Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC
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The BFs scored some sweet tries in this game, e.g., Woodman's in the 2nd half. You can see skills of the sevens women when the ball goes wide.
The SF against France will be dependent on how the forwards perform. On the EOYT the BFs were suffocated and the backs never had any front-foot ball.
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Expected result with some beautiful rugby played.
One bright spot for Wales, Jasmine Joyce (15) could well be pound for pound player in Women's rugby. Hard as old boots.
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@MiketheSnow yep. She stopped Woodman in pretty much full flow a couple of times
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Main diff between mens and womens game is that the BFs really enjoy themselves out there, all smiles and really want to play for each other.. Shot of the bench showed teamates relaxed and having fun. Think the mens game has lost that spark and energy somewhere. Weight of Expectation? Too serious, need to lighten up and play with more freedom and the passes will stick.
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@Stockcar86 i was told he was with Graeme Henry for the early game sitting behind us (before I arrived) but I didn't see him for the BF game
As @Crucial mentioned earlier there seems a bit of a throwback to earlier days of men's rugby about the way these games are.
Was an enjoyable game to watch, although very one sided,the Welsh battled on, had some good patches with the ball but largely unable to break down the defence.
Speaking of defence, it was good to see the girls all on the same page with thier defence, a flat line working as one putting pressure on the Welsh, not too dissimilar to when the Irish suffocated us.
You can see the influence of Smith on the team though.
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I reckon we are a big shot to take down France based on yesterdays games.
Maybe France (being French) weren’t as good as they may be next week but they were held out quite easily by a very average Italy for a long period.
It wasn’t until the scrum mix ascendency happened (seemed a timing thing with the bench) that France gained dominance. Something for the NZ coaches to be aware of tactically was that France held out from changes until Italy made them first, spent 10 minutes smashing them to get penalties and the ref on their side then it was gone burger for Italy when the front row was refreshed and they were a player down.
Anyway, from a BFs perspective last night was the forward showing they have been building toward. Scrum was solid and/or dominant, didn’t get to see the maul defence really. Breakdown was well managed and physical.
That platform obviously gave the backs a chance to play and boy did they. Fitzpatrick was awesomely good and while it took a wee while for the combination with Fluhler to really hit its straps it was something the ABs would kill for.
Hirini was probably my POTD but Fitzpatrick also fully deserved it. The props all get a medal too.
There were some backline passing runs that were way way sharper than anything the other teams can come close too.
Given our recent record against France nothing is a given but I can sniff a win. -
@Stockcar86 said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@canefan said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@Bones said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
This scrum! Rope a dope in the first game?
Massive improvement over the last couple of weeks
Isn't Mike Cron with the team now?
He's been with team from begiining when Smith came in. As an interesting aside, Whitney Hansen who is also coaching in team, and doing forwards , who is of course Steve Hansen's daughter, means that Cron has coached with 3 generations of same family, he satrted coaching with Steve's dad Des, then with Steve and now Whitney. Could make him feel old if he's not careful.
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@Jailbreak7 said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
Main diff between mens and womens game is that the BFs really enjoy themselves out there, all smiles and really want to play for each other.. Shot of the bench showed teamates relaxed and having fun. Think the mens game has lost that spark and energy somewhere. Weight of Expectation? Too serious, need to lighten up and play with more freedom and the passes will stick.
Agree mate, bloody good to see the girls all smiling and even having a little dance etc, reminds us all that the game is really supposed to be fun , and why most of us actually played the game. I keep thinking, there must be a lot of kids watching these girls will be thinking hell that looks fun!
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@Crucial said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
I reckon we are a big shot to take down France based on yesterdays games.
Maybe France (being French) weren’t as good as they may be next week but they were held out quite easily by a very average Italy for a long period.
It wasn’t until the scrum mix ascendency happened (seemed a timing thing with the bench) that France gained dominance. Something for the NZ coaches to be aware of tactically was that France held out from changes until Italy made them first, spent 10 minutes smashing them to get penalties and the ref on their side then it was gone burger for Italy when the front row was refreshed and they were a player down.
Anyway, from a BFs perspective last night was the forward showing they have been building toward. Scrum was solid and/or dominant, didn’t get to see the maul defence really. Breakdown was well managed and physical.
