RWC Week 1: France v All Blacks
-
Was just thinking although this test will be good and important, probably in the end the 3rd-4th most important game of weekend for WC? Scotland/Boks, and Pumas/England and even Wales/Fiji both could have big ramifcations on who will get ot of their pools, while you would expect France and ABs to go through to QFs.
-
France by 9 is my feel. We could play well and lose, and it entirely not be anyone's fault. I can see a world where the game ends, and we discuss missing Lomax and BBBR because Laulala and Va'ai were just quite a big drop. Likewise people saying, man we missed Barrett's carrying in the midfield, and Frizell's near the ruck. The four I have mentioned all have shown inherent qualities, particularly this year, that their replacements can't offer... and despite impassioned arguments, I don't think we can legitimately say there are replacements for any of those players who are close to the same standard.
As long as we don't get flogged playing the way we did v the Boks (which we won't), losing this won't warrant a meltdown - but I suspect we will get one.
-
France by 9 is my feel. We could play well and lose, and it entirely not be anyone's fault. I can see a world where the game ends, and we discuss missing Lomax and BBBR because Laulala and Va'ai were just quite a big drop. Likewise people saying, man we missed Barrett's carrying in the midfield, and Frizell's near the ruck. The four I have mentioned all have shown inherent qualities, particularly this year, that their replacements can't offer... and despite impassioned arguments, I don't think we can legitimately say there are replacements for any of those players who are close to the same standard.
As long as we don't get flogged playing the way we did v the Boks (which we won't), losing this won't warrant a meltdown - but I suspect we will get one.
@frugby I'd agree with all of that, it's a real pity that Lomax, BBR, Frizzel and JB are all out at the same time as they're the guys that can carry the ball into heavy contact and make a dent in the line.
Metaphorically speaking It feels like we're trying to siege a city without a battering ram.
If the above 4 are all back and fit by the 1/4's then we have a good a chance as any of progressing through.
I'm putting my hopes on the French getting overwhelmed by the occasion and playing unstructured rugby, the less set piece battle more unstructured the game is the better for us.
Regardless I'm a little apathetic about the game, mainly because we have a lot of good players out who will certainly make a difference to the team when they come back and realistically it doesn't really matter what happens in the pool play, it's the 1/4's on that matter.
I expect the French to win, will be pleasantly surprised if we win and will be nervously watching the injury list the closer we get to the 1/4s.
-
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different. -
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Christie is an excellent defender, particularly cover defence, if he can get his decision making and clearance back to what he showed when he first made the ABs then he isnt a concern.
He's gone backwards this year a fair way in that department. Never the quickest of players but was pretty solid in Tests last year coming on a replacement.
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Christie is an excellent defender, particularly cover defence, if he can get his decision making and clearance back to what he showed when he first made the ABs then he isnt a concern.
He's gone backwards this year a fair way in that department. Never the quickest of players but was pretty solid in Tests last year coming on a replacement.
This seems the case with everybody over the last few years. I honestly can't think of anyone who has consistently improved.
-
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.Coles the obvious exception, he always tells it like it is, then again, he is one of the last of the old guard.
-
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.Young ones coming in can be fun. But as you say there is a tendency for all sports people to not say to much.
Mind you the poor buggers have got a whole world seemingly waiting ofr them to stuff up, so why they careful, can't see it changing. I like listening to the players like Ah Khuoi etc, but even when players are characters , media plays on it and they never quite seem same. I always thought Honeybadger in Aus was a case, he was just rent a quote in the end. Even the McCaws etc really never said anything controversial. -
@dogmeat said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
You can tell everyone is nervous about this game.
This thread is a tough read
I feel less enthusiastic about the start of this RWC as any one. Ever. Another thing Fozzie has taken from me. fluffybunny
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@dogmeat said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
You can tell everyone is nervous about this game.
