IRB politics in disarray?

Sep 15, 2007

LAST week I went for what I thought was a safe bet in the world cup opening match between the Pumas and the Les Blues only for the Pumas to prove me wrong.

By Peter Ojong

LAST week I went for what I thought was a safe bet in the world cup opening match between the Pumas and the Les Blues only for the Pumas to prove me wrong.

In hindsight perhaps, it is time the IRB get off their high horse and stop treating Argentina as a lesser nation by including them in the top tier competitions like the Tri nations or Six nations.

Argentina’s win has wrecked havoc in group D and going by their current form they look good for group leaders which spells trouble for hosts France or the highly rated Ireland as one of them will not make the semi-finals something I imagine the Irb had not envisaged.

Fifth seed Ireland’s campaign hangs perilously in balance in light of their laboured victories over second tier Italy before the world cup and third tier Namibia in their opening World cup match.

But it is unlikely despite their slip up that France will exit at the group stage which makes the Ireland versus Argentina clash on my birthday on 30th September a must watch!

My Week’s best 15 at the World Cup


It includes Doug Howlett of New Zealand whose hat-trick of well executed tries against the Italians has brought him one try away from topping the all-time All Black try-scoring lists.

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