England versus South Africa. Who picked it? I mean, really, genuinely picked this as the Rugby World Cup final ahead of time. Anyone?
Nope, didn’t think so.
Yet, in a funny sort of way, the unforeseen final will quite likely make the 2019 edition of the World Cup all the more memorable.
What’s very clear is that both England and South Africa can definitely play to a game plan very specific for their opposition.
Quite how that looks next Saturday night is for our best guess until then, and the fact that it is an unexpected final has me looking forward to these discussions this week that little bit more.
The two semi-finals were about as contrasting as they get.
England-New Zealand was one of those bell-ringers that stays with you for years after the event, and my recording has already had the lock function applied to it. If the final is half as good, then it will still be an excellent game.
Wales-South Africa was… well, it’s important we have games like this one, because it immediately makes us appreciate games like the first semi-final that little bit more.
It’s hard to know where to start about England’s superb 19-7 win over New Zealand on Saturday night.
(Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
Even when England got out to the quick start, scoring in the second minute of the game through Manu Tualagi, I’m sure I wasn’t alone in shifting forward in the seat waiting for the response that just never came.
The truth of the performance is double-edged. The All Blacks played about as well as England allowed them to. They had moments – only small moments – but just couldn’t ever convert these small moments into genuine opportunities.
And then to top that off, England just kept applying the scoreboard pressure that always seemed to increase as New Zealand thought they might have been edging closer.
Much like the first Bledisloe Cup Test loss in Perth, New Zealand just couldn’t ever work their way to ascendency. And even if you subscribe to the theory that the All Blacks only lost that game because of the red card before half time, the fact of the matter remains that the Wallabies were already well on top by the time Scott Barrett received his marching orders.
It may well go down as Eddie Jones’ most magnificent victory in time, and the sheer amount of planning and preparation that had gone into England’s approach for this game was apparent very early in the contest.
New Zealand’s decision to play Scott Barrett at blindside flank was supposed to give them a lineout advantage, so England only kicked into touch a dozen times. And then still won 18 of their 20 lineout throws anyway.
Four years ago, England didn’t really play a true on-ball openside flanker, yet here is Eddie Jones going into the biggest game of his Red Rose coaching tenure with Sam Underhill causing all sorts of problems for New Zealand at the breakdown, and with Tom Curry turning in an incredible breakdown performance in the No.6 jersey as well.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen hooked Barrett at half time, but Sam Cane couldn’t do anything to stem the breakdown bleeding. Ardie Savea made more tackles than anyone on the night, yet his breakdown presence wasn’t as pronounced as it has been.
Owen Farrell and Tualagi did quite the job on Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue, and George Ford controlled the tactical kicking quite superbly.
This is why Hansen was left to offer nothing but praise. “They’re a good team – there’s no shame in getting beaten by them,” he said post-match.
“They were deserved winners tonight. We’ve got no regrets.
“Sometimes you might find that sport’s not fair. But tonight it was. We just got beaten by a better team and we have to take that on the chin.”
The nature of the England win has already upped the calls for Rugby Australia to repatriate the former Randwick hooker.
That’s a phone call for after the final – and Jones surely wouldn’t take the call before the final anyway – but it’s a phone call that should be made nonetheless, even if Jones is contracted for another few years yet.
Sunday night’s second semi-final saw the phrase “one for the purists” used early and often.
(Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
In a game featuring just over one kick per minute, it was a spectacle that perhaps enthused only the Gilbert research and development department.
Like New Zealand, Wales enjoyed more than 60 per cent territory for the match, and had a similar share of possession, too. But like England, South Africa were content to tackle their way into the final, and with Faf de Klerk’s box kicking constantly drilling the ball back over the Welsh defence.
De Klerk kicked more than Ben Youngs and Aaron Smith combined. Where Youngs and Smith kicked from hand around ten per cent of their possessions, De Klerk’s ratio was closer to 45 per cent. Gareth Davies wasn’t too far behind.
Just before Wales’ try in the 65th minute, with winger Josh Adams crashing over in the corner after Alun Wyn Jones’ balls-of-steel decision to take the scrum option from a penalty on the South African try line, the Boks successfully repelled 21 phases of Welsh pick and drive.
It was a phenomenal defensive shift.
Whether South Africa will have as much success slowing down the English ball next weekend remains to be seen.
And I wonder if their coach Rassie Erasmus will give thought to starting Francois Louw as Stuart Barnes pondered in the Fox Sports studio in Australia.
Louw’s impact in the last 12 minutes of the game won’t be easily forgotten among Springboks fans. Nor Welsh fans, I suspect.
“We would love to win the World Cup,” Erasmus said with that beaming grin rightly plastered across his face.
“We will play a class England team in the final now, but we’re there, we’ve got a chance and we might go all the way.”
They just might, too. But they almost certainly won’t start as favourites.
And either way, it’s going to be quite the build-up to Saturday night. Even if no-one saw it coming.
OTN
Roar Rookie
Thanks Geoffo, I guess losing brings out the worst in the best of us.
