Knockout Stage - General Discussion - Page 18

centurymaker · 09-10-2011, 04:06 AM

fantastic match and result (in the end).

Somerset · 09-10-2011, 04:08 AM

Hardly a perfect victory but you can't say no to a 23 point win in a World Cup QF. The worry for me is that Argentina really competed at the breakdown and although they ended up conceeding a number of penalties from it, they were ultimately successful in slowing down the ABs' ball for 65 minutes. If Pocock and co. are able to do the same, then with a better attacking side in the form of Australia they'll have hope that they can subdue the ABs.

Thought Cruden played particularly well for someone who wouldn't have played a professional match since the ITM Cup final more than a month ago. Even before Slade's injury he looked nervous and fragile. Cruden looked confident and his combinations with Weepu and Nonu in particular worked well. If hes to start at 10 ahead of Slade I wouldn't complain (although would still prefer Weepu at 10 if I had the choice).

ripper868 · 09-10-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athlai

I like Cooper as well.

Hey hey hey, you leave him alone. He's our **** five eight now.

HeathDavisSpeed · 09-10-2011, 02:33 PM

Pocock was superb at the breakdown against the Yarps, but got away with blue murder. His hand was on that ball so many times and Bryce Lawrence didn't pick up on any of 'em. Turnovers on the Yarp goal line and on the Aussie goal line executed with the perfect combination of guts and cynicism. Gotta hope the ref for the SF will be a bit more alive at the breakdown than Lawrence. All I ask for is a balanced refereeing display, and Lawrence didn't give that IMO. Easily cost the Saffers the 3 points they would have needed for a win.

Burgey · 09-10-2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeathDavisSpeed

Pocock was superb at the breakdown against the Yarps, but got away with blue murder. His hand was on that ball so many times and Bryce Lawrence didn't pick up on any of 'em. Turnovers on the Yarp goal line and on the Aussie goal line executed with the perfect combination of guts and cynicism. Gotta hope the ref for the SF will be a bit more alive at the breakdown than Lawrence. All I ask for is a balanced refereeing display, and Lawrence didn't give that IMO. Easily cost the Saffers the 3 points they would have needed for a win.

Perhaps the referee can just let he and McCaw do as they please then? The latter has a long head start in that regard.

HeathDavisSpeed · 09-10-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgey

Perhaps the referee can just let he and McCaw do as they please then? The latter has a long head start in that regard.

Well, it's an interesting point. I thought Pocock was a lot more obvious with his indiscretions than McCaw... But then McCaw has a good 80 more test matches under his belt than Pocock. I also think McCaw's not in great form anyway, so Pocock is probably the better player right now. As long as the refereeing is equal and the glaring infringements are picked up, I'm happy. I don't think the Boks were rewarded with a balanced refereering display yesterday - that bleedin' obvious hand on the Bok ball on the Aussie try line should have given the Saffers the penalty they needed, for example.

That said, I'd rather the Aussies get up than the Boks.

_Ed_ · 09-10-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somerset

Thought Cruden played particularly well for someone who wouldn't have played a professional match since the ITM Cup final more than a month ago. Even before Slade's injury he looked nervous and fragile. Cruden looked confident and his combinations with Weepu and Nonu in particular worked well. If hes to start at 10 ahead of Slade I wouldn't complain.

Absolutely agree. Cruden really impressed me last night.

I hope SBW doesn't start on the wing again any time soon. He was pretty shaky under the high ball.

Full credit to Argentina. That was a monumental effort from them. Their defence was massive, particularly in that first half, and we were pretty quiet in the stands for a while there.

HeathDavisSpeed · 09-10-2011, 04:21 PM

Poor old Ledesma - looked like he was shedding a few tears when he was subbed off. His final game in an illustrious career for Los Pumas.

Burgey · 09-10-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeathDavisSpeed

Well, it's an interesting point. I thought Pocock was a lot more obvious with his indiscretions than McCaw... But then McCaw has a good 80 more test matches under his belt than Pocock. I also think McCaw's not in great form anyway, so Pocock is probably the better player right now. As long as the refereeing is equal and the glaring infringements are picked up, I'm happy. I don't think the Boks were rewarded with a balanced refereering display yesterday - that bleedin' obvious hand on the Bok ball on the Aussie try line should have given the Saffers the penalty they needed, for example.

That said, I'd rather the Aussies get up than the Boks.

I don't disagree with you. Australia was fortunate to get up yesterday. Really their defence was insanely good.

Reports here saying Beale in massive doubt for the semi with his hamstring.

HeathDavisSpeed · 09-10-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgey

I don't disagree with you. Australia was fortunate to get up yesterday. Really their defence was insanely good.

Reports here saying Beale in massive doubt for the semi with his hamstring.

And a lot of that defensive work was by Pocock, but also Horwell (have I spelt that right? not sure)

Beale will be a big loss if he's out. Dirty, dirty mo or not, he knows how to break a defensive line apart.

Smudge · 09-10-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgey

Perhaps the referee can just let he and McCaw do as they please then? The latter has a long head start in that regard.

"Openside flankers in pushing the boundaries shock!"

Burgey · 09-10-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltman

"Openside flankers in pushing the boundaries shock!"

Indeed!

Is the final in Auckland as well, btw?

HeathDavisSpeed · 09-10-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgey

Indeed!

Is the final in Auckland as well, btw?

Yep. All remaining games are at Eden Park.

Zinzan · 10-10-2011, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burgey

Reports here saying Beale in massive doubt for the semi with his hamstring.

Beale freaks the hell out of me, such a dangerous open field runner. Would be a massive leg-up to the Blacks if he is ruled out.

Somerset · 10-10-2011, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinzan12

Beale freaks the hell out of me, such a dangerous open field runner. Would be a massive leg-up to the Blacks if he is ruled out.

With the way Cooper's playing at the moment and Ioane only just returning from his injury, I don't think its unreasonable to call Beale the most dangerous and dynamic player Australia have. I actually think it'd be a shame if hes ruled out though it'd certainly assist the ABs.

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09-10-2011, 04:06 AM	#256 (permalink)
centurymaker International Vice-Captain Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,254	fantastic match and result (in the end).

09-10-2011, 04:08 AM	#257 (permalink)
Somerset Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 9,863	Hardly a perfect victory but you can't say no to a 23 point win in a World Cup QF. The worry for me is that Argentina really competed at the breakdown and although they ended up conceeding a number of penalties from it, they were ultimately successful in slowing down the ABs' ball for 65 minutes. If Pocock and co. are able to do the same, then with a better attacking side in the form of Australia they'll have hope that they can subdue the ABs. Thought Cruden played particularly well for someone who wouldn't have played a professional match since the ITM Cup final more than a month ago. Even before Slade's injury he looked nervous and fragile. Cruden looked confident and his combinations with Weepu and Nonu in particular worked well. If hes to start at 10 ahead of Slade I wouldn't complain (although would still prefer Weepu at 10 if I had the choice).

09-10-2011, 04:21 PM	#263 (permalink)
HeathDavisSpeed International Coach Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rummaging through Iain O'Brien's dustbins. Posts: 12,900	Poor old Ledesma - looked like he was shedding a few tears when he was subbed off. His final game in an illustrious career for Los Pumas.

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