While I agree that this game was the more entertaining of the 2, the other one produced much the better rugby IMO.
Anyway, first the plaudits:
-Daniel Braid- if this bloke was born anywhere but in NZ, or possibly SA with our depth of backrow forwards, he`d have played close to 50 Tests already. Awesome on the ground, excellent on defense, and a more than capable deputy for McCaw.
- Isa Toeava- how there can still be any debate as to who should be the AB`s 1st-choice 13 is beyond me. Ice is already one of the most destructive game-breakers and strike runners in world rugby. This lad has greatness stamped all over him. A blind man can feel over a radio how good he`s gonna become. A real great in the making- and I mean BOD or Umaga great. Got given the ball, in space, on just about 2 occasions. Result- 2 tries. Enough said.
- Ryan Kankowski- still a youngster, but a great player in the making. Serious gas, serious stepping ability. While RWC2007 is maybe a year too early for him, one can clearly see just how great he`s gonna be. And pretty soon too. Should`ve made the Bok squad IMO.
And now, for the brickbats: both teams as a whole, for showing f***all respect for the ball.
The Blues went into the game with the funny notion that you can just swing the ball around, willy nilly, and the tries will come. From anywhere, from any position. Almost like the deluded approach that the Stormers had this year. Actually, I firmly believe that a win should be earned. In order to score a try, one needs to first earn possession, either by solid 1st-pase play, or by securing the turnover. Then, one needs to earn that most precious of all commodities, go-forward ball. This can be achieved by a whole host of ways- from big, powerful ball-carriers(the SA way), to clever angles and running lines(the Aussie way) or by excellent off-loading ability in the tackle(the NZ way). The Blues didn`t respect the basics, and consequently came unstuck. I mean, really, get the pill to their most lethal strike-runner, in space, on just 2 occasions?
And then, there were the Sharks. f***all repect for earning possession in the 1st instance- just kick the damn thing straight up the park. While I can certainly appreciate a good tactical kicking game, IF you have the line-out and committed defense to make it work for you, at leat you need to kick the damn thing out then. Kicking the ball straight down the middle, and straight down your opponent`s throats, certainly doesn`t constitute constructive rugby, or any type of game-plan, at all. If the Sharks want to bring this to the final, God help them. Really.
But I`m pretty chuffed by the end result anyway, even though the game itself was a great disappointment to me personally.
