Fair play Aussie, devastating opening burst and you never looked back.......With a bit of luck McCaw will be cited and suspended as he has played so much on the edge for so long, he suceeds and fails by those fine margins, that should give the Aussie squad a huge lift.......should be a cracking final with the best 2 sides in the competition competing for the ultimate prize......
Cheers Beth, l didn't actually watch the game. I had just woken and went straight off to work. I'm thinking we will need everything going for us to beat the Kiwis though.
Sorry for the delay in replying. No, I'm not seriously suggesting conspiracy, Tram. But I do think Joubert was unprofessional in reaching such a crucial decision without video evidence, and then scarpering down the tunnel at the final whistle... ...anyway, water under the bridge. Fantastic final in prospect. All Blacks for me, so long as they don't give away ridiculous penalities as they did against SA.
Given the complexity of the rules (the scrum is a complete mystery to me), it's speed and the fact that players do bend the rules (and sometimes just cheat) I think the refs in this tournament have been very good. Bound to make mistakes and they are very exposed with the screen and rules around TMOs. At lower levels the quality of the ref can make or break a game, and it's very variable. I think only the Scots can feel genuinely hard done by.
Ah, that puts a different complexion on it. Strange rules when, in a crucial WC quarter final, the referee doesn't have discretion when to go to the video. I may owe Mr Joubert an apology. In these circumstances, I can't blame him for sprinting off down the tunnel. After all, as PG Woodhouse said ; "It's never been difficult to tell the difference between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine..."
I see Sam Burgess is heading back to Rugby League, a fitting end to England's disastrous campaign and a kick in the teeth for Lancaster. No further proof needed regarding lack of judgement...
Right that's the football done with for this weekend I'm predicting 23-12 in the All Blacks favour for today's final.
[QUOTE="Sooperhoop, post: 8528075, member: 1001127"]I see Sam Burgess is heading back to Rugby League, a fitting end to England's disastrous campaign and a kick in the teeth for Lancaster. No further proof needed regarding lack of judgement...[/QUOTE] Looks like he has washed himself of Bath .............. On a more serious note, naturally hoping the Aussies can rise to the occasion and beat the All Blacks. We will certainly need any luck we can get and may the best team win.
Really looking forward to this, it just could be that the occassion and the Aussie game plan will get to the ALL Blacks, especially as they has a few of the world's greatest ever players wearing the shirt for the last time. I moan about McCaw but I'll miss watching him, and Carter has been a machine for years. The finish of this tournament will leave a void. Looks like he has washed himself of Bath .............. On a more serious note, naturally hoping the Aussies can rise to the occasion and beat the All Blacks. We will certainly need any luck we can get and may the best team win.[/QUOTE] Bath don't think he's going, he's been named in the squad for their European games. I have no doubt he could make a very good Union player, probably at flanker, but it was arrogant in the extreme for him to think he would master it in a season and then play in a World Cup, and pathetic of the shambles that is the English management (has Lancaster resigned yet?) to pick him at all, and then play him in a position he didn't know. Probably best for him to go back to the Rabbitohs now.
Bath don't think he's going, he's been named in the squad for their European games. I have no doubt he could make a very good Union player, probably at flanker, but it was arrogant in the extreme for him to think he would master it in a season and then play in a World Cup, and pathetic of the shambles that is the English management (has Lancaster resigned yet?) to pick him at all, and then play him in a position he didn't know. Probably best for him to go back to the Rabbitohs now.[/QUOTE] ...... and your prediction for the final is .......?
I'm torn by this game. After the battles and wars against England, Wales, Scotland & Argentina will this be a game too far for the Aussies, or do they have enough left in the tank for one last hurrah? The All Blacks have had an easier passage to the final, although the Boks gave them a hell of a game last week, and with so many guys retiring from international duty after today's game, they may be too focused and too strong for the Aussies. Think I will plump for New Zealand - will have to record it as I will be at the Liberty watching the Swans play Arsenal.
...... and your prediction for the final is .......?[/QUOTE] I think the Aussies defence, if they have anything left in the tank, may shade it for them.
It would be a travesty if Carter were to finish without winning a World Cup, the best No10 of any of the greats it would be fitting for him to exit as a winner and, if he is on his game, he will be the difference. I really hope the Aussies decide attack is the best form of defence and we could be served up a treat but I feel they may just use their quality at the breakdown to turn it into a battle. I think it will be tight but it's the All Blacks by 9 points for me...
I passed Twickenham on my way to Griffin Park yesterday. I could see them preparing for the final, putting up the colours and dressing the outside of the stadium and wishing I would be there. What a stark contrast to the venue I found my self at a short while later. Considering that it has been back to the future day recently, the home of Brentford FC was like stepping back 30 years. Not in a nice way either. Anyway, here's a link to an excellent RWC Final pre-view by Mick Cleary from The Telegraph ... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...view-Twickenham-ready-for-fitting-finale.html
Did anyone see the wonderful documentary about Nigel Owens last night on BBC 1? It was late around midnight, I believe it was shown earlier in the week on BBC Wales, but deserves a wider audience. Very open and honest account of his up bringing, his battles trying to accept his sexuality and his eating disorders.....but he also has huge respect within the game from players and administrators not just for his refereeing ability but the empathy he has for the game and the humor he displays whilst officiating. They showed one example when a hooker threw the ball into a line out that was so crocked it ended up closer to the scrum half than the catcher in the line out, and Owens called out to the hooker that "he was straighter than that throw....".... Wish him well for this afternoon and hope for a cracking match......
Owens seems to me to be far and away the best referee in the game right now. I had no idea that he was gay, if indeed he is, but I presume that's what you mean, which is obviously irrelevant and probably shows how far we have come with attitudes etc. Football however is probably a long way away from accepting homosexuals.
