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<blockquote data-quote="Which Tyler" data-source="post: 1105516" data-attributes="member: 73592"><p>I think the bookies, and experts, are favouring France a bit too much right now.</p><p>Largely based on NZ's disastrous tour of the NH last year - when they hadn't played any rugby for 2 years previously, and were a bunch of amateurs just doing their bit in the gym.</p><p></p><p>First 2 matches of the RWC gave doubt for NZ as well, but (for me) those have been put to bed in R3 and QF.</p><p>Then you have France's injuries, and it's all levelled off for me.</p><p></p><p>As for the weather - as mentioned on the QF thread; I don't think it's all that much of a big deal. France can play in light-medium rain perfectly well, but they basically never play in NZ style downpours - unlike NZ. NZ's handling in the wet will be better, as they just have stronger basics there. Whilst France will be stronger in the scrum and maul, and the kicking game - the scrum and kicking isn't as much of a help in the women's game; as they're mostly good for earning penalties, and gaining territory, but the ladies just can't kick the ball as far - hell, we've seen plenty of kicks for touch making 0 metres at all, and even occasionally making negative metres; whilst kicks for goal are about 15m shorter than in the men's game; so you've got to be well inside the opponent's half before it's even worth thinking about.</p><p>Rain (if there is any) will play it's part, but it's far from the simplistic "plays right into the hands of the stronger pack" cliche we're all used to.</p><p></p><p>[USER=65365]@Umaga's Witness[/USER] had a good point on the QF thread, that NZ can be a little bit... lazy... about where they join rucks and mauls; and I don't expect Neville to give them much joy there.</p><p>On the refs, I can't quite believe that Cox & Groizeleau are relegated to the touch lines; nor that ABT gets another go after bailing out of a decision for dropping a player on her head.</p><p>Neville should be nailed on for the final, with Groizeleau an option if France don't make it; but WR obviously don't care about ABT's cock-up, and see something I'm missing in Groizeleau's performances.</p><hr class="bbc-hr bbc-hr--3" /><p>Canada should test England, but it really should be "never in doubt" - England to win by anything from 2 scores to 6 scores seems reasonable.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Which Tyler, post: 1105516, member: 73592"] I think the bookies, and experts, are favouring France a bit too much right now. Largely based on NZ's disastrous tour of the NH last year - when they hadn't played any rugby for 2 years previously, and were a bunch of amateurs just doing their bit in the gym. First 2 matches of the RWC gave doubt for NZ as well, but (for me) those have been put to bed in R3 and QF. Then you have France's injuries, and it's all levelled off for me. As for the weather - as mentioned on the QF thread; I don't think it's all that much of a big deal. France can play in light-medium rain perfectly well, but they basically never play in NZ style downpours - unlike NZ. NZ's handling in the wet will be better, as they just have stronger basics there. Whilst France will be stronger in the scrum and maul, and the kicking game - the scrum and kicking isn't as much of a help in the women's game; as they're mostly good for earning penalties, and gaining territory, but the ladies just can't kick the ball as far - hell, we've seen plenty of kicks for touch making 0 metres at all, and even occasionally making negative metres; whilst kicks for goal are about 15m shorter than in the men's game; so you've got to be well inside the opponent's half before it's even worth thinking about. Rain (if there is any) will play it's part, but it's far from the simplistic "plays right into the hands of the stronger pack" cliche we're all used to. [USER=65365]@Umaga's Witness[/USER] had a good point on the QF thread, that NZ can be a little bit... lazy... about where they join rucks and mauls; and I don't expect Neville to give them much joy there. On the refs, I can't quite believe that Cox & Groizeleau are relegated to the touch lines; nor that ABT gets another go after bailing out of a decision for dropping a player on her head. Neville should be nailed on for the final, with Groizeleau an option if France don't make it; but WR obviously don't care about ABT's cock-up, and see something I'm missing in Groizeleau's performances. [HR=3][/HR] Canada should test England, but it really should be "never in doubt" - England to win by anything from 2 scores to 6 scores seems reasonable. [/QUOTE]
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