Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#3147482 14-Oct-2023 12:54

I'd like to think we have moved on as ABs fans since 2007, at least some of us anyway.

All I ask really, is for it to be a 'clean' game. No yellow or red cards. No controversial officiating and an even application of the rules. However, I believe that is unlikely with the current state of the game.

If that happens, then team skill, luck and the "bounce of the rugby ball" will decide the outcome.

If Ireland and France "get up" there is a good chance of a first time champion because that would leave England as the only previous winners (so Go Fiji!). It would be nice to see a new name on the trophy.

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#3147483 14-Oct-2023 13:04

Yes a win by Fiji would be right up there for Rugby. I would love that. I think they do have a chance to beat England to be honest. Either way, exciting games this weekend all round, but Ireland/NZ is sure going to be a nail biter.

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#3147484 14-Oct-2023 13:07

networkn:

So I have been thinking about Ireland for a bit. I am not saying we will win tomorrow morning but there are some points to consider:

3 of the tests we have lost to Ireland have come off the back of the following factors:

1) Heavy injuries forced us to play many players out of position.

2) A Red Card and 2 yellows in the second test of their tour. Pretty hard to win against anyone decent in that circumstance. Assuming all players stay on the field, that should even the contest a bit.

3) The third test they should have lost a player to the bin for the game for Retallicks broken cheek.

All good points but have you considered there's been losses to Ireland and South Africa and France and others in the last couple of years?

The NH teams have a similar game plan against the ABs , and everyone else. I predict it will be kick kick kick, penalty penalty penalty.

If the ABs try their running game they'll be stifled and penalised out of the game.

If they play the NH style, it will be close but boring.

Should be a good game!

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#3147494 14-Oct-2023 14:10

Dingbatt:

I'd like to think we have moved on as ABs fans since 2007, at least some of us anyway.

Reading the vitriol toward Foster after every loss, I think it's pretty marginal.

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#3147495 14-Oct-2023 14:14

elpenguino:

All good points but have you considered there's been losses to Ireland and South Africa and France and others in the last couple of years?

The NH teams have a similar game plan against the ABs , and everyone else. I predict it will be kick kick kick, penalty penalty penalty.

If the ABs try their running game they'll be stifled and penalised out of the game.

If they play the NH style, it will be close but boring.

Should be a good game!

Yup, we have lost some games, but we have won some good games too. Ireland are a great team, they could easily beat us tomorrow. I just don't think it's as forgone a conclusion as some fans I guess. We aren't a bad team. We haven't found our winning habit of the last 2 generations of teams. We lack that self belief and edge that teams of the past had.

Scotland looked well beaten by Ireland, but ran in 2 beautiful tries at the end. It was clear that Ireland were really struggling in the last 20. Our forwards are better than Scotlands and if we can keep the pace quick, opportunities will come.

I wouldn't begrudge Ireland the win so long as it's played in good spirit and not controversial.

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#3147596 15-Oct-2023 02:20

I’m dropping in for a special guest report from Paris.

Paris is buzzing with heaps of Irish supporters but also plenty of kiwis and Boks. It’s going to be quite cool tonight, it’s down to 15 degrees and still 6 hours to kick off. It’s literally 10 degrees cooler than the same time yesterday.

It’s going to be a great night, regardless of the result.

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Handle9

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#3147605 15-Oct-2023 07:27

Conditions are perfect. There were some showers earlier but there’s no wind in the stadium and it’s relatively warm.

The atmosphere is phenomenal. It’s a great stadium and you feel very close to the action.

The stadium is probably 30% Irish so it’ll be hostile and loud. 35 minutes to kickoff. It’s getting very real now.

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#3147632 15-Oct-2023 09:51

Good match

Handle9

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#3147633 15-Oct-2023 09:56

What a privilege to have been at that game.

So much heart. I felt like I was going to be sick in the last 5.

Dingbatt

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#3147680 15-Oct-2023 11:18

Handle9: What a privilege to have been at that game.

So much heart. I felt like I was going to be sick in the last 5.

I agree. You were there for a game worthy of being the final. The other one will be same time, same place, tomorrow.

I had to take my watch off for the last 10 minutes because it kept warning me of an elevated resting heart rate!

Shame about the first yellow card. Correct by the letter of the law, but grazing past Smith’s pinky isn’t a deliberate knock-on. No question about the second yellow. If a penalty try is awarded, someone has to go to the bin.

The flipside occurred in the Wales/Argentina game, where a shoulder to head contact was called by the TMO. On examination it was determined the player was falling and was collateral to the tackle. So not foul play, play on.

The ABs marquee players stood up in this match. Particularly (but not limited to) Savea and Cane.

Edit: Great that there will be at least one Southern Hemisphere team in the final.

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#3147691 15-Oct-2023 11:38

Dingbatt:

Edit: Great that there will be at least one Southern Hemisphere team in the final.

With no disrespect to Argentina of course.

But yea was an awesome game.

I feel like if the ABs defense could hold up against the final few minutes of the Irish attack, they can survive anything any side could throw at them in the final two games coming up.

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Dingbatt

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#3147693 15-Oct-2023 11:47

mrgsm021:

With no disrespect to Argentina of course.

Yeah, that was my point. Either NZ or Argentina will be in the final.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

invisibleman18

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#3147726 15-Oct-2023 14:36

Epic rugby quarter final but result was never in doubt IMO. Ireland the best they have ever been but still can't get past that quarter final hurdle. Will they ever have a better chance?
Guess that means an NZ-France final in a rematch of the opening game.

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#3147734 15-Oct-2023 15:30

couple of things

1. why did we give the ball to the Irish in the last 6 mins. nearly gave the game away but for Barrett and Whitelock

2. we survived Wayne Barnes but the two might meet again and we have to survive him again unless England go through ...

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#3147735 15-Oct-2023 15:32

invisibleman18: Epic rugby quarter final but result was never in doubt IMO. Ireland the best they have ever been but still can't get past that quarter final hurdle. Will they ever have a better chance?
Guess that means an NZ-France final in a rematch of the opening game.

if that happens you know there is this guy called Wayne Barnes ....

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