The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Nah, I thought England played well - genuinely. To the point I thought the game was done. Equally the commentary on that last scrum and that the decision was correct was from the decent English pundits that are out there Andy Goode etc.

But this kind of thing is poor.

You can literally hear the exchange in the top clip - and Curry speaking to the ref.

[badpiggy]

Either way, was Mbonambi not right?

[Buzzo]

Imagine that as his defence.

'But he IS...'

[badpiggy]

Fackin snowflake flankers. You can't say anything these days. The game is gone etc.

[Zapater]

Oh well, World Rugby says there isn't enough evidence to take this any further. We're done and he starts regardless of what people's opinion on what Bongi may have said.

South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Willie le Roux.

Back to a 7-1 split on the bench whilst Faf and Pollard start. Bit of a gamble not having a specialist scrum half on the bench but Rassie has always trusted Willie, so there we go. Tough on Reinach and Manie but that's how it goes.

[Buzzo]

I reckon the biggest factor at play here might be fatigue.

You could see it in the likes of Etzebeth and Kolisi on Saturday - they looked gassed. Hopefully the team has recovered to a point they can go full beans again. The game against France was one of the most intense and demanding I have ever watched. The one against England given the conditions was an absolute war also.

Factor in the training run the ABs had and the extra day then it genuinely could be enough to see them home.

Thats up againt the last time we see a lot of this SA team... ehcih could be enough to ensure they can go to the well one last time.

A fascinating final. I think the latter factor will just shade it for you Boks.

[Irishnev]

I want SA to win and have tipped them from the outset, many connections to Munster so they are close to my heart. Pollard and a 7/1 split suggests an open expansive approach…….

Buzzo said it, fatigue is the big unknown here, two mammoth back to back games while NZ had a jog in the paddock. Really looking forward to this

[Doc_Piptorious]

I want SA to win and have tipped them from the outset, many connections to Munster so they are close to my heart. Pollard and a 7/1 split suggests an open expansive approach…….

Buzzo said it, fatigue is the big unknown here, two mammoth back to back games while NZ had a jog in the paddock. Really looking forward to this

Well I have to go with the ABs then


At least if they win it I can say Ireland got knocked out by the eventual World Champions.

SA winning it opens that "what if" box.


Going with a different mindset to SA and fatique though. NZ have the extra day and mostly easier games in the run up the final, however another way to look at the games SA had on their way to the final is that they have yet again been forged in fire and I think that plays to their strengths mentally.

Think those tough hard won games will have only increased their confidence and aches don't hurt quite as much when you are winning or when you think more aches equals more wins.


I want NZ to win, but suspect that SA have the greater mental reserves and a better ability to change their own style mid game.

[Irishnev]

Well I have to go with the ABs then


At least if they win it I can say Ireland got knocked out by the eventual World Champions.

SA winning it opens that "what if" box.


Going with a different mindset to SA and fatique though. NZ have the extra day and mostly easier games in the run up the final, however another way to look at the games SA had on their way to the final is that they have yet again been forged in fire and I think that plays to their strengths mentally.

Think those tough hard won games will have only increased their confidence and aches don't hurt quite as much when you are winning or when you think more aches equals more wins.


I want NZ to win, but suspect that SA have the greater mental reserves and a better ability to change their own style mid game.

No changing of style on that bench - it’s plan A and more of plan A

[Doc_Piptorious]

No changing of style on that bench - it’s plan A and more of plan A

Meant more in game changes rather than from the bench.


They are as happy to get into a war of attrition with an equal as they are to play their ten man style.

[bacon]

Well I have to go with the ABs then


At least if they win it I can say Ireland got knocked out by the eventual World Champions.

SA winning it opens that "what if" box.


Going with a different mindset to SA and fatique though. NZ have the extra day and mostly easier games in the run up the final, however another way to look at the games SA had on their way to the final is that they have yet again been forged in fire and I think that plays to their strengths mentally.

Think those tough hard won games will have only increased their confidence and aches don't hurt quite as much when you are winning or when you think more aches equals more wins.


I want NZ to win, but suspect that SA have the greater mental reserves and a better ability to change their own style mid game.

I'm on the ABs too - they play a more exciting game in my opinion.

Nothing against SA - I was all-in on them in the final 4 years back and they put in one of the best ever finals performances in that game in Japan .. but I'm a haka-backer this time.

Let's hope its a good final .. its been a decent WC so far

[Buzzo]

Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick, kick.

[Buzzo]

Turned into a good game to be fair.

[RichC]

Before the start of this I’d have happily taken a 3rd place finish and I’m still happy with it now.

Loads to do. Not convinced by Borthwick but that might be clouded by my memories of his ****e captaincy.

Tomorrow I’m hoping will be a cracker

[Irishnev]

Good luck Zap

I’m hoping for a close one without too much influence from Mr Barnes