Saturday, September 15, 2007
Portugal's Pride
This is the unfortunate reality when a team making it's debut at the World Cup comes up against a side that has a rich rugby heritage and is commonly known to be the best side in the world, and probably favourites to win the tournament.
Does it matter what the score is today? No. What matters, is that a minnow of the world game is getting a chance to take the field against living legends, and on the world stage in front of a global audience of millions.
Portugal will today go into the toughest battle of their lives, but believe me, they'll be loving every minute of it.
They are a developing rugby nation that, along with a few other sides in the tournament, are made up of amateur players. Every country needs to be given a chance, and unless they're given that chance, there will forever be only four or five sides in the world that stand a chance of winning the trophy.
And what would be better than having sides like Portugal, USA, Fiji, and Georgia (to name a few), being able to compete with the best.
It would challenge a few supporters egos, and some people will disagree with me, but it certainly is for the good of the game. Spread the game as far and wide as possible, and make rugby the number one sport in the world.
And as you can see by the passion shown in Portugal's first ever World Cup singing of their national anthem, it means the world to them, which at the end of the day is one of the most important parts of what rugby is all about - pride for your country.
Posted at 12:22 am | 35 comments
|
|
|
Viewing 35 comments
Lobes September 15, 2007 2:15 pm
Good on Portugal for scoring 4 times against the AB's. NZ yet again showing how their concentration wavers in the most important tournaments. They just can't put teams to bed like the Wallabies or Boks can
Anonymous September 15, 2007 6:21 pm
that's the spirit indeed.. congratulations to portugal for reaching the world cup
Margarida Silva. September 15, 2007 9:41 pm
They are amazing! All of them. :)Congratulations!
rodrigo figueiredo September 16, 2007 12:29 am
Thanks for the answer! It's a proud to say this! We have figted until the end to next world cup champion!Thanks,RF
Anonymous September 16, 2007 9:30 am
After the game, portugal asked the all blacks to do a soccer game, all blacks accepted, and portugal won 2-1 :D That's spirit of Rugby
Sean September 16, 2007 3:07 pm
Its been a great world cup for the smaller nations like Portugal, Georgia, Namibia, USA, Canada etc. This will hopefully stop the calls for the tournament to be reduced to 16 teams
Anonymous September 16, 2007 10:56 pm
mate,the portuguese won 3-1. im a proud portuguese! i was in lyon this wekend and it was amazin! go PORTUGAL,GO LOBOS
Wally nut September 17, 2007 3:46 am
"NZ yet again showing how their concentration wavers in the most important tournaments. They just can't put teams to bed like the Wallabies or Boks can"Please. There's not much you can take from a game of NZ bench warmers v Portugal.If Portugal hadn't have scored, NZ would have been "bullies".Quit your sniping and just enjoy the rugby.
Anonymous September 17, 2007 8:06 am
Being portuguese and a rugby fan, the game agains the all blacks was a dream come true.Since 1995 I watch every IRB world cup, and to see my country playing it its amazing.Dont care much about the result against NZ, but our performance was as good as we could have hoped for. Very strong tackles here and theres, never say die atitude and when we had the ball we were commited going forward with quality rugby.We had to start somewhere, this is our first World Cup, surely not the last, and in 4 years time the All Blacks wont get past 60 points.Italy will have to sweat and we will beat Romania, making it a dream come true IRB world cup debut!Thanks to coach Tomaz Morais and our boys who have done us so proud!
Anonymous September 17, 2007 1:10 pm
Portugal definitely has my admiration... And I agree, reducing the number of teams to 16 will ruin the chance of emerging nations to grow...
Cheyanqu September 17, 2007 1:58 pm
20->167 is a bad call.As it is, the IRB is accommodating the "Big Nations"'s TV contracts at the disservice of the game itself.The IRB essentially allowed the order of pool matches to be re-arranged. Every round should look identical across all pool, with the last round -- Round 5 -- being a rivalry match that matters -- 1v2, 3v4.Instead, you have a 1v5 game, going into the final round. On paper, this allows the #1 the likelihood of resting its players going into the QFs, whilst all other pools must beat each other up going into the finals.Make it fair for everyone, not just those with the most money. Those with the most money will bubble to the top if they deserve it.And after GEO's classy showing, I don't think IRE deserves much..The Irish winning in Cricket, and {almost} losing in Rugby.. what's the world coming to?
Cheyanqu September 17, 2007 4:32 pm
Who was that Kiwi pr*ck that kept showboating? Oh yeah, Conrad Smith.Whilst the kiwis had the game WELL in hand, he scored his first try, and starts pretending to grab his hamstring. Then on his second try, he raises his arms up like he just won the Cup.Buddy, everyone back at the sheep station is glad you're back. It's great he's overcome his injuryt demons, however, if he would step out of his self-absorption for one second, and realize that you're disrepecting your opponent by doing that crap.Maybe if you had to out-run a guy of the likes of Habana, you'd actually pull your hamstring.And when that day comes, I'll raise a pint to Bryan.In the meantime, I hope Collins or Masoe slapped him silly after the game.A--hole.
