and power of the english pack which caused it (and mortlock thankfully missing penalties). if they can repeat that solidity again then we have a good chance. i agree absolutely it will be close, and thus i am taking england with the start. if you remember the france/all blacks match, i think france had only around 30% of decent posession the whole game, and luckily for them new zealand did not go for a drop goal until the 79th minute (and the ref missed a forward pass for the french try). instead they went for try after try, admirable but proved costly. england will make no apologies for taking any points they can, and this could go right down to the wire.
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leeson1982 · 2yo Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

Can anyone tell me where those bloody nutters have gone that were laying England at 75/1 to win the world cup before the Australia game. Yes there's a certain amount of blowing ones own trumpet here as I backed them at that price, however those odds were absolutely ridiculous! A few reasons as to why;

-England still have members of the 2003 winning team and as a result know what it's like to win a world cup.
-England fought two tough games against Samoa and Tonga, hardening their mental strength and improving their match fitness.
-England have undeniable quality in their team and just hadn't found their best team yet.

What a way to retain the impossible world cup, by beating the French in their backyard and avenging our defeat against the South Africans in the final. Could there be a better fairytale rugby world cup story?

Cool

Betfairalfie · Stallion Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 5241

manafana · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

France v England The Preview

Venue: Stade De France Time: 20:00 BST Weather: Mild, light winds 13C

World Cup Semi Final:
A rematch of the far from classic, 2003 Semi-Final. Several players on either side remain from that far from memorable match in which England controlled the game through their kickers and france failed to show their best in poor conditions.
Today’s match will be a different affair with mild conditions and low winds promoting a running game. France will be out for a bit of revenge tonight for that World Cup defeat. Both sides go into tonight’s match with unchanged sides from their surprise quarter final victories. They where won in different manners with England capitalising on a superior kicker, while france out tackled and out worked the all-blacks managing two tries.
France came into the World Cup off two wins against England in both they looked by far the better side and up to the aussie match England had shown little. They where soundly beaten by South Africa to nil. France meanwhile got stuck in a battle with the Pumas but otherwise have done what’s been asked of them.
In the battle of the forwards it looks like it will be a though night for both sets of forwards. Englands set piece has been decent and I doubt France will cause much trouble in scrum but may be able to disrupt the line out. Frances set piece fell apart against new Zealand after betsens exit, but id expect it will be much better tonight. The mobility of frances pack especially their front five compared to England gives them a key advantage if choosing to play an expansive game. I personally don’t rate Nick Easter and it could be worth Ellisade pressuring him at scrum time. Besten could be key he really gets round and if recovered from his knock he could help keep Wilkinson under wraps. What’s important in a game like this is discipline. France showed so far how hard they have worked on it against new Zealand. England often cross the line and penalties good be key and I see it going in favour of the French.
The half backs looks an intriguing battle here. Gomarsall and Wilkinson have worked well together but gomersall can become a bit one dimensional and if his pack isn’t going forward can crack under the pressure. Ellisade and Beuxais haven’t had much game time together but they are probably the strongest partnership france can field. Beuxais is much better than he showed against New Zealand and has an awesome boot. Kicking at goal Wilkinson hasn’t been up to his usual standards, while I think ellisade should take over kicking duties today.
In the backline I think france have the advantage. England havn’t looked like wanting to run it with their backs bar the odd move involving sakey who should be controlled by the clever Vincent Clerc. Heymans could be dangerous in this game if allowed to counter attack in this game hes one of the best in the world at it. Lewsey hasn’t had his best World Cup and has been suspect tackler. At Full Back England can be caught out. Robinson is a fantastic attacking option, but defensively he is an average kicker and his positioning can let him down. Its also questionable how strong his ham-string will be on his return. Traille has shown himself to be a capable full-back with his huge boot. His positioning and tackling against New Zealand where top notch. He’s also good under the high ball using his height to full effect. In the centre france are by far the stronger of the two sides. Catt was seen as a temporary solution four years ago and how hes still in side is beyond me. Taits also a bit of a weak link, in his channel france can attack and up against the powerful marty he could be caught out. Jauzions in his preferred 1st Centre Slot and Catt could struggle up against him. Jauzion will look to run between both centres and france should be able to break the line through their.
The bench could be an important call to change the game, and france just have an advantage especially with michalak to call on a man who can change a game in a moment.
SUmmary: Should be tight up front, but i cant see england outscoring france trywise and with french discpline good of late they could struggle to get ahead.

Betting Recommendations:
France -9
France to win by 11-20
Jauzion 1st Tryscorer
First Scoring Play France Penatly
English Yellow card
Under 37.5pts
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veedub · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject:

Now that is a Quality write-up manafana Win

and after careful consideration i'm now torn as to where my small stake bet should go.

After last weeks quaters i feel the English could do a number on the French and stifle their opportunites, but saying that if Les Blue keep their dicspline and control then revenge will be on the cards.
Its going to be the opening 20 minutes IMHO that dictate the outcome of this game, England need to go hard early and force errors whereas France need to play as well as they did against the All-Blacks and soak it up and if they do they will win.

Okay decision made heart over head here England +8.5 4/5 Bet365 and Shocked

Double result Tie/England 33/1
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herby · Group 1 Class Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 428

My heart says England - but my head says France.

I recommended France Each Way at the start of the tournament and i will be having a small bet on England @ 5/2 to cover the bet.

If France play as they played against the blacks, England will have a really tough task. They tackled like demons to the last man that day, effectively stopping the offload in the tackle, which was such a major part of the blacks open game - and they took their chances well to win the game.

A repeat of this will see a French win - it's just difficult to see England scoring any tries, and so much will therefore depends on Wilkinson's boot.

France to win by 11 - 20 points

manafana · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject:

france gave england that game have to say.
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mathewjamie17 · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:50 pm Post subject:

England were 80/1 to win the world cup at one point and now were in the final who would have thought it.
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herby · Group 1 Class Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Posts: 428

Well done England - how wrong can you be.

I hope we go on to win it now - and i hope all those who took the huge price on England get a very nice payout. You can now hedge it in the final to guarantee a nice little!!

I still can't believe, it's like something from a comic book - Roy of the Rovers stuff .. he played rugby as well as football didn't he

Roger Green · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2007 10:43 pm Post subject:

Superb preview Manafana 1st