Ocean's oldest...

Or at least the oldest we know about! "A clam dredged up off the coast of Iceland is thought to have been the longest-lived animal discovered." [BBC link] Scientists said the mollusc, an ocean quahog clam, was aged between 405 and 410 years and could offer insights into the secrets of longevity.

"When this animal was a juvenile, King James I replaced Queen Elizabeth I as English monarch, Shakespeare was writing his greatest plays Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth and Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake for espousing the view that the Sun rather than the Earth was the centre of the universe."

[Bangor University] What concerns me is that the Bangor University spokesman said that they had received money from the Help The Aged (UK charity) to fund part of the research; now I know that, in simple terms, the work is investigating what makes us grow old but surely Help the Aged should be doing more 'current' work..i.e. helping the aged!

Ocean's oldest...

Or at least the oldest we know about! "A clam dredged up off the coast of Iceland is thought to have been the longest-lived animal discovered." [BBC link] Scientists said the mollusc, an ocean quahog clam, was aged between 405 and 410 years and could offer insights into the secrets of longevity.

"When this animal was a juvenile, King James I replaced Queen Elizabeth I as English monarch, Shakespeare was writing his greatest plays Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth and Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake for espousing the view that the Sun rather than the Earth was the centre of the universe."

[Bangor University] What concerns me is that the Bangor University spokesman said that they had received money from the Help The Aged (UK charity) to fund part of the research; now I know that, in simple terms, the work is investigating what makes us grow old but surely Help the Aged should be doing more 'current' work..i.e. helping the aged!

OK…I’ve left it for a week (mainly due to not being online) but now I can post about the finale to the great 2007 Rugby World Cup. Firstly credit to Argentina for their supreme performance against France (for the 2nd time)…the second time was so much more a complete, rounded display of tough rugby, absorbing long periods of French pressure in the first half going in at 17-3 up and then a masterful display of heroic defence and massive work-rate leading to some wonderful tries; good post and comments here on Green and Gold Rugby “French dicked”!

“But an extra thanks for highlighting just where the future of rugby is; rediscovering the 'joie de vivre' that has always made rugby great. Forgotten under pressure by Australia, New Zealand and France. Pushed to new levels by Argentina, Tonga and Fiji.”

Or as Baldinio says here:

"The passsing, the tackling, the turnovers, the punch-ups!Who said that the bronze medal wasn't important, who said that this was a match too far for the team in celestial blue?Argentina played with a style and panache all the way through this tournament from that rain soaked Friday back in September when they shocked the hosts at the Stade De France. Last night they were playing at the Parc De Princes, the bear-pit of French rugby and they made the bears look all cuddly and non-threatening, that five minute spell just before half time when they defended their own line against wave after wave of French attacking moves..."

Now the final: what an occasion…again I couldn’t breath partly due to the excitement but also partly due to the stress of 12 hours on a plane, no luggage, credit cards swiped and worst of all I was trembling from what I can only assume was ‘a bad pint’ :-) South Africa won; they were easily the best team in the tournament and the only unbeaten one; both teams in the final gave their all and the South Africans stood up when it counted. The last score was a penalty in minute 61; I don’t think anyone begrudges them their win…fantastic, all consuming defence and domination in the lineout were the main reasons for the win and Matlock deserved to be MOTM. Jake White, the South African coach, said what we all agree with and history has shown it again and again.

"I've always said defence wins World Cup. History is an amazing thing and it just keeps repeating itself,"

SI picture link; another RWC 2007 final summary on the IRB's official site here:

Reigning champions England came into the match on the back of four impressive victories after a poor start to the tournament but were unable to find a way through a disciplined Springboks outfit who were miserly in defence, dominated the line-outs and kicked five penalties.

However, this graciousness doesn’t mean I’m not going to slag off the ref…NOT the video ref and Cueto’s possible touchdown…he made a call that could have been controversial either way, he took a bit too long but after the heat of the moment has been shown to have made the right decision (millimetres!) No, I’m on about Irish/French Alain: as usual he was generally OK but in my opinion made several crucial wrong calls: firstly Moody (trip on Butch James) and possibly even Flood (push on Montgomery) should have been yellow carded – rules are rules….that could have changed the game, as could the following:

First half, the first SA penalty: Tait slipped and was adjudged to be holding on; the first and clearest offence was in fact a 100% clear and blatant penalty AGAINST Steyn – over the top and lying on top, no attempt to move and trying to play the ball on the ground – no doubt whatsoever.