That platform obviously gave the backs a chance to play and boy did they. Fitzpatrick was awesomely good and while it took a wee while for the combination with Fluhler to really hit its straps it was something the ABs would kill for.
Hirini was probably my POTD but Fitzpatrick also fully deserved it. The props all get a medal too.
There were some backline passing runs that were way way sharper than anything the other teams can come close too.
Given our recent record against France nothing is a given but I can sniff a win.The BFs are a totally different proposition now than they were last time the teams played. We will be a very tough out for the French. Hopefully the big crowd will raise the BFs this time as opposed to increasing the pressure
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@Jailbreak7 said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
Main diff between mens and womens game is that the BFs really enjoy themselves out there, all smiles and really want to play for each other.. Shot of the bench showed teamates relaxed and having fun. Think the mens game has lost that spark and energy somewhere. Weight of Expectation? Too serious, need to lighten up and play with more freedom and the passes will stick.
You still see the ABs getting excited and celebrating. Sometimes it looks out of relief (eg Melbourne Bledisloe and final try) and others just genuine joy and excitement in the moment no matter at what point in the game it happens.
Just some of my thoughts, but you can’t overlook factors like the amount of money involved in the game, the fine line between being in and being cut for many players, the whole ‘AB legacy’ vs ‘play my own game’ tension. This does build pressure and expectation within and from the outside.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@Jailbreak7 said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
Main diff between mens and womens game is that the BFs really enjoy themselves out there, all smiles and really want to play for each other.. Shot of the bench showed teamates relaxed and having fun. Think the mens game has lost that spark and energy somewhere. Weight of Expectation? Too serious, need to lighten up and play with more freedom and the passes will stick.
You still see the ABs getting excited and celebrating. Sometimes it looks out of relief (eg Melbourne Bledisloe and final try) and others just genuine joy and excitement in the moment no matter at what point in the game it happens.
Just some of my thoughts, but you can’t overlook factors like the amount of money involved in the game, the fine line between being in and being cut for many players, the whole ‘AB legacy’ vs ‘play my own game’ tension. This does build pressure and expectation within and from the outside.
The ABs never used to show emotion. I remember a time when we never celebrated scoring tries. Goldie was probably one of the first I can remember actually getting excited after scoring
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We were sitting right in front of Henry, interesting hearing him make the odd comment on the game, a play, a tackle or something, essentially to himself through the game.
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@canefan said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@Crucial said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
I reckon we are a big shot to take down France based on yesterdays games.
Maybe France (being French) weren’t as good as they may be next week but they were held out quite easily by a very average Italy for a long period.
It wasn’t until the scrum mix ascendency happened (seemed a timing thing with the bench) that France gained dominance. Something for the NZ coaches to be aware of tactically was that France held out from changes until Italy made them first, spent 10 minutes smashing them to get penalties and the ref on their side then it was gone burger for Italy when the front row was refreshed and they were a player down.
Anyway, from a BFs perspective last night was the forward showing they have been building toward. Scrum was solid and/or dominant, didn’t get to see the maul defence really. Breakdown was well managed and physical.
That platform obviously gave the backs a chance to play and boy did they. Fitzpatrick was awesomely good and while it took a wee while for the combination with Fluhler to really hit its straps it was something the ABs would kill for.
Hirini was probably my POTD but Fitzpatrick also fully deserved it. The props all get a medal too.
There were some backline passing runs that were way way sharper than anything the other teams can come close too.
Given our recent record against France nothing is a given but I can sniff a win.The BFs are a totally different proposition now than they were last time the teams played. We will be a very tough out for the French. Hopefully the big crowd will raise the BFs this time as opposed to increasing the pressure
I don't think it is pressure, more over excitement, and it seems to take them a little while to settle into the game and get the basics right.
It is something you don't want to completely kill though as the excitement and fun looks to be a big driver for some of the players.
Last night a group of them had the giggles right through the anthems.IF they were to pull this off and win the whole thing it would be sporting highlight of the year
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@Crucial said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@canefan said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@Crucial said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
I reckon we are a big shot to take down France based on yesterdays games.
Maybe France (being French) weren’t as good as they may be next week but they were held out quite easily by a very average Italy for a long period.
