2023 RWC Buildup, Squads, Fixtures 'etc'

NZ had to beat Ireland, who were world #1 at the time.

Now they have to beat SA, who are currently world #1.

SA only came up against the #1 ranked team once, and lost. It doesn't really fit the narrative that NZ have had it easy.

Hilarious. They may end up beating themselves by selecting a 7-1 split, so you might be on to something.

I don't think anyone has questioned whether SA would be worthy. People only seem to think that NZ aren't worthy due to them having a 'soft draw'.

Don't agree with this. While SA had a tougher route to the final, they lost a game and their only significant win had big question marks. They won v France due to a bad ref call, SA got a pen and 3 points when it should have been a pen and likely 3 points the other way. The game was far more than "80 minutes of forwards smashing each other" too.

They were flat v England, most likely due to the physical and emotional toll the quarter took from them. However they didn't rotate so that is on their coaches.

Ireland were well below par for the first 20 minutes v SA yet they didn't really take advantage. Despite Ireland's poor start and and SA having basically a new pack for the final 25 minutes, SA still do enough to win.

Ultimately bringing 7 forwards off the bench against Ireland wasn't enough to win them that game and I suspect it will be the same tonight. NZ were excellent v Ireland, better than SA were against us. I think NZs peak is actually higher than SAs, although SA generally perform at a more consistent level.

Every team can point to referee calls. I was talking about the semi final which was clearly a forwards battle and them bashing each other. You're criticising their coaches for not rotating in a World Cup semi final?

As I said above, South Africa were aiming to win their quarter final with less emphasis on the group phase. That's something we can learn from. We will never know what impact the preceding games had on the outcome tonight, we'll only have opinions. I think if it was 2 fresh teams, South Africa would show that the record defeat they handed out to New Zealand before the tournament wasn't a fluke. I don't think anyone can argue against that New Zealand will be the fresher team tonight.

It's gas that this is probably the most social media engagement anything World Cup related has received so far.

New Zealand had an easier quarter final and semi final. Argentina are a good bit worse than England. Last night's game was a nothing match.

They just beat France at their home World Cup in an epic battle, you're not rotating in a World Cup semi final after that. Do you think Ireland would rest Sexton and others for a World Cup semi final? Nonsense suggestion and they're not rotating like you're suggesting for the World Cup final.

I think both tried to win their group games but the whole coaching setup etc were aiming to peak later in the tournament. It turns out that they were spot on in their preparation. As I said, something we can learn from.

Your last statement is an opinion I'd disagree with but we'll never find out the answer.

You are also saying that NZ has an advantage tonight by being the fresher team. SA could have negated that by making a few changes for the semi. As you said, the quarter was an epic battle and many were no doubt still feeling the effects 6 days later. There is a snowball effect now after the same team started the semi.

There are several positions where there is very little between SAs starter and the backup. I think they would have gotten past England with a couple of changes, possibly more comfortably than they actually did as they would have had fresher lads for that game and guys would have been looking to secure a starting place for the final.

23-21.

SA win and the rugby world spends the next 4 years adopting (copying) the innovations that rassie has brought to this competition.

I think a nervy first 40 with teams level at halftime

NZ have also been had an extra days rest thanks to the nature of the draw. Ans they played their last group game on a Thursday. It's not their fault, but world rugby really don't do a very good job to endure a level playing field.