Rugby Union World Cup - France 2023

Our defensive game has to be way stronger against the South Africans than it was against Fiji today. For long periods when Fiji had the ball we allowed them to push us back and the way that they scored their first try with that clever dummy showed we can't afford to leave too many gaps for South Africa to squeeze through.

Night of destiny for the Pumas in just under an hour! Going to need all the luck to go there way, and probably still won't be enough!

No shock available last night, with the ABs - as expected to be fair despite recent results - brushed aside Argentina to await either South Africa or England for the big prize.

Much tighter tonight for sure, but for me SA should have enough. No shock if it goes the other way however!

I think it's safe to say that it's coming home in Rugby will become a theme if this carries on.

(21-10-2023 21:56 )Kingsmind Wrote:  I think it's safe to say that it's coming home in Rugby will become a theme if this carries on.

Didn't quite work out 'Kings'!! Didn't do much wrong to be fair, and were beaten by a quality score!

Down to the last two! Man where did the last 6 weeks go??

I am not sure I can call this Final?? Hopefully W Barnes is somewhere close to the top of his game (usually is) and as far as the scrums are concerned, refs them as he has been doing, and not with his pedantic - quote: 'nice and slow'. No such thing Wayne, just concentrate on cadence Please!! I wonder how the ABs feel about reuniting with him?? I know it is water under the bridge perhaps, but equally, they may have long memories of Wales??

Congrats South Africa!! Very small margins, and - yes - the red card had an effect, but the way new Zealand played the game with a man short for that length of time, well credit to them!! I do not agree with a couple of ex kiwi players who had a go at Wayne Barnes (he didn't make the ultimate red card decision) for the sending off 'ruining the game turning it in to a 'snorefest'. It was one of the best finals in recent memory, and if they thought differently, what match were they watching?? - it was not the real final, that is for sure!

Very true hornball very fine margins usually is the case in a rwc final especially 3 of the last 4
I was in my rugby clubs clubhouse watching the game with my friends near enough all backing new Zealand with a group of south Africans behind me
Still feel klosi should have been sent off considering it was worse contact than canes
Anyway was a gripping final had near enough everything I feel south Africa at times went to sleep and that's where new Zealand shook them up and they were hanging on at the end

I thought that the officials did a good just in a hard match.
They must have done well when both the New Zealand and South African players are having a go about decisions.

And it was good to see the bunker upgrading a yellow to red. It was an identical incident to that of Tom Curry and he was also sent off.

World Cup referee Wayne Barnes has announced his retirement.

Probably feed up with all the whinging from the New Zealand player for their loss to South Africa.