The Ghost of Raelene
Simon Poidevin (60)
Don't know if he was awful at the scrum. Porter seems to come off second best against the good sides. SA gave him a going over as well. He gives himself away when is ass is facing the AR.This is BS, Barnes was no where near in favor of Ireland. Smith yellow was soft, but that was the TMO making up for the RM tackle he said was fine.
As for the yellow and penalty try, I can't believe any rugby fans is really calling that a bad decision.
Barnes was awful at the scrum, Ireland penalized twice when going forward and dominating.
He also calls nothing at the break down, Ireland would have been happier with a more whistle happy ref.
Saying the 50/50s went Irelands way makes it seem like I'm saying Barnes favoured them. I don't think he favoured either. I mean they were getting the throw that could be called not straight play on. A Hansen potential forward played on.
In the end Ireland had more than enough opportunity to win it. 53 more carries than NZ, 1 extra line break, 55% possession, 52% territory and NZ made 71 more tackles.
What did it was the 11 turnovers lost by Ireland and the Scrum. NZ got out to a lead that even with the fightbacks was too much. I question the changes in mind that seemed to happen a few times around not taking the PG or going for touch. The one early in the game surprised me given its a WC QF and it was very kickable.
Barnes calling "nothing" at the break down almost won Ireland at the game at the end. It took a call even Stevie Wonder would have made to get his arm up.