[2015 RWC] Quarter Final 2: New Zealand vs. France (17/10/2015)

[Mcfadden]

I was wrong on Kaino, but with a hint of caution! Don't mind if he plays like that. Kinda reserving judgement on his and Read's form until they get tested a little more perhaps though? Read still had a few handling issues, and that may have received more attention in a tighter game. Giving people like Carter, Nonu, Savea and Moody more credit because I felt as though they were key reasons and displayed individual brilliance that contributed to our dominance, as opposed to riding off it. That's just how it appeared to me, and I hope it's a fair comment. If Kaino did an amazing amount of work that I haven't noticed at first watch which the stats prove, then I'm happy to accept that.

 

[austingtir]

Nonu needs to be convinced to stick around for another year or two or come back!! He's that good imo.

 

[Mcfadden]

Yeah, so true. I always thought the midfield would be the hardest to replace after the WC. McCaw and Carter have been legends, but Cane/Todd/Savea and Sopoaga/Barrett/a returning Cruden are handy enough. George Moala has been really good for Auckland and is obviously having a great year, but we'll need to build him up some more. Ngatai is there if he doesn't get injured. Not totally convinced by Fekitoa at international level - but he's super explosive off the bench. Crotty is safe and sensible but I think we could probably do a bit better than that.

 

[GoTheNaki]

Nonu needs to be convinced to stick around for another year or two or come back!! He's that good imo.

The issue that rises is, will he be there for the next World Cup? No, so I think he and NZ are doing the right thing and moving on... He could well leave the ABs as the best 12 in the world, even at 33. Thirty-three... Just let that sink in. But I believe our centre partnership could well need 4 years to get it right.

 

[austingtir]

The issue that rises is, will he be there for the next World Cup? No, so I think he and NZ are doing the right thing and moving on... He could well leave the ABs as the best 12 in the world, even at 33. Thirty-three... Just let that sink in. But I believe our centre partnership could well need 4 years to get it right.

My issue is we are gunna loose a crap load of experience after this cup. He looks to me about the only one thats got **** loads of games left in him out of the oldies in the team.

Id be pretty keen to have him back for the B/I Lions atleast.

 

[nightmarehitter]

 

[ABs2011]

Im still here and im still perfectly happy to say it.
Kaino iv never had a huge problem with.

Savea ran over the top of the most feeble tackles you will likely ever see. They were pathetic end of story. That entire french backline was a joke.

Im willing to wager with anyone on here, im prepared to put my money where my mouth is. If savea runs over the top of THREE SOUTH AFRICAN players in a row and scores against SA i'll give the first one on here to PM me $50NZD. But of course if it doesnt happen it goes the other way.

Haha, you crack me up.

If the debate regarding Savea has got to the point where the only issue we have is whether he will be able to bump off three guys and score a miracle try each game AND the odds are even money? then I think his (Savea's) point has already been well and truly proven!!

I have no idea of you were one of them or not, but the debate used to be about whether he should be in the team or not - do you remember? They are the people I am talking about!

Here si the thing about Savea from that game:
1) his confidence is clearly back - that should be frightening enough for any team
2) his work rate is up
3) his pace and fitness looks to be back to where it was
4) he is scoring tries at regular intervals (now two ahead of anyone else at this RWC I believe).
and last but not least 5) he is scoring tries that I'm not sure anyone else in world rugby is capable of.

SO all things considered it really would be a joke to be still having a converstation around whether he deserves to be in the team right now.

 

[GoTheNaki]

My issue is we are gunna loose a crap load of experience after this cup. He looks to me about the only one thats got **** loads of games left in him out of the oldies in the team.

Id be pretty keen to have him back for the B/I Lions atleast.

http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/36131-What-does-your-post-RWC-All-Blacks-starting-XV-look-like

 

[ABs2011]

Nonu needs to be convinced to stick around for another year or two or come back!! He's that good imo.

I recall a few years back more than half this forum were on Nonu's case and thought he shouldnt be in the team....Oh how times change

 

[Bazzy]

An amazing performance. I don't think a single player had a bad game and it was vintage Dan, Savea, Nonu. Hopefully the injuries are just minor and we can back this up next week.

