Japan v South Africa, by a country mile, if only I had watched it live or even taped the whole game. Japan's patience and accuracy under pressure in that last 5 mins to score the winning try was impressive - other countries should watch and learn.
Best Player
A toss up between many Kiwi's, Argentinians, a few South Africans and Aussies, but I think David Pocock was the most consistent performer and put his head and limbs in places few would.
| Ouch.. |
I think statistically it was Romania against Canada, but I personally want to give this to Scotland, who having conceded five tries against the Aussies, scored under the posts with seven minutes to go take the lead. Marvellous stuff, despite the dodgy penalty decision a few minutes later.
| It's raining, don't you just love rain... |
Apologies it has to be England against Wales, who, having been so dominant in the first 65 mins of the game, only to fall behind to a great Welsh try, then contrive to ignore a penalty to draw the game (which would have been good enough to get out of the group) and mess up the lineout 10 yards out. So, the Welsh may have cheated slightly to get the ball out of play, but the decision to throw the ball to the front was always a risk and easy to defend.
Biggest "Out Of Jail" Moment
There were many, including Australia winning and kicking that penalty against Scotland, but I think New Zealand's ability to constantly slow the ball down at the breakdown, and not get penalised by the ref is admirable. Even in the final, McCaw, Kaino and Read were always slow to roll away from the breakdown, or interfering with the scrum half, sometimes causing Genia to climb over them like a kids playground, losing balance, before passing the ball away. Nigel Owens, like all the refs, obviously wants to keep play flowing, but as NZ know they will get the benefit of the doubt, they do it everytime without sanction, with the result that Australia, or any team playing NZ, never get quick ball and put them under pressure. This has to be looked at - McCaw has only been carded three times in his whole international career, once during this tournament, for a deliberate trip. The refs have to grow bigger balls and deter this cynical behaviour by penalising it immediately, regardless of the offender. Only then will teams get the quicker ball everyone wants to see, put defences under real pressure and score more tries (even against the All Blacks).
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| Remember Ritchie, support your own weight |
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