RWC: All Blacks - France (24-09-2011, 15:30)

[shtove]

I take it you haven't seen Nonu play in a few years? Nonu is a very different player than he was a few years ago. He is still very good at crashing the ball up, but one of the strengths of his game now is his distribution. He frequently puts players into gaps with his passing, and makes plenty of offloads. He may not make as many offloads as SBW (but no-one does), however unlike SBW he actually takes the ball to the advantage line before offloading, which makes him far more dangerous.

I understand Nonu has improved, but leopard doesn't change its spots. Under pressure he won't open up the AB attack like SBW can.

My judgment could be wrong, and I wish the ABs well. Up to the semis! Don't want the ABs in the final for Ireland.

You think this is a crucial match?

 

[Darwin]

I understand Nonu has improved, but leopard doesn't change its spots. Under pressure he won't open up the AB attack like SBW can.

My judgment could be wrong, and I wish the ABs well. Up to the semis! Don't want the ABs in the final for Ireland.

You think this is a crucial match?

I actually have more faith that Nonu will perform under pressure than SBW, as he has performed under pressure for the AB's over the last few years. SBW has looked good for the Crusaders when there has been no pressure on, but he actually faded at the end of the season in the 'pressure games'. For the AB's he has looked great in games when he's had no pressure on (e.g vs Scotland, Tonga, Japan), but in the closer games he has been pretty quiet (e.g vs England, Wales, and in his brief appearances in the Tri-nations). I'm not saying SBW won't perform under pressure, but rather based on the evidence over the last year I'd much rather have Nonu at 12 when the pressure is on than SBW (or any other 12 in world rugby for that matter).

I personally don't consider this a crucial match, as win or lose both teams should make it through to the playoffs. I think the AB's have a lot more pressure on them to win than France - they have never lost a pool match at the RWC, and I don't see them doing that now.

 

[Surefire]

Just switched to Rum & Coke thinking the caffiene would help. Not sure that was a smart move.
Still four hours to go?!

 

[M Two One]

Just switched to Rum & Coke thinking the caffiene would help. Not sure that was a smart move.
Still four hours to go?!

I had a Heineken earlier, switched to half&half.

Man, as much as I want to watch this one ... I just don't think I can make it tonight. I haven't been sleeping well since the cup began for obvious reasons. You didn't pay up and order that crappy Universal Sports package, did you? If not, don't even bother telling me how you're watching—I already know. lol

 

[Surefire]

Yes M 2 1,

I sent the money for the Universal Sports package. The good thing is I have been watching all the games. The bad thing is no sleep and work has had to be sacrificed! The kids were remarkably good tonight and went to sleep early. I was kind of counting on them to keep me busy and awake. Now, the only thing left to do is annoy the wife and watch bad TV!

 

[M Two One]

Yes M 2 1,

I sent the money for the Universal Sports package. The good thing is I have been watching all the games. The bad thing is no sleep and work has had to be sacrificed! The kids were remarkably good tonight and went to sleep early. I was kind of counting on them to keep me busy and awake. Now, the only thing left to do is annoy the wife and watch bad TV!

Unfortunate that people have to pay such a price hike in the US, isn't it? Sadly, most people had to revert to stealing instead. In the end, no one wins. Anyway, I can't imagine trying to balance work, children and RWC. I'm already having enough trouble with my wife, although she's mostly ****** off because she can't watch it. Does your wife like rugby?

 

[Surefire]

My wife has a tough time sitting through a whole game of 15s, but is a big fan of the sevens tourney. Her first exposure to rugby was when they had the sevens tournament in San Diego. That and my stories about my past games, which I completely exagerrate.

The price is pretty bad, but what can you do. Rugby covereage is pretty weak here. I would love to get top 14 games, but pretty much all I see is Premiership games on Fox Soccer plus.

c'est la vie

 

[Charlie211]

NZ beat SA 29-9 at Telstra Dome,Melbourne in the Quarter final 2003.

 

[ikvat]

Allons enfants de la Patrie it's time!

 

[Surefire]

I'm still awake.

L'ets do this!!

 

[Toko_11]

The price is pretty bad, but what can you do. Rugby covereage is pretty weak here. I would love to get top 14 games, but pretty much all I see is Premiership games on Fox Soccer plus.

c'est la vie

I hear ya mate. I live in NY and its the same for me

 

[TNT88]

Go France!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

One thing which has been well done this world-cup is the anthems, because they base them around a small choir unit who can sing fairly well, rather than some ridiculous individual pseudo opera singer

 

[TNT88]

^ Good call

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Can really hear "Allez les Bleus" ringing out around the stadium

oOOooooh! So close by Picamoles!

 

[TNT88]

I reckon that was tackled in the air. But it was borderline, hard to give a penalty there.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That should be a penalty for France - Jane didn't mean to tackle him at first, but then grabbed Traille in the air when Traille claimed it, so it's still a tackle in the air

However in real time it was very hard to notice


Good start by France




Commentators favourite word is officially "Centurion"
the amount of times they've mentioned McCaw in the first 8 mins is ridiculous




Poor call on that penalty at the scrum!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Its ridiculous that I'm cheering France on here because if they win then England have literally had it.

 

[Jman227]

If france continues to play like this I will lose all my v cash. OMGGGGG

 

[TNT88]

France defence is non-existent. NZ attack is amazing.

NZ by 20...