Knockout Stage - General Discussion

[HeathDavisSpeed]

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

Well, it's an interesting point. I thought Pocock was a lot more obvious with his indiscretions than McCaw... But then McCaw has a good 80 more test matches under his belt than Pocock. I also think McCaw's not in great form anyway, so Pocock is probably the better player right now. As long as the refereeing is equal and the glaring infringements are picked up, I'm happy. I don't think the Boks were rewarded with a balanced refereering display yesterday - that bleedin' obvious hand on the Bok ball on the Aussie try line should have given the Saffers the penalty they needed, for example.

That said, I'd rather the Aussies get up than the Boks.

 

[_Ed_]

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.

Absolutely agree. Cruden really impressed me last night.

I hope SBW doesn't start on the wing again any time soon. He was pretty shaky under the high ball.

Full credit to Argentina. That was a monumental effort from them. Their defence was massive, particularly in that first half, and we were pretty quiet in the stands for a while there.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Poor old Ledesma - looked like he was shedding a few tears when he was subbed off. His final game in an illustrious career for Los Pumas.

 

[Burgey]

Well, it's an interesting point. I thought Pocock was a lot more obvious with his indiscretions than McCaw... But then McCaw has a good 80 more test matches under his belt than Pocock. I also think McCaw's not in great form anyway, so Pocock is probably the better player right now. As long as the refereeing is equal and the glaring infringements are picked up, I'm happy. I don't think the Boks were rewarded with a balanced refereering display yesterday - that bleedin' obvious hand on the Bok ball on the Aussie try line should have given the Saffers the penalty they needed, for example.

That said, I'd rather the Aussies get up than the Boks.

I don't disagree with you. Australia was fortunate to get up yesterday. Really their defence was insanely good.

Reports here saying Beale in massive doubt for the semi with his hamstring.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I don't disagree with you. Australia was fortunate to get up yesterday. Really their defence was insanely good.

Reports here saying Beale in massive doubt for the semi with his hamstring.

And a lot of that defensive work was by Pocock, but also Horwell (have I spelt that right? not sure)

Beale will be a big loss if he's out. Dirty, dirty mo or not, he knows how to break a defensive line apart.

 

[Smudge]

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

"Openside flankers in pushing the boundaries shock!"

 

[Burgey]

"Openside flankers in pushing the boundaries shock!"

Indeed!

Is the final in Auckland as well, btw?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Indeed!

Is the final in Auckland as well, btw?

Yep. All remaining games are at Eden Park.

 

[Zinzan]

Reports here saying Beale in massive doubt for the semi with his hamstring.

Beale freaks the hell out of me, such a dangerous open field runner. Would be a massive leg-up to the Blacks if he is ruled out.

 

[Somerset]

Beale freaks the hell out of me, such a dangerous open field runner. Would be a massive leg-up to the Blacks if he is ruled out.

With the way Cooper's playing at the moment and Ioane only just returning from his injury, I don't think its unreasonable to call Beale the most dangerous and dynamic player Australia have. I actually think it'd be a shame if hes ruled out though it'd certainly assist the ABs.

 

[Zinzan]

With the way Cooper's playing at the moment and Ioane only just returning from his injury, I don't think its unreasonable to call Beale the most dangerous and dynamic player Australia have. I actually think it'd be a shame if hes ruled out though it'd certainly assist the ABs.

Lol, it will be more of a shame if the AB's fail to win the WC for the thousandth time, I'll take any help I can thanks

What would be your starting XV Somerset?

 

[Somerset]

Lol, it will be more of a shame if the AB's fail to win the WC for the thousandth time, I'll take any help I can thanks

What would be your starting XV Somerset?

Woodcock, Mealamu, O.Franks, Thorn, Whitelock, Kaino, McCaw, Read, Weepu, Cruden, Kahui, Nonu, Smith, Jane, Dagg; Hore, B.Franks, A.Williams, Vito, Ellis, Donald, SB Williams

If it were personally up to me I'd play Weepu at 10 but I can't see that happening. I also get the impression Donald will play on the bench; don't think Cruden will be risked as the only specialist 10 in the 22. SBW can cover wing and centre, and Jane can switch to fullback if Dagg's unable to play 80 minutes, so that should be sufficient cover. Cowan's been rather average throughout the tournament so I've actually included Ellis on the bench.

 

[Burgey]

Beale freaks the hell out of me, such a dangerous open field runner. Would be a massive leg-up to the Blacks if he is ruled out.

He ghosts past defenders a la Brett Kenny.

Loathe to mention him in the same sentence as God, but that's who Beale reminds me of.

 

[BoyBrumby]

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.

The Saffers have taken it in good spirit tho.

Petition To Stop Bryce Lawrence Ever Reffing A Rugby Game Again | Facebook

Over 28,000 signed up already.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

The Saffers have taken it in good spirit tho.

Petition To Stop Bryce Lawrence Ever Reffing A Rugby Game Again | Facebook

Over 28,000 signed up already.

Might sign up myself. Was an awful display.

 

[Hurricane]

I really don't know who is going to win out of France and Wales. Does anyone have any comments to back up a prediction...

 

[Somerset]

The Saffers have taken it in good spirit tho.

Petition To Stop Bryce Lawrence Ever Reffing A Rugby Game Again | Facebook

Over 28,000 signed up already.

Haha, now at 38,000...and people said NZ over-reacted to Barnes in 2007...

 

[Somerset]

I really don't know who is going to win out of France and Wales. Does anyone have any comments to back up a prediction...

Wales should favourites in my view. I mentioned shortly after France's victory that they've often failed to put two strong perfomances together back-to-back in WCs, particularly remembering their efforts following dramatic upsets against NZ in 1999 and 2007. Wales look really strong and have played well all tournament while France's unpredictability makes them hard to back IMO, despite a good win over England.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Woodcock, Mealamu, O.Franks, Thorn, Whitelock, Kaino, McCaw, Read, Weepu, Cruden, Kahui, Nonu, Smith, Jane, Dagg; Hore, B.Franks, A.Williams, Vito, Ellis, Donald, SB Williams

If it were personally up to me I'd play Weepu at 10 but I can't see that happening. I also get the impression Donald will play on the bench; don't think Cruden will be risked as the only specialist 10 in the 22. SBW can cover wing and centre, and Jane can switch to fullback if Dagg's unable to play 80 minutes, so that should be sufficient cover. Cowan's been rather average throughout the tournament so I've actually included Ellis on the bench.

Ind33d.

Have wanted to see a 9-10 of Ellis-Weepu since Carter went down, but it's not going to happen.

 

[ripper868]

Good Ole Schalk: