RWC SF1: Argentina v New Zealand

[Snooze]

Enz & Flockwitt - cheers for the teams. Have updated the OP.

Christie on the bench again. Last week Foster said he was a "horses for courses" selection against Ireland, so does this mean he thinks Argentina will pose the same challenges that Ireland did? Or did Foster use some other selection criteria this time? I just don't get it - Roigard offers so much more upside than Christie.

This. Makes no sense. They've got to get him more game time coz Christie ain't the long term answer. And we'll need that 'answer' soon.

[Dan54]

I am a huge Roigard fan, but wonder if they think Chirtie is who they will need against Boks if that is a final opponent, so he needs time? If the ABs make final and it is against Boks, I wonder if they are looking at maybe defence needed at end of game? Not suggesting it is the case, but I just taking guess.

[Chilli]

When these 2 teams played against each other earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Pumas.

I expect more of the same.

An easy win for the All Blacks.

[Gumboot]

When these 2 teams played against each other earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Pumas.

I expect more of the same.

An easy win for the All Blacks.

When the ABs played SA earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Boks. Then a month later, the Boks put 30 points on the All Blacks. So which scenario do you expect more of when we next meet?

[OomStruisbaai]

When these 2 teams played against each other earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Pumas.

I expect more of the same.

An easy win for the All Blacks.

When the ABs played SA earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Boks. Then a month later, the Boks put 30 points on the All Blacks. So which scenario do you expect more of when we next meet?

All Blacks by 50. No way Cheika's team can match the All Blacks.

[Chilli]

When these 2 teams played against each other earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Pumas.

I expect more of the same.

An easy win for the All Blacks.

When the ABs played SA earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Boks. Then a month later, the Boks put 30 points on the All Blacks. So which scenario do you expect more of when we next meet?

Do you want to place a bet on it?
A bottle of red wine including shipping?

[Grandpa]

Grandpa which NPC team do you support?

Auckland... used to go to a lot of games in the 80s...

[Grandpa]

When these 2 teams played against each other earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Pumas.

I expect more of the same.

An easy win for the All Blacks.

When the ABs played SA earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Boks. Then a month later, the Boks put 30 points on the All Blacks. So which scenario do you expect more of when we next meet?

All Blacks by 50. No way Cheika's team can match the All Blacks.

Think Gumboot meant if NZ meet the Boks again this year in the 3rd place play off... or maybe the final..

[Grandpa]

I am a huge Roigard fan, but wonder if they think Chirtie is who they will need against Boks if that is a final opponent, so he needs time? If the ABs make final and it is against Boks, I wonder if they are looking at maybe defence needed at end of game? Not suggesting it is the case, but I just taking guess.

So which team would we have to play for Roigard to be picked? Presumably Namibia?

[OomStruisbaai]

Grandpa which NPC team do you support?

Auckland... used to go to a lot of games in the 80s...

At least Auckland and WP have the same jerseys. So Blues it is.

[Ymx]

I am a huge Roigard fan, but wonder if they think Chirtie is who they will need against Boks if that is a final opponent, so he needs time? If the ABs make final and it is against Boks, I wonder if they are looking at maybe defence needed at end of game? Not suggesting it is the case, but I just taking guess.

So which team would we have to play for Roigard to be picked? Presumably Namibia?

Christie is a liability. So much so that him being on the field could easily lose us a game.

I’ve no idea how Roigard has been sidelined. It’s criminally stupid

[Sandstorm]

I’ve no idea how Roigard has been sidelined. It’s criminally stupid

You know why. Foster is an idiot.

[Flockwitt]

So borrowing a bit here but regardless a few points on the Pumas:
- They've got the best functioning lineout.
- Their scrum is potentially weak, particularly the sub LH.
- They've had defensive positioning issues with their 12-13 combo.
Otherwise a big chunk of the team that beat the ABs previously and the ABs are putting out much the same players that lost to the Pumas in NZ, so this is far from a gimmie.

[C69]

So borrowing a bit here but regardless a few points on the Pumas:
- They've got the best functioning lineout.
- Their scrum is potentially weak, particularly the sub LH.
- They've had defensive positioning issues with their 12-13 combo.
Otherwise a big chunk of the team that beat the ABs previously and the ABs are putting out much the same players that lost to the Pumas in NZ, so this is far from a gimmie.

