Eagle Rugby Blog

Almost a week after the Rugby World Cup final, England fans are still debating the disallowed try by Mark Cueto in the first half. Had the 42nd-minute score been allowed to stand, then England would have narrowed South Africa’s lead to a point.

Video referee Stuart Dickinson has stated publicly that he reviewed the decision frame by frame after the match and is convinced that Cueto’s left foot was in touch before he grounded the ball.

	The try that wasn’t: Mark Cueto goes over the line

“I’m 100 per cent happy with the decision. His foot runs into touch by about 25 to 30 centimetres,” Dickenson said. “Factually it is indisputable. If you know the decision is correct and people are still upset, well there’s nothing you can do about that is there?”

Of course, the Springboks went on to win the final 15-6.

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In a repeat of 2003 World Cup semifinal, England defeated France on Saturday 14-9 in front of a packed house at the Stade de France.

Jonny Wilkinson missed two place kicks and two dropped goals, but drove his penalty from about 30 meters in the 75th minute.

Wilkinson did most of the damage in the 2003 semifinal, landing five penalties and three dropped goals in the 24-7 win over France at Sydney.

“England did exactly what they had to do. We didn’t have the tempo,” said France captain Raphael Ibanez. “We worked really hard after a bad start to the tournament. We believed in ourselves. We thought we could do it, be world champions. In the end, we couldn’t.”

England will meet 1995 champion South Africa on Saturday, Oct. 20. France goes into the third-place match against Argentina.

Video highlights after the jump…

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Video highlights of French lock/number 8/Caveman Sébastien Chabal.  Don’t forget to turn up the volume for the French rap/song awesomeness.

While not playing for France, Chabal plays professional rugby for the Sale Sharks in the English Guiness Premiership.   He is renowned for his hard-hitting and aggressive style of play, but a short temper and lack of fitness has led to disciplinary problems, including a red card for stomping English legend and Wasps player Lawrence Dallaglio in 2006.

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By popular demand from one of our biggest fans, some of the most vicious spear tackles over the last couple of years. Feel free to contact us with any other suggestions.

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(Video updated 10/8/07 at 9:15 a.m. EST)

Video highlights of the France - New Zealand quarterfinal that ended with a historic 20-18 win in Cardiff. France will play England on Oct. 13 at Saint-Denis.

Included in the highlights is the pregame Haka in which the French squad stood up, literally, to the Maori war dance that proceeds every All Black match. Also included is the final try of the match by Yannick Jauzion that put France up for good.

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Here is the video of the spear tackle on Olly Barkley by USA Eagle center Paul Emerick from the Sept. 9 match against England.

The event took place well into injury time and Emerick was handed a five-week ban, effectively ending his World Cup and putting him on the shelf for his Welsh professional side the Newport Gwent Dragons.

USA Rugby appealed to no avail.

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VIDEO UPDATED!

Based on his performance at the Rugby World Cup, USA Rugby winger Takudzwa Ngwenya may be on his way to Europe to play the game professionally.

Ngwenya’s try against South Africa (video above) is being universally praised as the best try of the World Cup. During his run, Ngwenya outclassed and outran South African legend Bryan Habana.

According to the London Times, the Zimbabwe-native has already been contacted by two Guinness Premier League (England) clubs, as well as garnered some interest from French squads.

“Hopefully, we will see how it goes,” said Ngwenya. “That’s a killer question, England or France? It depends which team I’ll be going to. It’s hard to say now because I am not sure. But in England, so far I have got two [offers]. It depends.”

With only two USA Rugby players playing professionally, Eagles’ head coach Peter Thorburn believes more American players are ready to leave amateur rugby for the professional ranks.

“A lot of my players are excellent, they just need good exposure. There are some pretty good players out there. Only two backs play professionally. So it’s a pretty good effort from a bunch of amateurs.”

That doesn’t mean, however, that there aren’t some drawbacks.

“The more players that go away to play, that fact they are in Europe means they are away for ten months of the year. That makes them unavailable for the American-based competitions, like the Churchill Cup.”

Ngwenya, however, isn’t worried about which path he’ll take.

“I just want to play better rugby.”

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USA Rugby vs. Tonga Highlights

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With one day until the Rugby World Cup in France, we felt it was our obligation to point our readers to the various previews from the internet.

The Guardian (UK): USA Rugby Preview

South Wales Evening Post (UK): Who can stop the All Blacks

Independant (Ireland): All Blacks are justifiably World Cup favorites

ESPN: World Cup Preview

And of course, a recap of previous World Cups:

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