Aussie By Marriage
Sunday, October 26, 2003
I have been keeping my husband posted on the rugby results. It still seems early days yet, and the exciting games will be coming up later on.
Now this looks like it was a tight game - can't wait to see it on video.
Ireland held off a fierce challenge from Argentina to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals at Adelaide Oval with a nerve-jangling 16-15 victory.
The Irish avenged their shock exit to the Pumas at the 1999 World Cup after the introduction of replacement flyhalf Ronan O'Gara turned the game in their favour midway through the second half.
O'Gara struck two penalties to haul Ireland back from 12-10 down just when their bitter Pool A rivals looked like they were getting on top of a brutally physical encounter at the Adelaide Oval.
Excited Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll, who is one of six players remaining from the 1999 defeat, said he knew the Pumas would throw everything at them.
IRELAND 16 (Alan Quinlan try, David Humphreys pen, con, Ronan O'Gara 2 pens) bt ARGENTINA 15 (Gonzalo Quesada 3 pens, drop goal, Ignacio Corleto drop goal) at Adelaide Oval. Referee: Andre Watson (SAF). Crowd: 28,803.
Here's a cool quote on sportsmanship and other virtues:
"Now what do you suppose would happen if one were to try to treat those around him with justness, loyalty, good sportsmanship, fairness, honesty, kindness, consideration, compassion, self-control, tolerance, forgivingness, benevolence, belief, respect, politeness, dignity, admiration, friendliness, love and did it with integrity?
"It might take a while but don't you suppose that many others would then begin to try to treat one the same way?
"Even allowing for the occasional lapses -- the news that startles one half out of his wits, the burglar one has to bop on the head, the nut who is driving slow in the fast lane when one is late for work -- it should be fairly visible that one would lift oneself to a new plane of human relations. One's survival potential would be considerably raised. And certainly one's life would be a happier one." -- L. Ron Hubbard
¶ 9:06 PM
Now this looks like it was a tight game - can't wait to see it on video.
Ireland held off a fierce challenge from Argentina to qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals at Adelaide Oval with a nerve-jangling 16-15 victory.
The Irish avenged their shock exit to the Pumas at the 1999 World Cup after the introduction of replacement flyhalf Ronan O'Gara turned the game in their favour midway through the second half.
O'Gara struck two penalties to haul Ireland back from 12-10 down just when their bitter Pool A rivals looked like they were getting on top of a brutally physical encounter at the Adelaide Oval.
Excited Irish centre Brian O'Driscoll, who is one of six players remaining from the 1999 defeat, said he knew the Pumas would throw everything at them.
IRELAND 16 (Alan Quinlan try, David Humphreys pen, con, Ronan O'Gara 2 pens) bt ARGENTINA 15 (Gonzalo Quesada 3 pens, drop goal, Ignacio Corleto drop goal) at Adelaide Oval. Referee: Andre Watson (SAF). Crowd: 28,803.
Here's a cool quote on sportsmanship and other virtues:
"Now what do you suppose would happen if one were to try to treat those around him with justness, loyalty, good sportsmanship, fairness, honesty, kindness, consideration, compassion, self-control, tolerance, forgivingness, benevolence, belief, respect, politeness, dignity, admiration, friendliness, love and did it with integrity?
"It might take a while but don't you suppose that many others would then begin to try to treat one the same way?
"Even allowing for the occasional lapses -- the news that startles one half out of his wits, the burglar one has to bop on the head, the nut who is driving slow in the fast lane when one is late for work -- it should be fairly visible that one would lift oneself to a new plane of human relations. One's survival potential would be considerably raised. And certainly one's life would be a happier one." -- L. Ron Hubbard
¶ 9:06 PM
Friday, October 17, 2003
Alright so while I have been busy not keeping my blog going, many games have occurred in the World Cup.
Now, while the Wallabies play someone else and the Allblacks play someone else, I'm okay --- but once they play each other I am in serious trouble. I'm not allowed to barrack for the Allblacks (even though they are my home team!) and if the Wallabies lose, well we don't want to go there.
