If fodors had an edit I could explain that they (the marketing team) did the Haka too.

Watched it with French friends in France. The headline in today's newspaper is "humiliation of the Blues". They were utterly outclassed. No other word for it.

We got here yesterday. The local baker has a French shirt, an English shirt and a Scottish shirt on the wall. It reminds me why I love the spirit of rugby.

Our turn next. And you can read that any way you like.

I am sad....

I'm sad too. In 65 minutes I stop using the word "lads" for another four years. :(

Good thing they're all asleep in Australia.

so far this weekend we've been Welsh and Irish, to nil effect.

will it upset you to know that we're supporting the Scots now, Sheila? or would you prefer us not to so we don't put the mockers on you.

Yeeeessss!!!!

Something the matter with our TV. Scotland winning. Stupid Samsung.

Noooooooo.

Robbed!! Sorry Scotland what a travesty. That was no penalty.

so sorry Sheila. I'm not sure it was a penalty either but it was the scots' insistence on kicking instead of keeping hold of the ball plus an attack of the headless chickens at the end [guess who they caught that off] which lost you the game.

or should I say us?

The burning question of the hour now is who do we support in the semi-finals?

dare I say "we're all Argies now?"

The Scots haven't been robbed like that since English Eddie II invaded in 1296.

like Laidlaw said, why didn't the ref go to the TMO to check the last decision?

but the Scots created the situation by a poor throw-in, again like England did.

England are to have a review of why we performed so badly, but IMO what is needed is an investigation of why the European nations are so poor at doing the basics - passing being one of the core skills at which the southern hemisphere teams are much better than we are. ALL players need to be able to catch and pass the ball, not just the backs.

latest update is that the ref cannot consult the TMO about whether it's a penalty or a scrum:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/34566964

however the ref's action in running from the pitch without shaking hands with the players as is customary has been frowned on in some quarters:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p035krs0

Whenever a North American comments on a rule in a sport that Europeans play well we are told to go back and worry about our own dumb little sports. But I don't see any European teams left in the championship so perhaps that friendly guidance doesn't apply to rugby.

But in case it still does apply I will quote an Aussie. Snap at him if you don't like it:

"Meanwhile, if there's a worse rule in any football code than the one that led to Scotland winger Sean Maitland being shown a yellow card for deliberately knocking on, please advise what it is."

They gotta do something about that rule.

A few other interesting comments about the ruling at the end of the game:

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/ru...19-gkckcd.html

Well...that was much too close for comfort. Fantastic effort by the Scots.

Upthread (20 Sept) I said we were heading for a 1 v 2 final. Still on track for that!

But, as one cynical TV sports journalist said..we're now playing to see who get belted by the All Blacks in the final. They were just awesome. The Wallabies game was not great - they really need Pocock and Folau.

Now...on to the Argies. I didn't see their game against Ireland and didn't expect that result.

Only Eddie 2, born in Wales of Spanish and English parents could be called English. :-)

Like calling Philip, our consort, English.

"Meanwhile, if there's a worse rule in any football code than the one that led to Scotland winger Sean Maitland being shown a yellow card for deliberately knocking on, please advise what it is.">>

I agree Pal - it was ridiculous. ditto the decision at the end of the match. However the scots could still have won had they kept their heads in th last 10 mins.

no wonder the ref made for the tunnel as fast as his legs could carry him.

Agree with you Margo - it's going to be a good team that beats NZ!

First time I've been here since Sunday. I'm on hols on France. Thank you all for your support. I think that is the closest I've ever come to crying at the result of a sporting thingie....

Try to enjoy your hols, Sheila.

will you be watching the semi-finals or final?

I have to say that I'm intrigued to see if anyone can beat the All Blacks!