Another poor decision was when the South African front row popped up and the Boks pulled (not pushed) the scrum round; two offences that would be a free kick to England but the decision was given as a scrum to SA for the scrum going 90º - ridiculous.

Second half: fourth SA Penalty: blatant offside and obstruction from Van de Linde, should have been an England penalty; however SA release the ball down the blind and Corry is penalised at the tackle (rightly)

Fifth SA Penalty: (minute 61) minor and harshly adjudged obstruction against England – if the ref was consistent I would have no problem; however I was frustrated to say the least, when two much worse and more blatant offences by the Boks, in easily kickable positions, went unpunished.

Between minute 62 (when the ball sailed through to make the score 15 - 6) and minute 68 there were 3 or 4 occasions when offences by South Africa should have been penalised, all in their own half (two almost in front of the posts) that went unpunished: one was one of the aforementioned obstructions, then a high and dangerous tackle on Paul Sackey; then Butch James lies over the ball on the England side and helps the ball back…the correct decision would have been a penalty in front of the posts but all the happened was a South African turnover. That 6 minute period could and should have changed the game more than the video-ref call.

All this may sound like whinging sour grapes…and it is (click on image)…however I must insist that this is against referee calls and not the Boks; in fact I’m a fan of SA rugby and all my dad’s family have lived there for nigh on 60 years and those who may have heard me speak (in English) may even note a Highveld twang (which in fact is a North London blended with South Africa, Australia, Canada, Venezuela, Somerset and Spain!!!)…they won, it’s over, well done.

Moving on quickly!...Nadir of the tournament: being crushed and humiliated 36 – 0 against South Africa!

High points: England’s unexpected run into and past the Quarter Finals; Argentina’s two wins against France; Georgia vs. Ireland, how they deserved to win that game, outplaying the men in green in every position; Japan vs. Fiji – what an exciting finish – about 85 minutes before the ball went out!; Portugal singing (thanks for the heads-up Baldinio) and their try against New Zealand; American winger scoring after showing SA speed-merchant Habana a ‘clean pair of heels’ (thanks for the heads-up Kenji); Tonga all-but pipping SA at the post – what a difference a bounce can make! Wales vs. Fiji! …and many more…

OK…I’ve left it for a week (mainly due to not being online) but now I can post about the finale to the great 2007 Rugby World Cup. Firstly credit to Argentina for their supreme performance against France (for the 2nd time)…the second time was so much more a complete, rounded display of tough rugby, absorbing long periods of French pressure in the first half going in at 17-3 up and then a masterful display of heroic defence and massive work-rate leading to some wonderful tries; good post and comments here on Green and Gold Rugby “French dicked”!

“But an extra thanks for highlighting just where the future of rugby is; rediscovering the 'joie de vivre' that has always made rugby great. Forgotten under pressure by Australia, New Zealand and France. Pushed to new levels by Argentina, Tonga and Fiji.”

Or as Baldinio says here:

"The passsing, the tackling, the turnovers, the punch-ups!Who said that the bronze medal wasn't important, who said that this was a match too far for the team in celestial blue?Argentina played with a style and panache all the way through this tournament from that rain soaked Friday back in September when they shocked the hosts at the Stade De France. Last night they were playing at the Parc De Princes, the bear-pit of French rugby and they made the bears look all cuddly and non-threatening, that five minute spell just before half time when they defended their own line against wave after wave of French attacking moves..."

Now the final: what an occasion…again I couldn’t breath partly due to the excitement but also partly due to the stress of 12 hours on a plane, no luggage, credit cards swiped and worst of all I was trembling from what I can only assume was ‘a bad pint’ :-) South Africa won; they were easily the best team in the tournament and the only unbeaten one; both teams in the final gave their all and the South Africans stood up when it counted. The last score was a penalty in minute 61; I don’t think anyone begrudges them their win…fantastic, all consuming defence and domination in the lineout were the main reasons for the win and Matlock deserved to be MOTM. Jake White, the South African coach, said what we all agree with and history has shown it again and again.

"I've always said defence wins World Cup. History is an amazing thing and it just keeps repeating itself,"

SI picture link; another RWC 2007 final summary on the IRB's official site here:

Reigning champions England came into the match on the back of four impressive victories after a poor start to the tournament but were unable to find a way through a disciplined Springboks outfit who were miserly in defence, dominated the line-outs and kicked five penalties.

