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Both Frank and I predicted four victories of the North against the South.
That was... a bit ethnocentric?

So :
Wales-Argentina :
Wales have climbed a mountain since Warren Gatland came back to coach them again in their darkest hour. They tackled like buggery, and Biggar was the biggest bugger. But Argentina also had some things to prove.

New Zealand - Ireland :
What can I say? Likely the best match I had ever seen. How did the Blacks win? In the final analysis : Ireland was playing its eighth World Cup quarter final, having lost all seven previous games... NZ have won eight out of nine. I'm not saying Ireland choked -- they can beat, and have beaten, any team -- but none of the team have the experience of the very highest level of a World Cup. Well-practised variations are no match for the improvisation and instinct of a match like that at the death.

England - Fiji :
To be honest, I'm on call this weekend, and I was called just before the match started, and missed most of it (the TV was on but I was not able to pay attention to it). Still, there is a parallel with NZ-Ireland : England were beaten, outplayed, put to death... but refused to die. That old bastard Farrel lives to play... one more day.

France - South Africa :
Still hurting, with the whole nation. But still dazzled. It was the best match I've ever seen... eclipsing Saturday's game. I feel love for this South African side. Cheslin Kolbe, hero of the 2019 cup, still the fastest on the field... charged down a conversion in a game won by a single point!

It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II

by eurogreen on Mon Oct 16th, 2023 at 12:30:43 PM EST
Yes to all this.  I didn't see the choke from Ireland I was might happen but instead was something I've seen a lot with rising teams in a lot of sports.  It's the old "No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy/Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" thing.  To make the step to championship level, you have to be able to rise above your game plan and ride the waves of chaos.

And condolences to Frank.

by rifek on Mon Oct 16th, 2023 at 05:55:42 PM EST
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Very perceptive comments. I may borrow if I end up doing a review!

Index of Frank's Diaries
by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Oct 16th, 2023 at 06:39:06 PM EST
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