rugby world cup final

I thought that one thing we’ve done over the past few days is put the Rugby World Cup Final disappointment behind us.  

We've dealt with the result, we've welcomed the team home, we’ve said farewell to a bunch of players —quite nice scenes at the airport I thought, with people warmly welcoming the All Blacks and Ian Foster home— and I thought that’s it. We can move on now.   

So, I admit it was with some shock that I clicked on to the New Zealand Herald website this morning to see the news that Wayne Barnes —who oversaw the World Cup Final between South Africa and the All Blacks— has retired from refereeing, stating that online abuse and threats have become too regular for everyone involved in rugby.   

So, one of the top, if not the top ref in rugby, is gone from the game in —let’s be honest— his prime, at the relatively young age of 44, having overseen 111 test matches.   

What a career and what a disgrace.   

You don’t need to go online to see the sort of abuse that he put up with, you can just witness just from the crowd reaction that he experienced at the Rugby World Cup Final.  

Which was something his wife and his children also had to witness, and frankly, I’m disgusted.   

I think this is a tragic result for him and for rugby.   

There might be some who goes oh who cares, good riddance, but while you're at it, ask yourself how many people who might be considering having a crack with the whistle, will be thinking maybe not.   

It’s worth saying and I think it would be unreasonable not to acknowledge that many, maybe the majority of New Zealand rugby supporters, do have a level of nuance and maturity when it comes to dealing with disappointment. You know, we get passionate at the time, but we get over it.  

But I think it would also be naive to suggest that it’s just a fringe element ruining it for everyone.   

You just need to look at a home Test match with the booing and jeering that goes on while the opposition is taking a kick to realize we have a problem with bad sportsmanship.   

For a stark contrast, look at the test matches that are played in Ireland where the ground crowd goes completely silent and respect of the kicker.   

Personally, I like Wayne Barnes.   

Look, back in the day with that forward pass I probably hated him like everyone else, but then I grew up. I like the clarity with which he communicates with the players on the pitch.   

He knows all the players by name, he’s respectful, he’s polite, and thoroughly professional in the way he goes about his business.  

And I guess I can’t help but wonder if the All Blacks had won that match, would we be seeing Wayne Barnes retiring from the game? I think there’s a good chance we might not.  

Here’s the tragedy:  

Had we won, he might still be reffing. But instead, and because of the poor sportsmanship of a large number of the rugby community who struggle to keep a sane perspective on a sporting loss, rugby has lost its top ref.  

And we just have to hope that more don’t follow.  

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On the latest (and final) Rugby Direct from Paris, Elliott Smith and Liam Napier review the Rugby World Cup final, won by South Africa 12-11 in Paris.

We break down the decider from the yellow and red cards, to TMO intervention to the actual rugby itself and whether it was a "good"final and showpiece for the game.

We break down Ian Foster's somewhat complicated legacy in charge of the All Blacks and where to next for him, as well as touch on the news out of Australia that Eddie Jones is out at Wallabies coach.

All that and an ode to the things we've lost/had stolen on tour, on Rugby Direct.

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History does unfortunately repeat itself with an absolutely gutting loss for the All Blacks.

The All Blacks have had to settle for second in the Rugby World Cup after losing to the Springboks 12-11 in Paris.

They had to play the majority of the game with 14, after captain Sam Cane became the first player sent off in a Rugby World Cup final.

Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith joined Kate Hawkesby.

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Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith thinks the Springboks may come to rue their decision to stack the bench with big forwards for the Rugby World Cup Final. 

He spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk to preview the match. 

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“Historically, the All Blacks haven’t faced too much adversity. But here it is. The team is at odds and ends. The players are being criticised. The coaches and their bosses are being hammered in the press. 

Maybe they will falter. Maybe we’re watching the unravelling of a once-mighty team. Maybe Silver Lake has bought a dud. 

Or maybe, through whatever changes are necessary, and through the pluck and determination of a unit that can only be truly tested when its back is against the wall, the All Blacks will find a way to rise up.” 

Those were the words of famed rugby analyst Jack Tame on a radio station called Newstalk ZB, shortly after the All Blacks had lost a home series to Ireland for the first time. 

15 months on, I’ll be honest, my thoughts have been a bit muddled this week. 

Yes, I can rationalise that we’ve improved massively since that last encounter with the Springboks back in August. A 28-point deficit? Surely that won’t be repeated. I can rationalise that we’re fit. We’re coming off a slightly longer break. We’ve weathered the Irish storm. Our set piece is a thousand times better than it was, we’ve barely lost a lineout in the tournament and our outside backs are maybe the most exciting in World rugby. 