However, this graciousness doesn’t mean I’m not going to slag off the ref…NOT the video ref and Cueto’s possible touchdown…he made a call that could have been controversial either way, he took a bit too long but after the heat of the moment has been shown to have made the right decision (millimetres!) No, I’m on about Irish/French Alain: as usual he was generally OK but in my opinion made several crucial wrong calls: firstly Moody (trip on Butch James) and possibly even Flood (push on Montgomery) should have been yellow carded – rules are rules….that could have changed the game, as could the following:

First half, the first SA penalty: Tait slipped and was adjudged to be holding on; the first and clearest offence was in fact a 100% clear and blatant penalty AGAINST Steyn – over the top and lying on top, no attempt to move and trying to play the ball on the ground – no doubt whatsoever.

Another poor decision was when the South African front row popped up and the Boks pulled (not pushed) the scrum round; two offences that would be a free kick to England but the decision was given as a scrum to SA for the scrum going 90º - ridiculous.

Second half: fourth SA Penalty: blatant offside and obstruction from Van de Linde, should have been an England penalty; however SA release the ball down the blind and Corry is penalised at the tackle (rightly)

Fifth SA Penalty: (minute 61) minor and harshly adjudged obstruction against England – if the ref was consistent I would have no problem; however I was frustrated to say the least, when two much worse and more blatant offences by the Boks, in easily kickable positions, went unpunished.

Between minute 62 (when the ball sailed through to make the score 15 - 6) and minute 68 there were 3 or 4 occasions when offences by South Africa should have been penalised, all in their own half (two almost in front of the posts) that went unpunished: one was one of the aforementioned obstructions, then a high and dangerous tackle on Paul Sackey; then Butch James lies over the ball on the England side and helps the ball back…the correct decision would have been a penalty in front of the posts but all the happened was a South African turnover. That 6 minute period could and should have changed the game more than the video-ref call.

All this may sound like whinging sour grapes…and it is (click on image)…however I must insist that this is against referee calls and not the Boks; in fact I’m a fan of SA rugby and all my dad’s family have lived there for nigh on 60 years and those who may have heard me speak (in English) may even note a Highveld twang (which in fact is a North London blended with South Africa, Australia, Canada, Venezuela, Somerset and Spain!!!)…they won, it’s over, well done.

Moving on quickly!...Nadir of the tournament: being crushed and humiliated 36 – 0 against South Africa!

High points: England’s unexpected run into and past the Quarter Finals; Argentina’s two wins against France; Georgia vs. Ireland, how they deserved to win that game, outplaying the men in green in every position; Japan vs. Fiji – what an exciting finish – about 85 minutes before the ball went out!; Portugal singing (thanks for the heads-up Baldinio) and their try against New Zealand; American winger scoring after showing SA speed-merchant Habana a ‘clean pair of heels’ (thanks for the heads-up Kenji); Tonga all-but pipping SA at the post – what a difference a bounce can make! Wales vs. Fiji! …and many more…

Osborne's Oliphant...

"The mix of light, texture, mass, stress, force, velocity and acceleration are all captured in a visually dramatic moment in time." (Picture link)

Osborne's Oliphant...

"The mix of light, texture, mass, stress, force, velocity and acceleration are all captured in a visually dramatic moment in time." (Picture link)

Overjoyed...

Final - England v South Africa

Ref: Alain Rolland (IRE) TJ 1: Joel Jutge (FRA) TJ 2: Paul Honiss (NZL) 4: Alan Lewis (IRE) 5: Steve Walsh (NZL) (reserve referee) TMO: Stuart Dickinson (AUS)

Well posting re the weekend rugby was delayed: my hands were shaking too much to be able to use a keyboard; not sure if that was nerves or alcohol poisoning!...better late than never I suppose: I've only just recovered from Saturday night when England beat hosts France to progress to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. France captain Raphael Ibanez said,

"It came down to very little,"..."It's hard to swallow but that's sport. Well done, England."

The Aussie press refrained from any sarcastic comments, I wonder if they're secretly hoping we win to excuse their own loss...two examples: blonde chick newsreader on video here on ABC and written report on Livenews. However that doesn't mean I won't post a couple of images that I was sent last week: thanks for the heads-up go to Kenji for the Aussie Whine and the NZ Choker, sorry lads. Back to the winners:

"What a brilliant day, a fantastic week," England captain Phil Vickery told ITV television. "To beat France in France in a World Cup semi-final is a huge effort from everyone."

