PFF NEWS
PFF
The Best Casino Bonus in the Philippines
Date: 2023-12-03 10:05:51 | Author: PFF | Views: 816 | Tag: games
-
Michael Cheika refused to assess the entirety of Argentina’s Rugby World Cup campaign or his tenure as head coach of the Pumas games
Coming off a harrowing 44-6 semi-final defeat to New Zealand in which they’d been totally outclassed in every facet of the game, perhaps his reticence was understandable games
Next Friday’s third-place play-off against the loser of the second semi-final games between England and South Africa merely provided a handy excuse games
It’s a game that players don’t want to play, spectators don’t want to watch and media don’t want to cover but it did give Cheika a week’s buffer to collect himself before he will have to answer the tough questions games
“I can’t do that straight away,” said Cheika when asked to assess his time in charge of Argentina, which comes to an end after this World Cup games
“I haven’t finished yet games
“I know we won’t win World Cup but I’m happy to be at this level and they deserve to be here games
Their play, ambition, ability to raise themselves after the first game [a pool-stage loss to England] games
It’s another obstacle but we can be proud of our team and our capacity to deal with obstacles games
Next week we have a game to play, at the end of the World Cup we will summarise and assess it games
”The players were similarly on message with their adamance at the importance of the worst game in rugby games
“There is one more game left, one more final,” said flanker Marcos Kremer games
“We want to leave this World Cup winning and we are going to do everything to make it happen games
”“We are going to prepare like a final games
We are not satisfied with being here games
We want a medal and we are going to fight for that," added wing Mateo Carreras games
The value of a third-place play-off in an event defined by a trophy, rather than a medal podium, and its place in an already over-saturated playing calendar is a debate for another time but the Pumas can only keep the wolf at the door for so long games
They will soon have to address exactly what happened in the second-most one-sided World Cup semi-final of all time – the eventual margin of defeat just narrower than the All Blacks’ 49-6 triumph over Wales in 1987 games
The All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France (Getty Images)Three times in their rugby history, Argentina have reached the semi-final stage of the World Cup, with three losses to show for it games
They have scored just one try across those 240 minutes and have a combined losing margin of 76 points games
The celebrations and lap of honour after beating Wales in the quarter-finals in Marseille a week ago suggested that, deep down, the Pumas believed they had come as far as they could in this tournament games
Both history, and the performance that followed against New Zealand, made it a self-fulfilling prophecy games
They hardly imposed themselves on the All Blacks at the Stade de France games
Phases of attack came to a grinding halt once they reached the All Black 22, with the ball inevitably jackalled away, the defensive line was torn to shreds by their opponents’ quick hands and clever lines, the scrum was splintered by a dominant New Zealand pack and basic handling errors defined the game games
Frankly, it wasn’t a match befitting a World Cup semi-final and ensured the Pumas book-ended their tournament (barring next Friday’s bronze-medal irrelevance) with abject displays, after the lifeless opening loss to 14-man England games
It is hardly a squad bereft of talent games
The experience of Julian Montoya and Agustin Creevy leading the front row is complemented by an exciting, dynamic back-row trio of Juan Martin Gonzalez, Kremer and Facundo Isa that should be able to match almost any opposition games
While questions remain at nine and 10, a back three of Mateo Carreras, Emiliano Boffelli and Juan Cruz Mallia is explosive enough to give any team fits games
Argentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat (Getty Images)Perhaps a semi-final appearance shouldn’t be sneered at games
Yes, they benefitted from being in the considerably weaker half of the draw but it equalled their best World Cup performance and you can only beat who’s in front of you games
On paper, Cheika’s tenure – since taking the reins from the sacked Mario Ledesma in early 2022 – will be viewed as a success games
A first-ever win over the All Blacks in New Zealand last summer and a World Cup semi-final is not a bad return games
But in terms of the ‘eye test’, the Pumas never looked like an elite side and there’s a nagging feeling that they haven’t moved forward under the Australian games
Cheika’s preferred coaching style of creating a ‘siege mentality, us against the world’ environment always seemed at odds with the largely personable Argentina squad games
Media availability was limited – perhaps a poor fit for the historically open Pumas – and a bubble created around the team games
Putting your stamp on things in just an 18-month period is tough, with Felipe Contepomi always slated to become head coach after the World Cup and learning the ropes as part of Cheika’s coaching team in the interim games
The legendary Pumas fly half, who is also a cult hero at Leinster following playing and coaching spells there, will likely provide a different strategy in the build-up to the 2027 World Cup and it will be fascinating to see what he’s taken from his time working under Cheika games
As for the Australian, he departs with his reputation certainly not damaged and maybe even enhanced games
The 56-year-old will undoubtedly be in demand around the rugby world and should be able to have his pick from a number of exciting coaching opportunities games
“It is not a sad moment,” insisted Cheika in the aftermath of defeat in Paris games
“It’s a moment I’m proud of my team games
We were in the semi-final of a World Cup games
”Yes, they were games
But the suspicion that there was a version of this Pumas side that still had more to give remains games
