Mixed Martial Arts Forum banner

RWC: Australia v South Africa

1K views 14 replies 3 participants last post by  UFC_OWNS 
#1 ·


If history is anything to go by, South Africa's clash with Australia in Wellington this weekend is likely to produce the winner of this year's Rugby World Cup.

These two southern hemisphere rivals have met twice before in the tournament and on both occasions the victors went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.

The Springboks and the Wallabies found themselves in the same pool in 1995 and their eagerly-awaited clash in Cape Town was the tournament opener. The pair shared four tries, with Pieter Hendriks and Joel Stransky dotting for the Boks and Phil Kearns and Michael Lynagh crossing for the Wallabies.

But it was the boot of Stransky which ultimately decided the game in the hosts' favour, the fly-half landing four penalties, a drop goal and a conversion as the Boks' triumphed 27-18. It was a hugely significant win for the South Africans, as it provided them with the momentum which propelled them to glory.

The pair would lock horns again four years later, this time in the semi-finals at Twickenham. The Springboks were again in possession of a fly-half with a big boot, Jannie de Beer, who kicked six penalties and a drop goal, he was outshone by Matt Burke, the Wallabies fullback successful with eight strikes on goal as his side edged hom 27-21, their other three points coming courtesy of a drop goal from fly-half Stephen Larkham. The Aussies, buoyed by having dethroned the reigning champions, then took the title by taking France apart in the final.

So, whoever comes out on top at the Westpac Stadium on Sunday will doubtless be hoping that history repeats itself once more.

Australia v South Africa

All-time record: Played: 76, Australia won 31, South Africa won 44, drawn 1

Biggest winning margin: Aus: 49 (49-0 Brisbane 2006); SA: 45 (53-8 Johannesburg 2008)

Highest score: Aus: 49 (49-0 Brisbane 2006); SA: 61 (61-22 Pretoria 1997)

Most tries: Aus: 6 (49-0 Brisbane 2006); SA: 8 (28-3 Johannesburg 1961, 61-22 Pretoria 1997 and 53-8 Johannesburg 2008)

Most points (individual): Aus: 159 Matt Giteau; SA: 140 Percy Montgomery

Most tries (individual): Aus: 9 Matt Giteau; SA: 7 Breyton Paulse

Previous World Cup meetings: 2 (Australia 18-27 South Africa, Cape Town, 1995; Australia 27-21 South Africa, Twickenham, 1999
http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/151035.html
 
See less See more
3
#2 ·
Cannot wait for this match, I have no idea who's gonna take it. I kinda hope the Boks, so, IF Wales get to the final they have a chance of avenging the loss from the pool stages.
 
#6 ·
Which is one of the main reasons I was half rooting for Boks (not a fan of their style, Aus are far more exciting so I'd normally cheer for them). Aus are a far tougher test for Wales.

Rankings change every Monday right? Wales should be at #4 then. And Aus #2. So Aus vs NZ will be #1 vs #2. I always love that.
 
#8 ·
Good. Running rugby is finally dominating, just like it should be.

At least Wales are the top team in the NH, and have at LEAST reached the Semi's. That's HUGE for NH rugby.
 
#9 ·
No whats positive for NH rugby is that the best teamwales) are young and play running rugby not penalty goal rugby like england and ireland and france, I hope they are the ones to start the trend of less penalty goals more tries
 
#10 ·
Tbh Ireland's played a running game against us, and were very very good attacking. Had they taken the 3 penalties we gave them in the first half for points it'd of been a lot closer (then again we missed 2 pens and a conversion so...).

I much prefer to watch a flowing, clinical running rugby game but, if a team can capitilise on forcing errors and turning them into points, good for them.

I'd much rather see Penalties take a dip in the points they are worth though.
 
#11 ·
But the thing is, when a team has a lot of momentum and they get a penalty they instead go for goal, I think only go for penalty goal if they are not going through the defense and the points are nearly guaranteed(a close shot)
 
#12 ·
I can't really argue with that.

Go for corner unless the 3 points are either easy points, or substantial (like the 3 takes you in the lead near the end or to a 2 score lead to secure victory etc).

Ireland did just that against us, went for the posts 3 times. Fiji against us refused to take 3 points twice, even when one of them was literally right under the posts. Found that quite nice of them, they could of easily gone 'F U you are not nilling us'
 
#13 ·
Yeah some teams dont use common sense, the scots,english and argies always go for 50m goals even when losing. they rarely pay off
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top