RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015

Hard truth or comforting fairy tale?

Whilst the final score ended up being close, SA 18 - NZ 20, NZ appeared to have a definite game plan to nullify SA, and NZ tried various tactics to unlock the SA defence.

When coach Hansen said it was New Zealand's ill discipline that kept South Africa in the match, he was not being complimentary. But for the penalties conceded by NZ, South Africa had no clue as to where or how the points were going to come from.

All those grubber kicks into touch by NZ were part of a well worked plan to play as much as possible in the SA half and out of kicking range (for points) from a South African point of view. SA's exit plan was non existent and when they did put ball to boot, most of it was senseless which resulted in them being put back under immediate pressure. The last 15 minutes of the game really epitomized SA's one dimensional approach, why? At that point in the match SA knew if they could get into the NZ half, there was always the possibility of drawing the penalty or putting through a drop goal, which was all that was needed.

To NZ's credit, their prodding and probing resulted in two tries being scored, a consequence of backing the ability of their skill, not just hoping the opposition can make errors in kickable positions. I've said before, the game has evolved and is no more focused around brut strength and kicking for goal.

If we look at the two games lost during the tournament, in both games SA was matched for intensity/physicality but just outsmarted mentally.

Maybe it's time encourage a different game plan - ball in hand running rugby with a huge dose of self belief - then you can fight fire with fire.

Wasnt that 1st try a forward pass...kinda looked forward to me

Great effort and what a vibe last night if only they had won!

To my untrained eye it was a forward pass as well. Ind 2nd half vic matfields reversed penalty was bullshit. The tmo was the most inconsistent person imo. The onfield ref did well, but the tmo stopped the game for one offence in vics case that he couldve stopped on 200 ocasions during the game and this was at an extremely important point in the game. I did hear the ref saying the tmo noticed the infringement

Enjoyed the game proud of the boys never lack effort at all....just wished they apread the ball a bit wider after dominating scrums and so on.

Well done guys.Was at the game ,the atmosphere was incredible ,The SA supporters here the best in the world.....so close but a few dubious decisions cost us a historic win.AB scored 2 soft tries and progress....we all woke up this morning and life goes on!

Mornings Casey.Hope ur well bud.Fair question u ask.The answer is simple, I don't know. But to answer Craig...It is simple,As long as SA has a quota system I will NEVER support them.Teams should be picked on merit,not skin colour.A guy like Petersen,its a joke that he made the group,when SA have so many wingers with actual talent,but becoz of his skin colour he gets picked!That is the sole reason SA Rugby will never ever reach the heights it can.
P.s I know u weren't talking to me directly but just giving my opinion lol.I got a question to everyone else also...Becoz I support the ALL blacks in rugby,Brazil in soccer and Aus in cricket...as that make me less an South African that all of the loyal supporters???

Stop making excuses,the Boks were beaten by the better team on the day. Forward pass, clutching at straws now

I am not sure how u see JP in the team as part of quota system. Lol. U watched the same game we did?

NZ were just not to good last night. They are without a doubt a world class team. I like Bayern analysis of the game.

Just spoken to a mate of mine who was with a whole lot of his Aussie mates at the game and going again today and the main topic was that the first try should have been disallowed. Forward! Too late now though!

JP would get in any team in the world...

Craig was the 1st try with the pass from the big forward over hheads and hands? thought that at the time...

Yes that one.