AP Touts ‘Enormous Asset’ Mrs. Obama Bringing Women to Tears, Firing Up Feminists
October 1, 2011 No Comment
Nancy Benac of the Associated Press is thoroughly in the tank for Michelle Obama. Her latest article was headlined “First lady a not-so-secret campaign weapon.” She began: “She's mingled barefoot among Aspen's elite, stirred a Vermont utility executive to tears and bucked up disenchanted New Yorkers.” At the same time, the media can tout her for shopping at Target and for mingling with the Aspen elite. Michelle Obama the Target shopper wearing $42,000 diamond bracelets? Benac waited for paragraph 21 to mention that, where that kind of contrary information belongs. Benac picked up the Obama campaign line — she's an “enormous asset” — and ran with it, barely noticing the idea that every re-election campaign counts on the First Lady, and every First Lady is more popular than her husband, and every First Lady can offer a personal portrait to warm people up to her husband's personal side. No, Michlle Obama causes people to tear up, and deeply motivates feminists like Gloria Steinem: Campaign manager Jim Messina says Mrs. Obama is a unique ambassador for her husband because of her front-row seat during his first term and her knowledge of his character. “She was an enormous asset to the president traveling the country in 2008, and we expect that she'll play just as critical a role in 2012,” he said. Mary Powell, a Vermont utility executive, said her 15-year-old daughter used some of the money she inherited after her grandfather's recent death to attend the first lady's luncheon in Burlington last summer, and both mother and daughter came away from the event moved. “I found myself tearing up a couple of times,” Powell said. “She feels like the real deal.” Feminist leader Gloria Steinem, who appeared alongside Mrs. Obama at a New York fundraiser last week, describes the scene there as “a room full of New York women who are activists, who care deeply about the issues, many of whom are feeling that the president could have been stronger as a negotiator, that he's handcuffed by the right wing.” “You can imagine the feeling in a New York room,” Steinem said. “Well, by the end of her speech, people were standing up cheering and ready to go to work. It was a transformation.” Benac reported that since mid-May, Mrs. Obama has headlined more than a dozen fundraisers for the Democratic Party in lots of liberal sites like Berkeley, Aspen, and Burlington, Vermont — AP doesn't call those “liberal” towns. They can be pricey: “On July 26, she hit a $1,000-and-up breakfast in Park City, Utah, and a $1,000-and-up luncheon in Aspen, Colo., where she kicked off her shoes and mingled in a tent on the lawn.” Her name's been on campaign e-mails that “I plan on doing” more than ever before on the campaign trail — but Benac then quickly noted that “She's promised a 'rigorous' schedule — without taking too much time away from the Obamas' 10- and 13-year-old daughters. Inevitably, family obligations mean she's not out there as much as some Democratic partisans would like for one of the party's prime assets .” There are zero critics of the First Lady, and zero critics of President Obama in the AP story. Criticism is just mentioned in a brief burp, and then the tone of praise returns: At the podium the first lady is both poised and cautious. She often speaks from a teleprompter and relies heavily on her stump speech, addressing largely sympathetic audiences at closed fundraisers. “My motto is: Do no harm,” she joked to reporters when asked about her political role. Mrs. Obama surely has not forgotten the flak she caught during the 2008 campaign for her remark that for the first time in her adult life she was proud of the United States. She later issued a clarification saying she had always been proud of her country. Benac assured readers: Mrs. Obama is more at ease as a campaign surrogate now, after years in the spotlight. At the start of each appearance she gives a shout-out to prominent locals, singling out “amazing” politicians and “favorite” people. Trying to humanize her husband, she tells audience after audience about the quiet moments, after their daughters are asleep, when Obama hunches over letters from struggling Americans. “I see the sadness and the worry creasing his face,” she tells her listeners. He's sad and worried — and outside the campaign rhetoric, the economy's still in the dumps. Being sad about it doesn't make you a “prime asset”
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• England 16-12 Scotland • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more England trailed for all bar 12 minutes of a typically tense tussle against the oldest rivals but there was only one point, which lasted little more than a minute, when they were looking at an early return home. A try by Chris Ashton three minutes from the end all but confirmed Scotland’s departure, the first time they have failed to make the World Cup quarter-finals, while England will take on France in Auckland having beaten Les Bleus in three previous knock-out matches. The victory came at a cost for England. Jonny Wilkinson, who had another poor night with the boot, suffered a shoulder injury while Mike Tindall limped off. Scotland, for the third consecutive match, failed to score a try, and they will only make the quarter-finals if Argentina lose to Georgia on Sunday and fail to score four tries or claim a bonus point. England’s policy of containment only changed on 56 minutes when Scotland went 12-3 ahead, enough to take them to the top of the group. Then Wilkinson, who had lacked his customary assurance, made his most telling contribution, nailing a long drop goal with his wrong foot to puncture Scotland at the very moment hope had turned into belief. Wilkinson spent some 45 minute practising his goal-kicking during the warm-up for all the good it did him. He missed three kicks in four minutes at the start of the second quarter after Scotland had taken a 6-0 lead, one to the left, one to the right and the other short. At least the officials did not worry about England switching balls after a try in the opening half. They did not come anywhere near the Scottish line having been on the back foot from the outset. Scotland marauded, quickly recycling possession and changing the direction of attacks. They set a high tempo and England responded by infringing, on the floor and in the set pieces. They conceded five penalties in quick succession, both props blown in the scrum and Dan Cole and Tom Croft caught where they should not be on the floor. England’s only tactic initially seemed to be to launch high kicks through Wilkinson. He had some success and after Scotland had ran back on, the fly-half Ruaridh Jackson tweaked a hamstring and was replaced by Dan Parks. It was Parks’s sort of evening, a blustery wind preceded by drizzly rain. Eden Park resembled Murrayfield in April, even if the England supporters were not outnumbered. Parks had only been on the field for four minutes when he gave Scotland the lead, kicking a penalty after Cole had taken down a scrum. Scotland seemed to enjoy trying to rile Cole. They never missed a chance to pat him on the head after a break in play and give the prop a few words of advice. There was no discernible reaction and in a way it summed up the first 40 minutes: Scotland pumped up and England passive. Scotland ran a couple of penalties, Mike Blair earning their second penalty after Cole infringed again, failing to roll away after a tackle. Parks made it 6-0 after the video referee was asked to rule on whether the ball had gone over the bar with the touch judge Nigel Owens not sure. England’s line-out was little better than their scrum with Steve Thompson twice missing his target but after Scotland forced another turnover, Ross Ford was penalised for holding on and Scotland loosened their grip. Wilkinson missed the resulting 45-metre penalty, was short from halfway when Allan Jacobsen entered a ruck from the side and after England had taken play through a few phases, Manu Tuilagi getting involved for the first time, Richie Vernon flopped off his feet but still Wilkinson could not find his range. He eventually succeeded on 33 minutes after Ford had entered a ruck from the side but Parks, who had earlier seen a drop goal attempt drop just short, ended the half with a successful drop shot to make it 9-3 at the interval, a lead but not big enough to take Scotland into the last eight. England had more purpose after a half-time lecture. Delon Armitage got to within six metres of the Scottish line after being freed by Tuilagi before being halted by Chris Paterson and they enjoyed some midfield thrusts from scrums. They lacked the points from Wilkinson’s boot. He missed a drop goal attempt from virtually in front of the posts after Lewis Moody had stripped the ball from Richie Vernon as the No 8 set off from a scrum in his own 22. If Scotland had set the early pace, England were starting to make their strength tell but a Parks interception relieved pressure and took play 60 metres downfield. England were doing better at the breakdown, arriving quicker, but a quick Scottish attack nearly resulted in a try when Mike Blair just failed to gather his own kick. Moody left the field with a blood injury before a scrum five metres from his line. Euan Murray again forced Stevens to drop the scrum. Parks made it 12-3 and now Scotland had something to defend. A minute later, England were back in safe territory. Wilkinson dropped a right-footed goal from 40 metres, but had a left-footed attempt charged down five minutes later that sparked a frantic Scottish counter, but Chris Ashton – he was playing – hoofed downfield, Tom Palmer pinched the line-out and when Gray flopped off-side, Wilkinson cut the deficit to three points. Parks exposed a gap in England’s defence out wide with a raking diagonal, but it was Gray competing with Croft to be first to the touchdown rather than a three-quarter and England survived. Scotland had now gone nearly four hours in the World Cup without scoring a try. They continued to run from deep but England scrambled well in defence and looked the stronger side going into the final 10 minutes. Wilkinson missed his fourth penalty of the night after Ford had been caught holding on but when Toby Flood came on it was in place of the limping Mike Tindall. When Joe Ansbro got away from Tuilagi down the right, he was tackled into touch by Flood. Wilkinson left the field five minutes from the end with a shoulder injury but England’s resolve had set and after they drove a line-out, they went through the phases before Ashton, who had hardly had a pass all night, was worked into space. Flood converted and England could contemplate flaky France and another riveting Six Nations affair. Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Scotland rugby union team Rugby union Paul Rees guardian.co.uk
