Exile's World Cup Poetry

By Karl Jones
February 13 2004

World Cup Poetry

By Karl Jones (aka Exile)

Wales vs Canada (post game)
---------------------------

I wasn't very happy
with the start of the game
despite all Hansen's promises
the boys just looked the same

They still lacked direction
and then an extra treat
with Charvis getting sin binned
to make the start complete

but this is when we settled down
and Harris showed his class
his magic lines of running,
his perfectly timed pass.

Cooper still can't pass the ball
and the lineout's still a mess
just who McBryde is throwing to,
well we can only guess.

but I'm just being picky
we scored five tries to one
and when the ref he blew for time
we had the game well won.

So well done boys, now keep it up
of you I this implore,
do all you can to make us proud
and make the dragon roar.



Wales vs Tonga (post game)
--------------------------

What was Hansen doing,
with seven changes in the squad?
A mystery to everyone,
'cept maybe him and God.

And it nearly cost us,
it nearly cost us dear,
and resigned us to World cup failure
to end a dismal year.

You should not dismiss the Islanders
their men have heart and might.
Tho the Blacks may poach their talent,
they always come to fight.

This game was all or nothing
if they lost then they were out,
and while I sat here watching
they sure filled me with doubt.

with all of Hansens changes,
the squad it just can't gel.
We need some continuity,
if we're ever to play well.

Sweeny, well he did play bad,
but Jones had no idea,
and our defence was weakened,
with Rhys Williams in the rear.

There was one bit that made me smile.
I do not tell a lie,
When Martyn Willaims dropped a goal
and then he scored a try

so once again it's victory
and that's just fine with me.
But can the boys beat Italy,
well, we'll have to wait and see.



Wales vs Italy (post game)
--------------------------

Italy, well they had me worried,
my heart it was filled up with doubt,
'till this year they've not been a problem,
but this time they were in with a shout.

But Hansen, he'd made a promise,
that into the quarters we'd go,
but us back in Wales have heard it before
and we couldn't believe him no more.

The Italian pack played with passion
and for most of the game kept the ball,
but their backs, they were sadly lacking
and failed to make much ground at all

if you go by the stats then we lost it,
if you go by the stats we did @!#$,
but the stats well they're just for the experts,
coz the score's all that matters ain't it?

and our boys, they took all their chances,
from the few times we got the ball back,
our back line has speed and has talent,
but the same can't be said for our pack

but this could be 'cause they can't settle,
with so many changes each game,
well now that the pressure's off Hansen,
let's hope it's the same team you name

So that by the time we face England,
the boys will be more settled in
and if they give all that they have on that day
well you just never know, we may win.


English accented version (verse 2)

Now Hansen, he'd made us a promise
that into the quarters we'd go,
but me I couldn't believe him,
but then again what do I know?



Wales vs New Zealand (post game)
--------------------------------

No words of mine could 'er describe
just what I saw today,
'twas like I'd gone back 30 years
to how we used to play.

We played it hard, we played it fast
our talent plain to see,
but it's the heart that each man showed
was what did most please me.

No fear of the mighty Blacks,
was shown by those in red,
even tho they had no hope,
or so the experts said.

And I must confess I thought it too,
I thought we'd little hope.
With the strength and speed they have,
I never thought we'd cope.

But cope we did and more besides
We gave them quite a fright.
We played it loose and open,
'twas such a thrilling sight.

But in the end the Blacks came thru
and won the game with style,
but I don't care coz thats the best
we've played in quite a while.

Now some may say "but you still lost,
so what's the song and dance?
and as for beating England
well, you haven't got a chance."

that may be true but these boys showed
that Welsh rugby's far from dead,
and more than that they showed true pride
in their shirts of red.



WC Bonus track- A Quick One (pre qtr final)
-------------------------------------------

I've got this funny feeling
and it's got me quite confused
It's had sat here pondering
but still I am bemused

does it mean we're going to win
or that we're going to lose?
Or have I just come here too much
and read too many views?

at first I thought it doom and gloom,
now I'm not so sure,
but there is one thing I'm sure of,
and that thing is the cure.

Stay drunk until the kick off,
then no more I'll have to think,
so if you've nothing better on
come join me for a drink



WC Bonus track- The Battle (pre qtr final)
------------------------------------------

I'm getting really nervous now,
got little sleep last night.
For when I tried to close my eyes,
I was greeted with the sight

of a dragon, red and fierce,
crouched ready to attack,
but blood it gushes freely,
from a wound upon it's back.

Across from it a little way
sword held in bloody hands,
beside the body of his steed,
tho battered, proudly stands,

a knight, his armour black with soot
from a firey breath.
Neither side prepared to yield
in this game of death.

A glint comes in the dragons eye,
the knight raises high his sword,
and both attack with fervour,
but no killing blow is scored.

The battle rages long and hard
'til both are placed to kill,
but then I woke up soaked with sweat
to the night's cold chill.

I calmed the pounding of my heart
and tried to settle down,
but my mind was stuck on wondering,
just who had won the crown.

So I rose and here I sit,
waiting for the sun,
not many hours now to wait,
to find out just who won.



Wales vs England (post game)
----------------------------

This game was really important,
of course I wanted a win,
but after the way that we played 'gainst the blacks,
a big loss would just be a sin.

So I waited with my heart a'thumping,
'till finally 10 o'clock came,
I'd decided no matter what happened,
that we should apportion no blame.

But my worries were soon all forgotten,
for the boys, they came out with such fire.
No way would they beat us easy,
this game would go down to the wire.

We came oh so close very early,
and it gave us all such a thrill,
when Sid, he crashed over the try line,
but sadly the ball he did spill.

The boys really took it to England,
scoring a try of pure class,
as Jones, he ran in for the touch down,
that came from Shane's wonderful pass.

Then something that most would think stupid,
when we had just two points of a lead,
and we kicked to the corner instead of at goal,
when a penalty they did concede.

three points was the sensible option,
but not so for Charvis' men,
and the Captain again he dived over,
so the score then read three points to ten.

but after the break things were different,
we just couldn't get any ball,
then Greenwood he scored in the corner,
and they had the lead after all.

They kept the ball tight in their forwards,
which eventually started to tell,
and now with Mike Catt in beside him,
Wilkinson took all his penalties well.

but still we always looked dangerous,
everytime we got hold of the ball,
and a deft little kick to the corner,
left Dallaglio with no chance at all.

The thing that I think made the difference,
well first, 'twas a man named Mike Catt,
but mostly a thing called experience,
and you just can't defend against that.

So for us the World Cup it is over,
but we showed just how good we are,
and I think this is just the beginning,
and our young team will go far.

Steve Hansen I'd like to say sorry,
we've given you one hell of a ride,
but you and the boys in Australia,
have filled the whole nation with Pride!


For more of Exile's poetry, click here

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