Anyhow, its always a great game anyway you look at it.
NZ just played Canada, so I'm pinching a little bit of the SMH for you:
All Blacks winger Mils Muliaina scored four tries as his side overcame a spirited Canada 68-6 in their Rugby World Cup match at Telstra Dome tonight.
Canada was expected to be thumped by the World Cup favourites, but put up a courageous showing for the first hour before being overwhelmed late in the match.
Muliaina crossed four times, with winger Caleb Ralph and No.8 Rodney So'oialo scoring twice as New Zealand ran in 10 tries.
Centre Daniel Carter had a day out with the boot, kicking nine of 10 conversion attempts.
"It definitely was frustrating, especially our start," All Blacks skipper Reuben Thorne said.
"There was a lot of mistakes and we just couldn't get a flow on.
"It's probably to be expected with all of those changes.
"We'll take the points for sure. But we really need to lift our performance and that's what we'll aim for in the next couple of weeks."
Spencer was outstanding for the All Blacks, with league convert Brad Thorn also impressing with some strong bursts in attack.
Canadian skipper Ryan Banks praised his team's courage to hang in in a match some pundits tipped they'd lose by more than 100 points.
"We found the Canadian way again," Banks said.
"We got a little bit tired late, but that happens when you're playing the best side in the world.
"I'm happy we shut them down in defence. We did a lot of good things out there tonight."
The All Blacks didn't cross for their first try until the 18th minute, with a moment of magic from five-eighth Carlos Spencer unlocking some gutsy Canadian defence.
Off balance and on the verge of being bundled into touch, Spencer launched a pinpoint kick which Ralph chased down to give the All Blacks the lead.
Canadian five-eighth Jared Barker kept his side in the game with a penalty goal two minutes later.
But the All Blacks ran in three tries late in the half - So'oialo scoring two and Muliaina one - which Carter converted to put some breathing space between their side and the Canucks.
They then ran in six tries in the second half to take their tally to 21 in their two World Cup matches so far.
New Zealand stays atop Pool D with its victory and picked up a bonus point for scoring more than four tries in the match.
The All Blacks suffered a setback prior to kick-off, with reserve fullback Ben Blair ruled out of the match after injuring a disc in his neck, putting his World Cup campaign in serious doubt.
Blair was replaced on the bench by Greg Somerville for tonight's match.
Plucky Canada were far from disgraced in a match where some thought the All Blacks might go close to their own World Cup record score of 145-17 set against Japan in 1995.
For the All Blacks, it was another big win after their 70-7 success against Italy on Saturday.
Canada, showing 14 changes to the starting side that lost their opening match 41-10 against Wales here Sunday, competed well in the first quarter with their forwards disrupting the All Black lineout to the extent that New Zealand
twice lost the ball on their own throw.
Carter, promoted to first-choice goalkicker ahead of Carlos Spencer missed a third minute 40 metre penalty and the North Americans, largely an amateur side, kept the game scoreless until the 17th minute.
It needed a typical piece of Spencer inventiveness to break the deadlock when, after re-gathering his own chip ahead, the fly-half kicked again and Ralph scored in the right corner.
But Canada scored next Barker landed a 38 metre penalty, reducing the All Blacks lead to 7-3.
However, Canada's backs lacked the creativity to capitalise on their forwards' work.
Then after centre Ma'a Nonu - playing in place of the injured Tana Umaga - burst through, New Zealand full back Leon MacDonald was held up just short of the line. But from a metre out So'oialo just did enough for the try.
MacDonald's chip over the top then created New Zealand's third try, Muliaina gathering as New Zealand's greater class behind the scrum began to tell.
Just before half-time the All Blacks gained a bonus point for scoring four tries when a break-out move initiated by So'oialo deep inside All Black territory ended with him going in under the posts, New Zealand 28-3 up at the interval.