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• Email your thoughts to scott.murray@guardian.co.uk • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 65 min: A powerful run from Ansbro down the right. Parks switches play with a kick to the corner down the left. Gray looks for a second like getting to the ball first, but before he can think about banging it down for a try, Croft is over to get in the way. What an intervention! 64 min: England have responded really well after peering over the precipice. A couple of changes for Scotland: Hines and Rennie on, Strokosch and Barclay off. 63 min: PENALTY! England 9-12 Scotland. Wow, this is fast and furious. Wilkinson kicks for goal just in front of the posts, but Parks charges him down. Scotland break upfield, Paterson nearly reaching Danielli’s chip and chase, but Tindall covers well. Ashton kicks back upfield, England being gifted a penalty in the breakdown. And Wilkinson makes no mistake now, kicking a beauty straight between the posts from a tight position on the left. 59 min: A change for England just before that drop goal, by the way, Palmer coming on for Lawes. 57 min: DROP GOAL! England 6-12 Scotland. You can’t keep a good man down! From the restart, England win half-decent field position out on the left, midway in Scottish territory. The ball’s fed back to Wilkinson, who kicks a gorgeous goal between the posts. How can he score that, yet miss his effort earlier? The strange complexities of sport, in a nutshell. 56 min: PENALTY! England 3-12 Scotland. Paterson kicks majestically, the ball staying just on the correct side of the right-hand post. This match really is on now. 55 min: In the English 22, some more faffing around in the scrum. England are eventually penalised for bringing down the scrum yet again. Paterson will kick from out on the left. If this goes over, Scotland will find themselves in pole position for the first time, and England will be in danger of an early exit. 53 min: Was this Scotland’s chance gone? Danielli chips and chases down the left, and so nearly latches onto the ball deep in the corner. He can’t get to it, but de Luca is just behind him. All he has to do is pick the ball up, take two steps, and plonk the ball down for a try, but he lets the ball slip through his hands like a bar of soap, and the chance is gone. Oh my. You can’t be passing up opportunities like that, especially when you play in a team who struggle to score tries. 51 min: This is all England. A penalty from halfway is kicked to the corner. England win their line out, then fling the ball around awhile. They’re looking dangerous – then Parks intercepts a loose pass and breaks upfield! The ball’s fed out to Paterson on the right, who kicks long and finds touch near the England 22, the pressure suddenly off. Very poor stuff from England, who really had the Scots under the cosh for a minute there. “It’s not so much ‘fannying around’ in the scrum as Matt Stevens driving across and Dan Cole slipping his bind,” opinesNath Jones. “Add in Steve Thompson popping up every time the pressure’s on and I’ve no idea how England aren’t being penalised more often.” 49 min: England win more turnover ball, this time in the Scottish 22! They shift it back into the pocket for Wilkinson, who goes for a drop goal right in front of the posts. He surely must add three points, but screws a hopeless effort wide left. That was abysmal . Wilkinson, ever the gent, has the good manners to look extremely embarrassed. 47 min: England steal the ball at a scrum against the head, Tindall taking control of a ricochet. Youngs is so close to breaking free down the right, but ends up knocking the ball on. England are on top here, but Scotland are just about managing to repel them. This is tense stuff, both teams massive sacks of nerves. Aren’t weekends supposed to be relaxing? 46 min: A lot of fannying around by both teams at a scrum. A lot of fannying around. 44 min: Tuilagi is putting himself about, the white shirts of England putting together a few passing phases in the Scottish half. Scotland look shocked by England’s fast start to this period. “Am I the only England fan hoping Scotland sort of do this?” asks Dan Lucas. “It’d be nice to see Andy Robinson get one over on the RFU, it might prompt them to get a real coach in – Johnson is about as open minded as Jeremy Clarkson – and no one likes to see posh people win.” 42 min: Already it looks as though England are more on their game. Tuilagi intercepts a telegraphed pass, and sets Armitage scampering free down the left. He so nearly makes it to the try line, but he’s nudged into touch at the last. Scotland go long at the line out and clear upfield. The danger’s over, at least momentarily, but England already look a different team, and will be energised by that. And we’re off again! An interesting comparison between the two dressing rooms at half time. Martin Johnson had England standing in a circle, no time to rest, his bollocking too severe to enjoy while kicking back and relaxing. Scotland coach Andy Robinson, meanwhile, was standing with one hand in pocket, very much the casual man at C&A, his players sitting on the benches. England certainly need a kick up the hole; another 40 minutes like that and they’ll be on the plane home. So here we go, Scotland kicking off. They’ve made a change: Max Evans off, Nick de Luca on. HALF-TIME ADVERTISEMENT BREAK: Geddon! HALF TIME: England 3-9 Scotland. And that’s that for the half. A very impressive one from Scotland; another like it, and they’ll be staying in New Zealand a wee while longer, while the English go home. But England surely can’t play as badly as that again in the second half. Surely Jonny Wilkinson can’t kick as badly as that again. And it’s worth remembering – though how could you forget – that England remain in the box seat for qualification. 40 min: DROP GOAL! England 3-9 Scotland. Yes he can! Good foraging by the Scottish pack, and the ball’s snapped back to Parks, who threads the ball through the target from short range. 39 min: Scotland are competing very well in the scrum. They win the ball against the head for the fourth time in the match. Then England are penalised for dragging the whole kit and caboodle down yet again. It allows Scotland to kick for good field position at the end of the half. Can they set Parks up for another drop goal effort? 36 min: A good response from Scotland, who set themselves up in the England 22 and throw it hither and yon. Parks shuttles the ball out right to Ansbro on the wing, but the Scot is dumped into touch by Armitage. Just for a second, it looked like Scotland were going to score a rare tournament try. But no. 34 min: PENALTY! England 3-6 Scotland. Nope, Wilkinson’s not going to miss four in a row. He makes no mistake, slotting the ball between the posts and bothering the scoreboard for the first time. 31 min: Scotland, who aren’t exactly the most expansive outfit at this World Cup, are to their credit trying their best to put together a few passing phases. Nothing’s quite coming off for them, though; they don’t exactly look like threatening a try. By way of comparison, England have been pretty stodgy, yet when they get the ball out left to Armitage, there’s an electricity in the air. Armitage goes nowhere, but his mere presence causes panic in the Scotland ranks, and when he’s tackled, Ross Ford comes hoving into the resulting melee at a preposterous angle, gifting England the penalty, 20-odd yards out. Wilkinson won’t miss four in a row, surely? 28 min: The ball’s been kicked this way and that. A couple of very decent kicks into the England 22 by Dan Parks, who isn’t always the most reliable. Scotland win some good field position, and feed Parks in the pocket for the drop goal attempt, but like last Sunday against Argentina, he’s not been given much time or space to work with, and although he gets his effort on target, this time his kick falls short. 25 min: England have the momentum now. Scotland are penalised for hitting a man in mid air. England have a penalty in the middle of the park, just to the left of the sticks. He really should put three points on the board for England, but he misses this one as well! The ball curls off to the right. That is unspeakably poor. A real let-off for Scotland, who have been under the cosh since going 6-0 up. 22 min: Scotland launch a garryowen, which they reclaim, but the forwards have been sauntering back like men popping down to the shops for the paper, a pint of milk and a packet of fags, and it’s offside. Wilkinson opts to kick for goal from the halfway line, but while his kick is on target, it’s short. 21 min: England look a wee bit flustered in the face of this decent Scottish start. Youngs needlessly steps into touch when looking to set England off from the halfway line, and the ball’s gifted back to the Scots. 19 min: Scotland are first to everything at the minute. Youngs fannies around at the breakdown, allowing Ford to steal it away, but then Scotland can’t recycle, holding onto the ball on the ground. An England penalty from out left, near the halfway line, in a strong wind. Wilkinson steps up and goes through the usual routine, but he can’t stroke the ball over, his kick sailing to the left of the posts. 