RWC 2015 Semi Final 1 - NZ vs RSA Twickenham

[FrankLind]

Starting XV
1. Joe Moody (9)
2. Dane Coles (34)
3. Owen Franks (76)
4. Brodie Retallick (45)
5. Samuel Whitelock (71)
6. Jerome Kaino (65)
7. Richie McCaw (146) — captain
8. Kieran Read (82)
9. Aaron Smith (45)
10. Daniel Carter (110)
11. Julian Savea (39)
12. Ma’a Nonu (101)
13. Conrad Smith (92)
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (6)
15. Ben Smith (46)

Reserves
16. Keven Mealamu (130)
17. Ben Franks (45)
18. Charlie Faumuina (31)
19. Victor Vito (32)
20. Sam Cane (29)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (19)
22. Beauden Barrett (34)
23. Sonny Bill Williams (31)

 

[qwerty51]

So how does Moody overtake Franks when he's the one that wasn't picked originally?

 

[Brumby Runner]

Is Perenara injured? Would have thought he was rated above TKB.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Sir Richie Goat will end the RWC on 148 caps if the NZL team make the finals. Any chance the Lords of Darkness will put on a couple of exhibition Tests for him so he can make it to a sesquicentury of Tests before he hangs up his boots and takes over running the country from John Key?

Regardless that total will probably stand for a long time.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Ke-rist that is still a formidable 23 isn't it.

 

[FrankLind]

So how does Moody overtake Franks when he's the one that wasn't picked originally?

I assume Moody is regarded as a better scrummager, being a specialist loosehead. Ben Franks was picked because he covers both sides.

Moody is more a like for like for Woodcock, whereas Ben Franks perhaps has more impact hitting rucks later in the game (see the Ireland game we almost lost a few years ago for evidence of this). I think if Moody had not played as well last week, Ben Franks would have been selected.

 

[FrankLind]

Is Perenara injured? Would have thought he was rated above TKB.

TKB has bben more calm and steady coming on. TJP gets so amped up coming on late he has trouble with a few mistakes and decision-making. I think he is better starting than as impact so he can settle into the game more.

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

If everything came together and it was just one of those days, I can see a scenario where this goes down to the wire - but actually, I'm tipping The Darkness by at least 12 - with most of the damage being done in the 30 minutes straddling half-time..

 

[Hell West & Crooked]

i do agree though with the suggestion earlier, that heavy rain would be a game changer... not necessarily a Result changer though...

 

[qwerty51]

I assume Moody is regarded as a better scrummager, being a specialist loosehead. Ben Franks was picked because he covers both sides.

Moody is more a like for like for Woodcock, whereas Ben Franks perhaps has more impact hitting rucks later in the game (see the Ireland game we almost lost a few years ago for evidence of this). I think if Moody had not played as well last week, Ben Franks would have been selected.

Nailed it.

Hansen said the decision to start Moody ahead of Franks was not difficult.

"There has never been any debate. Ben Franks is a very good prop, he covers both sides. But Joe Moody is a specialist, he showed us he is a very good player and showed us in his performance last week. It is a no brainer."

 

[Quick Hands]

i do agree though with the suggestion earlier, that heavy rain would be a game changer. not necessarily a Result changer though.

At the risk of getting into another discussion with NH types about the weather:

Looks like a repeat of 1999 - the Saturday semi played in rain, the Sunday semi played in sunny dry conditions.

Outlook for Saturday to Monday

Breezy at times. Some heavy rain for a time later on Saturday, then clearer and colder later. Generally fine and dry Sunday. Cloudier and milder Monday but probably staying dry.

http://www.bbc.com/weather/2643743

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Paulisis Manu London-bound as injury cover for Crockett:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...p-pauliasi-manu-on-standby-for-the-all-blacks

 

[Relance]

What do the Saffers here make of the presence of Willie Le Roux ?

 

[zer0]

I am worried for a couple of reasons:

-if it rains it might turn this into a close quarters slug-fest - which definitely favors the Boks. We just aren't as physical as they are.
-the Boks are underdogs

I read in one of the deluge of filler articles this week that, apparently, we've only ever lost once to the Boks in the rain (though I'm not quite sure how they defined "rain"). Regardless, the pack normally plays quite well in the rain as they're forced to tighten up. So I'd be fairly confident of still winning, regardless of whether its rain or shine (/gloomy).

 

[ACT Crusader]

I don't think the Boks are any more "physical" than the ABs. The AB forwards hit the ruck with some venom and don't shirk when there is ball to be contested.

I actually think if it's wet then the combination of our pick n go game and our backs like Nonu, Savea and NMS will also offer that physicality to get us consistently over the gain line, which is what will put pressure on the Boks to keep their discipline.

 

[chasmac]

The AB's are Unbackable favorites... put the house on it.

 

[Pfitzy]

So how does Moody overtake Franks when he's the one that wasn't picked originally?

Because the Franks era ended when the hit was taken out of scrummaging.

 

[Blue]

Starting XV
1. Joe Moody (9)
2. Dane Coles (34)
3. Owen Franks (76)
4. Brodie Retallick (45)
5. Samuel Whitelock (71)
6. Jerome Kaino (65)
7. Richie McCaw (146) — captain
8. Kieran Read (82)
9. Aaron Smith (45)
10. Daniel Carter (110)
11. Julian Savea (39)
12. Ma’a Nonu (101)
13. Conrad Smith (92)
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (6)
15. Ben Smith (46)

Reserves
16. Keven Mealamu (130)
17. Ben Franks (45)
18. Charlie Faumuina (31)
19. Victor Vito (32)
20. Sam Cane (29)
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (19)
22. Beauden Barrett (34)
23. Sonny Bill Williams (31)

Looks weak.

 

[Blue]

What do the Saffers here make of the presence of Willie Le Roux ?

He has been poor all year. Hu used to be real solid under the high ball but has been flaky. Seems to lack confidence.

There was real talk of moving Kriel to 15.

I think unless Willie has a blinder we might wee Kriel move to 15 in second half.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

He has been poor all year. Hu used to be real solid under the high ball but has been flaky. Seems to lack confidence.

There was real talk of moving Kriel to 15.

I think unless Willie has a blinder we might wee Kriel move to 15 in second half.

And move JP into 13?