This thread isn't a great read though. What's with intense dislike of New Zealand by a few English posters? I can understand French fans having a go. Maybe a reminder is due, England are a very distant memory in this world cup.

 

[TW27BA]

Congrats to the All Blacks on a resounding win. The remaining teams will be wondering how the hell to beat them. Savea, Nonu, Milner -Skudder and Kaino among others were supreme tonight.
I can't see any further than a NZ v Oz final

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Wow, that was a performance!!! The best performance of the tournament by a long way, France were a bit tired and worse than last week but from an Irish perspective we need to reach another level entirely if we want to even compete with the best.

NZ finally showed why they're favourites and it was absolutely brutal, I'm very afraid they have more in the tank too! If you're naive enough to lead these guys into a loose and open game you'd better expect a 50 point drubbing, minimum!

 

[austingtir]

Haha, you crack me up.

If the debate regarding Savea has got to the point where the only issue we have is whether he will be able to bump off three guys and score a miracle try each game AND the odds are even money? then I think his (Savea's) point has already been well and truly proven!!

I have no idea of you were one of them or not, but the debate used to be about whether he should be in the team or not - do you remember? They are the people I am talking about!

Here si the thing about Savea from that game:
1) his confidence is clearly back - that should be frightening enough for any team
2) his work rate is up
3) his pace and fitness looks to be back to where it was
4) he is scoring tries at regular intervals (now two ahead of anyone else at this RWC I believe).
and last but not least 5) he is scoring tries that I'm not sure anyone else in world rugby is capable of.

SO all things considered it really would be a joke to be still having a converstation around whether he deserves to be in the team right now.

I think he should be in the team but ONLY because Naholo is not upto standard. Had Naholo played to his potential I seriously doubt Savea would of started this game.

You know full well he's NOT going to do that to SA in a semi and iv had no PM's yet.

 

[ABs2011]

I think he should be in the team but ONLY because Naholo is not upto standard. Had Naholo played to his potential I seriously doubt Savea would of started this game.

You know full well he's NOT going to do that to SA in a semi and iv had no PM's yet.

Again, if that's the only issue you have with him, then seriously, who cares? You are offering an even money bet for another miracle try - either you are taking the ****, or have no idea about gambling/probabilities. I'm a big gambler and a big Savea fan, but mate, I wouldnt be taking that bet if you were offering me 10:1 let alone even money! You are being ridiculous bro!

 

[austingtir]

Again, if that's the only issue you have with him, then seriously, who cares? You are offering an even money bet for another miracle try - either you are taking the ****, or have no idea about gambling/probabilities. I'm a big gambler and a big Savea fan, but mate, I wouldnt be taking that bet if you were offering me 10:1 let alone even money! You are being ridiculous bro!

Look all im getting at is Savea is overrated and NZ fans should not start bouncing off the walls proclaiming how great he is from scoring these tries against THIS French side. And that can go for Dan as well.

SA is going to D up like mad on us and you can take that to the bank!

 

[ABs2011]

Im willing to wager with anyone on here, im prepared to put my money where my mouth is. If savea runs over the top of THREE SOUTH AFRICAN players in a row and scores against SA i'll give the first one on here to PM me $50NZD. But of course if it doesnt happen it goes the other way.

So, if you really are keen to show how you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, then lets be a little more realistic about it.

Bumping off 3 players to score a try against SA probably only happens once every 30 games or so? to narrow it down to one individual doing it you are probably looking at a 50:1 shot dont you think? I'll be generous are shorten the odds down to 40:1. Do you wanna take that bet?

And while we are at it lets add a couple more in here. how about bump off two to score at 20:1, and just the plain old run over one guy to score at 2:1.

IF we pay the money up front I'll have a crack at all three of those bets.

You just name the price. If you still wanna take me on $50 bets, that does mean you will need to deposit $3250 into a 3rd party account.

If you dont like the odds (we can negotiate) and I'm happy to lower the bet amount. You let me know.

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Look all im getting at is Savea is overrated and NZ fans should not start bouncing off the walls proclaiming how great he is from scoring these tries against THIS French side. And that can go for Dan as well.

