Rugby World Cup Finals

[MikeW]

It is England vs South Africa next Saturday in Paris.

In the semi finals England beat France (the host country) and South Africa just finished beating Argentina.
This tournement has had strange and unexpected twists. That New Zealand and Australia (rugby power houses) could have been eliminated so early is unusual, and in the quarter finals for South Africa to have trouble squeaking by Fiji just is not on.

I must phone the South African consulate here in Beverly Hills, and find out if there is an "official pub" to go watch the game and cheer on the Springboks.

England is the defending champion, but last time these two teams met, South Africa wiped the field with them, with an almost embarrasing 36 - 0 victory, so should make a very interesting match.

Go Boks!

Cheers,

Mike

[Jerry]

Nice to see you "Stoked" on Rugby!  Nice sport indeed!

[milliemax]

  My BIL is an international Rugby Ref!
  DH and 2 brothers went to school in Scotland (with Tony Blair), played a bunch of rugby, had a bunch of broken noses!
  2 of my BIL's became coaches on the college level, and 1 became something like in charge of the referees of the Western Region and travels the world reffing!
  I'm one of few US people who kind of understand rugby (note KIND OF) Though it is getting more popular!  Nancy

[MikeW]

Hey Jerry and Nancy -
Rugby is a religion in South Africa. If we lost an international match, we would call out the Air Force.

Today, we are out of the international boycott that apartheid brought down on us, and once again can dominate the world of rugby and cricket - as we can - but will my face be red if England beats us next Saturday.

South Africa of my youth was split between English and Dutch (Afrikaans) speaking. We English dominated the world of international cricket, and the Afrikaaners ruled the rugby world.

Big surprize in the early 90's when the blacks took over the country, and were interested in soccer - and that is not the main reason why we fled to California.

Anyway - will not get into a political dicussion here, but I invite all (who do not currently live in England) to support the South African Springboks next Saturday

Cheers,

Mike

[Mikey]

Next time we get together you are going to have to explain rugby to me.  I've watched that sport on T.V. a few times and I couldn't figure out what was going on or why...

And Cricket.....that's another one I don't understand....