Was surprised apart from the first 10 mins how much the french fell apart! Glad McCaw got a win on his 100th cap! Shame really the all blacks took there foot of the gas! would have been really nice for England to play a demoralised french team!
I think you need to give just a little credit to New Zealand. France are a tough physical side who grow in stature and NEVER lie down when playing New Zealand. Just look at the history of the Rugby World Cup for proof. New Zealand didn’t “take their foot of the gas” but rather the French commendably competed to the very end. New Zealand but for a dodgy last converted try by France would have had a 27 point margin, not 20. New Zealand are too professional not to want to put a top tier team away by the maximum possible margin. Under estimate the French at your peril. New Zealand has twice & it has ended in misery both times.
Good points there BCK. The French were poor in the first 10/15 mins but that doesn't take away credit for the AB's performance throughout. Teams underperform and fairly often the opposition don't take advantage of the situation. The ABs were ruthless yesterday.
Cheers Lucas. Actually I thought NZ did well to absorb a tough French onslaught for the opening 10 minutes. The only problem being though that in the next 12 NZ put on 3 tries to knock them back. Best of luck in the quarters.
Dont get me wrong am an avid all black (and crusaders) fan Used to live in woolston Christchurch and had a son there! I just think theAB`S had the french by the throat .....and then eased off a bit ! sensible thing to do ......but a shame for England ! I always enjoy seeing the french beaten in anything after 2007!
I feel for you, both '07 & being a mainlander Ps: I hope all your loves ones down there are copping as best as. We all feel for them.
Cheers black cat , all my loved ones are in UK or Norway now However one of our hornets on Not 606 lives in christchurch and has had a tough time!(NZhorn) Big shame about DC thats a big blow whats your opinion of Slade as I know nothing about him?
WTF would I know Out woodly Kiwi's will tell you she'll be right, inwardly we're bricking it Seriously though we’ve got Piri Weepu & Aaron Cruden’s whose been called in, is not too shabby. He was the Under 20’s captain & IRB player of the year, last year. Just utube him. Tricky little bugger who’s scored some blinders. Great attacker but suspect due to his small size in defence. Weepu is vastly experienced though with many caps but those were at half back. He’s played a few at 1st five for the Hurricanes in the Super 15 which to be fair is as tough as most international matches. To be fair some will tell you Colin Slades not up to it but I think we should support the boys & show faith in Ted & Co to know a little more than the keyboard warriors on here
Cheers BCK heard of Cruden just hadnt heard of Slade ! As mentioned most teams have picked up key injuries , therefore team with deepest and strongest squad will nick it! 24 years is a long time to wait ,Hoping the lads do it this time around ! Henry has been good at making sure the players can all play in other positions as extra cover if the bench gets depleted ,which might be handy this time around!
Every man & his dogâll tell something different like but me, after years of heartache supporting a couple of teams that never win anything (Sunderland & the Hurricanes) Iâll celebrate if the All Blacks win or get up the next day excited in the fact that Iâve awoken for a new day. Some of the others out there might enjoy the daily articles on local sites: http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/world-cup/ http://www.rugbynews.co.nz/ Not necessarily the best but each & to their own
Leading by 11 points with 5 to go will be plenty enough for me Word from a couple of texts is that they're focused & up for a huge game. They know the French will be MUCH tougher up front than Australia & will come out firing on all cylinders so the first 20 will be very important. Only the commentators & internet forums are predicting an easy win
