Hansen defends McCaw over elbowing claim

New Zealand avoided the battle of the losers when they narrowly beat South Africa 20-18 in a gripping semi-final at Twickenham on Saturday.

Rumbles went on to confirm that the citing commissioner, with the benefit of 30-plus television cameras, determined that a video on social media showing one angle of McCaw coming into contact with Louw, was reviewed and proved to be the Kiwi’s hip clipping the South African backrower’s right shoulder.

Hansen, speaking before Australia’s win, says he intends having a talk with World Rugby referees boss Joel Jutge in a bid to get consistency in rulings.

“It is never a meaningless game when you put on a Springbok jersey, but we will have a good break these next two days and then the coach (Heyneke Meyer) already said we will get together on Wednesday”, said Matfield.

“If he’s not in your team then he’s a pain in the rear end”.

“When you’ve got a team like New Zealand with so many threats, who are so well-drilled and have such a great coach you have to be working hard all the time”. It is a mark of respect. There will be a few people who are bitter and twisted about him. “He takes it in his stride, and the team takes it in their stride”. “We’ve just had recovery now and spoke to the doc and the physios”, Cheika said. Pollard replied with a penalty but another kick from Carter kept the All Blacks ahead 20-15 entering the final quarter. Cheika has brought back star full back Israel Folau and No 8 David Pocock after they missed the quarter-final win over Scotland through injury.

“So they’ll be feeling they’ve got our measure and it’s going to be up to us to do something special, something extra just to be competitive”.

With the rain lashing down the game became messy and with the clock hitting 80 minutes South Africa were left trying to run the ball out of their twenty two to drag themselves into the final.it was not to be, The All Blacks held on and became the first team to reach 4 world cup finals and with the chance to make more history buy being the first team to win back to back tournaments.

“Four years ago, we had a sensational performance against Australia in the semi, and really didn’t lift the next week, even though it was the final”, he said. We know we have to be at our best. “He’s always great. That’s why his probably the best fly-half in the world”, Pollard said of his opposite number.

There was no thought on putting any focus on All Blacks who are retiring or moving overseas.

“They just looked like a calm, solid unit that know what they are doing and have confidence in each other. That’s the secondary objective”, Hansen said. He’s good at getting his teaching across… his attention to detail is right up there and he really adds to the coaching group we’ve had over the last couple of years.

Lock Brodie Retallick, who debuted in 2012 and was world player of the year in 2014, watched the 2011 final at a fire station where he was a volunteer firefighter, but said he would not switch places now with his younger self.