South Africa vs New Zealand

[geostar]

How can Newzealand go number 1 when Ireland haven't lost? Doesn't make sense. Especially when Ireland beat Newzealand the last time they played.

Wales were once ranked #1 without playing NZ, and I think they didnt play against SA and AUS also. I think that is when this current mess of a draw was done.

You basically get much more points if you beat a team much higher than where you are at.

Its sad that from the current top 4 teams, 2 will be eliminated in QF and the remaining 2 will be in a final and playing for 3rd place

 

[Johnny Storm]

The match is completely sold out - good for a neutral venue.
The England vs Fiji match the next day, also at Twickenham is only half sold out.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

This should be a bit of craic, a warm up to the warm up of us knocking France out of their home world cup.

 

[AlRums]

The match is completely sold out - good for a neutral venue.
The England vs Fiji match the next day, also at Twickenham is only half sold out.

If I had a choice of only one game to attend, it wouldn't be hard. Essentially the best in the world or England, not a hard choice

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

This should be a bit of craic, a warm up to the warm up of us knocking France out of their home world cup.

What's the logic in fielding what are almost 1st XV in a meaningless cash generator 2 weeks before both teams have pool defining matches? Surely the risk of injury outweighs any benefit? Or is that mindset the reason I'm not an elite sportsman/top level coach?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

What's the logic in fielding what are almost 1st XV in a meaningless cash generator 2 weeks before both teams have pool defining matches? Surely the risk of injury outweighs any benefit? Or is that mindset the reason I'm not an elite sportsman/top level coach?

I can't really say to be honest. Can understand for NZ considering they'll have a massive break after France in terms of competitive games. SA will be week on, week off until the knockouts where the load increases.

 

[saulan]

For SA, (and I made a post earlier) I don't really know if we know what our best team is. The squad is very strong, but I don't know how we can separate our wings, most of our locks, most of our props, our number 8s, our scrumhalves or our outside centres.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bok fans will be wincing every time Libbok takes contact, that's for sure!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

What's the logic in fielding what are almost 1st XV in a meaningless cash generator 2 weeks before both teams have pool defining matches? Surely the risk of injury outweighs any benefit? Or is that mindset the reason I'm not an elite sportsman/top level coach?

i believe for us several of our combinations have only really been landed on this season, in the last few games we've also changed the game plan we've been working on for the last several YEARS, against the aussies we were hammering the blindside for example, theyre obviously still working on things

 

[Umaga's Witness]

I suspect all blacks will play same team as played springboks last time except changes due to injuries - faingaanuku

What's the logic in fielding what are almost 1st XV in a meaningless cash generator 2 weeks before both teams have pool defining matches? Surely the risk of injury outweighs any benefit? Or is that mindset the reason I'm not an elite sportsman/top level coach?

In addition to what others have said, it's also a confidence thing. For the all blacks their confidence levels are probably still quite sensitive. a big loss here could be quite detrimental.

In saying that, the nailed on starters must be in two minds about the game, not wanting to get injured. We even saw this with beauden throughout super rugby where he was avoiding contact.

So it might have been better to go with players who are still fighting for their positions.

Back on the first hand, the more we can play Jordie and rieko together the better

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Bok fans will be wincing every time Libbok takes contact, that's for sure!

I can't really say to be honest. Can understand for NZ considering they'll have a massive break after France in terms of competitive games. SA will be week on, week off until the knockouts where the load increases.

If Libbok is out Pollard comes in though.

I think a number of our players can do with more games still actually. We'll probably rotate a fair few without giving away a ton. For us ATM I think a lot of our players are very much on a level with the next best. The only untouchable player I feel is Etzebeth and even there Kleyn and RG are waiting in he wings and have been in fine form. Maybe Kitshoff and more so Le Roux as well but beyond those all we would lose is depth should further injuries come.

I feel if all else is equal we win the war of attrition. That said, not all else is quite equal is it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If Libbok is out Pollard comes in though.

Yeah, but then you'd still only have 1 flyhalf, and one that can barely string a couple of games together without getting injured - you'd imagine they'd want both in and a 9 to drop out

 

[Bada-Bing!]

FYI This one is being shown on Sky Sports Mix channel for UK viewers.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

One thing I was thinking today s that rieko always defends quite tight, relying on his pace to catch people on the outside. But with noodle at centre he might get caught out doing this, or he might adjust and then there will be more opportunites through the middle. So moodie may be an intelligent choice for that a game.

Also, if no one noticed the all blacks have a player (Josh lord) in this game that isn't even in the World Cup squad. We've gone for a 6-2 split which we simply can't make happen with the uninjured World Cup squad members. They'll be wanting lord to get some time too for if one of our locks gets injured more permanently (though seems strange to rely on such an inexperienced player when They could call up Patrick tuipolotu or Josh Dickson).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

7:1 bench is wild

 

[Gavin]

Already setting up to be a great game

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Intensity is through the roof
Malherbe won't want to see that maul again, spun it to lose the defenders but trips over his own feet and brings it down

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Boks power game is just insane

 

[Gavin]

It's mad to think that two of New Zealand, South Africa, France and Ireland won't get to the semi finals of the World Cup, considering they are arguably the four best teams in the world.

With the intensity of this match already, it's very disappointing

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Territory stats have gotta be crazy- 100% NZ half, 90%+ NZ 22?