RWC: South Africa - Wales (11-09-2011, 20:30)

[Thingimubob]

Well wouldn't go as far as saying we're the best in the NH, arguably put in the best performance despite losing, other teams (especially the home nations) were very lacklustre, even if Scotland and France showed some great finishing ability against some damn resiliant so called 'minnows'. France probably played the prettiest rugby, but were far from their best imo.

 

[JW.]

Well wouldn't go as far as saying we're the best in the NH, arguably put in the best performance despite losing, other teams (especially the home nations) were very lacklustre, even if Scotland and France showed some great finishing ability against some damn resiliant so called 'minnows'. France probably played the prettiest rugby, but were far from their best imo.

No point calling yourself the best in the NH (altough you didn't ). Because this tournament will show exactly that.

 

[UilamOsa]

I saw it too, Hougaard just ran where the ref just was, still doesnt make up for bad positioning and drift defence by Wales though.


Also on the SBW v Roberts on speed I dunno SBW aint no slouch. If he hit the line more he'd be a pretty big threat tbh but yeah, Roberts is great (when on form) for going forward but just thinking him having SBW's offloads would be very nice and with the likes of North playing if he did offload it should create a fair few trys

No truer point. Shane Williams kept drifting out couldn't see the Hougaard running around the back, and the prop (not too sure what his name is) was just too tired. Went through a mountain of work - couldn't blame him.

Also - SBW is a slouch, in comparison to other midfielders. Easily the slowest of the AB's backs. Faster than your average test blindside (spies, kankowski etc excepted) but slower than your average midfield backs.

They challenged and beat the boks at quite a few of the setpieces, whoever wins or comes runner up in Pool D will be soo battered and bruised come quarters - you couldn't predict a starting 15.

 

[ExcaLiBuR]

That penalty goal will go down in history as the game of WHAT IFS! If Wales got that penalty that did go over but was robbed from them or that last penalty they would have got into the semi finals, would of beat ireland in quarter finals and then lost in semi to NZ... now wales will fall to the wallabies during the quarter finals in Wellington and leave this rwc as chokers

 

[TrueSlawter]

That penalty goal will go down in history as the game of WHAT IFS! If Wales got that penalty that did go over but was robbed from them or that last penalty they would have got into the semi finals, would of beat ireland in quarter finals and then lost in semi to NZ... now wales will fall to the wallabies during the quarter finals in Wellington and leave this rwc as chokers

Trust me, Wales getting to the quaters wont be choking at all.. dont know where you've got that from :| if they do go through and loose to the Aussies as long as they put in a decent performance I doubt anyone would mind too much as tbh its a pretty young squad and then Aus are 2/3rd in the world right now. If Wales beat Aus though, Australia would go home as chokers.

 

[UilamOsa]

That penalty goal will go down in history as the game of WHAT IFS! If Wales got that penalty that did go over but was robbed from them or that last penalty they would have got into the semi finals, would of beat ireland in quarter finals and then lost in semi to NZ... now wales will fall to the wallabies during the quarter finals in Wellington and leave this rwc as chokers

haha...Wallabies along with the AB's "choked" at the last world cup...

...short memory?

Also, Samoa will be waiting.

 

[187]

Was an awesome atmosphere at the game. I loved being a token Welsh supporter. Although there were a few dodgy calls they still could've won as most comments on here have pointed out. They have some awesome young players coming through though. I couldn't believe Toby Faletau was only 20!!!!
Anyway I took a few pics.

 

[Bangkaew]

I think the Wales captain is to blame. Rather than go for goal for the last penalty, which was the easy option for him but was always going to be unlikely to succeed, he should have taken the line out and worked the ball in to the centre. Then either get a penalty or drop goal. That is what the SA captain would have done. The world cup is always about bottle and that is why Australia, England, SA and even Argentina punch above their weight. IMO.

 

[TRF_RC]

I'm not sure if there were any members on here who are blaming the officials for Wales losing that game, because at the end of the day we lost it for ourselves.
Man, that was one of the worst South African performances i have ever witnessed. They should be flattered to be ranked 3rd in the world after that game...and yet, we still couldn't beat them.
As atrocious as they were, and I'm sure their fans will agree with me on that, they still came away at the end of the game with a win. Just like england, they did what they needed to do, score more points than the opposition.
We didn't deserve to win, coz we didn't score enough points to win.
Kudos to the Saffas, they know how to play this competitions. Maybe one day we'll learn. Until then i'll take my broken heart and cheer us on with just as much passion and pride as i did last night.

 

[TRF_RC]

I do like how 29 people lost a total of 104,000 in vCash though. LOL!

Wait, TRF_Ezequiel bet 100,000 vCash on saffas winning by 7 points or more?
OUCH!

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Yeah, I was a bit too excited and put 100.000 on the Boks by +7 hahaha

 

[Sam Owen]

Is it too early to make jokes about the way he hooked that penalty?

LOL, after that penalty kick was ruled a miss, Hook looked at the reffs like they could do with a hook themselves.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Well the South African Newspapers are buzzing this morning.

some articles say "John Smit must captain rest of World Cup in Blazer"... "Bokke won't win without Bismarck"... and so on...