Well, one of the key improvements is the likes of Vickery not giving away stupid penalties all the time (perhaps the games on the bench allowed this to sink in) Simon Shaw was another serial offeneder (penalties/yellow cards) but he too has seen the light: in good time too because South Africa have more than enough kicking power to score from anywhere in the half...or beyond! However, another great all-round performance and superb defensive display from the whole team put England through, albeit still as underdogs if one looks at England's recent record against the Springboks who yesterday won their semi-final that, for the first half an hour, looked anybody's game but which soon changed after a series of mistakes from a tired Argentina, allowed South Africa to win convincingly: a classic final beckons.

Mick Donohoe writing from Paris for the Rugby News Service thinks the opposing fullbacks will have a key role. "Wearing the number 15 jersey for their respective teams, England's Jason Robinson and South Africa's Percy Montgomery are match winners but in their own unique ways". To be honest their game plan, when they humiliated and overtly outplayed England only last month, was high kicks galore...so Mick may have a point!

Overjoyed...

Final - England v South Africa

Ref: Alain Rolland (IRE) TJ 1: Joel Jutge (FRA) TJ 2: Paul Honiss (NZL) 4: Alan Lewis (IRE) 5: Steve Walsh (NZL) (reserve referee) TMO: Stuart Dickinson (AUS)

Well posting re the weekend rugby was delayed: my hands were shaking too much to be able to use a keyboard; not sure if that was nerves or alcohol poisoning!...better late than never I suppose: I've only just recovered from Saturday night when England beat hosts France to progress to the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. France captain Raphael Ibanez said,

"It came down to very little,"..."It's hard to swallow but that's sport. Well done, England."

The Aussie press refrained from any sarcastic comments, I wonder if they're secretly hoping we win to excuse their own loss...two examples: blonde chick newsreader on video here on ABC and written report on Livenews. However that doesn't mean I won't post a couple of images that I was sent last week: thanks for the heads-up go to Kenji for the Aussie Whine and the NZ Choker, sorry lads. Back to the winners:

"What a brilliant day, a fantastic week," England captain Phil Vickery told ITV television. "To beat France in France in a World Cup semi-final is a huge effort from everyone."

Well, one of the key improvements is the likes of Vickery not giving away stupid penalties all the time (perhaps the games on the bench allowed this to sink in) Simon Shaw was another serial offeneder (penalties/yellow cards) but he too has seen the light: in good time too because South Africa have more than enough kicking power to score from anywhere in the half...or beyond! However, another great all-round performance and superb defensive display from the whole team put England through, albeit still as underdogs if one looks at England's recent record against the Springboks who yesterday won their semi-final that, for the first half an hour, looked anybody's game but which soon changed after a series of mistakes from a tired Argentina, allowed South Africa to win convincingly: a classic final beckons.

Mick Donohoe writing from Paris for the Rugby News Service thinks the opposing fullbacks will have a key role. "Wearing the number 15 jersey for their respective teams, England's Jason Robinson and South Africa's Percy Montgomery are match winners but in their own unique ways". To be honest their game plan, when they humiliated and overtly outplayed England only last month, was high kicks galore...so Mick may have a point!

Ominous overtones II...

---

Artwork by Claudio Muñoz

In Venezuela a leaked draft education plan has confirmed what some feared: "VENEZUELAN parents can have any schooling they like for their children—so long as it's red. That is the message from President Hugo Chávez and his elder brother Adán, a Marxist physics teacher who is the education minister." 

(Picture link to the original 11/10/07 Economist article)

Ominous overtones...

Artwork by Claudio Muñoz

In Venezuela a leaked draft education plan has confirmed what some already feared:
"VENEZUELAN parents can have any schooling they like for their children—so long as it's red. That is the message from President Hugo Chávez and his elder brother Adán, a Marxist physics teacher who is the education minister."

(Picture link to the original 11/10/07 Economist article)

Overreacting overreactions...

Is this fair? Celtic have been fined, quite rightly, £25,000 (should have been more) for the disgraceful incident last week when a fan ran on to the pitch and appeared to hit the AC Milan Goalie (Dida). What I find odd is that Dida has been banned for two matches??!!! Presumably for his overreaction after chasing the fan; hang on a minute though...this is what footballers do every game of every week. Is the ban because of the long delay - him getting stretchered off and replaced etc? If so then perhaps football has finally taken a turn for the better and the whinging, wanker pansies that call themselves sportsmen can start to behave as they should...but...what happens the 10 or 15 times in every game I see when a player goes down screaming and shouting (literally) and is often treated, sometimes stretchered-off, sometimes replaced etc...and nothing happens?