16 min: PENALTY! England 0-6 Scotland. Mike Blair takes a quick tap penalty and runs up the right flank to the English ten-metre line. Dan Cole fails to roll away after tackling, and it’s a penalty to Scotland, out on the right. Parks hits a long, flat kick in between the posts – but did it go over the bar? The referee goes to the video booth – the guys hanging around with the flags aren’t sure – and turns out the ball just tipples over the bar. What a surreal series of events. Parks has the decency to look highly amused by the incident. 14 min: A lot of faffing around at a scrum. Scotland are penalised for turning the scrum. There are already signs that the English pack are bossing it in terms of strength, but again there’s a niggly error by England in the engagement, and the pressure’s off the Scots. 12 min: Scotland with the ball in their own 22. England are offside at the breakdown. There’s some backchat, too, and a 10-metre penalty. Scotland tear off into English territory. They’re flinging the passes around quite nicely here, having come out strongly. Scotland have clearly decided to go for it, a no-brainer, really, as it’s do or die for them. England have already made quite a few infringements; it’s been a problem all World Cup, and it’s something they can’t afford here. 9 min: PENALTY! England 0-3 Scotland. That’s a great kick by Paterson, who arrows a very tricky penalty through the posts. 8 min: The English front row collapses at the scrum, Dan Cole the man dragging it all down. Penalty for Scotland. Will the usually dead-eyed Chris Paterson be able to convert it, from near the left touchline? 6 min: A chip through down the right, Evans chasing after it and getting to the ball ahead of a very sleepy Foden. It gives Scotland good field position, but instead of continuing to run the ball, they opt for a cross kick towards Lamont. Poor decision, as Lamont can’t gather the ball and England will have the scrum. But this is a strong start from the Scots. 5 min: An early blow for Scotland: Ruaridh Jackson is injured and can’t continue. He’s replaced by Dan Parks, and goes off in tears. Ee, he’s a poor lad. Wrong code, sorry. 2 min: A determined start from Scotland, the captain Kellock winning an English put-in at the line-out. They look to break up the right flank, but flinging the ball around isn’t a Scottish strong point, and there’s a knock on. A breathless start. “Poor showing from the Scots at the anthems,” opines Gary Naylor. “No tears, only one caveman and two blokes who look fifty years old.” I miss amateur rugby, when it looked as though everyone had just bundled out of the nearest pub, gaddered on whisky or real ale. Scotland still often play it, of course, but not in that sense. And we’re off! The crowd count down to the start – “FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!” – and England get proceedings under way. What at atmosphere. A line out at the Scottish 22, Scotland putting in, at which England transgress. Scotland can clear their lines. The teams take the pitch, and there’s quite an atmosphere. The guy with the wooden bassoon gives it a bit of Mulligan and O’Hare. Lewis Moody and England jog out; Alastair Kellock and his men give it a bit of ersatz David Sole, and walk out if not slowly, then at least at medium pace. It’s all to the accompaniment of dreadful portentous music. Speaking of which, it’s time for a blast of God Save The Queen. Then a tootle of Flower of Scotland, played with neither bag nor pipe. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Scotland: Paterson, Evans, Ansbro, S. Lamont, Danielli, Jackson, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Gray, Kellock, Strokosch, Barclay, Vernon. Replacements: S. Lawson, Dickinson, Hines, Rennie, Cusiter, Parks, De Luca. England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Armitage, Wilkinson, Youngs, Stevens, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Lawes, Croft, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Hartley, Corbisiero, Palmer, Easter, Wigglesworth, Flood, Banahan. Venue: Eden Park, Auckland. Kick off: 8.30am BST. We’re in uncharted waters, though, England and Scotland having never faced each other on neutral turf. The 1991 World Cup semi, of course, being held in Scotland, which for tournament purposes that year was technically part of England. So all we have to go on is recent form, which should be enough for England. They’re Six Nations champions; have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, losing only once, in 2009 at Murrayfield; and have at least scored a few tries at this World Cup, where Scotland have been pretty turgid on the whole. Still, the Scots also have a habit of seriously upsetting England every now and then – for every 1991 World Cup there’s a 1990 Grand Slam decider or a 1999 Five Nations smash ‘n’ grab – so both camps have cause for hope. Got that? Me neither. Let’s muddle through. Scotland will avoid the plane, goin’ hame, hiding in the lavvy when the ticket man came , only if they beat England. And then they need more points than Argentina get from their result against Georgia; or to beat England by more than seven points with England failing to score four or more tries; or to beat England by scoring four or more tries with England failing to pick up any bonus points. England will be sent homeward tae think again if Scotland win by eight points or more and England fail to score at least four tries, and Argentina pick up a bonus point when beating Georgia. Or if both Scotland and Argentina win with bonus points for scoring four or more tries, and England fail to pick up any bonus points. England will finish top of Pool B if they avoid defeat in this match at Eden Park. They can still top the group if they lose by fewer than eight points or score four or more tries, as well as stopping Scotland scoring four or more tries. England against Scotland, Scotland against England, in the World Cup, the losers quite likely sent homeward tae think again. It’s a game that requires no introduction, so I won’t jabber needlessly in your ear so early in the morning. You’ll be needing the permutations, though, no? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Scotland rugby union team Rugby union Scott Murray guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …• Email your thoughts to scott.murray@guardian.co.uk • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 65 min: A powerful run from Ansbro down the right. Parks switches play with a kick to the corner down the left. Gray looks for a second like getting to the ball first, but before he can think about banging it down for a try, Croft is over to get in the way. What an intervention! 64 min: England have responded really well after peering over the precipice. A couple of changes for Scotland: Hines and Rennie on, Strokosch and Barclay off. 63 min: PENALTY! England 9-12 Scotland. Wow, this is fast and furious. Wilkinson kicks for goal just in front of the posts, but Parks charges him down. Scotland break upfield, Paterson nearly reaching Danielli’s chip and chase, but Tindall covers well. Ashton kicks back upfield, England being gifted a penalty in the breakdown. And Wilkinson makes no mistake now, kicking a beauty straight between the posts from a tight position on the left. 59 min: A change for England just before that drop goal, by the way, Palmer coming on for Lawes. 57 min: DROP GOAL! England 6-12 Scotland. You can’t keep a good man down! From the restart, England win half-decent field position out on the left, midway in Scottish territory. The ball’s fed back to Wilkinson, who kicks a gorgeous goal between the posts. How can he score that, yet miss his effort earlier? The strange complexities of sport, in a nutshell. 56 min: PENALTY! England 3-12 Scotland. Paterson kicks majestically, the ball staying just on the correct side of the right-hand post. This match really is on now. 55 min: In the English 22, some more faffing around in the scrum. England are eventually penalised for bringing down the scrum yet again. Paterson will kick from out on the left. If this goes over, Scotland will find themselves in pole position for the first time, and England will be in danger of an early exit. 53 min: Was this Scotland’s chance gone? Danielli chips and chases down the left, and so nearly latches onto the ball deep in the corner. He can’t get to it, but de Luca is just behind him. All he has to do is pick the ball up, take two steps, and plonk the ball down for a try, but he lets the ball slip through his hands like a bar of soap, and the chance is gone. Oh my. You can’t be passing up opportunities like that, especially when you play in a team who struggle to score tries. 51 min: This is all England. A penalty from halfway is kicked to the corner. England win their line out, then fling the ball around awhile. They’re looking dangerous – then Parks intercepts a loose pass and breaks upfield! The ball’s fed out to Paterson on the right, who kicks long and finds touch near the England 22, the pressure suddenly off. Very poor stuff from England, who really had the Scots under the cosh for a minute there. “It’s not so much ‘fannying around’ in the scrum as Matt Stevens driving across and Dan Cole slipping his bind,” opinesNath Jones. “Add in Steve Thompson popping up every time the pressure’s on and I’ve no idea how England aren’t being penalised more often.” 49 min: England win more turnover ball, this time in the Scottish 22! They shift it back into the pocket for Wilkinson, who goes for a drop goal right in front of the posts. He surely must add three points, but screws a hopeless effort wide left. That was abysmal . Wilkinson, ever the gent, has the good manners to look extremely embarrassed. 