World Cup Final match thread

Victor Meldrew

Stephen Jones in the (UK) Sunday Times was a hoot praising the All Blacks. He really, really must have hated writing that. His RWC XV included 3 ABs - Aaron Smith, Nehe M-S and Carter. He also rated his best moment of the tournament the "final whistle of the NZ-France Quarter-Final" - that game must have given him nightmares.
 
A really enjoyable read... :mocking:

Tordah

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Victor Meldrew" data-cid="538065" data-time="1446377941">
<div>
Stephen Jones in the (UK) Sunday Times was a hoot praising the All Blacks. He really, really must have hated writing that. His RWC XV included 3 ABs - Aaron Smith, Nehe M-S and Carter. He also rated his best moment of the tournament the "final whistle of the NZ-France Quarter-Final" - that game must have given him nightmares.
 
A really enjoyable read... :mocking:
</div>
</blockquote>
 
which lock was better than Whitelock/Retallick? Which 12 better than Nonu?

Victor Meldrew

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tordah" data-cid="538070" data-time="1446384273">
<div>
which lock was better than Whitelock/Retallick? Which 12 better than Nonu? 
</div>
</blockquote>
Exactly. Jones just couldn't allow his anti-AB bias to stay hidden. Was probably wetting himself with the the thought of a Wobblie victory after they cut a 17 point lead to 4 points.

leytonandamanda

I'm still not convinced with Kieran read,since the head knocks he is still not himself dropping a lot of ball,still a brilliant player but not the same player he once was 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

red terror

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="537947" data-time="1446359304">
<div>
All the comments about ABs not being able to win away, choke etc etc will be buried...
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
It may be lessened somewhat, true, but I'm guessing there will still be a few Ratpoo's and Walruses in the prestige print media insisting the ABs will always be chokers until they prove they can win RWCs without Dan & Richie.

red terror

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="537953" data-time="1446359734">
<div>
Fucking miracle worker disguised as a Lebanese brickie.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Lebanese brickie... with cauliflower ears. Eales doesn't look like a rugby player. Farr-Jones doesn't look like a rugby player. Chelka looks like a rugby player.

DMX

What a great game, the score line totally reflected the game for mine. ABs where just better in every facet except turnovers. But it's something I have thought for years about Pocock and Hooper is if you spend so much time and energy going for turnovers you will lose something elsewhere. Man for man I just thought there where few areas that Wallabies where better and add the strength of our bench and it's just unfair.

jegga

In the middle of this photo is quite possibly the most Australian looking person ever.
 
 
<img src="http://i1.wp.com/www.whaleoil.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2DFB448200000578-3298281-image-a-159_1446319025405-630x446.jpg?fit=630%2C446" alt="2DFB448200000578-3298281-image-a-159_144">

jegga

Black Paua

Can't recall a time seeing DC so pumped during a game. His expression told a thousand words. History drove his performance, heartache and dissappointment. For those who had gone before. Faliure. 
That expression said it all. If I could have read his mind, this is what he would have been thinking.. 
THERE IS NO WAY, WE ARE GOING TO LOOSE THIS. NO WAY!!! 
A true legend.

taniwharugby

You could see it after the semi vs SA.

phoenetia

All Blacks dominated right from the start. It wasn't as clinical as the French test, but it was certainly more aggressive. 
Smith going off was the only real glimmer of hope for the Aussies - one wonders what the score line might have been had it been just a penalty. 
I was sat next to a rather annoying kiwi who berated everything from the TMO to DCs kicking tactics. 
On the other side was Steve, the Aussie from Kansas. Good bloke. 
I sang Tutira Mai Nga Iwi with the kiwis in front of me and shared celebratory high fives as our score board ticked up. 
What an amazing experience! To think, two weeks ago I hadn't even entertained the idea of going to the final. 
Typically I struggle to enjoy watching the All Blacks as my nerves are typically frayed but I loved every minute of that test. Even when the Aussies were mounting a comeback, it always seemed like we had control of the situation. 
One of the best days of my life, I'll never forget it and can't wait to watch the test again when I get home. 
If you've never been to a final before, I recommend that you try to do it going forward because it's freaking amazing and the feeling is just unbelievable. 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

red terror

<img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/122895c20f19f79f8957f434cdc89ef9/tumblr_inline_nx5ge8Va0M1rzvgly_540.jpg" alt="tumblr_inline_nx5ge8Va0M1rzvgly_540.jpg">
 
This one from the Telegraph, where illustrator has Ma'a cutting to the wrong side of Sonny Bill.