Overreacting overreactions...

Is this fair? Celtic have been fined, quite rightly, £25,000 (should have been more) for the disgraceful incident last week when a fan ran on to the pitch and appeared to hit the AC Milan Goalie (Dida). What I find odd is that Dida has been banned for two matches??!!! Presumably for his overreaction after chasing the fan; hang on a minute though...this is what footballers do every game of every week. Is the ban because of the long delay - him getting stretchered off and replaced etc? If so then perhaps football has finally taken a turn for the better and the whinging, wanker pansies that call themselves sportsmen can start to behave as they should...but...what happens the 10 or 15 times in every game I see when a player goes down screaming and shouting (literally) and is often treated, sometimes stretchered-off, sometimes replaced etc...and nothing happens?

Oldie's oblectation occasions oblatrated objurgation

British author Doris Lessing has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize for Literature; congratulations and I'm sure she's over the moon...although probably not too happy to know that she is now the oldest person (87 years old) to have received this prize, the oldest prior recipient being Theodor Mommsen who was 85....and he died the next year (1903, still at 85). The Nobel Website announces Lessing's award thus:

"that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny".

As always there are critics: "American literary critic Harold Bloom called this week's academy decision "pure political correctness."

"Although Ms. Lessing at the beginning of her writing career had a few admirable qualities, I find her work for the past 15 years quite unreadable ...fourth-rate science fiction,"

He (Bloom) told The Associated Press....not called a critic for nothing then! [Link]

The year I was born saw what was probably her defining work (perhaps that's what Bloom meant with his 'PC' comment): in 1962 "The Golden Notebook," became, and still is, a feminist classic. That theme continues today, Lessing's The Cleft (2007) is sci-fi fiction revolving around the result of the introduction of men to a mythical world of only women...What use are men?...She said men were a "haphazard species" who always have to be looked after and died "much too easy". [BBC Link] She said, from the same link, when asked if she thought it was men who waged war,

"We like to think we are motherly and kind and that we are not going to go to war, but it's not true, is it?"

On the war point, Nobel himself surprised everyone when, at his death, his Will revealed what we all know today re the Nobel Foundation and the various prizes.

"When Alfred Nobel's will was made known after his death in San Remo on 10 December 1896, and when it was disclosed that he had established a special peace prize, this immediately created a great international sensation. The name Nobel was connected with explosives and with inventions useful to the art of making war, but certainly not with questions related to peace."

" [He] had a clear view of what was happening in international politics during the second half of the 19th century. His own activity as an industrialist was to the utmost degree, international and it was vitally necessary for him to follow this development carefully. Important portions of his inventions and business activity were connected with conditions which affected war and peace." Philanthropy on a massive scale, not common in that day and age. "Nobel's will was hardly longer than one ordinary page. After listing bequests to relatives and other people close to him, Nobel declared that his entire remaining estate should be used to endow 'prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind.' His will attracted attention throughout the world. It was unusual at that time to donate large sums of money for scientific and charitable purposes.' From Nobel's Life and Philosophy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
objurgation n. - an earnest denunciation, rebuke, or scolding; harsh criticism
oblatrate n. - to snarl at, inveigh against
oblectation n. - delight, pleasure

Oldie's oblectation occasions oblatrated objurgation

British author Doris Lessing has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize for Literature; congratulations and I'm sure she's over the moon...although probably not too happy to know that she is now the oldest person (87 years old) to have received this prize, the oldest prior recipient being Theodor Mommsen who was 85....and he died the next year (1903, still at 85). The Nobel Website announces Lessing's award thus:

"that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny".

As always there are critics: "American literary critic Harold Bloom called this week's academy decision "pure political correctness."

"Although Ms. Lessing at the beginning of her writing career had a few admirable qualities, I find her work for the past 15 years quite unreadable ...fourth-rate science fiction,"

He (Bloom) told The Associated Press....not called a critic for nothing then! [Link]

The year I was born saw what was probably her defining work (perhaps that's what Bloom meant with his 'PC' comment): in 1962 "The Golden Notebook," became, and still is, a feminist classic. That theme continues today, Lessing's The Cleft (2007) is sci-fi fiction revolving around the result of the introduction of men to a mythical world of only women...What use are men?...She said men were a "haphazard species" who always have to be looked after and died "much too easy". [BBC Link] She said, from the same link, when asked if she thought it was men who waged war,

"We like to think we are motherly and kind and that we are not going to go to war, but it's not true, is it?"

