Hehe. I'm not writing them off completely. They are coming in with momentum and they're probably less banged up than South Africa after an easier run to the semi.
The Ireland>Tonga>France run will have left some bruises.
Like how everyone is assuming it's going to be a NZ vs SA final
There was absolutely no doubt about NZ's win over Argentina. Maybe SA-England will be interesting?
I could never have told you that hat England would have taken it that close to South Africa tonight.
Am I Wrong be very proud of that performance?
Utterly miserable from South Africa for 67 minutes, and credit to England they had a plan and executed.
Good bench use the key for us again. But we need to play better than that next week.
I could never have told you that hat England would have taken it that close to South Africa tonight.
Am I Wrong be very proud of that performance?
Not wrong. England played well.
Well England came up just short of kicking their way to a world cup final. I had references to 2004 Greece in the Euros ready to go and also to add another feather to Sinfield's hat.
Also this was reported during the game so bit of added nastiest to the afair.
As I expected, the decision to 'seed' participants in the tournament 3 years ago resulted in anticlimactic semi-finals.
As for the England-South Africa game, it was pretty much what you'd expect given England's lack of a cutting edge, South Africa's apparent tiredness, and the impact of the rain (certainly close to what you predicted, onewild).
Hopefully, the final will deliver at the end of the week. It's shaping to be a match featuring two very different styles of rugby. I'm expecting a NZ win.
Starting lineups for Saturday's final are out. (Boks are going 7-1 and dropped Libbok),Forecast calls for rain (and lots of it, apparently). Who's winning?
Edit: I thought I saw the NZ lineup yesterday but I guess not. It's still TBA, I think.
Edit: NZ lineup is out. The All Blacks are going with youth, as Retallick will start and Whitelock goes to the bench. Otherwise, it's the same lineup as their scrimmage last week against Argentina.
I have no idea what to expect Saturday, especially if it's pouring.
Also this was reported during the game so bit of added nastiest to the afair.[/url]
Dropped due to lack of evidence apparently. Without a hearing. After the backlash to saying there wouldn’t be a hearing until after the WC final because……
Starting lineups for Saturday's final are out. (Boks are going 7-1 and dropped Libbok),Forecast calls for rain (and lots of it, apparently). Who's winning?
Edit: I thought I saw the NZ lineup yesterday but I guess not. It's still TBA, I think.Edit: NZ lineup is out. The All Blacks are going with youth, as Retallick will start and Whitelock goes to the bench. Otherwise, it's the same lineup as their scrimmage last week against Argentina.
I have no idea what to expect Saturday, especially if it's pouring.
Looking at South Africa's selection and expected conditions I'm leaning towards a Bok win. It's going to be difficult for New Zealand to avoid contact and a wet ball means no fancy play.
Big risk not having any cover at scrum half though.
It's going to be an arm wrestle and if we win there will be miles of opinion columns written about South Africa destroying the game, as they have since 1995.
Rugby World Cup 2023 final: New Zealand vs South Africa preview https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-un... Good piece on a massive tactical call from the boks management. Weather is looking rough so I think it might just pay off.
Thanks, bbk1980.
Seven forwards, and only one back on the subs bench. It's definitely a statement, but I don't think it's outlandish.
I think the BBC's assessment is too pessimistic. The only thing that would concern me is the decisions not to carry a second scrum half and a specialist hooker. I don't know that one scrum half can play a full 80 minutes in a top level test match any more. And I'd like to have another hooker for lineouts, particularly on a wet day.
But rugby has required backs who are bigger and multi-skilled for a couple of decades now, so I'd don't see the need to shuffle players around in case of injury being a problem. Certainly, I cannot imagine Kwagga Smith being option 1 in any scenario... bar the lost of a back because of a yellow card (if its a red card, then the game is likely lost anyway).
Du Toit is playing out of his skin here, tackling like a beast and at every breakdown.
Ill discipline has f*cked NZ here.
South Africa definitely playing the conditions better, defending like demons, doing the basics.
A few lapses in Bok discipline are keeping New Zealand in the game, so if they can keep it together and tighten up they should keep the All Blacks out.
All Blacks are not playing the conditions and showing poor discipline, but as usual they will punish mistakes and love broken play.
Credit to then for the line out steals though.
I can't even.....
3 one point games in 3 weeks
I can't even.....
3 one point games in 3 weeks
Heart stopping stuff. Really feel for Sam Cane. Fair call though.
I’ll have to rewatch the game at some point, can’t remember most of it. One big blur
What a world cup, massive well doe to South Africa for winning such a tough tournament, i do feel for France Ireland and NZ who all went out on very fine margins in tough games. The South African defense was what won it in the end. I am hoping my group of 8/9 YO who I am away out to coach this wet morning were watching so i can extol the virtues of putting the tackles in over the eye grabbing runs 
Not really surprised, personally. American football had this, rugby seemed like the next logical place.
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