'Complete blame': Thompson opens up on World Cup final loss that still haunts

The finals series really should have had to top dogs sit out a week while the 'not much point whether theyve had a losing or winning season' guys battle it out to avoid elimination though. As I decided to add the fact that any random fan should just be able to buy a finals ticket and expect a good contest, and nobody is going to suggest the Rebels were going to give that but It's a good expectation to provide.

Given the general condescending tone of your posts and replies, I am not surprised that your comments receive so many negative responses.

I also think developing rugby 7s would be a great way to introduce players into the sport. The football version of GAA is inferior to rugby (playing satisfaction and spectating). Rugby can and should move in there. 7s is the way.

I must say I didn't think Sacha would be this good when I was told about him, anybody, even the opposition, would want to watch that!

However club level and international country level are two completely different beasts. For one the opponents are good in club level but normally the best if the best are picked to represent their countries. Thus the level of opposition in club level vary tremendously. Also you only learn against the opposition you play, again Crusaders have really only got New Zealanders to play against who can give them any kind of opposition. Which means any non style ABs game play is not tested by 'Saders because they don't face anything else.

Now Scotty has taken over the coaching role from a guy who worked under possibly the best coach ABs have ever had, which means when Fozzie took over, he still had the inklings of top quality rugby although it appeared he didn't quite know how to work them properly. Now Scotty had no coaching ties with them, effectively starting from scratch. So he is still figuring out his team, and working them in. But unfortunately for now he is the one to blame for the less than average performances by his team that was shown us these past two tests and even the one against Argentina.

But it's not to say he is done and dusted but rather he needs to figure out his route, and like Rassie did and does, figure out his players, his game plan and how to get them back to where they were on 2011-2015.

My suggestion if he can, is to blood quite a few new okies, who can gain experience of playing against Springboks, France, Ireland, etc. and prepare them for the the next World Cup. Don't be shy about losing games but always look to preparing a new group for the RWC '27. If he has a newish style of playing, what better way to inform that than by starting with a fresh pair of legs and minds. Let a couple of the oldies to stay but build a new ABs team with a new style. Easier to train a puppy than an old dog. Just saying.

Give Razor time, and allow him the space. This is coming from a Saffa🇿🇦. Go Bokke, love you okes