47 min: England steal the ball at a scrum against the head, Tindall taking control of a ricochet. Youngs is so close to breaking free down the right, but ends up knocking the ball on. England are on top here, but Scotland are just about managing to repel them. This is tense stuff, both teams massive sacks of nerves. Aren’t weekends supposed to be relaxing? 46 min: A lot of fannying around by both teams at a scrum. A lot of fannying around. 44 min: Tuilagi is putting himself about, the white shirts of England putting together a few passing phases in the Scottish half. Scotland look shocked by England’s fast start to this period. “Am I the only England fan hoping Scotland sort of do this?” asks Dan Lucas. “It’d be nice to see Andy Robinson get one over on the RFU, it might prompt them to get a real coach in – Johnson is about as open minded as Jeremy Clarkson – and no one likes to see posh people win.” 42 min: Already it looks as though England are more on their game. Tuilagi intercepts a telegraphed pass, and sets Armitage scampering free down the left. He so nearly makes it to the try line, but he’s nudged into touch at the last. Scotland go long at the line out and clear upfield. The danger’s over, at least momentarily, but England already look a different team, and will be energised by that. And we’re off again! An interesting comparison between the two dressing rooms at half time. Martin Johnson had England standing in a circle, no time to rest, his bollocking too severe to enjoy while kicking back and relaxing. Scotland coach Andy Robinson, meanwhile, was standing with one hand in pocket, very much the casual man at C&A, his players sitting on the benches. England certainly need a kick up the hole; another 40 minutes like that and they’ll be on the plane home. So here we go, Scotland kicking off. They’ve made a change: Max Evans off, Nick de Luca on. HALF-TIME ADVERTISEMENT BREAK: Geddon! HALF TIME: England 3-9 Scotland. And that’s that for the half. A very impressive one from Scotland; another like it, and they’ll be staying in New Zealand a wee while longer, while the English go home. But England surely can’t play as badly as that again in the second half. Surely Jonny Wilkinson can’t kick as badly as that again. And it’s worth remembering – though how could you forget – that England remain in the box seat for qualification. 40 min: DROP GOAL! England 3-9 Scotland. Yes he can! Good foraging by the Scottish pack, and the ball’s snapped back to Parks, who threads the ball through the target from short range. 39 min: Scotland are competing very well in the scrum. They win the ball against the head for the fourth time in the match. Then England are penalised for dragging the whole kit and caboodle down yet again. It allows Scotland to kick for good field position at the end of the half. Can they set Parks up for another drop goal effort? 36 min: A good response from Scotland, who set themselves up in the England 22 and throw it hither and yon. Parks shuttles the ball out right to Ansbro on the wing, but the Scot is dumped into touch by Armitage. Just for a second, it looked like Scotland were going to score a rare tournament try. But no. 34 min: PENALTY! England 3-6 Scotland. Nope, Wilkinson’s not going to miss four in a row. He makes no mistake, slotting the ball between the posts and bothering the scoreboard for the first time. 31 min: Scotland, who aren’t exactly the most expansive outfit at this World Cup, are to their credit trying their best to put together a few passing phases. Nothing’s quite coming off for them, though; they don’t exactly look like threatening a try. By way of comparison, England have been pretty stodgy, yet when they get the ball out left to Armitage, there’s an electricity in the air. Armitage goes nowhere, but his mere presence causes panic in the Scotland ranks, and when he’s tackled, Ross Ford comes hoving into the resulting melee at a preposterous angle, gifting England the penalty, 20-odd yards out. Wilkinson won’t miss four in a row, surely? 28 min: The ball’s been kicked this way and that. A couple of very decent kicks into the England 22 by Dan Parks, who isn’t always the most reliable. Scotland win some good field position, and feed Parks in the pocket for the drop goal attempt, but like last Sunday against Argentina, he’s not been given much time or space to work with, and although he gets his effort on target, this time his kick falls short. 25 min: England have the momentum now. Scotland are penalised for hitting a man in mid air. England have a penalty in the middle of the park, just to the left of the sticks. He really should put three points on the board for England, but he misses this one as well! The ball curls off to the right. That is unspeakably poor. A real let-off for Scotland, who have been under the cosh since going 6-0 up. 22 min: Scotland launch a garryowen, which they reclaim, but the forwards have been sauntering back like men popping down to the shops for the paper, a pint of milk and a packet of fags, and it’s offside. Wilkinson opts to kick for goal from the halfway line, but while his kick is on target, it’s short. 21 min: England look a wee bit flustered in the face of this decent Scottish start. Youngs needlessly steps into touch when looking to set England off from the halfway line, and the ball’s gifted back to the Scots. 19 min: Scotland are first to everything at the minute. Youngs fannies around at the breakdown, allowing Ford to steal it away, but then Scotland can’t recycle, holding onto the ball on the ground. An England penalty from out left, near the halfway line, in a strong wind. Wilkinson steps up and goes through the usual routine, but he can’t stroke the ball over, his kick sailing to the left of the posts. 16 min: PENALTY! England 0-6 Scotland. Mike Blair takes a quick tap penalty and runs up the right flank to the English ten-metre line. Dan Cole fails to roll away after tackling, and it’s a penalty to Scotland, out on the right. Parks hits a long, flat kick in between the posts – but did it go over the bar? The referee goes to the video booth – the guys hanging around with the flags aren’t sure – and turns out the ball just tipples over the bar. What a surreal series of events. Parks has the decency to look highly amused by the incident. 14 min: A lot of faffing around at a scrum. Scotland are penalised for turning the scrum. There are already signs that the English pack are bossing it in terms of strength, but again there’s a niggly error by England in the engagement, and the pressure’s off the Scots. 12 min: Scotland with the ball in their own 22. England are offside at the breakdown. There’s some backchat, too, and a 10-metre penalty. Scotland tear off into English territory. They’re flinging the passes around quite nicely here, having come out strongly. Scotland have clearly decided to go for it, a no-brainer, really, as it’s do or die for them. England have already made quite a few infringements; it’s been a problem all World Cup, and it’s something they can’t afford here. 9 min: PENALTY! England 0-3 Scotland. That’s a great kick by Paterson, who arrows a very tricky penalty through the posts. 8 min: The English front row collapses at the scrum, Dan Cole the man dragging it all down. Penalty for Scotland. Will the usually dead-eyed Chris Paterson be able to convert it, from near the left touchline? 6 min: A chip through down the right, Evans chasing after it and getting to the ball ahead of a very sleepy Foden. It gives Scotland good field position, but instead of continuing to run the ball, they opt for a cross kick towards Lamont. Poor decision, as Lamont can’t gather the ball and England will have the scrum. But this is a strong start from the Scots. 5 min: An early blow for Scotland: Ruaridh Jackson is injured and can’t continue. He’s replaced by Dan Parks, and goes off in tears. Ee, he’s a poor lad. Wrong code, sorry. 2 min: A determined start from Scotland, the captain Kellock winning an English put-in at the line-out. They look to break up the right flank, but flinging the ball around isn’t a Scottish strong point, and there’s a knock on. A breathless start. “Poor showing from the Scots at the anthems,” opines Gary Naylor. “No tears, only one caveman and two blokes who look fifty years old.” I miss amateur rugby, when it looked as though everyone had just bundled out of the nearest pub, gaddered on whisky or real ale. Scotland still often play it, of course, but not in that sense. And we’re off! The crowd count down to the start – “FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!” – and England get proceedings under way. What at atmosphere. A line out at the Scottish 22, Scotland putting in, at which England transgress. Scotland can clear their lines. The teams take the pitch, and there’s quite an atmosphere. The guy with the wooden bassoon gives it a bit of Mulligan and O’Hare. Lewis Moody and England jog out; Alastair Kellock and his men give it a bit of ersatz David Sole, and walk out if not slowly, then at least at medium pace. It’s all to the accompaniment of dreadful portentous music. Speaking of which, it’s time for a blast of God Save The Queen. Then a tootle of Flower of Scotland, played with neither bag nor pipe. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Scotland: Paterson, Evans, Ansbro, S. Lamont, Danielli, Jackson, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Gray, Kellock, Strokosch, Barclay, Vernon. Replacements: S. Lawson, Dickinson, Hines, Rennie, Cusiter, Parks, De Luca. England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Armitage, Wilkinson, Youngs, Stevens, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Lawes, Croft, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Hartley, Corbisiero, Palmer, Easter, Wigglesworth, Flood, Banahan. Venue: Eden Park, Auckland. Kick off: 8.30am BST. We’re in uncharted waters, though, England and Scotland having never faced each other on neutral turf. The 1991 World Cup semi, of course, being held in Scotland, which for tournament purposes that year was technically part of England. So all we have to go on is recent form, which should be enough for England. They’re Six Nations champions; have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, losing only once, in 2009 at Murrayfield; and have at least scored a few tries at this World Cup, where Scotland have been pretty turgid on the whole. Still, the Scots also have a habit of seriously upsetting England every now and then – for every 1991 World Cup there’s a 1990 Grand Slam decider or a 1999 Five Nations smash ‘n’ grab – so both camps have cause for hope. Got that? Me neither. Let’s muddle through. Scotland will avoid the plane, goin’ hame, hiding in the lavvy when the ticket man came , only if they beat England. And then they need more points than Argentina get from their result against Georgia; or to beat England by more than seven points with England failing to score four or more tries; or to beat England by scoring four or more tries with England failing to pick up any bonus points. England will be sent homeward tae think again if Scotland win by eight points or more and England fail to score at least four tries, and Argentina pick up a bonus point when beating Georgia. Or if both Scotland and Argentina win with bonus points for scoring four or more tries, and England fail to pick up any bonus points. England will finish top of Pool B if they avoid defeat in this match at Eden Park. They can still top the group if they lose by fewer than eight points or score four or more tries, as well as stopping Scotland scoring four or more tries. England against Scotland, Scotland against England, in the World Cup, the losers quite likely sent homeward tae think again. It’s a game that requires no introduction, so I won’t jabber needlessly in your ear so early in the morning. You’ll be needing the permutations, though, no? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Scotland rugby union team Rugby union Scott Murray guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …• Email your thoughts to scott.murray@guardian.co.uk • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 65 min: A powerful run from Ansbro down the right. Parks switches play with a kick to the corner down the left. Gray looks for a second like getting to the ball first, but before he can think about banging it down for a try, Croft is over to get in the way. What an intervention! 64 min: England have responded really well after peering over the precipice. A couple of changes for Scotland: Hines and Rennie on, Strokosch and Barclay off. 63 min: PENALTY! England 9-12 Scotland. Wow, this is fast and furious. Wilkinson kicks for goal just in front of the posts, but Parks charges him down. Scotland break upfield, Paterson nearly reaching Danielli’s chip and chase, but Tindall covers well. Ashton kicks back upfield, England being gifted a penalty in the breakdown. And Wilkinson makes no mistake now, kicking a beauty straight between the posts from a tight position on the left. 59 min: A change for England just before that drop goal, by the way, Palmer coming on for Lawes. 57 min: DROP GOAL! England 6-12 Scotland. You can’t keep a good man down! From the restart, England win half-decent field position out on the left, midway in Scottish territory. The ball’s fed back to Wilkinson, who kicks a gorgeous goal between the posts. How can he score that, yet miss his effort earlier? The strange complexities of sport, in a nutshell. 56 min: PENALTY! England 3-12 Scotland. Paterson kicks majestically, the ball staying just on the correct side of the right-hand post. This match really is on now. 55 min: In the English 22, some more faffing around in the scrum. England are eventually penalised for bringing down the scrum yet again. Paterson will kick from out on the left. If this goes over, Scotland will find themselves in pole position for the first time, and England will be in danger of an early exit. 53 min: Was this Scotland’s chance gone? Danielli chips and chases down the left, and so nearly latches onto the ball deep in the corner. He can’t get to it, but de Luca is just behind him. All he has to do is pick the ball up, take two steps, and plonk the ball down for a try, but he lets the ball slip through his hands like a bar of soap, and the chance is gone. Oh my. You can’t be passing up opportunities like that, especially when you play in a team who struggle to score tries. 51 min: This is all England. A penalty from halfway is kicked to the corner. England win their line out, then fling the ball around awhile. They’re looking dangerous – then Parks intercepts a loose pass and breaks upfield! The ball’s fed out to Paterson on the right, who kicks long and finds touch near the England 22, the pressure suddenly off. Very poor stuff from England, who really had the Scots under the cosh for a minute there. “It’s not so much ‘fannying around’ in the scrum as Matt Stevens driving across and Dan Cole slipping his bind,” opinesNath Jones. “Add in Steve Thompson popping up every time the pressure’s on and I’ve no idea how England aren’t being penalised more often.” 49 min: England win more turnover ball, this time in the Scottish 22! They shift it back into the pocket for Wilkinson, who goes for a drop goal right in front of the posts. He surely must add three points, but screws a hopeless effort wide left. That was abysmal . Wilkinson, ever the gent, has the good manners to look extremely embarrassed. 47 min: England steal the ball at a scrum against the head, Tindall taking control of a ricochet. Youngs is so close to breaking free down the right, but ends up knocking the ball on. England are on top here, but Scotland are just about managing to repel them. This is tense stuff, both teams massive sacks of nerves. Aren’t weekends supposed to be relaxing? 46 min: A lot of fannying around by both teams at a scrum. A lot of fannying around. 44 min: Tuilagi is putting himself about, the white shirts of England putting together a few passing phases in the Scottish half. Scotland look shocked by England’s fast start to this period. “Am I the only England fan hoping Scotland sort of do this?” asks Dan Lucas. “It’d be nice to see Andy Robinson get one over on the RFU, it might prompt them to get a real coach in – Johnson is about as open minded as Jeremy Clarkson – and no one likes to see posh people win.” 42 min: Already it looks as though England are more on their game. Tuilagi intercepts a telegraphed pass, and sets Armitage scampering free down the left. He so nearly makes it to the try line, but he’s nudged into touch at the last. Scotland go long at the line out and clear upfield. The danger’s over, at least momentarily, but England already look a different team, and will be energised by that. And we’re off again! An interesting comparison between the two dressing rooms at half time. Martin Johnson had England standing in a circle, no time to rest, his bollocking too severe to enjoy while kicking back and relaxing. Scotland coach Andy Robinson, meanwhile, was standing with one hand in pocket, very much the casual man at C&A, his players sitting on the benches. England certainly need a kick up the hole; another 40 minutes like that and they’ll be on the plane home. So here we go, Scotland kicking off. They’ve made a change: Max Evans off, Nick de Luca on. HALF-TIME ADVERTISEMENT BREAK: Geddon! HALF TIME: England 3-9 Scotland. And that’s that for the half. A very impressive one from Scotland; another like it, and they’ll be staying in New Zealand a wee while longer, while the English go home. But England surely can’t play as badly as that again in the second half. Surely Jonny Wilkinson can’t kick as badly as that again. And it’s worth remembering – though how could you forget – that England remain in the box seat for qualification. 40 min: DROP GOAL! England 3-9 Scotland. Yes he can! Good foraging by the Scottish pack, and the ball’s snapped back to Parks, who threads the ball through the target from short range. 39 min: Scotland are competing very well in the scrum. They win the ball against the head for the fourth time in the match. Then England are penalised for dragging the whole kit and caboodle down yet again. It allows Scotland to kick for good field position at the end of the half. Can they set Parks up for another drop goal effort? 36 min: A good response from Scotland, who set themselves up in the England 22 and throw it hither and yon. Parks shuttles the ball out right to Ansbro on the wing, but the Scot is dumped into touch by Armitage. Just for a second, it looked like Scotland were going to score a rare tournament try. But no. 34 min: PENALTY! England 3-6 Scotland. Nope, Wilkinson’s not going to miss four in a row. He makes no mistake, slotting the ball between the posts and bothering the scoreboard for the first time. 31 min: Scotland, who aren’t exactly the most expansive outfit at this World Cup, are to their credit trying their best to put together a few passing phases. Nothing’s quite coming off for them, though; they don’t exactly look like threatening a try. By way of comparison, England have been pretty stodgy, yet when they get the ball out left to Armitage, there’s an electricity in the air. Armitage goes nowhere, but his mere presence causes panic in the Scotland ranks, and when he’s tackled, Ross Ford comes hoving into the resulting melee at a preposterous angle, gifting England the penalty, 20-odd yards out. Wilkinson won’t miss four in a row, surely? 28 min: The ball’s been kicked this way and that. A couple of very decent kicks into the England 22 by Dan Parks, who isn’t always the most reliable. Scotland win some good field position, and feed Parks in the pocket for the drop goal attempt, but like last Sunday against Argentina, he’s not been given much time or space to work with, and although he gets his effort on target, this time his kick falls short. 