RWC: New Zealand - Tonga (09-09-2011, 20:30)

[Tricia McMillan]

In the end I should be happy with the result, even though I wish we could have won by more. However, a bonus point win is nothing to shake a stick at, ever.

Also, it's nice to see our non-Australian brothers from the south Pacific do well enough. Certainly they can't feel embarrassed by the result, especially since they played quite well for most of the second half.

We'll have to be sharper in our next game, though, but this will do for now.

 

[Muzzy]

the tongan scrum did great after Tongahuia was subbed off for Taumalolo but then again Taumalolo does play for Hawkes Bay (a SH team)

 

[Black Heart]

Good 2nd half from Tonga.

Poor all-round performance from New Zealand. Obviously the All Blacks did well in broken ground but from a tactical perspective they failed to ignite. It was clear the backline was a bit of a mish-mash as a result of selection. I think they used the wrong attacking game plan as well and they really should have looked at playing territory. If they were to play like that aginst the Wallabies for instance it would have been a different story.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

I told you guys Tonga would put up a much better fight this time, 41 - 10 being their best result vs the ABs yet. The All Blacks always were too good but some positive signs in the 2nd half for Tonga to carry forward towards the rest of their pool matches. I think BAIL though will now quietly slip into obscurity now after Tonga'uiha was destroyed by Franks at the scrum. Taumalolo and Pulu combined well with Taumalolo having a cracker of a game when he did come on. Id look for one if not both to start the next game with Filise only playing again in case of injury.

 

[Thingimubob]

Credit to Tonga for spoiling the 2nd half for NZ a bit! Doubt New Zealand will be worried at all about it though, if anything I'd say they'll take much more from this win than the 70 odd point drubbing they gave Italy this time 4 years ago.

 

[Black Heart]

NZ scrum not very impressive at all. Great game, I feel so Tongan

The scrum went downhill when Woodcock was subbed... and let's not forget that Mealamu is our starting hooker too.

 

[Duckdee]

An exciting start, but bleh, I couldn't be bothered to watch the second half properly. Glad Tonga got a try.

 

[Bail]

Good 2nd half from Tonga.

Poor all-round performance from New Zealand. Obviously the All Blacks did well in broken ground but from a tactical perspective they failed to ignite. It was clear the backline was a bit of a mish-mash as a result of selection. I think they used the wrong attacking game plan as well and they really should have looked at playing territory. If they were to play like that aginst the Wallabies for instance it would have been a different story.

Happy you admit poor performance from NZ. If they didn't make profit of a bad wing tackling in 4 tries, they simply should have lost this one.

The Tri-Nations must end. It's just an unfair money-making tournament, IRB must force an Oceania Cup immediatly.

 

[JW.]

The scrum went downhill when Woodcock was subbed... and let's not forget that Mealamu is our starting hooker too.

Hore is a strong scrummaging hooker. The scrum wasen't very good when Woodcock was still on, Tonga'uiha had O.Franks IMO and his replacement did an even better job. Not impressed by NZ at the moment, but ofcourse they won and the result counts.

I thought Tonga missed a hell of alot of tackles though. Very well worked try.

 

[Daylightfire]

Good game, some nice offloads by SBW, ( HMS bananaman so wants to be him ).. Dagg looked good. Tonga came out much stronger in the second half and deserved their try.

So damn glad this world cup has arrived!!! Also glad I work where I do and they let me watch it .

 

[smartcooky]

What a shame the opener to the 2011 RWC was spoiled by such a poor refereeing performance.

► Players off their feet constantly at rucks.

► Side entry at rucks by both teams.

► Red players consistently offside in the midfield.

► the BS obstruction call on McCaw

► The shoulder charge on Carter not penalised.

► Nonu allowed to pass off the ground.

► The AB scrum-half persistently being grabbed without the ball at ruck time.

Clancy will know he has had a shocker tonight. POB will not be impressed, especially as he told all the RWC referees to be vigilant on side entry and players going off their feet at tackle, ruck & maul.

 

[JW.]

What a shame the opener to the 2011 RWC was spoiled by such a poor refereeing performance.

► Players off their feet constantly at rucks.

► Side entry at rucks by both teams.

► Red players consistently offside in the midfield.

► the BS obstruction call on McCaw

► The shoulder charge on Carter not penalised.

► Nonu allowed to pass off the ground.

► The AB scrum-half persistently being grabbed without the ball at ruck time.

Clancy will know he has had a shocker tonight. POB will not be impressed, especially as he told all the RWC referees to be vigilant on side entry and players going off their feet at tackle, ruck & maul.

He was bad as IMO he always is, but he was bad for both sides.

 

[ACT1NUP]

You know it's the world cup when teams start time wasting at every oppotunity. I thought the Tongans did so well because they were able to slow the game to a crawl at times especially in that 2nd 40m, which unsettles NZ a bit. Seemed to be more wanting to keep the score respectable for Tonga as no doubt points differential can be the difference between an early exit and finals rugby. Plenty more of it to come, should really start penalising teams who are constantly holding play up. Happens every world cup.

 

[Bail]

I thought Tonga missed a hell of alot of tackles though. Very well worked try.

All the game was decided by this. NZ were very lucky to find this way to score. Kuth Morath made too many mistakes also.

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/rugbytracker/match=10920/statistics.html

The stats give a really good look at the game.

 

[gingergenius]

Don't think there's too much to read into that... although front rows of sides like England and France will be licking their lips at the prospect of some scrums vs NZ. Their only weakness atm.

Toeava fans, I'm still yet to see anything from him in a black shirt. Poor old Hosea.

And I know all the pundits talking about SBW/ Dagg/ Kahui but I thought Nonu was outstanding, straightened the line beautifully, picked some great angles...

 

[Bail]

He was bad as IMO he always is, but he was bad for both sides.

Clancy had a perfect European game.

 

[JW.]

Don't think there's too much to read into that... although front rows of sides like England and France will be licking their lips at the prospect of some scrums vs NZ. Their only weakness atm.

Toeava fans, I'm still yet to see anything from him in a black shirt. Poor old Hosea.

And I know all the pundits talking about SBW/ Dagg/ Kahui but I thought Nonu was outstanding, straightened the line beautifully, picked some great angles...

Indeed was pretty useless and have never seen him play well in a black shirt. Gear must be feeling pretty gutted.

SBW had some nice touches but for me he should never be in the AB's first team. Kahui did pretty well on the wing though.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Bail what the hell are you on about? If it wasn't for the 6 tries we scored we would have lost? The game was never close mate sort your life out.

 

[Duckdee]

And I know all the pundits talking about SBW/ Dagg/ Kahui but I thought Nonu was outstanding, straightened the line beautifully, picked some great angles...

Passes a bit more than you'd expect for a guy with that build, too. Unless I've just been blinded by our guys.

 

[Muzzy]

Don't think there's too much to read into that... although front rows of sides like England and France will be licking their lips at the prospect of some scrums vs NZ. Their only weakness atm.

Toeava fans, I'm still yet to see anything from him in a black shirt. Poor old Hosea.

And I know all the pundits talking about SBW/ Dagg/ Kahui but I thought Nonu was outstanding, straightened the line beautifully, picked some great angles...

you mean poor Sivivatu, Hosea wouldn't have done anything except stand on the side waiting for the ball to come to him, at least Sivivatu goes looking for and creating opportunities