Jumpers is a serious troll, let it go lads.
Have only really recovered from yesterdays game now and upon watching the replay I was quite impressed with the french performance. Dusautoir was easily best on ground and would have to be challenging Kaino for best blindside in the world. Those two and then daylight I think. Harinordiquy once again stepped up another level as did the majority of the french forwards. I thought Nallet and Pape were exceptional and Servat played one of his best games I've ever seen. The injury to Parra was disappointing but out of the shadows emerged a fly-half for the future. I thought Trinh-duc was one of the best backs on the field for either team, he showed composure and apart from the drop kick he looked fairly solid and always willing to attack. By all reports he is an arrogant player who teammates can't play with but with those types of performances you would have to pick him any day.
Kiwi's were as good as I thought they would be, without playing to their full potential. Nonu was shutdown easily, Kaino had little effect, the kiwi scrum was dominated and for the large part of the second half they looked lost. Needless to say, definately deserved winners I thought, Dagg was exceptional, as were Kahui and Jane, McCaw was everywhere and Thorn was being a pest as usual. Donald played the game of his life, Weepu had quite the opposite.
NZ Ratings:
Woodcock - 7
Mealamu - 6
Franks - 6.5
Thorn - 7
Whitelock - 6.5
Kaino - 7.5
McCaw - 8
Read - 6.5
Weepu - 5
Cruden - 6.5
Kahui - 7.5
Nonu - 7
Smith - 6
Jane - 6.5
Dagg - 8
Hore - 5.5
Franks - 5.5
Williams - 6
Ellis - 6.5
Donald - 7.5
SBWilliams -
FRA Ratings:
Poux - 6.5
Servat - 7
Mas - 7
Pape - 7
Nallet - 7.5
Dusautoir - 8.5 (MOM)
Bonnaire - 7
Harinordoquy - 7.5
Yachvilli - 6.5
Parra - 6
Palisson - 7
Mermoz - 6.5
Rougerie - 7.5
Clerc - 6
Medard - 6.5
Szarzewski - 6.5
Barcella -
Pierre - 7
Doussain - 6.5
Trinh-Duc - 7.5
Traille - 7
