[RWC2023] France vs New Zealand (08/09/2023)

[General Melchett]

FFS why have ITV extended Maggie Alphonsi's contract? She's mostly awful - you should hear the noise she makes when she eats a boiled egg. It'll be Clive Woodward next FFS.

 

[TopTen2003]

As a Bok supporter at this stage I fear for getting out of our pool more than any QF or SF match up.

Hope the 2nd half goes better but I suppose between nerves and humidity this poor show is probably to be expected..

At the other end of the spectrum, as an England fan I'm watching two sides apparently being nervous and not at their best yet still thinking they are light years ahead of us. So nice to watch the ball go wide and see ambition at times from inside own half.

The French scrum and general tight 5 power game seems to have the edge. If France can begin to manage the territory I can see them finding a few 3 point opportunities which they must take or else risk the dangerous NZ counter attack.

Neither side at their best yet thoroughly enjoying here. Roll on the second half

 

[IT157]

Tomorrow is forcasted 36 and Sunday 34 might as well be playing on a desert in Africa

If it only stayed like this then Namibia would be world champions!

 

[ThebigARena]

If it only stayed like this then Namibia would be world champions!

Don't think the weather could even make that a possibility

 

[IT157]

Don't think the weather could even make that a possibility

One can dream

 

[Booboobang]

These teams in recent years have kicked just as much as England....If not more so.

But there is a big difference between good kicking and poor kicking.

Yeah, kicking isnt the problem, all of the best teams kick a **** ton. Its about doing it smartly. Level has just been lower tonight.

 

[TopTen2003]

The bad news is I think this heat will impact on the quality of matches in the next 48hrs. The good news is the temperature is to go down 10 degrees for next round of matches and so hopefully won't be so stupid for the rest of the tournament.

I'm not going to judge the players and teams in these conditions but it does make me think we could see Namibia, Boks, Pumas, Fiji and Romania over achieve this weekend against sides relatively less accustomed to the heat.

Scotland are fecked. I had the pleasure of some extended liquid refreshment at a castle today, it was 28 degrees and we could barely muster the energy to get more drinks in despite the drouthy weather. Never mind play a high tempo rugby match in the 30s.

I understand the fear from a Scotland perspective but I think a fizzing and fast tempo is the way to move the Boks around and sap them. Something similar to 1st Lions test 2009 where it nearly came off after a ferocious opening from the Boks. don't get drawn into a grind - I'm still optimistic for Scotland tomorrow. The great entertainers of the tournament!

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Australia should benefit from these conditions. They are naturally salty as ****.

 

[General Melchett]

Fancy NZ to grind this out on the basis that

I understand the fear from a Scotland perspective but I think a fizzing and fast tempo is the way to move the Boks around and sap them. Something similar to 1st Lions test 2009 where it nearly came off after a ferocious opening from the Boks. don't get drawn into a grind - I'm still optimistic for Scotland tomorrow. The great entertainers of the tournament!

I'm not optimistic for Scotland tomorrow because the game is on Sunday (unless you're down under of course).

 

[TopTen2003]

FFS why have ITV extended Maggie Alphonsi's contract? She's mostly awful - you should hear the noise she makes when she eats a boiled egg. It'll be Clive Woodward next FFS.

This has creased me up this has

 

[ThebigARena]

Yeah, kicking isnt the problem, all of the best teams kick a **** ton. Its about doing it smartly. Level has just been lower tonight.

Wtf

 

[General Melchett]

Stunning pass

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

How the **** was that not looked at? Looked a mile forward.

 

[TW27BA]

Oh dear

 

[Crash Hamster]

At the other end of the spectrum, as an England fan I'm watching two sides apparently being nervous and not at their best yet still thinking they are light years ahead of us. So nice to watch the ball go wide and see ambition at times from inside own half.

Yeah, I can see England playing exactly like this. we definitely have the skills...

 

[ThebigARena]

Looked forward

 

[Gavin]

Jordan looked offside at the kick and surprised that final pass wasn't called forward, or at least checked.

 

[ncurd]

How the **** was that not looked at? Looked a mile forward.

Yeah...thought the same.

 

[Booboobang]

Shaun edwards defence having a rough ol time, looked shaky in warm ups as well.

 

[Reiser99]

Scotland are fecked. I had the pleasure of some extended liquid refreshment at a castle today, it was 28 degrees and we could barely muster the energy to get more drinks in despite the drouthy weather. Never mind play a high tempo rugby match in the 30s.