RWC 2011 SF2: Australia vs. New Zealand

[Hugh Jarse]

Massive storm here in Brisbane but the darkness passed and the gold is shining through once again. Let's hope the wallabies can weather the storm and let the gold shine tomorrow! Can't wait!!!

Awesome predictions. Hoping that they are more accurate than my Paul The Octopus moment.

And at my local Dan Murphys what do I see side by side in the Specialist Beer Aisle

Appropriate for a possible NZRT vs Soap Dodger RWC Final.

Hope this isn't the rugby equivalent of Paul the Octopus during the Diveball world cup.

 

[Cardiffblue]

I hope that NZ get an awful decision against them resulting in a man sent off.

I hope Australia then win the game (by the skin of their teeth).

I hope New Zealand are roundly proclaimed to have been the 'true winners'.

I hope Wales break their 58 year drought against them in the 3rd/4th place play off.

I then hope Wales tear the World Champs a new one at MilStad in December.

Actually, I just hope that we see a good game tomorrow and Wales beat the losers next week, soundly.

 

[Groucho]

Occasional being the key word. He goes MIA far too often, just look at last week where he made no runs for the whole match. I can't remember the last time a center managed that.

Wallaby 13s in the modern game often make no meters, no matter who they are. They don't get the ball - the Bermuda Triangle of backline positions.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

"We'll all be rooned"

"Said Hanrahan" springs to mind about tomorrow.

Too cryptic. The story is too long to post here so try this link http://www.middlemiss.org/lit/authors/obrienj/poetry/hanrahan.html

 

[Slim 293]

I don't look out for players on defense, what I look out for is them on attack. And in that department he was MIA. And FTR he made 11 tackles missed 2.

Make that 16 tackles and 2 misses...

And the Wallaby backs barely had the ball so what do you expect?

 

[bobdog]

There are many angles to winning.
Ewan Mc Kenzie has one that works. It worked in tandem with his other weapons and as much as its been on public view it seems to be something that few other coaches at the senior level refuse to adopt.
Coaching and directing from the sideline..... with the players! I understand there is an overview factor from 'up high' and that no doubt it has a part in forming 'on the run strategy' and playing adjustments BUT there is a very powerful psychological effect coming from a coach being with, among and talking to his players on the sideline. Its very much part of the American football scene albeit for other reasons mostly to do with questioning refereeing decisions.
Can someone tell me why Deans and others doesn't take advantage of this advantage. The right word to a young replacement about to run on from the coaches mouth delivered in his trained 'way' can have a powerful effect....maybe the telling final affect of a win. Stats can come thru a headphone as can other co coaches opinions so it is not absolutely imperative he be locked 'up high'!

 

[nugget]

This game has so many opposing hoodoo's and continuums that must be broken by the final whistle, I reckon it's gonna end up in a something that's never happened at a world cup:

The game goes into extra time, still drawn at the end of 20 mins. Then sudden death (which has never happened at a rwc) for 20 minutes). Still drawn.

It's all gonna come down to the goal kicking competition.... and Pocock to kick the winning goal. 9-8

 

[Country Kid]

Wallaby 13s in the modern game often make no meters, no matter who they are. They don't get the ball - the Bermuda Triangle of backline positions.

What a difference to the Wallabies V ABs 2003 semi when Mortlock made huge metres with every carry. Different style of 13 for the Wallabies now of course - still it would be nice to see Fainga'a & AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) put though gaps by the play makers

 

[pete88]

I wouldn't mind seeing Fainga'a pick off a Cruden pass deep in our 22 and score under the posts either.

 

[Country Kid]

I wouldn't mind seeing Fainga'a pick off a Cruden pass deep in our 22 and score under the posts either.

Yea.....sweet

 

[maxlord]

Things have changed, different ball game in 2003 when Mortlock, Sailor, and Tuquiri were in top running form and caused mayhem, now we must make do with containing and counterattack so the role of the 13 has changed accordingly. Still believe Horne can be the money man here with 30 to go, he is fast and unselfish enough to set someone away.

 

[Kaz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLaSAxYQmns
1 Pocok with a dash of Vickerman and finished off with a Big Samo again please.

 

[Jumpers]

I hope that NZ get an awful decision against them resulting in a man sent off.

I hope Australia then win the game (by the skin of their teeth).

I hope New Zealand are roundly proclaimed to have been the 'true winners'.

I hope Wales break their 58 year drought against them in the 3rd/4th place play off.

I then hope Wales tear the World Champs a new one at MilStad in December.

Actually, I just hope that we see a good game tomorrow and Wales beat the losers next week, soundly.

The first comment is a typically bad one and only an Aussie could say that!! Disgusting, shicking and defimately unsportsman like!!!

 

[da_grubster]

Just so you know; CARTER IS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! as well.

WHAT!???! When did this happen!?!?!?!??!

 

[da_grubster]

Before the two semis kick off in a couple of hours I'd like to congratulate New Zealand on putting on a very enjoyable Rugby World Cup. There's a lot to be said for the RWC going somewhere rugby's appreciated; unfortunately for NZ it's probably the last time it'll be there due to the financial requirements of staging it.

Now that "bag an Aussie" or "slag Quade" seem to have died down, and the Poms have been rightly dispatched, it's the game which is being talked about. There's no doubt the four teams who want to play rugby have deservedly reached the serious end of the tournament. May the best teams win.

On the money side: it'd be great for New Zealand if tourist numbers take a significant turn upwards the next few years making the whole country benefit from this wonderful event.

Cheers Lindommer, I think NZ have put on a wonderful world cup and its the first time since 95 that it has been in a rugby country and I think everyone can appreciate that it takes the tournament to a new level.

I was immensely proud after the first wknd and it has been great ever since. I honestly believe that the main thing for this world cup is putting on a show and showcasing NZ as opposed to NZ winning it. That may change if we lose tomorrow but I hope we don't get to find out!!

 

[RuckinGoodStats]

Since there is a bit of debate thought I might wade in with a few numbers on Joubert given last night and the result. Will pop back in an hour or so and drop in some NZ v AUS stats if there is a bit of interest, more a summary of tale of the tape that I posted via Gaggar in the week.

Ref is Joubert’s average per game in RWC (2011 average in brackets)
•2.8 Scrum resets, ranked 9 highest (3.2)
•4.8 Scrum infringements, ranked 6 highest (4.5)
•20 Pens awarded, ranked 6 highest (19.2)
•12.6 Pens for ruck, ranked 4 highest (11.4)
•3.6 Pens for scrum, ranked 5 highest (2.9)
•0.2 Pens for lineouts, ranked 5 highest (0.1)
•2 Pens for offside, ranked 5 highest (2.4)
•1.6 Pens for other, ranked 2 highest (2.4)
•7.4 Pens Awarded inside 22, ranked 8 highest
•2.6 Total Free kicks awarded, ranked 4 highest (2.1)
•1.2 Free kick for scrum, ranked 1 highest (0.5)
•1.4 Free kick for lineouts, ranked 2 highest (1.4)
•66% more likely to award a penalty that becomes a kick at goal on the RIGHT side of the field than the left side.

Joubert has a different pattern for scrums. He tends reset few scrums, so he favours infringements rather the resets. This makes scrum time, fun time and I’ll be checking out where the goal posts are in relation to the scrum every time there is a one being set.

The thing about Joubert at scrum time is that he isn’t consistent in the numbers. In his last Australia v NZ there were more scrums resets than infringements. So while the numbers suggest he favours infringements over resets it might be more down to the teams than the ref. Either way, check out the goal post in relation to the scrum. In the Tri-Nations game v NZ he reset 6 scrum and awarded 4 infringements.

 

[Hawko]

Looks like they might have given up...........
http://video.news.com.au/2152702652/THE-ALL-BLACKS-DOWNFALL

I nearly pissed myself. That is awesome!

 

[kiap]

66% more likely to award a penalty that becomes a kick at goal on the RIGHT side of the field than the left side.

Better for left foot kickers (maybe). Is this result statistically significant, and is it common for referees to penalise more on one side of the defensive field?

 

[Scotty]

Wallaby 13s in the modern game often make no meters, no matter who they are. They don't get the ball - the Bermuda Triangle of backline positions.

Good reason to have the less damaging (in attack) fa'ainga there then and let AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) come onto the ball from deeper.

 

[aussie1st]

Make that 16 tackles and 2 misses...

And the Wallaby backs barely had the ball so what do you expect?

I got my stats from here http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/match/93500.html

If we had Mortlock at 13 or Tuilagi you can bet your bottom dollar they would have had a few runs even with the ball we had. I'm not blaming AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), he just isn't built like those fellas, which is what I see as my ideal 13.