[RWC2019][The Final] England vs. South Africa (02/11/2019)

[TRF_stormer2010]

Very disappointed that Marx isn't starting. Also disappointed that Mostert is on the bench. The tiny bit of confidence I had as all but gone. There is 0 benefit to having Mostert come on later. We needed someone like Willemse who could spark something if needed.

I can't help but think Rassie missed a massive trick here. I guess it's time for those free passers to repay the faith now and play out of their skins. The reason Marx was dropped was because his standards were so high that even a small dip would make it seem like he was off form. Mbonambi is decent but he is nowhere near in the same class as Marx is.

My final prediction? England by 12

I agree with Marx should've started. Mbonambi is the more mobile but we'd probably have done better with a Marx coming back into form throughout this RWC starting. Maybe Rassie sees Mbonambi's percieved better line out throwing as the more conservative pick?

Also agree we should've gone for a 4/3 split with Willemse. England aren't going to be blown off the park in the last 20 by one additional lock. De Jager is slightly better in any case and has the ticker to go 80+. Willemse off the bench has potential at least to set up a few breaks. Also means we have a straight swap option should Le Roux not pick up his game. I'd be more comfortable with 12 Steyn / 13 De Allende / 15 Willemse than 12 De Allende / 13 Am / 15 Steyn should we lose Le Roux.

Given the opposition is England I hope we give Louw more time than 15 minutes. But lets see if Kolisi has been saving his best for last. Louw could also come in for Vermeulen giving Vermeulen license to go hard and long. And possibly for this one Reinach ahead of Jantjies. Its great to get Jantjies in for the exposure as he will be a long term option but Reinach has the greater experience (even if just due to age) and knows these English players and have excelled in their comp.

Kind of signals that no, we havn't held anything back. It was always the likeliest but I had hope.

I don't agree with England by a full 12 though. Not in RWC final. My head says England by 2 but with a 7 point margin I give us a lot of chance to take this especially if we are in it past the first 20 or if Willie AND Faf look sharp for once I give it to us. Big if though. Still quietly confident and liking the underdog tag here. Can hardly wait for the game!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Wow this statement, so let’s get the facts here SA have for the most part done enough without looking convincing, loosing their opening game which was pretty meaningless in terms of pool progression, England Dominate the same team in do or die knockout Rugby with a real 80 minute performance, NZ are the one team that are not beaten until the final play, they have a tendency to really turn a result around at the death and did throw everything at England towards the End but England found a way to prevent it, played a fairly convincing semi quarter against a mixed bag AZ team but none of this is good preparation yet SA win by a single pen in what was possibly the biggest snore fest in the history of semi finals against a depleted Non adventures Wales, yes this is the perfect prep, can you see any flaws in this logic?

Not to burst your bubble, but in the Wales match we were leading by 3 points, yes, I agree. But then we got another penalty inside their 22 when the time was up. And we decided to tap and kick it out, which Pollard did. We could easily have gone for another kick at goal, or even go for the 5m lineout maul. We had that one in the bag.

 

[Jer1cho]

Please. NZ don’t know the meaning of the word. We are the masters.

I know. The Football WC was a great example. But that's what happens when you win the tournament before the final gets played.

NZ still takes the cake though, lol:

 

[User1245]

I


You don’t see England dealing with the Bok set piece?! Seriously?! Is that what you are pinning your hopes on? The good luck to you my friend.

Why thank you

 

[TRF_heineken]

So both teams unchanged (apart from Kolbe) from the Semi's. My guess is the gameplan will stay the same too and the tactics as well, grind it out and see who comes out on top.

My nerves are shot!

 

[spartan32]

I know. The Football WC was a great example. But that's what happens when you win the tournament before the final gets played.

NZ still takes the cake though, lol:

brilliant!! I take it back. They may well be a step ahead

 

[Gena_ZA]

Expect to see earlier replacements
Flo, all three front rowers, and Steyn to come on just after half time
With 20 to go Mostert, Jantjies & Snyman

The plan will be to play with a high intensity as possible for 80 min

 

[spartan32]

Not to burst your bubble, but in the Wales match we were leading by 3 points, yes, I agree. But then we got another penalty inside their 22 when the time was up. And we decided to tap and kick it out, which Pollard did. We could easily have gone for another kick at goal, or even go for the 5m lineout maul. We had that one in the bag.

That was an interesting decision to kick it out and not take the points and says something about the mentality of SA players. It was a simple kick, yet too scared to take it just in case something unthinkable happened, like it coming off the post into the hands of a waiting Welshman who then would have to had run the length to score.

I’d suggest that not one player in SA felt they ever had that game “in the bag”. The look of relief on their all their faces when they scrapped it was clear to see. If they truly backed themselves that kick would have gone over.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I agree with Marx should've started. Mbonambi is the more mobile but we'd probably have done better with a Marx coming back into form throughout this RWC starting. Maybe Rassie sees Mbonambi's percieved better line out throwing as the more conservative pick?

Also agree we should've gone for a 4/3 split with Willemse. England aren't going to be blown off the park in the last 20 by one additional lock. De Jager is slightly better in any case and has the ticker to go 80+. Willemse off the bench has potential at least to set up a few breaks. Also means we have a straight swap option should Le Roux not pick up his game. I'd be more comfortable with 12 Steyn / 13 De Allende / 15 Willemse than 12 De Allende / 13 Am / 15 Steyn should we lose Le Roux.

Given the opposition is England I hope we give Louw more time than 15 minutes. But lets see if Kolisi has been saving his best for last. Louw could also come in for Vermeulen giving Vermeulen license to go hard and long. And possibly for this one Reinach ahead of Jantjies. Its great to get Jantjies in for the exposure as he will be a long term option but Reinach has the greater experience (even if just due to age) and knows these English players and have excelled in their comp.

Kind of signals that no, we havn't held anything back. It was always the likeliest but I had hope.

I don't agree with England by a full 12 though. Not in RWC final. My head says England by 2 but with a 7 point margin I give us a lot of chance to take this especially if we are in it past the first 20 or if Willie AND Faf look sharp for once I give it to us. Big if though. Still quietly confident and liking the underdog tag here. Can hardly wait for the game!

My thinking is that Rassie is keeping a guy like Mostert who can cover both Flank and Lock as an additional back-up. My thinking is also that Flouw & Marx will come on a bit earlier than usual. And keep Sous on the bench should there be some sort of injury.

That was an interesting decision to kick it out and not take the points and says something about the mentality of SA players. It was a simple kick, yet too scared to take it just in case something unthinkable happened, like it coming off the post into the hands of a waiting Welshman who then would have to had run the length to score.

I’d suggest that not one player in SA felt they ever had that game “in the bag”. The look of relief on their all their faces when they scrapped it was clear to see. If they truly backed themselves that kick would have gone over.

Seriously? Are you trying to be a WUM. Time was up, and there would have been no difference had we gone for goal. It's a semi-final, you just need to win by one point. We won by 3. More than enough.

 

[Bull]

That was an interesting decision to kick it out and not take the points and says something about the mentality of SA players. It was a simple kick, yet too scared to take it just in case something unthinkable happened, like it coming off the post into the hands of a waiting Welshman who then would have to had run the length to score.

I’d suggest that not one player in SA felt they ever had that game “in the bag”. The look of relief on their all their faces when they scrapped it was clear to see. If they truly backed themselves that kick would have gone over.

There was no need to kick for poles though. The match was done, why risk hitting the pole and Wales possibly scoring?

 

[Goodey]

That was an interesting decision to kick it out and not take the points and says something about the mentality of SA players.

No it doesn’t.

Dictionary definition of overthinking here.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Time was up, wtf wouldn't you kick it out?

 

[unrated]

That was an interesting decision to kick it out and not take the points and says something about the mentality of SA players. It was a simple kick, yet too scared to take it just in case something unthinkable happened, like it coming off the post into the hands of a waiting Welshman who then would have to had run the length to score.

I’d suggest that not one player in SA felt they ever had that game “in the bag”. The look of relief on their all their faces when they scrapped it was clear to see. If they truly backed themselves that kick would have gone over.

Ok so lets apply this mentality of yours to this game. England are leading by 3 points or less the match is in the balance but England has a pentalty when the time is up. Now im pretty sure they will kick it out. But of course critize the Springboks.

Just to point out the hypocrisy, if the above is true and and the above scenario applies with England having a choice to either kick out or go for penalty and i quote you directly but with England replacing SA

"That was an interesting decision to kick it out and not take the points and says something about the mentality of ENG players. It was a simple kick, yet too scared to take it just in case something unthinkable happened, like it coming off the post into the hands of a waiting Springbok who then would have to had run the length to score"

If it was a South African who said that, then that person would have been berated. But no because its The springboks who chose the sensible option it must surely show how weak their mentality is right?

 

[TRF_heineken]

Ok so lets apply this mentality of yours to this game. England are leading by 3 points or less the match is in the balance but England has a pentalty when the time is up. Now im pretty sure they will kick it out. But of course critize the Springboks.

Just to point out the hypocrisy, if the above is true and and the above scenario applies with England having a choice to either kick out or go for penalty and i quote you directly but with England replacing SA

"That was an interesting decision to kick it out and not take the points and says something about the mentality of ENG players. It was a simple kick, yet too scared to take it just in case something unthinkable happened, like it coming off the post into the hands of a waiting Springbok who then would have to had run the length to score"

If it was a South African who said that, then that person would have been berated. But no because its The springboks who chose the sensible option it must surely show how weak their mentality is right?

There's nothing wrong with our mentality. We knew what we had to do, and we did that. The purpose of the semi-final is to get to the final. We did that. Done, dusted.

No need to feed the troll.

 

[Gena_ZA]

He is just upping the heat before the game, red faced and smirking
Laugh at it

 

[Tayga]

Same as Boks game vs. Japan; higher intensity I reckon
Friends coming over early for a Boerewors roll braai (barbecue), cocktails, big fires and just some fun to calm the nerves. There will be champagne, shooters and the other normal stuff abnormal rugby lovers have.
As the forecast stands now we are in for some heavy rain (very dry at this moment with no spring rain yet) so it might be a mess but that is okay, the wife unit is game and we'll clean up on Sunday

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jesus that looks nice ! Can I come ?

 

[RugbyTackle91]

England will win this

 

[JohnKA]

England will win this

You sure

 

[RugbyTackle91]

You sure

100%

 

[Jer1cho]

100%

Bit like the All blacks before then.