The Rugby Championship MMXIV

Yeah_Right

I like the team as well. Jane definitely didn't deserve to hold his spot. Hopefully Dagg can recapture the form of old. The forecast isn't great so it could be a bit of a slugfest.

Have to say that I'm looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with the Woolshed on Saturday morning. Its been years since I've been there.

LuckyGent88

Argentina lucky already. Definite professional foul on savea which stopped a certain try

The Pheasant2

Ref making a few "inthreshing" calls here anyway

LuckyGent88

Pretty decent start from Argentina. Showing a lot of variety in attack but need to stop the silly penalties

matthew8

Good start for Argentina who are looking a lot better than their #12 IRB ranking.

LuckyGent88

Argentina are trying to go wide but are just so flat footed. Getting tackled behind the gain line everytime.

Still well in the game anyway.

matthew8

Someone needs to tell Landajo that the referee will let him away with a slightly crooked feed. Just puts it straight down the middle to sit there.

matthew8

Massive blow for Argentina on half time. Scrum lost against the head after the siren and a NZ try.

.ak

Jesus that's criminal.

LuckyGent88

That's just a massive blow to argentina.
Shocking stuff at the back of the scrum but well punished by Barrett. He has got serious pace.

He has been shocking from the tee though.

Swiwi.

matthew8 wrote: »

Good start for Argentina who are looking a lot better than their #12 IRB ranking.

Anyone thinking the winner of the Fra v Ire pool match will have a wee stroll in the park vs Arg in a 1/4 final, needs think again. After a terribly disappointing 2013 they are back!

I don't like to go too hard on the match officials, but they are having a poor poor game

For NZ:

• Read clearly knocks ball on in the 22, ref calls back
• Ben Smith takes the ball into touch 5m from AB line, NZ get the throw

For Argentina:

• Savea clearly held back with tryline beckoning
• NZ get free kick, Arg march back all of about 2m
• Refs get in way of NZ pass, ball richochets and Argentina get turn over. Sorry, but that is a scrum attacking ball ref
• Dagg kicks ball into touch inside 22. Called as outside 22. Only the replay on big screen gets officials to change their mind.
• Argentina put up a garyowen, no-one retreats inside the 10.

For NZ, Nonu has been anonymous, the rest of the team are tracking well. Massive opportunity for Thrush.

For Argentina, that try was a killer. Ironic that it came off a tighhead! They just need to eliminate a few silly errors, and they will be even better.

sydthebeat

Just. Kick. It. Out....

matthew8

Terrible defence by Argentina.

Swiwi.

Super XV defence from Argentina. Oh wait...

Aul dougie howlett will be looking over his shoulder with Savea.

Nice from beaudie

LuckyGent88

matthew8 wrote: »

Terrible defence by Argentina.

Way too easy alright but well executed by Barrett and savea.

matthew8

How did Argentina escape that one?

matthew8

Lavanini lucky not to connect the way he could have going in head first on McCaw. Argentina barely hanging on here, wet conditions the only thing keeping it at 18-6.

matthew8

Dagg has been a star for securing NZ territory.

matthew8

That is absolute robbery by the referee. Should have been an Argentine try.

Davei141

Jesus christ, that is probably the worst call i have ever seen.

Swiwi.

Another fckin awful call from the ref. Argentina completely robbed.

Could be 13-18.

He should be dropped from the panel.

Will23

That's one of the worst decisions I have ever seen

Principal Skinner

Thats disgraceful, awful awful decision. Argentina robbed of a try there. Too many times refs side with the all blacks in games

LuckyGent88

Absolute shocker from all the officials

matthew8

Even if he was unsure it would have been so easy to let the play happen and call the tmo.

The Pheasant2

Really feel for Argentina after that...unbelievable incompetence

Swiwi.

Principal Skinner wrote: »

Thats disgraceful, awful awful decision. Argentina robbed of a try there. Too many times refs side with the all blacks in games

Away with the conspiracy theories there skinner. He's made poor calls both ways. You can take the patch off eh.

LuckyGent88

Have never seen this ref before.
Has he much experience at international level?
He certainly has not looked up to international standard tonight.

Turtwig

Is there some pedantic rule we're just not aware of or did a referee really make such a blunder? It does happen. Maybe the camera angle deceived us, dunno. It just seems such an extraordinary error to be true.

matthew8

Savea has been NZ's best player and yet it seems Argentina actively target him with their kicks. He's been really good under the high ball.

Swiwi.

Turtwig wrote: »

Is there some pedantic rule we're just not aware of or did a referee really make such a blunder? It does happen. Maybe the camera angle deceived us, dunno. It just seems such an extraordinary error to be true.

'Twas a shocker. I agree with matthew8. Let it continue then check with tmo if unsure. Will be a hollow victory of some sorts if NZ go on to win. I guess Savea would have definitely set up a try in the 1st half, so it's sort of even

matthew8

For all their physicality the Argentinians have had very little headway in attack, unlike their last 2 matches.

matthew8

NZ getting every single break.

matthew8

Has Ben Smith had a single touch tonight? Pretty boring to be a winger in those conditions.

Davei141

Pretty enjoyable game considering the weather. I just hope Aus SA is dry, that will be some game.

Swiwi.

Davei141 wrote: »

Pretty enjoyable game considering the weather. I just hope Aus SA is dry, that will be some game.

I almost favour Aussie but it could be close.

Davei141

Swiwi. wrote: »

I almost favour Aussie but it could be close.

I wouldn't bet on this one anyway!

LuckyGent88

Swiwi. wrote: »

I almost favour Aussie but it could be close.

Looks like the weather is pretty rubbish in Perth unfortunetly.
Expect it to be tight

Journeyman_1

That was entertaining, but some awful calls from ref! Dagg was very useful today, and Savea is pure class. Thrush and Cane went well off the bench. Barrett is normally very good from the tee right? I remember him nailing plenty from the touchline.

Kiwi_knock

What a start

Swiwi.

What a difference a decent SH makes. Lovely back play from aus.

LuckyGent88

What a perfect start for Australia.

Emperor1989

Coetzee/Vermulen Turnover number 1.

errlloyd

Clancy doesn't like the team with the ball

matthew8

South Africa look a bit better. Try.

Emperor1989

Great try Bokke.

Superb play by Strauss and Coetzee in build up. Beautiful hands.

LuckyGent88

Really nice try. Very well worked

Emperor1989

Vermulen is stand out player so far for me.

.ak

Thought that tackle was fine.

Emperor1989

Vermulen awesome stuff...what a player