RWC 2019 SF1: New Zealand v England

[Lost]

A lot of those points came when Aus were chasing the game in the last 20 minutes.

You could easily argue the wallabies scrum, line-out, and attack at some periods in the game looked better then the AB's.

Although, I do agree, it's not a lot of credit given we were clearly dominated, but still. there is hope.

At 16-17 the game was up for grabs and even briefly AUS was on top. ENG sorted that out and reasserted their dominance. NZ were never on top. Only try came from their 1 lineout error. NZ looked old,slow and predictable.

It was a joy to behold

 

[Up the Guts]

Um..these guys put 40 on the wallabies. What credit have the wallabies actuall6 earned?

I stand by my comments. Both those sides are obviously better than the wallabies in every facet of the game, and in some facets they are obviously a lot better. I think the english stepped up another level last nighr, which ought not surprise, given who they were playing.

'll be pleased to award 'credit' to the wallabies when they earn it.

Context, we were within a point at one stage, closer than the All Blacks ever got. We leaked points chasing the game late.

It's just not true to say both those sides are better than the Wallabies in every facet of the game. For one, our setpiece was as good if not better than England for the majority of the game and NZ's was worse than England's. There's some credit you can give to the Wallabies.

 

[dru]

Nah I think most reflect after all blacks game that wallabies losing to England not as bad as was made out

If we are to value rugby in Australia on an international standing - ofc it was as bad as it has been made out to be - accurately and adequately reflected in the score and the rankings.

For me, here the England strategy started with a simple territory game backed with a superior line out. Basic stuff that is the life blood of rugby and very well done. Perfectly executed.

But they backed it up with something more outstanding. Nullify the AB counter attack. Brilliant England. Just brilliant.

Once ABs were not scoring on the counter, and they were pinned in their 25, they (I was going to say "panicked" which would be wrong) they swapped were forced to a possession game. When was the last time ABs needed 50% possession to take a game? And that meant things dropped into the game that England wanted to play.

AB's were out thought off the park, and out implemented on the park.

Not ABs playing poorly, ABs being well and truly out-manouvred.

My hat is off to you EJ (Eddie Jones), well done.

Now Bokke, kick some Welsh backside so we have more to cheer next weekend!

 

[Teh Other Dave]

As cathartic as it was to dump on Australia, England's rush defence has put pressure on teams that traditionally launch backline attacks from deep, namely Australia and NZ. Watching NZ throw panic passes and run the ball into touch, and watching Australia giving away intercepts is a direct result of that defensive pressure. Challenge will be against an SA team that look bloody dangerous in counterattack (possibly more so than previous All Black teams), or a Wales side that thrive on irritation (of both opposition and viewers) and disruption.

 

[Brumby Runner]

NZ were lucky there was even a camera in that maul to pick up on the lose ball. 9 times out of 10 that would have been missed. Although technically the right call.

You could see a momentum swing after that call, but England didn't let up, I thought was most impressive.

I even thought it should have been a penalty for offside play. I can see an argument though that it was unintentional and hence a scrum, but I thought it was deliberately played by the player in front. It was a very good camera shot in any case.

 

[Dan54]

Never said I felt sorry for you. Said I felt your pain.

Lol no pain either mate, like I said it was game of rugby, you win some you lose some!

 

[A mutterer]

nz looked decidedly australian last night with their single minded focus to run it from their 22, followed by out the back plays to the backs that fooled no-one.

is hansen now a smokey for the wobs gig to carry on the chieka mantle?

 

[teach]

I think we will see a situation like after 2007. There will be some soul searching and the ABs will emerge the better for it. I am not particularly bothered by the result. I wasn't overly confident due to the relative lack of experience of some of our backs. I also thought that they were so enamoured with the thought of having 3 brothers in a RWC team that they had tunnel vision when it came to selections. A lot thought that Jordie was a fuck up waiting to happen. I was reminded today about some of the pet projects of the coaches. Imagine if DMac hadn't got injured. He might have started last night.
But at least we made it to the semi finals. Look what happened to England the last time round.
Its time for new vision, new coaches. Any players that survive till the next RWC will be the better for it.
Well done England, they played a bloody good game last night.

 

[Up the Guts]

I think we will see a situation like after 2007. There will be some soul searching and the ABs will emerge the better for it. I am not particularly bothered by the result. I wasn't overly confident due to the relative lack of experience of some of our backs. I also thought that they were so enamoured with the thought of having 3 brothers in a RWC team that they had tunnel vision when it came to selections. A lot thought that Jordie was a fuck up waiting to happen. I was reminded today about some of the pet projects of the coaches. Imagine if DMac hadn't got injured. He might have started last night.
But at least we made it to the semi finals. Look what happened to England the last time round.
Its time for new vision, new coaches. Any players that survive till the next RWC will be the better for it.
Well done England, they played a bloody good game last night.

I agree, a three-peat is a massive ask and it’s easy to get stuck in your ways when you’re winning everything in sight.