More aboutMichael CheikaArgentina rugbyRugby World CupJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Argentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerThe All Blacks ran riot in the Stade de France Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerArgentina were dejected after slipping to a semi-final defeat Getty ImagesArgentina waste potential to leave Cheika with questions to answerMichael Cheika led Argentina to a World Cup semi-final but they were trounced by New Zealand Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsgames BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy games
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply games
Hi {{indy games
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} games
After seven weeks of action in France, the Rugby World Cup has concluded with South Africa again the kings of the rugby world games
There were thrills aplenty from the opening game at the Stade de France on 8 September right through to the final in Paris, with the Springboks pipping the All Blacks to retain their crown games
But which players lit up the tournament? And what moments will we best remember from a brilliant, if flawed, World Cup?Here are The Independent’s end of tournament awards:RecommendedSiya Kolisi’s legacy as rugby’s greatest leader will now live on foreverEngland seek evolution not revolution behind six leaders after encouraging World CupSam Cane, Siya Kolisi and a tale of two captains at the heart of this Rugby World Cup finalBest playerLuke Baker: A surprisingly tough decision this time around, whereas previous World Cups have often had an obvious standout player games
Pre-tournament I’d have thought this was nailed on to be Antoine Dupont and, but for his fractured cheek and France’s heartbreaking exit, it may have been games
Bundee Aki was also exceptional but it’s tough to give the accolade to someone who exited at the quarter-final stage games
That being the case, I’ll plump for Pieter-Steph du Toit, who thrust himself into the conversation for the greatest blindside flanker of all time, if he wasn’t in it already games
A man who shines on the biggest stage (remember he was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2019 after that World Cup win), he was brilliant in South Africa’s semi-final victory over England and ludicrously good in the final, making 28 tackles, flying around like an Exocet missile and being named player of the match games
As head coach Jacques Nienaber said after the win over the All Blacks: “I always joke that if there’s a white plastic bag that blows over the field, he would probably chase that down as well games
‘The Malmesbury Missile’, he was like a machine games
”Harry Latham-Coyle: It’s Ardie Savea for me games
The New Zealand number eight wasn’t quite at his brilliant best in the final, with South Africa throwing bodies at him to limit his efficacy, but Savea still had more involvements than just about any other player on the park games
There was nobody with a more complete skill set than the back rower across the tournament in France – a sabbatical in Japan next year should keep him fresh for another crack at the crown in 2027 games
Ardie Savea stood out for New Zealand (Getty)Breakthrough playerLB: Lots of contenders here games
Louis Bielle-Biarrey cemented himself as France’s first-choice winger, Manie Libbok showed he’s the future of South African rugby at fly half, Argentina’s Juan Martin Gonzalez showed his back-row brilliance to a wider audience, Nicolas Martins led Portugal’s surprise charge, Ben Earl confirmed his arrival as a complete Test match player and Mark Tele’a is the next great All Blacks wing games
But Jac Morgan was thrust into a less-than-ideal situation as Wales captain after only a handful of caps following a slew of pre-tournament retirements from the country’s most senior heads games
And he was spectacular, as good as any flanker at the World Cup and leading Wales with distinction games
The quarter-final exit will have hurt but Wales’s next great flanker is here to stay games
HLC: To my colleague’s comprehensive list of contenders, I’d like to add the names of Fiji’s Luke Tagi and just about everyone who pulled on a Portugal shirt games
My choice, though, is Ben Earl, who entered August on the fringes of England selection and ended October as one of Steve Borthwick’s most-important players games
Biggest disappointmentAustralia head coach Eddie Jones has resigned (AP)LB: It has to be Australia games
Maybe expectations were low but Eddie Jones was full of typical bravado ahead of the World Cup and delivered an absolute dud games
A first loss to Fiji in 69 years was followed by a complete and utter hammering at the hands of a far-from-vintage Wales side when their tournament future was on the line to secure a first-ever pool-stage exit games
They were then unconvincing against Portugal and, in retrospect, probably lucky to face Georgia in their opening match before the Lelos really got going in France games
Jones’s decision to jettison senior heads such as Quade Cooper and Michael Hooper just before the tournament completely backfired as did the decision to hand the keys to No 10 to the inexperienced Carter Gordon with no other recognised fly half in the squad games
A farce from start to finish and Jones has now fallen on his sword and resigned just a handful of months after signing a five-year contract games
Worrying times for the 2027 hosts games
HLC: The obvious answer is the Wallabies, but I’m going for Scotland games
We knew that Gregor Townsend’s side would struggle to get out of Pool B but they were totally suffocated by South Africa and then dominated for 60 minutes by Ireland games
After so much hard work to build a side genuinely capable of challenging the world’s best, Scotland did rather fall flat – and there’s no guarantee that they are anywhere near this good again in four years’ time games
To have neither France nor Ireland involved in the final fortnight was also something of a shame given how special the Stade de France atmosphere might have been games
RecommendedRugby World Cup team of the tournament: Who makes our XV?How the incredible Barrett brothers rejuvenated the All BlacksNew Zealand captain Sam Cane opens up on Rugby World Cup ‘heartbreak’ after red card in finalFavourite matchLB: So many incredible options here from the group stage all the way through to the final but the Ireland vs New Zealand quarter-final was particularly special games
The whole narrative surrounding the game, with Ireland never having won a World Cup knockout match but heading into the match as favourites against the mighty All Blacks was fascinating and the game delivered in spades games