Utter shit. Wales should or could have beaten the Argies but for a hero tackle and some butchered tries
That without a functional no 10 for 60 mins and his poor replacement threw an intercept pass
Wales played terrible and the Argies upped their game
It's the biggest gimme ever, Wales and Arg are 2 very average teams.
Very average. 30 plus.

[sockwithaticket]

So borrowing a bit here but regardless a few points on the Pumas:
- They've got the best functioning lineout.
- Their scrum is potentially weak, particularly the sub LH.
- They've had defensive positioning issues with their 12-13 combo.
Otherwise a big chunk of the team that beat the ABs previously and the ABs are putting out much the same players that lost to the Pumas in NZ, so this is far from a gimmie.

Yeah, nah. The two Argentina wins over the last few years have been followed up by absolute pastings, which suggests that when they're focused the ABs are far and away the better side. If they can't focus for a world cup semi final the players should probably consider a career change.

[Gumboot]

When these 2 teams played against each other earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Pumas.

I expect more of the same.

An easy win for the All Blacks.

When the ABs played SA earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Boks. Then a month later, the Boks put 30 points on the All Blacks. So which scenario do you expect more of when we next meet?

Do you want to place a bet on it?
A bottle of red wine including shipping?

I'm not a betting man, so no.

Besides, you missed the point. You suggested that just because we beat the Pumas well last time we played, we're certain to do the same again next time we meet (tomorrow). I was merely pointing out the flaw in your logic, giving an example of exactly the opposite happening when our two teams (SA and NZ) last played.

[Jethro]

Quietly confident to be honest, ABs by twenty or so as they won't take this game lightly and will be focused like the snow leopard or other predatory animal.

Can someone explain the logic of Christie playing? Clearly Fozzie is trying his best to piss off the Kiwi fanbase, but by heaven even in his warped game planning this makes no sense what so ever

[Gumboot]

Expecting the Pumas to chuck everything at this one. They know how to beat us, and they don't fear us.

If the ABs are even slightly off their best, it'll mean big trouble. I'll be delighted with a one-point win, tbf.

[Flockwitt]

I refuse to bow to the mocker baiting. One intercept try and a card and the sphincter will be tightening. Focus and discipline the ABs shall need.

[Gumboot]

There were 7 red cards in the first 3 weeks of pool play. There have been none since. Let's hope it stays that way.

[Kiwias]

Expecting the Pumas to chuck everything at this one. They know how to beat us, and they don't fear us.

If the ABs are even slightly off their best, it'll mean big trouble. I'll be delighted with a one-point win, tbf.

I'd take a win by 0.00001 points.

[Gumboot]

If we somehow make the final after such a tumultuous last few years, I'll happily concede that Foster's as good an All Blacks coach as Laurie Mains was.

[Chilli]

When the ABs played SA earlier this year the All Blacks put 30 points on the Boks. Then a month later, the Boks put 30 points on the All Blacks. So which scenario do you expect more of when we next meet?

Do you want to place a bet on it?
A bottle of red wine including shipping?

I'm not a betting man, so no.

Besides, you missed the point. You suggested that just because we beat the Pumas well last time we played, we're certain to do the same again next time we meet (tomorrow). I was merely pointing out the flaw in your logic, giving an example of exactly the opposite happening when our two teams (SA and NZ) last played.

Not so thinly veiled "I know that the ABs will smesh the Argies, I'm just trying to be as humble as Bro and appease the mocker gods" post.

[Gumboot]

Do you want to place a bet on it?
A bottle of red wine including shipping?

I'm not a betting man, so no.

Besides, you missed the point. You suggested that just because we beat the Pumas well last time we played, we're certain to do the same again next time we meet (tomorrow). I was merely pointing out the flaw in your logic, giving an example of exactly the opposite happening when our two teams (SA and NZ) last played.

Not so thinly veiled "I know that the ABs will smesh the Argies, I'm just trying to be as humble as Bro and appease the mocker gods" post.

I don't believe in gods of any kind, so there's another theory out the window.

