Better a glut of free kicks and keep the game going with a quick tap or scrum than a glut of penalties that stop the play. The driving maul should be made ILLEGAL; technically it is obstruction. Maybe instead the rule-change should've been a requirement to keep the ball up the front of the maul???

Ross, Sydney,

Rather than comment on the ELV's from the press box or in front of a TV, ask the players and spectators. The NZ V SA game was an excellent game of rugby, brutal and fast.

For the record, Rugby Union has a contest for possession. League doesn't. The ELV's significantly increase this contest.

Michael Burden, Sydney, Australia

How the player landed is irrelevant. The player making the tackle had a responsibiltiy, once he'd lifted the tackled player off the ground, to place him back down in a safe manner. The fact that he lifted him and let him go constituted foul play.Perhaps you're seeing the laws with "painted on eyes".

Craig Eyles, Fritwell, England

To the Thorn critics out there. The SA player was dumped on his back not his head, no spear tackle - are your eyes painted on?. The worst Thorn should have gotten is a yellow, not red. He was penalised for it at the time. For him to be suspended for a week post match is pure political tripe !.

Cabes Reyes, London, England

The Thorne incident - I'd bet that had it been a Bokke on an AB there would have been a card...I think rugby needs to have a panel of 10 refs(as in cricket) whom ref all International matches SH and N/H - consistency is required, Dickenson was suspect!!

Rod, Spalding, England

"NZ taken out" of the RWC." ? - Bob, you'll get over it ,one day. I wonder how far we'll have to legislate in the ELVs for runners in front of the ball carrier? NZ aren't alone in it, but how can a player possibly not be interferring when you could only pass forward to him? Right, you pass anyway.

Alan , Birmingham ,

To John Adelaide
Can't be very great to lose though can it

Gareth Williams, Powys,

There are good and bad things about the ELVs but like this one games between these 2 countries will always be hard fast and physical regardless of the rules and a pleasure to watch. No point in judging the ELVs here. Thorn was silly but the boks as usual tried to rough up Carter so stop moaning SA.

Gareth Williams, Powys,

Not sure about the Boks coach, they didn't seem to have much game plan other than to disrupt the AB's and get the ball to Habana in the hope he would make the line. The AB's threatened the Boks line more often with good team efforts. Only time the Boks did this they got a try and close on another

Andries, Singapore,

Revert to the limited numbers in Lines-out rule; the new one will spoil back play.
Rolling maul; retain old rule where mauls cannot be pulled down; amend rule to allow rolling maul to advance, say 20 yards, then it may be pulled down legitimately. Referee to give warning when limit appraoches.

John Hill, Port Talbot, Wales

though the union old-guard will cry into their gin and tonics about the game becoming more like league and bemoaning the diminution of the 'union-culture' it is undeniable that yesterday's match was fierce, fast and full of skill. In just like league! We may now see union forwards without beerguts!

BD MATHERS, birmingham,

I watch a lot of league but this looked like a tough, fascinating, entertaining rugby union test to me. The differences are still clear & crucial. But league-style referral would have given Kaino a deserved and beautifully worked try, pity. ABs fresh, up for it. SA fast outside, cheap off-the-ball.

George, Melbourne, Australia

More like rugby league? The ELV's differentiate rugby from league, getting players to be inventive and take initiative. League is far more structured: 5 tackles, kick, double man play, bomb or grubber kicks. NH feared the set piece would become obsolete but scrums and line outs well contested.

Phil, Hong Kong,

If the Bok,s concentrated on getting the Ball over the Try Line instead of concentrating on disrupting All Blacks support players they would win--

Mac, Dunedin,

I was at the game and didn't think it was much of a spectacle- also it was bloody cold.
Then I watched the replay on TV this morning and with the close-ups it seemed much more exciting. You can't see the fierce close- quarter stuff from the stands. Without the ELVs it would have been unwatchable.

igloo, Wellington, New Zealand

Thorn was lucky to stay on, but likewise Botha chased Nonu about 10m with an elbow...so should probably be cited as well.

Overall, the refs mistakes evened out (try to Kaino vs Thorn) and the better team won.

