RWCR3 New Zealand vs Italy - Fri 29th - 20.00 BST

[Biffer]

TMO with a pity try there.

[Paddington Bear]

Actually celebrating that.

Yeah pretty astonishing.



Italy deserved to ship 100 there, utterly humiliating

[Sandstorm]

Italian back 3 were ok. The rest were garbage.

[Torquemada 1420]

Italy have played their part in a 17 try thriller

[sturginho]

Innocenti should do the honourable thing and resign but instead he'll claim that this vindicates his decision to sack Crowley before the world cup started

[Torquemada 1420]

Well, at least the SA's will be pleased at Italy giving the AB machine a good lubing.

[Gumboot]

That'll do.

[Flockwitt]

Italy finding too much space on the edges in that last 10. Shades of what will happen against Ireland if they're who the ABs end up playing.

[sturginho]

Italy have played their part in a 17 try thriller

Always look on the bright side of life!

[Torquemada 1420]

Bernol already headlining with "NZ humiliate Italy".

[Flockwitt]

Brodie went off for the last 10? Hope it's not serious...

[Gumboot]

Brodie went off for the last 10? Hope it's not serious...

He looked fine. Straight replacement, I think. And of course, they would've wanted big Sam to enjoy his record cap.

[_Os_]

The result underlines just how much a step up any RWC match is on any other test. We don't get a full sense of it as fans, but you can see it in results like this. People were talking up Italy's chances before the game, they sounded totally insane to me, free money if you backed the ABs.

Poor Italy.

[Flockwitt]

Brodie went off for the last 10? Hope it's not serious...

He looked fine. Straight replacement, I think. And of course, they would've wanted big Sam to enjoy his record cap.

Sam went on for Frizzel. I think the ABs were down to 14 for that last 10.

[JM2K6]

The result underlines just how much a step up any RWC match is on any other test. We don't get a full sense of it as fans, but you can see it in results like this. People were talking up Italy's chances before the game, they sounded totally insane to me, free money if you backed the ABs.

Poor Italy.

Slightly odd take. This is an aberration by world cup standards.

[Gumboot]

Brodie went off for the last 10? Hope it's not serious...

He looked fine. Straight replacement, I think. And of course, they would've wanted big Sam to enjoy his record cap.

Sam went on for Frizzel. I think the ABs were down to 14 for that last 10.

Ah right, I didn't notice that. Please let BBBR be OK.

[_Os_]

Slightly odd take. This is an aberration by world cup standards.

A result like this doesn't happen in a regular season match I don't think. This is an ABs team with a point to prove that needs some form before a knockout match. Italy aren't that bad a side but were nowhere.

There's a load of results in RWCs that wouldn't happen in a regular season match. The Wales v Wallabies result was all about one side being experienced and coping with tournament pressure and the other side collapsing under it.

[Ymx]

Back from the pub. I’ll take that.

That was absolutely nuts. Freakish performance, with everything clicking.

[Flockwitt]

Back from the pub. I’ll take that.

That was absolutely nuts. Freakish performance, with everything clicking.

And Italy being as soft as marshmellows soaked in mocha. I can't remember seeing such a dismal defensive performance. At least in previous outings their scrum held their own. Not reading anything in that at all. In fact they were that bad and still managed 6 line breaks is more of a concern.

[Ymx]

Back from the pub. I’ll take that.

That was absolutely nuts. Freakish performance, with everything clicking.

And Italy being as soft as marshmellows soaked in mocha. I can't remember seeing such a dismal defensive performance. At least in previous outings their scrum held their own. Not reading anything in that at all. In fact they were that bad and still managed 6 line breaks is more of a concern.

Come on man. Enjoy it.

We can go back to being pessimistic come QF time.

But just enjoy this day/night!

[Mr Tim Buktoo]

Any All Black fan that gets excited about that needs their head examined. I have never seen a worse Italian performance and thats saying something! There are shit more often than not but that took the biscuit.

[Flockwitt]

Back from the pub. I’ll take that.

That was absolutely nuts. Freakish performance, with everything clicking.

