Pool A - New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia

[Fuller Pilch]

Crazy to think that both of these teams might not make the semis.

 

[Ali TT]

It’s a rugby match not a dancing comp. Just get on with it.

Oh chill, the match still starts when it says it's going to start. Sport would be boring if it didn't have it's silly quirks.

No excuse for tackling a guy in the air now.

 

[Furball]

Needs banning. A novelty 30 years ago, tedious bilge now.

Opposition should just turn their backs. Or be given Britain's Got Talent style buzzers to put an end to it.

 

[Meridio]

Very very dumb by Will Jordan and could be very costly. Surprised France went for the kick there rather than another try with the ABs a man down

 

[ripper868]

Opposition should just turn their backs. Or be given Britain's Got Talent style buzzers to put an end to it.

Wallabies turned backs on it back in the 90s, lost by 40 or so. teams are welcome to reply (or not) to it how they like, as you are. I'd guess that something deeply traditional and ingrained into the nation (and the other PI nations) isn't just going to disappear though. It doesn't delay the kick off time, it adds a little bit of spectacle, and if you don't like it, it provides the 2 minute warning to get a drink, so I don't see what the downside is.

 

[Ali TT]

Wallabies turned backs on it back in the 90s, lost by 40 or so. teams are welcome to reply (or not) to it how they like, as you are. I'd guess that something deeply traditional and ingrained into the nation (and the other PI nations) isn't just going to disappear though. It doesn't delay the kick off time, it adds a little bit of spectacle, and if you don't like it, it provides the 2 minute warning to get a drink, so I don't see what the downside is.

It's become a little bit of a performance because it's only allowed to be done so far from the opposition. Let them encroach if they want to, let the oppo turn their backs, whistle, do warm-ups etc.

Serge Blanco has clearly enjoyed a life of Michelin star dining and fine wines gratis since retirement.

 

[ripper868]

No argument here, its lost alot of the heat with both teams needing to stay behind 10m lines etc, but teams are allowed to walk away if they so choose, it's just most have a general respect to accept the challenge.

 

[Meridio]

My god the ref cannot wait to give France a penalty for anything this half

 

[weeman27bob]

Too many penalties conceded from the All Black's in the second half.

 

[ripper868]

My god the ref cannot wait to give France a penalty for anything this half

tbf, can't think of one that wasn't deserved.

 

[Meridio]

tbf, can't think of one that wasn't deserved.

Sure, but only one side is being pinged for it, French have been offside pretty much every ruck

 

[ripper868]

Sure, but only one side is being pinged for it, French have been offside pretty much every ruck

Welcome to the world vs NZ, circa forever.

 

[weeman27bob]

Definitely doesn't feel like the final score is going to reflect how close the game has been for the majority of it.

 

[ripper868]

16 point win is perhaps flattering, but France have probably been the better side in the 2nd half.

 

[BoyBrumby]

And that's all she wrote.

Plus side for NZ is the Boks lost a group game in Japan. To the ABs as it happens.

 

[Molehill]

Gulf in class last half an hour, France have been outstanding.

 

[MW1304]

16 point win is perhaps flattering, but France have probably been the better side in the 2nd half.

Way better in the second half tbh. First was close.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Must be the ABs heaviest defeat in a WC?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Well done France. Much better discipline, better gaining of field position, and much better bench.

 

[Meridio]

Scoreline really blown out here, France taken every opportunity