Anonymous September 18, 2007 12:35 am
PORTUGAL is one small country... but it has an enormous dignity!!! the players fight until the last minute.I have pride of being Portuguese.go all blacks :-)
fishboy September 18, 2007 1:09 am
Cheyanqu: just stop. Please. Quit with the insinuations of a sinister All Black conspiracy to ensure a easy ride through the RWC.The fixtures were set quite a while ago, when the form of the 'top' teams was far more traditional. The last match for each of the (then) top 5-6 sides was always supposed to be an easy beat. The fact that they're going to be much more interesting for several tier one sides has more to do with their lack of class than anything.Argentina, Ireland & Italy are the only ones that can really claim to be annoyed with the choice of last game. 'All other pools must beat each other up' you say? Yeah, because RSA vs USA is going to be so tough. Aus vs Canada - it'll be nail-biting... Dick.As for Conrad Smith 'showboating' and 'pretending' - do you really know anything about injuries? Did you not see his, obviously involuntary, hand to his leg when scoring that try? Do you not know that he's recovering from a torn hamstring? Obviously not - but I bet when guys on your team are recovering from injury they're 'battling' and when they look happy after scoring a try they're heroes...You're such a boring hater - don't you also want to mention how Ali Williams' haircut is disrespecting opponents? Or that playing so many forwards in the game was unsporting? Or the haka - go on, you know you want to attack the haka.
chobs September 18, 2007 5:39 am
Good on you fishboy!!!Why would you attack conrad smith?!!! hes probably the least likely person to show boat. execpt maybe carl hayman. the legend
Anonymous September 18, 2007 11:32 am
Swandives when scoring tries = showboating. Usually done by the Mortlock / Giteau clan. Also seen a lot in the SA team.Raising one's arms after scoring a try after a long injury break - not showboating.
Cheyanqu September 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Fishboy,I am not saying there is a conspiracy [to keep the Tier IIs down]. I am however saying that Tier Is are aligned with their incentives. They benefit more from bigger TV revenues. They don't benefit (perhaps even are hurt) by making the competition schedule itself being one of parity and objectivity -- they get stuck with mid-week fixtures, and must play opponents with equal rest.Look at the fifth (final round) of pool play:A1vA5, A2vA4, A3 ByeB1vB4, B2vB3, B5 ByeC1vC4, C2vC3, C5 ByeD1vD4, D2vD3, D5 ByeTo be truly fair and objective, the match-ups should be harmonized across all pools.This means the 2v3 teams will likely have to beat each other up (IRE-ARG, SCO-ITA, WAL-FIJ).The superpowers on the other hand can rest players (or serve any suspensions).All I am saying is that the fairest structure going into the final round would be:1v2, 3v4, 5 ByeAs for Conrad Smith, well, maybe the guy is hurt, and it's good to see him back. But when you score against a minnow after 60 minutes of play, act like you've been there before!
Anonymous September 18, 2007 7:29 pm
haha u guys are all readin too deeply into this haha conrad smith is shite anyway. and i think people shud be concentrating more on how the portugese played then the supppsed "show boating"
Anonymous September 18, 2007 10:54 pm
I'm from NZ, and I thought what Smith did was pretty stupid... just put the damn ball down and get it over with, no wonder the crowd booed him
Anonymous September 19, 2007 2:07 pm
That's right, the entire stadium booed Conrad Smith. I think it is quite unanimous that his attitude was disrespecting and annoying. I personally was very pissed off. Unlike legends such as Heyman, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, So'ialo, Rocokoco and others that even knowing about their supremacy, respected Portugal's team by giving it their best and not showboating like that idiot. hope he doesnt get much more chances to play in the world cup.
v September 19, 2007 4:21 pm
"but it certainly is for the good of the game. Spread the game as far and wide as possibly, and make rugby the number one sport in the world."AMEN!
fishboy September 20, 2007 2:49 am
Cheyanqu: I agree, that would be a great deal fairer but it seems the IRB see the RWC as a money making endeavour rather than a way to truly foster the game - so their focus is on having the big drawcard teams rested for their (almost) inevitable quarter- and semi-final matches.The problem is professionalism and the commercial realities of chasing the big bucks...As for the showboating and the booing - the boos were for the try where he ran the ball in under the sticks after evading a defender. I can see why he did it - making the try easier to convert - and I can see why some people might see it as 'unsporting' but then that really calls into contention the entire (mis)match.It's interesting that no-one panned Berrick Barnes for his swan-dive against Wales or called that disrespectful. There's a bit of condescension from all these people who feel that Portugal should have been shown a different face by the ABs - I think if you were to talk to the players they'd have no complaints about the way the game was played.
Anonymous September 20, 2007 9:28 pm
please make a video wirh some portugal tackles they do great tackles
Anonymous September 28, 2007 1:26 pm
people of rugbydump! u guys have to make a film of the portuguese takles in the world cup! please guys! cheers and thanks
Dk October 11, 2007 10:04 am
ABs biggest problem is the crap from press etc @ home. Nobody wanted to take the drop goal attempt cos' they'd be massacred if they missed...The ABs live in fear of the past.. Byron K talking about 99 at half time... psychological suicide!!!With the respectful welcome home i heard the 17 recieved from the people of NZ maybe next time they'll be able to forget the fear. 4 more years... can't help but laugh.. sorry :-)
Anonymous December 29, 2007 10:52 am
ive never seen an anthem sung with the passion and gusto as thease fellas did it , you gotta love em!
Anonymous January 16, 2008 5:21 am
well, they've got one part of the game down
Anonymous January 19, 2008 10:27 pm
U17,U18,U19,U20 portugal teams are getting ready to the next world cup
italian scrummy February 01, 2008 5:30 pm
I will be going to Portugal this April (in Lisbon) with my school's team to play in a little 7s tournament between 2 schools (including us) and an amateur team....I feel proud to have the chance to play against such people.As my team coach tells me.."Rugby is three things all together...HEART BRAIN and BALLS".
Anonymous May 10, 2008 1:46 pm
portugal its the greatest team in the world , not the best but the great
Anonymous May 22, 2008 9:33 am
Portugueses....aprendam a escrever em ingles carago!
Anonymous June 09, 2008 6:55 pm
Excellent Portugal! you have played whit pride! Congratulation! from an Argentinian.
Commenting as Guest | Register or Login