And Italy being as soft as marshmellows soaked in mocha. I can't remember seeing such a dismal defensive performance. At least in previous outings their scrum held their own. Not reading anything in that at all. In fact they were that bad and still managed 6 line breaks is more of a concern.

Come on man. Enjoy it.

We can go back to being pessimistic come QF time.

But just enjoy this day/night!

Eh? No that's not me. I've not been one of the Foster bashers with a permanent chip on my shoulder. It's great to see the ABs in full flight. If you can't enjoy that you can't enjoy rugby. I'm simply disappointed that there is every chance this is the last we'll see of some great names and the potential that was always there bar one more last hurrah in the quarters. Which was always going to be a coin toss and just trying to be realistic as opposed to the usual headless euphoria that follows an AB blowout.

Plenty of positives there, the ABs with Jordie and Frizzel are a different beast and they've got every chance of going all the way. And a massive congratulations to Sam Whitelock too of course. Truly deserving the status of legend.

[Line6 HXFX]

All blacks are ruthless and play not just to beat you, but to destroy all interest in the game in your country, forever.


Didn't they destroy Rugby in the USA by doing something similar, back in't day?

I mean if you score 50 points and the opposition is on 3, then pull the match for the sake of the game, aNd admit the teams for now are mismatched. Coaches should be able to throw in the towel.

[Kiwias]

I missed almost all of it as visiting my grandparents’ grave site was my priority but I guess the main learning is that the contract with Razor should be shredded and Foster should get a four-year extension.

Anyone disagree with that?

[Snooze]

I missed almost all of it as visiting my grandparents’ grave site was my priority but I guess the main learning is that the contract with Razor should be shredded and Foster should get a four-year extension.

Anyone disagree with that?

I see what you did there.

[Gumboot]

All blacks are ruthless and play not just to beat you, but to destroy all interest in the game in your country, forever.


Didn't they destroy Rugby in the USA by doing something similar, back in't day?

I mean if you score 50 points and the opposition is on 3, then pull the match for the sake of the game, aNd admit the teams for now are mismatched. Coaches should be able to throw in the towel.

Yeah, I'm sure the 57,000 (mostly) paying spectators would've been delighted to see the game abandoned at half time.

[Kiwias]

All blacks are ruthless and play not just to beat you, but to destroy all interest in the game in your country, forever.


Didn't they destroy Rugby in the USA by doing something similar, back in't day?

I mean if you score 50 points and the opposition is on 3, then pull the match for the sake of the game, aNd admit the teams for now are mismatched. Coaches should be able to throw in the towel.

Yeah, I'm sure the 57,000 (mostly) paying spectators would've been delighted to see the game abandoned at half time.

Line HXFX

That would obviously explain the death of rugby in Japan after the ABs thrashed then 145 - 17 back in 1995. Hang on, did not Japan go on the host the WC and beat the Boks and Ireland well after that demolition?

[Cartman]

And thats why you slow it right down against the ABs.
NZ v Ireland is going to be very good
Both teams dont want a stop start affair but both are incredible when it isnt.
NZ have more game breakers but Ireland have the better defence

[Sards]

And thats why you slow it right down against the ABs.
NZ v Ireland is going to be very good
Both teams dont want a stop start affair but both are incredible when it isnt.
NZ have more game breakers but Ireland have the better defence

The rugby world suddenly realized that the ABs are playing in this RWC

[Gumboot]

The rugby world suddenly realized that the ABs are playing in this RWC

It was a good result, but no more so than SA 76 - Romania 0.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

All blacks are ruthless and play not just to beat you, but to destroy all interest in the game in your country, forever.


Didn't they destroy Rugby in the USA by doing something similar, back in't day?

I mean if you score 50 points and the opposition is on 3, then pull the match for the sake of the game, aNd admit the teams for now are mismatched. Coaches should be able to throw in the towel.

Yeah, I'm sure the 57,000 (mostly) paying spectators would've been delighted to see the game abandoned at half time.

