RWCR1 France vs All Blacks

[Gumboot]

P.S. Kudos to Jaco for having a fine game.

[laurent]

Will probably watch this again.
In the first half the French defence was incapable to pressurise the Aĺl blacks. They were going backwards on impact. This was a lot less evident in the second half. Vincent was a lot safer in the backs though there was still issue.
The pack was also better balanced with Taofifenua in place of Woki. We need Willemse back, the nazi boy is heavier but far from the player we need the cage .

Peyper is still a ref I don't get.

[Sandstorm]

Something isn’t right in the Land of Blackness. Where are the tackle-busting runs from Taylor, Brodie and ALB? The lightning snipes around the ruck from Snecky and Richie’s gliding runs into gaps with 4/5 team-mates on his shoulder, shark-grins on their chops and having the time of their lives??

The ruthless ABs of previous RWCs are MIA and when the only positives out of a Test are BB’s spiral punts, then you know you’re in shit.

[Gumboot]

Sounds like you've been asleep for the past 4 years, Rumple Sandskin.

[Sandstorm]

Sounds like you've been asleep for the past 4 years, Rumple Oomskin.

Yeah I know it’s Fossie.

Hopefully Razor changes the dynamic because a shite NZ is bad for World Rugby.

[Torquemada 1420]

It seemed to be a tactic to bomb after bomb.

But our chase was not remotely coordinated. It’s actually our biggest weakness, and has been for some years. We put zero pressure on them, except the odd risky collision.

So why did we boot it, in place of hitting the line hard, but with quick ruck security.

We kicked it, and when we didn’t, we simply did not throw enough bodies in to the tackle when in our own half.

Contrary to popular press nonsense, for a very long time the dominant AB's game was all about kicking the ball. Nobody kicked away as much possession as them. BUT is was deep. Kick deep and then rely on excellent defence to pressure opponents into mistakes and, of course, nobody then was as dangerous on the counter. This short kicking game is simply a poor man's Ireland or Eng in disguise.

[Sandstorm]

Kiwis are getting beaten up in the scrum and Boks & France made easy meters in the maul. When have we ever said that about New Zealand??

[Gumboot]

Contrary to popular press nonsense, for a very long time the dominant AB's game was all about kicking the ball. Nobody kicked away as much possession as them. BUT is was deep. Kick deep and then rely on excellent defence to pressure opponents into mistakes and, of course, nobody then was as dangerous on the counter. This short kicking game is simply a poor man's Ireland or Eng in disguise.

And France's kicking game was far from great, with a missed touchfinder and a man in front from a halfway kickoff, but given the ABs abject failure to capitalise in the second half, it didn't need to be.

[Guy Smiley]

Kiwis are getting beaten up in the scrum and Boks & France made easy meters in the maul. When have we ever said that about New Zealand??

2019 RWC against England.

[Gumboot]

I thought our maul defence improved during the game. Can't say the same about our backline. We have big problems out wide.

[Ymx]

Contrary to popular press nonsense, for a very long time the dominant AB's game was all about kicking the ball. Nobody kicked away as much possession as them. BUT is was deep. Kick deep and then rely on excellent defence to pressure opponents into mistakes and, of course, nobody then was as dangerous on the counter. This short kicking game is simply a poor man's Ireland or Eng in disguise.

And France's kicking game was far from great, with a missed touchfinder and a man in front from a halfway kickoff, but given the ABs abject failure to capitalise in the second half, it didn't need to be.

That’s not what I recall. The French kicked very well. Certainly gained some very good territorial advantage over the kicking duals. And when they put it up, they turned over quite a lot.

[Guy Smiley]

I thought our maul defence improved during the game. Can't say the same about our backline. We have big problems out wide.

Our best distributor spent most of his time playing deep in defense.

[Sandstorm]

Kiwis are getting beaten up in the scrum and Boks & France made easy meters in the maul. When have we ever said that about New Zealand??

2019 RWC against England.

True, but that was World Class England for 80 mins. France were nowhere near that last night.

[Gumboot]

That’s not what I recall. The French kicked very well. Certainly gained some very good territorial advantage over the kicking duals. And when they put it up, they turned over quite a lot.

