RWC QF: New Zealand vs Argentina, Sun 9 Oct 8:30am; Pre/During/Post Match Thread

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

mrboswell wrote: »

good bet for WC 2011 so I put 50 euro on them at either 7/1 or 15/2.

I put €30 on them at 10/1 after they lost to Ireland. Could be an alright bet, odds havn't dropped that much since though.

GerM wrote: »

The point in the first half where McCaw was cleared out to the side, rolled over onto his knees and, whilst kneeling at the side, leaned in and put his arm across the ball was my favourite. It was hilarious.

That was shocking, he was reaching in and gave a child-like look to the ref who just told him to leave it and let play continue.

Ardillaun

Well done by Argentina. They are versatile, shrewd and tough. A little too many long kicks for my liking, not a good tactic against the likes of Jane. They have some creative backs and could have beaten England if they had used them more. But not NZ. I was very impressed by Bosch. He outpaced Smith at 6.30 although Conrad did manage to stop the try. Good penalty kick too.

The ABs looked nervous. Jane was excellent and Nonu was good. Muliaina seems to think he's more elusive than he is - just kept on trundling ponderously with the ball into tackles and slowing up the attack.

NZ rugby commentators used to be the most biased in the world. They're fairer now although they did mysteriously miss McCaw's blatant tackle on Contepomi sans ball at 70.00. Apparently, some local rule obliges them to mispronounce every French and Spanish name.

Owens took the NH approach to 'held in the tackle'. Either way, this could be a big factor in the final.

Judgement Day

.ak wrote: »

Any NZ fans think that Weepu should start at 10 and Cowan at 9? Cruden looked like a man possessed today and played really well.. but his inexperience could lead to trouble no?

Fast ball from the scrum/maul etc is what the ABs need and Weepu is lightening compared with Cowan. The consensus seems to be that Cruden did well today and he'll be fine.

irishh_bob

mrboswell wrote: »

True, they do play some beautiful rugby, but they do also get away with murder. Anyway it tends to be the pot calling the kettle black as Henry is constantly complaining about the ref's getting things wrong.



Ironically its always the white guys with the veins popping out during the haka as though they have something to prove. Its in sharp contrast to the first cup in '87 when the pasty white guys were trying to do it and they didn't have a clue



Without a doubt Aus were lucky and they are not playing well, but they regularly lift their game for Nz.
Of course I could be wrong, but so could you...

its not a particulary good australian team this time round , the only remaining team which is at thier peak is wales

irishh_bob

one of the post match reports in the new zealand herald focused on the referees laxed attitude to the argies at the breakdown :eek: , truth is in the eye of the beholder i guess