25 min: England have the momentum now. Scotland are penalised for hitting a man in mid air. England have a penalty in the middle of the park, just to the left of the sticks. He really should put three points on the board for England, but he misses this one as well! The ball curls off to the right. That is unspeakably poor. A real let-off for Scotland, who have been under the cosh since going 6-0 up. 22 min: Scotland launch a garryowen, which they reclaim, but the forwards have been sauntering back like men popping down to the shops for the paper, a pint of milk and a packet of fags, and it’s offside. Wilkinson opts to kick for goal from the halfway line, but while his kick is on target, it’s short. 21 min: England look a wee bit flustered in the face of this decent Scottish start. Youngs needlessly steps into touch when looking to set England off from the halfway line, and the ball’s gifted back to the Scots. 19 min: Scotland are first to everything at the minute. Youngs fannies around at the breakdown, allowing Ford to steal it away, but then Scotland can’t recycle, holding onto the ball on the ground. An England penalty from out left, near the halfway line, in a strong wind. Wilkinson steps up and goes through the usual routine, but he can’t stroke the ball over, his kick sailing to the left of the posts. 16 min: PENALTY! England 0-6 Scotland. Mike Blair takes a quick tap penalty and runs up the right flank to the English ten-metre line. Dan Cole fails to roll away after tackling, and it’s a penalty to Scotland, out on the right. Parks hits a long, flat kick in between the posts – but did it go over the bar? The referee goes to the video booth – the guys hanging around with the flags aren’t sure – and turns out the ball just tipples over the bar. What a surreal series of events. Parks has the decency to look highly amused by the incident. 14 min: A lot of faffing around at a scrum. Scotland are penalised for turning the scrum. There are already signs that the English pack are bossing it in terms of strength, but again there’s a niggly error by England in the engagement, and the pressure’s off the Scots. 12 min: Scotland with the ball in their own 22. England are offside at the breakdown. There’s some backchat, too, and a 10-metre penalty. Scotland tear off into English territory. They’re flinging the passes around quite nicely here, having come out strongly. Scotland have clearly decided to go for it, a no-brainer, really, as it’s do or die for them. England have already made quite a few infringements; it’s been a problem all World Cup, and it’s something they can’t afford here. 9 min: PENALTY! England 0-3 Scotland. That’s a great kick by Paterson, who arrows a very tricky penalty through the posts. 8 min: The English front row collapses at the scrum, Dan Cole the man dragging it all down. Penalty for Scotland. Will the usually dead-eyed Chris Paterson be able to convert it, from near the left touchline? 6 min: A chip through down the right, Evans chasing after it and getting to the ball ahead of a very sleepy Foden. It gives Scotland good field position, but instead of continuing to run the ball, they opt for a cross kick towards Lamont. Poor decision, as Lamont can’t gather the ball and England will have the scrum. But this is a strong start from the Scots. 5 min: An early blow for Scotland: Ruaridh Jackson is injured and can’t continue. He’s replaced by Dan Parks, and goes off in tears. Ee, he’s a poor lad. Wrong code, sorry. 2 min: A determined start from Scotland, the captain Kellock winning an English put-in at the line-out. They look to break up the right flank, but flinging the ball around isn’t a Scottish strong point, and there’s a knock on. A breathless start. “Poor showing from the Scots at the anthems,” opines Gary Naylor. “No tears, only one caveman and two blokes who look fifty years old.” I miss amateur rugby, when it looked as though everyone had just bundled out of the nearest pub, gaddered on whisky or real ale. Scotland still often play it, of course, but not in that sense. And we’re off! The crowd count down to the start – “FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!” – and England get proceedings under way. What at atmosphere. A line out at the Scottish 22, Scotland putting in, at which England transgress. Scotland can clear their lines. The teams take the pitch, and there’s quite an atmosphere. The guy with the wooden bassoon gives it a bit of Mulligan and O’Hare. Lewis Moody and England jog out; Alastair Kellock and his men give it a bit of ersatz David Sole, and walk out if not slowly, then at least at medium pace. It’s all to the accompaniment of dreadful portentous music. Speaking of which, it’s time for a blast of God Save The Queen. Then a tootle of Flower of Scotland, played with neither bag nor pipe. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Scotland: Paterson, Evans, Ansbro, S. Lamont, Danielli, Jackson, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Gray, Kellock, Strokosch, Barclay, Vernon. Replacements: S. Lawson, Dickinson, Hines, Rennie, Cusiter, Parks, De Luca. England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Armitage, Wilkinson, Youngs, Stevens, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Lawes, Croft, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Hartley, Corbisiero, Palmer, Easter, Wigglesworth, Flood, Banahan. Venue: Eden Park, Auckland. Kick off: 8.30am BST. We’re in uncharted waters, though, England and Scotland having never faced each other on neutral turf. The 1991 World Cup semi, of course, being held in Scotland, which for tournament purposes that year was technically part of England. So all we have to go on is recent form, which should be enough for England. They’re Six Nations champions; have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, losing only once, in 2009 at Murrayfield; and have at least scored a few tries at this World Cup, where Scotland have been pretty turgid on the whole. Still, the Scots also have a habit of seriously upsetting England every now and then – for every 1991 World Cup there’s a 1990 Grand Slam decider or a 1999 Five Nations smash ‘n’ grab – so both camps have cause for hope. Got that? Me neither. Let’s muddle through. Scotland will avoid the plane, goin’ hame, hiding in the lavvy when the ticket man came , only if they beat England. And then they need more points than Argentina get from their result against Georgia; or to beat England by more than seven points with England failing to score four or more tries; or to beat England by scoring four or more tries with England failing to pick up any bonus points. England will be sent homeward tae think again if Scotland win by eight points or more and England fail to score at least four tries, and Argentina pick up a bonus point when beating Georgia. Or if both Scotland and Argentina win with bonus points for scoring four or more tries, and England fail to pick up any bonus points. England will finish top of Pool B if they avoid defeat in this match at Eden Park. They can still top the group if they lose by fewer than eight points or score four or more tries, as well as stopping Scotland scoring four or more tries. England against Scotland, Scotland against England, in the World Cup, the losers quite likely sent homeward tae think again. It’s a game that requires no introduction, so I won’t jabber needlessly in your ear so early in the morning. You’ll be needing the permutations, though, no? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Scotland rugby union team Rugby union Scott Murray guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …• Email your thoughts to scott.murray@guardian.co.uk • Press F5 to refresh this page or use our auto-refresher • Watch World Cup video highlights, interviews and more 65 min: A powerful run from Ansbro down the right. Parks switches play with a kick to the corner down the left. Gray looks for a second like getting to the ball first, but before he can think about banging it down for a try, Croft is over to get in the way. What an intervention! 64 min: England have responded really well after peering over the precipice. A couple of changes for Scotland: Hines and Rennie on, Strokosch and Barclay off. 63 min: PENALTY! England 9-12 Scotland. Wow, this is fast and furious. Wilkinson kicks for goal just in front of the posts, but Parks charges him down. Scotland break upfield, Paterson nearly reaching Danielli’s chip and chase, but Tindall covers well. Ashton kicks back upfield, England being gifted a penalty in the breakdown. And Wilkinson makes no mistake now, kicking a beauty straight between the posts from a tight position on the left. 59 min: A change for England just before that drop goal, by the way, Palmer coming on for Lawes. 57 min: DROP GOAL! England 6-12 Scotland. You can’t keep a good man down! From the restart, England win half-decent field position out on the left, midway in Scottish territory. The ball’s fed back to Wilkinson, who kicks a gorgeous goal between the posts. How can he score that, yet miss his effort earlier? The strange complexities of sport, in a nutshell. 56 min: PENALTY! England 3-12 Scotland. Paterson kicks majestically, the ball staying just on the correct side of the right-hand post. This match really is on now. 55 min: In the English 22, some more faffing around in the scrum. England are eventually penalised for bringing down the scrum yet again. Paterson will kick from out on the left. If this goes over, Scotland will find themselves in pole position for the first time, and England will be in danger of an early exit. 53 min: Was this Scotland’s chance gone? Danielli chips and chases down the left, and so nearly latches onto the ball deep in the corner. He can’t get to it, but de Luca is just behind him. All he has to do is pick the ball up, take two steps, and plonk the ball down for a try, but he lets the ball slip through his hands like a bar of soap, and the chance is gone. Oh my. You can’t be passing up opportunities like that, especially when you play in a team who struggle to score tries. 