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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
South Africa vs Wales -Findings From My First Game 6 views
12 September 2011 by The Swede Eaters
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Wiki Player
James Hook,
Bismarck du Plessis,
John Smit
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I attended the South Africa vs Wales match and here are my findings.
I braved the Wellington weather to watch South Africa hold on to defeat Wales 17-16. Here are ten findings from my first visit to a Rugby World Cup match.
1) The crowd of nearly 35,000 was a fairly even split of supporters with plenty of South African fans who have come to Wellington for a week to also enjoy the Fiji game next weekend. The Wales supporters were generally local New Zealanders or Wales visitors. It was great being part of a big crowd.
2) Wales were unlucky to lose this match. They missed a late penalty and a late drop goal for starters. An early penalty kick by James Hook was not awarded when the shot at goal went close to going over. I was staring down the barrel at it and the problem was that it looked to go high over the upright post. It looked to be successful on the television replay. This will be talked about because Wales lost by one point. Watch the video highlights here.
3) The breakdown is still a point of conjecture. I thought I saw Springbok Heinrich Brussouw getting his hands on the ball without being penalised while off his feet. His knees were touching players on the ground. I also thought the final turnover of the match right on full-time happened thanks to South Africans coming in from the side. The rulings will become more important the further the tournament progresses.
4) Wales lack penetration. While Wales tried hard, they didn't really have the ability to break through the defence and can't do the Sonny Bill Williams offloads or create extra space. Mind you, some credit for this must go to the Springboks defence. Wales did show the importance of starving the Springboks of possession. You can't win unless you have the ball, although the Springboks just did in this case.
5) This was a typical performance from the Springboks who offered very little in attack themselves but played a strong kicking game for territory, kicked their goals and were strong defensively.
6) How much longer can John Smit start ahead of Bismarck Du Plessis? Du Plessis showed his worth when he came off the bench, and while Smit is a great leader, he is a passenger these days compared with Du Plessis who I would rate as the best hooker in the world.
7) Springboks fullback Francois Steyn has lost his locks and when he scored the early try for the Springboks, I was almost left reaching for my neighbour's $15 souvenir match programme to check who the Springboks Number 15 was. He looks bigger and like less of a mummy's boy with his new haircut and showed strength to score that try. I wonder if he was going for some anonymity when he some how managed to fumble and bumble a Wales kick in the first half but some how didn't lose the ball forward.
8) Rugby fans are different than football or Wellington Sevens fans. My red and white Santa Claus suit in support of Wales was one of the most outrageous costumes there. The crowd didn't do regular chanting like at the Wellington Phoenix or All Whites matches in recent years. The costumes were more wearing a national rugby jersey. This is tough for us New Zealanders who are going to several neutral games. At the Wellington Sevens everyone goes in fancy dress and most people get drunk. This was a pleasant crowd atmosphere as most people had paid plenty for their seats and so wanted to enjoy it. The rugby fans overseas are generally quite well off if they can afford to come and because rugby in other countries is for the wealthier types. Most New Zealanders at the game also had work the next day. Alcohol is also so expensive at the Rugby World Cup. Because there wasn't as much chanting as football it means you get more individuals yelling out and hoping Wayne Barnes can hear comments about his heritage and sexual orientation.
9) Security was slacker than I thought. We thought we would have to arrive earlier than usual given the size of the crowd, but alas, we went through security rather quickly without getting feel up by the security staff like I sometimes do. It was a little disappointing not getting that hands on attention. Even my friend with a bag got through relatively quickly. It just meant sitting in our uncovered seats in the rain longer.
10) We see the Springboks all the time, but we don't see as much of Wales. Their loose forwards were impressive with Toby Faletau and captain Sam Warburton were impressive and I enjoyed their midfield of Jamie Roberts and Johnathon Davies.
11) Why don't they show words to the national anthems on the big screen? While it was difficult to know how many neutrals were at this match, you would think that it would be beneficial to post the words to the South African and Wales national anthems on the big screen.
12) Wales winger Shane Williams seems to be average whenever he plays against the bigger Southern Hemisphere backs. His lack of size was a problem again tonight as with in the Northern Hemisphere he seems to be a star. Admittedly the damp conditions didn't help his reliance on pace.
13) What does this mean for Pool D the "Group of death"? I think it shows that South Africa aren't going to have it their own way. It also has sounded a warning to Fiji and Samoa, that it will be more difficult to upset Wales than in previous tournaments. The bonus point from the narrow loss will help the Welsh cause.
What have you taken out of the Rugby World Cup or the South Africa v Wales?
rugbyworldcuptips.com
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