For instance, justifying not selecting good players like Akira Ioane is easy when you’re holding all the silverware. Those sorts of guys will come back into the fold and management will be giving them a bigger kick up the arse to say get working we need you.

 

[The Honey Badger]

Yea, have I seen the future of backrow play
And his name is Sam Underhill

.

The last decade belonged to Poey and Co
Behind the gainline, over the ball
The next one belongs to Underhill and Co
Get off the line
Dominant tackle slow the ball

God bless change and progress.

Easy when you have Ijote in your team. How many turnovers did he get his big mits on?

 

[shanky]

Easy when you have Ijote in your team. How many turnovers did he get his big mits on?

Itoje was magnificent, no doubt. Clearly MoM

I was referring to the style of play. I think we’re seeing the new way of doing things now that jackalling is being downplayed by the new Laws.
Underhill (and Curry) were charging up and tackling front-on, giving themselves no chance of making the turnover. Even last year, an Openside would not do that, instead waiting for the player to ‘come onto’ them, then tackle/jackal.

Just an era-change IMHO. Watch the next year or two for this to play out.

 

[Dan54]

I agree, a three-peat is a massive ask and it’s easy to get stuck in your ways when you’re winning everything in sight.

For instance, justifying not selecting good players like Akira Ioane is easy when you’re holding all the silverware. Those sorts of guys will come back into the fold and management will be giving them a bigger kick up the arse to say get working we need you.

Haha UTG I agreed with you almost, until you suggested Akira should of been picked, he actually was in squad a couple times but seems he just never worked enough to make team, and these days can't even seem to get a start in ITM cup!!

 

[Dan54]

I just been having a chuckle seems Greg Growden now seems to think Eddie Jones better get picked up by ARU before NZ gets him!!!!! For FFS and we read in here about NZ rugby press!! I seem to recall reading all these psots in here and other rugby site last year how he was good for a couple of years, and Pom press were calling for his head because they were prtty average in last couple of 6Ns!!!

 

[Finsbury Girl]

Hard luck NZ. Played your worst game in years, but geez England were very, very good indeed. Haven't seen the AB forwards so completely dominated for many years. Having said that NZ failed to adapt and had no game B it seems.

 

[Willin1]

Hopefully the embarrassment of this towelling will cause the NZRU to rethink their succession plan and not consider Foster as the next head coach. He was a very mediocre coach for the Waikato NPC team and he's really been shown up since Wayne Smith left the AB coaching group 2 years ago.

Could they give the head coach role to the co-architect of what is probably the most inept, error ridden and cringeworthy display of rugby the ABs have ever played? The baying fans need their sacrifice!
To Foster: "just put on this ceremonial gown and lay your head over this bloodied block. Oh, and don't trip over mr Cheika there!"

Razor Robertson's stocks will have risen no doubt. Will be interesting to see else who throws their hat in the ring.

 

[ACR]

So funny to see NZ fans start being vocal about ref performances.

Losing always offers a different perspective. Its a shame they don't lose more often.

To be completely fair to myself, I am ALWAYS whinging about the ref. That's what the forum is partly(mostly) for me. No one would need to hear that garbage in real life. haha.

Hopefully the embarrassment of this towelling will cause the NZRU to rethink their succession plan and not consider Foster as the next head coach. He was a very mediocre coach for the Waikato NPC team and he's really been shown up since Wayne Smith left the AB coaching group 2 years ago.

Could they give the head coach role to the co-architect of what is probably the most inept, error ridden and cringeworthy display of rugby the ABs have ever played? The baying fans need their sacrifice!
To Foster: "just put on this ceremonial gown and lay your head over this bloodied block. Oh, and don't trip over mr Cheika there!"

Razor Robertson's stocks will have risen no doubt. Will be interesting to see else who throws their hat in the ring.

Found that interesting last week after the Ireland game. Hansen threw out a "Foster is coaching the best I've ever seen him coach". Was just so out of place, a complete job reference line.

 

[Viking]

To be completely fair to myself, I am ALWAYS whinging about the ref. That's what the forum is partly(mostly) for me. No one would need to hear that garbage in real life. haha.



Found that interesting last week after the Ireland game. Hansen threw out a "Foster is coaching the best I've ever seen him coach". Was just so out of place, a complete job reference line.

And to be fair, lots to criticize about ref performances this RWC, especially in the pool stages.

 

[fatprop]

Easy when you have Ijote in your team. How many turnovers did he get his big mits on?

turnovers are now everyone's job, the fetcher is dead

 

[aeneas]

What a game from England. Absolutely smashed NZ.

Out played, out muscled and dare I say it out coached.

 

[Tex]

I'll post this message in the Cheika thread but it's also relevant here.

In his post-match press conference Steve Hansen got pissy with a reporter after the All Blacks' hunger was questioned, and literally asked the reporter to step outside with him.

Now, maybe he meant for a quiet conversation about the ins and outs of motivation, but generally an invitation to "step outside" = to settle a dispute physically.

Cheika may have had vinegar for piss in many of his press conferences, but to my memory he never went as far as to threaten fisticuffs.