Debate: Should there be a bronze medal playoff ?

Third place playoffs at the World Cup have been controversial since they started -- 1934 in football and 1987 in rugby. Here are five comments by respected football and rugby figures on the value of third place:

Dutch football coach Louis van Gaal saw his side lose on penalties to Argentina in the semi-final of last year's World Cup and they had to play hosts Brazil for third place. "This match should never be played. I've been saying that for 10 years; it's unfair. There is only one award that counts and that is becoming world champions," he said." The worst thing is that there is a chance you are going to lose twice in a row. And in a tournament in which you have played so marvellously well you go home as a loser. This has got nothing to do whatsoever with sport, not in my view." The Dutch won.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes it is a nonsense concept and if his side had lost to South Africa in the semi-final they would not have felt like playing on Friday. "Is it another gate? Another way of making some extra money? I'm not sure," he said suggesting his question should be directed at World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper. "Ask him why they think it's necessary to play it. If you went to both teams both teams would say it's really difficult to get back up and play that game after the emotional roller coaster of being beaten in the semi final."

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer made his feelings clear after his side lost to New Zealand in the semi-final on Saturday and he was asked how they would prepare for the third place playoff: "Mentally, it's very tough. It does not mean anything to me. It is like kissing your sister."

Scrum-half great Fabien Galthie captained France at the 2003 World Cup where they suffered a crushing defeat by eventual champions England in the semi-final. Rather than staying for the third-place final he decided to fly home, at first saying it was because the game should be played by the new generation and he had discussed the matter with coach Bernard Laporte. He subsequently revealed his uncle and godfather had died and he wanted to attend the funeral. Laporte had doubts and commented several years later: "I don't think that was much of an excuse."

Co-hosts Australia were sensationally beaten in the 1987 World Cup semi-final by France, whilst Wales lost to eventual champions the All Blacks. Third-place match referee Fred Howard could sense things were not positive before the game with neither the coaches nor the captains able to agree on which changing room to use or what time to hold the coin toss. "It is the game I talk about most and that I still recall most distinctly," he told WalesOnline this year. "Neither team really wanted to play the game because it meant going back across the Tasman Sea after they had both been beaten in the semi-finals." Australian skipper Andrew Slack said: "I don’t recall our performance as being particularly memorable. None of us wanted to be there playing for consolation prizes." Wales went on to win the game in which the Wallabies finished with just 14 men. 

AFP