Game over....or is it...Anyone want to discuss the final or is it a foregone conclusion

by ME-109 Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:10 pm

Now it might be a certain lack of French supporters on here but clearly the vast majority of people think the final is a foregone conclusion. Even Paddy Power is paying out on an AB win.

Is it really a foregone conclusion or is the discussion only around the usual if boring "we dont know which french team will turn up" Rolling Eyes

So what are the ABs facing....

1. France the nation that have knocked them out dramatically in two of the world cups.
2. France the only NH nation to have won a series in NZ and beaten the ABs three times in a row.
3. France the last NH team to beat NZ in NZ.
4. France who first beat NZ in 54 but have beaten them 11 times since the 70's (the last Welsh win was in the 50's to put in context)
5. France the most consistent (yes consistent) team in the 5ns and 6ns since the 70's. Their first tournament win was in 68 yet they have 10 Grand Slams since then with multiple tournament wins.
6. France who everyone says have been abject, poor and useless....but still they are in the final.

Although we all like to classify them as inconsistent and liable to fall on their own sword it is clear from the stats that this is just a made up. In the last 40 years they have been the best team of the NH...

No one expects them to win....in fact most people expect a slaughter...

is that really going to happen... chin

by Gatts Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:13 pm

Je suis Francais pour la duration.

Nous sommes gagnerais vous toutes noir mamanfeckers

mangez mon culottes

vive la france

vive lievremont

vive le rugby

by ME-109 Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:15 pm

En avant mes amies.....

by Gatts Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:18 pm

victoire ou mort!

by ME-109 Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:22 pm

Je me demande si il y a un record de commentaires en français ?

Tous les messages non français devraient être supprimés.
All non French posts should be deleted.

by Gatts Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:24 pm

J'en conviens, mais ils l'habitude lui permettre

by ME-109 Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:25 pm

Ses toi et moi contre la marée noire

by PJHolybloke Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:26 pm

Mangetout!

Peut etre? :gallic shrug:

by Gatts Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:28 pm

DOD wrote:Ses toi et moi contre la marée noire

oui, probablement le meilleur pour ne pas mentionner une maree noire!

by ME-109 Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:34 pm

Gatts wrote:
DOD wrote:Ses toi et moi contre la marée noire

oui, probablement le meilleur pour ne pas mentionner une maree noire!

Vrai...mais ma Francais n'est pas trés bien. Ce n'est pas aussi mauvais que "noir mamanfeckers"..bien?
- ca c'est trés drole...

by Gatts Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:39 pm

yeah we're gonna get pinged by Les mods, the red pen brigade...in my view it should be a yellow !

Allex les bleus, asta la vista

by Gatts Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:41 pm

PJHolybloke wrote:Mangetout!

Peut etre? :gallic shrug:

Mange mon chat

by Nos na Gaoithe Thu 20 Oct 2011, 11:57 pm

I ams Franche too... why do you think I post in dis silly accent you silly all black kniggits! You don't frighten us, New Zealander pig-dogs.... Go and boil your bottoms, sons of silly perrrsons. How you Kiwi people say: "I unclog my nose in your direction, sons of window-dressers!"

So, you think you could out-clever us French folk with your silly knees-bent running about avancing? No chance, Kiwi bed-wetting types. I burst my pimples at you and call your Webb Ellis fantasies a silly thing, you tiny-brained wipers of other people's bottoms!

by Gibson Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:12 am

Oooh le pee-at-door.

Not ONE good performance at this RWC - yet. Its coming. I can feel it in my Saint-Emillion filled waters. They un-planned it this way.

NZ sucker-punched in the Final. Genius.

Fais-les descendre la France! Show them yer willies.

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:19 am

There is one thing I would like to know. Its been bugging me since secondary school all those decades ago. It is

Ou est la centre George Pompidou ?

by Gatts Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:20 am

Garlic eating surrender monkeys they may be (The French govt issued a surrender when that oil refinery blew up in the UK a few years ago, just in case) they are like Cato in the Pink Panther, just when you aren't expecting it they sneak up and steal your coq au vin.

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:29 am

http://m.youtube.com/results?gl=IE&hl=en&client=mv-google&q=charles%20aznavour%20she&search_type=videos

by aucklandlaurie Fri 21 Oct 2011, 1:22 am

On va gagner............Nova Zealandia.

by samuraidragon Fri 21 Oct 2011, 6:58 am

Gatts wrote:Je suis Francais pour la duration.

Moi aussi!

