Sadly I can't watch the final - bloody day job gets in the way. Probably good for my vulnerable blood pressure. But Clive Thompson makes fair points here: https://tinyurl.com/mekmh63v
May it be another titanic match between the world's two best rugby nations (both being nations and teams that I love).
The 'Boks got it, 12-11. Their third match in a row for them to win by a single point.
Also the second time they've won the World Cup Final without scoring a try - seems all wrong to me when that is the whole purpose of the game.
Felt sorry for the ABs, many of whom, including their fabulous scrum-half Aaron Smith, many of whom were playing their last match before retirement.
Yeah, but they are prone to giving away sill penalties, and Capt Sam Cane is a recidivist offender. Kiwis were cross with Wayne Barnes but that's normal. There was some merit in the argument that if Cane's totally brain explosion tackle warranted a yellow-to-red upgrade so too did Kolisi's but to this untrained eye Can's looked worse, and I really don't thing the ABs would have won even with Kolisi on a red.
And complains about the remote reviews are just a part of top level sport in a digital age. Suck it up, dudes. Or watch secondary school sport instead.
In the end the better team won - and it means far more for South Africa's wellbeing than for New Zealand's.
Yeah, but they are prone to giving away sill penalties, and Capt Sam Cane is a recidivist offender. Kiwis were cross with Wayne Barnes but that's normal. There was some merit in the argument that if Cane's totally brain explosion tackle warranted a yellow-to-red upgrade so too did Kolisi's but to this untrained eye Can's looked worse, and I really don't thing the ABs would have won even with Kolisi on a red.
And complains about the remote reviews are just a part of top level sport in a digital age. Suck it up, dudes. Or watch secondary school sport instead.
In the end the better team won - and it means far more for South Africa's wellbeing than for New Zealand's.
You're right there, @Zappa, the South African win was a boost for poor old battered and demoralised South Africa.
The best team clearly won. Both of England's tries were top drawer (bar the debutant not keeping running towards the middle for the kicker's sake), but apart from those two flashes they were pretty turgid.
Duhan van der Merwe (old Aberdeen family, the vdMs) had an interesting day at the office - hat trick, Man of the Match... and sin-binned!
Van der Merwe qualifies by virtue of residence. I imagine in the case of strapping great winger with a turn of speed like a rocket, a week would suffice.
May I suggest that the current Wales team, though clearly not yet fully-formed, is showing signs of promise? One thing noted though is the players generally seem lighter and less hefty than their opponents! Also they need to realise that the game starts when the clock says 00:00 rather than 40:00!
I think there is a feeling across Wales that Rees-Zammit betrayed his nation for filthy American lucre ... or did he perhaps have a fallout with Gatland/his team-mates/the WRU?
Van der Merwe qualifies by virtue of residence. I imagine in the case of strapping great winger with a turn of speed like a rocket, a week would suffice.
Poor Italy! Denied a famous victory over France by a rogue gust of wind toppling the ball from the kicking tee. All credit to Garbisi for re-setting in record time but denied by the post. France were very lucky to get away with a draw. Ireland v Wales didn't result in the drubbing predicted by many. Yes, the hosts got a respectable score but the match was not the procession across the line that was widely expected. The Welsh side is young: Gatland is building for the next World Cup and the players he has at the moment look more than promising. If only the WRU could get its act together vis-a-vis the regions ...
The Calcutta Cup was a thrilling match. Scotland really have upped their game and the presence of Van der Meuwe seems to inspire the rest of his team mates to play far better than they do below test level. England looked leaden-footed, lacking in ideas and altogether bemused that Scotland didn't just lie down and die. Bravo Scotland!
Finally! Italy get a win, and at home too. They emerged from an excellent match against Scotland with a win 31-29. Italy get 4 points for their win and Scotland 2 bonus points for their 4 tries and keeping the losing margin within 7 points.
I only saw the last few minutes of the England goal. They were leading then, two minutes later, Ireland scored. "That's it", we thought - but England pressed forward and so nearly scored a try. Then - my word as the time went red they dropped a goal and won by a single point.
We didn't play badly, but the team lacks experience in too many areas - you can thank Wayne Pivac for not getting to grips with bringing on youngsters during his disastrous reign. There is a lot for Warren Gatland to do but, thank goodness, at least the WRU had the wit to refuse his offer to resign. And we shoudn't take away from Italy the way they got their victory - Wales were a far better side than the one they squeaked ahead of in 2022. The best Italian result for many years and thoroughly deserved.
