[2015 RWC] Semi Final 1: South Africa vs. New Zealand (24/10/2015)

[Sker]

Oh wonderful, Jérôme Garcès.

Wonderful, lovely. Absolutely amazing. Boks by 90.

 

[smartcooky]

Oh wonderful, Jérôme Garcès.

Wonderful, lovely. Absolutely amazing. Boks by 90.

I think you're missing a smiley there Sker!!


These appointments probably mean that Nigel Owens will get the final

 

[The Jones Boy]

This is going to be a rough tough game.
Really looking forward to it.

 

[ABs2011]

I agree with your sentiment regarding how the AB's played against France. But it brings up the question, how can they look at that match and find areas to improve on? whereas SA can look at their game against Wales and see plenty of areas to improve on.

I think for the most part they wont really be looking to improve (even though they say they will be), they will just be re-afirming roles, and making sure they can replicate that performance against a much much tougher team. The reality is it will be bloody hard to play better than the ABs did vs France, so perhaps a big focus will be keeping their feet on the ground and realising this next game is going to be a huge step up. There were of course a few areas for improvement. Defence in the midfield is certainly one. De Alende and Pollard need to be shut down.

Also, these two teams know each other so well now and I suspect that Hansen and co will have a few tricks up their sleeves for SA. Whilst they wont have looked ahead too much, this was the semi final that most would have expected so presumbaly they will have a few plans in place so this week may well be about tweaking a few things and making sure everyone has a full handle on the specific roles required to take on SA given the plan they have.

I heard a comment yesterday which was simple but very true. One of the reasons NZ executed so well against France is that the communication from coaches to players of their specific roles has been pin point. People may think its a given, bt one of the hardest things for coaches to do is translate their game plan and player roles to the players so they have a full understanding of what is expected of them. Case and point would be England this RWC - they were a mess in that sense IMO. NZ/Hansen have had the luxury of 4 years to build for this Cup with largely the same set of players, they then also had 4 group games where they could really re-affirm each and every players roles, perhaps at the expense of putting 100 points on some teams. ALl that clearly payed dividends against France. Lets see how they go against SA though. They will definately need to lift again!

 

[The Jones Boy]

How is Crockett?

 

[igy]

Got the feeling SA will take it.

 

[Sker]

How is Crockett?

He's doing OK. They won't let him have any cookies and he says he misses Spotty, also he sends all his love.

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

Looks like Nehe is on the mend.

 

[ABs2011]

How is Crockett?

Worse than NMS. It sounds like he may not play. They are giving both another day, but NMS has shown improvements and should be good to go. Crockett's chances are 50-50.

 

[Jaguares]

The Saffers are going to hurt to the ABs, no doubts about it. They are a very physical side. I want to see the faces of the du Plessis brothers during the Kapa O Pango:

I will never forget the laughter of the du Plessis brothers during the haka, Saffers don't fear against them

 

[KeyboardWorrier]

I can't see it. NZ will just run them around for 60mins and win in the last 20.

 

[Jaguares]

I can't see it. NZ will just run them around for 60mins and win in the last 20.

I never said that South Africa will win. I just said they're going to hurt them. Something like this:

 

[Shaggy]

This is not going to be easy at all. But if there is one team that can beat the All Blacks, it's us.

I just wonder if the All Blacks might be a bit under-prepared for this game as they haven't had a tough tight game all tournament. Or are they that good?? Either way, I'm thinking it will be a lot closer than the France game, and Since the rain has started to fall at Twickenham on Sunday, my guess is that we are in for a wetter game than we have seen this whole tournament so far.

I see there are murmurs that Willie Le Roux might not play, as he has an ankle injury, but nothing official yet.

I think all of the teams are in with a reasonable shot of winning the whole thing TBH; as for beating the ABs, Australia and South Africa both have beaten the ABs relatively recently, and Argentina will be up for it against either the ABs or the Boks, on current form, assuming they can make it past the Wallabies.

I agree that this game will be close, but I'm not concerned about the ABs preparation or being under done due to lack of tough matches; I think this is one area they have handled well, yes France could have been tougher, but Argentina gave us a good match despite the scoreline, and Georgia gave us a torrid time at the breakdown and scrums, and some areas that we needed to improve on.

Us squaring off at the semifinal stage has gone to script prediction wise, so you would think that the plans are well in place (and have been for some time) for both teams/sets of coaches.

