All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup 2011

[Lee Grant]

All Blacks at the Rugby World Cup

Use the Pool match thread for discussion of the NZ games and this thread for other matters pertaining to the All Black squad. There will be similar threads for South Africa, England, France – and the Wallabies, of course. If folks feel another country deserves another thread, or have a particular interest in that country, they can start one.

The idea is to avoid starting dozens of threads for such subjects as: “What a goose Fred Nerk is” and the like.

There will be some big news items or incidents that deserve individual threads – play it by ear. Don't be miffed though if you start a thread and it is later merged with another one.

 

[Scarfman]

Choke!

 

[undercoverkiwi]

I like the sound of this Fred Nerk bloke. Is he better than Guildford?

 

[chief]

I just thought I'd say this. Before the thread turns into something substantial. But I can't see these guys losing it. There's only a certain amount of choking you can do and on home soil as well. I just can't see them losing. I mean not touching the Rugby World Cup for 24 years and the weight of expectation at Eden Park. They have to win this thing. If they don't there will be protests.

 

[Scarfman]

But it would be funny, wouldn't it?

 

[Phreakboy]

I like the sound of this Fred Nerk bloke. Is he better than Guildford?

That's a given.

 

[Bon]

Now in my seventies I played rugby in my younger years and have followed the game practically all my life. I still clap for good plays no matter which side makes them, and have never booed or whistled during a match.
All the rugby followers I know,and there are many, are looking forward to a good tournament win or lose. Naturally we hope our team does well, but won't be distraught if we don't make it through.In a knockout tournament anything can and does happen. So good luck to all no matter which team you support.

 

[BarneySF]

AB Depth - Makes You Wonder

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/r...aw-and-muliaina-ruled-out-20110915-1kaf7.html

It's only Japan sure, but imagine a RWC without Carter, Ritchie, Mils and Dagg ... sounds like a law firm.

 

[Dan54]

So you heard Barnsey, thats why they really out, getting a law firm set up!

 

[BarneySF]

So you heard Barnsey, thats why they really out, getting a law firm set up!

Trying to think what Mccaw's specialty would be - ADVERSE POSSESSION cases.

KAPOW

 

[Braveheart81]

Surely the law firm of injured players is Carter, Reid, Mils and Dagg.

Richie McCaw would be the defendant.

 

[Swat]

I just thought I'd say this. Before the thread turns into something substantial. But I can't see these guys losing it. There's only a certain amount of choking you can do and on home soil as well. I just can't see them losing. I mean not touching the Rugby World Cup for 24 years and the weight of expectation at Eden Park. They have to win this thing. If they don't there will be protests.

I don't think it's going to be a choke if the Wallabies win in the final, just a case of the rise of a good team getting some form and beating the favourites (like when the Poms won the ashes for the first time in 18yrs in 2005). That said, if the French beat you or you don't make the final....