Nous sommes gagnerais vous toutes noir mamanfeckers

Nous 'n'avons pas peur de l' Haka, mais les Tous Noirs ont peur de notre fromage

mangez mon culottes

Mangez mes chaussettes que j'ai porte chaque jour pour deux mois

vive la france

Oui, oui.

vive lievremont

Er - non, absolumment pas

vive le rugby

Oui. Vive le Rugby francais. Vive Serge Blanco, Vive Philippe Sella, Vive N'anga, Vive Michalak (et ou est-il maintenant?), Saint Andre, ete, etc.

Vive BB, vive Juliet Binoche, vive Catherine Deneuve , vive Sophie Marceau, Isabelle Adjani, Carla Bruni (c'est vrai que le monogamie est ennuyant)

Et Vive Gerard Depardieu aussi (main pas prochain de moi dans un avion)

by Gatts Fri 21 Oct 2011, 7:04 am

JE T'AIME

ENCORE!!!!

by dubh_linn Fri 21 Oct 2011, 7:07 am

A bas les toutes noires et allez la france et baise ta mere!!!!

by dubh_linn Fri 21 Oct 2011, 8:29 am

A bas les toutes noires et allez la france et baise ta mere!!!!

by newbie Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:24 pm

Started reading the original post which is relatively informative...after that the butchering of the french language and use of expletives (being of course the teenager approach to any foreign language) was a bit too much.

Having said that

Allez les bleues.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:30 pm

We should wait till the fat lady sings, but I'm pretty sure I can hear her warming up

by kiakahaaotearoa Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:53 pm

As a Francophile, I find the butchering of the French language here hard to stomach. Google Translate has a lot to answer for!

Of course France has a shot. They´re in the final. They don´t have the form of the All Blacks or their all-round presence across the park. But they have very talented players who can find a way to unlock the All Black defence. This World Cup, we´ve seen glimpses of the ABs under pressure (probably more from Argentina and Tonga!) but we haven´t seen them under sustained pressure and behind the scoreboard for any significant amount of time. That is the key for the French. Get points on the board and apply pressure.

Anything is possible. De toute facon, il faut que je le dise: allez Les Blacks. (In any event, I have to say it: go you black mother...) kia kaha

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Fri 21 Oct 2011, 12:55 pm

One head2head that I'm really looking forward to: Harinordoquy vs Read

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:02 pm

My apologies to all French speakers...I was trying to start a proper discussion...

Hopefully the game isnt too one sided I do expect the ABs to just pull through and win by about 5 (scoreline will be 20-15 or close enough I reckon). 2 tries to 1 with France leading 15-13 into the last quarter.

by kiakahaaotearoa Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:04 pm

God I hope not DOD. My nerves are shot and the ball hasn´t even be kicked off. Neutrals would like a thriller but give me peace of mind as far as I´m concerned! That said, I do tend to agree that the score will not be a blowout.

by fushnchups Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:09 pm

I'd be happy with a close scoreline at half time. Something like 48-0 to NZ.

Last week gave my nerves a shredding, I'm not sure I can go through it all again this week.

by HERSH Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:13 pm

If France win then they deserve it, I bet the Rolland household will have a bloody big knees up thumbsup

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:13 pm

Just some minor things to note that were different from the pool game just to get you a little more nervous.....

New starters for France - Mas, Servat in the front row. Harinordoquay in the back row. Medard in at FB instead of Traille and Pallisson on from the start...

New Zealand - no DC and Read instead of Thompson....

Some small but significant changes...

by chewed_mintie Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:16 pm

DOD wrote:Just some minor things to note that were different from the pool game just to get you a little more nervous.....

New starters for France - Mas, Servat in the front row. Harinordoquay in the back row. Medard in at FB instead of Traille and Pallisson on from the start...

New Zealand - no DC and Read instead of Thompson....

Some small but significant changes...

by **rodders** Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:20 pm

I think the main difference from the group game is that France will actually be motivated to win as opposed to going through the motions.

France have nothing to lose and that makes them very dangerous and certainly on paper they have a very good squad of players.

However no matter which way I look at it I just can't find an area were France are superior. I don't believe that they can outmuscle the AB's up front or through the middle or outclass them out wide. There's a few question marks about Cruden but thats about it, other wise the AB's are superior all over the park.

France's only hope is a goal kicking contest but I can't see that happening.

by eirebilly Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:24 pm

Agreed rodders, I am alos struggeling to see and area where France would dominate.

Its all on the day though and the AB's have a huge weight of expectation on their shoulders so anything can happen. If France do come out like they did against the AB's in the group phase but put points on the board then anything is possible.

by fushnchups Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:25 pm

NZ's defense had been less than robust in the early stages, and again we let in a soft try against Argentina (albeit containing a forward pass). I really thought we'd get found out against Australia, but we were rock solid.