SA is going to D up like mad on us and you can take that to the bank!

I'm pretty excited about him, BUT, my point is just that people were calling for his head. Those people IMO need to suck it up and recognise when they were wrong. Savea turned a corner in today's game and may well turn out to be the game breaker that is so often needed in finals footy. Time will tell, but the time for debating whether he should be there or not is well and truly over!

 

[austingtir]

So, if you really are keen to show how you are willing to put your money where your mouth is, then lets be a little more realistic about it.

Bumping off 3 players to score a try against SA probably only happens once every 30 games or so? to narrow it down to one individual doing it you are probably looking at a 50:1 shot dont you think? I'll be generous are shorten the odds down to 40:1. Do you wanna take that bet?

And while we are at it lets add a couple more in here. how about bump off two to score at 20:1, and just the plain old run over one guy to score at 2:1.

IF we pay the money up front I'll have a crack at all three of those bets.

You just name the price. If you still wanna take me on $50 bets, that does mean you will need to deposit $3250 into a 3rd party account.

If you dont like the odds (we can negotiate) and I'm happy to lower the bet amount. You let me know.

So you turn a $50 friendly bet into a gouging $3250 one and think thats being realistic? LOL im actually semi keen on taking that bet but my wife wouldnt like that so much id probably have to sign some divorce papers before taking that one.

Its gotta be three for me.

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I'm pretty excited about him, BUT, my point is just that people were calling for his head. Those people IMO need to suck it up and recognise when they were wrong. Savea turned a corner in today's game and may well turn out to be the game breaker that is so often needed in finals footy. Time will tell, but the time for debating whether he should be there or not is well and truly over!

So if he plays like he has the rest of the year in the next game what are you going to say?

Dont get me wrong I HOPE he does play great like in this game but you've got to put everything in context. France were almost to woeful for words in this game. He had a field day against incredibly poor opposition end of story.

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I actually think this game will bugger Savea up for SA unless Hansen and co keep him in check. He will think he can just run over the top of them willy nilly all game. That wont end well.

SA's tactics will be to kick it behind him all game you watch that clanger savea did by not getting that ball out when the french kicked through and retained the ball near the touchline could be the difference between winning and losing next week.

 

[McTallshort]

What a performance from the AB's and what an shocker by the French.

For all the grief England have been getting for not making the 1/4 I am kind of glad we didnt get there given the quality on show today in both games.

 

[nik]

Great win by ABs. I thought France were competitive for 55mins of the match. However every mistake they made they had to pay for it. Plus in the period there was some sublime attack from ABs. After 55mins it was all one way.
You could see the style that France wanted to play, slower, more forward oriented, controlling possession that way. They looked to be coming back into the game early in the second half, but the reversal of penalty and sin binning of Picamoles took the wind out of the sails for France.

On that sin binning, initial reaction I thought was a bit tough, however having thought about it, you cannot clench fists and push on someones face, pushing down and putting your body weight on it. That can break someones jaw. A bit of luck as well for the ABs, different referee could have had different interpretation. I think the rub of the green was definitely favoring the ABs, not that it would have changed the eventual outcome. ABs were simply too good but maybe the scoreline would have be slightly more respectable.

Let's hope the ABs bring the same 'edge' to their game next week against South Africa. In the past we have seen this sort of performance from the ABs but in the following games they cannot repeat it (even though they win). But I guess ABs do find ways to win games even when they are not play well.

-----

That Carter fend! Wow, haven't seen that in years, shades of his best form in 05-06.

 

[nickdnz]

Amazing game.

So, I'm feeling rather cocky after all the doom and gloom over the last few weeks in regards to Savea, Carter, Conrad Smith etc, etc, etc.

But outside of blowing my own horn, that performance may have been one of the most complete I have ever seen. We held onto possession brilliantly, our passes were both ambitious and incredibly well executed, our line-out was brilliant, the option taking was fantastic, particularly on turnover ball. It was simply great - no idea how you backup that performance.

Savea needs to score one more try to beat Lomu and Habana for most tries in a RWC..