Kiwis want Barnes’s blood
Furious All Blacks fans have put a NZ$1,000 bounty on the head of Wayne Barnes.
The English referee played a huge part in the Cardiff quarter-final. He sent Luke McAlister to the sin bin for a professional foul, missed a blatant forward pass in the build-up to Yannick Jauzion’s match-winning try and failed to penalised French hands in the ruck near the end of the game. Barnes also appeared to target All Blacks captain Richie McCaw at the breakdown.
A fan, or fans, doctored Barnes’s Wikipedia entry over the weekend (Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that is edited by its readers), which starts: Wayne Barnes is a c*** and goes on to say he “suffers from a vision-related disease which results in him being unable to see forward passes” and “gave up law to take up refereeing because he couldn’t read any “f***ing law books.”
A $NZ1000 bounty is also offered to the person who “finds him for me and keeps him under lock and key until I get there.”
The Barnes attack includes a threat to “f***** rip off your head you w*****”. It calls him a “sack of “s***” and warns in capital letters: “WE WILL FIND YOU”.
Barnes’s performance has also been questioned by leading New Zealand website RugbyHeaven, which has changed it’s name to RugbyHell since the loss to France.
“This was the Tri-Nations champions against the Six Nations,” wrote Duncan Johnstone. “It was the best team in the world against the tournament hosts on a hugely emotionally occasion. Sounds like it might have needed the best referee in the world. I don’t think we got that person dished up to us.
“And perhaps astute TV commentator and former All Black (and World Cup winner) Grant Fox hit the nail on the head when he suggested that while the French were now moving forward in the competition, Barnes should not.”
– To read the uncensored Wikipedia entry on Barnes click here
– To read Johnstone’s full column on Barnes click here.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:36 am
That’s the spirit.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:38 am
I’ll follow tradition and go…
Dragons!!!!
Storm in a tea cup. Touchjudges more to blame than Barnes.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:38 am
Hundred percent agree!! He was terrible and biast. There were tons of penalties on offer for NZ at the end for offsides and hands in.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:40 am
Hopefully the ghost of Suzie can now be laid to rest and replaced by the ghost of Wayne Barnes.
Not the brightest bunch in the world… matter of fact, not the brightest rugby team in the world either.
October 8th, 2007 at 7:41 am
So was there for France for holding on. Chabal was towering over a lot of them struggling for the ball. Its the nature of the game. Get over it!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Kaplan would have done a better job. How ironic that it was Paddy O’Brien who appointed Barnes!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:43 am
And what about all the NZ forward passes that weren’t blown………face it AB’s its over!!!!
A lot of NZ’s transgressions were ignored!!!!
6 of the one and half a dozen of the other, lot of cry baby’s!!!!
Now that you cant blame it on Suzy, blame it on the ref….
October 8th, 2007 at 7:46 am
Chokers!!!!!! 4 more years hehehehe
October 8th, 2007 at 7:49 am
4 Bod,
Well said!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Banner headline…
KIWIs CHOKE ON FROGS…!!!!
Sure, Barnes missed the forward pass and a few other incidents… but the fact that someone at last pinged McCaw for his tactics (after how long of everyone saying he gets away with so much) is refreshing to me… Well done Barnes…!
We can also moan about our ref… just because we won, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a go at the guy…
he only saw high tackles put in by SA players but disregarded just about everyone that the Fijians put in. What about Bai’s swinging arm on Danie Rossouw? Had that been one of our players he would be banned for the rest of the world cup…
October 8th, 2007 at 7:53 am
It doesn’t help to cry over spilled milk.
I supported the AB’s in the WC because of the type of rugby they play. But on the night they had the wrong tactics.
Why nobody changed from plan A to plan B is a mystery to me. You win some you lose some….. lifes a *****. Get over it, stand up and go on.
The only way to silence your critics is to get back on your horse and get back to winning ways.
Nobody feels sorry for a loser, take the loss like a man and admit you were beaten by a better team. A real sportsman never makes excuses!
October 8th, 2007 at 7:53 am
#4 Bod.
Suzie has been sleeping with Barnes. (it would appear shaggggggging is a baned word).
October 8th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Its about time NZ was on the bad end of a ref hehehe….Man o man these NZ fans are nuts
October 8th, 2007 at 7:56 am
You know I felt for the Kiwi’s as did a lot of us but I am sick and tired of the excuses they make. When they lose it is NEVER their fault – ever. In 1995 it was Suzi, when they lost the America’s cup Alinghi were cheating, when they were disinvested of the right to co-host the 2003 event the Aussies were devious and underhanded – stop Whinging and get some dignity. France should have been put away with time to spare but they CHOKED big time and they cannot accept it…. You don’t win World Cups because you have a right to do so…
October 8th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Why is the bounty on Weyne Barnes’s head so low. I’ll raise that 1000 NZ dollars, with 10 000 SA Rand. Any other takers. This deviant ponce has to be stopped people……. Imagine, the only thing standing between us (Boks_ and the world cup – is a final to be blown by Barnes??????
Lets raise that bounty patriots…
October 8th, 2007 at 8:01 am
The Boks should not count their chickens yet, the Pumas will come out firing… They have a decent pack and Pichot can match Fourie each time.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:02 am
Ah Cane
You and brother Enrico are definately excluded from my take on the average IQ of the typical Antipodean rugby supporter… and rugby team for that matter.
Tell me, how do the words “Pick and Drive” go down with you? Chortle, chortle…
October 8th, 2007 at 8:03 am
To me nothing has changed.
The AB`s is still the best team in the world.
They still choke.
They still lose one out of ten games.
They still lose against France in WC.
The only thing that has changed is that i feel less bad about it.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:05 am
16 handbag,
you are very wrong if you think we are counting our chickens….
we are in for a monster game & we know it!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Sure the fans have every reason to gripe but with all due respect. The amount of possession, recycled ball and multiple phases the Kiwis had must have yielded them more points in which case a dubious try might not have made such a difference. i seem to recall not too long ago the Boks were ont he wrong side or a screw up in Dublin. These things happen unfortunatley sometimes you need to put these games beyond doubt. The AB’s could have done so.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:10 am
UFO @ 10 – Good comment!
During the game I thought the ref was blowing pretty well. He made errors, yes, but they were made both ways. If fact, I would suggest he made more errors in FAVOR of NZ than the other way round.
Having said that, the forward pass that allowed the try put the nail in…
I just have to repeat the comment on the other thread… kudo’s to the author:
What is the difference between the All Blacks and half a viagra pill?
With half the pill, you get a semi…
October 8th, 2007 at 8:12 am
It must be the ref’s fault that the French put in over 170 tackles as well eh?
The pass was 50/50 and no worse than hundreds of unseen All Black infringements in the S14 and Tri Nations over the years.
also
The yellow was justified – look at the replay.
The French deserved the win 100%
4MY
October 8th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Namblack jou vrou het gebel om te se sy is baie bekommerd oor jou. Jy willie eet nie, jy praat nie met haar nie en jy skop die hond sommer vir niks. Ek is rerig bly om wee jou stem te ****. Wat het dan makeer??
October 8th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Sounds like us SAFFAS when we lose a game…
October 8th, 2007 at 8:19 am
And NZ is still out of the world Cup
October 8th, 2007 at 8:22 am
The Refs in this world cup have favoured all the underdog teams.
The big teams get nailed for minor infingements or trangressions while the underdogs get away with head high tackles, forward passes and outright negative play!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:23 am
BokiNZ,
Die enigste ding in NZ wat kakker is as hulle rugby is hulle check points by die lughawe.
Ek meen hoe kon hulle Xrays n lee koppbeen mis.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:24 am
Bod,#17.
We had enough possession to win and we didn’t. End of story really.
Sure the ref was poor, but you get that sometimes.
Nine of ten times the AB’s would win this type of game………but this was #10. And in WC you don’t get a second suck of the saveloy.
As for the Guys that did the Wikipedia thing——Hilarious.
Lately, when I put my young son to bed we go to a World Map on his bedroom wall.
And I say, “right show the countries left in the WC”.
Last night I said, “we won’t do that tonight because it’s not quite so much fun now is it”.
He said, “who is the best Team left”.
I said, “SA”.
“Right Dad, that’s our new Team”.
Now got things to do, so I’ll pick and go.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:25 am
The biggest upset must be the Pommies beating the Wannabies, hehehehe, Wilkonson makes a helluva difference to the team.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:26 am
This is the second time the All Blacks have had a **** inexperienced ref the other person was Marius Jonkers that idiot is just like Wayne Barnes who over reacts in using the yellow card but never the opposition they are perfect angels….Wayne Barnes was paid off by the French but hey Im looking forward to four more years of All Black dominance and the All Blacks beating the World Champions for the next four years…..
October 8th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Howdy Cane. Shiiiit, I bet ya NZ ain’t a great place to be.. (Afghanistan is probably a happier place at present) Still feel gutted for your lot.