After half-time Muliaina took centre stage as Canada tired after Ralph had been denied a try in the corner by opposing wing Matt King's last-ditch tackle.
Thorn's pass release him for his second try and the Auckland flyer then burnt off the Canadian defence from 30 metres out after Nonu's surge.
Canada reduced the deficit with a Barker penalty to make it 42-6 to New Zealand. But a rolling maul saw New Zealand prop Kees Meeuws driven over before Ralph grabbed his second try.
And a flowing backline move was then finished off in the corner by Muliaina as the rout continued.
The shine was slightly taken off New Zealand's night when lock Chris Jack was harshly yellow-carded in the dying seconds by Spreadbury for a late tackle on wing Sean Fauth.
NEW ZEALAND 68 (Mils Muliaina 4, Rodney So'oialo 2, Caleb Ralph 2, Kees Meeuws, Ma'a Nonu tries; Daniel Carter 9 cons) bt CANADA 6 (Jared Barker 2 pens). Referee: Tony Spreadbury (Eng). Crowd: 38,899 at Telstra Dome, Melbourne.
Here's what my favorite author says about games:
"Despite the amount of suffering, pain, misery, sorrow and travail which can exist in life, the reason for existence is the same reason as one has to play a game—interest, contest, activity and possession. The truth of this assertion is established by an observation of the elements of games and then applying these elements to life itself. When we do this we find nothing left wanting in the panorama of life. ... L. Ron Hubbard"
The rest of the article is here:
The Reason Why ¶ 8:32 PM
Now, while the Wallabies play someone else and the Allblacks play someone else, I'm okay --- but once they play each other I am in serious trouble. I'm not allowed to barrack for the Allblacks (even though they are my home team!) and if the Wallabies lose, well we don't want to go there.
Anyhow, its always a great game anyway you look at it.
NZ just played Canada, so I'm pinching a little bit of the SMH for you:
All Blacks winger Mils Muliaina scored four tries as his side overcame a spirited Canada 68-6 in their Rugby World Cup match at Telstra Dome tonight.
Canada was expected to be thumped by the World Cup favourites, but put up a courageous showing for the first hour before being overwhelmed late in the match.
Muliaina crossed four times, with winger Caleb Ralph and No.8 Rodney So'oialo scoring twice as New Zealand ran in 10 tries.
Centre Daniel Carter had a day out with the boot, kicking nine of 10 conversion attempts.
"It definitely was frustrating, especially our start," All Blacks skipper Reuben Thorne said.
"There was a lot of mistakes and we just couldn't get a flow on.
"It's probably to be expected with all of those changes.
"We'll take the points for sure. But we really need to lift our performance and that's what we'll aim for in the next couple of weeks."
Spencer was outstanding for the All Blacks, with league convert Brad Thorn also impressing with some strong bursts in attack.
Canadian skipper Ryan Banks praised his team's courage to hang in in a match some pundits tipped they'd lose by more than 100 points.
"We found the Canadian way again," Banks said.
"We got a little bit tired late, but that happens when you're playing the best side in the world.
"I'm happy we shut them down in defence. We did a lot of good things out there tonight."
The All Blacks didn't cross for their first try until the 18th minute, with a moment of magic from five-eighth Carlos Spencer unlocking some gutsy Canadian defence.
Off balance and on the verge of being bundled into touch, Spencer launched a pinpoint kick which Ralph chased down to give the All Blacks the lead.
Canadian five-eighth Jared Barker kept his side in the game with a penalty goal two minutes later.
But the All Blacks ran in three tries late in the half - So'oialo scoring two and Muliaina one - which Carter converted to put some breathing space between their side and the Canucks.
They then ran in six tries in the second half to take their tally to 21 in their two World Cup matches so far.
New Zealand stays atop Pool D with its victory and picked up a bonus point for scoring more than four tries in the match.