On the war point, Nobel himself surprised everyone when, at his death, his Will revealed what we all know today re the Nobel Foundation and the various prizes.

"When Alfred Nobel's will was made known after his death in San Remo on 10 December 1896, and when it was disclosed that he had established a special peace prize, this immediately created a great international sensation. The name Nobel was connected with explosives and with inventions useful to the art of making war, but certainly not with questions related to peace."

" [He] had a clear view of what was happening in international politics during the second half of the 19th century. His own activity as an industrialist was to the utmost degree, international and it was vitally necessary for him to follow this development carefully. Important portions of his inventions and business activity were connected with conditions which affected war and peace." Philanthropy on a massive scale, not common in that day and age. "Nobel's will was hardly longer than one ordinary page. After listing bequests to relatives and other people close to him, Nobel declared that his entire remaining estate should be used to endow 'prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind.' His will attracted attention throughout the world. It was unusual at that time to donate large sums of money for scientific and charitable purposes.' From Nobel's Life and Philosophy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
objurgation n. - an earnest denunciation, rebuke, or scolding; harsh criticism
oblatrate n. - to snarl at, inveigh against
oblectation n. - delight, pleasure

Only one...

Update Oct 6th, 11pm BST + 1 more or less: Les Bleus l'ont fait, incroyable exploit du XV de France!...Gratuitous swearing breaks out on Owsblog: for FUCK'S SAKE, could a day of rugby go more unexpectedly than this? Unbelievable...more so than earlier: I actually believed, in my heart of hearts, that England would do it; what I didn't believe was that the best prepared and most awesome NZ side would fold against 'the other' French team, the one that can appear unexpectedly at any time: did the black and grey's lose it or did the navy blue's win it? It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that this AB side have performed worse than any other in a World Cup:

New Zealand's failure to reach the semi-final for the first time means this is the least successful World Cup campaign in their history.

Neither the All Black's or Les Bleu showed up today; fickle fate did...all bets are off!!

RESULT: France 20 : 18 New Zealand

P.S. There are some great comments on that AB Telegraph link, naturally almost all got it wrong: especially about half-way down: Nick Gough (oh so right!) and Alan Peck (oh so wrong!...hahaha)...thing is, after England, I wanted the All Black's to win the World Cup! (OK, OK...that is unless Argentina can go all the way...except against England!)

P.P.S. What a fantastic picture: Chabal obviously hyped and well unimpressed with the haka.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update Oct 6th, Full Time...I'm breathing again but only just: YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!! A couple of heart-stopping moments but it's all over: a great and strong forward display with JW kicking us through despite a couple of misses; a great team performance overall.

RESULT: England 12 : 10 Australia

Bring on the All Blacks...if they can handle France this time round.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Half Time and I can hardly breath...it took over half an hour for the Wallabies golden and impressive three-quarter line to score a try...

Anyway...the post title...our own golden boy...Only one...Jonny Wilkinson, there's only one Jonny Wilkinson: he's just reached the all-time RWC record points scored beating Gavin Hasting's 227 points (I seem to remember Gavin got 5 tries against Cote D'Ivoire once or something similar...but they all count!)

Also, obviously, he is by far and away the highest scoring England player but what surprised me was his total points is about 100 points more than DOUBLE the second highest (Paul Grayson on 400)

All we need now is a few more games to pip Welsh Wizard Neil Jenkin's all time rugby test points record; this includes Lion's tests for both Jenkins and Wilko but even without those they are number 1 and 2.

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!

Only one...

Update Oct 6th, 11pm BST + 1 more or less: Les Bleus l'ont fait, incroyable exploit du XV de France!...Gratuitous swearing breaks out on Owsblog: for FUCK'S SAKE, could a day of rugby go more unexpectedly than this? Unbelievable...more so than earlier: I actually believed, in my heart of hearts, that England would do it; what I didn't believe was that the best prepared and most awesome NZ side would fold against 'the other' French team, the one that can appear unexpectedly at any time: did the black and grey's lose it or did the navy blue's win it? It is absolutely incomprehensible to me that this AB side have performed worse than any other in a World Cup:

New Zealand's failure to reach the semi-final for the first time means this is the least successful World Cup campaign in their history.