We had the better of the first half kicking duel, but the balance moved when our kicking tactics changed for the worse in the second half. France undoubtedly won the contestable kicks, though. We were very poor in that facet of play.

[Uncle fester]

P.S. Kudos to Jaco for having a fine game.

Yeah, he actually wasn't too bad.

[Gumboot]

I thought our maul defence improved during the game. Can't say the same about our backline. We have big problems out wide.

Our best distributor spent most of his time playing deep in defense.

Um, maybe that was because he was on defence, not attack.

I thought both Beauden and Mo'unga were very good defensively, tbh. Some of their scramble D was excellent.

[Sandstorm]

P.S. Kudos to Jaco for having a fine game.

Yeah, he actually wasn't too bad.

Ditto the players for tackling legally. Apart from Jordan, they took each other’s safety into account.

[Gumboot]

P.S. Kudos to Jaco for having a fine game.

Yeah, he actually wasn't too bad.

Ditto the players for tackling legally. Apart from Jordan, they took each other’s safety into account.

True, there was a notable emphasis on lowering tackle height.

[Torquemada 1420]

So Blackadder on a plane on the way to Fra. Does this mean Cane is another RWC injury victim?

[Gumboot]

So Blackadder on a plane on the way to Fra. Does this mean Cane is another RWC injury victim?

At this point Blackadder looks like he's five minutes away from his next injury. Finau instead, please.

[Guy Smiley]

So Blackadder on a plane on the way to Fra. Does this mean Cane is another RWC injury victim?

At this point Blackadder looks like he's five minutes away from his next injury. Finau instead, please.

Yes to Finau...

and it's not so much about Cane being ruled out as it is about Fozzie realising he got his squad mix wrong.

[Gumboot]

Yeah, so much for all these wings. Narawa gone. Jordan in career worst form and a card risk. Clarke useless.

Great job, selectors.

[Guy Smiley]

Yeah, so much for all these wings. Narawa gone. Jordan in career worst form and a card risk. Clarke useless.

Great job, selectors.

Steady on, Jordan had a bad game. Everyone in this team has them from time to time. His first slip up resulted in a card and that was his error, the second wasn't his fault and Peyper was quite clear on that. It's a bit unfair to suggest he's some sort of card magnet out of that. He and Telea look for and get through a mountain of work off their wings so they're involved a lot. For all the errors, there are a shitload of good things they do that don't get the same attention.

We need to look at tactics and how these guys are being used more than at individual errors.

[Gumboot]

Sorry Guy, but Jordan's defence was crap. But Telea's wasn't much better. We have big problems out wide.

[Guy Smiley]

Sorry Guy, but Jordan's defence was crap. But Telea's wasn't much better. We have big problems out wide.

Defense doesn't start at the wings... the 13 plays a key role there.

So does the FB, of course.... aaaaaaaaand well lookee there.

[Gumboot]

Sorry Guy, but Jordan's defence was crap. But Telea's wasn't much better. We have big problems out wide.

Defense doesn't start at the wings... the 13 plays a key role there.

So does the FB, of course.... aaaaaaaaand well lookee there.

Defence doesn't start at fullback, either. And I thought you just said Mo'unga always falls back in defence, so which fullback are you talking about?

[ScarfaceClaw]

The next day doesn’t make that match any prettier. Aimless and pointless kicking. Did we even win any of those up and unders?

[Ymx]

Our midfield were playing? I don’t remember them

[Gumboot]

Our midfield were playing? I don’t remember them

ALB was anonymous, but I thought Rieko had a great game. Jordie's our 12 when fit. Havili shouldn't be in the mix.

[Ymx]

Our midfield were playing? I don’t remember them

ALB was anonymous, but I thought Rieko had a great game. Jordie's our 12 when fit. Havili shouldn't be in the mix.

Rieko was pants I thought, from his tiny involvement.

[Guy Smiley]

Sorry Guy, but Jordan's defence was crap. But Telea's wasn't much better. We have big problems out wide.

Defense doesn't start at the wings... the 13 plays a key role there.

So does the FB, of course.... aaaaaaaaand well lookee there.

Defence doesn't start at fullback, either. And I thought you just said Mo'unga always falls back in defence, so which fullback are you talking about?

I said our best distributor was playing back.

What I meant by that is we saw a return to the weird insistence on having BB take the kicks and move forward into the line a lot, effectively playing as the first 5 and relegating Mo'unga to the backfield.

Mo'unga isn't in the team for his prowess as a FB. He's the starting 10 for the ABs and acknowledged by most in that role.

Why is it then, do you think, that we've seen a return to that earlier incarnation of Fozball that sees BB in the line after seeing how well it works when Rmo stays there for the earlier tests this year?

BB is supposed to be the FB. In the context of discussing our defensive performance, I reckon it's fair to point a large stick in BB's direction and ask WTF?

I reckon that Fozzie has reverted to type and is calling the shots around who does what, despite having seen how it can work counter to his apparent preferred set up. I think it's damning that ( to quote the Aotearoa Rugby Pod lads ) Mo'unga is still not being given the 'keys to the car' and free reign to run the game... and that compromise is hurting the way this team plays.

Additionally, I think Rieko's defensive shortcomings at 13 are going to be shown up this RWC. He's a wonderful attacking weapon but he's not an organising defensive one.

[Gumboot]

Our midfield were playing? I don’t remember them

ALB was anonymous, but I thought Rieko had a great game. Jordie's our 12 when fit. Havili shouldn't be in the mix.

Rieko was pants I thought, from his tiny involvement.

Rieko and Telea were our only backs to really threaten the French defensive line the whole game. Mo'unga also had his moments, but that was it.

[Ymx]

Telea was great.

Unfortunately, there were too many times he ended up isolated.

[dpedin]

I was really disappointed with the ABs in the 2nd half, control over the game was non existent and they struggled badly once they started to unload the bench. Whilst the French front row are very good they are not brilliant but they destroyed the ABs who looked bereft of ideas in the scrum. The AB back row were 2nd best to the French. Kicking game was poor. It looked to me like there were too many AB players either past their best or else not quite good enough for the step up. Under pressure they wilted . Having said all that they will qualify from the group but might struggle in knock outs.

[Gumboot]

I was really disappointed with the ABs in the 2nd half, control over the game was non existent and they struggled badly once they started to unload the bench. Whilst the French front row are very good they are not brilliant but they destroyed the ABs who looked bereft of ideas in the scrum. The AB back row were 2nd best to the French. Kicking game was poor. It looked to me like there were too many AB players either past their best or else not quite good enough for the step up. Under pressure they wilted . Having said all that they will qualify from the group but might struggle in knock outs.

Spot on.

I'm not sure you'll find many All Blacks supporters picking us to progress past the QFs.

[ScarfaceClaw]

I was really disappointed with the ABs in the 2nd half, control over the game was non existent and they struggled badly once they started to unload the bench. Whilst the French front row are very good they are not brilliant but they destroyed the ABs who looked bereft of ideas in the scrum. The AB back row were 2nd best to the French. Kicking game was poor. It looked to me like there were too many AB players either past their best or else not quite good enough for the step up. Under pressure they wilted . Having said all that they will qualify from the group but might struggle in knock outs.

Spot on.

I'm not sure you'll find many All Blacks supporters picking us to progress past the QFs.

Probably the only one picking a semi final appearance is Foster himself. I’m not even sure any of the players would be picking it. Pack it up. Come home lads.

[Gumboot]

I may have been hallucinating, but seem to remember Defence Coach Scott McLeod confidently predicting at halftime that the All Blacks were about to "pull the trigger" and "fire some shots".

How did that work out, Stormy?

[laurent]

I may have been hallucinating, but seem to remember Defence Coach Scott McLeod confidently predicting at halftime that the All Blacks were about to "pull the trigger" and "fire some shots".

How did that work out, Stormy?

One shot was fired to be honest

[Uncle fester]

Telea was great.

Unfortunately, there were too many times he ended up isolated.

He really wasn't.
Am used to seeing AB wingers making things look easy so it's a bit startling to see one who is clearly working very hard.

[Kiwias]

Yeah, so much for all these wings. Narawa gone. Jordan in career worst form and a card risk. Clarke useless.

Great job, selectors.

Even for you, that is a huge leap.