Womens RWC 2025
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Interesting that Canada have only one squad for 15s and 7s whereas NZ had to try to integrate their 7s stars into the 15s programme - Canada looked so well drilled. Canadian 9 bossed around the rucks and De Goede is freakishly talented for a lock. Black Ferns seemed to buy every dummy in the 1st half instead of just making the tackle.
Olsen-Baker 34 carries apparently - good engine.
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Canada’s forward attack was pretty good and we didn’t have anyone that could create a turnover when required.
The slow start hurt us.
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@Mattasaurus said in Womens RWC 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Womens RWC 2025:
Has there ever been a big game when only one side has won penalties?
1/4 final 2007 RWC comes to mind
I haven't, read all of the thread but I figured someone would say this because it was exactly what I was thinking. The most one-sided display of refereeing I have seen since Barnes.
With the laws of rugby as they are, I defy any official (with both eyes open) to watch 60 minutes of a match and not see an infringement. The last time I can recall seeing it was....2007.
Given that we couldn't catch for the first 40, we would have had trouble anyway, but the whole dynamic of the contest changes when only one side is being watched. Rugby (RWC in particular) seems to be completely political. It's bloody sad, rugby used to be my passion.
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@Bovidae said in Womens RWC 2025:
Outmuscled and outplayed. Some terrible refereeing at times but the better team deservedly won. The BF game drivers failed to fire in the face of Canadian defensive pressure.
When you're battling to get into the game and keep getting penalised for at times almost identical infringements the opposition are rewarded for, it really hurts you when you're already struggling for possession.
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Worst game from the Black Ferns for ages.
Renee Holmes should never have been in the starting side. Sure she had a couple of decent games but that was against minows. Terrible defence as she has shown her entire career.
We played much better when she went off and Sorensen-McGee moved into fullback.
Bremner had a shocker, continued to get in between the backs and mess things up as she has done all tournament. Demant had one of her worst games ever, disappointing in her 50th.
In another chat group, I suggested that Portia, who hasn't looked good all tournament, in fact, hasn't looked good since the record breaking game against the US, should not have started. Leti-I'iga should have started.
Again, we looked a lot more dangerous in the back three once Holmes went off and I think we finished the game with a back three of Waka, Leti-I'iga and Sorensen-Mcgee with Brunt and Setefano in the centres but I stand to be corrected as by then I was seeing red at the absolutely shite referring that was on display.Best on park for the BF's:
Stacey Waka - WotMand as someone said earlier in this thread, when Stacey retires, the AB's should bring her in as catching coach!
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Renee deserved her spot, but she didn't have a great game.. poor tackle attempt yes and kick out on full.
A shite quick throw into her I think by BSM put her under pressure .
Last few matches in NZ and at tournament she looked great kicking wise and running plays and try assists.
Apart from Waaka the whole backline didn't fire -
Watching this back now, and while NZ could complain about a few bad calls against them, man they did some dumb shit at times. Kicking away the ball in midfield with an extra player (BB tactics?) Very lucky not to be penalised more e.g. the NZ 8 intercepts a ball around the 14th minute but is a mile offside.
Defensive alignment couldn't handle Canada's ruck speed, particularly with a few tight forwards shooting out instead of showing patiences. A lot of missed first-up tackles in the first half led to fractures which fed this to a degree, as well as some silly ruck penalties letting the gas off. A lot of dropped ball, particularly in attacking space, that was partly having a look, and partly a lack of sympathetic passing.
Canada's hands are superb. Their ruck speed is amazing to watch, and their line speed and communication on defence is excellent. You can tell they drill the basics religiously, to get that level of accuracy.
The try they scored just after halftime was a demonstration of this: the ball goes in front of the player to run onto, whereas too often NZ ruck ball didn't aim for space, but the player, halting momentum. And then that player is standing 5m behind the ruck, you're going to lose
Canada's sleight-of-hand plays are also executed at pace and with no hesitation. Too often NZ ran it like the first time they've done the drill, allowing the defence to easily read it.
TBH I'm seeing a coaching problem more than anything.
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@NTA said in Womens RWC 2025:
@RoninWC said in Womens RWC 2025:
Best on park for the BF's:
Stacey Waka - WotMI thought the 8 was good value - Olson-Baker?
That's her, the one that was onside when she got her intercept.
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@Bones said in Womens RWC 2025:
@NTA said in Womens RWC 2025:
@RoninWC said in Womens RWC 2025:
Best on park for the BF's:
Stacey Waka - WotMI thought the 8 was good value - Olson-Baker?
That's her, the one that was onside when she got her intercept.
lol sure chief. Besides that I thought she was pretty bloody good.
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Olsen-Baker was the pick of the BFs
TBF Canada just broght it. The hunger, the intensity, the ferocity in fact everything that was missing from the BFs. I think that was what pissed me off, BFs have talent sure, but as a collective, the attitude and basics were sadly lacking. -
@NTA said in Womens RWC 2025:
@Bones said in Womens RWC 2025:
@NTA said in Womens RWC 2025:
@RoninWC said in Womens RWC 2025:
Best on park for the BF's:
Stacey Waka - WotMI thought the 8 was good value - Olson-Baker?
That's her, the one that was onside when she got her intercept.
lol sure chief. Besides that I thought she was pretty bloody good.
This guy wants halfbacks protected even more than they are already. Crazy times.
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Saw the highlights and was impressed by the Canadians. Whoever gets through to meet them will have to play well to beat them in the final.
Interesting in teh immediate build up to the Ferns' first try, almost a copycat clear out at the ruck on the jackalling player a la Morgan by the Ferns. Only difference was that there were two on the clear out rather than the lone Morgan.
Nothing said. And rightly so.
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@Jailbreak7 said in Womens RWC 2025:
Olsen-Baker was the pick of the BFs
TBF Canada just broght it. The hunger, the intensity, the ferocity in fact everything that was missing from the BFs. I think that was what pissed me off, BFs have talent sure, but as a collective, the attitude and basics were sadly lacking.I would be happy if the AB's just copied their strategy and gameplan to be honest. They reminded me of peak Ireland in a way with the confidence and speed of attack and ruck work. All the players seemed to be on the same page and it was wonderful to watch. That Canadian lock is something else.
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The canucks ruck speed was very fast. But I think they were sealing off and not pinged by the ref. There were head contact on Brunt by the 9...never looked at by the TMO. And the TMO reffed the game
