World Cup Final match thread

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="538352" data-time="1446434141">There were other times in the match where A Smith passed the ball over a Wallaby player lying on the ground. I think "milking them at all costs" is going a bit far - Moore was definitely in the way in that instance so he made sure the Ref pinged him. It's what a good half-back does, nothing cynical in it at all IMO.</blockquote>
When I saw the Moore one I thought it looked a bit 'contrived' but then he had lots more opportunities to do it again and didn't. Maybe he was too smart to think he would get away with it twice. Maybe Owens had a quiet word after the first one?

mariner4life

If i were to participate in a bit of whataboutery (and i am not above such things) then i would start by saying something along the lines of "i prefer a halfback 'tripping' over a player lying behind the ruck, to such practices, as say, a certain Australian halfback throwing the ball forward into a retreating play, in order to milk the penalty, and being given it". Of course, on this occasion, i shall refrain.
 
 
I love these "cynical" articles that get written about winning teams, it's like the particular journo thinks " you won, but you should have won saintlier" funny that losing teams are never cynical.

Immenso Rapido

A Smith had the opportunity to milk one in the lead up to our forward pass penalty, but didn't. This whataboutery scenario would have removed the forward pass sliding door, but opened wider the cynical sliding door.

dogmeat

The truly cynical bugger is Ackford himself, writing a clear piece of click bait, cynically pandering to an audience who want to be consoled that the AB's can't be that good they must be cheating.
 
There are no saints in sports, just winners and losers.

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="538358" data-time="1446434719">When I saw the Moore one I thought it looked a bit 'contrived' but then he had lots more opportunities to do it again and didn't. Maybe he was too smart to think he would get away with it twice. Maybe Owens had a quiet word after the first one?</blockquote> I've no doubt he had a word to Aaron. He did the same in Sydney when White milked a penalty off Woodcock - told him not to milk penalties.

Siam

On the English commentary feed, the bloke mentioned AT THE 50 Minute mark that it was the first time the Aussies had carried possession of the ball into the AB 22 - Staggering stat.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="538350" data-time="1446433234">
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Too right. The only decision that had a major impact on the game was the yellow card and that was 100% correct. Nearly had a heart attack when Owens removed what looked like a red card from his pocket. Thankfully it was just his little card case with the cards inside.
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I did the same thing , I saw the colour red in his hand and thought , fuck no , it cant be

Ben

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="538204" data-time="1446420649">I'd take that wager. 10 minutes without a prop makes a big difference to how a team goes.</blockquote>
 
You're kind of making my point for me, Nepia.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Ben" data-cid="538372" data-time="1446438082">
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You're kind of making my point for me, Nepia.
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I'd like to know the method that led you to come to that conclusion?

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="voodoo" data-cid="538347" data-time="1446432520">
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Sure, I'm not crying about it. I'd just prefer us to not milk them at all costs you know, try and play the better rugby and all that. One day after a cracking finals qin, and I'm already picking holes...
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Smith did it early to get some cheap territory, when the ABs were in their own half. Later, getting toward our 22, he jumped over and around whatever was on offer.
 
Tactical. No problem with it now ... during the game I was calling him a Freddie Mercury-faced little porn-tached fuck knuckle.

Ben

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="538376" data-time="1446438541">I'd like to know the method that led you to come to that conclusion?</blockquote>
 
You're obviously annoyed about Kepu staying on, right? You've brought it up a number of times. 
So, given you're pissed about that, you can surely see why Aussies will be pissed about the decisions that went against them. But If you can't, fine. I won't try to convince you any further as I'm not really that bothered.

MajorRage

What an interesting thread into the world of being an AB fan. You seriously can't win.. even though we did!
 
Was a great game, and all the twits (mainly Welsh, and Kearns) who scrap on about Joubert from 2011 etc, need to find something else to clutch at straws at. It doesn't matter guys, we won, it's on the trophy, it's all over. Back to back, first time ever, and finally a WC record, which is at the top of the pile - much more reflective of the results this sporting team has achieved. Anyway, some more salient points on the team, the tournament as whole.
 
Positive.
 
1. Best WC ever - undoubtedly. Some amazing games, HUGE crowds, incredible final and brilliant stadia.
2. No real complete blowouts - the global standard of world rugby is up up and up
3. Australia - quite incredible what Cheika has done, hat-tips to him and the team. Respect
4. Japan / Eddie Jones - Eddie Jones takes a lot of flak, but that Japan team is something special. 3 WC wins, thats a huge result
5. Richie / Dan - I can't offer anymore than what others have, it's been such a privilege, these guys deserve it all.
6. Nonu - How he didn't get a WPOTY nomination I don't know. Maybe he was mixed up with Savea? I read Barbarians GAGR post yesterday and he said he believed Nonu to be the best player in the world at the moment - hard to disagree.
7. Owens - it's not a co-incidence that games he manages are frequently voted as the best. The absolute best ref going.
9. Bernard Foley - I was a huge doubter. But that young fella is absolute top class player. Full credit to you.
 
