Congrats to South Africa. That’s one tough progression to the final and they hung in there. That’s what champions are made of.

Proud of the All Blacks. After the break it all looked over with that try held up. But they hung in there and had two kicks that ultimately could have proven the difference.

A tough one to take but these Boks have a never say die attitude. So does NZ. Made for a gripping final.

It does set up an interesting dynamic. Do you rotate thinking about tired bodies and keeping players fresh for the final? Or do you put your first team on and make changes when you think the game is under control?

Either way, the other semi final opponents won’t have that mentality. This is their final. They will throw the kitchen sink at it. Normally finals are tight affairs as fatigue has set in. But you have to get to the final first. The question is how?

Is this the best weekend of knockout rugby? I couldn’t think last night’s intensity and tension could be topped but it seems I was mistaken. Two teams that don’t even get that awful non-event of a consolation match to see who comes third and fourth.

Just when you thought one side was gaining ascendancy, the other came back. What an incredible spectacle. Seems incredible that Wales, Fiji, Ireland and France will all be haunted by the fact that they had the game within their grasp.

But let’s not take anything away from the spectacle tonight. What an epic match. Congrats to SA and commiserations to France. They, like Ireland, will be dazed and confused as to how they’re not still in it.

And what a set up for next week. What a physical toll this will have. Who is able to get up next week and not focus on the final? I’d say the underdogs have the advantage on that front.

I’m in shock. This was like rugby heaven. You can’t ask for anything more in terms of tension and drama. What a weekend. This week is going to be a write off in terms of work.

You might argue that this victory was set up by the series defeat in NZ. There was a steeliness to this AB side that is extremely difficult to conjure from thin air. I think of that 2015 quarter final in Wales that was set up by the pain of defeat in 2007.

When NZ are under pressure, they tend to rise to the occasion. For motivation, if all things go well against Argentina and the other side of the draw goes to form, we have bases covered in terms of motivation (the loss in the opening match against France or the horror loss against SA in the warm-ups and the Japan RWC) That is certainly no gimme, as Cheika is also a specialist in bringing out the mongrel of the underdog status. There’s going to be a lot of sore bodies in NZ. I would even consider resting Cane from the starting lineup for the final as I think speed is the key to unlocking Argentina.

In any event, I certainly feel for the Irish. We all know that pain from 2007 of being well prepared and supremely confident. Such is the nature of knockout rugby. It doesn’t reward ranking but execution on the day. And often that comes from rising up to the occasion. NZ did a good job of nullifying Ireland’s strengths and taking their few chances when it counted.

Even England or Fiji could prove a worthy opponent much like Argentina. Let’s face it, these two quarters play out more like a final. And it’s going to be very difficult to not feel they’re already in the final if either team gets through. Which bears all the hallmarks of a waiting ambush.

The psychology of both semis is going to be enthralling. Cheika was wrly smiling yesterday. His opponents are the favourites and that suits him fine. He’s already shown what happens when NZ aren’t in the right headspace. England showed last time in Japan they can’t be written off either.

Going to be a cracker tonight but next week will be enthralling for different reasons. Who can find the mental steel to be accurate next week knowing another big challenge is awaiting the following week? That’s what makes this tournament special. Form goes out the window. There’s a different pressure to knockout rugby and we saw that last night. 37 phases with Sexton only needing a drop goal is an entirely different proposition. Carter in 2015 turned things around when it was sorely needed. The poor guy will beat himself up mentally for years to come. That’s when this sport can be cruel and fairytales tantalise you and then slap you before slamming the door in your face.

Seems cruel that the Blues’ stellar season crumbled at the final curtain but they ignited their fans with some stunning tries this season. Good to see them playing so well.

You have to tip your hat to Razor, though, and the boys. Conditions played into their hands for the type of game they wanted to play and where they wanted to seek an advantage at the lineout principally. But you still have to execute and they sure did that.

Let’s see what happens next year but this format seemed fairer than previous seasons. I hope it gets another shot.

Congrats to all the Pumas supporters! What an effort after being out of test rugby for so long! Really admired their courage and they just grew in confidence. ABs couldn’t break them on the scoreboard.

Two losses in a row for the ABs. You wonder what the mental preparation was. They got deservedly ambushed.

Gutted. Brilliant planning and execution by England. Deserve to be in the final. NZ lost the physical battle up front and were chasing the entire game.

Think it’s a good move. Our line out against Ireland was overshadowed by the scoreboard. My only concern is Barrett has an annoying tendency to give away needless penalties that relieve pressure. With Tuipulotu at lock cover we also get a big unit that can shift bodies and carry well.

Cane champing at the bit to get on, however, is something we don’t get to see all that often. His extra bit of pace should be welcomed. Usually he’s tired out by dominant tackles early on. Sabra and Scooter must take that responsibility as Cane does the work that breaks the opposition pack.

Still have the shakes thinking about that game but, indeed, a prime example!

The important thing is you made it. And you know what to expect from Wales.

Winning against that much off-field as well as on-field momentum is not to be sniffed at. It was far from pretty but it eventually proved to be effective.

Now to think up something a little more proactive. Because I agree Corne, if SA enter a slugfest with Wales, Wales’ chances improve out of sight.

Credit to the conditioning team. Brodie and indeed the whole team looked sharp. That’s not easy to pull off.

Forwards and in particular Read and Moody shook off indifferent form and had superb games.

The problem with a performance like this is that it’s inevitably followed by a tighter game. See 2015 semi, 1995 final for examples.

Mentally it’s tough to get into that mindset. But tactically the opposition do everything to prevent NZ from doing the same thing. That invariably means slowing the ball down at the ruck and squeezing play to the centre of the field.

So I expect the semi to be a close affair and will come down to moments. NZ have the edge in that regard being able to score points when it matters but England have an impressive defence. They will need to be tired out and that all points to the forward exchanges and the ability to dictate the pace of the game.

Yeah, when he’s given free rein at the back to enter the fray when it’s on, it just suits him better particularly against the teams with solid defence.

Great performance. Pressure was on and NZ tend to respond well when the heat goes on.

Didn’t let Ireland into the match early on as they grow in belief and performance if you give them a sniff.

NZ attack, crisp and sharp. Will need the same against England but think Mo’unga at 10 controls nicely the back line interplay and cross field kicking when it’s on. Leaves Besufy to do what he does best and takes the pressure off in terms of kicking and passing.

NZ get a solid workout but England are fresh after missing out on France. Cracker of a game.

Surely you jest?

Saw this comment this morning:

“I’m on mah Wii… Just wishing I could play a game todeeeeeeeeeeeey…
Uh huh Uh huh Uh huh Uh huh
Yeeeeeeees I’m on my way from misery to happiness
Uh huh Uh huh Uh huh Uh huh

Perhaps an amusing prediction based on the perception that all Scotland needed was for this game to go ahead.

Jamie Joseph will have other ideas. It’s true that Scotland were building nicely after their poor showing against Ireland. But I have the feeling Jamie Joseph has been targeting this game to make a statement about just how good his charges are.

As a rugby fan, I’m relieved to see a highly anticipated pool match is going ahead. Scotland has always been my sentimental favourite but who cannot be enchanted by this Japanese side and their wonderful fans?

Not an easy situation though when your country has just been through a terrible natural event causing deaths and untold destruction. Hope they don’t feel the pressure to perform for their people.

Nice, Harry.

With the humid conditions making the ball grip like a proverbial bar of soap, accurate kicking is definitely a smart move.

It is one thing to find a fractured defence and it is another thing to exploit it. That four-minute spell shows the importance of taking your chances when the opportunities present themselves. I agree that SA kept their shape in defence and didn’t wilt in the closing quarter.

But NZ discipline was good and opportunities to mount scoreboard pressure didn’t come up as often as SA would’ve liked. SA lacked creativity on attack and they couldn’t force errors or penalties enough to make up for those two conceded tries.

SA didn’t even get a bonus point.

They were down 3-0 and should’ve been down 6-0 but they claimed the lead and never relinquished it.

Certainly was close and the momentum swung the way of the Springboks in the second half until those two penalty kicks made it too big a mountain to climb.

All Blacks resist second-half SA resurgence would be closer to the truth.

He has two sabbaticals in his time at the Blues. Think that’s going to be more a disruption than a blessing. Richie Mo’unga will be rubbing his hands together…

Hurricanes finally add some steel to the pack and Beauden leaves. Got to feel for them and TJ will be distraught.

Blues need a halfback signing as well. Beauden is going to find it tough going to come in halfway through the season and build a combination with someone completely new.

Definitely a good signing for the Blues but how long will it take to pay dividends?

Stop interrupting. My back needs slapping some more. 😉

Thanks, Brett and panel for a great season.

It was an embarrassingly poor show of picking form but rather a dented pride than a foregone conclusion when playing at home.

Favourite moment. The game in Fiji against the Chiefs. An odd choice for a Crusaders game, but allow me to explain.

A twenty point lead or thereabouts and the Crusaders were cruising.

Then the crowd were entertained with some enthralling rugby. Some rather porous defence but we can put that down to humidity, travel fatigue and, mostly, great attacking rugby.

The Crusaders were humbled but they didn’t lose home ground advantage and they got the kick up the proverbial at the perfect time. It set up the annihilation of the Rebels and served as a reminder that a momentary lapse can prove costly. Plus, it was a cracker of a game in front of an appreciative crowd. In the end, rugby was the winner.

Next year, I’ll be looking out for the Highlanders. Thought they were a bit off colour this year. Ben Smith will leave a big hole but there will be lots of players leaving throughout the franchises. Interesting times. Probably further horrendous picks. But proud to say I finished the year with a perfect round! 😉

Yes, that’s a fair point.

Another thing dynasty teams do well is retain players and coaching staff well. Who would want to go anywhere else where the culture and team environment is so healthy?

To me the Lions suffered in both those areas. If they’d retained all their players or nearly all of them and had the same coaching staff, I do believe they would’ve been wiser.

Great summary, Brett.

Composure comes from experience. The more the Jaguares went without scoring, the more that assuredness in defence they exhibited throughout the match deserted them on attack.

Certainly the conditions were not conducive for their intricate attacking play and I think this hurt the Jaguares more than it did the Crusaders. They identified the scrum as an attacking weapon whereas the Jaguares had it much more difficult to attack out wide.

The Lions had back-to-back finals. Something tells me the Jaguares will be back next year. Good luck to them. They will be more formidable for the experience they gained this year.

Thanks for a great article, Conor.

I fell upon this just after recently watching your thoroughly interesting interview with Razor and ROG. I really recommend Roarers check it out.

The way Razor draws in his players with a singular vision and then emphasises the player connections ties in with the thrust of this piece: players have an overall vision and know their individual and collective roles in achieving that.

The Crusaders will lose a lot of IP next year but if Razor is still coach, no doubt he will be plugging that void of experience with players from the academy who are drilled in the ethos and knowledge of the franchise.

Gracias, tío. Un abrazo fuerte!