RWC Semi Final: New Zealand - Australia (16-10-2011, 21:00)

[cardassian]

Again this world cup prooves for the 100th times at least that when a NH team has the same time of preparation than a SH team, there is almost no differences in the ability to win.

Don't you mean when a nh team has months to prepare and a sh team is at the end of a long season there is almost no difference in the ability to win.
Or does fatigue only occur to the nh teams because of the 10 extra club games?

 

[Black Heart]

What you forget easily and what all SH forget easily is that a SH player is playing averagely 30 matches a year..as a NH player is playing almost 40 matches a year averagely...especially french and other players who play in the top 14. Easy to play on a strong pace and tempo when you have averagely 10 matches less to play in the year...If we had a competition like tri-nations and no real championship like SH, I guess we would be largely higher in pace and tempo. You can't ask the same thing to players that are playing 10 more matches a year. No wonder why we are always well beaten during automn and summer tour.

Again this world cup prooves for the 100th times at least that when a NH team has the same time of preparation than a SH team, there is almost no differences in the ability to win.

O.K. So even with an extra 10 games a year (presumably) why then are many of the SH players still the best in NH rugby?

 

[barthelemy]

O.K. So even with an extra 10 games a year (presumably) why then are many of the SH players still the best in NH rugby?

Still the best is arguable..Mc allister just started his first season in NH, we will see at the end of the season and after several whole season... some SH players has played in northern hemisphere and apart few of them who were good, Most of them were averaged after one entire season. Kelleher has done terrific seasons with Toulouse..I do not remind any other player who would have been above NH players on several entire seasons.

It think you SH people do not see the whole thing. Even if I have a lot of respect for SH team and rugby culture, SH national teams are playing together almost 5 months or more during a year (with tri-nation) as NH teams are maybe playing 3 months together on a normal year (without world cup). It makes a lot of difference at the end on automatism. I think that NH rugby is playing a less sexy rugby style because they can't afford it, with high number of match. 6 or 7 weeks without match to play during the year is a big advantage for the personnal preparation of each players.

Do not get me wrong, I think you are right when you say that it is not the same pace and tempo in NH but it is because of the reasons I'm disclosing above. And yeah a SH player who will arrive in NH to play will find maybe the pace a bit less higher than in SH. Not sure he is thinking the same after a whole season or several whole seasons. anyway we are a bit out of the subject

 

[Teh Mite]

O.K. So even with an extra 10 games a year (presumably) why then are many of the SH players still the best in NH rugby?

Because the Northerners are all ****, don't understand the sport and behind closed doors when the bravado is not on show jump wait patiently on their knees, begging for the approval of the glorious Southern Hemisphere and the chance to live of their scraps.

#whathereallywantstohear

 

[barthelemy]

Don't you mean when a nh team has months to prepare and a sh team is at the end of a long season there is almost no difference in the ability to win.
Or does fatigue only occur to the nh teams because of the 10 extra club games?

I think that when each team has the same time of preparation, SH teams are not scoring 60 points to NH team. And I think overall that the fact good NH players who play Top14, Heineken cup and NH national teams matches are not as fresh as SH players because of the whole number of matches over several seasons.

I'm not trying to put down SH rugby, I'm just trying to say that there are objective reasons for this different rugby and presumable success of SH players in NH championship when they start to play in NH. And as well, it is why SH teams are in general more competitive for test matches in summer and automn.

 

[Whitewolf]

I hope Aaron Cruden will be confident. He can do great things, along with Ma'a, Conrad, Cory and Piri. Kahui will be here to tackle Ioane, while Jane will tackle O'Connor and will use his skills to creat some opportunities.

Good luck to King Richie. I wish his injury is not too much severe.

But the weakness of this team: Stephen Donald. Very lucky to be in the 22. If he comes, he will be propelled into the limelight. Please, no nonsense.

GO THE ALL BLACKS!!

 

[Shaggy]

If New Zealand players could still make the All Blacks while playing in the NH then Kiwi players would be heading north in droves for better money. Having to stay here to be an All Black is a big incentive for players not to leave. I hope they don't change the rule

Exactly ... the selectors must have been sorely tempted to call Nick Evans in when Carter was injured, or even Carl Hayman if Owen Franks hadn't filled that void, but you change the rule, and the flood gates open ... the players leave, and the standard of the NPC drops

 

[dan the man nz]

one thing ive noticed about both teams is a relatively weak replacement in some positions compared to previous benches we've had in world cups; in particular australias forwards and new zealands halves. i wonder with this being such a high intensity game what will happen if australia has to depend on the likes of ben mccalman to hold the fort against our loosies, or if stephen donald can be dpended on agianst the genia and cooper combo.. lets hope injurys dont decide the game..

