I've jump into the chat forum last week, and noticed the silence. Today again. Nothing!

What's happening guys? Let's have some healthy discussions about the RWC.

I like to learn from others' views and opinions. Come on, let's get the ball rolling.

Point of entry?....exodus, Bryce Lawrence, All Blacks, Aussies, final? Whatever tickle your fancy.

Topic 1 Bryce
Sick and tired of people blaming him, he tried to let the game flow. We wanted stop start rugby. We had our chances and blew it.  Even as a huge John Smit fan, I cant help but think Bismarck couldve been that momentum breaker and game changer we needed.

Topic 2 AB's
The best team in the world and deserve the RWC.  God help us if the French (who lost to bloody Tonga) takes the crown.  I dont like NZ, but i hate the frogs.  NZ to win by 15.  Too much class in the team, even the nerves and their bogey team cant stop them.

RWC tournaments to state the obvious is clearly a totally different kettle of fish compared to your normal international test match. So much other factors to consider such as injuries, form, venue, weather, luck of the draw, crucial ref decisions and obviously the immense pressure, that it definitely is not as clear cut as many make it out to be.

It seems a travesty of justice that a team like France is going to play a final and considering that they are a bogey team for the AB's, there is a very real possibility that they can pull off a victory. In a fair and just world, the Bokke and Wales should have been a fair bet for a final place with the AB's. The Aussies were poor against the big guns and France looks like they are more interested in the holiday they are having in NZ than actually winning it, yet they are in with a chance to become champions all because of them making it count when it mattered. But such is the RWC tournament and therefore a great attraction to all rugby fanatics. The Bokke came up against a ref who forgot the breakdown law and Wales were dreadfully unlucky to be pipped against all odds. So as is quite evident, a particular team needs a that little bit of luck to go there way to be able to win this tournament. The AB's got the luck of the draw this time around on top of missing the Bokke early in the knock-out rounds. France managed to get the only big nation team in the form of England that is/was worse than them in the knock-out stage and then managed to lift there game like only the French can to hold on to beat Wales.

For all intensive purposes all good bets should be on the All Blacks to become champions again after twenty odd years. I shudder to think what will happen if they slip up now. Me thinks the after effects of the recent Christchurch earthquake will pale in comparison if the boys in black choke on this one. Unlikely though.

Krimz wrote: Topic 1 Bryce
Sick and tired of people blaming him, he tried to let the game flow. We wanted stop start rugby. We had our chances and blew it.  Even as a huge John Smit fan, I cant help but think Bismarck couldve been that momentum breaker and game changer we needed.

Topic 2 AB's
The best team in the world and deserve the RWC.  God help us if the French (who lost to bloody Tonga) takes the crown.  I dont like NZ, but i hate the frogs.  NZ to win by 15.  Too much class in the team, even the nerves and their bogey team cant stop them.

I agree on both sentiments, Krimz

Powerplay wrote: RWC tournaments to state the obvious is clearly a totally different kettle of fish compared to your normal international test match. So much other factors to consider such as injuries, form, venue, weather, luck of the draw, crucial ref decisions and obviously the immense pressure, that it definitely is not as clear cut as many make it out to be.

It seems a travesty of justice that a team like France is going to play a final and considering that they are a bogey team for the AB's, there is a very real possibility that they can pull off a victory. In a fair and just world, the Bokke and Wales should have been a fair bet for a final place with the AB's. The Aussies were poor against the big guns and France looks like they are more interested in the holiday they are having in NZ than actually winning it, yet they are in with a chance to become champions all because of them making it count when it mattered. But such is the RWC tournament and therefore a great attraction to all rugby fanatics. The Bokke came up against a ref who forgot the breakdown law and Wales were dreadfully unlucky to be pipped against all odds. So as is quite evident, a particular team needs a that little bit of luck to go there way to be able to win this tournament. The AB's got the luck of the draw this time around on top of missing the Bokke early in the knock-out rounds. France managed to get the only big nation team in the form of England that is/was worse than them in the knock-out stage and then managed to lift there game like only the French can to hold on to beat Wales.

For all intensive purposes all good bets should be on the All Blacks to become champions again after twenty odd years. I shudder to think what will happen if they slip up now. Me thinks the after effects of the recent Christchurch earthquake will pale in comparison if the boys in black choke on this one. Unlikely though.

Eish, Pp, feel the same bru. Good review of the situation as it stands sir.

I have been advised on more occassions than I care to remember that one shouldnt ever blame the referee for the loss, but to take it as a learning experience. As a coach, I tend to look at how we wound up in the position in the first place. Krimz, I must say that your view is from a rugby perspective with emotion detached .. and this is very refreshing to say the least. I watched the Bok vs Aus match a few times since and I am alarmed at how clueless they were on attack. The thing that cost the Boks was not the ref, but rather the teams' inability to react to a possible try-scoring situation. There were many times were there were 3v2's etc .. but lack of vision was the culprit. To say the Boks were supposed to be there in a final is a bit too much Powerplay .. against the weak teams they looked good, against quality they struggled .. and thats the simple facts. Make no mistake the Aussies did their homework .. they knew exactly where they'd have to win the game as they are astutely aware of the deficiencies of opposition teams , especially in light of their recent record against SA. 

I also heard that if theBoks played the AB'S in the semis the Boks would have won ... that will always be a moot point because they never made it there, much like NZ in '07. There is also no such thing as the best team didnt win ... if you are good enough, the scoreboard will show that ... beat it by 1 or 10 points ... matches are not won on paper .. stats provide us with a story for the match .. but as in the movies and good thrillers .. the end is normally what you do not expect .. think the Usual Suspects ...

On the RWC win for NZ .. I couldnt be happier that they've finally won .. I guess it will be more relief for the AB'S and their fans than anything else .. but the best team in the tournament won it, just like the Boks in 07.
What has been very clear is that the NZ coaching team finally woke up and realised that running rugby is not going to win you everything. The area they tightened up was their mental strength as well as their defensive systems. They also learnt that they cannot lean on any 1 individual to be their main men on the field, it has to be a collective effort from everyone. Even individually minded players like Ma'a Nonu had to buy into this but it fit this group of All Blacks like a glove whereas previous groups it did not. A major factor too seems to be how Graham Henry learnt his lessons from '07, its hard to believe that the best coach in the world still had lessons to learn, but that is what this game is .. a massive leveller. Im sure that many were hoping for an AB loss, especially so at semi time .. backing the Aussies .. really people .. especially so my idiotic neighbor! My wish was granted and Im happy that for next 4 years , we can say NZ All Blacks world champs .. no more talk about peaking between RWC .. what was that about choking again ... I think that could best describe the Bok team right now ..

lastly, a team that I enjoyed watching was Wales , and the way they played .. I do feel though that at times they were a bit one dimensional .. ie Jamie Roberts , rarely does anything else other than bash the ball up ... Mike Phillips is good, but he has massive delays with his passing often putting his receivers under massive pressure .. They missed Priesland in the play-offs as he was starting to come into his own ... a massive loss for them .. speaking of losses ... what is more satisfying is that NZ won this RWC with their 4th choice 10 on the park at the final whistle ... mental strength and trust .. thats what won the AB'S this RWC.

No doubt best team won the tournament.

Def agree that Wales were the most impressive.  Phillips, Roberts, Warburton, Adam Jones, Charteris, Davies all had good tournaments.  Lack of a solid goal kicker cost them dearly!