My neighbours, both sides, are Welsh. It is very quiet tonight. I sympathise. I saw the first three quarters of the game on TV before I had to leave to drive home. Up to that point it was close but Wales were winning and looking good.
This topic contains 183 replies, has 18 voices, and was last updated by Expat 8 years, 5 months ago.
I have a soft spot for the unpredictable, occasionally brilliant, rugby the French play and would have liked to see them do well. They didn’t. The way the All Blacks played tonight I don’t think anyone could have lived with them. We may just have seen the champions in action.
I have discovered a source of Speights in England. If that is what Kiwi beer does, I am going to try it.
Scotland played really well and were unlucky to get that many points and lose the match.
Going to the TMO for every decison would be a nightmare and we have to accept that occasionally the referee will make the wrong decision as like the players and all of us armchair critics, he is only human.
As for the yellow card, what was the player hoping for in sticking one hand out like that? I agree that it wasn’t deliberte but for those in the position of applying the letter of the law and making a decision, he stuck his hand out into the path of the ball, but a penalty would have sufficed.
Ireland didn’t play well enough and Argentina were outstanding.
So many have already given the trophy to the all Blacks but they’ve not played anyone who can test them yet.
As an England fan, I’m disappointed as the team were abysmal, but it is nice to watch rugby from a neutral position and just enjoy the game.
PVE: Wallabies very lucky to be there I think. The Scots will be feeling gutted just like the AB’s felt in ’07 when Barnes gave the French a free ride into the Semis by his crappy decisions. I’ve watched a few replays of that final penalty and it wasn’t an off side outcome, the ball came off an Aussie hand. There will be some dark moments in the Highlands today.
How about an AB’s & Argies Final after todays results ???
My OH hasn’t watched it yet and wouldn’t let me tell him the result – he had a tricky job on the car, which had to come first, changing an exhaust when you are crying can be difficult- and there was always the possibility of tears – so we are just about to watch. Its such a pity he isn’t a drinker, cos judging from the result, he’ll be needing a stiff one.
HAPPY NOW: Don’t despair, with no Northern Hemisphere teams left you may as well pick another favorite and just watch for the enjoyment of the game, as long as Joubert doesn’t ref any further in the Competition there are still some mouth watering match ups to come.
Joubert may be the next one in Court after Chris Cairns for match fixing !!!
FITZY I am very happy for you, hope it’s as enjoyable as the French game, the SA’s play a lot tighter of course and are masters at slowing down the game so they can dictate the pace which can negate the AB’s fitness superiority. However they are our old foes and every game between these two proud rugby nations is always a true battle. Ideally the last 20 minutes the AB’s fitness levels will prevail and it’ll take them through. We have to be up and in front of the TV at 4:00am Sunday morning for the match, I’ll keep an eye out for you in the croud, wear something bright and wave to us….
I’m picking the Argies may just roll the Ozzies in the other Semi, they are playing well and are flying under the radar a little bit. Time will tell Monday morning
Had a very enjoyable Saturday at Richmond fan zone albeit a bit damp! Was speaking to a young kiwi who has been living over in England for a while. He kept us entertained! While not the same as being at the game the atmosphere was quite good with lots of banter between the fans. So looking forward to this final!
It was reported on our 6pm TV News last night the AB’s have moved into the England Training facility at Pennyhill Park in Surrey as their preparation HQ for the finals. What a magnificent facility, hope they don’t go soft living in luxury like that, the Ozzies are probably living in the London Rookeries to toughen them up…. 🙂
I bet the England players are all smiles knowing the AB’s are in their digs while they are watching from their lounges, such a shame…..
Well Purple, to be honest I don’t think Liz is that keen on the old rugger, however William and Harry make up for it. And I am guessing they will have their personal favourites (probably the ABs!!) but will remain publicly neutral – like Switzerland.
The mind games are well underway now and it’ll be a brilliant game. In NZ I think we are equal parts confident and worried! Our boys will be prepared for Australia to mount a similar defence to the South Africans – that slowing of the game is anathema to our running.
Pleased Nigel is the ref. He is so funny. Last night on one of our TV programmes they did a running segment called LOLs with Nigel. Apparently he is openly gay (I didn’t know) and one of the segments they played was him calling a lineout where he is heard to say in relation to the throw “Even I’m straighter than that”. He also does stand up (who knew?) and ended one of his performances with “If you enjoyed that, I’m Nigel Owens. If not, I’m Wayne Barnes”. Hope we are laughing with him not about him at the end of the game!!
Sorry Purple Vegie!
All Blacks – Job done, but as we like to say in rugby circles, Full credit to the other team. Actually I do think your Wallabies played well in the second half, but there’s not much you can do about Dan’s deadly boot! Another four years til you get another chance.
At least you beat us at Netball…….even though it was two games all.
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