Refereeing analysis of the 2011 RWC final.

First topic message reminder :

There has been a lot of talking about referees and quite a bit of damnation for some of them.

I found this Video Clip on another site and it is an analysis (quite biased in my view) on the 2011 RWC, it is definitely Frnech produced as you can find the Rench version on youtube as well, and the lady commenting on this clip is certainly french from her accent.

Anyway it is not for the faint hreated or those with quezzy stomachs, so I suggest you get yourself a cup of coffee, or a few beers if you are that way inclined and sit back, the video clip is 30 minutes long.

Note that the analysis criticises Richie McCaw heavily and rips Craig Joubert apart, according to the analysis the Frnach missed out on 27 points potentially, but there is little if any shown of what the French did wrong.

It is propoganda that shows one side of a story, still rather interesting.

thebluesmancometh wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Thats pretty much it except none of that directly explains why we are consistently no. 1. They are contributing factors. I agree. In terms of the onfield approach and particularly since the 80's we've adopted a very open and attacking style of play based on the fact that we love to run and pass the ball, and place enjoyment of the game at all levels as a priority. In being able to do that we like to keep things simple, stick to the basics but do them very well.

That thinking prevents any chance of getting bogged down by bureaucracy in the game because ultimately if the enjoyment of watching the AB's not only win, but win in style and win well is removed from the public eye then that is where the accountability for our game starts, immediately.

That is what keeps us at the top. The public expectation of the AB's on the field. And nothing is allowed to compromise that concept.

The downstream impacts are huge for our youth...'we all want to play like the All Blacks' sets everyone on the right path through school, age, club and higher honours.

My point simply being, and you seem to be validating it with the influences on Welsh rugby- outdated programmes and structures etc that in general, we tend to think about the game better than most, particularly in terms of what it takes to maintain a competitive advantage over others.

It's like banging your head against an arrogant brick wall...

Yeah...Guess theres a bit of that going on ay?

whocares wrote:So in another news, understand that McCaw has prolonged his sabbatical and wont play the summer tests against France. So whats next, hope a recall of Donald is not on the cards !

It goes further than that he's not playing any games this season for the Crusaders. last week he was in Sri Lanka promoting Fonterra. any way have a read.\


http://m.news24.com/sport24/Rugby/Super15/McCaw-to-miss-S15-season-20130413

thanks for the link. Will he get the captaincy back on his return?

Absolutely he will. This is all an effort agreed between McCaw and Hansen to best preserve McCaw through to 2015. To be able to have the McCaw we know rather than a worn out broken down version of the same- something common these days.

It might not wor, its a risk, and there may be better options but at least its another sign of McCaws absolute dedication to the side- the complete break while injury free a rare commodity- something not easily understood overseas perhaps. Nor here as well...

It's a really interesting question for the All Blacks. We have often struggled at world cup time to get our 1st XV on the paddock. You have to have depth and brought on younger players, that can step into the breech when older players start to fade. It's true for all teams.

To my mind the AB's have only really managed to get right in 87. In 91 the team was aging and many players were past there best. A lack of rotation and blooding of players left us no option. 95 was about right but sickness and great heart from the boks impacted at final hurdle. 99, 03 and 07 we managed to go in with out a real centre. Whilst the play of the opposition played a major part a top class team shouldn't be playing a makeshift backline. In the last two world cups we've been desperately unlucky with injuries to 1st fives.

In terms of the current team, we have aging players. I think most of players mentioned (Carter, McCaw, Smith, Hore, Mealamu, Williams and Woodcock) will struggle to make the world cup. I'd add Corey and Kaino to the mix as well. I think managing the4 transition and bring players on is a key issue for the team. For that reason alone I'm glad they've given Hansen certainty with his contract.

This year is going to be a hard year for us. Both the boks and Wallabies should be better this year as their young team matures. It's unlikely the Wallabies will suffer the massive injury toll they had to endure last year.

The advantage we have at the moment is some potentially great players coming through from past under sides. Players like Piatau, Luatua, Coles Ben Smith , Bird, Afeaki, Perenara and Ardie Savea could all challenge for starting places. I think if we have a real weakness depth wise, it's likely to be at centre (ah crap here we go again) and 1st 5 (not again).

After watching ranger at wing I'm convinced with his maturity and awareness of others/ space etc he's now better suited to centre- his Blues matches have confirmed that. The ball is to him too late at wing. Both Piatau and Anscombe are looking good at FB. Luatua was great on the weekend as well.

I thought the ABs we're a bit too up and down last year and a lot of that had to do with older players not being at their best and even some young players just getting tired.

For 2015 I would count out Woodcock, Mealamu, Hore, Williams, Carter and may be count out McCaw and Smith.
If Kaino can have a good rest before coming back then he has a good chance of being in good condition in 2015 otherwise the loose forwards are well served with Read, Luatua, Shields, Vito, Savea, Cane and Todd, Whitelock who are all young and worth a look.
I don't think 10 is too much of an issue actually - Barrett will sort his sh*t out and start at 10 with Cruden backing him up so 10 is no problem.

Am worried about our midfield a bit with Nonu and Smith getting becoming less effective in a few years. My replacements at this stage would be SBW and Kahui though neither will be playing rugby in NZ shortly.

Hooker isn't great with only Coles doing a good job - I don't think Elliot is going to make it. Though the Auckland guy might step up

It's going to be interesting. We should have a better idea about centre by the end of the year. SBW's playing league, Conrad Smith is sitting out the rugby championship, Ranger and Kahui are off overseas, Ellison's injured. It's getting a bit bare. I wouldn't be surprised if they use Ben Smith and Nonu. The other options aren't great.

