It's actually a brilliant episode, and even JK has a number of pretty great things to say. 

networkn:

 

SA v Wales was a good match to watch. The state of the pitch was a disgrace though.

 

Scotland v Argentina was a classic. It was fantastic. Went down to the wire. 

 

As Handle9 said, Australia did enough to win against England. Defense was the difference I think. Australia seem to have improved a fair bit from last test season.

 

 

 

 

 

I give Aussie the favorites tag heading into the Bled Cup, they look to be playing as an actual unit and their forwards are a lot more mobile than our dead weight bunch. 

South Africa will absolutely pants us over there.

I heard someone say, it took a long time to get here, it's not going to be quick to get out of here. 

Kopkiwi:

 

I give Aussie the favorites tag heading into the Bled Cup, they look to be playing as an actual unit and their forwards are a lot more mobile than our dead weight bunch. 

 

South Africa will absolutely pants us over there.

 

You may be right. 

I would like to point out, that we went into the break 22-3 down, and at one stage we can come back to within 5 points. We stopped what was working for us, and allowed Ireland to wrest momentum back from us. This also happened against France too.

In reality, how many punters would bet against the AB's winning with 15 minutes to play and 5 points to catch up? 

We had a terrible first half, but we are also capable of scoring great tries and amassing points quickly.

I do not believe we are THAT far off when we play well. 

networkn:

 

Kopkiwi:

 

I give Aussie the favorites tag heading into the Bled Cup, they look to be playing as an actual unit and their forwards are a lot more mobile than our dead weight bunch. 

 

South Africa will absolutely pants us over there.

 

 

You may be right. 

 

I would like to point out, that we went into the break 22-3 down, and at one stage we can come back to within 5 points. We stopped what was working for us, and allowed Ireland to wrest momentum back from us. This also happened against France too.

 

In reality, how many punters would bet against the AB's winning with 15 minutes to play and 5 points to catch up? 

 

We had a terrible first half, but we are also capable of scoring great tries and amassing points quickly.

 

I do not believe we are THAT far off when we play well. 

 

 

 

Thing is, I don't that this Irish team is better than SA and Australia. We start like we have against those two and we will be more than 19 points behind at HT, I think we made Ireland look better by virtue of how bad we were.

With regards to closing that gap in points, we completely upped the tempo and started playing some fast paced Rugby. Epsecially at the breakdown, Smith f$$$$ed off with his slow clearance and Akira and Ardie took to the pick and go from the base and Ireland really started scrambling. Then we made that knock on when on attack (cane?) and it completely changed momentum.

One thing I do find quite amusing, is that it wasn't that long ago, people wanted other teams to beat us because Rugby was boring when only one team wins. 

Any team in the top 6 could beat another team in the top 6 if they play well. 

There is no real sense like there was 3 years ago, that you mostly knew the outcome of a match prior to it being played. 

Handle9: Ireland aren’t better than Australia? Have you ever watched the two teams play?

Based on the series so far this year, I think Aussie would beat them. Seems Rennie has them playing as a unit pretty well, very different team to the rubble of yesteryear

networkn:

 

One thing I do find quite amusing, is that it wasn't that long ago, people wanted other teams to beat us because Rugby was boring when only one team wins. 

 

Any team in the top 6 could beat another team in the top 6 if they play well. 

 

There is no real sense like there was 3 years ago, that you mostly knew the outcome of a match prior to it being played. 

 

 

 

 

 

Never wanted that, never brought into the mindset. Could not give a toss what other countries need us to do for the betterment of the game.

Kopkiwi:

 

Handle9: Ireland aren’t better than Australia? Have you ever watched the two teams play?

 

Based on the series so far this year, I think Aussie would beat them. Seems Rennie has them playing as a unit pretty well, very different team to the rubble of yesteryear

 

You're in lala land.

Ireland are a considerably better team than England and Australia at the moment. It's reflected in their ranking and their performances.

networkn:

 

The vitriol toward Foster and Cane is unhinged. I honestly feel pretty disgusted with how NZ fans on the whole are dealing with losses against good quality, well coached teams, as if we are simply unable to comprehend that we may not, right now, be the best team in the world. 

 

It's been apparent for some time we aren't the best team in the world. The lack of any recognition of this by NZR has caused the vitriol.

networkn:

 

artbloke:

 

Every person in a ruck/breakdown isn't available on attack/defense. It's a balance. Some teams it will be more effective than others against. Ireland we got turned over a bit, or at least isolated. We got pinged a few times for cleanouts past the ruck. That was dumb stuff, esp to get pinged repeatedly for. 

 

What was frustrating was losing our own lineouts. 

 

 

You are right (though 4 lost lineouts in the first half is really bad too), so how do we fix our breakdown? 

 

I know you're on your own a bit in the thread but quoting yourself and agreeing?

Handle9:

 

It's been apparent for some time we aren't the best team in the world. The lack of any recognition of this by NZR has caused the vitriol.

 

People have hated on Foster before he even took charge. When it was announced he was a candidate. Not just a bit of dislike, or doubt he was the right guy for the job, total absolute vitriol. 

We beat Argentina and Australia by record margins, does he get any credit at all? Nope, should have been by more, should have selected different players, why did that player drop the ball, all Fosters fault. 

You'd think he had been murdering babies :) We lost some test matches to excellent sides who played well. (and yes, I strongly dislike us losing too).

Do you think he should be fired/resign? Who replaces him?

artbloke:

 

On our own ball we should always have good numbers to clean, it's the only way to consistently recycle as quick as possible, which stops them from slowing our ball down, getting turn overs, also us getting pinged through lack of numbers.

 

It's not about numbers, it's about accuracy and timing. If you get 2 players to the breakdown with correct technique and timing you win your own ball. If you get 4 players there but they get there late you'll lose the possession anyway - the jackaller will have the turnover.

If you commit a lot of numbers to the break down and you win the ball then the opposition will commit none and let you have it. Then they have 13 on their feet against 10 in your team and you are screwed.

Handle9:

 

I know you're on your own a bit in the thread but quoting yourself and agreeing?

 

Oops.