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Yes Before the game by VU photographer David Betteridge
15 Sep 2007, 14:11 by Mark Regan
Labels: cup, france, regan, rugby, welsh, world, worldcup
It does not need me to say that last night was simply not good enough. We were much more than just a little bit disappointed with the way we played.
There are no excuses.We spoke about how we needed to raise all levels of our game and it did not happen. I have had a lot of texts and a few calls from back home. It is amazing how brave they can be when they are 300 miles away.
South Africa had a fantastic kicking game and that hurt us badly. We did well in the scrum, but were outplayed in a lot of ways. South Africa are a terrific side and now we know we have to raise our game by a lot. We have the potential out here to do that and I believe we all have it in us.
The mood after the game was not good at all, there is no glossing over a record Rugby World Cup defeat. We are going to have a bit of a social tomorrow and start rebuilding. Our true strength will be seen in the way we pick our selves up, and it is up to us experienced (rather than old) heads to lead the way.
I am going to get this posting up quickly because for the next couple of hours I am going to take a keen interest in all things Welsh: sheep, leeks, gays in the village and their rugby team. For once in my life I am going to support the boyos because I fancy playing them in the next round. All games are tough now but I always enjoy a game against the Welsh boys.
Before that of course we have got to beat Samoa. That is what we are looking towards now. Being positive is the key. After last night's result we are now in a knock out tournament. It is a tournament we can still win and we want to do everything we can to cheer up the great support we had in Paris, including Vic and his crowd from VU.
Of course there were injuries last night and there is no doubt we have been unlucky on that. Andy Farrell, Jamie Noon and the brilliant Jason Robinson all joined the list, I think we also have a whole team at home who are off games too. There can't be other nations suffering like that.
The ovation for Jason was so deserved last night. I just hope it was not the last. He really did well for us and we all want him to stay in the World Cup and get his 50 caps. The other bright spot last night was Matt Stevens, it was a pleasure to play alongside him. He was up against his childhood hero Os du Randt and really took the battle to him.
Kick off for my Welsh boys has started so time to come to an end. The wife is here today which has been great but we decided not to set up the military operation to get the kids over too.
We are now up for our must win games. We have got to put the start out of our minds and focus on beating Samoa, something we know we can do.
Dear Mr Regan
Not wishing to waste an opportunity I've been thinking for days of what to write to you. Thanks for reading my previous comment, I really wasn't expecting that.
It's too easy to sit and criticise from the stands, but I figure that you're all professional players and know a bad game when you see one, even from the park. I can't really offer my help either. I'd love to pull on an England shirt and run out in front of 80,000 people but at the age of 30 I think my professional sporting days are getting away from me and the jog to the centre would be enough to do me in (that said, if you do need a back-row forward for 10 minutes you only have to ask, I make good cannon fodder and would be an excellent distraction, probably to both sides).
So what to do about it? Two games 160 minutes of rugby. You've got the scrum and the lineout is improving. Fewer penalties in your our half and to play more like you did in the last 10 minutes against SA would be good.
Last Friday I was in a small hotel surrounded by Springbok supporters. It's a good thing that they are all good natured at heart, but as I was on a flight back to Southampton at 8am so as I could get into work I could have done without the 2am celebrations.
Anyway, it's the overnight ferry from Portsmouth this Thursday night. The girlfriend has bought me sea sickness tablets, those nice motion sickness straps and industrial strength sleeping pills in the hope that I make it out the other side in one piece. We'll be in the top tier of some stand again, and with my sore throat the shouts will be ever more distant, but I'll keep singing and shouting encouragement. Just one request if nothing else works, a push over try from 2 yards would be beautiful.
Phil
Posted by Phil on 18 September 2007 at 15:07:20 « permalink »