RWC 2011: THE FINAL!!! France vs. New Zealand

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Black or Blue

And this 1 2

 

[Larksea]

first bet in

 

[Shaggy]

Ah it's just a game ... we Kiwis aren't obsessed at all

Language warning in this clip

 

[nickdnz]

Ah it's just a game ... we Kiwis aren't obsessed at all

Language warning in this clip

I shamefully love Dr Hook. This is even better.

 

[emilia]

[h=1]Unchanged All Blacks side to face France :
[/h]Starting XV: 1. Tony Woodcock (82)
2. Keven Mealamu (91)
3. Owen Franks (30)
4. Brad Thorn (58)
5. Samuel Whitelock (24)
6. Jerome Kaino (47)
7. Richie McCaw - captain (102)
8. Kieran Read (35)
9. Piri Weepu (55)
10. Aaron Cruden (8)
11. Richard Kahui (16)
12. Ma'a Nonu (65)
13. Conrad Smith (54)
14. Cory Jane (30)
15. Israel Dagg (11)
Reserves:
16. Andrew Hore (61)
17. Ben Franks (15)
18. Ali Williams (72)
19. Adam Thomson (24)
20. Andy Ellis (25)
21. Stephen Donald (22)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (13)

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10760669

 

[Darwin]

Pretty predictable really - the only real debatable selection is that of Thomson over Vito. Personally I don't think that there is too much between the players, but I probably would have gone the way of Vito for several of reasons:
(a) Vito has been playing more rugby recently, while Thomson has missed a number of games with injury
(b) While I think Thomson is a better 6 than Vito, I think Vito covers 7 & 8 better than Thomson. Thomson always struggles when he is the sole fetcher (plays 7), and I'm not a huge fan of the rearrangements that are required when he plays 8 (e.g. McCaw packing on the back of attacking scrums).

 

[barthelemy]

"Come on Marc (Lievremont) shave this moustache" !!!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

View attachment 1489

"Come on Marc (Lievremont) shave this moustache" !!!

as you will see from my mate in cardiff in 2007 this has been done before

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

It's funny that the moustache needs to be taken care of by Wilkinson

 

[barthelemy]

It's funny that the moustache needs to be taken care of by Wilkinson

Told myself same thing, it feels "weird"

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

If they're not careful, there will be a Flood of tries and they will not get over it until Easter. They need to stick to the Lawes of rugby, they will be sent off and end up being very Moody.


There... That's all I will stop now haha

 

[ACT1NUP]

Cracks me up that if the ABs win this sunday we'll be tied for the most world cup wins with 2, not too bad for 'chokers'. I still think it's mission impossible for the French. All this talk of the most pressure on the ABs is crap. All they have to do is keep doing what they've been doing. French however need the finest 80mins we've ever witnessed, out of no where, against a team that has disposed of everyone with ease, is the same exact starting 15 as last week, is playing at home and is playing better and better. Be damn satisfying to win it without Carter and a one legged McCaw too. Where are all the people that said the ABs are nothing without either? win or lose I think the ABs have proved they are a great team and much more than individual players.

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Would be nice for NZ if the All Blacks can win a World Cup anywhere else than at home... It will be another 24 years for them to win again

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What would happen if Stephen Donald came on in the 2nd half, the ABs were ahead, he had to kick it out to win, but then missed touch and France got a converted try and won?
Would he literally be lynched while running for his plane to Bath?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

What would happen if Stephen Donald came on in the 2nd half, the ABs were ahead, he had to kick it out to win, but then missed touch and France got a converted try and won?
Would he literally be lynched while running for his plane to Bath?

I think its a joke he's even on the bench.

The All Blacks should have enough power on and off the field to put the French away here. France of course are capable of upsets, but I don't think this side will.

 

[PT8475]

France will win, but it'll be close. They need to do 4 things to do so with, however:

1 - Try and kick the ball out of the 22 at every opportunity. Don't let the ABs get a foothold there.
2 - Pick up on EVERY SINGLE MISTAKE and put pressure so as to get penalties in the first 10 minutes.
3 - If you get the opportunity, go for a penalty at goal from near the halfway line in the first 10, Yachvili or Parra will both get close at worst, and that might be enough to send the All Blacks shaking, which can be very bad news against France...
4 - Play like they did against England.

