England vs South Africa - RWC final

[Mellsblue]

Congratulations to Wales for playing all their games to finish fourth.

[Oakboy]

Devalued in what way?

By dirge that was the SA V Wales semifinal.

Show some respect man, Which and Dors were very clear this is a devalued event, their view should be respected, and I'll agree with them if we lose tomorrow. I don't recall if Pja agreed with Which and Dors, somebody did, and I'm happy in my ignorance to claim it was Puja

Mmmm!

I certainly did not like the way that Italy were not allowed to decide their fate on the pitch and that has to have devalued the competition to an extent.

However, should we win it, and I think we will, I think we can claim that the victory was a fair one on the back of beating all three SH sides successively in the KO stages.

[Mellsblue]

By dirge that was the SA V Wales semifinal.

Show some respect man, Which and Dors were very clear this is a devalued event, their view should be respected, and I'll agree with them if we lose tomorrow. I don't recall if Pja agreed with Which and Dors, somebody did, and I'm happy in my ignorance to claim it was Puja

Mmmm!

I certainly did not like the way that Italy were not allowed to decide their fate on the pitch and that has to have devalued the competition to an extent.

However, should we win it, and I think we will, I think we can claim that the victory was a fair one on the back of beating all three SH sides successively in the KO stages.

Should we win, we can claim we beat all four Rugby Championship teams in our last, ahem, four matches.

[Raggs]

We can also claim that we beat every other previous RWC winner in the knockouts (except of course for ourselves).

EDIT - Even with a week off, that's doing it the hard way.

[Danno]

We can also claim that we beat every other previous RWC winner in the knockouts (except of course for ourselves).

EDIT - Even with a week off, that's doing it the hard way.

If we lose we can still claim credit for beating ourselves.

As Mells said, congratulations to Wales.

[Raggs]

We can also claim that we beat every other previous RWC winner in the knockouts (except of course for ourselves).

EDIT - Even with a week off, that's doing it the hard way.

If we lose we can still claim credit for beating ourselves.

As Mells said, congratulations to Wales.

If we lose we can't claim anything, whilst the finalists often are remembered, winning is everything.

[Scrumhead]

We’ll never know if we’d have beaten France as well, but I suspect we would have. It may have impacted us in terms of injuries/fatigue but the Italians might also have roughed-up NZ (though they’d never have won despite what they might want to believe) ... Ultimately, it is what it is and I don’t think there are many out there that genuinely believe the cancelled games significantly altered the outcome of the groups.

If we win, I certainly won’t be feeling that it’s ‘devalued’ FFS.

[Mellsblue]

Just read that the non-playing squad members have been given ‘match’ shirts prior to every match to recognise their importance in preparing the XXIII. I’m not normally one for this sort of ‘gimmick’ but I think this one is clever.

[Mellsblue]

We can also claim that we beat every other previous RWC winner in the knockouts (except of course for ourselves).

EDIT - Even with a week off, that's doing it the hard way.

The hardest ever:

[Danno]

We can also claim that we beat every other previous RWC winner in the knockouts (except of course for ourselves).

EDIT - Even with a week off, that's doing it the hard way.

If we lose we can still claim credit for beating ourselves.

As Mells said, congratulations to Wales.

If we lose we can't claim anything, whilst the finalists often are remembered, winning is everything.

How dare you halt this thread's descent into farce

[Danno]

Just read that the non-playing squad members have been given ‘match’ shirts prior to every match to recognise their importance in preparing the XXIII. I’m not normally one for this sort of ‘gimmick’ but I think this one is clever.

I agree. This is the sort of gesture that maintains goodwill. I like it.

[Mellsblue]

I’ve been subdued during the week. I think part of it is the thought that I expect us to win easily - SA are limited and that performance against NZ is the best performance I’ve ever seen....outside of Goldington Rd, obvs. Therefore, all I have to look forward to is a very small satisfaction of winning a match I think we should win at 80% or a horrible loss in a World Cup final. Two glasses of Rioja and an article on the players’ hidden motivation’ and I’m suddenly very much ‘up for it’.

[Raggs]

I believe we should win it, but it's sport, so can't be trusted.

[paddy no 11]

I have ye well backed. .......money in the bank

[Digby]

Show some respect man, Which and Dors were very clear this is a devalued event, their view should be respected, and I'll agree with them if we lose tomorrow. I don't recall if Pja agreed with Which and Dors, somebody did, and I'm happy in my ignorance to claim it was Puja

Mmmm!

I certainly did not like the way that Italy were not allowed to decide their fate on the pitch and that has to have devalued the competition to an extent.

However, should we win it, and I think we will, I think we can claim that the victory was a fair one on the back of beating all three SH sides successively in the KO stages.

Should we win, we can claim we beat all four Rugby Championship teams in our last, ahem, four matches.

A Sanzaar Slam. I can't imagine anyone has done that before

[WaspInWales]

It's finally beginning to feel like a world cup!

[morepork]

Oh just STFU please.

[Puja]

Oh just STFU please.

What are you complaining about - you won 3rd place today! You should be happy!

Puja

[morepork]

I’ll cut you.

[Mellsblue]

like a hot Sam Underhill through Jordie Barrett.

[WaspInWales]

like a hot Sam Underhill through Jordie Barrett.

[WaspInWales]

Christ almighty:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50261047

Cringe-fest.

I hate Fordyce as a writer. Short sentences, with the occasional long word thrown in for good measure. Never really asking or answering any questions and this article is no different.

Hand on heart, Farrell has improved and certainly seems to be an important part of the team, but he isn't a rugby god ffs!!!

His mistakes and limitations simply get glossed over, or in some cases excused under the weight of expectation.

It's like if we win, it because of Farrell which has been the case in the past, and when we lose it's down to the other 14 players. We have a bloody decent team with a number of key players contributing...we're not perfect by any stretch but the media glorifying Farrell constantly irks me no end.

[Which Tyler]

I have a sneaking suspicion you're not on your own there...

[Which Tyler]

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[twitchy]

One hour to go.