Rugby

Kick the points.

Waiting for this one to be chalked off too…

Looked like a SA no-arms tackle in the last phase in mid field? Lot going on so is hard for officials.

As a relative newcomer, Rugby must have been great to watch 10 years ago before what seems to be near constant stops and kicks.

Smith clearly looked like he was using his hand to take his bodyweight in that ruck too.

Yeah that looked textbook in real time from here.

Not even 10 years ago.

But yes, there was a lot more referee influence on matches.

Cane going off so early rather killed the game as a spectacle. Fair play to the springboks, beast of a team. Least they didn’t have to poison them this time, either 😉

SA kicked pretty well and Pollard was nails in front of the posts but really didn't do enough to win that IMO but gritted their way through it. NZ did so well to stay in it with 14 men for most of the game too.

NZ did well to get that close despite 14 men and triple the handling errors or SA.

Yeah that looked textbook in real time from here.

Both assistants are less than 5m away too. Oh well, thems the breaks.

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Bloody good effort by NZ. The one team who going down to 14 you just can't put away. PSDT was immense, 28 tackles and many of them monstrous.

Hopefully the Boks are a little more consistent over this next 4 year cycle and continue to evolve their style. A lot of the guys won't make 2027 but the talent line beneath is strong.

Not quite sure how the dynamic will work without Nienaber.

Not quite sure how the dynamic will work without Nienaber.

Surely Rassie will just continue to coach the team? Business as usual ;)

PSDT MOTM. Well played Boks.

I guess a wet game, but surprised by how many errors NZ made.

Some hilario drop goal attempts from SA. If NZ had kicked posts they would have won.

He needs someone calm and methodical alongside him to tone down the crazy. Rassie off the leash could go badly.

What an insane game!

Exactly as a final should go, seriously nailbiting 80!

Looking forward to watching it again over the next couple days.

Really enjoyed it as a neutral

Eddie resigns. Sayonara sweet prince.

Likewise, very enjoyable to watch, despite the stop start TMO reviews. Two giant teams, loads of epic moments, both worthy finalists

Barnes retires. Best I've seen.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67297884

sending Dylan Hartley off is one of my fondest memories of his career
"He calls me a fucking cheat, he leaves the field"

Oh it was hilarious and entirely justified.

What a ridiculous game

Henry Arundell effectively rules himself out of England contention for the next few years...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67695323

Well, I never ...
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/dec/13/eddie-jones-back-as-head-coach-of-japan-rugby-union-after-sorry-australia-reign