 

[Draggs]

What would happen if Stephen Donald came on in the 2nd half, the ABs were ahead, he had to kick it out to win, but then missed touch and France got a converted try and won?
Would he literally be lynched while running for his plane to Bath?

What if the All Blacks are down by one and he slots a drop goal over 40m out in injury time?
Would he be begged to stay? Probably not.

My bet is on Thomson slotting the winning goal, because why not?

 

[Darwin]

Starting to get excited about this match, even though it is still a couple of days away. I'm flying out to Brisbane tomorrow for a weeks holiday, so I will have to try to find somewhere over there to watch the match (pity it isn't as AB's vs Australia final!). Overall I'm pretty confident of a AB's win, but because of our world cup history vs France there is always a bit of fear that we will choke yet again.

I think the AB's have the edge in most departments. The scrum battle should be reasonably even - the AB's had the edge in the pool match-up until Szarzewski was replaced by Servat, after which the scrums were pretty even. France's lineout dominated the Welsh lineout last weekend, but the AB's have been incredibly strong on their own lineout this rugby world cup. The AB's should have an advantage in the loose in my opinion. I really like the French loose-forward combination - Dusautoir and Bonnaire are incredibly hard-working players, while Harinordoquy can be a big threat for the back of the scrum, but I believe the AB's trio is the best in the world.

Yachvili & Parra vs Weepu & Cruden will be a key battle. I'm still not convinced about Parra at 10, but he has been pretty solid there. It will be interesting to see how expansive France play - I'm sure they would have learnt from the AB's v Australia game that the AB's back three are all very strong under the high ball! Cruden has looked very comfortable in AB's 10 jersey; the more confident he gets the more he will attack the French defensive line too. If he does attack the French defensive line he, along with Nonu, could cause some serious damage in the midfield. I hope the AB's play a reasonably expansive game when the get the chance. Not a 'run it from everywhere approach', but rather not being afraid to spin it wide through their backs when they have good attacking field position.

 

[PT8475]

What if the All Blacks are down by one and he slots a drop goal over 40m out in injury time?
Would he be begged to stay? Probably not.

My bet is on Thomson slotting the winning goal, because why not?

I actually think Aaron Cruden + Piri Weepu negates the need for Dan Carter, because Cruden can make the ball go places and break the line, whilst Weepu can be relied on to kick and score at goal.

 

[igorBastia]

Starting to get excited about this match, even though it is still a couple of days away. I'm flying out to Brisbane tomorrow for a weeks holiday, so I will have to try to find somewhere over there to watch the match (pity it isn't as AB's vs Australia final!). Overall I'm pretty confident of a AB's win, but because of our world cup history vs France there is always a bit of fear that we will choke yet again.

I think the AB's have the edge in most departments. The scrum battle should be reasonably even - the AB's had the edge in the pool match-up until Szarzewski was replaced by Servat, after which the scrums were pretty even. France's lineout dominated the Welsh lineout last weekend, but the AB's have been incredibly strong on their own lineout this rugby world cup. The AB's should have an advantage in the loose in my opinion. I really like the French loose-forward combination - Dusautoir and Bonnaire are incredibly hard-working players, while Harinordoquy can be a big threat for the back of the scrum, but I believe the AB's trio is the best in the world.

Yachvili & Parra vs Weepu & Cruden will be a key battle. I'm still not convinced about Parra at 10, but he has been pretty solid there. It will be interesting to see how expansive France play - I'm sure they would have learnt from the AB's v Australia game that the AB's back three are all very strong under the high ball! Cruden has looked very comfortable in AB's 10 jersey; the more confident he gets the more he will attack the French defensive line too. If he does attack the French defensive line he, along with Nonu, could cause some serious damage in the midfield. I hope the AB's play a reasonably expansive game when the get the chance. Not a 'run it from everywhere approach', but rather not being afraid to spin it wide through their backs when they have good attacking field position.

You are probably wright and you make a good analyse but I hope the french will do a surprise. So I go to the bed it's late on this side of the earth, and tomrow I've to workthe ordinary life continue!!