Negative
 
1. Media. Seriously what a fucking joke. Almost all of you. There is some good out there, but can those who write just to piss people off, please piss themselves off? Permanently?
2. Social Media - in among the great comments/analysts, you have 99% of the population being a complete dickheads. Pretty sad really, the state of affairs that is the planet population if social media is reflective of it.
3. People who tell me I shouldn't comment as not played since I was 18. You guys really don't get it. Back off.
4. Whoever selected the "global coverage" commentators. That Irish fella had identified himself as a huge Australia supporter earlier on the tournament in the Aussie Wales game. Seriously, more one-eyed than Kearns. Horrible listening to him referring to Australia as Ireland.
5. Samoa - WTF happened to you guys?
 
 
But I don't want to drown in the negatives. A great tournament, a great final, a great result, some great players going out in the greatest possible way. A world cup victory away from home, beating France, SA, and Australia. Sporting immortality.
 
Kia Kaha. Black.

Black Paua

Nice summation Major.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="538352" data-time="1446434141">
There were other times in the match where A Smith passed the ball over a Wallaby player lying on the ground. I think "milking them at all costs" is going a bit far - Moore was definitely in the way in that instance so he made sure the Ref pinged him. It's what a good half-back does, nothing cynical in it at all IMO.</blockquote>You know what's cynical? Defenders lying around the back of the ruck or lazy retreaters to coin a Kaplan phrase. These guys know exactly what they are doing, it is subtle but has a significant effect. I've noticed in some instances where the retreating player does just enough to force the pass one way only. If you don't want to get pinged, don't hang around there. If that infringement goes unpunished what do you think will happen on future occasions until the ref gets wise?

Immenso Rapido

You know what's cynical. Props cheating in scrums, like Servat in 2011, to win kickable penalties. Almost the equivalent of diving in the box. Never hear that called cynical though, it's called "dark arts". 
The things that are accepted as non-cynical, or uncontroversial are a bit weird. When there was all that fuss over McCaws awesome try from an awesome lineout move in Joburg, some of the media reaction was baffling. Every dull as custard lineout drive and rolling maul has about in average 6* instances of cheating by the attacking team. Without an eyelid batted.

random number chosen to make a point.

Black Paua

Don't go there Immenso. The dark arts are for the grown ups, ok? Lets just talk about forward passes and stuff.

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="538404" data-time="1446444147">
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You know what's cynical. Props cheating in scrums, like Servat in 2011, to win kickable penalties. Almost the equivalent of diving in the box. Never hear that called cynical though, it's called "dark arts". 
The things that are accepted as non-cynical, or uncontroversial are a bit weird. When there was all that fuss over McCaws awesome try from an awesome lineout move in Joburg, some of the media reaction was baffling. Every dull as custard lineout drive and rolling maul has about in average 6* instances of cheating by the attacking team. Without an eyelid batted.

random number chosen to make a point.
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Usually said by the same people who say "the front row is where the real rugby is played, the rest is just decoration" and then waddle over to the buffet.

hurricane

I am such a N00b despite being here a long time, can't figure out multi quote (no flames or jibes for that please).
 
So by memory will reply without quoting people
 
1) The final judges decisions are in and no further correspondence will be accepted: Marshall was classic. You would get sick of it if he did it every game, but as novelty value which was justified by the occassion it was mint. He only did it because he figured he was going exclusively to NZ. Nisbo was solid but nothing to write home about. Keith Quinn probably has made some of the best calls of all time. Marshall's effort will be remembered and added to the atmosphere.
 
2) That head high from Kaino troubled Owens, if I am thinking of the correct play, he called penalty advantage and then ended the penalty advantage 6 seconds later. I think he really didn't want to look at it on replay in case he had to reach for a card, which judging by his treatment of Smith and Kepu was something he wanted to avoid. 
 
3) I woke up today with the best sleep I have had in a year and was completely at one with the world.

Bovidae

I'm not sure if it was mentioned but I was told that Ben Smith was the first player to be yellow-carded in a RWC final. Another record. :)

da_grubster

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="538368" data-time="1446436915">On the English commentary feed, the bloke mentioned AT THE 50 Minute mark that it was the first time the Aussies had carried possession of the ball into the AB 22 - Staggering stat.</blockquote>
 
I mentioned that just before the commentator. A similar thing happened against SA and France. 
Just goes to show the absolute control we had in the knockout stages

The Silver Fern

World Cup Final match thread