C'mon Geekzoners = Give us your views on Rugby World Cup 2011!

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#535091 19-Oct-2011 11:34

networkn: Well I am not too happy. I have found out that they are releasing 900 more tickets today, I didn't know that yesterday and wasn't told when I asked, and so I paid $1000 + GST for a ticket, to find I can buy tickets for less today! More interestingly, the $1000 package includes hospitality on a $399 ticket, meaning $800 a person for hospitality's with a cash bar. Not sure what food they intend to serve for $800, at 3pm.

Re-read your previous post. The money is spent so no point in looking back now. Look forward to going to the game and maximise the enjoyment as much as you can.

I just pray that Craig Joubert (referee) has the game of his life, with absolutely no wrong calls and that the superior team wins. The best outcome would be that people can't remember the name of the ref when the All Blacks won the RWC2011, that would mean he had that 'perfect game'.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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#535093 19-Oct-2011 11:40

dingbatt: you are right of course, just makes you grit your teeth for a few minutes I guess.

You are also correct re the ref, pretty sure he will be fine.

I am pretty sick of the whining from the SA/Welsh, I see now the IRB are considering action against Gattland for THINKING of cheating :) Good luck with that.

Unfortunately the overbearing nature of the IRB has stopped this tournament being perfect, but its still by far and away the best yet!

Dingbatt: I notice in your signature you have the 1000i Harmony remote, if you get the chance, take a look at the harmony one, I had 3 generations of the 1000i and I can tell you the One is just superior in every single way.

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#535110 19-Oct-2011 12:25

Goddam IRB, I've never come across an organisation so out of touch that they enforce rules entirely by the book so often, it's kindof surreal

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#535121 19-Oct-2011 13:00

Just bought tickets for my partner and I for the bronze final. Would love to be at the grand final, but can't bear to part with the $$$.

networkn

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#535141 19-Oct-2011 14:04

I am wondering what we are doing for players and coaches after the final. GH has said he is moving on regardless, Smith is going to the chiefs regardless, Hanson could be gunning for the top job possibly? Is he the guy for the job I wonder?

Ritchie, Thorn and I think 4 others I can't recall the names of, are going I would guess.

Read would be obvious captaincy choice I would think, Cruden will be our number 10 for at least 3 months while Carter recovers and gets back into form.

I wonder what the chances of Jake White Coaching the AB's would be?

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#535153 19-Oct-2011 14:35

Top job will most likely go to Hansen, especially with how good the forwards have gone during the RWC. Also, it will be dependant on them winning on Sunday! Gatland would've had a good chance if he wasn't already signed on to Wales for another 4 years.

If I remember corectly Ritchie is signed for another 2 years, but I would like to see captaincy duties gradually passed on as I doubt he'll be here for the next RWC. I agree that Read is the most likely option.

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#535171 19-Oct-2011 15:18

Pretty sure Richie and Carter have both signed for another 4 years. I agree Richie will be well past his prime come 2015 but his experience and leadership will be invaluable to the All Blacks (and Crusaders) in the meantime.

Let's not worry too much about the future though, and get in behind the boys this week! It ain't gonna be a cake walk, as so many journos are predicting. These Frenchies are more than capable of pushing our boys, does anyone remember Carisbrook in 2009?

We need to approach this final with the same (if not more) passion and intensity as the semi.

GO THE ALL BLACKS!!!

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#536082 21-Oct-2011 12:06

SumnerBoy: Pretty sure Richie and Carter have both signed for another 4 years. I agree Richie will be well past his prime come 2015 but his experience and leadership will be invaluable to the All Blacks (and Crusaders) in the meantime.

Let's not worry too much about the future though, and get in behind the boys this week! It ain't gonna be a cake walk, as so many journos are predicting. These Frenchies are more than capable of pushing our boys, does anyone remember Carisbrook in 2009?

Let me try a justin marshall commentary on the final ... (sorry if it turns out to be a Devlin take on things)

1) the future: I don't think McCaw and Carter has half a chance in 4 years having seen what the guys half my age are capable of today. sorry but ... that's reality ... unless the young guns go backwards or Carter somehow gets even better and faster!