I certainly respect the Springboks, and don't underestimate them, but I have confidence in Steve Hansen, Richie McCaw and co, so I'm predicting an AB win (I don't care what the margin is)

 

[The Jones Boy]

The springboks were my no.1 seeds before the RWC started.
But then I had England as no.2 seeds, so what do I know... Lol.
What I like about the Springboks is that they have plenty of quality muscle in the pack and plenty of gas and strength in the backline, in Fourie Du Preez they have a live wire playmaker.
They have impact players from the bench and they can beat anyone.
They could beat the All Blacks.
I'm picking a close fought affair with the All blacks winning by 11 points.

 

[nik]

I thought Jerome Garces reffed well in the Arg-Ire game. There was a good flow. Suits the All Blacks imo.

Not sure what to make of the Springboks of late. They just seemed to given up on attacking with width. In the past couple of years they looked like a side which has moved away from the traditional style to a more dynamic style using speed of players out wide. However this season there has been very little evidence of that. I think it's a confidence issue. The main player in the past for the springboks on attack was Duane Vermulean. He used to provide the go forward and offloads to enable continuity in attacking on the wider channels. This season he has been out injured and only returned during the RWC. We all saw how awesome Duane is in the QF. He is the key player for boks.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Worse than NMS. It sounds like he may not play. They are giving both another day, but NMS has shown improvements and should be good to go. Crockett's chances are 50-50.

Groin injuries take longer than a week to heal. You just have to look at Sexton, who missed the quarter final with one. The question is not whether he will make the semi, but whether the ABs need to call a replacement.

 

[Brummsel]

For sure the All Blacks go into this one as firm favorites. But that's actually a good thing. We tend to play our best rugby with the underdog tag and always reserve our best rugby for NZ and England. Maybe I am being overly hopeful here. The only thing that would surprise me would be a comfortable SA win. I can see us sneaking it and I can see NZ inflating the scoreline with everything in between those results. So I guess I'm saying NZ by 6 with a 10 point margin either way. I'll revisit once we get more info.

Agree on most things. After the quarters the ABs are #1 favourite among the semifinalists. But in the knockout stage everything can happen. Have Habana gone mad and let him score 2-3 tries and the Springboks have a good chance to play the final at Twickenham.
What to expect from this one? An epic clash between two great sides, who know each other well enough. I hope for a 35:29 for the ABs, but anything is possible.

 

[ABs2011]

Groin injuries take longer than a week to heal. You just have to look at Sexton, who missed the quarter final with one. The question is not whether he will make the semi, but whether the ABs need to call a replacement.

Yup that's my understanding. I belive they will make a call on him tomorrow and bring in a replacement if necessary. At this stage though no-one is on standby so fingers crossed for Wyatt

Last RWC it was our 10, this year we could be looking at our 4th pick loose head starting We have good depth so no concerns and all players fully fit playing ITM cup back home.

- - - Updated - - -

I thought Jerome Garces reffed well in the Arg-Ire game. There was a good flow. Suits the All Blacks imo.

Not sure what to make of the Springboks of late. They just seemed to given up on attacking with width. In the past couple of years they looked like a side which has moved away from the traditional style to a more dynamic style using speed of players out wide. However this season there has been very little evidence of that. I think it's a confidence issue. The main player in the past for the springboks on attack was Duane Vermulean. He used to provide the go forward and offloads to enable continuity in attacking on the wider channels. This season he has been out injured and only returned during the RWC. We all saw how awesome Duane is in the QF. He is the key player for boks.

Yeah I agree. I watched the SA Wales game with fantasy rugby in mind. The ball barely shifted past De Alende for pretty much the whole game. Kriel hardly touched it, let alone the wingers. It was a bit bizarre to watch to be honest! I'm not sure that game plan will work vs the ABs.

 

[Zapphod]

Agree on most things. After the quarters the ABs are #1 favourite among the semifinalists. But in the knockout stage everything can happen. Have Habana gone mad and let him score 2-3 tries and the Springboks have a good chance to play the final at Twickenham.
What to expect from this one? An epic clash between two great sides, who know each other well enough. I hope for a 35:29 for the ABs, but anything is possible.

I am not sure how the ABs become favourites all of a sudden, they are playing a team that can beat them on a neutral ground (probably more hostile than neutral in reality), history doesnt favour the ABs in RWC matches against South Africa but it does in general internationals so I see it as a 50-50 game.

 

[Redcatstorm]

I am not sure how the ABs become favourites all of a sudden, they are playing a team that can beat them on a neutral ground (probably more hostile than neutral in reality), history doesnt favour the ABs in RWC matches against South Africa but it does in general internationals so I see it as a 50-50 game.

I think it being the All Blacks does change the Boks mentality, they had to feel out Wales they were an unknown but once they got a handle on them i think they easily outplayed them in the 2nd half.

Against NZ they come out knowing pretty much everything about them and visa versa, the Boks would have seen this match coming from 3 years away be interesting if they have anything special up their sleeve.