RWC Week 1: France v All Blacks
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@Wurzel said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
https://x.com/elliottnz/status/1700209749214499215?s=46&t=MF_Hhq4rJR6MUmMXU_L3iQ
“Tupou Vaa’i will start at 6 tonight for the All Blacks > Dalton Papalii to open side with Sam Cane ruled out.
Brodie Retallick a late inclusion on the bench.”
Good grief
Vaai leapfrogs Jacobsen into the starting team...Jacobsens versatility counting against him?
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Though I will say, using this as a chance to criticise squad selection is a shade harsh. I think it is undeniable we are at least one short in the loose/lock department, but tough to budget for three going down injured.
Sure, we took Retallick and Narawa injured, but of the original 33, we have had four others go down injured, making for a total of six.
I don't care what anyone says, that is unlucky.
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I find these odds staggering, New Zealanders still blindly loyal ,although odds could be changing with Canes late withdrawal
For me the French win this by 1-12 -
@Bull-Dusta said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Prediction:
ABs win by 10+
Intercept try to ABs (probably by Beauden)
Best Back: Richie (closely followed by Aaron)
Best Forward: Dalton
Man of the Match: RichieUmm ... welcome back ...
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@Wurzel said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@Steve Considering Narawa was an unnecessary luxury; absolutely.
I think the reasoning for taking Narawa on a base level is fair - don't necessarily agree with it, but fair.
However taking him injured, when they already knew BBBR was injured, and then still having time to tweak it when Frizell went down. Think you'd have to say they should have brought in Finau/Lord... if they were waiting for Blackadder to prove fitness, then sure perhaps - and as we know, losing this game has no impact on the rest of the campaign, but we are playing with fire, even if we have been unlucky.
As the saying goes, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Fuck me....
Shit sorry late to the party. Invite still open? Do we get to meet Fozzie? Sounds like the ideal setting after he's fucked the ABs against every wall in the house.
😉
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@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@Wurzel said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@Steve Considering Narawa was an unnecessary luxury; absolutely.
I think the reasoning for taking Narawa on a base level is fair - don't necessarily agree with it, but fair.
However taking him injured, when they already knew BBBR was injured, and then still having time to tweak it when Frizell went down. Think you'd have to say they should have brought in Finau/Lord... if they were waiting for Blackadder to prove fitness, then sure perhaps - and as we know, losing this game has no impact on the rest of the campaign, but we are playing with fire, even if we have been unlucky.
As the saying goes, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Losing this game, but going on to win the tournament is something I would expect the 2015 vintage to be capable of.
Another hiding like Twickenham two weeks ago could ruin some of these lads.
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@Steve said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@Wurzel said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
@Steve Considering Narawa was an unnecessary luxury; absolutely.
I think the reasoning for taking Narawa on a base level is fair - don't necessarily agree with it, but fair.
However taking him injured, when they already knew BBBR was injured, and then still having time to tweak it when Frizell went down. Think you'd have to say they should have brought in Finau/Lord... if they were waiting for Blackadder to prove fitness, then sure perhaps - and as we know, losing this game has no impact on the rest of the campaign, but we are playing with fire, even if we have been unlucky.
As the saying goes, play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Losing this game, but going on to win the tournament is something I would expect the 2015 vintage to be capable of.
Another hiding like Twickenham two weeks ago could ruin some of these lads.
Funnily enough, I think losing, and losing badly might not be the worst. I think the current group seems to go better when working with a siege mentality... and the pressure will probably come off. If they still aren't good enough, well they were never going to be. I sort of worry we win here, everyone is all cockahoot, we stroll into the QFs with a northern hemisphere ref vs the Boks, and it is goodnight nurse.
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This is why Cane should never have been captain. Always bloody injured.
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@Steve said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Another hiding like Twickenham two weeks ago could ruin some of these lads.
They'll be fine. The forwards have been on an upwards curve in the last year since Ryan came in and the Twickenham performance was clearly an aberration. Big test with Cane out though.
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Late drama! Far out, this is a massive opportunity for Dalton to really stamp his mark. Our lineout looks stronger now as well, silver linings haha
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@frugby said in RWC: France v All Blacks:
Papalii is one thing, but if the selectors think Vaa'i is better at 6 than Jacobson, then I really don't see why they selected him in the squad.
Balance? Seeing Jacobson as a specialist 8?
Who knows.
