Post: #76

Great game by Argentina. If they get France in the QF, I predict a very close game, and if it´s Ireland my bets are on the Pumas.

Post: #77

The All Blacks just destroyed France.

Impressive.

Post: #78

France was in turmoil before the game, huge off the field issues the day before, the outcome was entirely predictable.

Post: #79

(10-17-2015 09:21 PM)MTLer Wrote:  France was in turmoil before the game, huge off the field issues the day before, the outcome was entirely predictable.

This is how France go into every game.

Post: #80

(10-17-2015 09:32 PM)GringoSolo Wrote:  

(10-17-2015 09:21 PM)MTLer Wrote:  France was in turmoil before the game, huge off the field issues the day before, the outcome was entirely predictable.

This is how France go into every game.

Indeed.

Nobody would have been surprised if they'd turned up and played the game of their lives either. Frenchies being French...it's why we love them.


Let's be real though...France didn't play badly. The All Blacks are just so much better than everyone else when push comes to shove. There isn't a team that can handle them when they play like that.

It was just beautiful rugby. I wish I had been there.

Post: #81

As a NZer, I think this result is no sign that NZ is assured the championship, even though it was emphatic. The hardest games for the All Blacks so far were Argentina and now, France.
But they are a level below the real tough teams, RSA and Australia (barring the most unlikely result coming from the Scots )

However, RSA look so weak this competition, I'm not so worried about their chances against the All Blacks. Most likely an Australia vs New Zealand final, which is tough to call. But of course i think NZ will win.

Post: #82

As an Aussie I think NZ have something like a 75% win rate against Australia and a 90% win rate against all teams (probably higher than this in past 5 years). Nonetheless, Australia is playing very decently and normally they only have 2 from 3 out of powerful scrum, tenacious defence and talented backs. At the moment they look closer to 3 from 3 so they will be a stern and threatening challenge if both teams play off in a final.

Post: #83

If the ABs are at or even close to 100%, nobody can beat them.

It's as simple as that.

Whether they have peaked now or are still improving is the question.

Post: #84

Anyone watching the Springbok All Blacks semi final?

Post: #85

(10-24-2015 10:29 AM)Pride male Wrote:  Anyone watching the Springbok All Blacks semi final?

Yeah. Expected more from the All Blacks.

Post: #86

12 7 hoping the Boks can hang on. Not a rugby fan and have no idea what is going on.

Post: #87

(10-24-2015 10:43 AM)Celtic_Austrian Wrote:  

(10-24-2015 10:29 AM)Pride male Wrote:  Anyone watching the Springbok All Blacks semi final?

Yeah. Expected more from the All Blacks.

More in what sense?

They were pretty good.

The Boks are no mugs!

Post: #88

(10-24-2015 12:17 PM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  

(10-24-2015 10:43 AM)Celtic_Austrian Wrote:  

(10-24-2015 10:29 AM)Pride male Wrote:  Anyone watching the Springbok All Blacks semi final?

Yeah. Expected more from the All Blacks.

More in what sense?

They were pretty good.

The Boks are no mugs!

I thought the Boks were better in the first half, which was the only one I could watch unfortunately. An unusual amount of mistakes by the All Blacks, at least it seemed so to me.

Post: #89

Very close game between the two best teams in the tournament. Drop goal from Carter was the turning point.

Can't wait for the final.

Post: #90

That is one of the best defensive efforts the All Blacks have encountered. neither team could land the knockout punch. new Zealand triumphed due to composure, a better bench, and playing the last minutes in the other teams half of the field. Few teams win big matches by making a comparatively larger amount of tackles, as South Africa did. New Zealand looked to target the opposition's back three with up and unders and grubbers but this didnt work. but their ability to vary tactics was decisive. they will definitely smash their opponent in next weeks grand final.

Post: #91

Indeed. No team can keep that defensive rate up for 80 minutes; it was evident by the pitiful one up attacking of the boks in the second half; they were knackered.

NZ just know how to win.

SA offered nothing really other than serious guts and determination.

The thing about rugby is that, unlike low scoring sports like soccer, the lesser team rarely wins.

Post: #92

Any reliable, free live streams for the final?

Post: #93

(10-30-2015 08:54 PM)RawGod Wrote:  Any reliable, free live streams for the final?

itv.com

Post: #94

Well at least it wasn't a blowout, Aussies made a game out of it.

I think Euro/5N rugby has kind of dropped off lately, a lot of lackluster performances by traditional powers like England and France.

Post: #95

Congratulations to the All Blacks.

I thought it was a great final, honorable defeat for Australia after a nice comeback and tough fight.