The final match saw England trying to muscle their way through a French defence and was highly reminiscent (and not in a good way) of the teams of the early noughties. There are still serious weaknesses in the England team and I'm notconvinced that Steve Borthwick is the man to improve on them. When they could, the French played some exciting rugby and will certainly improve next season.
Congratulations to Ireland on a second 6 Nations in a row: a slightly nervy performance against the gallant Scots who deserved to be higher up the table than fourth.
International Rugger kicks off in 2024. Good result for the Aussies but England vs AB’s is sure the one that got away from England.
England dominated that first scrum but soon after ‘early subbed’ Joe Marler. Not sure what happened there cos they got shoved around after that..still 16-15 is maybe way too close for comfort for NZ. Can England get the job done come Saturday?
This weekend saw the beginning of this year's Six Nations competition. France - Wales last night. Everyone was predicting a bloodbath: well, it didn't happen but the Welsh team seemed pretty devoid of ideas. France, on the other hand, had Dupont playing again and he provided excellent service. The game was marred somewhat by a particularly nasty tackle resulting in a red card for Romain Ntamach.
Scotland - Italy on Saturday afternoon resulted in a win, with bonus point, for the hosts. An excellent match- Italy are no longer the pushovers in the competition and can cause trouble for any team. Good to see Tommy Allan back in the Italy side.
Ireland - England Saturday evening. Once again Ireland broke English hearts and ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Comments
May it be another titanic match between the world's two best rugby nations (both being nations and teams that I love).
Also the second time they've won the World Cup Final without scoring a try - seems all wrong to me when that is the whole purpose of the game.
Felt sorry for the ABs, many of whom, including their fabulous scrum-half Aaron Smith, many of whom were playing their last match before retirement.
And complains about the remote reviews are just a part of top level sport in a digital age. Suck it up, dudes. Or watch secondary school sport instead.
In the end the better team won - and it means far more for South Africa's wellbeing than for New Zealand's.
You're right there, @Zappa, the South African win was a boost for poor old battered and demoralised South Africa.
The best team clearly won. Both of England's tries were top drawer (bar the debutant not keeping running towards the middle for the kicker's sake), but apart from those two flashes they were pretty turgid.
Duhan van der Merwe (old Aberdeen family, the vdMs) had an interesting day at the office - hat trick, Man of the Match... and sin-binned!
I think there is a feeling across Wales that Rees-Zammit betrayed his nation for filthy American lucre ... or did he perhaps have a fallout with Gatland/his team-mates/the WRU?
Thank you, that got a loud snort from me!
Ireland v Wales didn't result in the drubbing predicted by many. Yes, the hosts got a respectable score but the match was not the procession across the line that was widely expected. The Welsh side is young: Gatland is building for the next World Cup and the players he has at the moment look more than promising. If only the WRU could get its act together vis-a-vis the regions ...
The Calcutta Cup was a thrilling match. Scotland really have upped their game and the presence of Van der Meuwe seems to inspire the rest of his team mates to play far better than they do below test level. England looked leaden-footed, lacking in ideas and altogether bemused that Scotland didn't just lie down and die. Bravo Scotland!
And Ireland lost to England. Feck2
I wonder how much Wales will lose by today?
Feck x 3.
The final match saw England trying to muscle their way through a French defence and was highly reminiscent (and not in a good way) of the teams of the early noughties. There are still serious weaknesses in the England team and I'm notconvinced that Steve Borthwick is the man to improve on them. When they could, the French played some exciting rugby and will certainly improve next season.
Congratulations to Ireland on a second 6 Nations in a row: a slightly nervy performance against the gallant Scots who deserved to be higher up the table than fourth.
England dominated that first scrum but soon after ‘early subbed’ Joe Marler. Not sure what happened there cos they got shoved around after that..still 16-15 is maybe way too close for comfort for NZ. Can England get the job done come Saturday?
France - Wales last night. Everyone was predicting a bloodbath: well, it didn't happen but the Welsh team seemed pretty devoid of ideas. France, on the other hand, had Dupont playing again and he provided excellent service. The game was marred somewhat by a particularly nasty tackle resulting in a red card for Romain Ntamach.
Scotland - Italy on Saturday afternoon resulted in a win, with bonus point, for the hosts. An excellent match- Italy are no longer the pushovers in the competition and can cause trouble for any team. Good to see Tommy Allan back in the Italy side.
Ireland - England Saturday evening. Once again Ireland broke English hearts and ran out comfortable winners in the end.