Buuuuuuuuuut, still. South Africa. They’re good. 

I feel for Dane Coles missing out. For years he’s defined what a hardy, mischievous hooker should be. I’m not bothered by the locking decision either way - Retallick to start and Whitelock on the bench - except to say that Sam Whitelock is a titan of a leader, and I can’t imagine a Rugby World Cup victory without him playing a massive role, whether off the bench or in the starting 15. 

Buuuuuuuuuut, still. South Africa. Gulp. 

The Springboks have named a 7-1 split. Seven forwards on the bench. That’s a gamble. 

Gambles can backfire. 

But if there’s anything… any one thing that can push the All Blacks over the edge… that can propel them to Word Champion status… That can secure a record fourth Rugby World Cup… It’s the story. 

It’s that doing so will be the pièce de résistance… the cherry on top of the whole Ian Foster fiasco. 

I was not someone who thought Ian Foster was the best man for a job. I’m still not! But I also think he’s been treated woefully over the last few years. And in the midst of a pretty awful situation, I think he acted with dignity and grit. 

Finishing up as the coach of the World Champions wouldn’t just be an incredibly satisfying conclusion to his All Blacks career. It’d be a hell of a middle finger to the haters. 

And I can never underestimate the power of stories in sport. Stories are what give sport its magic. I want to finish with another quote of mine from last year: 

“Maybe it’s lunacy to even ponder a World Cup victory next year. But crazier things have happened in sport.” 

“Often the greatest sporting narratives are those in which an athlete or a team overcomes adversity. Victory against all odds.” 

I said my thoughts had been a bit muddled this week. My head and my heart in a furious battle. But the closer we get to kick-off, the more clarity I have. 

Ultimately, I do know what I think. I think I was right to maintain that sliver of optimism even during trying times. I think the All Blacks will win. 

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The All Blacks are just one win away from sporting immortality.

After being largely written off after the opening defeat to France, all that stands in the way of them and the Webb Ellis Cup is the Springboks with their bomb squad bench.

Both teams are on three titles, and are vying to stand above the other with a fourth win.

But the game could be overshadowed by World Rugby’s new tournament.

World Rugby has announced a 12-team Nations League from 2026, with promotion and relegation in 2030.

The 2027 tournament will also be expanded to 24 teams.

But less than 12 hours prior to kick off, the Black Caps will be in action in India.

They take on Australia in Dharamshala as they look to move on from last weekend’s loss to India.

Abby Wilson and Scotty Stevenson joined Jack Tame to discuss the week’s sports news

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Kerre Woodham is off in Paris, catching the last two All Blacks games in the Rugby World Cup.

She called in to the show this morning to catch listeners up on the energy in the city ahead of this weekend's final, and what it's like to watch the games in person.

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All Blacks legend Frank Bunce joined John MacDonald on the show ahead of Sunday's World Cup Final. 

He relived his experience against the Springboks 28 years ago, and also spoke about the importance for our retiring players to have a plan for when life in rugby has finished.   

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On the latest edition of Rugby Direct, the scene is set for the World Cup final and Elliott Smith and Liam Napier dive into the two sides named by the All Blacks and South Africa for the big dance.

We talk the make-up of the sides and how we expect them to play as well as the emotion of the match, as well as the new World Rugby Awards nominations and some form of conclusion to the racism saga in the sport this week.

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It’s finally time for a rematch. 

Back in 1995 the All Blacks faced South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Final and will be doing the same this Sunday morning. 

Hennie Le Roux was a member of the Springboks when they took the cup in ‘95 and told Kate Hawkesby that they’re preparing themselves for an enormous battle this time. 

He said that New Zealand has shown that they’re a power to reckon with and are probably consistently the best team in the world over a long period of time. 

Le Roux said that if the Springboks are going to lose, they’d rather lose to New Zealand than anyone else. 

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The Black Ferns have confirmed their match-day 23 lineup for this weekend's Rugby World Cup final against England.

The lineup is roughly the same as the one from the previous semifinal, with only one notable injury-induced change.

Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, who sustained a thumb injury partway through the semifinal match against France, will be replaced by Charmaine McMenamin.

D'Arcy Waldegrave explains what we can expect from Charmaine McMenamin, given her 2017 track record- as well as what else viewers can look forward to on Saturday's final!

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You may not quite have missed out on tickets to the Rugby World Cup final - but your chances aren't great.

After the Black Ferns beat France and qualified for the final, Eden Park promptly sold out.

Sportstalk's Jason Pine spoke to tournament director Michelle Hooper on Sportstalk about whether they can squeeze any more seats in.

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