This thread is a tough read
I feel less enthusiastic about the start of this RWC as any one. Ever. Another thing Fozzie has taken from me. fluffybunny
I’m really excited. I’ve been pretty blasé about rugby for quite some time but this cup is so open and exciting. TWO of the top four not making it beyond the quarters ? Sign me up for that controversy and griping.
This weekend alone will be full of great viewing.
Can’t wait to chug a few beers with my bacon and eggs and get on the bandwagon.
-
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.Can't remember an interesting interview given by McCaw, Kaino, Carter or Smith to be honest. They all strode the party line, they were just much better players.
-
@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.Can't remember an interesting interview given by McCaw, Kaino, Carter or Smith to be honest. They all strode the party line, they were just much better players.
@reprobate said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@BerniesCorner said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@canefan well just think back to the tough times c 2011-2015 when our top teams were as predictable as the results...people moaned then too.
I've just never felt such a lack of investment as I do now. Maybe I'm just getting older...
Characters help.
McCaw, Kaino, Carter, Smiths. A whole lot of qualities from interesting people.
Recently there's a tendency to media trained bland wokeness that fans have trouble hanging their hat on.
2024 is definitely going to be different.Can't remember an interesting interview given by McCaw, Kaino, Carter or Smith to be honest. They all strode the party line, they were just much better players.
Yep excellent players but not characters by any stretch from what I’ve seen
-
@frugby I'd agree with all of that, it's a real pity that Lomax, BBR, Frizzel and JB are all out at the same time as they're the guys that can carry the ball into heavy contact and make a dent in the line.
Metaphorically speaking It feels like we're trying to siege a city without a battering ram.
If the above 4 are all back and fit by the 1/4's then we have a good a chance as any of progressing through.
I'm putting my hopes on the French getting overwhelmed by the occasion and playing unstructured rugby, the less set piece battle more unstructured the game is the better for us.
Regardless I'm a little apathetic about the game, mainly because we have a lot of good players out who will certainly make a difference to the team when they come back and realistically it doesn't really matter what happens in the pool play, it's the 1/4's on that matter.
I expect the French to win, will be pleasantly surprised if we win and will be nervously watching the injury list the closer we get to the 1/4s.
@Windows97 France have slightly the worse of the injuries I reckon.
-
@dogmeat said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
You can tell everyone is nervous about this game.
This thread is a tough read
I feel less enthusiastic about the start of this RWC as any one. Ever. Another thing Fozzie has taken from me. fluffybunny
@canefan said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@dogmeat said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
You can tell everyone is nervous about this game.
This thread is a tough read
I feel less enthusiastic about the start of this RWC as any one. Ever. Another thing Fozzie has taken from me. fluffybunny
Suggest you don’t watch. You aren’t enthusiastic and want foster to lose so he doesn’t have a legacy to his name. Even if no one thinks foster is a great coach I’d still take the win thanks.
-
@ACT-Crusader notice they havent picked up the choker tag, despite being 0/3 in finals...
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@ACT-Crusader notice they havent picked up the choker tag, despite being 0/3 in finals...
They're like clockwork, runners up every 12 years.
-
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@ACT-Crusader notice they havent picked up the choker tag, despite being 0/3 in finals...
They're like clockwork, runners up every 12 years.
@pakman following that, they lost to Us, Aus, Us...
-
@pakman following that, they lost to Us, Aus, Us...
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@pakman following that, they lost to Us, Aus, Us...
You calling Oz to beat Frans in final!
-
@taniwharugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@pakman following that, they lost to Us, Aus, Us...
You calling Oz to beat Frans in final!
@pakman no, but history is
-
Big challenge for Ryan tomorrow. His forwards have been very poor in the last two games. Are we finally going to see some connection between ball carriers and cleaners?
@Tim said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Big challenge for Ryan tomorrow. His forwards have been very poor in the last two games. Are we finally going to see some connection between ball carriers and cleaners?
I’m less concerned about the forwards and more concerned about the likes of ALB throwing intercepts and rushing out of the line. Have him and Ioane ever met before….
