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

[Darwin]

During the Super rugby season Nonu made 8.5 tackles per 80 mins, SBW 9.0 (collated stats from www.ruggastats.com). I haven't collated the stats from the international season, but I don't think SBW would have made many more tackles than Nonu. For example during the Boks match in Wellington Nonu made 8 tackles in 66 mins, while SBW made only 1 tackle in 27 minutes. Conrad Smith at centre made only 1 tackles in 53 minutes too (do we assume he is a poor defender because of this?)... it is pretty clear that generally whoever is playing at centre for the AB's is often not required to make a lot of tackles!

 

[Larksea]

I honestly think it's an attitude thing. I brought up what happened at the 9min mark against Tonga where SBW helped carter with a big tackle got straight back into the line and made the very next tackle as well. I don't remember Nonu ever working that hard on defense, yet you see guys like SBW and Conrad Smith do that all the time. He will make a tackle then get up and walk back or stand behind the ruck and point or jog behind the line to get back into position. It's strange because on attack Nonu is one of the most urgent and hard working players in the world he will take the ball to the line all day and as long as the AB's are in possession he will follow the ball everywhere and be in position ready when the ball is free. Defense... Absolutely not. It's also strange because in interviews he always talks about how he likes to make big tackles but how often do you see him making a good hard tackle or making a tackle that results in a turnover?

one last reason why i bring it us is that Carter is obviously carrying a wrist injury. Seen it strapped up for a while now and it was obviously bothering him this weekend. I think 12 needs to be able to cover some of Dans work on defense. If anything during the tri nations I think Dan was doing a fair bit of Nonu's work on defense, Dan looked frustrated at times and I think it was having to make tackles that were meant for someone else.

I'm gonna leave it at that.

 

[UilamOsa]

Enough Nonu & SBW - comparing them is like comparing Umaga & Nonu.

Soane Tonga'uiha will humble Owen Franks. I think the Tongan back row is better than NZ one.

Franks Win.

Taumalolo is NZ based.

SH Win.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Yes I agree kahui's stats on defense in that one test against SA weren't great and they do warrant a closer look because of his missed tackles one was a desperate dive tackle and though he missed he did enough to slow the player down else it could have ended in a try and other the others though he missed the first up tackle the player didn't actually go past him or the defensive line.

And the two tackles hie did make, were probably the best tackles in the game - check out this vid of Kahui in that test match, which features two of his tackles...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3LsUXS6OQ8

And on a good day Kahui can turn a game and inspire his side with his defense

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGNZssC_eCs

Haha even when Kahui is missing tackles in your mind he is still doing the right things.

 

[.me]

So that was on FTA 9 right?

Yes

From most Aussie TV ratings, it seems Foxtel gets most of the Rugby Ratings.. So i will wait for the Foxtel and GEM ratings.. and perhaps the regionals.

Don't think we'll ever see the Gem ratings, or FTA regional figures.

So they showed it live on GEM in Melb, Adelaide and Perth? What about Brisbane and Sydney the two biggest markets? I guess 10pm isn't too late and a lot of viewers would keep watching after the league.

Nine made the decision to show the game live into Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth less than five hours before going to air (not many would have known it was on). The reason they gave for not showing it in Sydney and Brisbane, was that it would get a small audience on the digital channel but if it is delayed on the primary channel it'll get a bigger audience.

The weekly Pay TV ratings are now out: http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/09/pay-tv-ratings-week-37.html
Metro:
1 Live: RWC: New Zealand V Tonga Fox Sports 3 202,000
Metro + Reginals:
1 Live: RWC: New Zealand V Tonga Fox Sports 3 237,000

Here are the daily Metro FTA ratings (was in my last post): http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/09/week-37-4.html
Rnk Description Stn Network Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
24 Nine’s Rugby: World Cup: New Zealand Vs. Tonga Nine 322,000 202,000 16,000 95,000 5,000 3,000
(delayed by > 3 hours in Syd and Bris, > 7 hours in Melb and Adel, > 9 hours in Perth)

Regional ratings for Pay TV weren't high, though when the Wallabies play they are much higher.

_________________________________________________

On NZ ratings a press release from the on the rugby world cup website says quoting Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd CEO Martin Snedden that the 1,635,780 audience is for household and the highest possible amount of household is 1.9 million - is this true?

Here is the link: http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/destinationnewzealand/news/newsid=2049840.html

 

[kovana]

Thats pretty dang impressive by the NZ watching public...