World Cup Rugby

[aparasher]

Australia beat South Africa 11-9. I hope Australia can improve performance for semi-finals.

[downtime]

Latest "Joke" doing the rounds in the UK

An Irishman, A Scotsman and an Englishman walk into a pub

"To watch the Welsh play in the World Cup Semi Finals"

[candy]

 

[JAI P.E.A.]

Rugby World Cup 2011: James Hook replaces Rhys Priestland for Wales
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Page last updated at 02:00 GMT, Thursday, 13 October 2011 03:00 UK
E-mail this to a friendPrintable version Rugby World Cup 2011 semi-finals: Wales v FranceVenue: Eden Park, AucklandDate: Saturday, 15 OctoberKick-off: 0900 BST / 2100 NZCoverage: Live text commentary, scores and report on BBC website; updates on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio 5 live; watch live on ITV1, ITV Wales & S4C (Welsh language), live commentary on BBC Radio Cymru (Welsh language) & TalkSport radio
 James Hook's return is the only change to the Wales team that beat Ireland James Hook will start at fly-half for Wales in Saturday's World Cup semi-final against France in Auckland.

Hook, who has played only three minutes at number 10 during the tournament, replaces the injured Rhys Priestland.

With lock Luke Charteris shaking off a shoulder problem, coach Warren Gatland has otherwise named the same starting XV that beat Ireland in the last eight.

The only other change sees record caps holder Stephen Jones taking Hook's place on the bench.

Wales, aiming to reach their first World Cup final, had been hopeful that Priestland's injury was not serious.

But the 24-year-old, who came into the tournament as Wales' third-choice fly-half, has not been able to train in New Zealand all week after taking a knock to his shoulder in the final stages of the win over Ireland.

Wales can make history - WRU's Dennis Gethin
It left Gatland with a straight choice between Hook - who played the first two pool games at full-back - and Jones, whose calf injury a month before the start of the World Cup had opened the door for Priestland.

"Time was against Rhys, but we are happy that we have the talent and ability elsewhere in the squad to cover him," said Gatland.

"Rhys has done everything we have asked of him and more during this World Cup, but, when we have players of the calibre and experience of James Hook and Stephen Jones coming into the squad and starting line-up, there is no sense that Rhys's absence leaves us any weaker."

Hook's last appearance at fly-half came in the final World Cup warm-up in August when Wales beat Argentina 28-13 in Cardiff.

The Perpignan-bound 26-year-old had started at 10 in three of last season's Six Nations matches, including the 28-9 defeat by France in Paris.

He started the World Cup campaign at full-back against South Africa and Samoa, but sat out the wins over Namibia and Fiji with a shoulder injury.

No alcohol ban for Wales players - Warren Gatland
His first taste at fly-half came in the dying stages against Ireland when Priestland was forced off with the injury that has cost him his place.

Charteris, Jamie Roberts, George North and captain Sam Warburton sat out training on Tuesday with minor niggles, but all four have been passed fit to face the French.

Once again, eight of Gatland's match-day squad are aged 23 or under, which confirms the impact the younger generation have made during the tournament.

Wales have lost six of their previous seven meetings against France, who have named the same side that beat England 19-12 in the quarter-finals.

Gatland added: "We know that the people in Wales and the fans that have travelled here are excited about reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup and we are too, but beating France on Saturday must be and will be our sole focus.

"The time to reflect and to celebrate will come if we win our next two matches, until that happens our focus on the task ahead must be absolute."

In the previous 88 matches between both nations, Wales have won 43, France 42 with 3 draws.
If it all ends tomorrow, this Welsh team has already made a lot of people very happy CYMRU AM BYTH !!!
TEAM DETAILS:
 
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); George North (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); James Hook (Perpignan), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons) Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons).

Replacements: Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Paul James (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

[JAI P.E.A.]

October 2011 Last updated at 12:56 GMT

.World Cup fever builds ahead of Wales' France semi
Thousands of rugby fans have queued for free tickets to a screening in Cardiff of Saturday's big game in New Zealand Star's
25,000 secure stadium cup tickets   

Excitement is building across Wales ahead of Wales' Rugby World Cup semi-final against France in New Zealand.

Fans keen to secure tickets to watch the match on big screens in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium queued outside on Wednesday.

Another 20,000 tickets have been made available, after 25,000 were snapped up on the first day.

Swansea will stage its own big screen event, and Welsh MPs have tabled a Commons motion backing the team.

Millennium Stadium organisers said around 40,000 tickets for Saturday's free screening event 'Wake up to Wales' in Cardiff have been taken.

