Knockout Stage - General Discussion

[BoyBrumby]

Bloody hell.

Great run from the Senatore from the scrum and wonderful hands from Contepomi.

Slots the conversion too.

7-6 Argentina.

 

[Hurricane]

I have changed my attitude for this world cup. Usually I like to have a good contest put up by the opposition and like Somerset want a "good final".

This year I just want to win - i will not be secretly pleased when Australia scores a try against us. Or when Argentina gets a penalty I just wanted W's.

See this post New Zealand...Cmon Lads!

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Piri you ***y beast!

 

[Hurricane]

Don't care if we win this on kicks

 

[Bahnz]

Is this a bad time to point out that Graham Henry is 0 for 2 in World Cup quarterfinals?

Go the argies!

 

[Somerset]

Early call:

Slade MOTM

Thanks Athlai.

Impressive effort from Argentina on defence, and its certainly prohibiting the ABs from getting much quick ball. Sensational run from their number 8 although Read and McCaw both missing tackles on him was something you won't see everyday. Winning solely through penalty kicks wasn't exactly what I was contemplating.

 

[Athlai]

Thanks Athlai.

Impressive effort from Argentina on defence, and its certainly prohibiting the ABs from getting much quick ball. Sensational run from their number 8 although Read and McCaw both missing tackles on him was something you won't see everyday. Winning solely through penalty kicks wasn't exactly what I was contemplating.

No problem.

 

[Burgey]

Look, I thought we were ****, second half especially. But this is bad.

 

[Burgey]

**** it would have been funny if that intercept had been taken.

 

[Hurricane]

Close enough to the end now - so just want to say well played Aaron Cruden - looked as good as any other 1st 5 on display in the tournament.

He must start next week regardless of Slade's availability.

 

[Burgey]

Too classy NZ, but kudos to Argentina, they fought so hard there.

 

[Howe_zat]

Comfortable win in the end. Pleased that Argentina competed as long as they did, I suppose.

 

[Flem274*]

What is Athlai's obsession with crappy first fives? First Donald now Slade.

 

[Athlai]

What is Athlai's obsession with crappy first fives? First Donald now Slade.

I like Cooper as well.

 

[Flem274*]

I like Cooper as well.

WAC z

 

[centurymaker]

fantastic match and result (in the end).

 

[Somerset]

Hardly a perfect victory but you can't say no to a 23 point win in a World Cup QF. The worry for me is that Argentina really competed at the breakdown and although they ended up conceeding a number of penalties from it, they were ultimately successful in slowing down the ABs' ball for 65 minutes. If Pocock and co. are able to do the same, then with a better attacking side in the form of Australia they'll have hope that they can subdue the ABs.

Thought Cruden played particularly well for someone who wouldn't have played a professional match since the ITM Cup final more than a month ago. Even before Slade's injury he looked nervous and fragile. Cruden looked confident and his combinations with Weepu and Nonu in particular worked well. If hes to start at 10 ahead of Slade I wouldn't complain (although would still prefer Weepu at 10 if I had the choice).

 

[ripper868]

I like Cooper as well.

Hey hey hey, you leave him alone. He's our **** five eight now.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Pocock was superb at the breakdown against the Yarps, but got away with blue murder. His hand was on that ball so many times and Bryce Lawrence didn't pick up on any of 'em. Turnovers on the Yarp goal line and on the Aussie goal line executed with the perfect combination of guts and cynicism. Gotta hope the ref for the SF will be a bit more alive at the breakdown than Lawrence. All I ask for is a balanced refereeing display, and Lawrence didn't give that IMO. Easily cost the Saffers the 3 points they would have needed for a win.

 

[Burgey]

Pocock was superb at the breakdown against the Yarps, but got away with blue murder. His hand was on that ball so many times and Bryce Lawrence didn't pick up on any of 'em. Turnovers on the Yarp goal line and on the Aussie goal line executed with the perfect combination of guts and cynicism. Gotta hope the ref for the SF will be a bit more alive at the breakdown than Lawrence. All I ask for is a balanced refereeing display, and Lawrence didn't give that IMO. Easily cost the Saffers the 3 points they would have needed for a win.

Perhaps the referee can just let he and McCaw do as they please then? The latter has a long head start in that regard.