Neither the All Black's or Les Bleu showed up today; fickle fate did...all bets are off!!

RESULT: France 20 : 18 New Zealand

P.S. There are some great comments on that AB Telegraph link, naturally almost all got it wrong: especially about half-way down: Nick Gough (oh so right!) and Alan Peck (oh so wrong!...hahaha)...thing is, after England, I wanted the All Black's to win the World Cup! (OK, OK...that is unless Argentina can go all the way...except against England!)

P.P.S. What a fantastic picture: Chabal obviously hyped and well unimpressed with the haka.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update Oct 6th, Full Time...I'm breathing again but only just: YEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!! A couple of heart-stopping moments but it's all over: a great and strong forward display with JW kicking us through despite a couple of misses; a great team performance overall.

RESULT: England 12 : 10 Australia

Bring on the All Blacks...if they can handle France this time round.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Half Time and I can hardly breath...it took over half an hour for the Wallabies golden and impressive three-quarter line to score a try...

Anyway...the post title...our own golden boy...Only one...Jonny Wilkinson, there's only one Jonny Wilkinson: he's just reached the all-time RWC record points scored beating Gavin Hasting's 227 points (I seem to remember Gavin got 5 tries against Cote D'Ivoire once or something similar...but they all count!)

Also, obviously, he is by far and away the highest scoring England player but what surprised me was his total points is about 100 points more than DOUBLE the second highest (Paul Grayson on 400)

All we need now is a few more games to pip Welsh Wizard Neil Jenkin's all time rugby test points record; this includes Lion's tests for both Jenkins and Wilko but even without those they are number 1 and 2.

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!

Original orbit occasions overflight order...

Today is the 50th anniversary of the first human-made object successfully orbiting the Earth. "Sputnik I changed the world,"..."it changed history." A great victory for the Soviets although, as Astroprof tells us, it was not Korolev's original choice for the first man-made object to be put into Earth orbit...and a great wake-up call to the USA. Space historian Howard McCurdy of American University says Sputnik... stoked fears of a nuclear attack, because "if you can fly a satellite over the United States, you can drop a warhead on New York City." This resulted in a total reorientation of priorities in the United States and the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a focal point for space activities writes Dr Roger D Launius National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution calling the Sputnik launch a 'force for world peace' because when it overflew the United States and other nations of the world the Soviet satellite established the overwhelmingly critical principle of ‘overflight’ in space: simply put this principle was...

"the ability to send reconnaissance and other satellites over a foreign nation for any non-lethal purpose free from the fear of attack on them."..."Orbiting reconnaissance satellites served more than virtually any other technology as a stabilising influence in the Cold War."

However that was then and this is now: these days there’s nothing to jolt politicians into action, although apparently a 'few space enthusiasts are confident that America will return to the moon soon.' Alan Bean, one the dozen people who have actually walked on the moon put it well:

"I don't see us doing a heck of a lot, until someone threatens us."

Incredibly, even though that first orbit was 50 years ago...nearly 30 years ago NASA killed the successful Apollo program and at that time astronauts were still exploring the moon's craters and plains. "Two rockets ready to carry crews to the lunar surface were left to rust after NASA cancelled moon trips." Then came the shuttle (first launch 1981)

"Though a marvel of engineering, in its 100-plus flights the shuttle has only gone around and around the Earth. It can't do anything else."

This is why, we can assume, they attract such little interest. Most interest is on Mars and beyond, but NASA administrator Michael Griffin argues that 'NASA needs to test equipment and procedures on the moon before undertaking a trip to Mars. On the moon, "we're going to learn things that we'd be silly to skip," he says, calling a moon base "an enormous risk-reduction" tool.' You have to agree with him; I've never understood why they stopped the moon missions; I cannot accept the excuses of expense although a majority of Americans thought the Apollo program wasn't worth the cost (as well as boredom?...having 'won' the race etc) Public support for human space exploration is, and always has been, "a mile wide and an inch deep" says Launius but the other thing, as far as I can see, it's the one thing that lends credibility to the moon-landing hoax accusations because, as far as politicians are concerned, when has the cost ever mattered?

Original orbit occasions overflight order...

