SF1: Argentina v New Zealand 21/10/23 @ 0800 NZDT

[waiopehu oldboy]

Sorry in advance for the lack of Official Matchday GIF's...

 

[Dan54]

Isn't it 21/10/23 8.00 NZDT WOB? Saturday isn't it our time? Don't like to be picky mate!
And it means I have to get up about 7-730am Sat, watch the semi and then up to New Plymouth for NPC final!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ correct & corrected

I work every Saturday & the only guy who can realistically sub for me is also a major footy fan so even though he'd likely do it if I asked (he's wifey's cousin) I couldn't do that to him, so I'm hoping both games are on what used to be Prime & will be saving up heaps of things to do that require me to be at the end if the shop where the TV is located...

 

[zer0]

As far as I know the ABs have no injury or judiciary concerns, which is a big bonus. I haven't seen the Pumas QF but the consensus was that it was a significant step down from the ABs QF, which would track with general expectations. Maintaining focus + intensity after that herculean QF, then, would seem to be the greatest challenge for this week. Especially as Argentina will absolutely be up for it.

It would be quite on brand for Foster's tenure to end by eliminating Ireland only to then lose to Argentina.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ yeah, I think all the subs were either tactical or forced by Taylor's YC & there didn't seem to be anything to attract the interest of the citing commissioner.

 

[KiwiM]

It's gonna be tough for ABs to get back up emotionally after that but I think the 2019 experience helps them. Beauden already mentioned post game they didn't build slowly into the week for the 2019 SF.

 

[KOB1987]

NZ by 30

 

[Linerunner2023]

NZ by 20
If they don’t make the same mistake as last 2019 semi and play they way they want to

 

[Penriff_boy]

NZ by 40.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Match officials being named tomorrow. Going by last time they won't appoint anyone from another semi-finalist country so I'm picking we'll get a mix of French, Irish & Australians.

 

[drewprint]

Raynal with a last minute stitch up penalty to Argentina to win the game please.

 

[Wilson]

Match officials being named tomorrow. Going by last time they won't appoint anyone from another semi-finalist country so I'm picking we'll get a mix of French, Irish & Australians.

That probably means Raynal gets one of these games which is a bit disappointing, he's well down the depth chart

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ as long as Barnes gets the Final

 

[John S]

That probably means Raynal gets one of these games which is a bit disappointing, he's well down the depth chart

Any chance Gardiner will get one - or is he on the outer these days?

 

[Wilson]

^ as long as Barnes gets the Final

Both because he is the best and it means England won't be there.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ yeah & hell yeah

 

[zer0]

Given ALB was the only back reserve used in the QF, I do wonder if a 6/2 bench split could be a better use of resources, with Roigard or McKenzie paired with ALB to cover the backs. Especially if they want to give one of the locks a bit of a reprieve after the Ireland test, or just generally manage workloads in the forwards. For e.g., you could start Vaa'i with Rettalick, maybe also swap Papali'i in for Cane, and run with:

16. Taukei'aho
17. Williams
18. Newell
19. Whitelock
20. Barrett
21. Cane (or Papali'i)
22. Roigard/McKenzie
23. ALB

 

[zer0]

It's also quite amusing that Christie was preferred over Roigard for his defensive play, but was't brought on in a match that ended with 5 minues of tough defence.

 

[John S]

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)

 

[Dan54]

Happy with Gardiner doing it, though to be fair, I don't really have an opinion on refs, they all pretty good really. Only thing I has wanted was someone like this with plenty of experience, and so less likely to feel pressure.