But last night on a magazine show one guy said something which I didn't thought of and I quote: "Well done to Schalk Burger, our 4th ranked captain who decided to go for the line-out instead of going for goal that lead to Hougaard's try".

he went on to say that even when John Smit, Jean De Villiers and Victor Matfield went off... it never looked like the Bokke were panicking and they just kept on doing what they did all game long. Wales on the other hand showed a little bit of panicking when Bismarck, Gurthro, Alberts and Hougaard came on the field... The Drop Goal from Priestland was the first sign.

what was amazing for me was the way in which the Bokke ran down the time. from the 69th minute they just shut out the game with the little pick and drives! they should have done that the whole bloody game!!

 

[SavageLez]

Consider that this SPRINGBOK team has only played together for the 3rd time since 2009. They have done well to get through with a win.

1. Schalk & Brussouw have not played together in yonks (if ever).
2. Schalk has not played since the S15 Semi's.
3. Fourie Du Preez & Brussouw's 3rd Test match since 2009.
3. JdV and Matfield injured in first half.
4. Bakkies out injured.

These guys can only get better with match practice and time together as combinations get used to one another again.
SPRINGBOKS will take great confidence from this win!

That is 2 wins in a row now. Come bokke......

Just a little concerned with the current injuries. Bakkies must go home and PdV must bring in Flip van der Merwe, Duane Vermuelen or Juan Smith. Hope Duane and Juan are over their injuries.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Why do Jean de Villiers and Victor Matfield have to get injuries in stead of John Smit and Morne Steyn?

I guess the JdV-injury will see the emerging of Juan de Jongh in midfield

 

[TRF_heineken]

Consider that this SPRINGBOK team has only played together for the 3rd time since 2009. They have done well to get through with a win.

1. Schalk & Brussouw have not played together in yonks (if ever).
2. Schalk has not played since the S15 Semi's.
3. Fourie Du Preez & Brussouw's 3rd Test match since 2009.
3. JdV and Matfield injured in first half.
4. Bakkies out injured.

These guys can only get better with match practice and time together as combinations get used to one another again.
SPRINGBOKS will take great confidence from this win!

That is 2 wins in a row now. Come bokke......

Just a little concerned with the current injuries. Bakkies must go home and PdV must bring in Flip van der Merwe, Duane Vermuelen or Juan Smith. Hope Duane and Juan are over their injuries.

Schalk and Brussouw played together in the second B&I Lions game at Loftus where Schalk got a yellow card in the first 5 minutes in the game and Brussouw picked Martyn Williams up like a sack of potatoes...

I see JDV and Victor's injuries weren't as serious as they thought. Still Worried about Bakkies though.

But yeah! happy with the result, happy that JDV and Victor isn't out, Happy that the RWC organisers made a quick response to Hook's missed penalty kick.

Just happy and relieved really. Glad I'm not welsh today though...

 

[Logorrhea]

what was amazing for me was the way in which the Bokke ran down the time. from the 69th minute they just shut out the game with the little pick and drives! they should have done that the whole bloody game!!

The new laws (or old but recently enforced laws) about sealing off the breakdown are meant to stop that from happening. Was a flashback to the old Munster days.

 

[Jer1cho]

This sums up exactly what happened rather well in my opinion.

www.keo.co.za

Wales were outstanding. Let's start there. Welsh coach Warren Gatland tactically got everything right against the Boks. They kept the ball, kept it close, used the powerful Jamie Roberts to run at Morne Steyn all match and played the field percentages almost to perfection.
Welsh captain and specialist fetcher Sam Warburton was colossal. He played with the precision and irritation of a young Richie McCaw and starved the Boks of ball. He deserved to lead a historic triumph in Wellington.
Wales had 60% of territory and possession, conceded just five penalties – only one of them kickable – and poached three South African lineouts.
Yet they still lost because it is not in their DNA to beat the Springboks, and when the biggest moments of the game came their players did not have the nerve, the conviction and the courage in decision making to win it. Wales were in unfamiliar territory against the Boks and the match they talked of all week they couldn't quite play out according to script.
Aside from Australia – and possibly New Zealand – this Welsh effort would have beaten every team at this tournament, but that will be small comfort to Gatland and Warburton.
The Boks, beaten on the ground, in the air, in the tackle and in the collision, were never beaten in their minds – and the belief that they could conjure up seven points, almost at will, never deserted them.

 

[scarlets-fan]

I think the Wales captain is to blame. Rather than go for goal for the last penalty, which was the easy option for him but was always going to be unlikely to succeed, he should have taken the line out and worked the ball in to the centre. Then either get a penalty or drop goal. That is what the SA captain would have done. The world cup is always about bottle and that is why Australia, England, SA and even Argentina punch above their weight. IMO.

I agree they should have gone for the lineout cos at that moment in the game SA were looking shaky. But i don't think Warburton should be blamed, it's up to Hook to say if he thinks a kick is too hard for him. He wasn't even close.

 

[monkeypigeon]

The new laws (or old but recently enforced laws) about sealing off the breakdown are meant to stop that from happening. Was a flashback to the old Munster days.

Umhum. Was glaring at the TV (in a mood from the Ireland match a couple of hours earlier) while thinking.... 'They can't do this anymore....what are they doing....BOOO....jaysus I'm a hypocrite".

But yeah, they were basically head-butting the floor.