Hi

Well played ABs - they were the better team throughout and deserved to win. Perhaps as is suggested above that had Carter been available the game might have been played differently and the ABs's territorial advantage could have been converted into points. But what matter?? They won and are in the Final. This is something of a novelty recently as the ABs have not featured really in recent competitions.

It was an exciting game to watch with some tremendous tackling going on from both sides. I don't think that I have seen so many blooded noses and cuts in one game before. Hard stuff !!

I have always admired the way the All Blacks play ever since I saw them many years ago play in Manchester when I witnessed probably the best ever kicker the game has ever seen. I am talking about Don Clarke. Don was a great rugby player and all-round sportsman - he played first class cricket too.

I will be supporting New Zealand even though the only link I have is that my niece has recently been over there during a World-wide trip.

Oh and many bruises suffered from some of the many NZs who I have encountered in my own rugby career.

But I am not counting my chickens just yet.......as Jimmy Greaves once said about Football......"it's a funny old game".

Cheers

Mikel2