RWC 2011 - Quarter final 3 : Springbokke v. Wallabies CLOSED

[RedsHappy]

Unfortunately, despite denials, cooper can't cope with the hate- and it's not going to go away, specially next weekend

Forget about Mark Reason. He is a tool. So is Zavos. Find conversation about which hemisphere has the bigger w@nker journos bit pointless. they are all desperate attention seekers

That's likely true on all the evidence. But there's also evidence to confirm that this appalling Kiwi crowd behaviour - the relentless desire to undermine a fine player allegedly for 'offences' against their national treasure but really a vicious, unsporting desire to undermine a clear and present threat to their team - is now a symptom not of a love of rugby, but of pathetic cultural neurosis that associates a winning of a RWC as confirmation of a fragile national identity.

What is taking place against Cooper is in fact the ultimate cheap shot in a sport. It being obsessively repeated and has as its end the destruction of a player's will and confidence by means that have nothing to with playing capability or the AB's own skills.

Whatever Cooper's individual failings, this display cheapens NZ in many Australian eyes. Australian society has been exceptionally accommodating of many tens of thousands of Kiwis' unrelenting desire to leave their own country for better provision here. So I for one deeply resent what is taking place against Cooper at this RWC.

 

[Patto.]

Reds happy, I absolutely agree with you. Was going to write along identical lines. Very poor form by Kiwi's. We should cut their dole-

 

[MrMouse]

So do you advocate that players play outside the rules of the game (ie cheat), if the ref fails to marshall the breakdowns?

By definition, the referee's word is the whole of the law. Ergo, whatever he says the laws are, they are that day.

 

[MrMouse]

Bryce lawrence must be the worst ref at the WC, He did every thing he could to make sure the Aussies won as the Black fear the bokk.:angryfire:

Look at the recent records of the two sides against the ABs...look at who came first in the 3N, and who came last. Then maybe re-evaluate your opinion.

 

[Jay]

Look at the recent records of the two sides against the ABs..

Uh....you really want to do that? Cause the Boks have a better record vs the AB's in the last 4 years. The only season where the Wallabies have a better record vs the AB's is 2010 and it was still 1-3.

 

[Braveheart81]

Those last 5 minutes was probably the most nervewracking, adrenaline filled bit of sport watching I've ever had as a Wallabies fan. It was intense. I reckon it took a couple of years off my life.

Obviously McCabe was forced off with an injury, but overall our bench was used very well. I would have liked to have seen Burgess get a run as I thought Genia wasn't having a great game but aside from that, the replacements came on at good times and did an excellent job.

We'll be sweating on Beale and McCabe this week. Hopefully KB (Kurtley Beale)'s hamstring just tightened up and he doesn't have a tear. He hobbled off a bit, but he certainly didn't look too terrible. Touch wood, he's alright. McCabe was apparently talking up his shoulder afterwards saying it was just a stinger. Let's hope he's right. He put in a tremendous 50 minutes. He missed one tackle which led to a linebreak but followed it up two minutes later with the offload to Horwill for the try. You've got to think that McCabe's shoulder is being held on with sticky tape at this point, but the kid is clearly made of tough stuff. Hopefully he's alright.

I thought Bryce had a better game than he has had previously. His stuff-ups seemed to be far more spread across the two teams.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Reds happy, I absolutely agree with you. Was going to write along identical lines. Very poor form by Kiwi's. We should cut their dole-

He shouldn't have started a fight the final round of which would be in NZ: he's not out there to niggle and it was pointless low class crap. Under the radar is a good place to be - but I guess his ego doesnt allow for that approach

 

[Athilnaur]

Aah Jay, you are being selective. We've all seen Kiwis write off their 'b' team game vs Boks this year. And rightly so.

Let's not try to rewrite history eh, the Wallabies won the 3N playing the best team the Kiwis can field.

Not saying the Boks haven't come right back this RWC, they did and deserve every credit, but in the last two years pre RWC Wallabies were stronger.

 

[Riptide]

The implication that Pocock, Moore, Vickerman, Horwill, and any prop ever, including ours, have had some moral compass beyond "I'll do whatever the ref lets me get away with" is... interesting.

Bang on, but let's not be encumbered by rational arguments when it can get in the way of a good "McCaw is a cheater" shout.

How completely satisfying was it to witness such a smart defensive, courageous defensive performance from the Wallabies and the magnificence of Pocock. Pocock's hands was putting his hands all over the ball after the ruck had formed and I couldn't believe he wasn't being pinged, but the ref wasn't calling it and he was smart enough to identify that and continue with what he was doing.

It's incorrect to say another ref would have pinged the Wallabies off the park, as I believe the Wallabies would have adjusted their game. However, the outcome of the game might have been different.

 

[Jay]

Aah Jay, you are being selective.