Careful with that pick and go strategy friend, It’s already backfired dismally for a few other Kiwis….Wouldn’t want you to become another statistic……..Go well friend.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:29 am
It is incredible that everybody is so silent about Alan Lewis who with his two NZ linesman fails to see any of the high and dangerous tackles made by the Fiji on the Springboks and also missed the blatant forward pass the nearly resulted in a try.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:31 am
How many test matches did NZ won through forward passes, hands in the ruck, referees sending opposition players to the sin-bin for nothing, etc. This serves them right. Justice has finally prevail.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:31 am
# 27 Namblack
And you’re still a tight arse with no sense of humour. Take it like a man. Sorry, thats a foreign concept to you. Same reason why your team folded ovr the wknd ’bout the same time Chabal came on the field. He’s a hunk isn’t he?
October 8th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Hear hear floyd. And all international commentators were biased in their support of fiji. The whole world is against south africa winning so our guys better go through and shut them up. Apparently irish media very anti-boks, bunch of losers!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:37 am
To Cane and the other cool NZ fans, my heart bleeds for you guy today. I think I was the only guy in the pub screaming my freaking head off for your boys to steal the game at the end – I wanted an SA?NZ final…it just seems right.
Anyway, someone was bound to call Richie one of these days (right or wrong doesn’t matter at this stage) and there was always a chance that it would happen in a knock-out game…
October 8th, 2007 at 8:37 am
Nice to see some Kiwi’s have taken their defeat well. At last a ref had the courage to stand up to the All Black “myth” and blow them up for their persistant foul play, something the rest of the world has had to live with for ages. So the officials missed 1 forward pass, what about all the ones you’ve benefitted from over the years? Justice if you ask me. Chokers.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:41 am
It’s sad and referees must be held accountable! Especially the suddenly blind AB referees that did duty on the lines in the SA Fiji game!
AB vs. French: There was a forward pass in the move… but hey, I can dish up 50 plus AB forward passes in the last few years that resulted into tries and that… were just “part of the Game†too!
The French made 178 tackles and the AB 36… maybe the French just wanted it so much more!
Pity about GH… it makes no sense!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:42 am
All the home nations except maybe the semi-finalists would have been beaten by fiji yesterday. Scotland were poor! Argentina only have one game plan, risky rush defence, they kick away possession. If our back counter attack from their kicks it could be game over for them.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:43 am
And the more the SH media perpetuates this myth that the ref was the cause of their defeat the funnier it gets for those born in the NH. France beat the ABs, not the ref. Yes the same team that everyone was writing off as **** and NH rugby is dead in the water. Now that ain’t the case everyone looks to blame the referee! Grow up and swallow it down. You were crowing before the game, take your medicine now you’ve been shown up to be complete idiots!
October 8th, 2007 at 8:45 am
I like your son Cane
October 8th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Oh Cane – I collected my check this morning from the bookies…….6.5 times my life’s savings – thanks for your suggestion mate, I could not have done it without you, and your team of course.
Barnes is a joke, no question, but the All Blacks lost that match.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Jonnymain , NZ is one of the smallest countries in the SH. Maybe you should go back to school. Its going to be a North/South clash come 20 Oct. The day of reckoning might still come, jonnyboy.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:57 am
With over 76% ball possession and 66% territory advantage, what a lame excuse.
The last 20min AB’s had 100% possession and territory – there was wave after wave of attack and they achieved zippo – too predicable.
If you want to kill a ref – go for the drool Honis.
October 8th, 2007 at 8:58 am
#40 No Johhnymain, the only people to have been shown uP as idiots thus far, is the Northern Hemisphere PRESS. Most of the “writing off” of NH sides, came from up north……The Sun, The Mirror, Le Equipe, etc etc etc. Add to that voice, the NH commentators, ex-players and a variety of others who so sadly joined in the funeral of NH rugby. Twas not us from the South my friend, we didn’t have to “bury” NH rugby, you lot from up north did it all by yourselves.
Big Hit was possibly, the ONLY man in the Northern Hemisphere to “keep the faith” in the first 3 weeks of the tournie……..
So, I would hold back on the term IDIOTS, before you mt friend are found to be sadly wanting……
October 8th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Utter nonsense and childish to blame the referee. I am sure the AB’s will not blame the ref. They will never do that. But those who are blaming the ref for the AB’s demise should think about this: The AB’s had 72% of the possession and about 65% of the territory over an 80 minute period. All they could do was score two tries and a total of 18 points, that to me is where the problem was and remains. NZ were unable to score the points that mattered. Even if McAllister was not sent off and even if the ref had called the forward pass, there is every possibility that the French would have scored later.
The AB’s did not pull of enough strike moves, they went into their shell and sought the easy way out by just doing the pick and drive which worked as it yielded one try, but for the last four years the AB’s have scored countless tries through the backs and they just could not do it in Cardiff
Still blame the ref? Get real guys
October 8th, 2007 at 9:06 am
SA also suffered under Barnes in the Tonga match. He sent of 2 players under extremely dubious circumstances which in hindsite gave them a snif at the game. Had he not sent off Frans and Brian the Tongan game would have been a white-wash. But the sword has a name now so be wary in the future with this dodgy character.
At least he has been consistent in being kak!
October 8th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Saffas you are dead right- dont blame the ref, dont blame the linesman. We lost- period. If we had made the forward pass to clinch the game and got away with it we would take it and say stiff s***t. We dont complain or cry foul when Lauaki was bagged and accepted it when he was deemed innocent. Richie and the boys are not crying foul,blaming Henry or anyone else. They are copping it sweet as painful as it must be for them. These guys are the best in the world that lost one important game. They are still our champs and we dont make excuses for them as the dont need us to.
Remember this.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Hate to say it but how many NZ wins in the past were down to professional fouls and forward passes. The refs have watched the replays from past games and have put some wrongs right. NZ are still the best team in the world, but clearly not on a knock out basis.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:12 am
shark yes you are probably right but who is innocent? Its all about what you can get away with so nobody has the high and mighty stance. Its just that we see what other teams do wrong in preference to what our’s do..the blame game is ridiculous and a waste of time.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:14 am
anyone know who the refs will be this weekend?
October 8th, 2007 at 9:14 am
AB odds-on favorites to lift cup in 2011 !!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 9:17 am
#43 what’s your point?
As for you ruck, I hate to disagree but I read an article on here by Mark Keohane that was entitled “North flops, South tops” or words to that effect. Have also read many bloggers writing off the NH teams BEFORE the knockout stages of the tournament began. Add to that the predictions of an all SH semi final line-up that I have read many times on this site and others based south of the equator and you get my meaning.
For the record, I live in the Gulf now so don’t get a chance to read the British media (thank the lord) and rely on keo and others for my rugby news…. and I hope the Boks win the RWC now my lot are on the plane home!
October 8th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Seriously… commiserations to the AB supporters… they must be gutted… as we would be… (and will be if we don’t win the WC…)
I just hope you guys remember the feeling and when the ABs start winning again… (read – in their next match) you will be a little more sympathetic to the losing supporters…
even the best can fail… so a little more humility when you guys clean up again will go a long way…
October 8th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Morning NamBlack.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Shame poor ******** ,
they lost end of story.
The be the best you have to beat the best.
and the All Blacks are poor.
The only reason why they play well between World Cups
is because other teams dont care what happens with those matches.All that matters is the World Cup and it proves the All Blacks are not that good as what they think they are.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:28 am
#53 – You’re correct Johnnymain, we stoked the fires down South. But I still believe the most fervent critics and “writer off – ers” were the experts up north. Keo, in fact was probably the ONLY journo in the free world to predict a Pom win against Oz…. Yes, we crowed at the perceived “demise” of NH rugby – but lets be honest, the NH teams didn’t exactly instil much confidence in those first weeks….And then most people “read it like they see it…….”.
For the WC’s sake, I am relieved 2 NH teams ARE still alive in the tournie……For rugby’s sake, I am distressed that my SH brethren are out…
Hell, not being able to read the British rags must be awful…(NOT NOT NOT…) I s’pose thats the greatest benefit of being where you are…..
RE: The Gulf – Have you been to the Ex Pats rugby club? It seems that rugby is gaining some sort of cult following in the Gulf…..Watched the IRB youngster tournie earlier in the year, that was played there. Looked great………..As I recall the weather also “turned up”……
October 8th, 2007 at 9:31 am
Soooo Namblack. Going to change your name to NamBok after the WC.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:36 am
As I asked on another thread in response to the general attitude ‘that who wins the world cup is the best in the world’, if England (hypothetically of course) actually come through and win does this make them the best team in the world or only the winner of this tournament. Only wanting to test your resolve here.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:40 am
I feel that the wind has been taken right out of the sales for the rest of the tournament. If the Boks make the final, it will be a great game. But we will always feel that we have been robbed of the true test, the one that we should have played against the all blacks.
A great pitty.
Again, does anyone know who the refs will be on Saturday?
October 8th, 2007 at 9:44 am
All refs make mistakes … it’s part of the game.
The only thing you can control is how you respond … ask JP Pietersen
As for the yellow card – it was justified and that “hands in the ruck” incident was laughable … the ball was out and the ref was right there to see it.
The Blacks have no-one to blame but themselves. They underestimated France and when things started going downhill they had no plan B.
