Final - New Zealand v Australia (29th March)

[wellAlbidarned]

How are everyone's nerves?

much better now that we've got another NZ zombie avatar

 

[kiwiviktor81]

What I'm saying is that we've got no excuses whatsoever in terms of our preparation or willingness to win this match. What pissed me off about the All Blacks losing in 2007 is that we weren't tested at all in the pool stages and went into the knockouts cold. Today such a thing is unthinkable. We've played and beaten the two best sides in the world and a handful of other teams, and made the final. If Aussie win, fair ****s to them, they're the better side.

 

[Zinzan]

How are everyone's nerves?

I'm relatively relaxed actually. Declined offers to go to the pub & to my gf's uncles place to watch with about 30 odd people with a makeshift grandstand in favour of watching at home without disturbances & without having to engage with people who don't really know understand the nuances of the game.

 

[Zinzan]

My expectations aren't that high, only because I see Aust's home advantage being quite a factor hence that's helping the nerves.

If by some miracle we do manage to win the toss & bat first, then I'll no doubt be a nervous wreck.

 

[Kippax]

apparently all baz said to henry was "bowl fast and get up them".

so the milne v henry squad balance theory of Kippax(?) was right all along.

Yep that's right Flem.

Rightly or wrongly, Henry's tried really hard (in off-camera games) to bowl a lot more like Milne, and I'd agree with Hesson if he didn't see a very convincing audition for that role. Intimidating lengths against Afghanistan that looked great on a very fast pitch, then got pumped by Ireland on a slightly slower one, and so on.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah I'm not nervous at all yet. Nerves to start when the teams come out onto the field IMO.

 

[Dick Rockett]

How are everyone's nerves?

I told myself after the semi it'd be different this time. It's already our best ever World Cup; there's no pressure, etc.

Turns out that was bollocks.

 

[Howsie]

I predicted before the World Cup it would be a Australia-New Zealand final, with Australia winning it. But I've flipped, I don't know why but I believe we'll take this out. Just got that feeeeeeelllllling.

 

[Zinzan]

What I'm saying is that we've got no excuses whatsoever in terms of our preparation or willingness to win this match. What pissed me off about the All Blacks losing in 2007 is that we weren't tested at all in the pool stages and went into the knockouts cold. Today such a thing is unthinkable. We've played and beaten the two best sides in the world and a handful of other teams, and made the final. If Aussie win, fair ****s to them, they're the better side.

True, I suppose the other thing & I thought about this the other day seeing how accepting the SA public were to their team bowing out in the semi is that when it comes to NZ rugby, we DO NOT accept anything but the world cup crown. I told a South African mate the other day that the SA cricketing public are a lot more forgiving than the NZ rugby public are. But if NZ don't get up today, they'll still be heroes in our eyes. This would never happen if our rugby team were losing finalists.

 

[straw man]

Off to the game now on the train, wearing my beige. Haven't been heckled by any ozzies yet; they must be afraid of losing.

 

[Zinzan]

I predicted before the World Cup it would be a Australia-New Zealand final, with Australia winning it. But I've flipped, I don't know why but I believe we'll take this out. Just got that feeeeeeelllllling.

The way I see it is if we win the toss & bat, it's a 50/50 game. If Aust win the toss, it's 70/30 in their favour.

 

[straw man]

I predicted before the World Cup it would be a Australia-New Zealand final, with Australia winning it. But I've flipped, I don't know why but I believe we'll take this out. Just got that feeeeeeelllllling.

It's been that the perfect fairytale and I'm glad Oz are in the final, as there's no better way to finish the story than by beating the bad guys.

 

[SilentOne]

who are the commentary team for this game?

 

[Dan]

I've been wearing an NZ shirt around all morning. One comment was made.

I've yet to find a person over here who actually cares about this game, whereas in NZ it sounds like anyone who wears an NZ shirt immediately gains 4 million best friends. Such different build-ups to the match.

 

[Dick Rockett]

who are the commentary team for this game?

A cabal of Australia's most strident, nasal boofheads no doubt.

I miss Richie.

 

[Zinzan]

who are the commentary team for this game?

No idea, tried to find some info on that yesterday.

I'm guessing it will be something like 3 Australians, 2 Indians, 2 Kiwis, 2 Poms & maybe a SA/WI or Pak

I'm picking the team of;

Nicholas
Warne
Taylor/Slater
Gavaskar
Bhogle
Smith (Ian)
Ganguly/Hussian
Doull
Botham/Bishop/Wasim

 

[Pratters]

I've been wearing an NZ shirt around all morning. One comment was made.

I've yet to find a person over here who actually cares about this game, whereas in NZ it sounds like anyone who wears an NZ shirt immediately gains 4 million best friends. Such different build-ups to the match.

I find it hard to believe people in Australia don't care about this game. Tests mean much more, sure. However an ODI world cup is not a small deal even for serious fans and players.

 

[smash84]

I am with Imran on this.

Imran Khan @ImranKhanPTI · Mar 25

This is the first WC where the 4 best teams have reached semis.NZs run to win v SA was one of the best run chases under pressure. 1/4

NZ won the battle of nerves against SA. They are my favourites to win the final as they ooze self belief. 2/4

https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/580768231478136832

 

[smash84]

My vote should have gone to NZ on the poll

 

[Spikey]

was thinking this morning that the aus v nz TV ratings will be mighty close