Yup, Alain Rolland was France's best player. It's a bloody shame for Wales, because I think they would have more to offer in the final. Still, I hoping France show up and make a game of it. I can't see them doing the Kiwis though; bearing in mind they only just scraped a win over a 14 man team. When thinking of the All Blacks, I always picture flair and open, runnning rugby. Against Australia, their forwards were awesome, and their defense was incredible.
tbh i hope NZ properly humiliate France but when thinking of the All Blacks I think of only one word... 'choke'
I feel for Wales but their kicking has let them down all through this tournament, they could have still won if they'd converted that try.
Not many have kicked well in this RWC, look at Weepu - I think he kicked 4 from 8 attempts (ish), on Sunday.
France are going to be humiliated! I do wonder how they pick ref's for matches though as I'm sure they could have found someone else for the Wales/France game.
France won't be humiliated... they'll be dismanteled... totally destroyed :-D I am SO looking forward to the game! "That way to the airport" yeah... that about sums it up :-D GO ALL BLACKS!!!
Maybe I am trolling but surely that Richard Kahui tackle on Quade Cooper raised his legs above the horizontal and should result in a red card (according to Alain Rolland)? Boy am I glad the SA ref has got the final rather than Rolland.
I thought that was a well executed tackle. His timing was spot on, he knew when to release, and looked like he actually pushed Cooper's waist back toward the ground; so his torso landed more or less horizontally. Then again, I'm no ref; and I haven't played in twenty years.
Based by the laws of the game.. Yes as he landed on upper shoulders (first) its a red card.. however it aint its a well time tackle of which due to weight transfer with speed the player ended up like that (of which most refs would see and let play continue) Rolland however seems to think any rotation = instant red.. Also the french players retaliating should've been spoken too as it didnt help the situation.. even moreso when looking at the laws retaliation = yellow / red card. Frome one angle it looks like the french #4 hits out at warburton, not sure if he did or not either way Rolland didnt control this at all imo Warburtons should've been a yellow tops, I've had the same sort of tackle on me once and all that happened was a penalty (this is at youth 16-19 level, happened ~4-5 months ago) Also at my uni house earlier we kinda proved weight has alot to play with it Lifting a guy 14 stone at speed I get a normal "dump" tackle, same thing guy 9 stone he rotates alot more Either way its all history. Supporting Wales for the 3rd place playoff and then NZ for the final Am pretty disapointed though should've taken our oppertunities and kicked the points getting the win.
I doubt I'll get the chance to watch it, but I hope they absolutely pummel the snot out of the french...
I really fear if NZ get one or two tries in the opening ten minutes we could be looking at a cricket score as french heads drop.
I hope France cause a upset, be funny as hell if NZ have to wait another 4 years because of them. But NZ do deserve to win, they have been the best team by far. France have been poor most of the tournament.
I fully expect NZ to win, but if I was a betting man I'd be tempted to put a little wager on France. 19/2 is a really good price on a French side that has always (albeit rarely) shown the potential to play brilliantly totally out of the blue and contrary to recent form. NZ are big favourites but if France play like they can rather than like they usually do it's not a done deal.
Awesome final. NZ and France owned each half in turn with an insanely tense last 10 minutes. Loved it, fantastic game.
