RWC Final : New Zealand vs South Africa - Sat 28th @ 20.00 BST

[Gumboot]

Every final is a spectacle. From quarters up. Don't get fooled by the NH bitching and hand wringing. 2 countries locked in battle giving their all

Their journalists really have sunk to some low depths in recent weeks.

All in an attempt to change our playing styles and tactics. I refuse to be bullied into giving them what they want. If they were right one of them would be in the final.


Play to win.

Meh, the UK pundits have been crowing about NH dominance for so long it's getting beyond boring. Has anyone actually bought into that myth since 2003?

[Muttonbird]

The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.

Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.

[TedMaul]

Surely you interact with enough people on this board to answer your own question.

[TedMaul]

The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.

Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.

Fully enhanced neediness still a thing down there then?

[Gumboot]

The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.

Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.

Fully enhanced neediness still a thing down there then?

Sorry but, do you have any skin in this game?

[Ymx]

The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.

Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.

Fully enhanced neediness still a thing down there then?

Sorry but, do you have any skin in this game?

Wayne Barnes is their skin in it.

[Muttonbird]

I hated that SA v ENG semi final and I hated rugby for it.

Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.

[Sards]

The most Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere team is South Africa, without a doubt. This is proven by South Africa's abandonment of Super Rugby and defection to the European comp. A truckload of Springbok players call Europe their home.

Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.

Our biggest lesson North is the handling of the NH refs......it can really be a tricky matter.
Other than that all we have really done is improve the standards of the NH teams and give them false bravado against SH opposition....

For the record...I was always against moving North.

[Sards]

I hated that SA v ENG semi final and I hated rugby for it.

Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.

The best part of that game was the final whistle.........

[Muttonbird]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

And hookers.

[Sards]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

No surprise....when guy was having a proper meltdown after the loss at Twickenham , I found myself spending a lot of energy trying to calm him down

[OomStruisbaai]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

And hookers.

Agree, The All Blacks the clear favorites just like England in 2019. Everything work fine.

[Sandstorm]

Easy rugby cannot help but rub off on these players. You saw it in the semi final against England.

NZ got a big shock at the RC this year, when their lack of scrum pressure during the Super Rugby Pacific tournament made their front rowers soft and lazy.

[Muttonbird]

I'm not an optimistic person and I constantly underrate the All Blacks. My boy needles me about it.

But after watching the last six weeks, I really think they got this.

[assfly]

Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.

I agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.

I thought they had ruled it out a few years ago after Exeter and the Bulls had half their team doing it at every ruck?

[Sandstorm]

Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.

I agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.

It's a simple Law change to implement: if the ball is at the back of a ruck and the 9 is standing over the ball, no new player can then join the ruck.

[Muttonbird]

Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.

I agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.

I thought they had ruled it out a few years ago after Exeter and the Bulls had half their team doing it at every ruck?

There was one where the half back was slowly hooking underneath one caterpillar segment, only for another caterpillar segment to join under which he continued to hook.

You could rule that no attacking player can join after the dummy half first touches the ball, but really you just wanted the SA pack to come in from a long run up and smash them off the park.

Didn't happen.

[Slick]

I don't give a flying fuck who the ref is. And whoever it is, I hope they have a blinder and we're treated to a spectacle.

Every final is a spectacle. From quarters up. Don't get fooled by the NH bitching and hand wringing. 2 countries locked in battle giving their all

Their journalists really have sunk to some low depths in recent weeks.

It's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.

[Muttonbird]

Seeing those ridiculous caterpillar rucks was nauseating.

I agree. They have to do something about it, it was dreadful to watch.

It's a simple Law change to implement: if the ball is at the back of a ruck and the 9 is standing over the ball, no new player can then join the ruck.

This.

Could go further and call the ruck over as soon at the attacking dummy half touches the ball at any time.

This would get rid of half backs putting their hands on the ball and waiting.

[JM2K6]

Every final is a spectacle. From quarters up. Don't get fooled by the NH bitching and hand wringing. 2 countries locked in battle giving their all

Their journalists really have sunk to some low depths in recent weeks.

It's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.

I think that's going overboard. Ireland and France have been the best two sides in the world for a while now, and losing one off matches doesn't change that - same way that if Pollard had missed that wouldn't make England one of the best two sides in the world or a better team than SA

[Muttonbird]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

And hookers.

Agree, The All Blacks the clear favorites just like England in 2019. Everything work fine.

PB, the All Blacks 2023 are not like England 2019. Or England ever.

[OomStruisbaai]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

And hookers.

Agree, The All Blacks the clear favorites just like England in 2019. Everything work fine.

PB, the All Blacks 2023 are not like England 2019. Or England ever.

Try to tell you a week is a long time in rugby. You are welcome to underestimate the Springboks. Keep going.

[Slick]

Their journalists really have sunk to some low depths in recent weeks.

It's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.

I think that's going overboard. Ireland and France have been the best two sides in the world for a while now, and losing one off matches doesn't change that - same way that if Pollard had missed that wouldn't make England one of the best two sides in the world or a better team than SA

It probably is. But then again if we take the WC as the pinnacle (which i hate, but there we go), then it's pretty embarrassing reading from a NH perspective. 1 win is shite.

[Grandpa]

Bookies had them virtually 50-50... in fact yesterday they were both the same odds... 1/1... but today SA has slightly drifted and NZ slightly strengthened... presumably because Oom has put millions on NZ?

SA 6/5
NZ 5/6

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union ... ica/winner

[_Os_]

The hemispherical stuff doesn't really work, never met anyone that supports a hemisphere.

