downbythe river, you are so right with what you say, but that has been the very nature of english sport for many decades. They play well in flashes or for a few games, the nation gets behind them and start to belief only for them to fall flat on their faces.
Yes I agree England humiliated the Irish at landsdowne road earlier in the year and put to rest about being chokers. However, once you've choked once you can choke again, just ask ernie ells from the world of golf, or even greg norman. Two great players but also prone to choke.
I am as patriotic as anyone and I believed in this team several years ago and that belief has got stronger. Like you though I know that the final score may flatter either side but to go into someones back yard who are one of the proudest nations when it comes to support and take from them what they won four years ago is going to be the hardest game either side has played in, in many a year. Forget what happen in the spring this year when England won in Oz. Australia had several key players out that day and their present side is a good few points better than then.
On the plus side for England, they have not played up to their past form or potential this tournament, but they get the job done. France could have pushed England closer if the early penalties had gone over, but then I would guess that England would have raised their game. It has come to the stage now that I feel England ask their opponents to "bring their game to the table" and "show us what you've got" only for England to reply with "well we've seen it now, and we've got this which is better".
The term "knockers " has been mentioned in this forum. Well unfortunatly that is our British nature. We want to believe, some do believe but all to often we are knocked back down. I say some because that is what it is. Now I bet out in Australia that the talk and the papers are full of talk about the world cup. They praise up their team and rubbish the opposition and this builds up the Australian hype and their people. I believe it's answering to the bugle call. Rally up your country needs you. The Australians nature is not of arrogance but of self believe and their national emblem epitomizes that belief. Both the Emu and the Kangaroo are depicted on their emblem and both these animals only ever go forward when they attack, they never take a step back. Now that describes most Australian sports teams.
Good luck to those in Australia and good luck to us Brits. Lets hope for a good game and that the red rose and lion comes home with the bacon.
Yes I agree England humiliated the Irish at landsdowne road earlier in the year and put to rest about being chokers. However, once you've choked once you can choke again, just ask ernie ells from the world of golf, or even greg norman. Two great players but also prone to choke.
I am as patriotic as anyone and I believed in this team several years ago and that belief has got stronger. Like you though I know that the final score may flatter either side but to go into someones back yard who are one of the proudest nations when it comes to support and take from them what they won four years ago is going to be the hardest game either side has played in, in many a year. Forget what happen in the spring this year when England won in Oz. Australia had several key players out that day and their present side is a good few points better than then.
On the plus side for England, they have not played up to their past form or potential this tournament, but they get the job done. France could have pushed England closer if the early penalties had gone over, but then I would guess that England would have raised their game. It has come to the stage now that I feel England ask their opponents to "bring their game to the table" and "show us what you've got" only for England to reply with "well we've seen it now, and we've got this which is better".
The term "knockers " has been mentioned in this forum. Well unfortunatly that is our British nature. We want to believe, some do believe but all to often we are knocked back down. I say some because that is what it is. Now I bet out in Australia that the talk and the papers are full of talk about the world cup. They praise up their team and rubbish the opposition and this builds up the Australian hype and their people. I believe it's answering to the bugle call. Rally up your country needs you. The Australians nature is not of arrogance but of self believe and their national emblem epitomizes that belief. Both the Emu and the Kangaroo are depicted on their emblem and both these animals only ever go forward when they attack, they never take a step back. Now that describes most Australian sports teams.
Good luck to those in Australia and good luck to us Brits. Lets hope for a good game and that the red rose and lion comes home with the bacon.