You sound worried bc? Honestly I wouldnt be. We blooded 12 new caps last year with one test loss all year and none could be called failures, some were stunning successes- Savea, A Smith etc... and this year a whole new bunch look to be appearing.

Don't discount the emergence of Auckland providing more to the higher level- we forget they used to be the main production line for the AB's and havnt been for at least 15 years. To have done so well without them this long you can only imagine how strong the AB's could get with them having some real depth.

That and the ability of the Canes and Chiefs and even also the saders in the several matches this year blooding so many young players themselves every season means we have a better chance of finding one of those players that doesnt need years of experience to develop. Things are looking realy good at this stage from what I can see.

I think the difference between this year and last year. Is that we didn't lack depth a key position like centre. This year there are form players and incumbents like Kahui, Smith and Ranger. Ranger would be the newbie that put his hand up (I know he's not new). None of them will be around for the RC. Otago been dreadful (there backline needed Ellision) and that only really leaves Fruen with much game time. He's a big lad, but I think there questions about his defence and fitness. Otherwise we are done to the likes of Saili and Ngati etc. I think we can still do it, but I can't see a bolter coming through this year. Going forward I agree with you, 3 years is a fair bit of time.

Taylorman, I don't think we were that good last year. It was a loss, a draw and some pretty poor games in my opinion. I think some moments of individual brilliance saved us but that the system was set which is why we struggled sometimes.
I'm not sure it will get a lot better this year.
I can imagine us losing once to SA and Aus this year and who the heck knows what will happen with France.

This year I'm going to New Plymouth to watch the French test and have my usual seat at the Caketin for Aus. I'm even going to Palmerston North to see the Canes take on the Stormers.

Why not cap Ranger this summer so that he stays another year in NZ? As far as I know his move to France is not a done deal.

nganboy wrote:
I don't think 10 is too much of an issue actually - Barrett will sort his sh*t out and start at 10 with Cruden backing him up so 10 is no problem.

Barrett better than AC?

Ngans a cane fan through and through. BB is the type that will be around the scene a while. Just don't think he''ll nail an AB spot permanently. Even Cruden will be left out when his error rate lifts he plays such a high velocity game and losses tend to target the high risk areas.

I think an issue with both Barret and Cruden, when combined with Aaron Smith is the defence in close to the ruck. None of these guys are great defensively. It will be interesting to see if Weepu makes the cut, I think he will.

Still think it'll be Perenara ahead of allcomers by the time 15' rolls around. Showed quick wit to stop Luatua's try the way he did.

Talent in spades and strength and conficence to boost. Has already appeared as a guest host on ReUnion and even handled that like a pro. Ticks all the boxes bar test experience for me. Bit like a young Piri who's never been introduced to the pie man...

Taylorman I am cane's fan for sure but I think that Barrett is better at this stage in his career than Cruden was at the same stage in his career eg Cruden 2/3 years ago. So I'm optimistically extrapolating that by 2015 Barrett will be better than Cruden. I did say he needs to sort his sh*t out.
So Perenara and Barrett retaining the RWC for us.

To be fair to the Pieman he is looking good this year probably the best 9 on the park right now.

Yeah in Auckland they put him on vege pies from St Helliers...not that rugged stuff you get from the Wairarapa that they give to the Wainui League club on the corner there that hes used to.

So, do you think this thread has run its course yet, Biltong?

Taylor, one of the best pies I ever had was in Methven. SI, I know... but the young lady behind the counter was very honest with my change. I have no gripes whatsoever about your pies nor the official service in said pie shop.

That's because she was good honest Canterbury folk LB. You would've got shafted in Cadrona!

Funny you mention that, Kia. Mum's (a 'Canterbury Lamb') has just done the old Otago rail line bike thing. Safe in Middlemarch, QT tomorrow.

I'll text her to keep away from the pies... but I think she'll be too knackered to go up to Cadrona

That's why I mentioned it mate. There's a great multi-sport race down there at this time of year called The Gold Rush: kayaking, cycling, running and mountain biking. Beautiful place to do a four day race. Helps the pain when you can take in those kinds of views.

Linebreaker wrote:So, do you think this thread has run its course yet, Biltong?

Taylor, one of the best pies I ever had was in Methven. SI, I know... but the young lady behind the counter was very honest with my change. I have no gripes whatsoever about your pies nor the official service in said pie shop.

Methven? Never been there myself( Why would I he asks but a lurking kia might pick me up on that one!)

Been all around it. Pies seem to be a lost art these days. Bit like our fruit. Why its so hard to get a genuine, juicy plum , peach or nectarine from the supermarkets Ill never know.

Im due another South Island visit so might just go see some of the places Ive never seen...

Don't like pies.

You'd prefer them to Bryce's quiche though?

What's old Bryce up to these days?

Retired to his little farm in the outback?

Merhven is the stop after skiing at mt hutt or mt slut as it's more commonly known. Shameful you haven't explored the South Island tman. I am heading to nz this September so will be sure to stock up on places of great natural beauty there.

Biltong wrote:What's old Bryce up to these days?

Retired to his little farm in the outback?

No mate, Gold Coast penthouse I think...

Hope he isn't here all on his own though?

No, he has Meter Maids there to attend to his every need.

http://www.metermaids.com/

Sick isn't it?

aucklandlaurie wrote:

whocares wrote:So in another news, understand that McCaw has prolonged his sabbatical and wont play the summer tests against France. So whats next, hope a recall of Donald is not on the cards !

It goes further than that he's not playing any games this season for the Crusaders. last week he was in Sri Lanka promoting Fonterra. any way have a read.\


http://m.news24.com/sport24/Rugby/Super15/McCaw-to-miss-S15-season-20130413

Maybe, during his time off, he should come over to Scotland and coach our forwards. In no time we could have a pack expert in flopping over the ball and never getting pinged for it.