RWC QF2: Ireland vs New Zealand

[Ymx]

Oh ffs, it’s that prick Barnes

[Uncle fester]

We've hurt BBBR's feelings. That's quite concerning. I've put all thoughts of the game aside to consider this.

Do you think it's too late to send some flowers and a bottle of lucazade?

Lemsip maybe?

[Gumboot]

Sounds like Tyrel Lomax may be fit and available for selection, which is a pleasant surprise.

So, for the ABs:

A fully fit squad to choose from, nine days between games, sleeper spy Schmidt, Ireland's RWC record, and the weight of expectation on them...

Will any of it make a difference? Probably not:

Ireland is on a historic winning streak and fully deserve their top world ranking, having beaten all comers in recent years. They're a supremely well coached side of generational talent, steered around the park by an all-time great enjoying his last hurrah. Their raucous supporters will vastly outnumber the Kiwi spectators and make it feel like a home game. Wayne Barnes...

Normally at this point in a RWC I'd be a blathering nervous wreck, as we'd still be in with a realistic shot, but the Foster era has numbed the senses and lowered expectations to such an extent that I feel almost blissfully resigned to the inevitable disappointment. It would be good to keep the score close (unlikely) but of course the biggest silver lining of all will be Foster's long overdue departure.

[yermum]

That is rancid mockers bait.

[Gumboot]

That is rancid mockers bait.

So de-bait it then.

[Guy Smiley]

I'm working this week so I won't be able to watch the game...


so it will be the first time I'll miss one of our RWC losses.

[Muttonbird]

I can't see the ABs winning this. Ireland has the advantage with the refs and the officiating system which overwhelmingly supports their style of play.

Some pundits are trying to say the ABs are different from the 2022 Ireland tour but they are not really. Still got weaknesses (or at least not strengths) with Ioane, Cane and a lack of clarity around the 10/15 axis. And following that, the persistence with positional errors at 15. The whole concept has been a managed solution which hasn't changed in 12 months. Farrell knows this.

They only thing which might have changed is the ABs' desire, intent and focus. The same might be said for Ireland given the importance of the occasion but they have been playing the games of their lives for some time now...still, no bigger game than this in their history.

Barnes is another issue for NZ because he officiates like we do not want. Slow, methodical and self-absorbed when we want the refs to get out of the way to let the game be played as it should be, at high tempo. Ireland will love Barnes and the new two ref system which they will milk for all it is worth.

Ireland by 10 or over. At least 11+ penalties and 2 yellows for the ABs.

[Thor Sedan]

AB's will lose the breakdown and will go headless chicken - which will lead to handling errors which will gift Ireland points.

Then one - probably 2 will end up in the bin and Ireland will march on.

This is where the AB's are at this time.

Ireland - better players, better team, better coach and smarter all over the park.

[Uncle fester]

Lot of mockers appeasement going on. Keewees still a good team well capable of winning this comfortably.

[Ymx]

Sounds like Tyrel Lomax may be fit and available for selection, which is a pleasant surprise.

So, for the ABs:

A fully fit squad to choose from, nine days between games, sleeper spy Schmidt, Ireland's RWC record, and the weight of expectation on them...

Will any of it make a difference? Probably not:

Ireland is on a historic winning streak and fully deserve their top world ranking, having beaten all comers in recent years. They're a supremely well coached side of generational talent, steered around the park by an all-time great enjoying his last hurrah. Their raucous supporters will vastly outnumber the Kiwi spectators and make it feel like a home game. Wayne Barnes...

Normally at this point in a RWC I'd be a blathering nervous wreck, as we'd still be in with a realistic shot, but the Foster era has numbed the senses and lowered expectations to such an extent that I feel almost blissfully resigned to the inevitable disappointment. It would be good to keep the score close (unlikely) but of course the biggest silver lining of all will be Foster's long overdue departure.

That’s a beautiful statement, and mirrors me. I’d probably emphasise WB a bit more. But it was beautiful

[Ymx]

We are at peace already with the inevitable loss. You can’t hurt us any more! We have all the learnings we need.

Instead, we wish you well for the rest of the SF and finals, we will be wearing green for you !

[Ymx]

[Ymx]

Looks like the ABs will be named 5pm BST tomorrow

[Thor Sedan]

Lot of mockers appeasement going on. Keewees still a good team well capable of winning this comfortably.

Yep - but recent form would suggest an Irish win.

[OomStruisbaai]

Time for the SH to stand up and show BMT in spades.

[Sandstorm]

Time for the SH to stand up and show BMT in spades.

I don't think the Kiwis lack BMT or guts or similar. They have been coached to use minimal players at each ruck and so get blasted off the ball. Which is NOT a traditional AB trait.

[Snooze]

Sounds like Tyrel Lomax may be fit and available for selection, which is a pleasant surprise.

