RWC Final NZ v Aust

[nicko31]

Any interest at all? Seem this is pretty much off the radar now, Radio 5 didn't even cover the semi's...

 

[vegster]

NZ v Australia final ? Surely we could have skipped the previous 6 weeks odd and just gone straight to this match ... after all who didn't expect this to be the final ?

 

[nicko31]

Apart from the SA v Japan game its been all too predictable.

Amazes me the price of the tickets for what is essentially a fringe sport.

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Let's hope NZ win Australia are there thanks to an incompatent referee

 

[Brian Fantana]

Let's hope NZ win Australia are there thanks to an incompatent referee

Even without the ref, Australia were the better team.

NZ should still win next week, though. If they play anything like how they did against the French. South Africa showed yesterday that the All Blacks do have weak spots though, so it should be a good game.

 

[Gazwag]

and to think some posters were calling for the Reading game to be moved as it clashes with the final

 

[sir albion]

It's as predictable as the football world cups...always about 3 or 4 in with a realistic chance....should be a cracking final

 

[vegster]

Let's hope NZ win Australia are there thanks to an incompatent referee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moSFlvxnbgk

 

[Mr Smggles]

Apart from the SA v Japan game its been all too predictable.

Amazes me the price of the tickets for what is essentially a fringe sport.

A fringe sport? The tournament was attended by 2.3 million people, hardly fringe.

 

[nicko31]

A fringe sport? The tournament was attended by 2.3 million people, hardly fringe.

Played by about 3% of the world's population, its a fringe sport...

 

[saafend_seagull]

Played by about 3% of the world's population, its a fringe sport...

Hardly. Fringe sport compared to football though.

 

[Hampster Gull]

Cracking match lined up. May the best team win. As long as they wear black

 

[Easy 10]

Well, I gave it a go. But seems to me that most games are largely decided by a series of fairly inexplicable penalties constantly being given for some minor infringement or other (usually involving a scrum). They all hunker down, then 5 seconds later its "PEEEEEEEP" - penalty. Another 3 points, and on we go to the next one. For me, any sport where the score is so heavily dictated by mistakes and resultant penalties is a bit...well...bobbins.

NZ v Aus then. Lets get it over with so we can all move on with our lives.

 

[Bladders]

Is it still going? Thought it finished weeks ago.

 

[bobby baxter]

Let's hope NZ win Australia are there thanks to an incompatent referee

Noticed during yesterday's semi final that the neutrals, presumably, mainly brits, appeared to be cheering for Argentina, shows how far the rivalry with Australia is taken.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Is this still going on ?

Lost interest after the AMEX games, and England crashing out.

 

[maltaseagull]

Is it still going? Thought it finished weeks ago.

It did for England

Having said that, both semis were good matches.

 

[Brian Fantana]

Well, I gave it a go. But seems to me that most games are largely decided by a series of fairly inexplicable penalties constantly being given for some minor infringement or other (usually involving a scrum). They all hunker down, then 5 seconds later its "PEEEEEEEP" - penalty. Another 3 points, and on we go to the next one. For me, any sport where the score is so heavily dictated by mistakes and resultant penalties is a bit...well...bobbins.

NZ v Aus then. Lets get it over with so we can all move on with our lives.

I can understand your point about the number of penalties, but I think you're putting too much emphasis on them being awarded for an infringement - rather than skillful play from the opposition.

For example, many of the scrum penalties are given because one pack has done its job better than their opponents, rather than there being some kind of foulplay. Similarly, most of penalties awarded at the breakdown occur because the defending team have successfully killed the ball, rather than the attacking team infringing.

 

[Exile]

Any interest at all? Seem this is pretty much off the radar now, Radio 5 didn't even cover the semi's...

Eh?

Both semi finals were live on 5Live sports extra, with regular updates on 5Live.

 

[Easy 10]

I can understand your point about the number of penalties, but I think you're putting too much emphasis on them being awarded for an infringement - rather than skillful play from the opposition.

For example, many of the scrum penalties are given because one pack has done its job better than their opponents, rather than there being some kind of foulplay. Similarly, most of penalties awarded at the breakdown occur because the defending team have successfully killed the ball, rather than the attacking team infringing.

Fair enough. I'm aware I'm not very well versed with the subtleties of the sport, which is probably the main reason I find it a bit of a turnoff. Deliberately hoiking into touch isn't overly admirable in terms of a passage of play either IMO, but the chinless tweed brigade in the stands always seem to go nuts over that as well.