Knock On Wood

If an illustrator can't even get it right after the fact how the hell is the defence expected to read the move?! :mocking:

Victor Meldrew

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Knock On Wood" data-cid="538095" data-time="1446405245">
<div>
If an illustrator can't even get it right after the fact how the hell is the defence expected to read the move?! :mocking:
</div>
</blockquote>
One of the saddest things to have happened to sports journalism in the UK is the decline of the Daily Telegraph.. A few years ago it was simply outstanding with its insight and writing quality - now it's simply shoddy writing and click-bait

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Knock On Wood" data-cid="538095" data-time="1446405245">
<div>
If an illustrator can't even get it right after the fact how the hell is the defence expected to read the move?! :mocking:
</div>
</blockquote>
 
TBF it wasnt really a play you could plan to defend.

taniwharugby

Listening to Marshall this morning, he was saying he gave a few ABs man hugs after the game, not the kind you give a lady, but you know....said he saw Aaron Smith and gave him a man hug and lifted him off the ground!
 
He has been good value this tournament I feel, in the comms and his piece on CGW breakfast, hopefully for the former it is a turning point.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="voodoo" data-cid="538040" data-time="1446373481">
<div>
 
- Savea was way better than I thought in the 1st half, really busy and always beat the first guy enough to require the attention of another. 
 
- The obstruction rule where you run into your own player - is that an actual rule now that if the tackle is "effected", there is no penalty, or just an interpretation from Owens? Saw this twice in the first half.
 
- Speaking of obstruction, I hate the rule for a kick chase where a defender only has to "not deviate" his line to be legal. This is so daft. Watch Mitchell size up the Savea line on a kick chase, then run "straight" into his way to prevent him challenging for the ball. Mitchell was running at 45 degrees from where the ball was going to land with zero intention of challenging for it - perfectly legal, just a daft rule
 
- On daft rules, what about the SBW slap-down - why should this be a knock-on? Perfectly legal "tackle", but should be open play for mine, its just a knock-back by SBW isn't it?
 
 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Too many good points to discuss in that post Voodoo, but I have filtered out a couple I'd like to comment on.
 
Stats for the tournament have Savea really high in carries over the gain line (3rd I think), shows the amount of 'getting involved' he did.
 
On the running into your own player thing, it is an accidental offside and is almost always judged by good refs on it's effect on play. In the one I remember from the game the field position and ball didn't move at all from the place of contact. He called out 'tackle made same spot' or something similar. Good reffing.
 
The kick chase thing has me in two minds. I understand the frustration but it is also a defensive skill to run lines that impede attackers without deliberately deviating into their path. A skill, that if it was lost would IMO dumb the game down.
 
WR clarified the knock on thing a while back, especially due to when this happens in a tackle near the tryline. A player in possession has the responsibility to control that possession. We obviously had spotted that a few of the Oz ball carriers were a bit weak in their carry and really targeted the ball in the tackle on them.

canefan

I wonder if Aaron Smith can sing? Footage of him doing a version of "We are the Champions" in the sheds afterwards would be solid gold
 
<img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/images/amg_artist_portraits/standard/drp500/p555/p55532ltjus.jpg" alt="p55532ltjus.jpg">
 
 
<img src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Un7cUSWk01Y/maxresdefault.jpg" alt="maxresdefault.jpg">

No Quarter

I just realised that all 3 tries were scored by Hurricanes players. Who said we don't know how to win a final eh? :)

The Silver Fern

World Cup Final match thread