Today is the 50th anniversary of the first human-made object successfully orbiting the Earth. "Sputnik I changed the world,"..."it changed history." A great victory for the Soviets although, as Astroprof tells us, it was not Korolev's original choice for the first man-made object to be put into Earth orbit...and a great wake-up call to the USA. Space historian Howard McCurdy of American University says Sputnik... stoked fears of a nuclear attack, because "if you can fly a satellite over the United States, you can drop a warhead on New York City." This resulted in a total reorientation of priorities in the United States and the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a focal point for space activities writes Dr Roger D Launius National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution calling the Sputnik launch a 'force for world peace' because when it overflew the United States and other nations of the world the Soviet satellite established the overwhelmingly critical principle of ‘overflight’ in space: simply put this principle was...

"the ability to send reconnaissance and other satellites over a foreign nation for any non-lethal purpose free from the fear of attack on them."..."Orbiting reconnaissance satellites served more than virtually any other technology as a stabilising influence in the Cold War."

However that was then and this is now: these days there’s nothing to jolt politicians into action, although apparently a 'few space enthusiasts are confident that America will return to the moon soon.' Alan Bean, one the dozen people who have actually walked on the moon put it well:

"I don't see us doing a heck of a lot, until someone threatens us."

Incredibly, even though that first orbit was 50 years ago...nearly 30 years ago NASA killed the successful Apollo program and at that time astronauts were still exploring the moon's craters and plains. "Two rockets ready to carry crews to the lunar surface were left to rust after NASA cancelled moon trips." Then came the shuttle (first launch 1981)

"Though a marvel of engineering, in its 100-plus flights the shuttle has only gone around and around the Earth. It can't do anything else."

This is why, we can assume, they attract such little interest. Most interest is on Mars and beyond, but NASA administrator Michael Griffin argues that 'NASA needs to test equipment and procedures on the moon before undertaking a trip to Mars. On the moon, "we're going to learn things that we'd be silly to skip," he says, calling a moon base "an enormous risk-reduction" tool.' You have to agree with him; I've never understood why they stopped the moon missions; I cannot accept the excuses of expense although a majority of Americans thought the Apollo program wasn't worth the cost (as well as boredom?...having 'won' the race etc) Public support for human space exploration is, and always has been, "a mile wide and an inch deep" says Launius but the other thing, as far as I can see, it's the one thing that lends credibility to the moon-landing hoax accusations because, as far as politicians are concerned, when has the cost ever mattered?

Ows's odd October opinion...

What a mouth-watering set of quarter-finals: I have to be honest and say that only one team looks out of place...and I sincerely hope that Argentina give them what for!

Australia v England (ref: Alain Rolland, Ireland)

New Zealand v France (ref: Wayne Barnes, England)

Argentina v Scotland (ref: Joel Jutge, France)

South Africa v Fiji (ref: Alan Lewis, Ireland)

It's a tough one to predict but New Zealand won't fall for the 'good' French side that tends to appear occasionally and I also think South Africa, after getting a run for their money, will be too strong for the Fijians (I hope not though!) That only leaves a resurgent England overpowering the golden and talented Wallabies who always seem to have a fantastic set three-quarters no matter who retires/gets injured/whatever...anyway, a tight game but far more tries than in the final 4 years ago. I haven't forgotten what I promised when I commented on my post slagging off England last month! So...semi-final predictions:

England vs. New Zealand (stunning display puts England through)

South Africa vs. Argentina (brusingly tough and bloody encounter sees Argentina win by 5)

So...an England vs. Argentina Final looks a great prospect... what are you laughing at?

Ows's odd October opinion...

What a mouth-watering set of quarter-finals: I have to be honest and say that only one team looks out of place...and I sincerely hope that Argentina give them what for!

Australia v England (ref: Alain Rolland, Ireland)

New Zealand v France (ref: Wayne Barnes, England)

Argentina v Scotland (ref: Joel Jutge, France)

South Africa v Fiji (ref: Alan Lewis, Ireland)

It's a tough one to predict but New Zealand won't fall for the 'good' French side that tends to appear occasionally and I also think South Africa, after getting a run for their money, will be too strong for the Fijians (I hope not though!) That only leaves a resurgent England overpowering the golden and talented Wallabies who always seem to have a fantastic set three-quarters no matter who retires/gets injured/whatever...anyway, a tight game but far more tries than in the final 4 years ago. I haven't forgotten what I promised when I commented on my post slagging off England last month! So...semi-final predictions:

England vs. New Zealand (stunning display puts England through)

South Africa vs. Argentina (brusingly tough and bloody encounter sees Argentina win by 5)

So...an England vs. Argentina Final looks a great prospect... what are you laughing at?