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

[AfakasiAssasin]

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.

Bail, while I appreciate you backing us Pacific Islanders, I think if your going to post again here it would be a good time to admit you were wrong in regards to the Franks vs Tonga'uiha debate.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

Wow, look how dominant the ABs scrum is

I think everyone is forgetting that Tonga had a really strong scrum tonight and Australia had their hands full with Samoa a short while back, so it's quite conceivable that the island nations can scrum well now. They've been playing better over the last four years and improving.

 

[donmcdazzle]

The scrum was hardly a negative point for the AB's, some penalties both ways were ridiculous. Am I the only one who thinks they just guess half the time?

 

[Logorrhea]

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

Good to see the New Zealanders turning to Paddy O'Brien and whinging about the refs already

Some things about rugby world cups just dont change

it's quite conceivable that the island nations can scrum well now

Its also equally conceivable that the only weakness in the New Zealand game, as pointed out by teams desperate to find any weakness at all, is in the scrum.

You can be sure that teams will be targetting this area. I dont think you will be totally dominated but it could mess up some of your first phase ball.

 

[ACT1NUP]

Lay off the drugs bail. Realistically Tonga never dreamed of winning that game all they were worried about was keeping the points differential down. Wasn't a complete performance by NZ but they still won easily and it's a performance to build on. Rather they peaked at the end of the tournament than the beginning anyway.

 

[TRF_RC]

Just a question: Why is Toeava in the squad?

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Tonga most probably have the best scrum of all the Pacific Islands and have had so for a while now. I think their scrummaging and mauling is very underrated on the world stage particularly their driving Maul. Filise is def NOT their first choice at loosehead so I think their scrum will improve pairing Taumalolo/Tonga'uiha with Kisi Pulu. It def showed an improvement when Taumalolo and Pulu came on in the 2nd half as the Tongans had the advantage over the All Black scrum in the latter stages of the 2nd half.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Mate, the ref was bad. We won the game comfortably and still think he was awful. I'd say he was **** whether we won or lost that one. Is it too much to ask for a ref who isn't an idiot? I wish we could have Craig Joubert every game.

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

Its also equally conceivable that the only weakness in the New Zealand game, as pointed out by teams desperate to find any weakness at all, is in the scrum.

You can be sure that teams will be targetting this area. I dont think you will be totally dominated but it could mess up some of your first phase ball.

I think a lot gets read into one game where an island side scrummed really well. New Zealands scrum wasn't hugely questioned in the Tri-Nations, so I guess all the Tri-Nations sides have weak scrums?

Fair enough if people want to target it, they just might be barking up the wrong tree if they aren't France.

 

[smartcooky]

Good to see the New Zealanders turning to Paddy O'Brien and whinging about the refs already

Some things about rugby world cups just dont change

I made my assessment from a REFEREE'S perspective, not a New Zealander's perspective. It would not matter who was playing or where I come from. As a referee, I am disappointed to see such a poor performance. A one stage, he penalised the All Black scrum saying "No. 1 not binding", but No. 1 had been subbed 20 minutes earlier, and wasn't even on the field. Not good enough at this level.

This is the world's Premier Rugby Tournament, and these are supposed to be the best 10 referees in the world, bar none.

I expect premier performances every game.

 

[cardassian]

Alright start to the world cup.
Thought Tonga had a good 2nd half which was good to see.
A few errors in the game but hopefully we cut these down as the tournament progresses.
Thought Nonu showed his class and definitely is our first choice 2/5 come the big games.
Good to see a slower start to the tournament from a nz perspective as we usually start with a hiss and a roar and then fizzle out later on, hoping this time we start slow and build up to the bigger games.
Dagg looked alright as well as did Kahui on the wing.
SBW played ok and I think he'll be fine cover if needed later on due to injury.

 

[Black Heart]

Can anyone identify a single point in this game where Ali Williams did anything right?

More to the point, was there ever a point in this game where he was actually doing his job?

 

[Black Heart]

I made my assessment from a REFEREE'S perspective, not a New Zealander's perspective. It would not matter who was playing or where I come from. As a referee, I am disappointed to see such a poor performance. A one stage, he penalised the All Black scrum saying "No. 1 not binding", but No. 1 had been subbed 20 minutes earlier, and wasn't even on the field. Not good enough at this level.

This is the world's Premier Rugby Tournament, and these are supposed to be the best 10 referees in the world, bar none.

I expect premier performances every game.

At least he was consistantly blind.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Can anyone identify a single point in this game where Ali Williams did anything right?

More to the point, was there ever a point in this game where he was actually doing his job?

He gathered two kick offs; one in the air semi contested, one not contested. Other than that he was absolutely rubbish.

 

[Sneaki]

Hmm, Toeava started reasonably well, then butchered two tries (the second he may have been unlucky on, but it was still poor finishing). I don't think the coaches will be looking at him as a first choice winger after that game at least. Also Dagg was excellent in the first have then vanished in the second, although I guess play didn't really go his way.

Kahui was the deserved MOTM, I think they'll try Guildford & Jane next weekend to see who plays on the other wing against France, Kahui did more than enough even if it was against Tonga.

SBW did how you would expect against a lower ranked side, I'd consider having him on the bench against France in place of Toeava but he does lack that versatility of course.

Forwards all did pretty well. Kaino was the best of them by a mile I think, ran like a monster and was a brick wall in defence. I also though Hore stood out, but none of the other forwards were really all that noticeable, Williams had another wobbly game, I reckon the giant pair of Boric and Thorn should get a go together next week.

Overall we played well enough to get five points, which is what counts, certainly we have things to work on but I think we can learn more from this than we did by butchering Italy in our opening game last time.

Also I though the opening ceremony was superb! The light show thing they had going on was pretty cool, and were they gettint people to hold up their phones lol? Wish I could have been there.

 

[Black Heart]

He gathered two kick offs; one in the air semi contested, one not contested. Other than that he was absolutely rubbish.

I must have blinked.

 

[donmcdazzle]

I must have blinked.

I'm with you mate I think he is shite.

 

[ACT1NUP]

Ali Williams is out, had plenty of chances and hasn't taken them really, other than the 1 game against Aus. I think Williams may have lost out to Whitelock, well, until Boric is back to full fitness, Toeava to either Jane or Dagg, Cowan to Weepu, and SBW won't see any more meaningful action again unless Nonu or Smith are injured. Rest looked alright.

 

[Sneaki]

It's a shame that Ali's been so poor these last few games, he must of worked pretty hard to even be available for selection.

 

[Black Heart]

It's a shame that Ali's been so poor these last few games, he must of worked pretty hard to even be available for selection.

He was picked on sentiment. Not on form.

He needs to be dropped.