2019 Rugby World Cup

[daveza]

We beat England in 2007 in the final, and that squad was not even close to our current squad.

I think it could be said England are not the same team either.

These poms are hungry..

 

[Drifter]

So are we.

 

[Whright]

Will have to rethink that Haka.

V formation during their haka.....

V for Victory

 

[hungrymamba]

Why? A good team consists of 15 good players and not just one. 15 good players we lack. No chance we are beating Wales, let alone England.

Armchair critic who is just clueless... You have no knowledge of rugby whatsoever... When we beat England next weekend, come back and eat humble pie... Pessimistic prick

 

[Agent_Smith]

the lines man and TMO tried their best today to help NZ, to no avail.

Huh? Both disallowed tries were excellent and correct calls. What else did I miss?

 

[Craig_]

We have the small matter of Jérôme Garcès (France) as ref tomorrow:

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If ever there was a "please give me a PK" face this guy's got it.

 

[SAguy]

Huh? Both disallowed tries were excellent and correct calls. What else did I miss?

I'm a bit on the fence with the second one in the maul.

I think it's number 2 that ends up with the ball under control after the supposed knock on from the player to his right. But number 2 had contact with the ball the entire time. So yes, the other play to his right did lose the ball, but number 2 didn't.

This is the number 2's hand, player on the left. (think I have the number right)

 

[Whright]

Huh? Both disallowed tries were excellent and correct calls. What else did I miss?

I bit of the 50/50 calls going England’s way, you know like beast got given last week?

 

[Stephen]

Missed these days:

When New Zealands little jig was exciting

 

[theratman]

I bit of the 50/50 calls going England’s way, you know like beast got given last week?

Feel the game was well officiated. That 2nd try should've stood imo, but I can't complain about the ref, thought he was fair.

 

[Arzy]

Don't think this had anything to do with 50/50 calls. England were well prepared and starved NZ of space and quality ball. They didn't over commit to the breakdown and made sure of their tackles.

 

[Fulcrum29]

We beat England in 2007 in the final, and that squad was not even close to our current squad.

I think it could be said England are not the same team either.

These poms are hungry..

You can have the best individual players in the world, but without the right structures and leadership, they won't play like the best players in the world. It is the union and their management (incl. coaches) which moulds the individual players into a winning squad.

 

[Drifter]

I hear you, but even you have to admit the the turnaround under Rassie has been remarkable.

 

[Arthur]

Feel the game was well officiated. That 2nd try should've stood imo, but I can't complain about the ref, thought he was fair.

Agreed.

I'm especially glad Nigekins didn't get snowflakey with Whitelock's face push on Farrell. Can't help thinking that if a Bok did the same, Poite would have an inner struggle to avoid a red and only give a yellow.

 

[Mortymoose]

Must say I am looking forward to the Sunday clash and am very apprehensive....

 

[ponder]

We have the small matter of Jérôme Garcès (France) as ref tomorrow:

Yip, would have preferred Nigel Owens reffing our game.

 

[Fulcrum29]

I hear you, but even you have to admit the the turnaround under Rassie has been remarkable.

It has, and the team's culture has 'dramatically' improved and I believe there is some leniency given to Erasmus, to be enabled, to do their best at this RWC. The transformation pot is boiling, but someone lifted the cover off the pot for a while. It is in my opinion, that politics has been the highest hurdle, and even stumble block, for the development and support of the sport in South Africa. Erasmus may have surprised politics in this regard, national pride of the team has fundamentally grown after he took Directorship of Rugby, and he will be there when the coaching reigns of the Springboks is given to another.

Even blind people can see and feel the unity of the Springbok team, this is how it must be like throughout every other structure in SA Rugby.

 

[Drifter]

Well said.

 

[Fulcrum29]

Now that Japan has shortlisted Wayne Smith for a possible head coach position, meaning that Smith is available for national recruitment, whether he may also be approached by New Zealand? They like to bring their 'old' assistant coaches back into the fray when finding a head coach or they prefer people who have been moulded by them.

Smith served the All Blacks, twice, as an assistant coach. It seems he has by large retired from coaching due to his cancer which is now believed to have been cured. His first stint after being cured, he took Kobelco Steelers from contenders to champions for their first time since 2004. That is a job superbly done in a competition dominated by Suntory, Panasonic and Toshiba. Though the Top League of 2018-19 was pretty much a foreign affair due to Jamie Joseph taking more than 50 players out of the competition for RWC preparation.

It will be good to see Smith back at what he is doing best. My best guess is to see Ireland, Wales and New Zealand approach Smith, maybe even Italy as they have used him as a short-term consultant in 2018. This is if Jamie Joseph declines the new agreement and Smith also denies the biggest offer in the history of World Rugby.

 

[Sl8er]

We have the small matter of Jérôme Garcès (France) as ref tomorrow:

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