SMH at the booing of Richie whenever he was on the big screen. It's as embarrassing as when Quade Cooper was booed every time he got the ball at Eden Park but happens every time the ABs play in England.
Anyway, there was a nervous 30 odd minutes there as things went south but the recovery was pretty typical All Blacks fare (especially of the last couple of years) and while it's nerve wracking, it's a great feeling once the siren has gone. Most importantly, I'm happy we actually got a good contest from the Pool stages because usually we win all four games by large margins and go into the quarters undercooked. The Argies put up a good fight though, so hopefully we'll be far more battle hardened this time around.
Biggest worries are the defence, Woodcock and Read. The defence was just way too passive, giving up metres at the Argies will, and needs to be tightened up a hell of a lot. Woodcock's just way too old and slow these days, it sucks because he's been around forever but Hansen needs to put the team ahead of his loyalty. And Read just looks like a shadow of his former self, ever since he had those concussion issues last year. He missed at least 3 tackles, two of which led to the Argies try, and knocked it on at least a couple of times.
As for the rest, Milner-Skudder had a poor game but that doesn't really worry me. Naholo will get his shot and if he can't secure it, we could always move Ben Smith back to the right wing and start Barrett at fullback. Cane, SBW and Barrett were awesome off the bench. And Aaron Smith and Retallick had strong games.
Oh and I hope the Argies do well from here on out, as they're my second team.
Argentina's Mariano Galarza has been banned for the rest of the tournament for eye gouging the ABs Brodie Retallick.
As for today's games, Japan/Scotland was disappointing result for Japan but not surprising given the poor schedule they received. Lifting for two Tier 1 teams in four days would've taken a huge effort.
And Pocock's by far and away the best player in the Wallabies. I still can't believe they benched him earlier in the year, Hooper isn't even in the same league as him.
The scrums in the Australia-Fiji game were a sight and three line out steals in about a minute was awesome to watch from Fiji. Australia are looking good though. I am really looking forward to the first big north vs south games. New Zealand and Australia both spent too much time dicking about at the break down which a bigger team is gonna exploit. If Australia tries it too much against England they are either gonna get penalised or have their hands crushed.
What a boring second half. Namibia trying to slow the game down, Poite loving the sound of his own whistle and the ABs just going along for the ride. Oh well, at least the score didn't look like it came straight out of a cricket game, it's never fun to see 100+ point thrashings of a minnow, no matter what side you're on.
On the bright side, hopefully Savea will finally get back into some form now. SBW was awesome. Barrett and Milner-Skudder looked good. Kerr-Barlow looked good off the bench, better than Perenara. And I'm happy for Sam Cane, captaining his first game. He's my pick for AB captain next year, after Sir Richie retires.
Im glad England lost that one, absolute stupidity in almost every decision they made throughout. They should have been high and dry before 40 mins, and give all credit to Wales in this they never had a single act of negativity throughout all the problems they have faced. Hopefully the result will teach the England team to start playing like they are in a World Cup.
I think England were actually pretty lucky right up until Wales snatched the lead from them. Every time Wales got near their 22, they'd suddenly find an English player on their side of the ruck and while Garces would penalise them over and over for it, he didn't even bother giving a warning, let alone a yellow card. Most refs would've started issuing warnings before the first half was even up and then gone straight for their pocket on the next attempt.
As for the earlier games, Canada were screwed over by three of the worst refs in the tournament. Clancy, Jackson and Ayoub are awful. I still don't understand how Glen Jackson got picked for the RWC, he's nowhere near the best ref in NZ, he's just been fast tracked up the ranks because he's an ex-player.
SA's win was no surprise at all for me. Barnes didn't have a great game but it didn't make a difference, this Samoan team are way too inaccurate to good challenge any of the big teams like they have in the past. Nice to see TNW show how dangerous he is with ball in hand though.
I watched South Africa/Japan, what other game should I watch this weekend?
Canada Italy is a great game. As long as you ignore the reffing performance.
I'm a Canadian, I cant stand to watch us lose to the ref. I'll watch England/Wales, though, I've always had a soft spot for Wales! They have the most beautiful jerseys.
Yeah, I'm not panicking but I'm not confident about our chances. That game was a clusterfuck of not giving the Georgians enough respect and a few players who are really out of form (or in Naholo's case, great with ball in hand but lacking in other areas, especially under the high ball).