After that performance, I kind of agree with you roddersm that I'm now struggling to see a definite weak area in AB play, other than maybe a slight over-tendency to kick the ball away on the 50/50 close gains needlessly rather than grind through enough ball retaining cycles or go deep for territory.

I think the selection of SBW is a big call. He lost it last week, even though the yellow card might have been harsh. If I had any selection worries, I might have tended to play HG on the wing for his out and out strike power and used Kahui as roving backline cover rather than Williams.

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:41 pm

Where was the forward pass in the argentinian try....I think you are mistaking it with another QF.

Lots of confident New Zealanders...yes indeed.

by fushnchups Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:42 pm

The overhead pass is definitely forward.

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:44 pm

Had just looked at it again before posting and nope cant say I see a forward pass..lateral at worst.

by fushnchups Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:46 pm

We'll agree to differ on that point then DOD. Luckily the AB's manned up and moved on afterwards, didn't get the yips, held tough, stood strong, had the mental toughness, drew a line in the sand, remained composed, dug deep, dug in, manned the trenches, regrouped, and any other metaphors for not going to pieces you might be able to add, and the rest is almost history.

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:49 pm

Indeed they did Fush...with a little help from Nigel Owens of course.

by **rodders** Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:53 pm

I do think France are well capable of capitalising if the AB's come into this game thinking they have 1 hand on the trophy. They have class players all over the pitch and are always dangerous.

The AB's need to focus on the game for what it is, another full blown test against a top tier side caplable of beating them.

If they do that and continue with the level they've been playing then they will be too strong, no matter what France do I think. McCaw, Thorn, Nonu, Smith and co just have so much experience now and I don't think the AB's will let this one slip.

by fushnchups Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:54 pm

I would've thought it was rather despite Nigel Owens, rather than with help from him on that occasion. He seemed to give Argentina 10 final warnings before he finally produced a yellow card, for what was some of the most prolific ball killing seen in the tournament.

If the IRB were handing out medals for negativity, Argentina would get the gold one.

by ME-109 Fri 21 Oct 2011, 3:57 pm

Indeed but as someon said if that was old Richie would he hace done it....not a snowballs chance...

Scored a great try and defended well...didnt get much change from Nigel on a few occassions but there you go..

anyways enjoy the game....

by fushnchups Fri 21 Oct 2011, 4:02 pm

DOD, are you trying to say NZ are only in the final because Nigel Owens officiated in a pro-NZ manner in the quaterfinal?

by disneychilly Fri 21 Oct 2011, 6:34 pm

I'm confident in our defence but you gotta remember **** happens. If we defend like we did against Aussie I'd say France would struggle to score one, but remember in 07 they scored when McAlister was in the bin and then off THAT pass. I'd like to think we will score two tries, so France would have to score at least that and have NZ indiscipline leak a few more kickable penalties.

That crowd though! I can see that crowd chanting every time they see an important moment, that happened on cue last weekend and it would be great to have that lift in key moments.

by Gibson Fri 21 Oct 2011, 6:49 pm

NZ had better score 2 or 3 tries. If France strangle them and it goes to a kicking-game... there will only be ONE winner. Yachvili and Parra are far superior to their NZ oppos.

I personally think France will open up a bit more and have a go - as well as nail their kicks. 1st 20 mins is vital to France's hopes. Defence must be water-tight and they must get in NZ'z faces for 80 mins.

This game could get very psychological. |France are Masters at that.

Having said all that - should be NZ by 10/15.

by Casartelli Fri 21 Oct 2011, 7:04 pm

The biggest anti-climax in sports history.

The only way France can compete is if the ref sends off 3 ABs in the first 5 mins for tackling too hard.

Otherwise, NZ by 15-20 - and if Carter was playing it would be 25-30.

If Hayman, Collins, Rush, Kelleher and Evans were playing it would be a margin of 50.

by Gibson Fri 21 Oct 2011, 7:17 pm

Casartelli wrote:The biggest anti-climax in sports history.

The only way France can compete is if the ref sends off 3 ABs in the first 5 mins for tackling too hard.

Otherwise, NZ by 15-20 - and if Carter was playing it would be 25-30.

If Hayman, Collins, Rush, Kelleher and Evans were playing it would be a margin of 50.

NZ... Don't come too soon. Or ye will suffer La Petite Mort.

by Cari Fri 21 Oct 2011, 7:40 pm

Up the All Blicks! Very Happy

by disneychilly Fri 21 Oct 2011, 7:58 pm

Ha Gibson I love the irony in that French expression! Nice multilingual play on words too Smile

Cheers Cari. Actually France opening it up could play into NZ's hands. Kind of hoping they do as they don't have an out and out 7, and NZ would win a few turnovers creating broken play. They are masters of putting you to the sword if you give the ball up.

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