RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2)
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@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@rotated said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@reprobate out of interest, what does the RM/BB axis have to do to be proven?
What more did Cullen need to do to look good as a centre?
Thanks reprobate. No idea what that has to do with it.
Cullen and the backline showed glimpses in 1999. It wasn't everyone's cup of tea but wasn't an unmitigated disaster... until it was.
Just like every other unconvnetional selection if they play well and win dual pivots will have proven itself, if they play poor and lose in the QF/SF then they won't have done enough. Simple really.
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@mofitzy_ said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@reprobate said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@mofitzy_ said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@reprobate said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Ireland are a good side, who lack depth at 10. We seem to think they're shit now because they were beaten by Japan and thumped by England before the WC. But both games no Sexton. You can't play 10 man rugby without a 10.
They lost to England and Wales this year in the 6N with Sexton, both significant losses on the scoreboard too. If you look at both games they were full strength or thereabouts yet were bullied.
Yep, is our form so much better? That Welsh game is why the Irish hate Gardner incidentally, 1 try each but Anscombe kicked 6 penalties.
When was the last time we lost 4 games in a calendar year? Agree that our form isn't brilliant but going on recent results they are in a worse position.
2009?
BTW ironically we can't lose 4 this year unless we win this week.
Edit: hang on. We've only lost once so far this year. Was thinking Welly v Bokke was a loss.
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@rotated said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Darren said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
I think people have very short memories. Was only a few months ago that it was all doom and gloom. Now we beat the Boks, and a couple tier 2 nations and we are favorites again?
If the ABs lose on Sunday the last 4 years (especially Lions series onwards) will be revised pretty quickly. In 1999 at the QF stage we had smacked England in pool play following 3/4 good performances in the 3N. The general consensus was that the 1998 duldrums were a road bump and it was business as usual.
I worry the same thing this time. What passage of quality rugby have they played against strong opposition in the past 12 months? The Eden Park Bledisloe and 20 minutes against the Boks?
At least in 2003 there was a mountain of evidence to show they had turned the corner.
And how good had we looked 2004-2007?
History is an unreliable indicator of future performance.
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@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Daffy-Jaffy said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@akan004 I agree, Iv'e thought this since the team was named. I would feel a lot safer with them coming on to close out a game, or even one of them with Owen Franks, especially against the likes of England.
So you rate Marler and Genge that highly?
I dont know Genge, but Marler definitely. I think hes an excellent scrummager now. 2015 horizontal joke scrummaging is a thing of the distant past. Quite good around the field when I last saw him (2017).
Actually, most of this post is based on 2 year old observations.
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@Rapido said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Daffy-Jaffy said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@akan004 I agree, Iv'e thought this since the team was named. I would feel a lot safer with them coming on to close out a game, or even one of them with Owen Franks, especially against the likes of England.
So you rate Marler and Genge that highly?
I dont know Genge, but Marler definitely. I think hes an excellent scrummager now. 2015 horizontal joke scrummaging is a thing of the distant past. Quite good around the field when I last saw him (2017).
Actually, most of this post is based on 2 year old observations.
Marler is a good player, but there's no way he's streets ahead of Taavao.
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they were just talking about games under Owens for NZ/Ire on RS
Apparently Ireland have had him 18 times, 3 times v NZ and not won.
We have had him 10 times, lost 3, all v SA
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@Bones said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@reprobate out of interest, what does the RM/BB axis have to do to be proven?
defeat Thanos
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@SynicBast said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Never Change, Shag. I love the way he responds to some of the more facile and inane questions.
He's unflappable. Definitely wheels out his detective mask to put them in their places, its brilliant
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@Machpants said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Interesting that he specifically says they don't expect an aerial bombardment, double tripple bluff? They'd have to tie Murray's shoe laces together to stop the box kicks!
Trying to fool the fooler. Good stuff
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@Machpants mind games.
Read something yesterday about him joking about setting a trap (or were they)
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Now, I've heard it all! Owens will allow the ABs to cheat more.
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He may allow the game to flow more ,open running rugby will suit us down to the ground obviously,
They want a stop start borefest, but they can’t say that , it sounds too negative and against what is good for the game