51 min: This is all England. A penalty from halfway is kicked to the corner. England win their line out, then fling the ball around awhile. They’re looking dangerous – then Parks intercepts a loose pass and breaks upfield! The ball’s fed out to Paterson on the right, who kicks long and finds touch near the England 22, the pressure suddenly off. Very poor stuff from England, who really had the Scots under the cosh for a minute there. “It’s not so much ‘fannying around’ in the scrum as Matt Stevens driving across and Dan Cole slipping his bind,” opinesNath Jones. “Add in Steve Thompson popping up every time the pressure’s on and I’ve no idea how England aren’t being penalised more often.” 49 min: England win more turnover ball, this time in the Scottish 22! They shift it back into the pocket for Wilkinson, who goes for a drop goal right in front of the posts. He surely must add three points, but screws a hopeless effort wide left. That was abysmal . Wilkinson, ever the gent, has the good manners to look extremely embarrassed. 47 min: England steal the ball at a scrum against the head, Tindall taking control of a ricochet. Youngs is so close to breaking free down the right, but ends up knocking the ball on. England are on top here, but Scotland are just about managing to repel them. This is tense stuff, both teams massive sacks of nerves. Aren’t weekends supposed to be relaxing? 46 min: A lot of fannying around by both teams at a scrum. A lot of fannying around. 44 min: Tuilagi is putting himself about, the white shirts of England putting together a few passing phases in the Scottish half. Scotland look shocked by England’s fast start to this period. “Am I the only England fan hoping Scotland sort of do this?” asks Dan Lucas. “It’d be nice to see Andy Robinson get one over on the RFU, it might prompt them to get a real coach in – Johnson is about as open minded as Jeremy Clarkson – and no one likes to see posh people win.” 42 min: Already it looks as though England are more on their game. Tuilagi intercepts a telegraphed pass, and sets Armitage scampering free down the left. He so nearly makes it to the try line, but he’s nudged into touch at the last. Scotland go long at the line out and clear upfield. The danger’s over, at least momentarily, but England already look a different team, and will be energised by that. And we’re off again! An interesting comparison between the two dressing rooms at half time. Martin Johnson had England standing in a circle, no time to rest, his bollocking too severe to enjoy while kicking back and relaxing. Scotland coach Andy Robinson, meanwhile, was standing with one hand in pocket, very much the casual man at C&A, his players sitting on the benches. England certainly need a kick up the hole; another 40 minutes like that and they’ll be on the plane home. So here we go, Scotland kicking off. They’ve made a change: Max Evans off, Nick de Luca on. HALF-TIME ADVERTISEMENT BREAK: Geddon! HALF TIME: England 3-9 Scotland. And that’s that for the half. A very impressive one from Scotland; another like it, and they’ll be staying in New Zealand a wee while longer, while the English go home. But England surely can’t play as badly as that again in the second half. Surely Jonny Wilkinson can’t kick as badly as that again. And it’s worth remembering – though how could you forget – that England remain in the box seat for qualification. 40 min: DROP GOAL! England 3-9 Scotland. Yes he can! Good foraging by the Scottish pack, and the ball’s snapped back to Parks, who threads the ball through the target from short range. 39 min: Scotland are competing very well in the scrum. They win the ball against the head for the fourth time in the match. Then England are penalised for dragging the whole kit and caboodle down yet again. It allows Scotland to kick for good field position at the end of the half. Can they set Parks up for another drop goal effort? 36 min: A good response from Scotland, who set themselves up in the England 22 and throw it hither and yon. Parks shuttles the ball out right to Ansbro on the wing, but the Scot is dumped into touch by Armitage. Just for a second, it looked like Scotland were going to score a rare tournament try. But no. 34 min: PENALTY! England 3-6 Scotland. Nope, Wilkinson’s not going to miss four in a row. He makes no mistake, slotting the ball between the posts and bothering the scoreboard for the first time. 31 min: Scotland, who aren’t exactly the most expansive outfit at this World Cup, are to their credit trying their best to put together a few passing phases. Nothing’s quite coming off for them, though; they don’t exactly look like threatening a try. By way of comparison, England have been pretty stodgy, yet when they get the ball out left to Armitage, there’s an electricity in the air. Armitage goes nowhere, but his mere presence causes panic in the Scotland ranks, and when he’s tackled, Ross Ford comes hoving into the resulting melee at a preposterous angle, gifting England the penalty, 20-odd yards out. Wilkinson won’t miss four in a row, surely? 28 min: The ball’s been kicked this way and that. A couple of very decent kicks into the England 22 by Dan Parks, who isn’t always the most reliable. Scotland win some good field position, and feed Parks in the pocket for the drop goal attempt, but like last Sunday against Argentina, he’s not been given much time or space to work with, and although he gets his effort on target, this time his kick falls short. 25 min: England have the momentum now. Scotland are penalised for hitting a man in mid air. England have a penalty in the middle of the park, just to the left of the sticks. He really should put three points on the board for England, but he misses this one as well! The ball curls off to the right. That is unspeakably poor. A real let-off for Scotland, who have been under the cosh since going 6-0 up. 22 min: Scotland launch a garryowen, which they reclaim, but the forwards have been sauntering back like men popping down to the shops for the paper, a pint of milk and a packet of fags, and it’s offside. Wilkinson opts to kick for goal from the halfway line, but while his kick is on target, it’s short. 21 min: England look a wee bit flustered in the face of this decent Scottish start. Youngs needlessly steps into touch when looking to set England off from the halfway line, and the ball’s gifted back to the Scots. 19 min: Scotland are first to everything at the minute. Youngs fannies around at the breakdown, allowing Ford to steal it away, but then Scotland can’t recycle, holding onto the ball on the ground. An England penalty from out left, near the halfway line, in a strong wind. Wilkinson steps up and goes through the usual routine, but he can’t stroke the ball over, his kick sailing to the left of the posts. 16 min: PENALTY! England 0-6 Scotland. Mike Blair takes a quick tap penalty and runs up the right flank to the English ten-metre line. Dan Cole fails to roll away after tackling, and it’s a penalty to Scotland, out on the right. Parks hits a long, flat kick in between the posts – but did it go over the bar? The referee goes to the video booth – the guys hanging around with the flags aren’t sure – and turns out the ball just tipples over the bar. What a surreal series of events. Parks has the decency to look highly amused by the incident. 14 min: A lot of faffing around at a scrum. Scotland are penalised for turning the scrum. There are already signs that the English pack are bossing it in terms of strength, but again there’s a niggly error by England in the engagement, and the pressure’s off the Scots. 12 min: Scotland with the ball in their own 22. England are offside at the breakdown. There’s some backchat, too, and a 10-metre penalty. Scotland tear off into English territory. They’re flinging the passes around quite nicely here, having come out strongly. Scotland have clearly decided to go for it, a no-brainer, really, as it’s do or die for them. England have already made quite a few infringements; it’s been a problem all World Cup, and it’s something they can’t afford here. 9 min: PENALTY! England 0-3 Scotland. That’s a great kick by Paterson, who arrows a very tricky penalty through the posts. 8 min: The English front row collapses at the scrum, Dan Cole the man dragging it all down. Penalty for Scotland. Will the usually dead-eyed Chris Paterson be able to convert it, from near the left touchline? 6 min: A chip through down the right, Evans chasing after it and getting to the ball ahead of a very sleepy Foden. It gives Scotland good field position, but instead of continuing to run the ball, they opt for a cross kick towards Lamont. Poor decision, as Lamont can’t gather the ball and England will have the scrum. But this is a strong start from the Scots. 5 min: An early blow for Scotland: Ruaridh Jackson is injured and can’t continue. He’s replaced by Dan Parks, and goes off in tears. Ee, he’s a poor lad. Wrong code, sorry. 2 min: A determined start from Scotland, the captain Kellock winning an English put-in at the line-out. They look to break up the right flank, but flinging the ball around isn’t a Scottish strong point, and there’s a knock on. A breathless start. “Poor showing from the Scots at the anthems,” opines Gary Naylor. “No tears, only one caveman and two blokes who look fifty years old.” I miss amateur rugby, when it looked as though everyone had just bundled out of the nearest pub, gaddered on whisky or real ale. Scotland still often play it, of course, but not in that sense. And we’re off! The crowd count down to the start – “FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE!” – and England get proceedings under way. What at atmosphere. A line out at the Scottish 22, Scotland putting in, at which England transgress. Scotland can clear their lines. The teams take the pitch, and there’s quite an atmosphere. The guy with the wooden bassoon gives it a bit of Mulligan and O’Hare. Lewis Moody and England jog out; Alastair Kellock and his men give it a bit of ersatz David Sole, and walk out if not slowly, then at least at medium pace. It’s all to the accompaniment of dreadful portentous music. Speaking of which, it’s time for a blast of God Save The Queen. Then a tootle of Flower of Scotland, played with neither bag nor pipe. Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Scotland: Paterson, Evans, Ansbro, S. Lamont, Danielli, Jackson, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Gray, Kellock, Strokosch, Barclay, Vernon. Replacements: S. Lawson, Dickinson, Hines, Rennie, Cusiter, Parks, De Luca. England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Armitage, Wilkinson, Youngs, Stevens, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Lawes, Croft, Moody, Haskell. Replacements: Hartley, Corbisiero, Palmer, Easter, Wigglesworth, Flood, Banahan. Venue: Eden Park, Auckland. Kick off: 8.30am BST. We’re in uncharted waters, though, England and Scotland having never faced each other on neutral turf. The 1991 World Cup semi, of course, being held in Scotland, which for tournament purposes that year was technically part of England. So all we have to go on is recent form, which should be enough for England. They’re Six Nations champions; have won three of the last five meetings between the two sides, losing only once, in 2009 at Murrayfield; and have at least scored a few tries at this World Cup, where Scotland have been pretty turgid on the whole. Still, the Scots also have a habit of seriously upsetting England every now and then – for every 1991 World Cup there’s a 1990 Grand Slam decider or a 1999 Five Nations smash ‘n’ grab – so both camps have cause for hope. Got that? Me neither. Let’s muddle through. Scotland will avoid the plane, goin’ hame, hiding in the lavvy when the ticket man came , only if they beat England. And then they need more points than Argentina get from their result against Georgia; or to beat England by more than seven points with England failing to score four or more tries; or to beat England by scoring four or more tries with England failing to pick up any bonus points. England will be sent homeward tae think again if Scotland win by eight points or more and England fail to score at least four tries, and Argentina pick up a bonus point when beating Georgia. Or if both Scotland and Argentina win with bonus points for scoring four or more tries, and England fail to pick up any bonus points. England will finish top of Pool B if they avoid defeat in this match at Eden Park. They can still top the group if they lose by fewer than eight points or score four or more tries, as well as stopping Scotland scoring four or more tries. England against Scotland, Scotland against England, in the World Cup, the losers quite likely sent homeward tae think again. It’s a game that requires no introduction, so I won’t jabber needlessly in your ear so early in the morning. You’ll be needing the permutations, though, no? Rugby World Cup 2011 England rugby union team Scotland rugby union team Rugby union Scott Murray guardian.co.uk
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Forecasters predict temperatures of 29C on the fourth day of sunshine for parts of the country Saturday is shaping up to be the hottest October day on record with forecasters predicting temperatures of around 29C as the mini-Indian summer continues. The country will bask in glorious sunshine for the fourth day in succession with hundreds of thousands expected to head to the coast to enjoy what has been an extraordinary fillip after the coldest summer since 1993. The current record for the hottest 1 October was set in March, Cambridgeshire, in 1985, where temperatures reached 29.4C. Tom Tobler, a forecaster with MeteoGroup said: “Today will be another hot and mostly sunny day for England and Wales, but Scotland and Northern Ireland will see some heavy rain. “Temperatures will begin to drop tomorrow in Scotland with cloud and rain gradually moving into northern England during the day but warm weather is expected to continue till Tuesday in the south of England. “It’s not going to be quite as hot on Sunday. Northern England will see some cloud and rain moving in. The highest temperatures will be more concentrated in southern England, and they will still be in the mid to high 20s in London and the surrounding areas,” said Tobler. Travel information firm Trafficlink said: “The heat is likely to bring anything between 30% and 50% more traffic on to the ‘usual summer routes’ which would normally be OK at this time of year. “Road authorities try to take out roadworks during the summer to ease the main routes, but this unexpected blast of heat means a lot of the repairs will remain in place, which won’t help.” Train companies are also expecting up to 25% more passengers as people go for a day out. Weather guardian.co.uk
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Forecasters predict temperatures of 29C on the fourth day of sunshine for parts of the country Saturday is shaping up to be the hottest October day on record with forecasters predicting temperatures of around 29C as the mini-Indian summer continues. The country will bask in glorious sunshine for the fourth day in succession with hundreds of thousands expected to head to the coast to enjoy what has been an extraordinary fillip after the coldest summer since 1993. The current record for the hottest 1 October was set in March, Cambridgeshire, in 1985, where temperatures reached 29.4C. Tom Tobler, a forecaster with MeteoGroup said: “Today will be another hot and mostly sunny day for England and Wales, but Scotland and Northern Ireland will see some heavy rain. “Temperatures will begin to drop tomorrow in Scotland with cloud and rain gradually moving into northern England during the day but warm weather is expected to continue till Tuesday in the south of England. “It’s not going to be quite as hot on Sunday. Northern England will see some cloud and rain moving in. The highest temperatures will be more concentrated in southern England, and they will still be in the mid to high 20s in London and the surrounding areas,” said Tobler. Travel information firm Trafficlink said: “The heat is likely to bring anything between 30% and 50% more traffic on to the ‘usual summer routes’ which would normally be OK at this time of year. “Road authorities try to take out roadworks during the summer to ease the main routes, but this unexpected blast of heat means a lot of the repairs will remain in place, which won’t help.” Train companies are also expecting up to 25% more passengers as people go for a day out. Weather guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Forecasters predict temperatures of 29C on the fourth day of sunshine for parts of the country Saturday is shaping up to be the hottest October day on record with forecasters predicting temperatures of around 29C as the mini-Indian summer continues. The country will bask in glorious sunshine for the fourth day in succession with hundreds of thousands expected to head to the coast to enjoy what has been an extraordinary fillip after the coldest summer since 1993. The current record for the hottest 1 October was set in March, Cambridgeshire, in 1985, where temperatures reached 29.4C. Tom Tobler, a forecaster with MeteoGroup said: “Today will be another hot and mostly sunny day for England and Wales, but Scotland and Northern Ireland will see some heavy rain. “Temperatures will begin to drop tomorrow in Scotland with cloud and rain gradually moving into northern England during the day but warm weather is expected to continue till Tuesday in the south of England. “It’s not going to be quite as hot on Sunday. Northern England will see some cloud and rain moving in. The highest temperatures will be more concentrated in southern England, and they will still be in the mid to high 20s in London and the surrounding areas,” said Tobler. Travel information firm Trafficlink said: “The heat is likely to bring anything between 30% and 50% more traffic on to the ‘usual summer routes’ which would normally be OK at this time of year. “Road authorities try to take out roadworks during the summer to ease the main routes, but this unexpected blast of heat means a lot of the repairs will remain in place, which won’t help.” Train companies are also expecting up to 25% more passengers as people go for a day out. Weather guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Forecasters predict temperatures of 29C on the fourth day of sunshine for parts of the country Saturday is shaping up to be the hottest October day on record with forecasters predicting temperatures of around 29C as the mini-Indian summer continues. The country will bask in glorious sunshine for the fourth day in succession with hundreds of thousands expected to head to the coast to enjoy what has been an extraordinary fillip after the coldest summer since 1993. The current record for the hottest 1 October was set in March, Cambridgeshire, in 1985, where temperatures reached 29.4C. Tom Tobler, a forecaster with MeteoGroup said: “Today will be another hot and mostly sunny day for England and Wales, but Scotland and Northern Ireland will see some heavy rain. “Temperatures will begin to drop tomorrow in Scotland with cloud and rain gradually moving into northern England during the day but warm weather is expected to continue till Tuesday in the south of England. “It’s not going to be quite as hot on Sunday. Northern England will see some cloud and rain moving in. The highest temperatures will be more concentrated in southern England, and they will still be in the mid to high 20s in London and the surrounding areas,” said Tobler. Travel information firm Trafficlink said: “The heat is likely to bring anything between 30% and 50% more traffic on to the ‘usual summer routes’ which would normally be OK at this time of year. “Road authorities try to take out roadworks during the summer to ease the main routes, but this unexpected blast of heat means a lot of the repairs will remain in place, which won’t help.” Train companies are also expecting up to 25% more passengers as people go for a day out. Weather guardian.co.uk
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