But of course that will not stop them bitching about the ref until … well, until they finally win the World Cup again. Oh, God … we are going to have to put up with this for long.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:46 am
I knew this was coming when Graham Henry mentioned “not getting the rub of the green” in his post-match interview. At the time I thought to myself: this will probably become the reason for their loss. And, once again, I was right.
There seem to be loads of passes at this World Cup that may or may not be forward. It feels like the backs are trying to cut it finer and finer when it comes to the flat, attacking pass. Some are blown up and some aren’t. The AB’s are probably more guilty of getting away with “flatter than flat passes” than any other team. So I find it in poor taste that this becomes their excuse.
I love the way they play the game. But I hate the way they pass the buck.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:46 am
Hello all…
Frankly, this is getting a bit ridiculous now.
On that other website, that recently changed its name from “Heaven” to “Hell”, the main story is about how, in spite of RSA narrowly beating Fiji, JW just couldn’t resist “attacking” the ABs/Kiwis….
So, I click and read the article, fully expecting another embarrassing case of foot in mouth from our coach Jake “I would’nt pick any of their players in my team” White…
And what do I find – nothing!
Please, please go and read that article…
WTF?
He hardly says anything directly, and I thought, at the most, what he was saying was pretty accurate – not even sounding remotely arrogant, but the author really bent over backwards in finding an “attack” in his words!
It’s pathetic.
Really is a sorry confirmation of how hallowed the ABs are, in their media, and a ridiculous demonstration of how low the media is willing to go in order to convert their ABs into the victims, who – when down – are ‘repeatedly kicked’ by the arrogant Saffas and their coach…
If that was a verbal attack by White, and a demonstration of how arrogant South Africans are – then I am beginning to understand why so many Kiwis and Aussies find us all arrogant – because I can promise you this: It’s not really hard to say anything that can be twisted into an arrogant attack…
Really, really sad…
October 8th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Captain #50 I like your attitude. Can’t say it would have been the same from our side.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:50 am
$42 Ataturk.
Post me my 10%. (big,big smilie).
Dr Ruck,
Your couch would be doing a roaring trade over here today. I could do with some therapy myself.
Capt Fanny.#48.
Well said.
To all those who don’t know the stats.
All Areas won easily by the AB’s.
Except scoreboard and penalty count.
France conceded NOT ONE penalty in the second half.
This was not a French Rugby team. This was a collection of living breathing Saints.(yeah right).
Now that is not why we lost, but lets just say it didn’t help.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:50 am
#59 – No, whoever wins the world cup has just done that – won the world cup. Doesn’t make them the greatest team in the world by a long stretch.
It makes them the team that did well in the tournie, nothing more and nothing less. Anyone that thinks winning the Cup, makes you the best in the world – is about as delusional as Matt Dunning before the Pom game, “Bring it on…”, as I recall…
Kudus to the team that win the cup, but being the best in the world is far far more than displaying a “rather” ugly trophy in your cabinet. (Though of course, we would all love to…)
Just ask Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, etc etc. Are they suddenly NOT the greatest in the world any longer, when on those rare occasions they taste defeat??????
October 8th, 2007 at 9:51 am
Our local club in Q8 is the Nomads, still haven’t checked them out but it’s early days.
October 8th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Maybe this post will get pulled – sorry if it does:
But here’s the article I spoke about in #63 [Off RugbyHeaven.co.nz -c/o Marc Hinton]
“Jake has dig at Henry as Boks stay alive -
Never mind the anxious moments and level of opposition, Springboks coach Jake White couldn’t resist the opportunity to take aim at his Tri-Nations rivals after South Africa was left as the only one of the big three still standing at the Rugby World Cup – albeit after scratching past Fiji 37-20.
Audio: RugbyHeaven co-editor Marc Hinton on ’sensational Saturday’ and Jake White’s outbursts.
South Africa survived a stern quarter-final examination from the Fijians to eventually prevail in a match that was a lot closer than the final score suggests.
The two sides had been locked at 20-20 heading into the final quarter and Fiji were just inches away from a score in the corner that would have given them the lead with a dozen minutes left.
But the Boks survived the Fijian assault and finished the match on the ascendancy, crossing for two tries that rather flattered them in the final accounting.
Asked about the way his team failed at times to stick to the strict game-plan they had set out to inhibit the expansive Fijian game, White let loose with his first shot at New Zealand and Australia who, while the Boks journey to Paris for the semifinals, will be heading home for an extended summer break.
“Some players are 20 and they looked like they were 20 at times today,” he said, a clear reference to a less than composed game from young inside centre Frans Steyn.
“The reality is quite simple – it’s pressure. You saw what happened yesterday, there’s no way you can practise that. You can talk till the cows come home, but when you’re on the field players have to understand they need to execute things they’ve been practising.”
White was then asked about how much the Boks needed to improve for the semi, against Argentina at Stade de France.
“It’s difficult to say how much,” shrugged White, before adding: “The bottom line is this was a quarter-final of the World Cup, we scored five tries to two and probably didn’t play as well as we could have.
“At the end of the day it’s about going through to the next round. I sit here as a coach in the top four, we’ve got no injuries, we scored five tries, what more do you want going into the last two weeks of a World Cup knowing you’ve still got a chance to win the World Cup.”
It was then pointed out, as if he needed reminding, that he was the only Tri-Nations coach still active in the tournament, a turn of events that has delighted the northern hemisphere rugby public in no uncertain terms.
“People can be critical and say you’re lucky, maybe Fiji should have scored in the corner. Well if a lot of things had happened … yesterday we saw England beat Australia and France beat New Zealand, and I’d much rather be where I am today than where those two countries are today.”
Hard to argue that point. Even harder to debate his next one which was that, basically, the New Zealand and Australian players failed to handle the pressure of knockout football in a World Cup.
Asked his reaction to the surprise quarter-final exits for both his Tri-Nations rivals, White said: “The same as every other rugby guy who watched. No one would have said on one Saturday New Zealand and Australia, the No 1 and 2 in the world, would be knocked out of the World Cup.
“I’m as surprised as anyone. What it did highlight is that at 20-all after 60 minutes of this test match, after the results we got yesterday, there’s no preparation for pressure. There’s no way you can put any players through any tests to see whether they can do it unless you get in that exact situation.
“I can only compliment the captain the way he got them together for the last 20 minutes. It’s just about how certain players in certain teams can handle pressure a lot better. I’m just thankful sitting here as a coach whose team could handle it.”
There was no doubt who that less than subtle comment was aimed at. The All Blacks were rudderless in the final minutes against France, once again failing to make the big play when it was required.
To not even attempt a dropped goal from such a handy position defied most people’s belief in this part of the world.
White even took a dig at Graham Henry’s decision to play a hobbled Dan Carter in their quarter-final defeat to France when he explained his own decision not to run tighthead prop CJ van der Linde against the Fijians.
“You’re never going to win in that situation, because you rest someone and don’t play well and lose a test they say you should have played your full-strength side. But if you play a guy who’s injured, as New Zealand did at No 10 yesterday, and it doesn’t come off they say you shouldn’t have played an injured guy.”
The Boks coach also laid some special praise at the feet of his skipper John Smit who not only had his expectedly high-standard game but rallied the troops splendidly to do what they had to in the final quarter.
Once again, you got a strong feeling he was making a fairly direct point about seniority and leadership that had been glaringly absent in the All Blacks the previous evening.
White said he would have a full complement to pick from this week with both van der Linde and hooker Bismarck du Plessis due to take a full part in preparations.
Boks skipper John Smit also highlighted JP Pietersen’s cornerflag tackle on Fijian lock Ifereimi Rawaqa, saving what looked a certain try that would have put the Fijians in front with a dozen minutes left, as a “moment of brilliance”.
“There’s special moments that create opportunities, shall we say pave pathways. That was one of them,” said Smit.
“That could have made it an even uglier quarter-final. That is a moment of brilliance. Two years ago you would never have believed JP would make a saving tackle in a quarter, and now here he is putting his body on the line.
“Those kind of things give me a huge amount of faith going forward.”
Smit said he had never sensed any panic in the ranks in the face of the Fijian comeback, simply because there had been so much time still remaining. But he conceded but for Pietersen’s timely intervention the situation might have been stickier.
“I’d rather experience those things now and get through them than be on the other side.”
On New Zealand’s side, he means. We get it, fellas.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:01 am
AB your out so get on with your live.
How about the forward pass off fiji that our ref missed when JP made a try saving tackle. And who was the touch judge Paul Honnis off NZ and he was right there. Should shark supporters still cry because steve walsh missed hands in ruck before habanas try.
AB’s Get over it you choked!!!!! Again!!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:05 am
#65 – I’m actually really sorry that my pre-knockout stage “prophecy/chirp” – RE: having to provide trauma counselling……come the 8th October, has been realised…. I also never learn, should have taken my arse over to NZ last weekend already, set up shop, and counted the NZ dollars. For whilst I am certain you have many great psychologists in NZ, they I fear will be too traumatised and shocked themselves to be of any use to the “needy” locals……
Yeah, this game we love so much REALLY sucks at times………(In your lots case those times come at 4 year intervals…..)
October 8th, 2007 at 10:10 am
greenbok,
Al I can think is that this wasn’t written by a proper journalist with any experience or credibility.