Ex force fan
Guest
It is finals week an a lot is happening: - England is adjusting to their new found favourites tag after beating the All Blacks hoping many players that are carrying injuries will recover in time for the final - Coach Eddie will try to ensure that the emotional high from beating the All Blacks do not compromise preparations - England will also have to defend themselves against the charge that they disrespected the haka by putting a toe over the halfway line - an unnecessary distraction - While England came in the finals well rested by not having to play France in the pool stages, they have just played Australia and New Zealand in consecutive weeks - are they ready for South Africa in a third? - England will have an extra day to prepare and to study the lessons from SF2 that should not take them longer than 10 seconds to do In the Springbok camp it is most likely business as usual: - They are the underdog and preparing outside the media sight while attention is focussed on the favourites - Their B-side did the job in the pool stages and A-side is well rested coming from a tough physical game against Wales but a relative easier assignment against Japan - They are by now used to referee Garces and the way he interpret and rewards defense. They would have noticed that they get panalised every time they want to play rugby so rather kick for terrotory, chase and defend until you get a kickable penalty will be the game plan - Rassie's biggest decision will be to start Marx or Bongi, Floors or Kolisi, Willie or Frans... however I expect no change - the same team, the same strategy and hopefully.... the same result
Ex force fan
Guest
If NZ played like they did against Ireland in the QF and England as they did against Australia there was no way England would have beaten NZ but they did. A week in rugby is a long time.
Neil
Guest
Yep, nobody gave the Boks a shot then either ...
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
I think pieces which show lively bits of rugby intelligence and execution at work are always cheerful T-man - whichever nation happens to be performing them! :happy:
Brett McKay
Expert
He's not the messiah, he's just a very good coach. You asked, I answered. And you're clearly not changing your mind, so don't expect me to change mine..
Ragnar
Roar Rookie
They looked dominant to me by the last 10 mins. And the Welsh were almost out on their feet.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Valid point. No they haven't.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Brett: Chasing what is considered to be 'Jesus Christ' today is not great for tomorrows men. I can imagine Eddie the eye in control of the U20's cream coming through over the next 3 years. Not great for Australia IM not so HO. Get a younger coach who can make the most of the youngsters and build us something seriously good for the next RWC. Eddie seems to suit England but it is a country riven by politics and always has been, Brexit proves that and Eddie is one of the best in that game at that game.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Maybe, but I do think focussing on the breakdown given the raves of Underhill and Curry, rather than seemingly dismissing it entirely might have helped. This reminds so much of 2003 its surreal.
taylorman
Roar Guru
ok then, can you add some Christmas lights to it to make it a more cheerful read Nick? :laughing:
Ralph
Roar Guru
Well we don't know the true injury situation. Maybe Crotty wasn't right.
PeterK
Roar Guru
You are so hurt and angry, hope you had a cry and feel a lot better now. Wow you remember 5-6 years ago nice to see how much I mean to you yet funnily I don't remember anything that you have written from even yesterday, that is how unmemorable you are. Also since it makes you feel so much better keep up with the name calling, I understand you need a release.
RobC
Roar Guru
His box kicking better be up to scratch! :laughing:
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Oh no, the dxxkhead moniker fits. Why you decided to include me in an abstract post which had no base I have no clue which I elected to call you out on. Others have previously and they will continue so. But your ignorance and arrogance will not allow your to cease. To think you pretend to know how I felt after a game of rugby is absolutely laughable. It was like the last time I posted to you after you butt in with some snide comment 5-6 years ago .. Then again leopards don’t change their spots, one a dxxkhead, always one
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Gidday Brett. Good piece mate. I thought Wales had that game on the tips of their fingers but they just didn't move the ball round enough which suited the Boks strangulation. Flo made a bit of a statement didn't he and I would be surprised if he didn't take the field against England. The Roses were absolutely superb. From the whistle. Their defense was outstanding and they suffocated the All Blacks who were again slow out of the blocks. The English forwards carried hard over the gain-line and Curry and Underhill dominated the breakdown. Itoje a deserved MOTM, but in truth any of the pack could have received that gong. I thought right up to the turnover in the 62nd minute the All Blacks would respond but they made little adjustment after the first half and paid the price. And the Whitelock penalty sealed it. That was a painful 13 minutes to close it out. A sad way for Hansen to go out, clearly out-coached, but perhaps a sign that change is required. Around about Perth I figured a three-peat may be statistically unachievable and stuck $20 on an England-South Africa final and a Springbok win, despite still picking the All Blacks on Superbru. A hollow consolation prize...
PeterK
Roar Guru
rugby tragic - hahahaha continuing with the name calling I see. So you have a juvenile over reaction just because you are hurting because your team was smashed and you want to lash out, and then when pointed out you repeat it. All class as I say, perhaps you need some emotional support , after all my god your team lost a game of rugby. I suppose that is why your handle is Rugby Tragic.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
I said almost the same thing ADP. Something like, “if the ABs play the same way they did against Ireland, I don’t see England winning”. But they didn’t. England didn’t let them. Now the Springboks have their chance to play spoiler.
Harry Jones
Expert
RT, I think the best thing to do with young pups like Curry and Underhill is introduce them to pain. They usually don’t know their true threshold, and it can be really distressing to find that.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
A small correct of a typo, second half possession for NZ should have shown 51% Not 61% Those stats were courtesy of Union live I sincerely apologized for making such a critical error that might have had a good percentage of the Roar outraged. That was the very first time in about 6-7 years I have ever attempted to post any stats on this forum I see you like many others like to give the impossible 110% when 100% is the actual limit As you all can see now I stand accused of committing some grave mistake by the Roar’s Prince of pedantic Dxxkheads PeterK I guess I should be punished for such a major discretion with the penalty to be decided by who, the openly bias against all things Kiwi PeterK .. for such a crime perhaps exportation back to NZ. I’ll let you guys decide.