RWC 2011: The Northern Semi-Final

[Geeves]

Well Wales imploded in that game.

Yes the send off was harsh but it wasn't the only factor in that game.

Firstly the set piece went to hell and never recovered.  The loss of Adam Jones was transformed a dominate scrum into a shambolic mess. While the lineouts were simply woeful (or made the wallabies one look good).

Secondly the game plan sucked.  Hook was part of the problem here as he can't play like Priestland.  The decision not to play like they had RWC (i.e. ball in hand) confused me.  Wales were making great meters with the pill in hand.

While the inability to kick that ball over the cross bar cost them badly.

The French hung in there and looked off pace. But hell the prospect of meeting the French in the finals must be a hell of a concern for kiwis, if you make it that far.

[Teach]

  keep up the niggle Geeves


And the prospect of the Welsh in the 3rd/4th must be pretty concerning for you. Although with Warburton probably suspended it looks like Pocock will get to shine with no real opposition 7 - just like the Bok game. That will be a nice confidence booster for him after the humiliation tonight.  


Well, one team will be humbled tonight anyway...

[Geeves]

Humbled = 1-6 points difference

Humiliated multiple definitions

1. loosing a RWC you host.  Been there done that.  
2. loosing to the French in a quarter final, a semi-final, a grand final

Its going to be a classic but I think there are a lot of walking wounded in the game tonight.  I just think McCaw is going to have long term injury after the RWC.  While McCabe is already scheduled for shoulder surgery.

[Hamish]

I am not emotionally equipped to deal with this semi.
I think we should win but based on last night's game and evidence of WC past, anything can happen.

Of course the anxiety is ramped up even further with the prospect of my week in Auck and fantastic seats at the final ruined by the wrong result.

GO THE BLACKS

(I might pass away tonight)

[Teach]

... but most don't care and none of them are losing sleep...

(I might pass away tonight)

   Obviously it's been quite a while since I last saw you Hamish !  Hopefully it wasn't the last.

[Hamish]

YYYYYEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ruggerfan]

Why the Welsh didn't use their wings is beyond me. Nice, clean defensive effort by the French though even if they were still keeping their powder dry for the final.
 The red was compulsory, an edict handed down from above. + 3 weeks from the judiciary showing support for the ref. What it does to the game as a spectacle is irrelevent compared to player safety.