Sporting Update

Rugby World Cup

I really don't understand the science behind watching sport, especially when it comes down to domestic vs international. I could watch most premier league football matches, even if it's not a team I'm interested in, but I can't for international matches. I just feel that the matches drag out and no-one really cares about the international matches until the world cup. However with rugby I cant stand domestic games, but I could watch any two nations in a Union Test match. This is why I love the rugby world cup. It's a brilliant atmosphere and its refreshing to see players who want to give it all for their country, not worrying about their pay packets or reputations.


Favourites - New Zealand
New Zealand are everyones favourites for the tournament, and you only have to look at their team to see why. Pace, power and a world class fly half. Dan Carter is the leading points scorer of all time, not only for New Zealand, but in the world, taking over from Wilkinson. Their pack is huge, and not afraid to run with the ball either as they all handle the ball terrifically well. Their back line also packs a huge punch, and don't be surprised to see Dan Carter simply hand the ball off for someone to simply try and break the defensive lines. Then when the defense gets used to that, Carters wonderous kicking abilities will have the opponents wondering what on earth is coming next. If you look at their team, something would have to go wrong for the All Blacks not to win.

English Prospects
England have a great chance to make their third final in a row. The team looks to be getting back into a nice flow, the pack seems to be operating as a complete unit and Wilkinson seems to be up to his old tricks again. I would also expect Manu Tuilagi to play a huge part with his speed and power if England are going to make it to the final.


Other hopefuls
France, Australia and South Africa will also fancy their chances going into this tournament. Australia will be bouyed by their recent victory over the all Blacks to seal the tri-nations, and would love to go to New Zealand to claim the Web Ellis trophy again. France have looked the complete outfit for while, but really struggle to keep their discipline at the vital points, they really need to focus to remain a danger in this world cup. South Africa have always been there or there abouts and would love to claim another trophy, they would have to play exetremely well though, because I'd put them as 4th or 5th in terms of technical ability.


So my verdict is an All blacks victory, but there is hope for other teams, because the pressure will really be on to claim a world cup after a 24 year wait. and in front of a home crowd that is rugby mad the pressure could really tell for the Kiwis and it will be a very interesting world cup.

Tennis

If you've been watching the tennis this week you'd be forgiven for thinking you were watching Wimbledon, for all the rain delays now garauntee that there will be play on Monday, for the fourth year in a row. Nadal and Murray have today raised safety concerns after only 3 games were played before play was delayed again due to rain. Nadal is the only top 4 player that hasnt really hit top form this tournament, with both the Djoker and Federer reaching their imperious bests at some point during their run through to the quarter finals. Murray looked dominating in the last three sets against Haase, but Nadal has stuttered through, collapsing with cramp for 15minutes in his press conference. My bet is the winner of the Djokovic v Federer (if they get to this) semi final to win, and I'd very much fancy Federer in that match, as the Djoker seems to have a mental block when it comes to the FedExpress.

International football


In the most recent round of international matches, there was a dissapointing lack of upsets. England won both of their matches in predictably uninspiring fashion, and everything seemed to be going to plan for everyone across the broad. Scotland will be the only ones agrieved with the results, after two controversial decisions in stoppage time robbed them of a chance to overtake the Czech Republic. The officials gave a very soft penalty to the Czechs for their equaliser, then refusing an identical appeal for a penalty straight after, instead booking the Scot for diving. I do feel aggreived for the Scots because I felt the edged the game and deserved all three points. Return to far more interseting football this weekend, thank God.

Athletics


So with the World Championships in Daegu now over, on paper it was a sucess for British athletics, and we can now look forward to London 2012 with mild optimism. For me the people that won the medals give great hope, but apparently for BBC reporters it means we've failed. Because some of our bigger prospects failed for gold and we relied on people that weren't expected to get gold to bring our medal haul up, its a failure. I think this is the brilliant, as if we can get people that are not tipped for gold to succeed, we're going to do very well in 2012. One of the reasons that we tend to not do so well at Olympics is that we pressure those with previous success, such as Jessica Ennis, who scored more points that wen she won the Heptathlon before but unluckily failed to take gold this time. If those who have no pressure can shine, and those with the talent also fulfill that promise, London 2012 will be a spectacle for the home fans inside the new Olympic Stadium. If you want to doom and gloom of the BBC here it is