Replay of 2007 Rugby World Cup in 2011?

Thanks for all your comments. It would be boring if everyone agreed with me. However, did you see the Italy Russia game last night where an Italian player, in a ruck and off his feet, stopped the Russian half back from getting a quick ball away? He was not penalised for this! Please look at all the games played by England, Scotland, Ireland and Italy and watch for one of their players lying across a ruck on the opposition's side simply to slow the ball down. With England playing in white last weekend it was easy to spot. Please also do not think that I am whinging because the Wallabies lost. We simply didn't show enough authority. I was there in Paris at the final of RWC 2007 and it was boring. The Springboks were masterful and Englasnd terrible. i fear this tournament it heading the same way.

I've been saying it all year...throw the ball around as much as they like.Let's see how expansive the AB's and Wobblies are when everything's on the line.S15 rugby is hurting then.

Tofoa

I think he was born in Wales

Of course he does. He is Samoan, most of them have connections in NZ

Tongan name (afaik), WRU player

You mean Faletau from Welsh Samoa? Or is that actually a Welsh name?

Sorry but 2007 was not the most boring cup in history, in terms of tries and suspense it was up there with the best. The Boks scored plenty of tries in the pool stages so there is no argument there. In terms of the Final, has tthe author ever played in a Cup Final? The players aknowledged that it is one of the most nervous and stressful events in their lives to play in a Final so the armchair critics should shove off. Final footy is about winning the game, not hearts and minds.

Kovana dude, do you even know where NZ is or how many people live there?

I think you guys miss the big picture. Yes, you are right that such low scoring high-intensity games are great for us lot who follow, play and live the game but for relative newcomers who represent the future of our sport, they need something more compelling and easy to translate. Remember todays youth are attracted more and more to video games and soccer than slugfests on a rugby pitch. As I mentioned in another comment, if these slug fest come up Only "every 4 years" then I personally don't mind but the RWC is unfortunately a crucial marketing opportunity to get yong players to buy in. I am not sure but I reckon it is akin to using a big tittied but basically stupid blonde in your advertising as opposed to a more practical but less attractive, good natured/intelligent lass. Something like that... Am sure someone can come up with a better analogy. The key as I see it is to merge the best of both worlds: try scoring (non-playing fanbase) plus hard grunt matches (for the devotee/purists). Therefore it ain't broke in my eyes (as a SH fan).

peterk i disagree to play running rugby u have to have the forwards to provide the platform. aus didnt have the forwards so were forced to play irelands game. The boks had such forward dominance that they played vicious running rugby against fiji. Against wales they were just forced to defend and were lucky to take get points for the few oppurtunities they had! wales on the other hand were able to play their backline with ease due to the domination at the breakdown created by their forwards. the all blacks can cream any team on earth with running rugby if their forwards pitch up on the day. To me and maybe its because im a south african and this is how i was taught to play rugby, its how the forwards perform that dictates what type of game is played

kovana thats just because its in a small country like new zealand. The all blacks are a huge part of rugby, they deserve to have this world cup and i hope more in the future even if it means the irb wont make as much money hosting it in other countries

bakkies Exactly, it just doesnt happen very often. That just shows what an achievment it was yet many ppl didnt appreaciate the rugby played. the england team of the martin johnson era was also phenomenal! probably 1 of the best teams to ever play rugby. Yet again considered boring by many. dont get me wrong i love running rugby and tries just as much as the next guy but i also enjoy the high pressure arm wrestle style of rugby.

and may have to be demolished so the Cake Tin would be for a while.

Yep, only AUS have not had their line crossed.

Faletau scored for Wales against SA.

Lancaster Park would have been larger than the Cake Tin had it been available.

It should have gone to South Africa to be fair. A Rugby World Cup Final at Soccer City would have been awesome. Inside of France at least they had the Velodrome and Parc des Princes. In NZ the second biggest stadium is the Cake Tin.

or are a loig troll The '98 Wallabies were the other team to beat the ABs 3-0 in the modern era

The Wallabies kicked plenty of up and unders. Why they did that against Ireland only the players can answer that. The Irish are the best under the high ball and only one of them was useful when Beale went over Kearney