RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2)
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I know the narrow field in Chicago has been discussed, but I just learnt that we didn't actually lose.
A rugby field must be a minimum of 68m, Soldier field was 73 yards apparently (66.7512m) and not therefor legitimate according to world rugby.
That should be stricken from the records.
Did I just win a game for the Abs? I'm claiming it anyway. -
@chimoaus I think our famed fitness advantage also left when the likes of McCaw, Carter, Nonu etc did. The thing with the fitness is being able to build on it, year after year. Which the AB's best had done with a large core. We don't have that advantage we once did. If anything the Irish probably should have had some of the best fitness going around. England have had a pretty stable group for a long while now.
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@Snowy said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
I know the narrow field in Chicago has been discussed, but I just learnt that we didn't actually lose.
A rugby field must be a minimum of 68m, Soldier field was 73 yards apparently (66.7512m) and not therefor legitimate according to world rugby.
That should be stricken from the records.
Did I just win a game for the Abs? I'm claiming it anyway.We would’ve won if it actually happened...
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@westcoastie said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@chimoaus I think our famed fitness advantage also left when the likes of McCaw, Carter, Nonu etc did. The thing with the fitness is being able to build on it, year after year. Which the AB's best had done with a large core. We don't have that advantage we once did. If anything the Irish probably should have had some of the best fitness going around. England have had a pretty stable group for a long while now.
Not sure it actually left when you look at the fact we have Whitelock, Retallick, Read consistently playing 80 minutes of rugby at a high intensity. Then with Barrett, ALB providing a high level for a full game.
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@MajorRage said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Did enjoy this ....
Yip it was the turning point...Ireland right in the game at the point...
(I think it is a penalty TBH)
The correct answer of course is because NZ controls world rugby and that the haka had psyched out Owens.
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@chimoaus said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
An honest question but you often hear people say the ABs are fitter, and sides slow the game down when playing us.
How in the professional era with fitness coaches and state of the art gyms, nutritionists etc can any side be that much fitter than another?
The choice of the best athletes from a small pool is a better choice than good athletes from a large pool.
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@Billy-Tell The best part if you look at the comments is how many people had no idea Barnes was completely taking the piss ...
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@voodoo said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
I don't know how some of you guys manage to comment during the game, you must be better typists than me (not saying much), I'd miss half the action if I tried.
Tell me about it! I was away all weekend and have just spent the last 90 mins reading through this thread, starting from posts on Friday afternoon.
It is always much more fun after a win.
Now for the other QFs...
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@taniwharugby said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Rapido which was in part due to the pace and style we were playing, put them under all sorts of pressure...similar to us in Dublin last year.
Yes, but only in part.
3 missed PKs to touch, Stockdale catching a kick and then stepping into touch, O'Mahoney penalty reversal, several loose carries. A lot of terrible.
Reading something like the article I linked above also focuses on their poor lines and fumbled passes when opportunities were created, which as an NZ fan is something I would not notice .
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Some observations:
- Starting scrums even, replacement front-row still a concern. Ofa T getting penalised in one scrum when he got lifted. Not sure if that was v Furlong or Porter (but a few Irish analysts don't yet rate Porter's THP scrummaging - so if the later, that would be a concern).
- NZ maul defence was great.
- NZ even ran a perfect driving maul of their own.
- Ruck speed was great, setting up for forwards go-forward.
- Our own linespeed in defence was good.
- Lineouts pretty good, We lost one throw when O'Mahoney got in front of Savea at the front. They showed a replay and throw was perfectly fine, just well read by P'OM.
- lineout stats 7/8 from our throw, Irish 15/15 on their throw. So we'ren't very efective attacking their lineout. I recall once Retallick forced Ryan into a sloppy tap which I think they knocked on - otherwise their lineout was unchallenged by us.
- Penalty count a concern. 13-6 to Ireland (13-7 really as we scored try under penalty advantage). A refreshing aspect of the RWC coverage from the host broadcaster is they don't try to forensically investigate every penalty so can't comment on the accuracy of all of them. Some a bit tough (A Savea maul collapse offence when Irish went down but ruled that Savea drove him down, Ta'avao phantom neck roll, tackles off the ball on dummy runner or latcher).
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Hopefully nothing in it ,
Nigel Yaldin reporting read was missing at training this morning
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@MiketheSnow said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@chimoaus said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
An honest question but you often hear people say the ABs are fitter, and sides slow the game down when playing us.
How in the professional era with fitness coaches and state of the art gyms, nutritionists etc can any side be that much fitter than another?
The choice of the best athletes from a small pool is a better choice than good athletes from a large pool.
When it’s the number 1 sport , the basics of the game become second nature as well.
Less coaching is required .
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@kiwiinmelb said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Hopefully nothing in it ,
Nigel Yaldin reporting read was missing at training this morning
That is odd, even if he was sore you think he would be there carrying drinks or just giving advice. Hopefully nothing serious.
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@taniwharugby said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@chimoaus maybe an illness (food related...) that meant bed rest was best?
Fuck have the English flown Suzie over as their secret weapon?