Rugby World Cup 2011 - New Zealand

[Jaime]

Apologies - you made no such assertion - it was Big Boy's comment:

"I don't think it mattered who got through England, Ireland, Wales or France. IMHO the Southern Hemisphere is too strong."

I think that this world cup has shown that this is patently not the case, with a strong Ireland side beating Australia and SA beating Wales by a single point.

Having said that, I also don't agree with your comment:

"Wales hardly showed anything, after the sending off", which is so way off the mark - Wales had to completely reorganise their defensive and offensive strategies in both open play and at set piece because of the way they operate their rush defence to force the opposition back into the openside - Warburton. How Faletau didn't get MOM is beyond me because, apart from his ball carrying he made umpteen tackles where previously there would have been a covering Warburton.

It might not have been pretty but a team will not be able to play risky rugby when down to 14 men because a single mistake is likely to lead to a try for the opposition.

However, what yesterday's match showed is what I have been telling people for the last 2 years - James Hook is not an international outside half. I hope that particular debate has now been put to bed.

[pharvey]

Oh dear, it appears you're also a muppet when it comes to sport Mr P.......

A 'muppet' complements Wales on being 'superb' and sympathizes over the sending off? I'm surprised.

I was referring to the final stages. The England, France and Wales games WERE disappointing games of rugby. England showed flashes of brilliance but made too many mistakes. Wales hardly showed anything, after the sending off and couldn't get the ball between the uprights. France defended well but were poor in attack. Maybe you were watching different games.

Sorry but the NZ v Australia game today was much more entertaining.

This 'muppet' will be rooting for Wales in their next game.

It was intended tongue-in-cheek Mr P, unfortunately after a couple of sherberts it came across somewhat differently, so my apologies for that

Wales were good in areas, but both Hook and Jones had shockers at Flyhalf meaning we simply couldn't get the backs going.... or as you say get the ball between the uprights.

[pharvey]

Oh well, Warburton gets a 3 week ban and will miss the ''Bronze Final'' with Australia on Friday.

So, a repeat of the games in the inaugural RWC of 1987. New Zealand take on France in the Final which IMHO is going to be a completely one-sided affair - might just see what odds I can get for a 25 point + victory....

Wales to take on Australia - I hope with 15 players!! I'm also hoping Priestland and Adam Jones will be a part of that 15......

[Arcadian]

Warburton`s sending off was the French referee`s retaliation for their disdain for British style sliced bread.

[pharvey]

I also believe - contrary to Mr Plum's assertion - that a Wales-NZ final would have been VERY competitive

Where did you get this? I made NO such assertion and would have been very happy to watch a Wales v NZ final.

Thanks for the rest of your excellent post. I would add that, IMO, for a sending off offence, and considering the impact it can have on a game, a video review of the incident by officials should be mandatory. Bit like a third umpire in Cricket. Or tennis players who get 3 opportunities to appeal a decision.

A Wales vs NZ final is certainly the one I would have liked to have seen, and I'm sure the vast majority of neutral supporters also - of course with the exception of BB who valiantly supports Beelzebub's XV as well as being a confessed lover of Wendyball.....

Agreeing with Mr P ( ), a great post Jamie, but with regards to your comment on video reviews Mr P, in this instance Rolland did not even consult his Linesmen or TMO - wrong IMHO considering the impact his decision was going to make on a vital game.

Whilst Rolland is Irish, and not French - he certainly has strong French connections and should not have been considered for the match. It simply opens things up for conspiracy theories..... (me included when fired up) I believe he was wrong to issue a red card, but many will argue against that opinion - aside from a fairly BIG decision, he got most things right IMHO. let's just move on and look forward to the 2 remaining games of RWC 2011.

Wales 3rd, Surrender Monkeys a very distant 2nd

[dtaai-maai]

South African Craig Joubert will referee the World Cup final between New Zealand and France at Eden Park next Sunday.
Joubert, who took charge of the second semi-final when New Zealand beat Australia, becomes the second South African official after Andre Watson to control a final.
His assistant referees will be Welshman Nigel Owens and Ireland's Alain Rolland.
Rolland, who sent off Wales captain Sam Warburton in Saturday's opening semi-final against France, will be the reserve referee.
Englishman Wayne Barnes, meanwhile, will control the bronze medal match on Friday between Wales and Australia, assisted by Romain Poite (France) and George Clancy (Ireland).
"The IRB (International Rugby Board) match official selection committee was delighted with Craig and Alain's performances in the semi-finals," IRB referee manager Paddy O'Brien said.

"Alain will perform the reserve referee role should he be required.

"We may be nearing the conclusion of what has been a truly superb Rugby World Cup, but our focus remains firmly on consistency, penalising the clear and the obvious and tackling the 'big five' areas.
"Collectively, we continue to work together as a unit and maintain a zero tolerance attitude towards infringements and foul play across the key areas of the game."
Joubert, 33, added: "It is an enormous honour to get the final and I would like to thank Paddy and the committee for giving me the opportunity. The whole team has performed superbly, assisted each other and bonded over the course of the last six weeks. I am now really looking forward to getting out there and enjoying the occasion."

Well now, there's interesting, isn't it?

