Lets hope.... In 2003, i was living and working in Oz when we beat Oz (watched the final on big screen at Opera House steps) This year, i am living and working in SA .
I hope they wipe the smile off the face of de Klerk who I find most annoying and irritating liitle s**t. That said I appreciate that is partly what makes him effective. I used to admire van der Westhuizan as a scrum half who wasn't annoying at all, except for being annoying good I suppose!
Scrum halfs often tend to be a bit annoying. A suppose it takes a certain type of spikey individual to play that role, especially when you're often by far the smallest person on the pitch!
I hope they wipe the smile off the face of de Klerk who I find most annoying and irritating liitle s**t. That said I appreciate that is partly what makes him effective. I used to admire van der Westhuizan as a scrum half who wasn't annoying at all, except for being annoying good I suppose!
Scrum halfs often tend to be a bit annoying. A suppose it takes a certain type of spikey individual to play that role, especially when you're often by far the smallest person on the pitch!
I hope they wipe the smile off the face of de Klerk who I find most annoying and irritating liitle s**t. That said I appreciate that is partly what makes him effective. I used to admire van der Westhuizan as a scrum half who wasn't annoying at all, except for being annoying good I suppose!
Scrum halfs often tend to be a bit annoying. A suppose it takes a certain type of spikey individual to play that role, especially when you're often by far the smallest person on the pitch!
Matt Dawson used to badger the ref all game long. But I can't recall anyone being nearly as annoyong and other words I'd reather not include on here!!!!
Lets hope.... In 2003, i was living and working in Oz when we beat Oz (watched the final on big screen at Opera House steps) This year, i am living and working in SA .
Oh my! Having watched rugby out there when we were living there, I know what is like whenever they lose. There were Afrikaans places we encountered that just having a british accent was a bit dicey! Enjoy!
Lets hope.... In 2003, i was living and working in Oz when we beat Oz (watched the final on big screen at Opera House steps) This year, i am living and working in SA .
Oh my! Having watched rugby out there when we were living there, I know what is like whenever they lose. There were Afrikaans places we encountered that just having a british accent was a bit dicey! Enjoy!
Big chance if England win that i will be beaten up by my kids. I know i will be the only white shirt in a sea of green, but i will give it large,as usual- its much less Afrikaans in the Southern Suburbs.
No match to rush off for on Saturday morning. In 2003 about 25 of us had booked a train to Leicester for a time about 45 mins after the game should have finished. I didn't take in to account going to extra time when i made the big booking. Bit of a nightmare as we were boarding the train when Wilkinson took that kick! Bad timing but was a great day out. The whole stadium singing Swing Low a few times.
Looking forward to Saturday.
We were in the Herbert watching the game then flooded out the doors on hearing the final whistle to the cars and whizzed up to Leicester. A good atmosphere within the ground both sets off supporters celebrating the win. I think our match finished in a draw. Nice day all round. 🙂
I see Ben Spencer has been called up to replace Willi Heinz.
tough call for Spencer .. let's just all hope that Youngs doesn't get crocked in the first minute, you can rely that the Boers will be targeting him from the off
Reporting from Taupo, New Zealand. All Black fans said to be going through the various stages of grief. A comment yesterday that the result could actually affect the result of next years General Election (sense of well-being etc).
Bit dramatic given that after 1995 they didn't even reach a final again until 2011.
The All Blacks have won the last two World Cups so the expectation and hope was that they would make it three in a row. I cannot remember a more eagerly awaited match or a more disappointing outcome (for All Black fans).
As for the General Election comment it was actually repeated again in today’s papers but seeing as the Election isn’t for another year, no doubt feelings will have settled down a bit by then.
"England have been fined £2,000 for crossing the halfway line as they lined up in a V formation to face the haka before their Rugby World Cup semi-final match against New Zealand."
Bit of a joke but even so, probably the best 2k ever spent.
NZ have picked this team for the bronze game v Wales .. New Zealand: B Barrett; B Smith, Crotty, SB Williams, Ioane; Mo'unga, A Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane, Read (capt).
I reckon it's a stronger team than that picked v England, especially in the backs. Hansen is going at the right time, he has lost the knack of coherent selection
Old King Cole would be a very experienced replacement BUT he's still a walking penalty risk .. AND if Sinkler is unfit, there will be no experienced tight head on the bench
Old King Cole would be a very experienced replacement BUT he's still a walking penalty risk .. AND if Sinkler is unfit, there will be no experienced tight head on the bench
Old King Cole would be a very experienced replacement BUT he's still a walking penalty risk .. AND if Sinkler is unfit, there will be no experienced tight head on the bench
Talk of Marler being the replacement if needed.
and Genge to cover the loose head side .. but in a game of this significance against a power pack like SA, to have an inexperienced prop on either side is a big risk .. might be wise to fly Williams of Exeter out to Nippon a s a p (anyway, Sinkler might well be fit and the story is a wind up)
NZ have picked this team for the bronze game v Wales .. New Zealand: B Barrett; B Smith, Crotty, SB Williams, Ioane; Mo'unga, A Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane, Read (capt).
I reckon it's a stronger team than that picked v England, especially in the backs. Hansen is going at the right time, he has lost the knack of coherent selection
A bit harsh. Hansen has named a squad for the final game which includes departing All Blacks Smith, Crotty, SBW and skipper Kieran Read. Although the ABs have been roundly criticised for their loss to England I haven’t heard much criticism of the team selection. To the contrary he has been praised, for example, for including two inexperienced wingers, both played ok.