Have to say, it's fascinating to watch the Saffers getting so excited on this match thread as well as their own. It's almost like beating England is a foregone conclusion, and they're already focussed on the final...

[Chilli]

I'm not a betting man, so no.

Besides, you missed the point. You suggested that just because we beat the Pumas well last time we played, we're certain to do the same again next time we meet (tomorrow). I was merely pointing out the flaw in your logic, giving an example of exactly the opposite happening when our two teams (SA and NZ) last played.

Not so thinly veiled "I know that the ABs will smesh the Argies, I'm just trying to be as humble as Bro and appease the mocker gods" post.

I don't believe in gods of any kind, so there's another theory out the window.

Have to say, it's fascinating to watch the Saffers getting so excited on this match thread as well as their own. It's almost like beating England is a foregone conclusion, and they're already focussed on the final...

Maaaaaaate, go read the other threads

[Ymx]

If we somehow make the final after such a tumultuous last few years, I'll happily concede that Foster's as good an All Blacks coach as Laurie Mains was.

The mastermind plotting

[Ymx]

This gives me some comfort

[Flockwitt]

I see Foster's barely fit to lace Richie's boots.

[Sandstorm]

This gives me some comfort

A picture of Foster walking by himself?

[Sards]

Go the ABs

[Grandpa]

This gives me some comfort

A picture of Foster walking by himself?

Hard to believe those two are roughly the same age!

[Grandpa]

Quietly confident to be honest, ABs by twenty or so as they won't take this game lightly and will be focused like the snow leopard or other predatory animal.

Can someone explain the logic of Christie playing? Clearly Fozzie is trying his best to piss off the Kiwi fanbase, but by heaven even in his warped game planning this makes no sense what so ever

Roigard for all his talent is prone to the odd screw up... and that has freaked Fozzie out, being so risk averse... so he has gone with the Ginger Finger because for all his faults, he's quite safe...

I'd choose Roigard myself.

[boere wors]

If we somehow make the final after such a tumultuous last few years, I'll happily concede that Foster's as good an All Blacks coach as Laurie Mains was.

The mastermind plotting

[boere wors]

shite weather tonight, high chance of rain showers and Thunderstorms from 1900 to 2300

[Muttonbird]

Huge game tomorrow. The spectre of World Cup failure in the past will both haunt and spur NZ. Argentina very capable of winning this with greater focus.

If both NZ and ARG play at their very best NZ should win, that's just according to the rankings. But rankings are not how games are played and while NZ climbed a mountain last week, Argentina simply built from low starting point, did what they had to, and will be far bigger this week.

I've seen many ABs' failures. The next is just around the corner as far as I'm concerned. However, a certain robustness and belief has crept into their psyche before and during this tournament. Whether that is enough to make the final remains to be seen.

[boere wors]

Huge game tomorrow. The spectre of World Cup failure in the past will both haunt and spur NZ. Argentina very capable of winning this with greater focus.

If both NZ and ARG play at their very best NZ should win, that's just according to the rankings. But rankings are not how games are played and while NZ climbed a mountain last week, Argentina simply built from low starting point, did what they had to, and will be far bigger this week.

I've seen many ABs' failures. The next is just around the corner as far as I'm concerned. However, a certain robustness and belief has crept into their psyche before and during this tournament. Whether that is enough to make the final remains to be seen.

Really? I expect a convincing NZ win, no worries at all.

[Muttonbird]

You would say that.

[SaintK]

Huge game tomorrow. The spectre of World Cup failure in the past will both haunt and spur NZ. Argentina very capable of winning this with greater focus.

If both NZ and ARG play at their very best NZ should win, that's just according to the rankings. But rankings are not how games are played and while NZ climbed a mountain last week, Argentina simply built from low starting point, did what they had to, and will be far bigger this week.

I've seen many ABs' failures. The next is just around the corner as far as I'm concerned. However, a certain robustness and belief has crept into their psyche before and during this tournament. Whether that is enough to make the final remains to be seen.

Really? I expect a convincing NZ win, no worries at all.

Yep, All Blacks by 17!

[Gumboot]

[Sandstorm]

Just 6 more shithouse national anthems sung by children who should be playing Minecraft instead. Ah yeah.