Line HXFX

That would obviously explain the death of rugby in Japan after the ABs thrashed then 145 - 17 back in 1995. Hang on, did not Japan go on the host the WC and beat the Boks and Ireland well after that demolition?

I doubt anyone is surprised that Line's answer is to give up, quit, run away, bugger off...

[Simian]

The rugby world suddenly realized that the ABs are playing in this RWC

It was a good result, but no more so than SA 76 - Romania 0.

Yeah, I don’t think you can read very much into either result. Tho I guess it’s maybe worth pointing out that Italy dealt out a pretty brutal hammering to Romania little over a month ago

[Simian]

Yeah, I'm sure the 57,000 (mostly) paying spectators would've been delighted to see the game abandoned at half time.

Line HXFX

That would obviously explain the death of rugby in Japan after the ABs thrashed then 145 - 17 back in 1995. Hang on, did not Japan go on the host the WC and beat the Boks and Ireland well after that demolition?

I doubt anyone is surprised that Line's answer is to give up, quit, run away, bugger off...

When you put it like that it’s pretty much what Italy did

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Line HXFX

That would obviously explain the death of rugby in Japan after the ABs thrashed then 145 - 17 back in 1995. Hang on, did not Japan go on the host the WC and beat the Boks and Ireland well after that demolition?

I doubt anyone is surprised that Line's answer is to give up, quit, run away, bugger off...

When you put it like that it’s pretty much what Italy did

You could contend it shows a change for the good. Italy didn't change their thinking to make them pay in blood and teeth even if we take a pasting, which is a growth of sorts. Other than that I suspect most have seen more interesting largely unopposed training runs

[Line6 HXFX]

All blacks are ruthless and play not just to beat you, but to destroy all interest in the game in your country, forever.


Didn't they destroy Rugby in the USA by doing something similar, back in't day?

I mean if you score 50 points and the opposition is on 3, then pull the match for the sake of the game, aNd admit the teams for now are mismatched. Coaches should be able to throw in the towel.

Yeah, I'm sure the 57,000 (mostly) paying spectators would've been delighted to see the game abandoned at half time.

The trainer throws in the towel whenever, at boxing matches to prote t fighters... It is a part of sport. Why should people be put at massive risk in a no hope game of injury? They could do the decent thing and re-imburse the money for creating a non competitive, rip off spectacle, and commit to never doing it again?

[boere wors]

Did Italy throw that game to target the one vs France? They only have to win by one point and deny France a second Bonus point. Not that improbable.

[Line6 HXFX]

Did Italy throw that game to target the one vs France? They only have to win by one point and deny France a second Bonus point. Not that improbable.

I mean, it happens..but imagine being an Italian fan and paying 600 quid to travel to France and watch this..you would think " yeah fuck rugby"..(in italian).

sì, fanculo il rugby

[Slick]

Did Italy throw that game to target the one vs France? They only have to win by one point and deny France a second Bonus point. Not that improbable.

I mean, it happens..but imagine being an Italian fan and paying 600 quid to travel to France and watch this..you would think " yeah fuck rugby"..(in italian).

sì, fanculo il rugby

Don’t entertain it. This will eventually lead to SA throwing the game against Ireland

[Simian]

Did Italy throw that game to target the one vs France? They only have to win by one point and deny France a second Bonus point. Not that improbable.

from the side they out out, I don't think so.

but before the match, I saw a lot of Italian pundits (including former players) saying Italy should have put out a shadow side last night for the reason you described.

[Muttonbird]

Big win but I didn't see much in there which is going to change the approach of Ireland/SA/Scotland in QF2 or whatever mediocre pool C/D teams they come up with after that.

Fact is, apart from 10mins after half time NZ had the ball and played at pace. This is nirvana for them. But future opponents will look at that 10 mins because they know they can starve NZ of ball for 50, 60, 70mins, not 10. They'll use 10-man rugby and the state of officiating to slow they game down to a tempo that suits them.

The ABs just showed what they can do when conditions suit, not what they can do when they don't have the ball. Still don't think they've adapted to be a team which can win the tournament, but part of this might be a philosophical refusal to dumb their rugby down.