NZ have picked this team for the bronze game v Wales .. New Zealand: B Barrett; B Smith, Crotty, SB Williams, Ioane; Mo'unga, A Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane, Read (capt).
I reckon it's a stronger team than that picked v England, especially in the backs. Hansen is going at the right time, he has lost the knack of coherent selection
A bit harsh. Hansen has named a squad for the final game which includes departing All Blacks Smith, Crotty, SBW and skipper Kieran Read. Although the ABs have been roundly criticised for their loss to England I haven’t heard much criticism of the team selection. To the contrary he has been praised, for example, for including two inexperienced wingers, both pl
You haven't heard much criticism ? .. well now you have .. Choosing the younger Barrett in the back row and not selecting the try scoring machine Ioane were bad errors .. rarely, if ever, has a NZ coach picked a team to nullify the opposition, against England Hansen did just that and admitted his error by withdrawing Scott Barrett at 1/2 time and bringing on Cane after the England horse had bolted .. 'departing All Blacks' ? .. most are off to Japanese club rugby to earn some REAL dosh .. the new NZ coach will have some serious work to do in building a new team after the departure of so many really talented players
@Lincsaddick What does the NZ departing players being included in the squad for the final time have to do with them going to play in Japan?
There might be real dosh there, but it's like football players going to the UAE or China or even Japan... No chance they'll play for their nation again, they weren't deemed good enough this year and it showed.
NZ have picked this team for the bronze game v Wales .. New Zealand: B Barrett; B Smith, Crotty, SB Williams, Ioane; Mo'unga, A Smith; Moody, Coles, Laulala, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane, Read (capt).
I reckon it's a stronger team than that picked v England, especially in the backs. Hansen is going at the right time, he has lost the knack of coherent selection
This is like a pre-season tour game for Charlton, where everyone want to know who the loanee is
Good question, but i suppose you can start with the England mob of Itoje,Sinkler,_Vunipola,Curry,Underhill and Farrell?
Mat Dawson’s Beeb column reckons Vermuelen might edge the Vunipola battle... but I’m in the Billy camp with you Mr President.
Is the general consensus that Wales are shot? I’m thinking Mo’Unga as a dedicated 10 might outshine Farrell this round. Could there be some proper spankings in that Friday game?
@Lincsaddick What does the NZ departing players being included in the squad for the final time have to do with them going to play in Japan?
There might be real dosh there, but it's like football players going to the UAE or China or even Japan... No chance they'll play for their nation again, they weren't deemed good enough this year and it showed.
Hope they get the Bronze.
I threw that in as a little bit of extra info for no-nothings like you
This was the combined XV from the final teams from Foxsport Australia...
1. MAKO VUNIPOLA
2. MALCOM MARX
3. KYLE SINCKLER
4. MARO ITOJE
5. COURTNEY LAWES
6. SIYA KOLISI (c)
7. SAM UNDERHILL
8. DUANE VERMEULEN
9. BEN YOUNGS
10. OWEN FARRELL
11. MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI
12. DAMIEN DE ALLENDE
13. MANU TUILAGI
14. ANTHONY WATSON
15. CHESLIN KOLBE
Youngs not de Klerk ?
Giteau...
“Faf de Klerk has had a great World Cup, but I thought Ben Youngs was brilliant against the All Blacks,” Giteau said.
“He was outstanding. He got to the ball quickly and moved it. He challenged the ruck and was unlucky not to get a try. He controlled the game really well, his kicking game was on song and he defended well.
Comments
In 2003, i was living and working in Oz when we beat Oz (watched the final on big screen at Opera House steps)
This year, i am living and working in SA .
I know i will be the only white shirt in a sea of green, but i will give it large,as usual- its much less Afrikaans in the Southern Suburbs.
As for the General Election comment it was actually repeated again in today’s papers but seeing as the Election isn’t for another year, no doubt feelings will have settled down a bit by then.
Bit of a joke but even so, probably the best 2k ever spent.
I reckon it's a stronger team than that picked v England, especially in the backs. Hansen is going at the right time, he has lost the knack of coherent selection
What does the NZ departing players being included in the squad for the final time have to do with them going to play in Japan?
There might be real dosh there, but it's like football players going to the UAE or China or even Japan... No chance they'll play for their nation again, they weren't deemed good enough this year and it showed.
Hope they get the Bronze.
1. MAKO VUNIPOLA
2. MALCOM MARX
3. KYLE SINCKLER
4. MARO ITOJE
5. COURTNEY LAWES
6. SIYA KOLISI (c)
7. SAM UNDERHILL
8. DUANE VERMEULEN
9. BEN YOUNGS
10. OWEN FARRELL
11. MAKAZOLE MAPIMPI
12. DAMIEN DE ALLENDE
13. MANU TUILAGI
14. ANTHONY WATSON
15. CHESLIN KOLBE
Is the general consensus that Wales are shot?
I’m thinking Mo’Unga as a dedicated 10 might outshine Farrell this round. Could there be some proper spankings in that Friday game?
“Faf de Klerk has had a great World Cup, but I thought Ben Youngs was brilliant against the All Blacks,” Giteau said.
“He was outstanding. He got to the ball quickly and moved it. He challenged the ruck and was unlucky not to get a try. He controlled the game really well, his kicking game was on song and he defended well.