The All Blacks have completed the semi-final lineup for the Rugby World Cup 2011 after eventually comfortably beating Argentina, with scrum-half Piri Weepu kicking 23 points. Argentina at one point had the Kiwis on edge when they went ahead 7-6 in the first half thanks to a great try from flanker Juan Cabello, but it wasn’t to be.
What were your thoughts on the game?
The Argies gave the darkness a good run here. Missed tackles and unforced errors will cause Henry a few sleepless nights.
They’ll have to step up. Weepu played out of his skin, but Carterless, the darkness are vulnerable.
Thoughts? The best team won….Argentina played with a lot of skill and purpose, but didn’t get enough ball in the 2nd half to be a real threat. All Blacks were good. Piri Weepu was outstanding. But overall they were not great…there are holes in their team now. If Aus shut down Weepu they could beat the AB’s. The sky commentary in NZ had the arrogance to suggest the AB’s were holding something back. I don’t think so. NZ v AUS will be a great game next week….I have tickets….looking forward to it.
Was it Senatore at 8 that was a real handful? He cut the AB’s defense open with his running for that try. It was beautifully worked out to the corner by the Pumas, and gave them a real scare early on. They’re looking every bit a true SH side of the future. NZ played brilliantly – Cory Jane, Sonny Bill Williams, and Wepu were all fantastic. No bad performances from the AB’s today, still on course to win it.
Where have all the 10’s gone?
A thoroughly entertaining weekend of rugby has left us with one of the most open World Cups in history. NZ are still the team the team to beat although they under a lot of pressure and they are not the same team without Carter, nobody would be.
But it is the admission of Carter and the general depravity of fly halves that has been shocking, one of the biggest arguments that Wales can make for their chances is that they are the only team that seems to have a settled number 10, who is playing well at the moment.
If we look at the quarters: England, Wilkinson was awful in most things he did and couldn’t change the game plan on the field, Ireland, O’Gara was woeful as well making basic kicking errors and not recognizing that Ireland needed a different form of attack, Australia, Cooper played the worst game I have ever seen and even though he was not the only reason, he caused a lot of his teams problems, South Africa, Morne Steyn kicks well but with all that possession he should have created more when he saw boom, bash, wollop wasn’t working, New Zealand have serious issues but they seem to recognize it and Weepu really impressed taking a huge amount of the responsibility, France appear to have a perfectly capable fly half but the play with a scrum half instead, but their French and thats what they do.
The point being that their seems to be few players a the moment that command the game from 10, some lack the skills to execute but most lack the rugby brain to do so, others have the coaches plan so drilled into their head that they don’t think for themselves. Cooper doesn’t seem to care what he is doing.
I think this is due to the emphasis in modern rugby on athleticism. The smaller, so called footballing players have been left behind due to their defensive problems. The thing is bigger more powerful players usually grow up relying on their athleticism (nothing wrong with that) but it does mean they fail to develop other skills. The other reason is that I suspect that most coaches are control freaks and aren’t enamored with the idea of an independent thinker at 10, Cooper aside.
But the fact is that one of the biggest reason Ireland and especially SA lost is because lack of attacking options, it is all very well talking about how good modern defensive systems are but I have been extremely disappointed with the attacking options in this world cup. Modern players are too fit for you to just bash away for 60 minutes and wait for them to get tired. The better the defense gets the more varied the attack has to be and that means having a 10 that can change the point of attack during the game, otherwise we are playing American football, where everything is preprogrammed.
Carter is unique because one of the few who is able to change his game in accordance with the situation.
Two incorrectly given penalties Just before half time made the game into a farce. I think the ref is no good.
NZ in Carterless mode aren’t quite the same team , however based on Australia having used up all their luck against the Boks and having no semblance of a front five to match their backs and loose forwards they will get to the final.
If they hopefully face Wales there then we will not be embarrassed against them .
It´s gonna be great for Argentina to play in the 4 Nations, finally and annual competition. The next test match for the Pumas will be in June! the lack of international games pays off.
It was a good game of rugby, both teams were nervous and the AB´s looked confused at times. Piri was a sniper with his kicking! As an Argentinien I am proud with the performance and the defence. The AB´s had no Carter on the field, but we Also had no Tiesi, Lobbe and our star Hernandez. Cant wait to the 4 Nations and play against the best!!
I feel this game was testament to the current all black set up. Very average game on there part but still win by 23 points, Australia were lucky and i feel with dagg and kahui back for the all blacks the backline will be sured up. Also aaron Cruden is an amazing talent and beware Australia if he gets his chance
Hello everybody, from Patagonia, Argentina.
The best team won. Argentina played with a lot of skill and purpose, but didn’t get enough ball in the 2nd half to be a real threat. All Blacks were very very good. Piri Weepu was outstanding. But overall they were not great…there are holes in their team now. OJO, OJO, OJO: If Australia shut down Weepu they could beat the AB’s. The commentary in NZ had the arrogance to suggest the AB’s were holding something back. I don’t think so. NZ played brilliantly – Cory Jane, Sonny Bill Williams, and Wepu were all fantastic. No bad performances from the AB’s today, still on course to win it.
But my question is: Who is Senatore at 8? He cut the AB’s defense open with his running for that try. It was beautifully worked out to the corner by the Pumas, and gave them a real scare early on. What happens with South Africa next Sunday?
Argentina played defense like the Chinese Great Wall: I just wondering, if the AB learned the lesson. If not, may be France Les Blues in the final, may be South Africa in the semi final, they could spoil the NZ party.
Congratulations, next year we will join you to try to catch up the distance, you are the best. Mario E. Sigismondi
I find the line out positions very inaccurate, often twenty metres from where the ball crossed the line. Surely it is about time something was done about this.