RWC SF: England v Springboks
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@Dodge I thought after France game that SA had used all their luck up in this World Cup. After this game, surely they have none left.
Agree with @Dodge about Fourie. Looks a cast iron second movement penalty. Only reason for not giving it is the ref team and TMO didn’t believe he was held when initially tackled, but from the replay that looks unlikely.
I find some of the post-match commentary from English pundits to be quite unsavoury. Dallaglio especially, I’m looking at you. I know English fans are hurting, but this ref blaming crap just has to stop. Without them, there is no game. Unless of course you want AI to ref, at which point we won’t get beyond 2 seconds of play time.
England had the opportunities to win this game. They were in SA’s 22 more than often than SA were in theirs. They were not good enough overall to score the try that would have killed the game. By not building a big enough buffer, they allowed the Boks the chance to use their get out of jail free card. Which they duly did, like v good teams often do when it feels like they should have no right to.
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@African-Monkey said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
@Bones Would love to see what @Steve would have to say if big Fletch didn't get picked. Hearing his father speak after Fletch's debut against the Boks bought a tear to his eye, missing selection for the World Cup final might just send him to the brink.....
Not a reason to select a player.
Especially a ginger one
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@pakman said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
@Bones said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
@akan004 said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
Nepo
Gets better at scrums every game he's not selected (which is because he still gives away at least as many turnovers and penalties probably). Myth
Check out last 15 of Boks Mt Smart. Contrast last 15 of Newell at Twickenham.
Wait - is that what you're using to measure? A game where the Springboks were trounced, Vs a festival match where the ABs were just trying not to get injured?
I'd prefer stats. If Laulala is such a good scrummager, there'll be evidence to support it right? Rather than something showing he gets penalised just as much as any half decent prop.
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@ARHS said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
I was disappointed England fluffed their lines there after having it almost in the bag. Jamie George had a real horror night at setpiece.
I wonder how much that match will sap the South Africans. They may need a 6 2 bench next week.Conversely they've gone to the dark place twice and come through. A boost to their confidence?
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@stodders watched the 2nd movement try a couple of times. He hit the ground got up, but then didn’t advance his position or reach out as he was still held. It all happened really quickly. Argument for me is that by getting up he stopped the tacklers going for the jackle so it’s a fair complaint. But like every thing with rugby there are equivalent calls not being made all the time i.e. about every 2nd tackle nowadays the player being tackled takes a roll to achieve a better position before placing the ball.
NRL do this so much better as they debate every decision in the media, the head of referees advises on the rule, ref gets dropped if bad, rule gets clarified or added to if necessary, next week everyone is on the same page. It’s never perfect but just so much better. In the end the ref is not hung out to dry as the process is clear and they keep working on it in public.
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@Bones said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
@pakman said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
@Bones said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
@akan004 said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
Nepo
Gets better at scrums every game he's not selected (which is because he still gives away at least as many turnovers and penalties probably). Myth
Check out last 15 of Boks Mt Smart. Contrast last 15 of Newell at Twickenham.
Wait - is that what you're using to measure? A game where the Springboks were trounced, Vs a festival match where the ABs were just trying not to get injured?
I'd prefer stats. If Laulala is such a good scrummager, there'll be evidence to support it right? Rather than something showing he gets penalised just as much as any half decent prop.
They used the young props against Ireland. Suggests they will get the run against Boks and that at training they have scrummed well. Both offer a lot defensively.
Interesting who they choose as 2nd hooker. Wonder who scrums better Samisoni or Dane? Dane is better at lineout time I would think..
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Needs investigating and a ban if true. Ditto a false allegation. Some things shouldn't be left on the park
England flanker Tom Curry alleged to referee Ben O’Keeffe that South Africa hooker Bongi Mbonambi called him a “white c---” during the Springboks’ World Cup semi-final victory.
The incident occurred just before the half-hour mark with England leading 9-3 as Curry approached O’Keeffe, the New Zealand official.
On the referee’s microphone, Curry can be clearly heard asking, “Sir, Sir, if their hooker calls me a white c--- what do I do?”
O’Keeffe replies: “Nothing please.” He then adds “I will be on it” although it is not clear if this in reference to Curry’s complaint, but he takes no action against Mbonambi. There is no audible evidence of Mbonambi’s alleged abuse.
After the final whistle, Mbonambi refused to shake Curry’s hand.
Following the game the Sale Sharks openside was asked if Mbonambi said something he should not have, he replied, “yeah” but would not confirm the exact details. “It does not need to be talked about.”
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@Victor-Meldrew yep. Just saw this. Needs investigating and accuser (if not true) or offender (if true) needs banning.
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If he said it, I wonder how Mbonambi’s white teammates feel about that. Is all good in the Rainbow nation’s squad?
When ppl are put under their pressure, we see their true faces. The fact that Mbonambi and Curry didn’t shake hands at the end speaks volumes.
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@Victor-Meldrew guy dressed in white asks ref weird leading question without evidence, player who is supposed to have said it, acts as though he's been wronged.
Smells fishy.
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@stodders said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
@Bones I amended my post. “If he said it” 😬
Well there was definitely one BOK running around calling the whole team white, so I imagine others in the team might have more claim for offence than Curry.
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This result was the worst possible outcome. Obviously a win would have been the best, but this narrow loss will likely vindicate Borthwick idea of non-rugby and we'll be on this same fucking journey for another couple of years.
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@Catogrande said in RWC SF: England v Springboks:
Obviously a wine would have been the best
You still have time to see.
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I know he gets a lot of stick, but credit to Owen for his post match speech. He must've been terribly disappointed but his comments do him credit.
Compare and contrast with DuPont.