2) the top 15 (or 14 if you think Cruden is slightly inferior to carter): may have been twisted by circumstances - the experience and stamina of Woodcock at tighthead (with the 22 named he's gonna have to play at least 80 mins). the strength, experience, scrumhalf ability, dynamic linebreaking ability of mealamu. our tight five is as good as it gets. don't forget the french tight five is heavier and faster and can run the ball - beware if they show up to play.

loose trio - you have to say ours is as good as it gets - the fittest and strongest guys are on our team. but don't tell me the french did not get to the final because their loosies are as big strong and can run the ball. discipline may let the french down, but if they show up to play, it's gonna be one hell of a battle.

inside backs - i'm pretty sure if carter was playing weepu may well be on the bench. but he's not, and as such weepu will be the brain and the key to our attack. the funny thing is sometimes the outside backs come inside to receive the ball and they will be crucial, esp the dagger, to slip thru non existent gaps. otherwise nonu needs a big game to get past the giant french wall, which, as i said, on a good day is as good as the boks in 2007. the french? well - all of them can kick high, kick low, run the ball, pass it like a basketball, as as fast as anyone in the competition. don't forget their top flyhalf is on the bench! defense isn't too bad too.

outside backs - i think we have the advantage here ... what can i say!

and finally the most important man of the game - joubert! i cannot emphasise, that in the last decade, we have seen teams shaken by poor refereeing in soccer and rugby. but many poor calls have gone the favourites' or home teams' way ... so ... who knows!

the bench -
no idea about the french but presumably they are as good as the starting 15 they replace.
my only head scratchie abour our bench is SBW and stephen donald. stephen has not played a minute of the cup. not one minute (ok he may have but i don't remember he did anything useful??). i think he's there to kick goals if required. not a bad backup plan should the dreaded top 2 kickers be out or a kick off is needed (somehow i think the rules eliminate that possibility because we defeated the french in the pool? someone?). SBW - an impact player he certainly is due to his strength ... but i don't know if he is as technically skilled as some other players and certainly not specialised in anything!

bring on les blanc!

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#536218 21-Oct-2011 17:33

conclusion: in a tight match, a successful drop goal will decide the trophy. yachvili, parra, and trinh-duc are all regular drop-goalers from around 35 metres, although only one of them will be given the blessings by lievremont so the rest can set it up. cruden better practice his with an ellis bullet pass as he may need all the time he gets to make it less pressured.

verdict: controlled, accurate attacking with good option taking to pull ahead early in each half is the key to an all-black victory on their home ground. the french are likely to play a defensive albeit slightly superior tactical kicking game while the scores are tight, but will let loose on the counter at every opportunity, but so will the all blacks.

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#536226 21-Oct-2011 18:13

My predictions, Aussies win 33-13 and NZ 38-9

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#536244 21-Oct-2011 18:59

wales vs wallabies: i think wales have a real chance here of breaking aussie hearts. even without big sam. they play like the all blacks you know ... and i don't believe the aussies will defend their hearts out like they did against south africa. i hope it is an open match with lots of tries and lax defending ;p

unless spoilt by barnie who of course can still turn out to be the villian. or quade cooper - but i think in a no pressure test (pun not intended) expect a few no look passes and an intercept try in each half!

based on form, wales to win by a converted try. i do love the aussies but it's up to them to prove me wrong ...

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riahon

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#536247 21-Oct-2011 19:18

Hoping for a Wales win. I am sure they will want to put pressure on Quade Blooper. The Wales I think will come out with more fire and heart as I think they still have something to play for.

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#536251 21-Oct-2011 19:49

Wales
They almost and should have beaten the French. France didnt play well but they tried, so Wales did take it to them.

Australia
Barely average results against lesser sides throughout pool play. Hard to play hard, in what is a lost and disappointing campaign

I think Wales can win and they will put it all on the line, they as a lower Tier 1 side can stamp themselves as a pure tier 1 team. Wales by just a few points, they are hungrier and for them, and this is a successful result for them to be in this game. Crowd favourite.

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#536254 21-Oct-2011 19:55

joker97: conclusion: in a tight match, a successful drop goal will decide the trophy. yachvili, parra, and trinh-duc are all regular drop-goalers from around 35 metres, although only one of them will be given the blessings by lievremont so the rest can set it up. cruden better practice his with an ellis bullet pass as he may need all the time he gets to make it less pressured.

verdict: controlled, accurate attacking with good option taking to pull ahead early in each half is the key to an all-black victory on their home ground. the french are likely to play a defensive albeit slightly superior tactical kicking game while the scores are tight, but will let loose on the counter at every opportunity, but so will the all blacks.

Man if 3 points is all that is in this game, I am not certain my heart will take it, though the celebration likely would be more if it were a closer game, personally, I want it to be 100 nil at half time and 200 nil at full time.

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#536309 21-Oct-2011 22:37

Wow I really felt for Australia losing both Cooper and Beale. The second I saw Cooper go down I knew what had happened. I really felt for him. He had played well up until that point. I don't like the guy, but I think the boo'ing is just BS and it's such a shame for him to exit that way.

I was miles off my prediction of 33-13 to Australia.

I can't believe the poor commentary, some of the dumbest things said by Kiwi's in a long time..

MM : It's forward, but it's of no consequence (Even before the try was scored). (Imagine if someone said that in 2007!

Can't recall who was saying "Genia has had a poor tournament, really hasn't played very well", "I am not criticizing Genia" (Really, what was that then)

There were three others that really made me shake my head..

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