I can understand that the powers that be want to demonstrate their full support for Rolland, but this seems to be taking the piss.
I almost hope Joubert becomes unavailable, Rolland has to step in and is then faced with the option of a yellow or red card for an All Black...

[pharvey]

Wayne Barnes.... dear God no.... please nooooooooooooooo!! Give us Joubert........

As for Rolland........ well, I won't say anything for fear of accusations of harping on from the sending off issue and the associated sour grapes!!!

For Pete's Gypsy-like-prediction for the Play-off & Final....... Wales by 9, The Blackness by 27!!

By the way, 8-1 odds for the latter.

[dtaai-maai]

Quite generous odds. I'm not a gambling man (or rather I am, which is why I don't!), but if someone wandered past and offered me that now, I'd have 500 baht's worth.

I have to say that I seriously think a win by 40 or more is not out of the question.
I hope.

[redzonerocker]

Wayne Barnes.... dear God no.... please nooooooooooooooo!! Give us Joubert........

Or maybe Jaime?

[Jaime]

I believe he was wrong to issue a red card, but many will argue against that opinion

That is the point - that the decision by Rollands is certainly open to debate, as my post illustrated. By contrast, the IRB have presented this as an open and shut case and that Rolland had no option but to red card Warburton. This is clearly nonsense when the Laws and directives are properly considered.

Incidentally, Justin Tipuric was today banned for three games following a citing commissioners report to upgrade the yellow he was given for a 'tip tackle' (a term that is not defined in The Laws of the Game) in a recent Ospreys-Munster game to a red card....! The IRB have simply closed ranks in time honoured 'Old Fart' fashion because they know this whole area of the law is a mess.

aside from a fairly BIG decision, he got most things right IMHO

What about the absolutely blatant offence by Charteris in holding onto the ball long after the tackle, preventing not one but two French players from jackaling it? He was right on the spot and inexplicably gave a penalty to Wales (leading to Halfpenny's long range penalty attempt) for a French player coming in from the side! It wasn't even a ruck because there were no Welsh players contesting the ball! It was never a penalty to Wales in a million years and there is only one reason why he gave it - because he knew that he had made a mistake earlier in the match with the sending off. There is absolutely no doubt of that in my mind.

A hypothetical question: If an Argentinian referee named Alun Rowlands, of Welsh-Patagonian stock, a fluent Welsh speaker with a Welsh wife and kids who spoke Welsh at home had been selected to referee the Wales-France game, do you think a few eyebrows would have been raised...?

[pharvey]

^^ Fair play Jamie, I forgot about that clanger - probably because it was a penalty awarded to Wales!!

Not getting into whether Rolland was right or wrong, but just to illistrate the inconsistancies in refereeing - which quite frankly is the real problem....



No card, no penalty, nada......... the referree? The one and only Monsieur ''Paddy'' Rolland.... ahem.

Anyways... onto today!!! Just a few hours away from a cracking match, which I hope is allowed to flow and is ref'd well. Two very young and exciting teams - seriously looking forward to this one. On my way for an inspection at the mo, but trust me all will be cut short so I can get back for this game!!

[PeteC]

Everything in me said to pick Australia for today, but I didn't. Has anyone found out who is and isn't playing for Wales? Pete

[MrPlum]

Commiserations to Wales. Great finish.

[dtaai-maai]

Well, I found that frustrating, and I'm not Welsh. I'm all out of commiserations and sympathy for Wales now, though.
I mean, if you haven't got anybody who can kick the ball accurately, then stop going for goal, go for a try instead.
And there was some equally awful kicking from hand.
And we'll just ignore Shane Williams' attempted drop goal.

Yes, it was a fantastic finish. It was also irrelevant.
And their first try came from a pass so forward it would have been obvious if the touch judge hadn't been trying to show how fast he could run.

On today's evidence, it might be just as well Wales didn't get to the final, as a thrashing by NZ might have shattered their confidence.
The best home nation by far in this tournament, for what that's worth.

[pharvey]

DM - we all know where your loyalties lie.....

Yes, first Welsh try - 2m forward pass. Which again leads you to the shite refereeing (not biased, just shite). The guy has zero idea of offside on a rush defense, no clue with hands on the ball in a ruck, fcuk all knowledge with off feet......... how can tw@ts like this ref at this level?

[EDIT] Would just add - how well did Williams take the try though? Pure bloody class.

Wales also showed their lack of strength in certain departments - Adam Jones injured, and the Welsh scrum suffers greatly. Only one natural 7 in the squad in Warburton - Falatau did superbly well, but lets be fair.... it was his 2nd game at 7 professionally, playing against one of the best in the world in Pocock.

Hook, again - an absolute mare with the boot, cr@p in defense and no idea in attack..... Jesus, what has happened to this guy? Unbelievable natural borne talent - where has it gone??? Neither Hook or Jones could bring our centers into the game... again. Only certain half-witted critics could possibly blame the entire squad for a poor display when we have problems with an extremely important link. Priestland without a doubt has shown his worth at Fly-half and will undoubtedly be first choice come the 6 Nations........... and yes DM, please bring on Beelzibub's XV!!

No sour grapes, the best team on the day won - see you in Cardiff in December for the re-match!!