Rugby World Cup 2015

[medhead]

Taxi driver said ABvtonga was a respectable 19-10

 

[infinity]

One of the gutsie wins of all time by Wallabies
Deserving of a final performance by Wallabies and Wales
ABs look out we r coming to take your cup

 

[Captain Halliday]

Defence wins World Cups, or so the saying goes. Three more performances like that the Wallabies chance are very good.

 

[cove]

What are the bookies odds?

 

[infinity]

Cove I have booked some flights back to London for the finals week. No tickets to final but can get at a price
Want to join me? For a Wallabies win?

 

[burmans]

Taxi driver said ABvtonga was a respectable 19-10

Just shows you should never listen to a taxi driver!

 

[medhead]

not sure about the wobblies. Great defence at 13 to 15. But it didn't feel like a polished performance. If Wales was able to prepare so well, other teams should have no problems getting a win.

Just shows you should never listen to a taxi driver!

Turns out that was a mid game score. He was watching in the hotel lobby, turned up 15 minutes before booked time.

 

[TomVexille]

Turns out that was a mid game score. He was watching in the hotel lobby, turned up 15 minutes before booked time.

Except that exact score never occurred in the game

 

[medhead]

Or I misheard the taxi driver. Doesn't really matter. It's only the all blacks.

 

[RooFlyer]

Discussed the finer details of the Wallabies defence for 15 mins or so with this guy over a glass of Rkatsiteli. Mind you, he was speaking Georgian, with my guide trying to keep up He could have been talking about the ice hockey I suppose.

Turns out Georgia suck at soccer, so they are happy with 'third place' in the Rugby. He's looking forward to Georgia going one better than third pool spot in 2019 in Japan

The World in Union.

 

[cove]

Infinity I am not that into rugby.

 

[burmans]

not sure about the wobblies. Great defence at 13 to 15. But it didn't feel like a polished performance. If Wales was able to prepare so well, other teams should have no problems getting a win.

This was pretty much my thought too, while I agree it was great defence I think others would have turned this into a win pretty easily. Wales insistence in keeping it tight when they had a two man advantage baffled me, they should have been spreading it wide and looking for holes instead of continuing to crash it up. While I think Wales had a strong game strategically (and for much of the game looked like they could win) this part wasn't.

On the downside the lack of tries (from either side) was a concern. The wallabies backs hardly ever saw the ball and didn't do much when they did.

 

[medhead]

This was pretty much my thought too, while I agree it was great defence I think others would have turned this into a win pretty easily. Wales insistence in keeping it tight when they had a two man advantage baffled me, they should have been spreading it wide and looking for holes instead of continuing to crash it up. While I think Wales had a strong game strategically (and for much of the game looked like they could win) this part wasn't.

On the downside the lack of tries (from either side) was a concern. The wallabies backs hardly ever saw the ball and didn't do much when they did.

Both teams clearly decided this was a game to be played up front. I'd also guess Folau's world cup is over, barely got involved in the game. Pulled up at least once. The ankle must be much worse that they're letting on.

 

[burmans]

Both teams clearly decided this was a game to be played up front.

Hard to disagree with that but one of the strengths of any good team is to change tactics when the situation demanded it and for me 15 against 13 demands you spread the ball wide. Wales didn't seem to even really consider this, so for me poor decision making during this period was actually what lost the game for Wales.

I'd also guess Folau's world cup is over, barely got involved in the game. Pulled up at least once. The ankle must be much worse that they're letting on.

Haven't seen the list of walking wounded but for me some lack of depth is the wallabies key concern and this is the time in the tournament key injuries start to have an effect. We now have Folau, Pocock, Giteau, Horne all nursing injuries. Sure some will probably play on but it is a worrying sign when you have to play players who are clearly not 100%.

 

[medhead]

Hard to disagree with that but one of the strengths of any good team is to change tactics when the situation demanded it and for me 15 against 13 demands you spread the ball wide. Wales didn't seem to even really consider this, so for me poor decision making during this period was actually what lost the game for Wales.

Yes indeed. And the must beat team (the All blackss, in case anyone is wondering) are the masters of changing tactics based on the situation.

 

[infinity]

Defense will win this RWC
ABs won't have enough hard games before the semis

There r not in Auckland this time and most Kiwis I speak to r not that impressed with their form

 

[burmans]

There r not in Auckland this time and most Kiwis I speak to r not that impressed with their form

Yes, but Kiwis are much harder markers! There seem to be an attitude in OZ that you cant possibly criticise any aspect of the Wallabies because its disloyal, whereas in NZ shining a very bright light on the All Blacks performance is de rigeur. Pretty obvious even here, of course a win is always a win but that was a pretty average wallaby team on display at the weekend, sure defense is a positive but why only look at the positives?

All Black form has undoubtedly been below the standards they set for themselves but second half against Samoa was the best they have been and I for one wont be ruling out SA. Yes we know they lost against Japan but their form since has been very strong.

 

[infinity]

Kiwis r also not very good losers. But then again they don't have much experience at losing like the rest of the rugby world
Maybe that's why they r so critical of their team

 

[cory]

Yes, but Kiwis are much harder markers! There seem to be an attitude in OZ that you cant possibly criticise any aspect of the Wallabies because its disloyal, whereas in NZ shining a very bright light on the All Blacks performance is de rigeur. Pretty obvious even here, of course a win is always a win but that was a pretty average wallaby team on display at the weekend, sure defense is a positive but why only look at the positives?

All Black form has undoubtedly been below the standards they set for themselves but second half against Samoa was the best they have been and I for one wont be ruling out SA. Yes we know they lost against Japan but their form since has been very strong.

Good teams win when they aren't playing their best. It's a trait not many teams have, and luckily, the wallabies right now do. The all blacks are a great example of this.

 

[QF WP]

I watched all the (important) matches last week in my resort at Sigatoka (Fiji). They opened the bars at 7am and 8am, so a large contingent of Aussies were into brews very early on those days.