Rugby World Cup

[MajGenl.Meade]

48 matches from September 18th to the Final today. And the stupid game is on a TV channel that I don't get! So it's my privilege to have watched the Boks beaten by Blacks (All) but not to see the Blacks (All) beaten by the bodgers from Brisbania.

[Guinevere]

Can you stream it? Poke around, you never know how you might be able to watch it.

Eta: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/inter ... l-3625598/

[MajGenl.Meade]

There's only 3 minutes to go... it takes me that long to scroll through to the infallibly useless link that wants to either charge me money or enslave my mother.

Board.

[Long Run]

At least there is a silver fern lining to your cloudy day.

[Gob]

New Zealand (16) 34
Tries: Milner-Skudder, Nonu, Barrett
Cons: Carter 2
Pens: Carter 4
Drop-goal: Carter

Australia (3) 17
Tries: Pocock, Kuridrani
Cons: Foley 2
Pen: Foley

New Zealand held off a fierce Australian comeback to win a thrilling World Cup final and become the first team to retain their title.

Wonderful tries from Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ma'a Nonu had given the All Blacks a 21-3 lead early in the second half before David Pocock and Tevita Kuridrani struck back.

With 15 minutes to go there were just four points in it, but a nerveless long-distance drop-goal and penalty from Dan Carter snatched back control.

And when replacement Beauden Barrett sprinted away on to Ben Smith's clearing kick at the death history was made, with New Zealand also becoming the first three-time champions of the world.

The achievement is a fitting farewell to their phalanx of retiring greats.

Carter was outstanding under a ferocious Wallaby assault, landing 19 points from the tee, and his captain Richie McCaw was not far behind as their side was tested to the limit.

They have been the outstanding side of this generation, and once again found a way to win when the heat came on from their great trans-Tasman rivals.

[MajGenl.Meade]

South Africa said farewell to a swathe of their golden generation. Schalk Burger, Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield won’t compete at the next World Cup in Japan.

“I think it’s the end of an era and the start of a new one in away - Springboks forwards that are saying goodbye after the game,” commented Patrick Lambie, who had replaced Willie Le Roux after 64 minutes to get a landmark 50th cap.

“They have been fantastic ambassadors; they have really put their bodies on the line over the years. It means that there are opportunities for younger players going forward with the Springboks

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Meade wrote:

Well, that was entirely predictable. I'm afraid the Boks are showing their age. Victor Matfield for crying out loud? Even Habana looked done in

Bob Dylan rote:

You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows