Public Address | Cafe | Field Theory: All Blacks v Wallabies Tensionfest

Public Address

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:55:13 +1300

Discussion from blog post.

Emma Hart

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:55:13 +1300

Okay, I'll say it. You know what? We could win this next week.

Tom Semmens

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:20:03 +1300

Australia was so dominated, and we forgot to tell them the safe word.

Jackie Clark

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:33:28 +1300

I haven't watched a game of rugby for years and years. and I did tonight. A friend of mine has come from Wellington, and wanted to walk the Fan Trail, absorb the atmosphere, that sort of thing and then wend our way to Dominion Rd to have something to eat?

Islander

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:40:32 +1300

Didnt watch it, but was with my mother and one of her friends while they did.
Ho hum for me, and less than entrancing for them.
That game and the final will NOT affect me.
Cheers and all that – simply because we live in a problematic & direly threatened motu?

Sofie Bribiesca

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:07:24 +1300

We went to the Cav. With a friend. The Kitchen staff are friends too. Our bestest mates own the Kitchen. We had Nachos. We had a reserved table with a view for the game ,a place to smoke and strangers to liase with. The yells, the cheers, for reasons basically?

BenWilson

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:40:44 +1300

My man, in the loo crossed path (urinal) with another.

Bad luck you know. But fortunately it was in the bag. Tempted to check out Kingsland, but only got jandals. Will they let me in?

Craig Ranapia

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:18:19 +1300

Saw bits of the game while channel surfing in bed. Now, just got to get over the urge to track down an Aussie sports writer and start screeching "choke on THIS, fuckhole" while doing a Michael Jackson crotch-crunch dance.

It's wrong, I know. I don't do this kind of thing.?

David Cormack

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:46:07 +1300

It's almost a shame we played France in pool play .... to meet them in the final for the first time since that night would be tres excitement.

Now we mustn't get complacent.

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:18:34 +1300

The Tokoroa Candidate...
Can sleeper Quade Cooper now come in from the cold?
After enduring years as a 2nd class non-citizen in Australia,
and playing his part to the hilt, his work now is done.
Will he be given his place in the sun and the heroes medal he richly?

Rich Lock

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:26:04 +1300

I don't do this kind of thing.

Me neither. But can we grab a camera crew and track down George Greegan? 'Four more years, boys, four more years'.

It's almost a shame we played France in pool play .... to meet them in the final for the first time since?

Dave Patrick

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:50:10 +1300

Here's hoping Sonny Bill picks up a one-game ban for his yellow card and we never see that particular side-show in an Al Black jersey again – or at least until he's played some rugby and got rid of the league-isms in his game (running with ball in one hand,?

BenWilson

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:55:16 +1300

He was worth it just for the strip show in the first game. My wife got a whole lot more enthused about watching it, although last night took a bit of the fun out (she's an ozzie).

Sofie Bribiesca

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:01:39 +1300

Jandals never been a prob for us.

hamishm

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:03:03 +1300

Watched with the sound off, as usual. Good game aside from the handling errors by the AB's. Q.Cooper was sleepwalking, did he not realise what time it was, or something? Israel Dagg was brilliant.
Bad weekend for the boot, though, Jebus those drop kicks!!

perplexed

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:38:03 +1300

I loved it. Less tension than I expected, so glad the ABs started off with a hiss and a roar and never looked likely to fade. I was impressed with the whole squad (except SBW wtf!). Love the joy Jane and Dagg bring to their game .Cruden showed real guts?

BenWilson

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:39:07 +1300

I hear that Weepu had the flu (and a Tangi) but still fronted. Top effort.

Indeed. If anyone can bring red beards back, he's the man.

Ross Mason

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:39:30 +1300

My jaundiced eyes saw the best game of winning AB rugby for an awful long time. There were only a couple of short interludes where an ozzie would get the ball and ACTUALLY get past a couple of "our" blokes. But it was shortlived. Dominating and it was great to?

perplexed

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:45:03 +1300

I agree on the 3WM, been through the fire and came out stronger. I don't know about Robbie, he stuck with QC too long and he hasn't put together a decent tight five. I suspect he could be in trouble after the Aussie review.

andin

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:55:48 +1300

A shame Wales didn?t go through. That would have been a final with some heart.
Exactly!

Now we mustn?t get complacent.

What about Dave? ohhh that, too late

Ross Mason

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:58:58 +1300

As I have just read this very minute, Australia had the youngest team at the Tourney. Robbie has rid it of the dead wood and there is no doubt they will improve with age.

What am I saying.........

Don't worry...Be happy!

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:10:00 +1300

Here?s hoping Sonny Bill picks up a one-game ban for his yellow card

I wouldn't think so. As dangerous tackles go, that was harmless.

and we never see that particular side-show in an Al Black jersey again ? or at least until he?s played some rugby and got rid of?

Grant McDougall

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:18:08 +1300

Mark Hammett must feel sillier and sillier for getting rid of Nonu, Weepu and Hore given how well they've played for the ABs this year.

Ross Mason

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:18:45 +1300

A dollar on Wayne Barnes for the final????

Jackie Clark

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:26:04 +1300

Well, I had no idea who most of the players were. I kept having to ask Sally. But I, for one, will be watching the final next weekend. I mean, how can you not?

BenWilson

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:29:35 +1300

He's not perfect, but I'd much rather have him on my side.

I just love how he runs. He seems to glide. It really draws the tacklers.

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:29:39 +1300

There was a point during the QF against Argentina last weekend where we got a look at what the All Blacks had in store.

At about the 50 min mark, McCaw and Thorn raised the intensity of their play at the tackle and breakdown and I thought "this is how?

merc

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:34:05 +1300

McCaw snatched the ball from another player while he was upside down in the tackle ...as for Dagg's offload to Nonu for the try, SBW, how was the on entry handshake?

Bart Janssen

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:34:55 +1300

He?s not perfect, but I?d much rather have him on my side.

I just love how he runs. He seems to glide. It really draws the tacklers.

I love the way his head is up while he runs. He is a lot more aware of what is happening around him?

BenWilson

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:38:20 +1300

Yes, I've noticed several times that he slows down gradually, when any other player would be powering on as hard as they could, this draws in several tacklers, and then he accelerates to bust through them and unload. It's straight from league and it works. Very unselfish player too, perfectly?

Bart Janssen

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:40:56 +1300

There were some truly great moments.

Cory Jane chasing the high ball and seeing Cooper was going to take it, slowing down a fraction so that he could be accelerating as he hit Cooper, then having made the tackle bouncing to his feet and competing for the ball. It could?

merc

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:44:44 +1300

Cruden's first real take on the line was a bad low ball pass at his feet – he gathered it easily in stride, his tackling for an 85kger was very steady as well.

Sacha

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:46:06 +1300

Very unselfish player too, perfectly happy to offload even on a certain try

Whereas Cruden seems to hang on to the ball a bit too much for my liking. Maybe just needs more development.

Sacha

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:47:34 +1300

the intensity of their play

Really want to see the French demolished with the same precision as that first 20 minutes last night.

Paul Williams

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:55:24 +1300

As much as I'd love to be NZ, there's something to say for watching the ABs thrash the Wobbolies in a pub full to the brim with Aussies... jus'sayn

BenWilson

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:59:26 +1300

As much as I'd love to be NZ, there's something to say for watching the ABs thrash the Wobbolies in a pub full to the brim with Aussies... jus'sayn

You lucky bugger. The whole time I lived there, we kept getting beat. It sucked. Had to put up with a?

Rich Lock

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:32 +1300

Really want to see the French demolished with the same precision as that first 20 minutes last night.

David Cormack

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:39 +1300

I loved that we never looked like losing last night. Just complete control.

God, is there a better defender in open play than Conrad Smith? He goes low, and gets his man every time?.unbelievable.

Also: if Kaino doesn?t get player of the tournament I will be very disappointed. The man?

hamishm

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:09:28 +1300

Cory Jane chasing the high ball and seeing Cooper was going to take it, slowing down a fraction so that he could be accelerating as he hit Cooper

Yeah that was very cool.
Teh Guardian has an amusing player scoring thing

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:12:15 +1300

Whereas Cruden seems to hang on to the ball a bit too much for my liking. Maybe just needs more development.

My guess is that the coaches told him to back himself early, rather than just shoveling the ball along. I'm okay with that.

Sacha

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:15:54 +1300

I wonder if they thought the risk of spilling under pressure outweighed that of killing a move? Cruden just doesn't seem to be scanning for options as much yet.

John Armstrong

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:06:49 +1300

Cory Jane chasing the high ball and seeing Cooper was going to take it, slowing down a fraction so that he could be accelerating as he hit Cooper

I'm pretty sure that was Richard Kahui. Just to give credit where it's due.

All Blacks were great, but I still think?

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:18:48 +1300

All Blacks were great, but I still think that performance was about seventy per cent of what they are capable of (opening twenty minutes aside, which was probably about ninety per cent). I hope to see fewer up-and-unders next week and a lot more ball in hand for the backs.?

Sacha

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:22:48 +1300

If it clicks against France we'll win it by thirty points.

That backline going nuts for the last 30 mins would be a nice way to finish

+1!

hamishm

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:33:38 +1300

But I am trying not to regard the result as a done deal

This is the main problem. The French appear to have internal strife with the coach and senior players, they haven't really fired and they were lucky against Wales. Ominous

Bart Janssen

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:46:15 +1300

I?m pretty sure that was Richard Kahui. Just to give credit where it?s due.

Quite right, my apologies to Kahui

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H0CV9MHGOM

Bart Janssen

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:49:11 +1300

That backline going nuts for the last 30 mins would be a nice way to finish

Tt does seem that defensive lines for all the top teams are very very good. So the days when our backline could just carve them up at will seem to be over, even if?

Mikaere Curtis

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:55:35 +1300

I had the good fortune to stroll past the Heritage hotel last week, just before the All Blacks walked out to their tour bus. I stopped to take some photos and the thing struck me was the air of calmness to the team. They just seemed happy in each other's?

Ross Mason

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:01:01 +1300

Andre Joubert to ref the final.

Phew....I heard he intends to leave the red card in his bag.....maybe? Do it Andre.

Glenn Pearce

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:15:24 +1300

Cory Jane was unbelievable with those high ball takes in traffic.

It didn't really affect the outcome but I thought it was big call by Joubert not to go upstairs and check Dagg's foot didn't cross the line before he passed inside for the try. He probably got the nod?

Chris Bowden

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:20:25 +1300

Great game. Nos 1 to 20 superb (sorry Sonny Bill and Stephen Donald). A brilliant display of controlled aggression. Have never been so tense before or during a match. I hope I can enjoy the final a bit more.

I am not 100% sure but they might not have been?

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:27:57 +1300

Tracey Nelson's Haka stats are published! *Massive* games from O Franks and Thorn. And Richie, natch.

Glenn Pearce

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:28:57 +1300

I am not 100% sure but they might not have been able to go upstairs for the Nonu try, as you can only check the act of scoring, not the pass that led to it (or whether the passer was in play). I learnt that from the Brisbane test where?

BenWilson

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:30:01 +1300

I've seen a few refs go to the TV ref over possible reasons not to award a try, including being in touch. It seems a little open to interpretation, when to use it. When they do choose to use it, it's highly likely to make the right call, which seems?

Chris Bowden

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:41:51 +1300

Ben – the difference here I suspect is that it is not the person scoring the try that is going into touch, but one phase earlier. The refs can't go back to the Dagg pass, even if it would mean the right call.

Raymond A Francis

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:46:57 +1300

Great game with far more open play than I expected at this end of the RWC
My only problem was the use of the boot by NZ, kicking the ball at this level is just delivering the ball to the oposition hoping they will drop it or knock it on?

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:49:08 +1300

My only problem was the use of the boot by NZ, kicking the ball at this level is just delivering the ball to the oposition hoping they will drop it or knock it on
It only worked against the aussies because the either kicked back or rather allowd our boys?

Michael Homer

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:56:40 +1300

They can go to the TMO when the ball is or may be in the in-goal area to check groundings, foul play in the in-goal, and whether a player was in touch when they grounded the ball. They can also do it for goal kicks. You can't check anything that?

Bart Janssen

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:18:48 +1300

I?ve seen a few refs go to the TV ref over possible reasons not to award a try

They can go to the TMO for pretty much anything relating directly to the try. It might have been marginal to check whether Dagg was out but I've seen it done with?

Ross Mason

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:21:26 +1300

Craig Joubert for the final. Not that other one.

