RWC QF 2 NZ v FRA (Millenium Stadium) 18th Oct 0600 AEDT

[Relance]

Good changes overall:

• Chouly is a passenger at this level. Le Roux lacks effectiveness when carrying in the tight channels but he's a great energizing bunny: long range, good hands and support play, strong tackler.
• Parra owes us a great game. 66 caps at 26, we'll need his experience against the centurions.
• Dumoulin is a good distributor but he'll need to rise to the occasion. I hope he plays 12 during the game.

That being said, don't expect to see any electric backline move on Saturday. We'll be lacking depth, movement and good running angles as usual during phase play.

My only hope is that players will wipe their bottoms with whatever instructions Joe no clue Lagisquet has given them. That's our last game, no fear of being benched, dropped or kicked in the arse. Hearts & minds. Make us proud.

If they come with another signature response to the haka, expect anything from ABs by 10 to France by 1. Otherwise, ABs by 30.

 

[Relance]

As a side note, that's poor poor poor man management by the coaching staff. Picking and sticking to 3 controversial players in the lead-up to the RWC and during pools, even though they were not up to test level, and throwing them when the first knock-out game arrives, that's terrible.

 

[ACT Crusader]

I agree with that.

My lasting memories of that 1999 semi involve being told by AB supporters for an hour before the game and up to and including half time how they were going to easily defeat the Wallabies in the final the following week. (We beat SAF on the Saturday and the AB v FRA game was on the Sunday). Sitting with a small group of Wallaby fans in a mass of black and white - it was remarkable how quiet things became in our area as the 2nd half wore on.

What 2nd half? Never happened......

 

[JJJ]

Hard to see anything other than a comfortable kiwi victory here. The only hope France really have is that they can get some pretty serious ascendancy in the scrum, with a yellow or two for repeated infringements.

It's hard to know how to rate the french scrum though. A lot of the hype about them seems to be based off what they did to a supposedly world-class English scrum in the friendly. Although to be fair, that was an English scrum pre-#scrumstraightjoe.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Playing indoors the scrum won't be too much of an issue. Ireland beat up the French scrum but we beat up every scrum at the moment so that doesn't necessarily write off the French set piece. Ireland dismantled their lineout fairly comprehensively as well but that is another Irish strength so, again, hard to judge. France will be better with Parra but anything other than a double figure NZ win would be a major shock, IMHO.

 

[Relance]

Playing indoors the scrum won't be too much of an issue. Ireland beat up the French scrum but we beat up every scrum at the moment so that doesn't necessarily write off the French set piece. Ireland dismantled their lineout fairly comprehensively as well but that is another Irish strength so, again, hard to judge. France will be better with Parra but anything other than a double figure NZ win would be a major shock, IMHO.

Let's not get too carried away here. Slimani had the edge on Healy early on, but the smart loosehead adapted and it was even until Ben Arous came off. Ireland then came on top, and were really dominant when Slimani was subbed.

Curious to see how your props will fare against Argentina.

Edit: couldn't agree more on the lineout.

 

[the plastic paddy]

And in the second half White and McGrath won multiple penalties as Debaty and Mas were splintered. Ben Arous made no impression whatsoever on Mike Ross, not many do, to be fair to the Frenchman. It will be interesting to see what happens, but, with the roof shut this game will not be won by a dominant scrum.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Rumours coming out that the French players have taken control and PSA has in effect been sacked. Mad as a bunch of frogs as usual but a scary prospect for NZ.

 

[saulityvi]

Rumours coming out that the French players have taken control and PSA has in effect been sacked. Mad as a bunch of frogs as usual but a scary prospect for NZ.

Sounds familiar

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ So 2011. It's history repeating itself, all over again, same as the last time.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Got a spare four minutes? Check this out:

More, please

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Loved it. One of the reasons why I'm happy about this match up in the QF is that we might see some of what was in that video.

 

[Pedrolicus]

If the rumours are true about the French players mutineering I expect there will be lots of tries scored.

It will either be awesome or disastrous for the French and vice versa for the kiwis.

 

[aeneas]

I will be shocked if either team wins by more than 9.

And my pick is NZ +9

 

[jollyswagman]

Vive la révolution !!!!
Mort aux hommes en noir !!!!​

 

[BDA]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/r...-rugby-world-cup/story-e6frf4zl-1227571108902

this is classic. The All Blacks must be shitting themselves.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

so they rebel against the coach because he's not "charismatic" enough?

fuckin hell, what chance, say, an Ian Foster? He'd walk in for his interview and wouldnt even make it to his seat. "Le fuckin' oute!" they'd say

Do they want a rugby coach or Clark Gable on a fuckin stick?

Either way, NZ are completely rooted. The suddenly tight band of parisian brothers will storm the Bastille, man the ramparts, roger the children, burn the books and be back at the hotel in time for some snails on snot and Chateau du Get Fucked by sundown

 

[Pedrolicus]

so they rebel against the coach because he's not "charismatic" enough?

fuckin hell, what chance, say, an Ian Foster? He'd walk in for his interview and wouldnt even make it to his seat. "Le fuckin' oute!" they'd say

Do they want a rugby coach or Clark Gable on a fuckin stick?

Either way, NZ are completely rooted. The suddenly tight band of parisian brothers will storm the Bastille, man the ramparts, roger the children, burn the books and be back at the hotel in time for some snails on snot and Chateau du Get Fucked by sundown

Yep and they'll bugger themselves for the semi and get pasted by South Africa/Wales.

 

[Pedrolicus]

Hansen brings up the rainbow warrior.
http://m.smh.com.au/rugby-union/rug...-rainbow-warrior-clanger-20151015-gkahbd.html

 

[Hugh Jarse]

So French, So 2011 RWC. History repeating itself, all over again, just like last time.

Look out NZL, this means trouble.

Must watch game.