The All Blacks were the only genuine SH side in the quarters. Pumas are all based in Europe, half of the Fiji squad is based in Europe. Other than the Boks playing in Japan (which is also in the NH), every Bok player is now playing in Europe one way or another.

NH won the battle of the hemispheres years ago, that's where most of the money in the sport is. The better teams in the NH have usually used that money to poach their way towards a stronger squad too.

[OomStruisbaai]

Bookies had them virtually 50-50... in fact yesterday they were both the same odds... 1/1... but today SA has slightly drifted and NZ slightly strengthened... presumably because Oom has put millions on NZ?

SA 6/5
NZ 5/6

https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union ... ica/winner

I can only wish. No gambling from me.

[Ymx]

The hemispherical stuff doesn't really work, never met anyone that supports a hemisphere.

The All Blacks were the only genuine SH side in the quarters. Pumas are all based in Europe, half of the Fiji squad is based in Europe. Other than the Boks playing in Japan (which is also in the NH), every Bok player is now playing in Europe one way or another.

NH won the battle of the hemispheres years ago, that's where most of the money in the sport is. The better teams in the NH have usually used that money to poach their way towards a stronger squad too.

Oh come on, that’s not true.

It’s always been a bit of a 3N vs 6N thing going on.

[Sandstorm]

The hemispherical stuff doesn't really work, never met anyone that supports a hemisphere.

The All Blacks were the only genuine SH side in the quarters. Pumas are all based in Europe, half of the Fiji squad is based in Europe. Other than the Boks playing in Japan (which is also in the NH), every Bok player is now playing in Europe one way or another.

NH won the battle of the hemispheres years ago, that's where most of the money in the sport is. The better teams in the NH have usually used that money to poach their way towards a stronger squad too.

Oh come on, that’s not true.

It’s always been a bit of a 3N vs 6N thing going on.

Likewise when the Lions Series rolls around.

[Big D]

Barnes is the ref.

Well deserved but it is bonkers that Pearce didn't get a knock out game and Berry and Gardner did.

[Guy Smiley]

misleading caption... this is a pregame chat with a coach, not a detailed comment about one incident...question about it comes at about 9.20

[Calculon]

The hemispherical stuff doesn't really work, never met anyone that supports a hemisphere.

The All Blacks were the only genuine SH side in the quarters. Pumas are all based in Europe, half of the Fiji squad is based in Europe. Other than the Boks playing in Japan (which is also in the NH), every Bok player is now playing in Europe one way or another.

NH won the battle of the hemispheres years ago, that's where most of the money in the sport is. The better teams in the NH have usually used that money to poach their way towards a stronger squad too.

Oh come on, that’s not true.

It’s always been a bit of a 3N vs 6N thing going on.

Likewise when the Lions Series rolls around.

Agree with Ox, the rugby fans I know off the board aren’t even aware of this hemisphere thing. It’s pretty weird to be supporting a side based on which hemisphere the country is located.

[Chilli]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

And hookers.

They are the standout favorites

[Sards]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

And hookers.

They are the standout favorites

Going to make a charge from behind and lift the trophy. After last weekend we have no chance. Our boys are physically exhausted

[Kiwias]

I believe the ABs are now favourites with the bookies?

It's not surprising, the ABs have built well during the tournament and seem to have not run out of ideas and passion.

And hookers.

They are the standout favorites

Going to make a charge from behind and lift the trophy. After last weekend we have no chance. Our boys are physically exhausted

Nice try but far too transparent.

[Sards]

Going to make a charge from behind and lift the trophy. After last weekend we have no chance. Our boys are physically exhausted

Nice try but far too transparent.

Just telling the truth.....our boys looked done against England.

[Gumboot]

Going to make a charge from behind and lift the trophy. After last weekend we have no chance. Our boys are physically exhausted

Nice try but far too transparent.

Just telling the truth.....our boys looked done against England.

So your best pre-game excuse is "our boys will lose the biggest game of their lives because they're a bit tired"? Bro, you really need some fresh material.

[OomStruisbaai]

After the French and English knock out tests I just hope who ever lose dont behave like their posters on NPR. Fuck knows it feel like the Lions tour all over again.

May the best team win (we all know its the Springbokke)

[Paddington Bear]

It's very strange, I've almost taken a perverse satisfaction at a lot of the journos talking about a changing of the NH - SH guard being proven wrong. NZ and SA level of rugby is where we should strive to be, and a few positive results here and there doesn't change a thing.

I think that's going overboard. Ireland and France have been the best two sides in the world for a while now, and losing one off matches doesn't change that - same way that if Pollard had missed that wouldn't make England one of the best two sides in the world or a better team than SA

It probably is. But then again if we take the WC as the pinnacle (which i hate, but there we go), then it's pretty embarrassing reading from a NH perspective. 1 win is shite.

I know France got within a point in 2011, but you could add maybe 91 and 19 where a NH was a genuinely viable winner requiring non jammy things to go their way.

[Grandpa]

There won't be many tries on Saturday... like always when two heavyweights slug it out in knockout rugby.... it will come down to who handles the last 20 minutes best. Probably similar to the 2015 semi...

Controlling set piece in that period will be key... and experience helps. Having guys who have been there before, who will remain composed under pressure.

I don't see much in it either way. But SA if they win, will have done it the hard way.

[Gumboot]

There won't be many tries on Saturday... like always when two heavyweights slug it out in knockout rugby.... it will come down to who handles the last 20 minutes best. Probably similar to the 2015 semi...

Controlling set piece in that period will be key... and experience helps. Having guys who have been there before, who will remain composed under pressure.

I don't see much in it either way. But SA if they win, will have done it the hard way.

Yep, and both sides have that in spades. It has the makings of a classic. Let's hope it delivers.