Credit to Georgia though. They threw everything into that game and had the score at a very respectable spot with only 10 minutes to go. With their improvements at all levels (international and U20), World Rugby really need to jump on this chance and try to get them in the Six Nations.
I'd like to Owen Franks come back into the starting tighthead spot, Messam into 6, Kerr-Barlow at 9, Ben Smith moved over to right wing and Barrett at fullback against Tonga. TKB would be playing for the bench halfback spot but the others would be playing for starting spots.
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They really should have scrumed the pen at the end of the first half when NZ were dkwn to 13. WWJD.
What Would Japan Do?
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Anyway, there was a nervous 30 odd minutes there as things went south but the recovery was pretty typical All Blacks fare (especially of the last couple of years) and while it's nerve wracking, it's a great feeling once the siren has gone. Most importantly, I'm happy we actually got a good contest from the Pool stages because usually we win all four games by large margins and go into the quarters undercooked. The Argies put up a good fight though, so hopefully we'll be far more battle hardened this time around.
Biggest worries are the defence, Woodcock and Read. The defence was just way too passive, giving up metres at the Argies will, and needs to be tightened up a hell of a lot. Woodcock's just way too old and slow these days, it sucks because he's been around forever but Hansen needs to put the team ahead of his loyalty. And Read just looks like a shadow of his former self, ever since he had those concussion issues last year. He missed at least 3 tackles, two of which led to the Argies try, and knocked it on at least a couple of times.
As for the rest, Milner-Skudder had a poor game but that doesn't really worry me. Naholo will get his shot and if he can't secure it, we could always move Ben Smith back to the right wing and start Barrett at fullback. Cane, SBW and Barrett were awesome off the bench. And Aaron Smith and Retallick had strong games.
Oh and I hope the Argies do well from here on out, as they're my second team.
Even so, my god those last few minutes were intense
WWJD
EDIT: When I re-watched it I started laughing uncontrollably when Japan decided to scrum the penalty.
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Japan looked like a team who had played the game of their lives 4 days ago. Faded as the game went on.
Scoltand had lots of problems they need to work on. Lineouts dire, restarts lol worthy and frequently blown away in defence.
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As for today's games, Japan/Scotland was disappointing result for Japan but not surprising given the poor schedule they received. Lifting for two Tier 1 teams in four days would've taken a huge effort.
And Pocock's by far and away the best player in the Wallabies. I still can't believe they benched him earlier in the year, Hooper isn't even in the same league as him.
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On the bright side, hopefully Savea will finally get back into some form now. SBW was awesome. Barrett and Milner-Skudder looked good. Kerr-Barlow looked good off the bench, better than Perenara. And I'm happy for Sam Cane, captaining his first game. He's my pick for AB captain next year, after Sir Richie retires.
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Canada Italy is a great game. As long as you ignore the reffing performance.
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England were giving away pens to stop the try but then ran out of scoring threat themselves. Putting Farrel I to midfield cost them the game.
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WATCH ENGLAND WALES. DO IT. DO IT NOW!!!!
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If anything Uruguay will start to school England if they continue to switch off, never mind Australia
As for the earlier games, Canada were screwed over by three of the worst refs in the tournament. Clancy, Jackson and Ayoub are awful. I still don't understand how Glen Jackson got picked for the RWC, he's nowhere near the best ref in NZ, he's just been fast tracked up the ranks because he's an ex-player.
SA's win was no surprise at all for me. Barnes didn't have a great game but it didn't make a difference, this Samoan team are way too inaccurate to good challenge any of the big teams like they have in the past. Nice to see TNW show how dangerous he is with ball in hand though.
Only having access to the ESPN feed is horrible.
I'm a Canadian, I cant stand to watch us lose to the ref. I'll watch England/Wales, though, I've always had a soft spot for Wales! They have the most beautiful jerseys.
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It was super splendid. Glasgow are so lucky to have Nakawara playing for them, I love him to bits.
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Credit to Georgia though. They threw everything into that game and had the score at a very respectable spot with only 10 minutes to go. With their improvements at all levels (international and U20), World Rugby really need to jump on this chance and try to get them in the Six Nations.
I'd like to Owen Franks come back into the starting tighthead spot, Messam into 6, Kerr-Barlow at 9, Ben Smith moved over to right wing and Barrett at fullback against Tonga. TKB would be playing for the bench halfback spot but the others would be playing for starting spots.
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Should be a lot of fight in it.
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