So, for the ABs:

A fully fit squad to choose from, nine days between games, sleeper spy Schmidt, Ireland's RWC record, and the weight of expectation on them...

Will any of it make a difference? Probably not:

Ireland is on a historic winning streak and fully deserve their top world ranking, having beaten all comers in recent years. They're a supremely well coached side of generational talent, steered around the park by an all-time great enjoying his last hurrah. Their raucous supporters will vastly outnumber the Kiwi spectators and make it feel like a home game. Wayne Barnes...

Normally at this point in a RWC I'd be a blathering nervous wreck, as we'd still be in with a realistic shot, but the Foster era has numbed the senses and lowered expectations to such an extent that I feel almost blissfully resigned to the inevitable disappointment. It would be good to keep the score close (unlikely) but of course the biggest silver lining of all will be Foster's long overdue departure.

That’s a beautiful statement, and mirrors me. I’d probably emphasise WB a bit more. But it was beautiful

All of the above. I'm married into the green mob, and we were all in Chicago a few years ago. That was rough. This is easy as I'm at peace with the likely outcome. Hope they go on to win it all (assuming they squeak out a 15 point win on Saturday).

[Guy Smiley]

Time for the SH to stand up and show BMT in spades.

I don't think the Kiwis lack BMT or guts or similar. They have been coached to use minimal players at each ruck and so get blasted off the ball. Which is NOT a traditional AB trait.

Oom has spent the last couple of years talking about how the Boks belong in the NH and how the SH held them back...

he's spent so long playing with his own cock that he's snotklapped what sense he had right out of himself.

[Guy Smiley]

We are at peace already with the inevitable loss. You can’t hurt us any more! We have all the learnings we need.

Instead, we wish you well for the rest of the SF and finals, we will be wearing green for you !

Who's this 'we'? The voices in your head?

[OomStruisbaai]

Time for the SH to stand up and show BMT in spades.

I don't think the Kiwis lack BMT or guts or similar. They have been coached to use minimal players at each ruck and so get blasted off the ball. Which is NOT a traditional AB trait.

Oom has spent the last couple of years talking about how the Boks belong in the NH and how the SH held them back...

he's spent so long playing with his own cock that he's snotklapped what sense he had right out of himself.

vokof Guy. My SH passion got back to me.

[Sards]

The AB supporters are probably looking at that Irish team and not recognizing the majority of the players. Except maybe Guy who has been following the URC

[Uncle fester]

Lot of mockers appeasement going on. Keewees still a good team well capable of winning this comfortably.

Yep - but recent form would suggest an Irish win.

Nah, world Cup pedigree counts.

[Tichtheid]

I never thought I'd see All Blacks supporters capitulate so meekly - you guys would go through the roof if your team did that on the park.

When I worked with Kiwis 30 years ago the thing was "Where are you from?" - is that still a thing? It doesn't look like it.

[Gumboot]

I never thought I'd see All Blacks supporters capitulate so meekly - you guys would go through the roof if your team did that on the park.

Believe me, we've had plenty of practice doing just that in recent years. Hence all the pessimism.

[OomStruisbaai]

The AB supporters are probably looking at that Irish team and not recognizing the majority of the players. Except maybe Guy who has been following the URC

They know Lowe, Aki and Gibson Park well.

[Gumboot]

Ireland team has been added to the OP.

Not sure when the ABs will be named.

[Uncle fester]

Yep - but recent form would suggest an Irish win.

Nah, world Cup pedigree counts.

Big time and Ryan's out. Joe McCarthy is about 16. I think he will be the youngest faced player to ever play for Ireland

Also a lot of Leinster players in the team. You know those lads who flop at the critical juncture.

POM will do his best to get them over the line though.

[OomStruisbaai]

Nah, world Cup pedigree counts.

Big time and Ryan's out. Joe McCarthy is about 16. I think he will be the youngest faced player to ever play for Ireland

Also a lot of Leinster players in the team. You know those lads who flop at the critical juncture.

POM will do his best to get them over the line though.

POM has been fantastic. Like his sledge for Duhan vd Merwe.

[Tichtheid]

Big time and Ryan's out. Joe McCarthy is about 16. I think he will be the youngest faced player to ever play for Ireland

Also a lot of Leinster players in the team. You know those lads who flop at the critical juncture.

POM will do his best to get them over the line though.

POM has been fantastic. Like his sledge for Duhan vd Merwe.

Great player, bit of a wanker

[Guy Smiley]

I never thought I'd see All Blacks supporters capitulate so meekly - you guys would go through the roof if your team did that on the park.

When I worked with Kiwis 30 years ago the thing was "Where are you from?" - is that still a thing? It doesn't look like it.

