The final

[francoisfou]

The Beeb says that Wayne Barnes will ref the final despite the clamouring of Erasmus for Ken O’Beef to be appointed (even though he’s from NZ)

[Mr Mwenda]

The Beeb says that Wayne Barnes will ref the final despite the clamouring of Erasmus for Ken O’Beef to be appointed (even though he’s from NZ)

That'll be a deserved end to an excellent refereeing career if true. What odds there's a key forward pass not called?

[Puja]

Come on New Zealand!

Puja

[Cameo]

Hard one to call. You could imagine s nail biter or either side winning quite comfortably. Start well and get up in the first 20 and I think NZ probably win it.

I have memories of four years ago though. SA do just enough in a boring semi vs Wales and then really bring it in the final.

[canta_brian]

Is it really up to NZ to save rugby from kick and clap dire shit yet again?

[Lizard]

This is all a bit triggering for me. I have unresolved issues from 1995.

[canta_brian]

This is all a bit triggering for me. I have unresolved issues from 1995.

At least the catering should be ok this time round

[canta_brian]

And will SA have a hooker?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67185493

[J Dory]

Relax, Fossie has this, he's always had this.

[morepork]

You mean Joe Schmidt. Foz is still a bit of a womble.

[p/d]

Honest question. Is this the first final between two sides that didn’t win their groups?

[p/d]

Honest question. Is this the first final between two sides that didn’t win their groups?

Yep.

There have been plenty of occasions where one of the finalists took an L in the pool stages (starting with England in 1991), but this is the first time both teams did that.

I did wonder.

Let's hope for a cracking game, with rugby (and AB's) being the winner.

[Puja]

Honest question. Is this the first final between two sides that didn’t win their groups?

Devalued WC

Puja

[p/d]

Honest question. Is this the first final between two sides that didn’t win their groups?

Devalued WC

Puja

Hush now Puja.

[Banquo]

Is it really up to NZ to save rugby from kick and clap dire shit yet again?

considering they invented it, yes!

[Lizard]

Welp, I got me a ticket thanks to this here very website. I knew signing up when it first started would eventually pay off.

[morepork]

Welp, I got me a ticket thanks to this here very website. I knew signing up when it first started would eventually pay off.

You are such a little bitch.

[Donny osmond]

Is it really up to NZ to save rugby from kick and clap dire shit yet again?

Yup

[Donny osmond]

Is it really up to NZ to save rugby from kick and clap dire shit yet again?

considering they invented it, yes!

fair comment, I've never really got over watching Grant Fox's ABs, and that's not meant as a compliment

[morepork]

Fortunately we have moved on from the short back and sides to the mullet. The days of rosy-cheeked limited first fives are over in the diverse environment of The Polynesian Shaky Isles. It's Aoteoroa now, not EnZid. Keep up or move on.

[Banquo]

Fortunately we have moved on from the short back and sides to the mullet. The days of rosy-cheeked limited first fives are over in the diverse environment of The Polynesian Shaky Isles. It's Aoteoroa now, not EnZid. Keep up or move on.

Only til the mullet starts losing. Then it'll be back to rigourous rucking and 3 man scrums.

[Lizard]

Welp, I got me a ticket thanks to this here very website. I knew signing up when it first started would eventually pay off.

You are such a little bitch.

A little bitch with a ticket to the final and business class flights home.

[J Dory]

Welp, I got me a ticket thanks to this here very website. I knew signing up when it first started would eventually pay off.

You are such a little bitch.

A little bitch with a ticket to the final and business class flights home.

Jealous of the ticket, great stadium/place to watch rugby, epic final to be at. We will be watching for the Rugby Rebels signage .

[francoisfou]

Here's the Boks side for the final:

South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Smith, Wiese, Le Roux.

A 7-1 bench. Wonder who'll be the scrum half replacement, Kolbe?

And the All Blacks:

New Zealand XV: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane (capt), Savea.

Replacements: Taukei'aho, Williams, Laulala, Whitelock, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.

This is the final that I think no European really wanted (it's a tragedy that France aren't in the final) and I ask myself who the neutrals will be supporting. I believe that NZ's Ian Foster has been in for some flak over the last couple of years, but nevertheless his side have made the final. The Boks' Erasmus has not exactly done his reputation much good over recent years and has rightfully attracted criticism, so I think I'll be leaning towards NZ.

[J Dory]

Here's the Boks side for the final:

South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Pollard, De Klerk; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Nyakane, Kleyn, Snyman, Smith, Wiese, Le Roux.

A 7-1 bench. Wonder who'll be the scrum half replacement, Kolbe?

And the All Blacks:

New Zealand XV: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Telea; Mo'unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane (capt), Savea.

Replacements: Taukei'aho, Williams, Laulala, Whitelock, Papalii, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.

This is the final that I think no European really wanted (it's a tragedy that France aren't in the final) and I ask myself who the neutrals will be supporting. I believe that NZ's Ian Foster has been in for some flak over the last couple of years, but nevertheless his side have made the final. The Boks' Erasmus has not exactly done his reputation much good over recent years and has rightfully attracted criticism, so I think I'll be leaning towards NZ.

I wish it was France too, the final it should have been for me, I could even have handled France winning it. If SA wins it with kick and ruck and 7 extra forwards ....they will deserve their win, we will have to accept it, but it's not the rugby I want to watch.