As you point out, there is absolutely nothing in Jake’s comments that is even vaguely insulting or patronising towards any team.
I hope he reads that when he is sober again and cringes.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:11 am
HEY DONT BLAME ALL OF US, just because a crazed fan goes over the top. what about when that fat bok fan tackled the reff. haha classic
October 8th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Ruck re your comment #66., the difference is that everyone goes into the world cup knowing that it is a knockout competition. A truly world class side needs to be able to handle that sort of pressure as Tiger Woods and Federer do .They know how to win the important games. Thats what makes them the champions they are.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:19 am
hey lets face it when the all blacks lose, the world of rugby union gets popular.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:24 am
lmfao
What’s the difference between the All Blacks and half a viagra pill?
With half a viagra pill you still get a semi!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:24 am
#72 – That fat bas**rd (crazed fan, blob of lard, miscreant, peasant) is, I am certain, a regular visitor to this site. His comments here, are as embarrassing as the sight of that fat gut in a Bok jersey was, that fateful day in Durban. Folk like HIM, have no dignity – no self worth and no hope…In HIS case, (and judging by the size of his gut…), he swallowed all dignity, self worth and hope – WITH A SUPERSIZED HELPING OF “CLASS” ON THE SIDE……….
I find such moronic and tedious behaviour distasteful in the extreme, and only those with similar IQ’s and EQ’s to that gypsy would “enjoy” such a display.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:28 am
hahah top comment ruck!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:29 am
classic article written by an obvioulsy pissed kiwi suffering from heavy depression. sorry 4 u!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:29 am
I feel for my kiwi mates, they are in pain … the same kind of pain we could be in after the semi or even after the final. That is the nature of sudden death matches, s1ht happens.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:30 am
classic article written by an obvioulsy pissed kiwi suffering from heavy depression. sorry 4 u!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:31 am
#71 Katman…
It’s sad hey?
And the scary part is – he is supposedly a well-recognised journalist, given that he is the assistant-editor of the entire site, by the looks of it…
And Keo and the boys seem to rate the site highly – so go figure…
But more balanced articles from the likes of John Drake and co…
But still – this article pretty much goes to the heart of whats wrong with AB rugby, imo.
If you really believe you are so good, that nothing can touch you [Chris Rattue: "France pose absolutely no threat to the All Blacks" - written on the Friday before the game, for one of their biggest newspapers] – then you are truly losing sight of the fact that a rugby ball, remains oval – and can bounce any which way…
October 8th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Another article on Rugbyhell …..As the All Blacks fans left Millennium Stadium in Cardiff after their fifth successive failed World Cup campaign, a Scottish spectator called out: “Belts and shoelaces, please.” almost better than George gregan’s 4 more years chirp.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:37 am
If I were a kiwi I would not be laying into the poor ref, after all he did not say to king Richie ‘go and talk to your players’
October 8th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Re #68 Greenbok. There is nothing in those quotes from Jake that even remotely takes a swipe at NZ or Graham Henry. He basically said that Henry was in a no-win situation with Carter but didn’t criticise him for playing him.
That’s the kind of journalism that makes me sick, all Jake said was that his team handled the pressure of knockout rugby better than those who are out – that is a FACT not even up for debate or interpretation!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Bananaboy
I have helped run tournaments that Tiger Woods plays in – he wins some, he loses some but you can absolutely bet on him tossing his clubs (literally) when things are not going his way. So pls, let’s not be holding him up as a shining light.
Yes the ABs lost the plot, but they also left blood, sweat & tears on the turf in Cardiff. None of them are making excuses, nor are they tossing their kit about. They have publicy stated the Frogs played the better game, congratulated them & done a public “mea Culpa” – What more do people want ? Must they also commit Seppuku for the blood lust to be satisfied ?
October 8th, 2007 at 10:41 am
It is a fact of rugby that the host nation will get the 50/50 calls. The convicts benefited from the friendly ref in 2003 and the frogs are reaping the benefits in 2007.
The frogs are now odds on favourites to win the RWC.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:42 am
What a joke..
HAHa. altohugh i know how it feels. (especially in the 2004 ireland game-the honiss one)
October 8th, 2007 at 10:48 am
As a SA rugby supporter I can honestly say that I feel for NZ and Aus.
I perhaps feel more for NZ as they were in the game but let it slip. The Poms (notably Andrew Sheridan) just destroyed the Aussies and hence they just did not deserve to win on the day.
I watched the France NZ game rather anxiously and was particularly interested in NZ body language. I must say it did not look good at all. The French have this unusual ability to step up in these sort of circumstances and whatever we say, they had NZ’s number and dialled it, that’s for sure.
Thinking back now the squad system was only partially successful. Henry went for depth but it seems now that when it mattered most, the Best 15 could not be identified/put it together.
Excuse my ignorance, but where was Mauger and Rico Gear?
It is now abundantly clear that the WC is a different campaign, different in the sense that you are tested week in and week out.
I’d go as far as to say that the Kiwis are best in the world – you will see in 2008 again – but this WC format just does not suit them. I suspect that the tag of favourites combined with the fact that they have only won it in 1987 are proving to be a burden which they are unable to bear.
Next NZ coach will probably be Robbie Deans.
I understand what Jake meant: he was saying that although they did not play as well as they should they still came out victorious. He is saying look at what happened to great sides like NZ and Aus when the pressure is on. He was using it as a benchmark.
NZ is looking for someone to blame and like the guy who did the commentary (Internat) they are now hoping that SA will be knocked over so they can feel better about themselves.
To all NZ fans. You have the best team in the world but you just could not put it together. It happens in sport. No need to go completely crazy.
Comments?
October 8th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Hinton’s article is just helping Laporte and the rest of the world ‘break the AB myth’. What an absolute disgrace!! They have no mental strength in a knock-out game or post fact. They may not banter like an Aussie before the game but the way they pass the buck afterwards makes me lose all respect for them.
Yes, the AB players have shown some humility post defeat – pity they didnt have that humility on the pitch. They lost due to a certain arrogance in their game. It was really hard to tell if DC was playing ping-pong because he was missing touch or being arrogant. And the chip to his wing in his own twenty two….
They should have been putting as many points on the board as possible. If one forward pass costs you the game then you only have yourself to blame.
Ofcourse they dont have the mental strength to look deep and acknowledge how many games they won due to forward passes, hands in ruck etc etc
Me things the myth is starting to break..
October 8th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Rubgy_ princess, believe me no-one appreciates more the blodd sweat and tears that the AB’s left on the field and I would have loved to see them go through, but sometimes effort isn’t the only ingredient for success. You need to have the bottle of someone like TW or RF who though they may throw clubs they win the toughies more often than they lose. Just looking at their record in the World Cups the AB’s have got to realise that it takes a different psyche to win these games. Once again they are the best but they were looking pretty ordinary in the last 5 minutes.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:51 am
As a SA rugby supporter I can honestly say that I feel for NZ and Aus.
I perhaps feel more for NZ as they were in the game but let it slip. The Poms (notably Andrew Sheridan) just destroyed the Aussies and hence they just did not deserve to win on the day.
I watched the France NZ game rather anxiously and was particularly interested in NZ body language. I must say it did not look good at all. The French have this unusual ability to step up in these sort of circumstances and whatever we say, they had NZ’s number and dialled it, that’s for sure.
Thinking back now the squad system was only partially successful. Henry went for depth but it seems now that when it mattered most, the Best 15 could not be identified/put it together.
Excuse my ignorance, but where was Mauger and Rico Gear?
It is now abundantly clear that the WC is a different campaign, different in the sense that you are tested week in and week out.
I’d go as far as to say that the Kiwis are best in the world – you will see in 2008 again – but this WC format just does not suit them. I suspect that the tag of favourites combined with the fact that they have only won it in 1987 are proving to be a burden which they are unable to bear.
Next NZ coach will probably be Robbie Deans.
I understand what Jake meant: he was saying that although they did not play as well as they should they still came out victorious. He is saying look at what happened to great sides like NZ and Aus when the pressure is on. He was using it as a benchmark.
NZ is looking for someone to blame and like the guy who did the commentary (Internat) they are now hoping that SA will be knocked over so they can feel better about themselves.
To all NZ fans. You have the best team in the world but you just could not put it together. It happens in sport. No need to go completely crazy.
Comments?
October 8th, 2007 at 10:51 am
As a SA rugby supporter I can honestly say that I feel for NZ and Aus.
I perhaps feel more for NZ as they were in the game but let it slip. The Poms (notably Andrew Sheridan) just destroyed the Aussies and hence they just did not deserve to win on the day.
I watched the France NZ game rather anxiously and was particularly interested in NZ body language. I must say it did not look good at all. The French have this unusual ability to step up in these sort of circumstances and whatever we say, they had NZ’s number and dialled it, that’s for sure.
Thinking back now the squad system was only partially successful. Henry went for depth but it seems now that when it mattered most, the Best 15 could not be identified/put it together.
Excuse my ignorance, but where was Mauger and Rico Gear?
It is now abundantly clear that the WC is a different campaign, different in the sense that you are tested week in and week out.
I’d go as far as to say that the Kiwis are best in the world – you will see in 2008 again – but this WC format just does not suit them. I suspect that the tag of favourites combined with the fact that they have only won it in 1987 are proving to be a burden which they are unable to bear.
Next NZ coach will probably be Robbie Deans.
I understand what Jake meant: he was saying that although they did not play as well as they should they still came out victorious. He is saying look at what happened to great sides like NZ and Aus when the pressure is on. He was using it as a benchmark.
NZ is looking for someone to blame and like the guy who did the commentary (Internat) they are now hoping that SA will be knocked over so they can feel better about themselves.
To all NZ fans. You have the best team in the world but you just could not put it together. It happens in sport. No need to go completely crazy.
Comments?
October 8th, 2007 at 10:52 am
i just cant get over what girls blouses nz supporters are! moaning about the ref… about time the tax man came. if only SARS was a four year scheme.
October 8th, 2007 at 10:58 am
#91 well put Sheriff. The 3N’teams need to start introducing a knockout element perhaps to the structure to help create the mental psyche of winning the crucial games
October 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Good work Ryan
Nice to see someone scooping up a dropped ball.
‘Joke of the World Cup’ post# 200 Pumas Brace for Springbok Showdown.
I do believe I passed on that pearler on at 4.32am SA time.
Funnily enough it was 2 days before the tabloid Daily Telegraph picked up on it. I reckon they were clued up on it. Telegraph isnt a Rugby Newspaper!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:59 am
73# Tell that to Roger Federer friend, after having failed to win tennis’s grand slam this year(YET AGAIN), by ONCE MORE, CHOKING? and losing to Rafa Nadal on the clay courts of France this June.
So, shall we call ‘ol Rodge, “The greatest tennis player of all time…yet a master choker on the main stage….”
Do we question his “mental strength”…..I would flippin well hope not.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:02 am
HAHAHAHAHAHA,I was at the game in Cardiff on Sat and I swear I’ve never seen so many grown men crying before! Anyone seen Hurricane on here lately, want to bring up the conversation we had a couple of months back about the All Blacks great conditioning programme – anyone else see Carter, Kelleher and co crocked on the bench at the end:)
October 8th, 2007 at 11:04 am
A helpline has been set up for all australian and new Zealand supporters for those who have been affected by the losses over the weekned.
It is for Free and they should call 1800 10 10 10
Which of course can be interpreted as
1800 won nothing, won nothing, won nothing
October 8th, 2007 at 11:06 am
BananaBoy
Fair enough – except the club tossing which is disgraceful. Maybe the RWC has become the ABs “Hoo-Doo” the way “The House of Pain” is “Hoo-Doo” for any team playing the ABs ?
The ABS might be best “all rounders” but this tournament is not offering a prize for that, so time for NZers to let it go, get a grip & get behind the remaining SH entries
October 8th, 2007 at 11:12 am
- Did you hear about the new All Blacks bra? All support, no cup.
and…
- Whats the difference between a tea bag and the All Blacks?
A tea bag stays in the cup longer.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:14 am
NZ$1,000? Cheapskates
New Zealand have themselves to blame for allowing the french to break like that without a comfortable lead. Who say’s the French wouldn’t have scored anyway? They sure looked like they would.
Charlie Dempsey comes to mind – sorry 4 u
October 8th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Bad losers.
They always have to blame somebody.
In reality they shouldn’t have been in that position. The try that JP saved in the SA game was also preceeded by a HUGE forward pass. Good defense saved us.
Haven’t got time to read through all the posts but if it has been posted here it is:
The difference between Graham Henry and a Viagra is that at least the Viagra will give you a semi.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:18 am
What do you call 15 guys sitting at home watching the rugby?
Answer: The All BLacks
October 8th, 2007 at 11:19 am
I every one!
I Really feel for the Blacks! I would have liked to see them at least make the semi! Well it happens!
My concern though is how France was allowed to stump on Richie! Fair he was lying on their side but since the IRB (Read NH ********) changed the rule on rucking players away from the ball, NZ were good at lying the ball dead. Just bad for Richie this time the ref felt nothing for that rule and let the French step on him!!!! Clearly there is double standards when this rule is applied! Bet jou 1000 bucks should Schalk or Ali Williams do that sort of thing the bias camera editors of the poor quality tv people would show it 100 times and both be cited out of the WC.
The quality of the picture is just bad and the camera work even worse!!!! Thank goodnes for Supersport!!!
My 10cents worth!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:20 am
What do you call 15 guys sitting at home watching the rugby?
Answer: The All BLacks
October 8th, 2007 at 11:21 am
On youtube you can watch highlites. I didnt watch the game missed it. But there was no forward pass. The hands was not in ruck. Take the loss AB’S.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Well, well, imagine being the best team of the year for all but two weeks out of every 4 year cycle, five times…..
October 8th, 2007 at 11:24 am
err soory bout the double post and offcourse my condolences to all the AB supporters.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Ruck, I still think there is a slight difference with Roger Federer. He knows like Pete Sampras knew that his game does not suit clay and I don’t think any amount of training will get him to the same proficiency level as Nadal on clay. So he loses to a superior player on that surface, so what? The AB’s lost to a less skilful team, if results of the past few years are anything to go by, on the day and I for one wish they hadn’t.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:28 am
nr 9
There was a forward pass and def hands in ruck!!!
What bowls me over is why not take the drop!???? When attemting pick and drive you expose yourself for hands in, knock ons, coming from the side, even holding on to the ball! Too grey in that part of the game! Swing it wide and score the try!!! Or drop the goal!!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Het nou net die hoogtepunte gesien van die AB vs Franse wedstryd.
Daardie bal van die Franse se laaste drie was so ver vorentoe gewees, amper verder vorentoe as Helgard Muller se pass teen die WP in een of ander CB finaal, of amper so ver vorentoe as die pass wat Chester in die 1998 CB finaal ontvang het.
Jammer dat foute deur die skeidsregter en lynregter die wedstryd vir die AB’s gekos het.
Al die Suid-Afrikaners wat hul so verlekker in die AB’S se verloor, moet maar gou kalm en rustig word.
Ek dink dit sou makliker gewees het om teen die AB’s in die finaal te probeer wen, as teen die Franse.
Dink net hoe eensydig gaan die skare, die ref’s en lynregters dan wees, as ons in Frankryk teen die tuisspan moet wen ?
Ons moet maar hoop die Engelse wen die Franse, anders kom daar groot moeilikheid teen die Franse in die finaal.
Ons moet natuurlik ook eers die Argentyne wen, wat dalk baie engergie gaan vat van ons, en dalk beserings.
Maar alles in alles gesê: as jy ‘n ware kampioen wil wees, moet jy alle omstandighede in ‘n wedstryd kan hanteer, d.w.s. ook ‘n vorentoe aangee teen jou, ‘n onderskepdrie, ‘n geelkaart, ‘n nat veld, ‘n briljante drie teen jou, onverwagse skepskop, swak ref, ongeluk, verkeerde spring van die bal, of wat ookal. Alles is deel van die spel.
Jy moet alles kan hanteer en ook daarvoor voorberei … vra maar vir die S14 kampioene …
Berei vir ALLES voor, ook die slegste scenario en die res sal volg op die veld.
Die volgende 2 weke sal wys wie het vir ALLES voorberei om kampioen te wees
October 8th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Ek wil weer daai video kyk youtube kwaliteit sleg. Goeie een alf.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:47 am
69
We shouldn’t but we do.
LOL
October 8th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Bloody ref, he was a major difference to the game 10-2 penalty count shows that the ref sided with the French if the penalty count went 50/50 we would have won the game.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Post 98 – Very funny
October 8th, 2007 at 11:50 am
Hey guys,
I feel for the AB’s . On form they deserve to be in the final.
BUT.
1) Graham Henry has never been sure of his midfield, If i was him-but I am not.
I would have Mauger and Muliaina at 12 & 13 first-choice pairing. Full stop!
There has been too much chopping and changing.
It does not help to have so-called depth, but no defined starting combinations.
2)Chris Jack is a BMT player, he should have started?
3)Weepu regained his form this year and is experienced. He should have been there.
These are the observations of an armchair critic.
Only my opinion. anybody agree or disagree???
And… Finally.
They cannot complain about Lukes yellow.
They are lucky Keith robinson did not get a RED. He knocked Serge Betsen out with his fist.
Did anybody see that???
October 8th, 2007 at 11:54 am
#116 What are you talking about it was a French knee that took out Betson so stop lying or you must have the same eyes as Wayne Barnes….
October 8th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Alf
Goeie een. Maar dalk moet jy dit vertaal. Weet nie hoeveel NZ ouens Afrikaans praat nie!
I for one am not going to even think of a final spot until after the Bok game and we actually won. If we play as k@k as we did against Fiji then it will be the pumas in the final. Also, don’t think it will be an automatic French final. They might have had their best game this last weekend and with Wilco the Poms are a different team…
October 8th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Agree about Weepu but we don’t know what went on between him and the coaching staff. Very strange that he was omitted in favour of Leonard at the last minute IMO.
If what you said about Robinson punching Betsen is correct then I’d like to hear what cane has to say! He told me last week that NZ doesn’t have any thugs in their team, only hardmen. Punching an opponent off the ball is a clear act of thuggery and blows that one right out of the water!
October 8th, 2007 at 11:58 am
disagree about skill level. Frogs have possibly highest individual skill levels of all rugby players anywhere and Nz possibly highest combined skill level, the thing that got nz was in fact the lack of real mental strength when it mattered most and the French refusal to be overcome created the doubt in the minds of the Ab’s which resulted in the capitulatory choke.
October 8th, 2007 at 11:59 am
114 – How is a high penalty count the ref’s fault? Surely the AB’s have only their poor discipline to blame. Maybe the French were just very conscious of the dangers of committing stupid mistakes. Just as they made 4 times more tackles, maybe they committed 5 times less fouls. I saw the game, and that was my take on it.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
120, that is absolute rubbish.
The french are nowhere near the most skilled players in the world. That mantle belongs to the Kiwi’s, Ozzies & islanders.
This **** about the unpredictable french rugby is a historical story. They are no longer the flair filled side they were 10 years ago. They rely on a strong pack & heavy crashball midfielders.
Their only flair comes from Michilak & maybe Chabal. Nyanga occasionaly.
The French will throttle the English not dance around them.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
The All Blacks are also likely to enter the next World Cup in 2011 as the favorites since they are staging the event.
Imagine the next four years leading up to hosting the tournament. The burden of expectation will only grow heavier.
I see an asthmatic nation.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
117# Marvinb,
I will stop lying when you stop living in a dream world – CAKE.
while betsen was getting up from the tackle, Keith Robinson came flying into the ruck with his right arm outstretched, fist clenched, into Betsens face. That is when he went down.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
One thing to remember is the ref does not sit in the commentary box or in the studio watching replays.
The pass to Michalek was a very short pass and it is possible the ref did not even see the ball during the pass. Even the touch judge didn’t see the forward pass!
That been said the All Blacks had every chance to win that game and the only reason they lost is the same reason why they lost 91,95,99,03 and that’s public expectation in New Zealand.
The NZ fans are to blame. You only have to read the predictions of ex-All Blacks on the NZ Herald website to see that they simply don’t think the All Blacks had any chance of been beaten. The only New Zealander who was cautious in his assessment of New Zealand’s chances was Robbie Deans. The rest of the country thought the team only needed to show up to win.
So before you blame the ref, or Suzie or whatever perhaps you kiwi fans should blame yourselves. You are the only common denominator over the last 5 losses.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
#121 I guess you havent played rugby because both teams especially at a high level will push the limit..your saying that from 48 matches under G.Henry winning 42 that they are an ill disciplined team and this one ref gets it right and all the other refs dont your kidding yourself I only want a ref who is fair and not one eyed its 50/50 penalty count we must have saw the wrong game.The French are not angels they infringe like any other team.and with 72% of the pill surely penalties should have come our way.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
On current evidence (meaning the world cup thusfar) the best flyhalf in the business isn’t Dan Carter or his understudy, Nick Evans. It’s not Bernie Larkham or his understudy, Barnes. It’s not even Wilko or our own Butch.
For me it’s a toss-up between Michalak and Hernandez. Both of those guys offer sublime skills and a touch of rare unpredictability.
I’d wash Loffie’s car for 5 years if he managed to get Hernandez to come and play for the Lions.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
#122 I disagree that the Aussies are any more skillful than the Boks or France for that matter. What they are is very disciplined (Saturday being the exception) at what they do. They can take the ball through many phases then pounce when the defence has a weakness. They are smart players and well drilled – don’t think they are the most skillful though.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
blac-marc,What rubbish. your delusional Keith Robinson still would have been sited by now but you have x-ray eyes where no one else saw it.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
the entire french back row and their backline from half backs to wings and full back are better more individually skilled than the ab’s or islanders no guestion, you can believe what you like but if the french could string together the cohesion of the ab’s consistently they would remain unbeatable
October 8th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Ok, I will have a look at it again just to be sure.
Give me 5 mins.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
the entire french back row and their backline from half backs to wings and full back are better more individually skilled than the ab’s or islanders no guestion, you can believe what you like but if the french could string together the cohesion of the ab’s consistently they would remain unbeatable
October 8th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
My view on it is really just that it is sad that a country that loves rugby as much as NZ does, does not have a vested interest in the tournament anymore. Just think if SA had been knocked out what they would have meant to us.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
126 – Please just stop whining about your loss. It’s embarrassing. Be a man, for once.
I saw the game. And I’m completely impartial. And I thought the ref got it right most of the time. Wrong calls went both ways. The AB’s should have been pinged more for holding on, specially after Chabal came on. He competed strongly on his feet but often the AB’s ended up with a scrum. And I saw more AB passes floating forward than French passes. Only difference is, they didn’t lead to tries.
So, for the sake of your countrymen, have a little dignity here.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
#125 your right maybe the All Black fans are overly expectant but thats our team and I guess we can do what we want.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Marvinb dry your eyes and stop going on about the ref. Take a leaf out of your captain’s book and take the defeat on the chin. You just make yourself look sad whining on about the ref 2 days after the event. It happens, you win some you lose some. God knows those that follow the Boks have had to put up with their fair share of kak refereeing decisions for a long time now, it’s time you took a bite of the big sh*t sandwich for a change!
October 8th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Just want to Reply on a artical keo wrote last week. On french beating ab, England beating Ausies. Anything is possible. Keo you where right on the dot.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
#134 please be impartial, because you certainly arent, you wouldnt have a clue what game you saw maybe you need to be a man and dont be ignorant to what the truth is do not belittle your countryman by being a french supporter otherwise you would not have commented to my opinion.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Hinton’s article was based on JWs post match interviews… and there’s no way in hell he was having a dig… he responded truthfully to some leading questions… but was hardly rubbing salt in the wounds as Hinton would have everyone believe…
Guess Hinton’s just trying to create a target to deflect the criticism of the ABs.
BTW… I think they’re insane to get rid of Henry… He’s lost how many matches in four years…??? If they kept Henry, and the bulk of the team together… they would be unstoppable in NZ in 2011… !!
(Until they meet the Boks in the final of course…!!!)
October 8th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
marvinb, would you like to actually see the Betsen incident?
It reaks me out that the boks are always made out to be thugs. all the other teams play “hard” but we are labelled as dirty players.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Betsen was KOd by the knee of a French player…
October 8th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Freaks me out… sorry.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I would like to see this incident, is it posted anywhere on you-tube? From the TV replays I saw it was very hard to see what happened. If there was a AB punch in there it certainly needs to be taken further.
Betsen certainly suffered from the incident and it could have ended alot worse…
October 8th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Unfortunately Henry will be the fall-guy for the NZRU because they gave him exactly what he wanted on the basis that it would help deliver the holy grail of trophies. The fact that it didn’t means that he will be sacked, if you set yourself high standards (and Henry certainly does) you expect to be judged accordingly. The ABs will be a formidable force regardless of who is coaching them, hell I’d fancy my chances of being a winner with the pool of talent available in NZ!!
October 8th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Johnnymain you must be use to crying because I know the All Blacks have probably dealt to your country enough times in the last 80 years so sad too bad.Who the ex All black captain he should be sacked just like the coach.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
What happened to that well known vomit stain, known to this blog as ‘THE TACKLER’.
I would so like to hear more of his rugby wisdom.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Oh please UFO, I am not trying to stir.
I was hoping for a NZ / Bok final.
The REALITY is that Keith Robinson knocked Serge out. It is so clear if you watch it again -without blinkers.
I have just looked at it. In slow-mo it is less obvious, but in real-time, as Serge is getting up, robinson flies in and serge goes down.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
All I want to say is that after the Italy-NZ game I said “I don’t think that boy will be getting any more reffing opportunities at this World Cup”…and then along comes the Tonga-Bok game and he was just as bad…and then they give him the most crucial of the 1/4’s to botch up.
At the end of the game I fully started believing the conspiracys about the IRB ensueing the Frogs get to the finals.
But it doesn’t really matter now, we needed to be better than what ever the ref could throw at us, we needed to execute that master plan that we all thought was going to be revealed in the playoffs but actually was as much a myth as the AB’s superhuman-ness, and we weren’t and we didn’t.
At least poor Georgie isn’t gonna say 4 more years to us this time
And it seems the nation feels sad for Richie and Henry and co rather than calling for their heads on platters, as we were an embarassment last time.
Good luck to either SA or the Argies.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
139. Totally agree with you. The only way to build mental strength is to overcome adversity.
Firing coaches, re-evaluating players that is not the way to go and wont help them in 2011.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I dont feel the least bit sorry for the Aussies…For all the ridicule,the “Percy’s”,brontosauraus rugby comments,The Clyde Rathbones,cheating,Dunning hero worship,spin doctoring,bitter expats etc….
This couldnt be sweeter….Im in heaven..
I feel for the All Blacks though,best assembled squad in the modern era,50 million spent on preparation…CHOKED….Must be heart wrenching
Go BOKKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
marvinb,
Grow a spine, old chap.
Find something else to take your mind off this terrible loss. Go for a walk, read a book, maybe even watch the rest of the World Cup, unblinkered.
But somewhere along the way, please grow a f*cking spine.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Hey marvinb if you’re going to throw incoherent insults you might at least get my name right. Stay off the bottle, and stay away from the missus until you’ve gotten over the defeat.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
BlackMarc…
Chill lad…
At work now so can’t go and check…
but the replay was quite evident to me that when Betsen went down on the ground but uninjured… a French player joined the ruck and his knee quite clearly klonked Betsen on the back of the head and he turned into a sack of spuds…
October 8th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
‘Smell of death’ in All Blacks dressing room – Oliver
Anton Oliver reckoned the All Blacks dressing room had the same stench of death as a World War 1 battle field.
The veteran hooker has developed a passion for New Zealand’s war history and had read World War 1 books The Massacre at Passchendaele and All Quiet on the Western Front during the past few weeks in France.
The images from those two books were an apt description for how the All Blacks had felt as they sat, devastated, in their dressing room deep in the bowels of the Millennium Stadium in the wake of their historic 20-18 World Cup quarter final loss to France yesterday, Oliver said.
“The feeling in the shed is like no-man’s land as it’s described in those two books. There’s a sort of desolate decay and the smell of death,” said Oliver.
“That’s what it feels like to us. It feels like no-man’s land and it’s not a nice place to be.”
Oliver, who has now lost at two World Cups, anticipated the sense of anger, loss and disappointment many New Zealand rugby fans would be experiencing in the wake of the All Blacks worst ever World Cup defeat.
“So come into no-man’s land with us,” Oliver said.
“We can make a cup of tea together because it’s a difficult time.”
Oliver is one of those players bowing out at the World Cup, along with Luke McAlister, Carl Hayman, Byron Kelleher, Doug Howlett, Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger.
He admitted it was hard to say farewell on such terms.
“I didn’t want to take my jersey off. No one wants to finish their career like this. The country and the team had such high hopes.”
Those hopes were crushed by a French side that had been regularly beaten by the All Blacks in recent years but played superbly yesterday especially on defence.
Oliver said the All Blacks didn’t lose from a lack planning or commitment, but because France were simply better on the day.
“The French, in the second half, defended really well and we made some mistakes. That was it.”
October 8th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
#154 is one of the most over-the-top things ever said about rugby, which is after all only a game! Get a life man!
October 8th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Jonnymain @ 155 – You a Kiwi?
This is an article on Suff,co.nz.
FOOL
October 8th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I know that vossie, it’s pretty obvious. I was telling Anton Oliver to get a life not you.
October 8th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
148
“and then they give him the most crucial of the 1/4’s to botch up.”
lol
October 8th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Sorry dude. Nursing a bit of a hangover and feel a bit fragile.
You gotta feel for the poor guys though.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Although I expected NZ to lose, I didn’t expect it to be because of the referee which it certainly was.
Barnes is a moron. He showed that when he refereed the SA Tonga match.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
RL
I’m glad you didn’t say lol to me straight after the game mate…we have all moved on now.
I have developed a sudden interest in the new Wellington soccer team!!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
Why not just blame GH and get it over with.
He went on a mission to ensure that he had a squad of 30 players capable of winning the RWC – a good idea but not a very practical idea.
All he needed was a match 22 that were a settled and unit.
He failed, he never settled on a match 22 in his 4 years in charge.
He dropped Mauger, a cool level headed centre and chose a fruit cake to play inside centre.
Then he dropped the Jack and selected a long term sicknote lock to start his very first match in ages.
Finally he played his injured playmaker who has been out of form all year long. He would have been better off not been rested.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Not a problem!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Cane
for NZ to win the RWC they have to change the way they play the game.
10 man Bulls rugby is the way to go, boring but very effective and very safe.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Here’s an article from Rugby365 that flatly contradicts Keo – has a fair point too.
Cardiff played host to one of the great Rugby World Cup games on Saturday, regardless of your nationality. The events that unfolded in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium will live long in the memory, for better or worse.
The overwhelming consensus is that New Zealand choked, and not for the first time in their World Cup history. That, I am afraid, is not the case, the simple fact is France were the better team on the day. There will be a full inquest into why their coveted team lost in a World Cup quarter-final for the first time in their history, although it seems a futile exercise.
It seems it will only be done so people can hold somebody accountable for the defeat, although the sacking of Graham Henry suggests those in power are letting the blame rest firmly on his shoulders before the inquest has begun.
There comes a time however, no matter how hard it is, to put your hands up and admit you were outplayed. France may not be the better team but they played the best rugby when it counted, both with and without the ball.
Those who use ‘choking’ as a reason are failing to recognise the French effort and, in doing so, are casting them aside under the assumption that New Zealand only have themselves to blame for the defeat. Quite frankly that is offensive and arrogant and demonstrates a considerable degree of naivety.
Admittedly a crucial referring decision went against them when Damien Traille slipped the ball, forward, to Frédéric Michalak. But that is not the point here, the point is that France, in the second half, played superior rugby. That is why New Zealand lost and that is what we should be focusing on, not an inquest into what went so spectacularly wrong from an All Black perspective.
Stats can often be misleading, but not in this instant. The tackle count was quite staggering, New Zealand made 36 where as France amassed a staggering 178 hits in defence. The defensive rearguard in the second half was simply amazing. On two separate occasions the French defended for at least twenty-five phases and still, somehow, kept their line in tact.
How anyone can not hail this effort, and simple dismiss it as the All Blacks choking, is unquestionably one-eyed. Add to it that for forty minutes France conceded a grand total of zero penalties and you start to appreciate the magnitude of what happened.
For the last four years we have been constantly reminded of how good the All Blacks are, or were, how they have done everything in their powers to give themselves the best possible chance of winning the World Cup. But ultimately it was not good enough on the day. For all their skill and muscle New Zealand could not match the French passion.
New Zealand played some scintillating rugby at times, showed incredible patience with the ball, but when push came to shove they were outclassed. When you give your all, every last ounce of effort, and come up short you know you have lost to the better side on the day.
To blame Wayne Barnes for their sides short comings is evidence enough that New Zealand fans do not want to admit they were not the best team in Cardiff on Saturday. Their record over the past four years shows us that they are the best team in the world, but it doesn’t show us that France played a better game of rugby. Even the world’s best teams can be beaten, as we witnessed here.
So rather than jump on the ‘chokers’ band-wagon try and be realistic. It is easy to cast the All Blacks aside as chokers, but not as easy to hail the French. Mainly because those banding the ‘chokers’ tag around are bitter All Black fans, who can not admit they were outplayed. But that is the truth, and whether you like it or not France won and rightly so.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Can someone please tell me why Ali Williams was not cited for his knee into Betson’s head??
October 8th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Can someone please tell me why Ali Williams was not cited for his knee into Betson’s head??
October 8th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
#167
no point citing since they already hurting
ITS CRAZY HERE IN NZ PEOPLES!
KIWIS SOO FCKING ANGRY ITS NOT FUNNY!..MY BOSS TODAY SAID TO ME “YOU MUST BE FCKING LOVING THIS”
October 8th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
If it’s not suzie its the ref. We have been on the end of dodgy reffing decisions for years and we have received nothing but derision from our Kiwi friends, so let me pay you back. HA HA HA cry me a f@cking river!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
BlackMarc…
As far as the Betsen KO goes… It’s on rugby dump…
It quite clearly shows:
1 Betsen going down tackling Rocokoko…
2 Robinson shoving Betsen back down with an open hand… no punch… (unless this mean motherpunches like a girl)
3 The No 4 lock coming in and his knee colliding with the Betsen’s temple area… you can see Betsen’s head movesideways from the impact and in the earlier full speed footage you can see the lock’s leg impeded by the impact and nearly tripping him…
those, my boy, are the facts… there for all to see…
You’d do a lot better to lose the insults and hysteria and find the true facts to make a point…
October 8th, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Mellowyellow
ask Blac marc (post 147)
maybe you 2 could argue about it.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
..THEN HE SAID TO ME “HAVE SOME EXTRA WORK FOR YOU”
October 8th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
#169 what about the poor kiwi children??
October 8th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
G’night all
see you all in 4 more years
October 8th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Cause it was not Ali!!!
As for France being the Best team on the day???? I dont know about that????
If NZ slotted the drop goal at the end that same person writing that piece would probably be saying the score flattered France for NZ dominated the game!!!!
So NO….francve were not that superior as he or she would like us to believe!!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
#174 LOL damm 4 long slow years!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
#175 one thing matters ; the score
October 8th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
#172 sounds like your boss is setting himself up for a large practical joke! I’d suggest draping his office in SA flag and Springbok merchandise, cutout of the Web Ellis trophy on his desk, hangmans noose dangling from the coat-stand………. after SA have won of course
October 8th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
172….tell your boss that extra work will be done in 4 years time!!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
#178..I have to be careful here..VERY dangerous to be a saffa here. Hell, hate to be a french man in NZ..extra dangerous!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
177…for sure!!! That is why I could not care sh#t for the score when we played Fiji….we won…..and we are in the semi!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
#178..I have to be careful here..VERY dangerous to be a saffa here. Hell, hate to be a french man in NZ..extra dangerous!
October 8th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Got to feel for the ABS – wouldnt like to be in their shoes !!!!
October 8th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Oh well,
Us Saffas complaints about Paul Honiss have always fell on deaf ears. Now the shoe is on the other foot for once.
October 8th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
One of the things that would concern me as a Kiwi is not the fact that there was a forward pass in the move leading up to the try but the fact that the French created that try off the back of a very good scrum against supposedly the best scrummaging unit outside of England. Where was the defence?
October 8th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Our Honiss complaint had far, far more substance than their bitching about a forward pass.
Check the game again and you’ll see at least 4 or 5 forward passes that could have been blown but weren’t. That happens in rugby. Just like soccer linesmen sometimes get the offside call wrong, refs and touch judges sometimes miss the forward passs. The AB’s made a few themselves. They just didn’t score. If they had, they would have taken the 5 points.
Our Honiss gripe stems from an incident so ludicrous, it would be cut from a Monty Python movie because of credibility concerns. He tells the captain to go and have a word with his players, and then lets the opposition tap and go for a try.
Noow that’s reason to *****. Not for a frikkin forward pass.
October 8th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
Who will ref the semi’s?
October 8th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
howdy all! katman you always talk sense.
Blac marc There was an open hand to Betsens face but i dont think it was the reason for his concussion. I must say though, i havent watched it since the game so i could be wrong.
I was feeling gutted for the nz supporters after the game but i have realised that many of them are arrogant prats. they expected to win it by turning up and refuse to acknowledge the forward passes by their own players that went unpunished.
My boet was at the game in a Bok jersey and got called a “dirty saffa” all day. Must say he had his fun a bit later though. NZ needs to drop the arrogant posturing and lower their expectations and maybe they will make a semi or even a final in 2011!
October 8th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
#165 – they were outplayed because they choked…they should have played much better rugby than that!
October 8th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
I thought Richie got what he deserved – finally a ref that blows him up for illegal tactics at the ruck.
McAlister was penalised for the cumulative synical efforts of the ABs, not for what he did himself.
What a pleasure to see the end of the ABs – they are the world’s rugby cheaters and most one-eyed rugby public.
Look at that Ab documentary on MNEt for a perfect example of how the AB admitted to staging a foul in order to win a test match.
And always excuses. First it was Suzie, then this, then that….
Always some conspiracy…
Laughing my *** off at all those AB supporters that cannot imagine any team standing up to the ABs.
Typical NZ: now they are going to have a commission of enquiry into why they didn’t win the WC – try choking on the day against a team that played out of their skins. No more complicated than that.
October 8th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
TACKLER…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA….
October 8th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
TACKLER WHAT YOU GOT TO SAY NOW??????????
WHAT SH12 IS GONNA COME OUT YOUR GOB NOW???????HAH HA HA HA HA HA ….CHOKE GURGLE CHOKE GURGLE HA HA HA HA HA
October 8th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
I really am outraged that this happened. Wikipedia is a site already under attack from corporate manipulation and does not need it being urned into a place for people to flame or defame.
To top it off the manipulation was not very witty and crossed the line of good taste.
Open source stuff survives because most people want up to date and impartial information. This type of thing is one of the problems with such method of updating content.
I urge you all not to encourage or participate in this sort of behaviour
I am a Kiwi and this is not funny
October 8th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Maybe this ones been around already – but here goes anyway
What’s the difference between half a viagra and the AB’S?
AT LEAST WITH HALF A VIAGRA YOU GET A SEMI!
October 8th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Hey Marvinb , UFO , Ricane etc. etc.
Let me first take my foot out of my mouth!!!
I have had a proper look at that clip re: the betsen knock-out and I have to apologise profusely.
when I look at the very first clip at full speed it is quite obvious he hit his team-mates knee.
Unfortunately, whoever put this clip onto the site has other motives, as all the slow and close up clips are from a different angle, hiding the obvious!!
SORRY GUYS!!
October 8th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
Who’s searching for Barnes? Saw him ordering furniture for his new beach villa in Southern France yesterday
– with his wife Suzie. Or at least that the opening chapter of Tackles new book : 24 going on 28.
I just love the way the Kiwi’s turn to bad reffing when they lose, it is ALWAYS the case. Blame the ref, blame the ball, blame anything but themselves.
And yes, some of them admit defeat, but still constant references to the bad reffing. Get over it, France was the better team, you all knew that, we told you months ago this is going to happen.
I agree with the article Ataturk posted off rugby365 : The AB’s were simply outplayed by a better team. Fair and square. And yes, we’ve been telling Tackles thats gonna happen at the RWC for a year.
Yes there was a fwd pass, but AB’s had their fair share of getaways too. You can’t blame a loss like that on a bad ref call, AB’s should have built a bigger point advantage to negate that, but the point is they couldn’t. If all the bad ref decisions were negated (on BOTH sides), they probably still would have lost.
And then, they stood WIDE-EYED (as Tackler likes to write) and panicked. And yes, unfortunately that is the AB Choke setting in.
Want to see bad reffing, watch the SA games.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:33 am
That sounds quite absurd to me as it was in my opinion one of the best performances by a ref I’ve ever witnessed.
He controlled the break-down area excellently and ensured a good flowing game of rugby, the low penalty count at the ruck and maul situation is testimony to that.
Please Kiwi dudes, we know your hurting, but don’t blame it on the ref, blame it on the boogie.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:46 am
Katman you sound like a pom but what the hell are going on about a spine?talk rugby man not about spines….I have said my bit about the ref thats that….
October 9th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Hey #152 jonnymain if you come into the kitchen and you think its too hot than get out.You joined the issue than take like a man grow a spine as Katman would advise.I have to since my team the All Blacks have choked again.thats life.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:57 am
196: bringbacktheboks – its a bit rich to say we bag the refs, and then you finish that post with the same nonsense.
Hey, one or two of us are pretty angry with the ref, but I always maintain, you have to take into account that a ref will not get everything right, so plan for it, and when we had 70% possession, and 60% territory, we had enough of everything to win the game, we let it slip man, end of story.,
October 9th, 2007 at 12:59 am
#195 thanks but I have had a look at the game again and although I still blame the ref for being an influence on the turning of the game.I have to admit that the French deserve their win and played with more passion than the All Blacks.The better team won …..four more years of winning in between..I reakon NZ should not even show up to RWCs because they will only get knocked out….
October 9th, 2007 at 1:13 am
marvinb, I accept that, however, if we had snuck a drop goal over and won, how much of your opinion would change?
The reason I ask this, is because, some games are so close, there is sweet f.a in it, and yet, you see people saying …XYZ totally, or thoroughly deserved their win, when in fact, you could also say, it was bloody close, 2 points, thats all it was.
Thoroughly deserving to win is, in my mind, a good 15 plus point winning margin.
We have to turn up to the next RWC – we’re hosting the party mate! Its our shout!
October 9th, 2007 at 1:21 am
#202 I have to agree but I guess the game could have gone either way…..
October 9th, 2007 at 2:58 am
The ABs have to stop accepting the favourite tag before every World Cup. The only one where they werent favourites they thrashed everyone. They have to play as underdogs to win at RWC. Too naive and dont handle the expectation.
Referee should be shot . Nuff said. O’Brien head Ref admits that it was a forward pass in last try but that reffing didnt lose ABs match. Um sorry Paddy that means it wasnt a try. Stop defending your organisation for once. The guy reffed one side. Thats great media manipulation though. French and others managed to get into the Refs head thazt Mc Caw is a cheat. Beautiful move. It worked.
The AB management has to understand that its warfare and stop trying to be MR nice guy and counter attack. They were too arrogant and thought that it wouldnt matter. Get with the play boys. Its War and you use everything you have to undermine the opposition. The Poms and the French are masters at this level. They play above expectations a lot.
The NZRFU should have stood up to the IRB re jersey change.(we are the ALL BLACKS not the ALL ALUMINIUMS)
100 yrs of playing the Frogs and we never change strip; suddenly we change in the most important game for years. Its was these little victories over the NZers psyche that got France home. France knew that everything had to go their way to win and they got what they planned for. The ABs arent ruthless enough.Its a NZ trait. Bring back our mongrels like Meads and Haden and Shelford . They knew what to do to win a test match.Anything!
Good luck to SA. They have constantly been the only team to stand up to NZ over the last 4 years. They have the athletes to go all the way. They’ve had their fright as well.
SA for the cup. Dammit.
Whatever you Saffers do. Dont let the Poms win. That would be a travesty and as far as Im concerned would remove any integrity from the Webb Ellis Cup.
Stuff the French. Sorry! Im not that big enuff a person lol.
Cant have the Argies win it. They’ve never beaten NZ for gods sake. Havent paid their dues in my book.
Go Green. sob sob mumble mumble.
October 9th, 2007 at 5:27 am
196 bringbacktheboks,
All South Africans over stereotype New Zealanders
October 9th, 2007 at 9:31 am
BlackMarc…
Very late I know… we had a power yesterday which frizzed the ADSL…
apology accepted…