I've been part of this loose online community for almost 20 years now. I've seen most of the shit that gets flung at Kiwi supporters and can certainly see how some of the behaviours exhibited deserve the criticsm and ridicule they attracted.. arrogance and complacency come to mind as the easiest sins to identify within our supporter base...

and here we are now being criticised for not being arrogant and complacent. There is no winning in the eye of public opinion, is there?

So fuck you and your swineherding, earthy arrogance, you pasty approximation of a 'uman been. We've seen the writing on the wall with this coach and his flawed policies and we're not afraid to call it out. There's a chance the ABs could win this... the talent is there and a shift in coaching direction this year showed some promising signs of progress. There;'s also that pride in the jersey and the wounds Ireland have inflicted on the Abs of late to consider as motivating factors... while unlikey, a win isn't completely out of the question and would come as a hilariously sweet dessert after a long and decidedly mundane multi course dinner that has failed to live up to expectations...

not to mention, of course... Te Aura,, a force that still plays on the minds of rugby folk all over the world as evidenced by your humiliating grovel here before us now.

Win, lose or draw, we live in your heads. Before a ball is kicked then, we've won.

[Gumboot]

Looks like the ABs will be named 5pm BST tomorrow

Cheers, I missed this earlier.

Have updated the OP with your snazzy team graphic as well.

[Tichtheid]

I never thought I'd see All Blacks supporters capitulate so meekly - you guys would go through the roof if your team did that on the park.

When I worked with Kiwis 30 years ago the thing was "Where are you from?" - is that still a thing? It doesn't look like it.

I've been part of this loose online community for almost 20 years now. I've seen most of the shit that gets flung at Kiwi supporters and can certainly see how some of the behaviours exhibited deserve the criticsm and ridicule they attracted.. arrogance and complacency come to mind as the easiest sins to identify within our supporter base...

and here we are now being criticised for not being arrogant and complacent. There is no winning in the eye of public opinion, is there?

So fuck you and your swineherding, earthy arrogance, you pasty approximation of a 'uman been. We've seen the writing on the wall with this coach and his flawed policies and we're not afraid to call it out. There's a chance the ABs could win this... the talent is there and a shift in coaching direction this year showed some promising signs of progress. There;'s also that pride in the jersey and the wounds Ireland have inflicted on the Abs of late to consider as motivating factors... while unlikey, a win isn't completely out of the question and would come as a hilariously sweet dessert after a long and decidedly mundane multi course dinner that has failed to live up to expectations...

not to mention, of course... Te Aura,, a force that still plays on the minds of rugby folk all over the world as evidenced by your humiliating grovel here before us now.

Win, lose or draw, we live in your heads. Before a ball is kicked then, we've won.

Not really mate, I just expected more support for the team.

[Guy Smiley]

They're going up against the best team in the world... a well coached and drilled team of quality players...

and it doesn't look as if they have the same quality across the park for 80 minutes. It's about that consistency, isn't it? The ability to maintain your precision and accuracy...

most of us can see it would take a miracle of sorts to beat Ireland. Saying otherwise would be foolish.

[Tichtheid]

Nah the top four are close, there is a cliff edge after that. It wouldn’t be a miracle for New Zealand to win, it would be against the rankings but it’s not the David v Goliath some are portraying it as.

[Sards]

Nah the top four are close, there is a cliff edge after that. It wouldn’t be a miracle for New Zealand to win, it would be against the rankings but it’s not the David v Goliath some are portraying it as.

Exactly. Guy is getting me feeling badly about this game. It's ABs all the way for me

[Uncle fester]

Nah the top four are close, there is a cliff edge after that. It wouldn’t be a miracle for New Zealand to win, it would be against the rankings but it’s not the David v Goliath some are portraying it as.

They'll be all fired up with points to prove.
Superhuman effort to get into a semi final will see them into a likely final and salvage the whole season for them.

[Thor Sedan]

Nah the top four are close, there is a cliff edge after that. It wouldn’t be a miracle for New Zealand to win, it would be against the rankings but it’s not the David v Goliath some are portraying it as.

We're not saying we can't win it - but we are certainly underdogs against a team that has beaten us 5 out of the last 6 and generally ahead of us in coaching, implementation of plans and across the park talent.

AB's supporters have been calling out the Foster era since almost day 1 of his tenure. He hasn't given us any real reason to change our minds. We, as supporters are going into games with a completely different mind set based on the performances we have seen. We used to go in with a 'we should win by this much' - to a 'I don't know if we can beat these guys'.

It is a compliment to Ireland more than a capitulation from us.

[Sards]

You and guy must grow some balls. This humility is sickening.

[Chilli]

If they play like they did in the first 20 minutes against the Boks in Auckland the All Blacks will win.

If not, the the Irish by a good few.

[Grandpa]

There is no way in hell that Foster has put us through the last 4 years for a meek exit at this World Cup... he wouldn't be able to face his family, his wife or his salary if that were to pass... All Blacks by 10.