RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy
-
Well, you know what, plenty of folk have been complaining about this RWC - minnows not developing, long gaps between games etc. All fair points.
BUT, we just saw a great game that will leave Fiji likely to make a QF, and All Blacks fans are rightfully very nervous about putting away a punchy Italian side. As M4L said somewhere, all of the QF's will be proper contests.
Surely this is what it's all about???
I can't wait for this game. I expect us to win and win well - but could the Italians secure a BP and leave us vulnerable to some Rainbow Warrior-level skullduggery? Maybe!
Will 5 Seconds of Summer Shannon return at full fitness and wreak havoc in the way only he can? Who knows!
Will Foster authorise the team to open the snuff box and use a little of the powder that lies within, or will we have to wait another week to see that against the unsuspecting Irish?
So much to look forward to!
-
-
-
@canefan said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@JayCee said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
looking forward to seeing this guy back in the number 6
All Black Shannon Frizell raring to go after ‘boring’ sideline spell
Flanker Shannon Frizell is nearing a return to international rugby after remaining “patient” during a “boring” stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Hoping he can be what we need him to be
I just hope the forwards re-discover their mojo and play like they did in the RC. Danger for me is they don't take this game as seriously as they would a crunch SA game as @Frank hinted at.
-
@Kiwiwomble said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@Duluth said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@voodoo said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
playing a couple of left wingers?
Telea can play 11 but was usually at 14 during SR
....this is fozzie....are we absolutely sure he's not saying clarke on the right and telea on the left?
-
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
We need a revolution. The same isn't going to work..
Is that you, Eddie?
Feel for you after that Wales game, mate.
-
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
We need a revolution. The same isn't going to work..
Is that you, Eddie?
Feel for you after that Wales game, mate.
-
@Dodge said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
I haven’t been on this site for a while until the last week or so, I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve found the wrong Silver Fern. NZ will batter Italy, it will not be close.
Just like me Dodge, they seem to reel me back every 4 years.
It will be comprehensive. Anyone who's watched Italy for a while knows they are far from their best. They have an average scrum, no standout forwards a journey man 10. One decent winger and that's it.
Discipline is the only spanner that could cause the all blacks issues.
-
-
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@canefan said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@JayCee said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
looking forward to seeing this guy back in the number 6
All Black Shannon Frizell raring to go after ‘boring’ sideline spell
Flanker Shannon Frizell is nearing a return to international rugby after remaining “patient” during a “boring” stint on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Hoping he can be what we need him to be
I just hope the forwards re-discover their mojo and play like they did in the RC. Danger for me is they don't take this game as seriously as they would a crunch SA game as @Frank hinted at.
We will beat Italy easily, but optimism beyond that based on the forwards in the RC is tenuous at best. The state of Aussie and Argentinian rugby has been made clear, and the Boks were completely underdone.
-
I fear you may be right. The forwards seem to have gone backwards under Ryan - despite some bright spots. Their performance against the Boks at Twickenham was the worst I've seen in years.
Might be able to turn it around though.
-
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
We need a revolution. The same isn't going to work..
Is that you, Eddie?
Feel for you after that Wales game, mate.
Thanks for the support
Signed Alex, John, and Fozzie -
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
The forwards seem to have gone backwards under Ryan - despite some bright spots. Their performance against the Boks at Twickenham was the worst I've seen in years.
I think it's a bit disingenuous to cherry pick a warm up game with zero riding on it as proof the forwards have gone backwards.
The forwards are a hell of a lot better off under Ryan than they were under Plumtree.
-
@KiwiMurph said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:
The forwards seem to have gone backwards under Ryan - despite some bright spots. Their performance against the Boks at Twickenham was the worst I've seen in years.
I think it's a bit disingenuous to cherry pick a warm up game with zero riding on it as proof the forwards have gone backwards.
The forwards are a hell of a lot better off under Ryan than they were under Plumtree.
When we play the wrong tactics, ie spin it wide before we go up the middle, our forwards understandably look poor. When we are more direct we look great. I scratch my head about why we choose to do this
-
@canefan almost like internally there is a struggle of styles, and if all haven't bought into it or cant see the big picture it will affect everything from decision making, execution and discipline, a moments hesitation in making a decision can have huge ramifications to the outcome...IMO highlighted in our penalty/card count.
-
I can see why they are keen on Clarke, he has unbelievable potential. He's had a lot of injury niggles the last few years, but if they finally have him fully fit then they'll be keen to unleash him as his pace and power can provide a real point of difference.
-
is a RWC really where we want to be hoping someone finally lived up to their potential...or should we be playing guys that are already playing some of their best rugby