 

[Blacktrick]

I shouldn't be reading the media reports in Australia about this match, fair crack of the sav, you would think the Wallabies have this game sewn up already if you believe some of the patronizing, provocative tripe that's been written by some journos ! I only hope the kiwis get hold of some of this stuff and have it plastered to their changing room wall, not that they'll need the motivation !!

 

[ExcaLiBuR]

Im in NZ, the NZ media is the same both saying crap about each other. I think it will be interesting final

 

[lucky number 7]

O.K. So even with an extra 10 games a year (presumably) why then are many of the SH players still the best in NH rugby?

Money...pluck the half decent ones up here and give them tonnes of cash.. Niave to think that your players are the best up here...Mcallister playing well for a few games does not make him a top player...remember a ten is usually only as good as the boys around him.

 

[ACT1NUP]

Anyone else slightly concerned about Nonu. I know he is got form heading into this one and has played well throughout the tournament but with Carter gone is he going to try too much?. Seems sometimes whenever his responsibilty goes up he tries too much, makes bad decisions and tends to play more of an individualistic game. I hope he steps up tomorrow and proves me wrong but I am slightly concerned about which Nonu will turn up tomorrow. Maybe just paranoia creeping in on my part...

 

[dangandan]

I don't think it's any coincidence that the NH clubs buy SH players for large sums of money if they weren't pretty awesome players.. They could easily save their money on players from other clubs in the north.

Regarding the game, i can't predict who will win. I feel Australia have the slight upper hand due to the 10 crisis in the ABs but Cruden is a fairly unknown quantity at this level and could play a blinder. I am expecting this game to be pretty bloody epic with 2 of the best open sides going at it at the break down and some of the finest backs with ball in hand. Australia will be wanting to avoid the scrums.

 

[187]

lets hope injurys dont decide the game..

this game was already decided by injuries 2 weeks ago lol. I agree though, the weaknesses in both benches could be our undoing. I don't see SBW getting a run unless one of the starters is having a crap game which is unlikely as they're all pretty consistent guys and are in-form so it's hard to see where he will fit in. But then, he's the kinda guy you need when defenses tire because he can really break a game open. If only he could play fly half haha.

 

[T-Rex]

Im in NZ, the NZ media is the same both saying crap about each other. I think it will be interesting final

I don't think there's much of an argument that the NZ media is crap though. haha

 

[187]

remember a ten is usually only as good as the boys around him.

Unless... You're Dan Carter haha. Ever since he went down, I've been dreading this game ever since. So bloody nervous.

I remember the 1/4 final at RWC07 the game was at like 3AM, I was tired and because I was so confident we were going to win I let myself fall asleep. Nek minnit I wake up, it's full time and my brain was struggling to digest the images infront of me. I couldn't believe it. This game is going to be epic & I'm looking forward to being on the edge of my seat the whole way through.

GO THE ALL BLACKS!!

 

[TRF C A Iversen]

Money...pluck the half decent ones up here and give them tonnes of cash.. Niave to think that your players are the best up here...Mcallister playing well for a few games does not make him a top player...remember a ten is usually only as good as the boys around him.

Not sure why 100's of players from all over the SH are being bought over there, if they are no different to what's available over there. Why don't they just leave them all down here and your clubs can save a lot of money?

Anyhow, this thread is about New Zealand Vs Australia, not tired old arguments. Who started down this path? Was it one of the french guys?

 

[Dizzy]

It's no secret that SH players stand out in the NH comps, and thats as far as Im going to go with this.


The semi's are here and now we just count down the hours.... I can't wait for this game. The nerves are killing me

 

[jawmalawm24]

Anyone else slightly concerned about Nonu. I know he is got form heading into this one and has played well throughout the tournament but with Carter gone is he going to try too much?. Seems sometimes whenever his responsibilty goes up he tries too much, makes bad decisions and tends to play more of an individualistic game. I hope he steps up tomorrow and proves me wrong but I am slightly concerned about which Nonu will turn up tomorrow. Maybe just paranoia creeping in on my part...

I've been worried about him ever since he started playing for Wellington lol but at least he forced Conrad Smith into becoming one of the best defensive players in the world Yep he starts to overplay when there's alot of responsiblity placed on him and than his discipline goes out the door too. Hope he plays well thou and doesn't try too hard and keeps to the basics

 

[Blacktrick]

Im in NZ, the NZ media is the same both saying crap about each other. I think it will be interesting final

Typical media hype hey, anything to sell papers can't wait for the game, it will be HUGE and glad they chose Joubert and not a Nthn hemisphere Ref ! I've got no idea what the score will be but not expecting a high scoring affair with 2 of the best defense minded teams...