Rugby World Cup

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Sorry have just got back from Geneva that was my Nostradamus moment - hope I'm correct

You may well be right, as New Zealand have stated that they will field an unchanged team in the final, who were resolute in defence against Australia. France will meet a team far more committed than any team they have faced so far, with respect to Wales being uppermost in my mind whilst saying this.

 

[Zoe]

Wales 18 - 21 Australia.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Wales 18 - 21 Australia.

A fantastic finish by Wales to gain that converted try, which makes the place kicking look just as bad as it did against France in the semi-final and Hook even managed to miss a penalty from almost in front of the posts. You have to make the penalty count actually mean something at the highest level of Rugby Union by kicking them to add to the match points total. The young Australian number 14 did at least put some of his kicks in-between the posts.

 

[Zoe]

France 7 - 8 New Zealand.

 

[Oswyntail]

So we come to the end of one of the most predictable competitions ever! Only one surprise result in the whole lot. Shame France didn't win, but even that wouldn't have been an upset. And, again, a lot of the results hinged on differing referee leniency at the breakdown.
At the start, there were: 5 top rank teams (NZ, SA, Aus, Eng, FR), all about the same level; 5 second rank (other 6 nations + Arg); rest. Only one of the first group lost to the second; none in either group lost to the third. Playing style among the top group was very similar when playing each other, with the defence being paramount.
The only progress seems to have been made by Wales, but, IMHO, they play only "underdog" rugby, frantically driven by perceived injustice. They need to mature if they are to control games properly.
Some good games, and great fun throughout.

 

[HST Power]

New Zealand deserved to win the tournament, but France were unlucky not to win the final. They really gave it their all in the second half.

 

[T163R]

I'm proud of my country.
Guess the one I'm talking about

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Both teams gave an excellent performance, full of passion and determination. The fact that the score was so low, with a single point separating the teams at the end, shows determined defence and a terrific midfield struggle.

I shall miss this particular World Cup competition with so many events to remember during the last few weeks.

 

[flymo]

Both teams gave an excellent performance, full of passion and determination.

Totally agree, a fascinating game.

The fact that the score was so low, with a single point separating the teams at the end, shows determined defence and a terrific midfield struggle.

Nope, sorry I disagree. The NZ kicking was shocking, as a lot of kicking has been throughout the whole tournament, nothing to do with France. It could, (should) have been 13-0 to NZ at half time but Piri Weepu missed a penalty, a conversion then one more penalty. Shocking.

I shall miss this particular World Cup competition with so many events to remember during the last few weeks.

Now that I agree with...

Ah well, only four more year till the next one.....in England.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The NZ kicking was shocking, as a lot of kicking has been throughout the whole tournament, nothing to do with France. It could, (should) have been 13-0 to NZ at half time but Piri Weepu missed a penalty, a conversion then one more penalty.

Yet the strange thing was that it was the French missed kick at goal in the second half, when they scored a converted try and conceeded no second half points, that could have won the game for France. France played exceptionally well in the second half, when all the "pundits" forecasted the second half would see New Zealand overwhelming France.

 

[Oswyntail]

Yet the strange thing was that it was the French missed kick at goal in the second half, when they scored a converted try and conceeded no second half points, that could have won the game for France. France played exceptionally well in the second half, when all the "pundits" forecasted the second half would see New Zealand overwhelming France.

There has certainly been a very odd cumulative failure amongst top rate goal kickers at this tournament. Possibly ball design, and nothing sinister. As for the pundits, we are all too ready to accept the view that SH Rugby is immeasurably better than NH. In many ways this is a self-fulfilling prophecy, as, when the teams play each other, we get the "Ireland facing the MIGHTY All Blacks" type of build up. The only team that seems able to ignore this is France, who will always do things their way.
I still believe the top 5 teams are the same as they were going in to the tournament, and they are all playing at the same level.

 

[T163R]

I'm proud of my country.
Guess the one I'm talking about

And that's New Zealand

 

[Greenback]

Well done to both teams. Mrs G says it was the best RWC final she has ever seen. I agree that is was an exciting match that could have gone either way. A fitting climax to a very good tournament.