The All Blacks suffered a setback prior to kick-off, with reserve fullback Ben Blair ruled out of the match after injuring a disc in his neck, putting his World Cup campaign in serious doubt.
Blair was replaced on the bench by Greg Somerville for tonight's match.
Plucky Canada were far from disgraced in a match where some thought the All Blacks might go close to their own World Cup record score of 145-17 set against Japan in 1995.
For the All Blacks, it was another big win after their 70-7 success against Italy on Saturday.
Canada, showing 14 changes to the starting side that lost their opening match 41-10 against Wales here Sunday, competed well in the first quarter with their forwards disrupting the All Black lineout to the extent that New Zealand
twice lost the ball on their own throw.
Carter, promoted to first-choice goalkicker ahead of Carlos Spencer missed a third minute 40 metre penalty and the North Americans, largely an amateur side, kept the game scoreless until the 17th minute.
It needed a typical piece of Spencer inventiveness to break the deadlock when, after re-gathering his own chip ahead, the fly-half kicked again and Ralph scored in the right corner.
But Canada scored next Barker landed a 38 metre penalty, reducing the All Blacks lead to 7-3.
However, Canada's backs lacked the creativity to capitalise on their forwards' work.
Then after centre Ma'a Nonu - playing in place of the injured Tana Umaga - burst through, New Zealand full back Leon MacDonald was held up just short of the line. But from a metre out So'oialo just did enough for the try.
MacDonald's chip over the top then created New Zealand's third try, Muliaina gathering as New Zealand's greater class behind the scrum began to tell.
Just before half-time the All Blacks gained a bonus point for scoring four tries when a break-out move initiated by So'oialo deep inside All Black territory ended with him going in under the posts, New Zealand 28-3 up at the interval.
After half-time Muliaina took centre stage as Canada tired after Ralph had been denied a try in the corner by opposing wing Matt King's last-ditch tackle.
Thorn's pass release him for his second try and the Auckland flyer then burnt off the Canadian defence from 30 metres out after Nonu's surge.
Canada reduced the deficit with a Barker penalty to make it 42-6 to New Zealand. But a rolling maul saw New Zealand prop Kees Meeuws driven over before Ralph grabbed his second try.
And a flowing backline move was then finished off in the corner by Muliaina as the rout continued.
The shine was slightly taken off New Zealand's night when lock Chris Jack was harshly yellow-carded in the dying seconds by Spreadbury for a late tackle on wing Sean Fauth.
NEW ZEALAND 68 (Mils Muliaina 4, Rodney So'oialo 2, Caleb Ralph 2, Kees Meeuws, Ma'a Nonu tries; Daniel Carter 9 cons) bt CANADA 6 (Jared Barker 2 pens). Referee: Tony Spreadbury (Eng). Crowd: 38,899 at Telstra Dome, Melbourne.
Here's what my favorite author says about games:
"Despite the amount of suffering, pain, misery, sorrow and travail which can exist in life, the reason for existence is the same reason as one has to play a game—interest, contest, activity and possession. The truth of this assertion is established by an observation of the elements of games and then applying these elements to life itself. When we do this we find nothing left wanting in the panorama of life. ... L. Ron Hubbard"
The rest of the article is here:
The Reason Why ¶ 8:32 PM
Friday, October 10, 2003
Wow!! Did you see the phenomenal build up and the event that kicked off the Rugby World Cup in Sydney !! How incredibly exciting. Oh to have been there.
My husband is going bananas being so far away from the action so I am trying to keep him well updated via the Net.
The Sydney Morning Herald site is giving a good coverage with lots of photos, so that makes it more bearable.
Here is a favorite site of mine, promoting religious tolerance:
Tolerance for All ¶ 7:42 PM
My husband is going bananas being so far away from the action so I am trying to keep him well updated via the Net.
The Sydney Morning Herald site is giving a good coverage with lots of photos, so that makes it more bearable.
Here is a favorite site of mine, promoting religious tolerance:
Tolerance for All ¶ 7:42 PM
