The Silver Fern

Am going to the game, already getting the pre game jitters … or could be the two coffees I’ve had ..anyhoo anticipation building. Its dawned relatively fine ie blue sky for the most with abit of cloud, hoping stays that way. Watched some of the AFL game played at the G last night, looks like an awesome venue. Shelled out for the pricey tickets when Ticketek first made them available as probably one and only time I’ll attend a Bledisloe here. Unfortunately my trip partner (my brother) had to bail out last minute (morning of flight here yesterday) as has gout.. but put the offer to my son and he’s flying in from Sydney as we speak. Not ordinarily a rugby follower….have wondered at times if he may have been switched at birth… but enjoys the AB’s v Wallabies passion/spectacle. Go the AB’s !!!

Geez, to come so close. Congratulations SA. And thank you Foz, all the squad and the support staff, you did us proud and it’s been an amazing journey to get to this point.

@mariner4life said in RWC SF: All Blacks v Argentina:

last week really took the wind out of the sails aye? by this point of the week we had 600 more posts than this week.
Team selection met with a shrug. Rotate the old locks, Telea back from the naughty corner, ST back to have a run at them late.
I hope there is a bit more oomph at training than online.

Perhaps some Ferners haven’t been discharged yet from cardiac wards or mental health clinics post last weekends game.

Just read a piece in Stuff by Aaron Goile on the Talea sanction and referencing previous incidents “ What is interesting to note is that on all these occasions, the All Blacks have gone on to win their tests following the incidents in question – 33-10 against Argentina in Auckland in 2011; 21-11 against South Africa in Dunedin in 2012; 34-13 against the Pumas in La Plata in 2014; 57-15 against the Springboks in Durban in 2016”

OMG it’s an omen, they are not only going to beat the Irish …their going to thump the cocky green bastards!

One positive for both teams was no cards

@Chris-B in addition to the other stats the AB’s discipline has been noticeable and to not have had any cards in the RC is impressive.

I never want the Wallabies to win except if they’re playing England or Ireland. I’m pleased Wales won but am feeling really bad for the Aussie team, their whanau and fans. Keep your heads up! Hopefully this result and the crap that’s contributed to it , will finally lead to the changes from top down that need to happen to improve the journey back from here.

Am still wearing my AB's tshirt tomorrow tho, they got to the semis which is further than the Wallabies

I keep cycling through the first three stages of grief - shock, anger, despair...too soon to move on to acceptance just yet. But the sun will come up tomorrow, I will be wearing my AB's shirt on my morning stroll with the dog in my local Brisbane park...and once I manage to move to that fourth stage I will be barracking for the Saffa's tomorrow.

@mariner4life They need to suffer, I live in Oz and all my Wallaby supporting colleagues (and a few Aussie non rugby work mates ) supported Ireland on the weekend...and are now barracking for Argentina. My Bok colleagues have always had the ABs as their second team in the RC. And them and the SA's at the dog park are far better losers than the Aussi dog owners are, geez they get dirty when they lose to us. And far more lippy with their gibes pre an ABs game no matter who we are playing. Let them all suffer in their budgie smugglers.

That was hard to watch. I hate seeing the AB's lose, but to be dominated in such a way was horrible to see. Congrats to the Poms, well played, they deserve the win.

Really looking forward to this game. I kind of get why some fans don't value the 3rd/4th place match up but I don't share the perspective. I want to see how our guys perform post last weeks drubbing. If we thrash Wales...which I am hoping they do, then last week was a blip...like Perth. Still not great and an indication of an underlying issue. If they win/lose a close one then that's the level we are at, there's work to be done but the basic platforms are solid. If we get thrashed then we need a major overhaul at all levels.

Despite the disappointment re AB's v England I thoroughly enjoyed this RWC. Was a roller coaster ride emotions wise, and great to see Japan do so well. However I have to be honest that my view wouldn't have been so chirpy if the Poms had won the 2nd final. Am looking forward to the next stage for coaches and teams out of the ashes of this comp. France in 2023 is a tempting proposition re a final trip OS to support our boys (and the Brave Blossoms).

@Rancid-Schnitzel I’m always nervous pre the big games just the level fluctuates or ebbs depending on the opposition. Italy would have previously been lower range but with Wallabies poor results, and we only just beat them in the lead up games this year, and our poor discipline of late it’s gone up a notch or two. Am hoping a strong win of course , they can do it, but ….please Lord no red cards!

I thought I’d be less nervous than last week but no, here comes the anxiety train.

I refuse to contemplate picking a ‘second’ team before this game. For me it would be like throwing in the towel early. Hell no! I have belief this AB’s team can beat the Irish side.

@Chris Midnight Mass?

AB shirt on, low key nerves started yesterday and now building. It’s 3:30 here in Brissie. Go the AB’s!!

Personally I prefer calm and emotional stability in a leader, not drama and reactiveness. His behaviour -whether genuine or a front - will be having an impact on his staff. Wouldn’t be surprised if the guy who quit had had enough. He was in the box with Eddie in one of the teams first games and appeared startled and didn’t look to appreciate Eddie throwing his ear phones or radio down at one stage.

@Hooroo said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

To be fair, it is much better in here now that a few of the morons are gone.

Not quite gone ….