It wasn’t until the scrum mix ascendency happened (seemed a timing thing with the bench) that France gained dominance. Something for the NZ coaches to be aware of tactically was that France held out from changes until Italy made them first, spent 10 minutes smashing them to get penalties and the ref on their side then it was gone burger for Italy when the front row was refreshed and they were a player down.
Anyway, from a BFs perspective last night was the forward showing they have been building toward. Scrum was solid and/or dominant, didn’t get to see the maul defence really. Breakdown was well managed and physical.
That platform obviously gave the backs a chance to play and boy did they. Fitzpatrick was awesomely good and while it took a wee while for the combination with Fluhler to really hit its straps it was something the ABs would kill for.
Hirini was probably my POTD but Fitzpatrick also fully deserved it. The props all get a medal too.
There were some backline passing runs that were way way sharper than anything the other teams can come close too.
Given our recent record against France nothing is a given but I can sniff a win.The BFs are a totally different proposition now than they were last time the teams played. We will be a very tough out for the French. Hopefully the big crowd will raise the BFs this time as opposed to increasing the pressure
I don't think it is pressure, more over excitement, and it seems to take them a little while to settle into the game and get the basics right.
It is something you don't want to completely kill though as the excitement and fun looks to be a big driver for some of the players.
Last night a group of them had the giggles right through the anthems.IF they were to pull this off and win the whole thing it would be sporting highlight of the year
And one of Smith's greatest rugby achievements
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@ACT-Crusader said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@Jailbreak7 said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
Main diff between mens and womens game is that the BFs really enjoy themselves out there, all smiles and really want to play for each other.. Shot of the bench showed teamates relaxed and having fun. Think the mens game has lost that spark and energy somewhere. Weight of Expectation? Too serious, need to lighten up and play with more freedom and the passes will stick.
You still see the ABs getting excited and celebrating. Sometimes it looks out of relief (eg Melbourne Bledisloe and final try) and others just genuine joy and excitement in the moment no matter at what point in the game it happens.
Just some of my thoughts, but you can’t overlook factors like the amount of money involved in the game, the fine line between being in and being cut for many players, the whole ‘AB legacy’ vs ‘play my own game’ tension. This does build pressure and expectation within and from the outside.
Fuck, take this place as a microcosm, times it by a millions for Stuff and Facebook
Have a look at the comments directed at any fucking player that dares to show a bit of emotion on the field. To celebrate. To puff the chest when they do something cool. You think that doesn't filter back to the fucking players?
NZ is still a very serious introverted little backwater in many ways. The ABs are still supposed to be stoic farmer types. Jog back to half way like it's nothing or you are a flash fluffybunny with a shit selfish attitude.
Good on the girls for ignoring that shit. But let's not pretend the pressure or expectation is the same
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@mariner4life said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@ACT-Crusader said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
@Jailbreak7 said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:
Main diff between mens and womens game is that the BFs really enjoy themselves out there, all smiles and really want to play for each other.. Shot of the bench showed teamates relaxed and having fun. Think the mens game has lost that spark and energy somewhere. Weight of Expectation? Too serious, need to lighten up and play with more freedom and the passes will stick.
You still see the ABs getting excited and celebrating. Sometimes it looks out of relief (eg Melbourne Bledisloe and final try) and others just genuine joy and excitement in the moment no matter at what point in the game it happens.
Just some of my thoughts, but you can’t overlook factors like the amount of money involved in the game, the fine line between being in and being cut for many players, the whole ‘AB legacy’ vs ‘play my own game’ tension. This does build pressure and expectation within and from the outside.
Fuck, take this place as a microcosm, times it by a millions for Stuff and Facebook
Have a look at the comments directed at any fucking player that dares to show a bit of emotion on the field. To celebrate. To puff the chest when they do something cool. You think that doesn't filter back to the fucking players?
NZ is still a very serious introverted little backwater in many ways. The ABs are still supposed to be stoic farmer types. Jog back to half way like it's nothing or you are a flash fluffybunny with a shit selfish attitude.
Good on the girls for ignoring that shit. But let's not pretend the pressure or expectation is the same
They can show the way though.
I tell you what. Clubs around the country better be gearing up for a boom in their womens teams next year. There will be a few that a happy if they hopped on the bus a little earlier as well.
