RWC2011...and then there were 2

Greetings from a rather gloomy and overcast Jozi. Wow, imagine, arguably the best and most consistent international sporting team finally has an opportunity to contest the finals of the RWC for the first time since 1995 thats quite laughable to be honest...but hey they are there and the greatest part is they are up against their RWC nemesis the French, even though i want to play the French, because no matter how crappy they seem to be, they always have that game that will sink the ABs, however I would have loved a shot at the Boks, but this draw was never billed as such unless the Boks were beaten by Wales. Anyway before I start, let me say I am getting oh so bored of hearing/reading about Bryce Lawrence. Its now bordering on sore losers! Bottom line is we all know what Pocock, Brussouw and Richie can do given the opportunity so you negate their threat. The players should have realised this and adjusted their game accordingly. In this weekends game, Pocock was hardly a threat, not because of the reffing, because he was only pinned maybe 3 times in 80 min, the rest of the time he was on his back because he was cleaned out or forced to make the tackle thus couldnt be as menacing. The Boks were great last weekend but were very woeful at sealing the deal, its not the refs fault, the boys and the fans must accept some responsibility and look forward. In 2007 the ABs lost to the French because of a forward pass, I didnt blame the ref, because they were good enough to win it but they didnt so it was their fault. In 2010, Ghana could have been the first African team to qualify for the semis of the SWC, but they didnt, not because Suarez cheated, but because we didnt convert our chance when we had it. FULL STOP!! cant change it we move on... This weekends games wow if ever there was injustice it was on saturday morning. I thought France would win, but that was before I saw the precision with which Wales took to the game in comparison to what the French brought. One has to feel for Warburton, there was no malice intended in that tackle, it was a good aggressive tackle but alas legs up, head down...rules are rules, I would have liked to see a yellow card though but alas the game was killed as a contest...rather it should have been killed as a contest, but respect to Wales they made a proper game of it till the death in spite of having to play for over 60 minutes with just 14 players. The French have a team of great players, but they are just not putting it out there on the park, their big game was against England. Wales, poor Wales, the most consistent team of the RWC2011 along with the ABs, but alas fate would deal them a cruel blow. But i guess they can walk tall! Jamie Roberts, Warburton, Phillips, Halfpenny, Williams Faletau i guess the whole bang lot can be proud of their achievements, no one would have pipped them for RWC2011 finalists and the world feels like they were somewhat robbed of a final spot, but alas those who make it are the ones who deserve to be there. France have been toilet, lost 2 games, yet on sunday we will be watching them contest a final. Oz v ABs, From the coin toss I knew it was game on, Richie is normally a nice guy but there he was very steely faced when he shook Horwill's hand, he had his game face on. Guys even though he was operating on just one foot, man that guy is one hell of a player, not sure if you guys saw when he was flung over one of the Ausies shoulders yet on the way down he still managed to steal the ball from the guy? He is everywhere, tireless in his effort, he may no longer be a force on the ground, but his game beyond that is immense. A player like i said last week and have been saying for a while who is my MVP in the All Blacks team at the moment is Jerome Kaino! How strong is that guy? the way he lifted Digby like a sack of 10kg potatoes was just something else?! he hits hard, gives the boys some go forward ball. The ABs played a very smart game. Pocock was hardly a factor in this game because the runners ran at him, which meant he was part of the tackle and not the arriving player with all rights and as such was rather ineffective, when he was trying to steal the ball however, the ABs would just flood the breakdown and render him off his feet thus not a factor. Their defensive lines frustrated the Aussie backs and they also played some dumb footie. They kept choosing to kick long and to the Blacks' back 3 who were as tough as the walls of Jericho. Instead of using shorter kicks if they had to or just keeping ball in hand and making the Blacks defend, they kept plugging away with the same exams, without knowing that the ABs had bribed the examiner for the paper beforehand! How lovely was it to see Crudes just slot into that no 10 channel like he was born there, all that traffic that was sent his way was adequately dealt with and he threw in a drop goal just for good measure! It was a good game of rugby, but in the end the Wallabies were totally owned everywhere on the park...and on the scoreboard! A lot of NZ supporters will be nervous about this coming sunday. i am not though...well not at the moment. Not because I think the boys have the wood over the French, but more because its an opportunity for these crop of ABs to put the ghost of 2007 to rest properly. That is their challenge and how they prepare and deal with it on sunday is a test of a true champion side. if they panic, go into their shell and stumble well clearly they arent meant to win this tournament. For me its sheer bliss, because my 2 favorite teams to watch will be on display. I hope the French pitch up with their A-game because if they bring that nonsense of last weekend it may well be 50+ ball game. Once again it will be the forward play that will determine the outcome of this game. For some reason i dont think it will be typical finals footy, i think in the first 20 or so the Blacks will amass the 3 pointers and then unleash the backs. The French will be up for the game, they will play french Rugby Is it sunday yet?? Have a great week all!