Results for tag: Argentina
Posted by:
WillGreenwood
on Sep 23, 2011 at 12:12:11 PM
[u]New Zealand v France - Saturday 09:30 (ITV1)[/u]
Bettors who believe this is a second string French side are kidding themselves. Marc Lievremont is a coach of firm convictions. He axes those who do not play well and sticks with those who deliver: performance is his only criteria for selection.
Francois Trinh-Duc has been punished for a couple of indifferent displays but if Lievremont was resting key men, he would not have selected Morgan Parra. The fly-half/scrum-half, who will play at ten against New Zealand, is essential to French progress at the World Cup and, on a wet night in Auckland, his kicking could be vital. The battle between Parra and Dan Carter is an intriguing prospect but France have stealth amongst the forwards too. Lionel Nallet, aka "the caveman," is a formidable...
Posted by:
WillGreenwood
on Sep 9, 2011 at 10:02:05 AM
To succeed at the World Cup, England must avoid New Zealand in the quarter-finals. The best way to do that is to win Pool B which makes victory against Argentina essential. The Pool draw has been kind to England, giving them the opportunity to - in theory - stay away from the hosts until the final. They must take it.
Nobody in the England camp is under any illusions about the importance of the opening match. They must not get off to the kind of terrible start they did in 2007. This World Cup will not be as forgiving and there will be little opportunity for redemption if England stumble early on.
A bright beginning is essential in this match too but will England manage it? They come into the game in good form but the first 20 minutes will tell us a lot about how this one will go. Argentina...