Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11770098)

Murrayfield each time Australia has played Scotland since the late 80's; Hampden Park more times than you've had hot breakfasts for Australia vs Scotland WC play-off, SC semi's and finals and Scotland internationals, Cardiff Arms Park for a Welsh international when in Cardiff on tennis duty, Ibrox, Celtic Park, Brunton Park (CUFC), St James Park (NUFC), many Scottish football grounds.................. SCG, Adelaide Oval and Bellerive. Etihad and AAMI Park countless times to watch footy, soccer and rugby. FWIW the most 'atmosphere' I've experienced is the Old Firm matches at Ibrox and Celtic Park. However, most of that is non-religious people using religion as an excuse to impart their ignorance and prejudice to create 'atmosphere'.

I will put my hand up and say I haven't been to a test match in England but I've been to Lords, Old Trafford and Twickers when away on tennis on non-match days. I know somehow you'll claim your 'hypothetical high ground' over this. I don't mention these in any way to brag; merely in response to your inane suggestion that I haven't been anywhere but the MCG.

I'm quietly confident we can do well in this RWC but I fear the neighbours across the Tasman and the Saffers (despite losing to Japan) who will provide sterner tests if we get past Scotland which we should on paper.

I pose a question. I've been to St James' Park for footy and definitely no alcohol is allowed in the crowd; watching Scotland's last 2 games there I couldn't help but notice all the glass bottles. One rule for footy fans and another for the better class of rugger chap?

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11770102)

I will take the high ground thanks. Do get out more.

Beer would be served at football but football fans have history. Simple as that.

In 96 I watched Manchester United play Rapid Vienna in Vienna. They served beer there. Fiorentina playing in Florence. Beer was served but Italians don't drink much beer. Australia v Brazil WC at the Allianz in Munich again beer was served. Must be a British thing.

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11770108)

Moral high ground I think not - have you played, coached and administered any sport at international level?

It's a British class thing probably - on the beer.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11770114)

Yes we know you ranked no 5 at tennis in Victoria. You tell us a lot.

Yes the low class can't handle their beer.

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11770098)

I pose a question. I've been to St James' Park for footy and definitely no alcohol is allowed in the crowd; watching Scotland's last 2 games there I couldn't help but notice all the glass bottles. One rule for footy fans and another for the better class of rugger chap?

Originally Posted by bobbyftm (Post 11770147)

Having been to probably between 60/80 football stadiums in England and Scotland over the years i can honestly say the only stadium i can remember being able to drink inside was Portman Road Ipswich in the 80 's (Another useless peace of information) Carry on boys ! :lol:

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11770163)

:lol: I used to get a pint in the bar at Brunton Park before matches but you couldn't take drink to your seat. The farce of the laws is that I can remember matches like when the likes of Man City and Wolves came and there were groups of visiting supporters getting absolutely paralytic when queueing up to go in - passing around big sherry flagons and the like; watched by the police. My wife's parents lived near the Border so I used to go and watch some Carlisle matches a while ago (saw Beardsley play and thought he'd go to the top).

A friend and his wife recently completed attending matches at every Scottish ground. They'd done it years before but 6 clubs have moved to new grounds and they ticked off the last one. (also useless information).

Originally Posted by bobbyftm (Post 11770183)

If you went to Brunton Park you should have been GIVEN several pints :lol: Never one of my favourite grounds being a sheep shagger from the other coast !:rofl:

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11770121)

Not as much as the person who lived in a village which has 7 pupils in a school but plays his cricket in the past for a London team who arrived in Australia penniless with only the shirt on his back, who is not interested at all in his pay and conditions at work who despises the graduates in his job who .................... (allegedly):rofl:

Read above for the upper classes and beer.

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11770117)

Just on beer - a young guy took his disabled friend to Twickers for England vs Australia (both England supporters). After the match when he was pushing his friend's wheelchair out of the ground he accidentally bumped into the heels of an England supporter who stopped in front of him. The guy turned around and knocked the one pushing the wheelchair unconscious. Spectators nearby grabbed the offender and summoned police and medical help. The guy was taken away. The one knocked unconscious received a phone call from the police next day (not to enquire how he was) to tell him they weren't pressing charges - the guy had apologised!!!! Would the same thing have happened if it happened at Stamford Bridge or the Emirates or another London ground? Probably not I'd say.

There have been protests about it because the guy's father wrote a letter to the papers.

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack (Post 11770515)

Discussion about seeding for the World cup - whether it's ranking or last Cup performance. They want to seed earlier for Japan as they need to rely on ticket sales further out in a nation that has a smaller fan base.
Could England end up in a Pool of Death in 2019?
Have to admit, it's a bit of a rankle that England would have been ranked higher than Scotland, and qualified out of the pool in 2011, and yet Scotland had an easier ride through to the QC this year.. suck it up...

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11770412)

Ouch. If any of that were remotely true I would be forced to report you to the mods. :)

I'm glad my history intrigues you and gives you a great source of fascination. Resentment can be a great source of evil.

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11770650)

Indeed if it was remotely true. ;)

Resentment? No, amusement.

So we've established that the RWC won't be affected by England's early exit, the economy won't be affected and the AFL GF attendance doesn't count because of the 'atmosphere'.:rofl: