2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

Yeah, NZ rugby has discipline issues (Super Rugby generally does) that goes well beyond the influence of any single coach although the Crusaders certainly are amongst the better disciplined sides.

It's a cultural thing to an extent in Super Rugby, I feel. I posted at the time that there was a lot of dismissive commentary around some of the collisions in the Super Rugby playoffs. James Slipper shipping a head knock, looking very unsteady but reappearing magically when the Brumbies scrum was collapsing without him. I think it was Jeff Wilson commentating who was bemoaning any sanction against the tackler who swung an arm at Slipper's head. Then ALB absolutely demolished someone with a head collision in the final and only received a yellow for it. He was subsequently banned but he should have been red carded immediately.

Officiating is more lenient in Super Rugby, to my mind. NZ teams collected only 3 red cards in the entire Super Rugby season this year but 42 yellow cards. I'd be interested to see how many of those yellows were bunker reviews that stayed yellow. NZ received 3 red cards in their last 8 test matches for context. People have been saying it for some time that it will come back to bite them and it did in the worst way possible.

I don’t necessarily mean with regards discipline (tho can see it reads that way)

Just think he’ll improve things in genera as I think he’s a better coach.

Rassie stepping in as Springbok head coach (did he ever really step out?) while they look for a replacement for Jacques Nienaber.

Is Eddie Jones not available? Heard he quit the Aussies.

lol I was only joking. Wouldnt want him near us.

Realistically though, who can step in to be SA head coach? Talk of Stormers coach John Dobson, but they tried that before with Alistair Coetzee and it didnt work out at all. Jake White would probably throw his name in the hat, but cant see him wanting to work under Rassie and not really being in charge. Think Peter de Villiers could be tempted out of politics to make a return...

Political figures shouldn't be allowed near the pitch at all after finals. Fair enough being in the stand as a distinguished guest or whatever but no politician should be allowed to piggyback on any sports person's/team's achievements.

The worst was the 2018 soccer WC. It was disgusting enough having that evil bastard Putin there for the presentation but there was also the hypocrisy of Xaha having been disciplined earlier in the tournament for a "political gesture" as sport is apolitical. WR should not be copying FIFAs way of doing things.

I would refer you to my post 2 above yours.

But no idea really. Macron was there, but its his country at least. Idk who the NZ prime minister is or if they were there, assume not.

Me either! Outrageous

Firstly let me say congratulations to the Boks and their supporters like @Jacovs Your team played well, you have some fantastic players and you earned the world cup win. But I'm **** gutted. Which is weird as I had such low expectations at the start of tournament. I fully expected a QF exit. To make the final and then play like that is heartbreaking. To be honest I'm not enjoying rugby right now.

We played most of the game a man down (no issue with the red card) and if we were a couple of missed kicks, a fumble, some bad calls and competent TMO away from winning. We deserved to win and that's not meant as a disrespect to the Boks. It just **** sucks. I think I would have rathered they beat us comfortably as at least we could say "oh well the best team on the day won". But that match ....... ****!!!!!

I've seen a few people here state that the ABs 2011 win was due to the ref. I'll bet none have those posters have watched that match more than once and have latched on some crap pushed by Matt William's, Franno or Lenihan. It's an urban myth that some fans, particularly Irish, have latched on to and they've decided its gospel. I've watched that game dozens of times. I watched all 4 of the ABs finals last week. In 2011 there were a few bad calls either way. People that say the ref favoured the ABs like to forget FTD's penalty miss with 17 minutes to go, French players stamping on ABs at rucks or McCaw being eye gouged, all of which was let go. I don't know why Irish fans seem to cling to this narrative that the 2011 final was handed to the ABs. You weren't even there!! Is it because the 2 countries have a similar population and one of them is 3 from 5 in finals, while the other is 0 from 9 in knock out games?

On that note, to any fans from other countries, who were so gleeful about the ABs losing (not SA fans obviously) just because they have a chip on their shoulders about the ABs, go **** yourselves. Hope you never experience the joy of a world cup win. In fact I hope you never experience the joy of winning a knock out win.

Yes I'm still pissed. Rant over.

I enjoy the A,B's lose! I just don't like them. No real reason, except I dislike the haks. I've always liked the boks! Don't know why, I just have. I doubt the kiwis will win it for a while. Their u20's haven't been ad good as in the past. Who knows, we're both starting over.