Rugby World Cup 2011

[River Boy]

Originally Posted by River Boy

Interesting that S Africa began with a game they really shouldn't have won then got knocked out in a game that Australia really shouldn't have won.

If poetic justice is flying about then Wales will beat Australia in the final, in a game that Australia deserves to win.

Obviously poetic justice is in short supply today. I was still enjoying the tournament despite England being awful last week, but seeing a team in the final that really don't deserve to be there makes a mockery of the competition. That's ruined it for me - I suspect the final is really tomorrow but not even sure I'm going to watch it.

[GOLLUM]

Well done to New Zealand, they were way too good.

Next week's final could get ugly. The All Blacks all the way now.

[Boneman]

Blimey, that was clinical rugby in every department... Well done NZ, and here's hoping they don't put too much pressure on themselves in the final.

[Foxbat]

Thoroughly enjoyed the match between Australia and New Zealand.

The All Blacks didn't have fowards, they had a juggernaut. Playing like this, they should be champions next week.

[Boneman]

And having beaten France once, should that help??

[GOLLUM]

I don't think it would have mattered who they played in the final Boneman, although a Wales final certainly would be the better matchup. I think they're going to steamroll the French. Game over....

Nite.

[alchemist]

Normally, I'd support a NH side against a SH side, but not next week. France don't really deserve to be there and I'll have my haka T-shirt on for the day.

[Boneman]

Holy bitten nails... I'm an England supporter, but that match was edge-of-the-seat for way too long!

Well done New Zealand for winning and well done France for fighting them all the way. Perhaps next time Lawrence Dallaglio might try to be a balanced commentator.

Roll on 2015 Rugby World Cup, back in Good old Blighty...

[Quokka]

Great to see the All Blacks win, they'd have been absolutely crucified if they didn't, would be a good night to enjoy a drink in Wellington (or anywhere in NZ) about now .

But all credit to France, this thread is a fair reflection of what everyone thought their chances were not just of winning tonight but of even making a good final of it but they certainly did themselves proud.

I'm normally not a big one for changing the rules in sport but I really think union has to look at the scoring system and try to add a bigger emphasis for tries. Running with the ball should always be rewarded with imo penalties a bonus and field goals breaking a tied game or getting a team over the line.

[Ursa major]

A very close game, with both teams trying their hardest. It seems a shame that one of the teams had to lose. Congratulations to the All Blacks for winning through.


(As usual with this world cup, the BBC's ham-fisted first comment - the first I heard from them, that is - was that this was a triumph for New Zealand. Not the word I'd use for a one-point win, even though the result was significant for the All Blacks.)

[Foxbat]

I started watching this as an almost neutral observer (leaning slightly towards New Zealand, but by the end I was cheering for France. A good game, a close game and a French team that can hold their heads up high in defeat.

Well done both sides.

[Leadbelly]

"Does the Snoppy dance"

Been 24 years in the waiting but we finally did it.
The French made us work for every point, but we didn't expect any less from them.
We went to a BBQ with some friends and for the last 10mins there was a deathly silence in the lounge apart from the occasional groan and mutter, I literally chewed my finger nails down the the quick.........

[alchemist]

It was an excellent final to watch and fair play to France for giving it a go. By the end, my allegiance had switched northwards. I'm glad for NZ though - great country and great people.

Other boards I've been on have made a lot of the refereeing, feeling NZ got a lot of decisions in their favour. I don't have the knowledge to comment but wondered what other folks thought here.