I too had a look in the replays of Dagg's foot and it looked OK to me. In the air at the time of the pass I reckon.

3410

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:31:53 +1300

Craig Joubert for the final.

He's a South African.

Sounds a bit... French, though. Just saying.

Fun fact: before refereeing professionally, he was a "corporate banker".

Pete Sime

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:09:35 +1300

I'm actually kinda looking forward to the playoff for third. Wales will have something to prove and Australia are licking their wounds. It might be a tighter contest than the final.

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:14:39 +1300

Quite liking Damn It To Hell With Saddam ? All Blacks Execute Wallabies Like Texan Governor by Aussie sports blogger/journalist Matt Cleary.

I also like Cleary's biographical page. Must get that man on Media7 some time.

Sacha

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:25:15 +1300

Damn It To Hell With Saddam
Man certainly has a way with words.

Andre

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:29:07 +1300

I'm saddened by the refereeing decisions that have ruined this world cup and sent the fans and teams from Samoa, South Africa and Wales (among others) home feeling ripped off. They are literally going home knowing they are better teams than some of the other quarter finalists. The refs should?

Paul Williams

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:39:04 +1300

Kaino's form has been incredible and that tackle on Digby Ioane was bloody amazing!

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:17:26 +1300

I feel such a bastard for link-whoring like this, but Twitter's down (for me, anyway) and I've written a blog post about the rugby and everything.

Sacha

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:20:48 +1300

unforgiveable

Russell Brown

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:27:07 +1300

unforgiveable

Shuddup and gizza retweet.

Evan Yates

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:23:19 +1300

A colleague of mine of English descent generously reckoned that Richie McCaw should have been shown a red-card for spear tackling...himself.
When he did the rock-n-roll up-and-over thing onto Pocock(?)'s back.
Gotta give McCaw credit, he did wrest the ball away as he flipped over onto the ground.

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:39:06 +1300

Quite right, my apologies to Kahui

We ended up watching a version with Aussie commentators (due to it not showing up on the official website I paid for access on and me not being willing to be internet-free for another twenty-four hours) and one of them referred to Nonu as?

Richard Llewellyn

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:40:21 +1300

Yeah – Kaino has been Jerry-plus all tournament, awesome.

Rich Lock

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:04:52 +1300

Ruined is kind?

Sacha

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:23:10 +1300

It wasn't the ref that made those kicks miss

You try convincing some folk of that though. He's magic, that ref.

JacksonP

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:03:36 +1300

It wasn't the ref that made those kicks miss.

No, it was the commentator's curse. Every time Nisbett (think it was him) said how important the kick was, he missed.

Phil fryer

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:36:49 +1300

When I see SBW play 80mins against STh Africa or Aust-well, i'll accept he is a rugby player, against the "bBlind Istitute" don't count, he is there for bums on seats ,himself, chicks,marketing dept,real rugby players are missing out cause of him!

BenWilson

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:50:38 +1300

Nah, subs are there for a reason. Coming out fresh can have a huge impact, especially when you're big and fast. Make a big guy run around the field for 80 mins and you're just wasting their potential.

Lucy Stewart

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:37:02 +1300

Make a big guy run around the field for 80 mins and you?re just wasting their potential.

Tell that to Jerome Kaino.

Ross Mason

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:47:35 +1300

In true league style SBW's tackle was going to be either a shoulder charge or a late and high arm out that took Quaide's head off. It was the former so at least it was only a yellow. 7 minutes from the end with the game won and putting him?

Paul Williams

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:35:31 +1300

Ross, I remember when Nonu was unreliable but occassionally brilliant. He is now entirely reliable in defence, option taking and distribution... plus he can do things that stun defences. Cooper's well enough coached to travel that development curve and be at his peak in four years time (don't mean they'll?

BenWilson

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:59:25 +1300

Tell that to Jerome Kaino.

OK, I meant a big guy who is meant to score tries on account of their blistering speed and power. You train people differently depending on the work they are expected to do. That is why American footballers couldn't run a mile to save their?

Paul Williams

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:43:54 +1300

Actually, I reckon Kaino and American Football would work well. He'd be a classic running back no? I suspect he's incredibly quick over 20 metres.

merc

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:45:18 +1300

Buck http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503158&gal_cid=1503158&gallery_id=122271