RWC QF 2 NZ v FRA (Millenium Stadium) 18th Oct 0600 AEDT

[Kevin77]

This news changes everything for me. I genuinely didn't give France a snowballs chance in hell. Now the door has just creaked open a touch

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I was always going to be watching this game but now it's got that extra edge and I couldn't be more excited about it. You know France have got at least one great performance per tournament in them and it could be this weekend. I'm hoping for a ten try blow out decided in the last minute.

 

[ACT Crusader]

So French, So 2011 RWC. History repeating itself, all over again, just like last time.

Look out NZL, this means trouble.

Must watch game.

All depends if they advance during the haka......

 

[JJJ]

Let's not get too carried away here. Slimani had the edge on Healy early on, but the smart loosehead adapted and it was even until Ben Arous came off. Ireland then came on top, and were really dominant when Slimani was subbed.

Actually according to this excellent article on the scrums in the match, France were on top until Ben Arous took a head blow, which was the turning point.

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-france-scrum-analysis-2-2385386-Oct2015/

 

[Braveheart81]

Jeez, Steve Hansen's press conference where he talks about people at home being worried but worry being a wasted emotion is a bit all over the shop.

It's almost like he got Robbie Deans to write his answers.

New Zealanders will be more worried after listening to that than they were before!

 

[Quick Hands]

Rumours coming out that the French players have taken control and PSA has in effect been sacked. Mad as a bunch of frogs as usual but a scary prospect for NZ.

This has always been on the cards. They might have enven selected the team this time too as it is better balanced than a typical PSA team.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Jeez, Steve Hansen's press conference where he talks about people at home being worried but worry being a wasted emotion is a bit all over the shop.

It's almost like he got Robbie Deans to write his answers.

New Zealanders will be more worried after listening to that than they were before!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/national/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=155096
Came across as borderline psychopathic.
Preternatural serenity, 101% guiltfree confidence, seems to be at ungainly odds with the 240 mins of grotty rugby vs minnows.
Comes out and basically says "don't worry, pool games, we werent trying". So the 21 turnovers, were you trying to hold onto the ball or, kind of, not really? You cant trot out the "all credit to the opposition" one because you've just said don't worry, we werent trying

I think I need a bit of a lie down.

 

[Samson]

Without a transcript I am accepting your paraphrase of Hansen. I think he might choke on those words, not that I want to revive the choke tag.

 

[Dewald Nel]

I'm not sure France have the ability to do the unthinkable this time. I hope I'm wrong but the All Blacks might walk this one.

 

[WOOLI]

France by 7
Pumas by 5
Saffas by 13
Wobblies by 20

 

[boyo]

As for Owens, he's a good communicator.

He certainly communicated with Stuart Hogg.

 

[ChargerWA]

As a side note, that's poor poor poor man management by the coaching staff. Picking and sticking to 3 controversial players in the lead-up to the RWC and during pools, even though they were not up to test level, and throwing them when the first knock-out game arrives, that's terrible.

Haha, great comment in hindsight since it's now come out the players picked it themselves.

 

[boyo]

View attachment 7061



Replacements:

16. Keven Mealamu
17. Joe Moody
18. Charlie Faumuina
19. Victor Vito
20. Sam Cane
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Sonny Bill Williams

Looks weak

 

[ChargerWA]

So is Ben Franks injured or just severely out of favour?

 

[dru]

France by 7
Pumas by 5
Saffas by 13
Wobblies by 20

NZ by 22
Pumas by 5
Saffas by 5
WBs by 18

 

[mark_s]

Yeah, France are a rabble. ABs by 24

 

[Dewald Nel]

NZ by 22
Pumas by 5
Saffas by 5
WBs by 18

That's pretty close to my Superbru picks.

 

[boyo]

Vive la révolution !!!!
Mort aux hommes en noir !!!!

Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones?

 

[Relance]

Haha, great comment in hindsight since it's now come out the players picked it themselves.

http://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe...quipe-avec-le-manager._sto4951868/story.shtml

"We've prepared this as a team, with the coaches"
"We started this world cup as a team, with the manager. We'll keep it that way. The rest is of no interest to me."

You were saying ?

I'm really tired of all this journo bullshit about mutiny, revolt, revolution (sic). The only time a French team sacked the coach, it was in Knysna, 2010. Not sure we want this to happen to rugby.

 

[Dan54]

So is Ben Franks injured or just severely out of favour?

No Franks not injured, Hansen said he was picked mainly as a tighthead that could play loosed head, but given choice he preferred a secialist loosehead.