Guilty as charged, but then saying "recent records" is also being selective. The Boks and AB's top lineups never faced each other this season, so there's really nothing to compare Brisbane to, so going a bit further back shows the Boks have troubled the AB's a fair bit too. Like I said, the only time in the 3 seasons before that where the Wallabies had a better record was 2010, but then they lost two at home to the AB's that year (the Boks only lost one) and got their sole win in a fourth match at a neutral venue, an opportunity the Boks didn't get.

 

[Riptide]

The Kiwis can boo Quade all they want. Seriously, Cooper can expect a lot worse if he helps the Wallabies beat NZ next weekend. Does he expect roses, civility? No, let them jeer. They will not care to jeer if the Wallabies aren't a threat.

Frankly, I'm looking forward to reading "Pocock cheats" on international rugby forums for years to come and hear some other rugby podcasts mocking the Wallabies derisively as premeditated cheats.

 

[Mr Doug]

Wat a load of rubbish!!!!

Rubbish to you , facts to me!

 

[TSR]

The Kiwis can boo Quade all they want. Seriously, Cooper can expect a lot worse if he helps the Wallabies beat NZ next weekend. Does he expect roses, civility? No, let them jeer. They will not care to jeer if the Wallabies aren't a threat.

Frankly, I'm looking forward to reading "Pocock cheats" on international rugby forums for years to come and hear some other rugby podcasts mocking the Wallabies derisively as premeditated cheats.

LOL - and off course Riptide we will be indignant and claim that Pocock is just a far superior player. Actually I am looking forward to that because if Kiwi fans have to worry about us cheating I am hoping that we are winning a lot more games against them. Hopefully it will start this weekend.

With regards to Cooper - I figure he hasn't exactly tried to shy away from the attention - in fact he pretty much encouraged the NZ fans to bring it on. I am sure the heckling is not helping but it is not going to go away so I guess he'll just have to put up with it.

 

[fatprop]

Now it is the kiwi crowds fault that Cooper played shit?

Come on

It is Quade's fault, no one elses, he needs to harden up, stop trying so hard and gets his runners sorted

 

[Riptide]

LOL - and off course Riptide we will be indignant and claim that Pocock is just a far superior player. Actually I am looking forward to that because if Kiwi fans have to worry about us cheating I am hoping that we are winning a lot more games against them. Hopefully it will start this weekend.

With regards to Cooper - I figure he hasn't exactly tried to shy away from the attention - in fact he pretty much encouraged the NZ fans to bring it on. I am sure the heckling is not helping but it is not going to go away so I guess he'll just have to put up with it.

I have long regarded McCaw as the game's best forward and an extraordinary 7. There are so many aspects to his game, remade under new interpretations, and I have the utmost respect for him. Those screaming "McCaw cheats" do a disservice to an extraordinary player, as I think he represents the best in a game we all loveand I find them puerile and churlish. But McCaw gets the attention because he is a winner on a great team. I want Pocock, whose ground game is better than any other player, to start attracting that attention from the churlish among another nations. I want the Wallabies to win that much.

Cooper is an idiot for much of what he has done, but I still find it distasteful for him to be booed as he is. He is an exceptional talent, with flaws. If we respect this game, and it's culture, we shouldn't boo players.

 

[Cutter]

It was a titanic effort by the Wallabies in the face of unrelenting assault by the Boks and anyone who can't acknowledge their achievement is just cheap.

I've not seen anyone deny their defence was superb. It would be foolish though, to ignore the other failings in their game when they've still got two victories to achieve before they can lay down arms.

 

[Cutter]

Now it is the kiwi crowds fault that Cooper played shit?

Come on

It is Quade's fault, no one elses, he needs to harden up, stop trying so hard and gets his runners sorted

Irrespective of whether it influences his performance, it is inconsistent with the traditions of rugby and of the sporting rivalries between Oz and NZ. This is as embarrassing to NZ as "Hadlee's a wanker" was to Australia. We can be fierce rivals but still respectful of each other.

 

[fatprop]

Irrespective of whether it influences his performance, it is inconsistent with the traditions of rugby and of the sporting rivalries between Oz and NZ. This is as embarrassing to NZ as "Hadlee's a wanker" was to Australia. We can be fierce rivals but still respectful of each other.

I agree it is uncool, but that isn't/can't be considered an excuse or a justification of bad performance.

I am pretty sure that Loftus is a tough place to play as well

 

[Torn Hammy]

McCabe was fearless. The Boks aim a lot of their attack, using their big guys, at the opposing 12 and yesterday McCabe smashed them and drove them back. You could see the disbelief in the Boks' eyes.

In contrast AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was a ghost. I saw him with the ball once.

 

[cyclopath]

McCabe was fearless. The Boks aim a lot of their attack, using their big guys, at the opposing 12 and yesterday McCabe smashed them and drove them back. You could see the disbelief in the Boks' eyes.

In contrast AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) was a ghost. I saw him with the ball once.

Hardly his fault - he'd have had to grab it off Genia or Cooper's boot if he wanted it. I suspect he'll be more utilised next weekend.