Weekend Wrap
Having watched every Super 14 match earlier in the year, there ain't no way I am even going to attempt to watch all matches from the Rugby World Cup, especially with the 20/20 cricket about to start and the small matter of moving towns on the horizon.
The only game that really mattered was the first - as Argentina upset the hosts and threw a spanner into my prediction of a NZ v France final. It may still happen, as the finishing positions in that pool will probably not be decided until the final match on Sept 30 (Ireland v Argentina). While most people are musing on the sub-standard performance by the French, the main point I took out of the game was the refereeing. Spreadbury was horrible - his control over the breakdown was non-existent and while I do not begrudge the Pumas their victory (they deserved it purely on their tactical nous and errors the French made), play that game with a different referee who knows something about killing the ball illegally and you would probably have a different result. No, not sour grapes (I didn't bet) - but the lesson to be learned is get a referee who will be lenient on slowing the ball down and you will have a horrible, defence-dominated game which is exactly what the All Blacks do not want. Those are the sorts of games where they will be brought back to the chasing pack.
So while we can all crow about the teams south of the Equator getting off to a flying start while the northern hemisphere (supposed) giants struggle to put away the likes of USA and Namibia, it won't mean much if the likes of a Spreadbury controls a game that matters where defence is allowed to dominate and it becomes a contest of territory and who has their kicking boots on. That is my major fear for the ABs winning the tournament.
Now I all hope you put some moolah on Douggie being top tryscorer like I told you. Don't panic this week when Henry names the Fijians for the Portugal game - actually it is possible Howlett will get the start to get the tryscoring record out of the way, which would be nice. Habana grabbing 4 for the South Efrikaans wasn't exactly in the script; if he scores a couple more in pool play someone pass me the number of a French hitman please.
Back tomorrow or Wed for a serve at NZ Cricket.
The only game that really mattered was the first - as Argentina upset the hosts and threw a spanner into my prediction of a NZ v France final. It may still happen, as the finishing positions in that pool will probably not be decided until the final match on Sept 30 (Ireland v Argentina). While most people are musing on the sub-standard performance by the French, the main point I took out of the game was the refereeing. Spreadbury was horrible - his control over the breakdown was non-existent and while I do not begrudge the Pumas their victory (they deserved it purely on their tactical nous and errors the French made), play that game with a different referee who knows something about killing the ball illegally and you would probably have a different result. No, not sour grapes (I didn't bet) - but the lesson to be learned is get a referee who will be lenient on slowing the ball down and you will have a horrible, defence-dominated game which is exactly what the All Blacks do not want. Those are the sorts of games where they will be brought back to the chasing pack.
So while we can all crow about the teams south of the Equator getting off to a flying start while the northern hemisphere (supposed) giants struggle to put away the likes of USA and Namibia, it won't mean much if the likes of a Spreadbury controls a game that matters where defence is allowed to dominate and it becomes a contest of territory and who has their kicking boots on. That is my major fear for the ABs winning the tournament.
Now I all hope you put some moolah on Douggie being top tryscorer like I told you. Don't panic this week when Henry names the Fijians for the Portugal game - actually it is possible Howlett will get the start to get the tryscoring record out of the way, which would be nice. Habana grabbing 4 for the South Efrikaans wasn't exactly in the script; if he scores a couple more in pool play someone pass me the number of a French hitman please.
Back tomorrow or Wed for a serve at NZ Cricket.
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posted by Rob Crawford at 2:10 PM
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