The allocation for etickets has been exhausted but fans can still queue for tickets at Gate 3 at the stadium until 19:00 BST on Wednesday. There is a limit of six per person.

National anthem

The stadium has announced that Only Men Aloud and West End actress Sophie Evans, the runner-up in BBC talent show Over the Rainbow, will sing the national anthem with fans on the day.

Rock band 4th Street Traffic, who performed for the Wales squad before they set off for New Zealand, will play after the final .

The stadium will open at 07:30 BST on Saturday and alcohol will be served from 09:00 BST. 
Fans will be able to use park and ride facilities at County Hall in Cardiff Bay from 07:00 BST and normal match-day road closures will be in place in Westgate Street for the special screening.

'Magnificent'


In Swansea, fans will be able to catch the coverage live on a big screen in Castle Square.

"

'Flying proudly'
 
At Westminster, a group of MPs asked for a message, congratulating the Wales players, to be added to the Parliamentary record.

In it, they noted that the team's success so far was "achieved by its exhilarating, exemplary, professional and disciplined approach led by its outstanding captain Sam Warburton and its coaching staff led by Warren Gatland".

Meanwhile, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan is asking the prime minister to fly the Welsh Dragon over Downing Street on Saturday, following a request from Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan.

No 10 has been known to fly the St George cross for sporting events in the past.

Mrs Gillan said the Welsh flag "would be flying proudly" above Gwydyr House - the Welsh Office headquarters in Whitehall.  CYMRU AM BYTH !!!

[binnsy]

One day a man walked into a pub in Wales and ordered a pint of beer. All the other men in the bar looked at him and the barman asked, "You're not from around here, are you sir?"
"No," replied the man, "I am from London."
"So, boyo," said the barman, "What do you do for a living then?"
"I'm a taxidermist." replied the man.
"A taxidermist?" asked the barman, "What's one of them then?"
"Well," replied the man, "I mount animals."
The barman then turned to all the other welshmen in the bar and said, "It's ok lad's, he's one of us!"

One day a travelling salesman was driving around rural Wales and decided to stay the night in a farmhouse. After enjoying a fine meal with the farmer, the salesman turned to him and said, "What is it like for hiring a companion for the evening?"
"Well," replied the farmer, "I'm afraid there are not many women around these parts. But there's always Arthur........."
"Oh?" said the salesman, intrigued, "How much does he charge then?"
"It will cost you £100." replied the farmer.
The salesman thought for a minute then said, "That's a bit expensive!"
"Well," said the farmer, "the local magistrate takes out £40 because he doesn't approve of those kind of things."
"Oh," answered the man, "so that's £40 for the magistrate and £60 for Arthur."
The farmer shook his head, "No, the local constable also takes £40 because he doesn't approve of those kind of things!"
"Jesus," replied the salesman, "So the magistrate gets £40, the cop gets £40 that only leaves £20 for Arthur! Thats no way to make a living!"
The farmer shook his head again and said, "No - We pay Gareth and Dai £10 each to hold Arthur down, because he doesn't approve of that sort of thing either!"


A man and his wife were driving through Wales on their holidays when they suddenly saw a sign that said "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysili ogogogoch".
The husband attempts to say it, but his wife starts laughing and soon this turns into a argument, so much so that they decide to pull into the nearest motorway restaurant.
Finishing their meal, the wife can't help but question the waitress. "Excuse me miss," asked the wife, "but can you settle an argument between my husband and me? Can you pronounce the name of where we are, but very slowly please."
The cashier looks at the woman funny and says, "Sure, you are in Liiiiittttttllllleeeee Chhhhhheeeeefffff!"



Two Welshmen were rounding up their sheep when one of the ewes suddenly ran into a fence and got it's head stuck. The two men ran over to the fence and one of them said to the other, "Hey, boyo, this is too good an opportunity to pass up!"
The man unzipped his trousers, yanked out his cock and fucked the ewe for ten minutes until he finally came inside it. After he finished he looked at his friend and said, "That was bloody marvellous, mate. D'you fancy a go then?"
"Bloody right I do!" replied the other man, as he unzipped his trousers and stuck his head through the fence.


                 

[downtime]

Lucky France
But Wales had their chances to win the game even with only 14 men.
Three missed kicks (all kickable at this level)
Unfortunately the best team lost but lets move on and look forward to a good game this afternoon.
Come on the Wallabies

[downtime]

So that was it guys

The Final New Zealand v France "The All blacks will walk it!"

At least we have a good game on Friday Australia v Wales