Wales v SA

[RichieB]

He also lasted the full 80 minutes.

[TigerBoy1880]

He also lasted the full 80 minutes.

Your point being?

[Mark62]

It’s about picking a game plan that plays your strength and exposes the opposition weakness.

Sometimes that makes for a dull game.

Would either side play the same in the final against England?

I don’t think with Pollard at 10 they can play any other way.
You’re hardly looking to open the game up when Frank Stein is your replacement back

[RichieB]

He also lasted the full 80 minutes.

Your point being?

My point being that England 9's seem to get replaced after 60 minutes more often than not.

[northerntiger]

Interesting how so many people rate Faf de Klerk so highly and as one of the worlds best even though he takes a few steps before passing and kicks loads yet when Youngs does it, he is apparently too slow and kicks too much.

Was thinking the same his box kicking has been average at best.
Great line drive Banana kick though

I thought the whole speed from the breakdown for SA was very slow ( Wales also). They both spent an age setting plays up

[Big Dai]

Bish, bosh, bash and kick versus bish, bosh, bash and kick. Why did Wales not trust the backs more?

The "one eyed Turk" is once again "the Wilted Daffodil".

[TigerBoy1880]

He also lasted the full 80 minutes.

Your point being?

My point being that England 9's seem to get replaced after 60 minutes more often than not.

Just like other positions.

If you’re implying that’s a negative thing then I can tell you it isn’t.

[SimonP in Surrey]

RSA 12 De Allende very dangerous but I would stick with Ford, Faz, Manu for the final. ENG wrap around passes from forwards should hopefully keep the RSA beef on the move away from contact to wear them down. Think ENG are fitter and last 15 mins could be the difference if ENG play the same game plan as vs NZ. RSA will kick more than NZ to try to expose Daily. It’s difficult to imagine ENG will play as well as vs NZ so I am expecting a tense battle with ENG gaining the edge in the last quarter and win by roughly 8 to 10. Hopefully no injury surprises before Sat (such as May or Faz or Sinks).

[Tiger_in_Birmingham]

Bish, bosh, bash and kick versus bish, bosh, bash and kick. Why did Wales not trust the backs more?

IMHO Foxy wasn't fully fit so they didn't want him to injure himself thinking they'd still sneak through and he'd be fine for the final

[RichieB]

Your point being?

My point being that England 9's seem to get replaced after 60 minutes more often than not.

Just like other positions.

If you’re implying that’s a negative thing then I can tell you it isn’t.

No. I was not. I was observing that de Klerk lasted for the full 80 minutes, which I believe is credit to him and his fitness.

[drc_007]

Two teams trying not to lose, an attritional game was probably SA best chance. Feel that Wales lack of ambition cost them.

[wellstiger]

Sorry Wales - possibly the poorest game your've played for some time as tactics all wrong.
EJ will not make that mistake and I hope we (England) have peeked at the right time.

However glad to play RSA as Wales would have played their best game against the red Rose.
At the same time it would have been great to have had a British World Cup final.

[Mark62]

Sorry Wales - possibly the poorest game your've played for some time as tactics all wrong.
EJ will not make that mistake and I hope we (England) have peeked at the right time.

However glad to play RSA as Wales would have played their best game against the red Rose.
At the same time it would have been great to have had a British World Cup final.

Totally agree with this, Wales seemed to lack ambition other than when they went behind, and looked better when Patchell came on, also wonder just how fit Jonathan Davis was.
Pleased it’s not an all European final, but hope Eddie sticks to his game plan as I think we can run these South African players off their feet

[RichieB]

Agree Mark. I fear for Wales (a tiny bit) in the 3rd place play-off. With their injuries and a potential NZ rebound, it could be a very difficult end to the competition for them.

[JP14]

New Zealand will want to pull Wales’ pants down.