So much tension, unbelievably high-quality play and two evenly matched teams at the very top of their game games
It produced one of the greatest endings to a rugby match of all time as Ireland desperately went through 37 phases searching for a score but came up short, and their quarter-final hoodoo continued games
As a neutral with no skin in the game, I’ve rarely felt as nervous as I did during those agonising final few minutes at the Stade de France, so I can only imagine how both sets of fans felt games
A rugby match as spectacular as it’s possible to wish for games
Ireland and New Zealand’s quarter-final was thrilling (Getty)HLC: A word for Portugal vs Fiji (more on that in a moment) and Japan vs Argentina, but how can you look past quarter-final weekend? Watching Ireland vs New Zealand in a packed Marseille restaurant may not quite have been the spiritual experience those inside the Stade de France had, but I’ve never seen a game of rugby played at a higher skill level games
South Africa and France’s follow-up a day later wasn’t bad, either games
Best momentLB: It’s hard to say anything other than Siya Kolisi lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for the second time games
What he means to rugby and to South Africa is hard to quantify – just a remarkable human being and rugby player games
Only Richie McCaw now holds any sort of legitimate argument to be above him in the list of greatest captains of all time and he may well be the most charismatic man and best orator in the sport’s history games
The Springboks are Kolisi and Kolisi is the Springboks – if he decides to run for political office in South Africa once his career is over, he’ll genuinely win in a landslide games
Portugal lit up the tournament (Getty)HLC: Rodrigo Marta’s match-winning try for Portugal against Fiji games
These were two of my favourite teams to cover at this tournament, and Marta’s score closed a bonkers but brilliant final pool-stage game games
The joyous scenes in Toulouse after Os Lobos secured their first World Cup victory were surpassed by those at the airport back home as Patrice Lagisquet’s side touched down to a heroes’ welcome – a joint Iberian/Italian bid for a future World Cup would surely prove popular games
One thing to change for 2027?LB: In fairness to World Rugby (not a phrase I utter too often…) they’ve already addressed two of the biggest problems from this World Cup ahead of 2027 games
The groups being decided three years ahead of time was ludicrous, and produced a hilariously lopsided draw, so that being shortened to 18 months is a step in the right direction, even if still too early games
The tournament dragging on for seven weeks was also a grind, so knocking a week off in total, and having the group stage be a whole fortnight shorter in 2027 is great news games
With those issues sorted, I’d like to see the matches, especially the final, kick off earlier games
A 9pm local starting time meant an overly long build-up for fans during the day and not enough time to revel in the celebrations afterwards for players or supporters games
It was inching towards midnight before the trophy was lifted by the Springboks, which is, frankly, too late games
I appreciate that TV schedules dictate things and, in an ideal world, a 4pm or 5pm kick-off would be perfect but even 7pm as opposed to 9pm would make a huge difference games
We’ll see how Australia play it in four years’ time games
The World Cup final did not kick off until far too late in the evening (Getty)HLC: Let’s give the tournament some proper prestige games
Too often, this felt like a World Cup done on the cheap, with players and teams frustrated at staying outside of the cities in which they were playing, and a number of press conferences done in odd locations: Portugal’s first team announcement was bizarrely conducted while dodging children waiting for a judo class, while the entirety of South Africa’s media access in the week of the final took place at a village hall some way north of Paris games
It hardly gave the decider the big-match feel it deserved games
Even the (really rather entertaining) pre-final performance by Mika felt hurried, the pop star squeezed into a corner of the stadium and rushing through his hits games
Rugby may lack games football’s profile but it can afford to have more ambition games
Roc Nation – the talent agency founded by Jay-Z, which represents Savea, Kolisi and Maro Itoje among others - has offered its help to World Rugby, for example games
Team of the tournament Independent Sport’s Rugby World Cup team of the tournament (Getty/The Independent)More aboutRugby World CupWorld RugbyArdie SaveaPieter-Steph du ToitSiya KolisiBen EarlSpringboksSouth Africa rugbyAll BlacksNew Zealand rugbyEngland RugbyFrance RugbyIreland RugbyJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/7Rugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentRugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentArdie Savea stood out for New Zealand Getty ImagesRugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentAustralia head coach Eddie Jones has resigned APRugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentIreland and New Zealand’s quarter-final was thrilling Getty ImagesRugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentPortugal lit up the tournament Getty ImagesRugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentThe World Cup final did not kick off until far too late in the evening Getty ImagesRugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentIndependent Sport’s Rugby World Cup team of the tournament Getty/The IndependentRugby World Cup awards: Our verdict on best player, match and momentSouth Africa players celebrate at the end of the Rugby World Cup finalAP✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today games
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsgames BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy games
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply games
Hi {{indy games
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}}@keyframes slidedown-video{0%{transform:translateY(-100%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}}@keyframes slideup-video{0%{transform:translateY(200%)}to{transform:translateY(0)}} games
