From what I've heard of the game it seems that the Wallabies out-defended the Springboks in a very tough game. It's always nice to see tries and expansive rugby but tough, close games like these are no less entertaining to real rugby fans and are often decided in favour of the teams who slow down the ball and nullify the opposition's attack. It seems that's where SA suffered today but once again there were some odd refereeing decisions - one of which apparently saw a charged down kick given as a knock on in favour of Australia.
Even David Campese felt it was a very poor decision at a key point in the match.
Of course there will always be tough decisions which can't even be sorted out using TV replays but IMHO there are too many bad decisions and instances of inconsistent refereeing cropping up about which more needs to be done. With all the technology available today, there's no excuse for some of them and God forbid that a world cup is decided by a really controversial refereeing decision. Perhaps something along the lines of the 'challenge' system in cricket could go some way to sorting this out and focus the minds of some of the officials a little. As it is there doesn't seem to be much done about decisions made which really stink. I think South Africa will feel they lost a game they should and could have won with almost all the second half territory and yet nothing to show for it.
Argentina have clearly come on a long way and made NZ work hard for a result that flatters them a bit I think. NZ looked pretty average for quite long periods but in the end fitness, professionalism and skill took their toll. Given their limited exposure to top class international rugby, watch out for Argentina next time around when they've had the chance to develop as part of the new southern hemipshere 4 Nations competition.
All in all I reckon NZ have come out of this round better placed that Australia who apparently have lots of injuries to contend with and must be feeling the huge battle they've just been through. However, Argentina showed the the All Blacks' back line can be tamed so there's hope for the Wallabies next week.
If the All Blacks win next week they'll win the competition I believe but if they're knocked out I think Australia will lose in the final simply because they've given too much in getting there. Who joins them in the final will be determined by which French team turns up next week. Maybe the French have had their final...
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Originally Posted by denphone
Yes England certainly need to rebuild as there are too many players past their best but their are some talented young players out there but also England need to play a more expansive type of rugby as at the moment they are one dimensional.
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There's no doubt that some of England's decison making at scrum half and fly half was poor but with the best will in the world you can't play expansive rugby when the opposition won't allow you to. Late last year England showed what they can do against Australia by beating them comfortably and scoring some great tries including one (from their own goal line) to rival the very best. We've seen that in other games too which is why Chris Ashton scored so many tries. However, if you're constantly being pinged by the referee for whatever reason or your opponents are depriving you of the ball and/or slowing the game down it's hard to play fast and pretty. It seems Australia did exactly that today against the Springboks and look what happened to Habana and all their fabled speedsters. Had SA played the entire match the way they started the second half they'd have won I reckon and that wasn't playing expansive, attractive rugby. Neither did Australia win by playing wide, running rugby.
I believe the will is in the England team and the ability to match the best but what's really let them down this time around is poor discipline and a lack of quick ball both of which ought to have been sorted out by better captaincy on the field.
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I do believe the captaincy should go to one of the 'younger' players, however. There's no point picking a captain who clearly won't be around for the next RWC and England have nothing to lose and plenty to gain by being bold now and taking advantage of some of the newer blood. Although he's yet to prove himself internationally I reckon Owen Farrell (Saracens) could be one to watch and a future captain.