Guys coming from NH looked slow and ponderous. Not bad effort for powderpuff qtr finalist

Darryl, Sydney, Australia

Great game between the two best sides . The ref made a few bad calls but still allowed the game to flow.The comments about NZ being chokers are disappointing. NZ were "taken out" of the RWC. There is a big difference between bad reffing and corrupt reffing .This should been the RWC final

Bob, North Is., NZ

I thought the new rules were rubbish. This is rugby league - short arm after short arm with league style hit-ups and recycling. As a lifetime rugby supporter i feel disappointed that this is the future of our game.

justin, Yeppoon, QLD

After all the hogwash and hype about the All Blacks losing too many key players I guess critics are now dining on humble pie!! Yes Brad Thorn lost it with that tackle but he landed on his back, not exactly a spear. I just wish the Boks would lay off the off the ball stuff, play rugby, stop cheating!

Tavish, Christchurch, New Zealand

Al Blacks deserved to win, no doubt, well done to them. A Great, hard game of Test rugby, a joy to watch.
Dickinson too dodgy tho' - can't help feeling that if Thorn on Smit been Butch on Carter there would have been an instant red card brandishe

Bomber, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Today proved that despite the ELVs to be successful in international rugby is very much reliant on having a top tier kicker. De Villiers made a mistake relying on the unproven Butch James and the erratic Steyn.

Benjamin Saunders, Beckenham,

Great to see the two best teams in the world go head to head - next week will be even better! In those conditions to get such a great game is testimony to the improved laws. Brad Thorn is a monster! The best (hardest) tighty on the park (and world) the AB's should sign him up for life now!!

Shady, London, UK

A great game, one of the best. Nice to win of course,but just a splendid top level game with gross physicality and off the ball stuff (these are yarpies remember) and a replay next week and all. We listened to the radio and I have shown my son all the pictures b4 training this morning in the rain

gary, wellington,

You've got to ask for how much longer Tricky Dicky is going to be officiating. How Brad Thorn stayed on is beyond comprehension. Clear red card against Smit, clear yellow against Jantjies. Got to say how great it is to be two time world champions and visiting the home of the 3 time world chokers!!

john , adelaide, Aus

Gazza and Bazza - quite agree! This should have been the RWC final! Makes the 4yr 'tournament' a bit of a farce. In spite of some dodgy off the ball stuff from the Boks and a poor ref display, it was entertaining and a great display of rugby. NH can only dream of such play. AB's back as no.1!

Claney, Hong Kong,

Was this the Rugby World Cup final that should have been?

tony martin, nice, france

Once again the Referee ruined the match by poor control. Early on, at the first ruckus he should have sent off the NZ player (Thorn?). He continuously allowed NZ to throw in line-out ball just about 9" towards NZ, but just sufficiently off-line to favour them & win ball.

John Hill, Port Talbot, Wales

While Thorn was lucky not get a 'yellow' for his lifting and dropping of Schmidt, there were plenty of off the ball incidents where SA was lucky to escape similar censure esp Butch James. I thought it was a good game and next week should be even better as the European Boks will be more up to speed.

Damian Matich, Reading,

Gazza, no question, it was a try. The SA commentators could not believe their eyes.

Further cause for a TMO involvement- a red should have been issued: Thompson’s ‘high’ on Conrad (poss. penalty with warning), followed by Thorn diving forearm first onto Conrad (another penalty & warning), & lastly Thorn’s fit of pique and spear tackle of Smit off the ball (penalty and possible yellow again). With Tricky Dickie watching all only meters away! Three near certain yellows should result in a Red, if not, a yellow.

Rupes, Sanibel, USA

The All Blacks thoroughly deserved this victory against a tough Bok side. In an uncompromising match the All Blacks won because they stood toe to toe with the fearsome Boks forward pack.

Once they had parity there, the sublime class of Dan Carter secured the result.

Well done the All Blacks

grant crawford, Dubai, UAE

the all blacks were simply outstanding, they comprehensively dominated every facet of the game. the bokkes made it quite clear they wanted to be aggressive but the abs quickly showed them who is the toughest rugby team in the world. sit down and think about what went wrong....

kb, perth, australia

If we had a ref from the NH, it would've been a penalty fest, but even then they couldn't get it right. The european based Boks look unfit, Matfield especially.

The World Champs were made to look like World Chumps and we did it without Ritchie McCaw - it doesn't get any better.

Slaine, Sunshine Coast, Australia

The best thing about the ELVs is getting rid of the blight of the game, the rolling maul. Scrums have value. Line outs do not become uncontestible shunts to the line. The game is fast, creative and entertaining. When will the likes of Nick and Stephen wake up.

Bazza, Yuzhno, Russia

Why can't third match officials have a bigger say in these test matches when the ref and linesmen cannot officiate. It was clear on the replay that Kaino scored from the Carter through kick. The professional game can only get quicker with these ELV's and the ref and linesmen are just not up to it.

Gazza, London, UK