joelle wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 4:44 pm
Nothing about the final ?? Has everybody gone to sleep??
Or so gutted therefore no comments can be made??
"joelle"?.... On
The Rugby Thread? And lovely to see you too!!
Oh, certainly not gutted, a tad disappointed maybe, but just wanted to read the fallout after last night's match.
Big Boy wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 5:15 pm
Was there a final? I thought it all finished when England were awarded their Bronze Medals last Friday.
<biting tongue>
Lost wrote: ↑Sun Oct 29, 2023 8:21 pm
It appears South Africa got all the 'decisive' ref decisions since the quarter finals. The officials are deciding games and 'ruining rugby' is the main chat on social media.
Well, firstly there's a great deal more bias on Social Media than there is in the refereeing of rugby matches. That said, there's been some very controversial decisions in this tournament, not just in last night's final.
Whilst Wayne Barnes is no stranger to controversial decisions and at times has not been the most popular especially here in Wales, it should be pointed out that the TMO brought several instances to the attention of Barnes and "disciplinary calls" relating to the upgrading of cards were referred to those in "The Bunker".
The penalty decision was, well.... Something that needs to be looked at shall we say - I don't think Mr Barnes should plan a holiday to NZ anytime soon though!!
ANYWHO.... THE MATCH!!
I was truly looking forward to this match and well, in some respects it was a bit of a let down. Not short of big decisions, very physical and edge of the seat stuff towards the end.
BUT.... Perhaps it was just the expectations I had, perhaps the (dire) weather, perhaps the interventions of the TMO or the Cards (rightly given I'll add), possibly the ITV coverage..... At least we got to see one of (if not)
THE best rugby matches of the modern era....
IN THE QUARTER FINALS!!
The matchday selection was always a risk for SA IMHO - 7 Forwards plus 1 Back, with no specialised Hooker. That decision seemed to have bitten them on the backside after only a couple of minutes with "Bongi" (won't attempt his surname) going off with a knee injury - the lineouts were certainly a "contest" from then on. The cause of the injury was by an AB's Backrower "falling" on "Bongi's" leg which actually resulted in a Yellow Card. I personally think harsh though conspiracy theorists may think deliberate, but these are the
"New Rules".
NOTE: The TMO brought this to Barnes' attention.
The physicality of the game (and weather) didn't lend itself to true running rugby, players such as Kolbe were closed down very quickly by the defence. This in itself though led to some incredible performances in the Forwards - Flanker Du Toit was quite simply mind-blowing. One point in it? Forget Barnes, this man was the difference!
The Cards - As above, the Yellow early on was harsh IMHO and to even be discussed as a questionable Red is debateable. There are several though who believe "Bongi" was deliberately targeted being the only specialised Hooker in SA's matchday squad.... Ah, Social Media!!
The other cards were fair calls IMHO - there was no question it was a Red for "Captain Cane" despite countless objections from the NZ media, players and fans alike.
BIG HAND to SA on the being
"RUGBY WORLD CHAMPIONS", but also to NZ for the true fight they gave despite being down to 14 for the majority of the match
AND NOW FOR THE SIX NATIONS!! 
The "Scarlets"... "Llanelli" who famously beat the AB's 9-3, always played a wonderful annual match against Bath ("The Rag Doll Match") reduced to this shite!! 
