The Rugby Thread

[Buzzo]

Habana must feel pretty good about letting Carter retake that conversion.

[RichC]

Pretty poor on quality but terrible conditions and NZ did just about enough.

[Cormack74]

I was surprised SA ran them that close and even more surprised how NZ gave away so many penalties.

If the Boks hadn't kicked so poorly from hand they would have won by a couple of scores IMO.

[Cormack74]

Tough decision for the Citing Officer. I think this is accidental but it's a real 50:50 call.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/73361325/all-blacks-skipper-richie-mccaw-could-miss-rugby-world-cup-final-if-cited-over-elbow

[RichC]

I saw nothing from the Boks yeserdsy that made me think they'd actually score other than from pens.

It was a scrappy game with the ABs having most of the territory and ball.

[Cormack74]

I saw nothing from the Boks yeserdsy that made me think they'd actually score other than from pens.

It was a scrappy game with the ABs having most of the territory and ball.

That was the product of the Boks kicking so poorly from hand IMO - they frittered away possession, yet when they held onto it for a couple of phases they drew penalties and scored points.

[Roboklopp]

My mate took me to see Salford Red Sharks v Worcester Sauce Warriors fri night. Was ok, second half was quite fun. Stupid quiet tho, ground is in the middle of nowhere.

[RichC]

That was the product of the Boks kicking so poorly from hand IMO - they frittered away possession, yet when they held onto it for a couple of phases they drew penalties and scored points.

I didn't tsee enough from them personally to make me think they could have got over the line, they racked up a few penalties from decent scrummaging and some poor discipline from the ABs but apart from that they offered very little offensively.

Neither side kicked well although the Boks were pretty decent in bad conditions with the high ball.

[ChesterDave]

If NZ had held onto the ball instead of repeatedly trying the little kicks whenever they got near the 22 tihink they could have scored a few more tries. Conceded possession far to often

[RichC]

That was to do with the conditions and the blitz defence SA employ, didn't work for them but there was method to the madness much like the Boks trying to use the high ball

[ChesterDave]

Yes but as Chazza pointed out it was every single time. It wasn't working for them and they kept trying it.

[Red_Polo]

Yes but as Chazza pointed out it was every single time. It wasn't working for them and they kept trying it.

I agree. It's not just about the lack of variety, it's a negative strategy. Nobody is saying they should have tried to beat the Saffers at their own game, but they could have backed themselves to meet the challenge at the breakdown and go through the phases more than they did.

[RichC]

Yes but as Chazza pointed out it was every single time. It wasn't working for them and they kept trying it.

Down to instructions I guess, was strange as they're the best side in the world with ball in hand.

All the kicking didn't help the game as a spectacle that's for sure.

[Chazza]

It nearly worked once when Savea just couldn't take it in otherwise it was just surrendering possession.

[Chazza]

It's a ****er today's game is on at the same time as us.