Match thread

Unite

How good!!!!

Feel for France though, hard luck.

Great game!

Damo

Holy hell. Did not expect that.

I feel for the kicker.

Probably a fair enough result. Either team would have deserved to win.

nostrildamus

@No-Quarter said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

A 1 point win against the French at Eden Park in a RWC is very fitting

Should be balanced by a NZ win in the men's RWC final at Stade de France next year? Just to honour the symmetry?

Damo

I have to say that was one of the most enjoyable games I've seen all year.

Billy Tell

Is cocksedge TJPs sister? When you are ahead on the scoreboard and you get a penalty you kick into the corner. You don’t take a quick tap and hope the ref whistles not 10 m. Also it’s not a sin to play territory.

We were the better team but game management went AWOL and nearly cost us.

Tordah

Drouain didn't even take her time, so even if she scored, BFs would have had a chance, still. Very poor. Breakdown work from BFs was abysmal, some decision making questionable. BFs certainly got the rub from the ref, I thought. Some strong running but supporting cleanout too slow way too often

sparky

Darn that was close. A one point win against France at Eden Park, again!

nostrildamus

The French captain's speech was great. Gracious stuff even though hurting.

Canes4life

What are our chances against England?

Bovidae

If the BFs want to play a high tempo game how about picking halfbacks who can pass the ball with some speed and width, and not spend all night kicking aimlessly.

Stargazer

@Canes4life It will be difficult, but after watching the semi between Canada and England, I think we have a chance to beat them.

Jailbreak7

The Professor can have whatever salary he wants, what a catalyst for the womens game! Long may he continue. Team came together when it counted. Great game pretty tense and nerve-wracking.

Bovidae

@RoninWC said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

Why the fuck you go for 3 points when Holmes missed the conversion from a very similar spot when an attacking lineout made the most sense?

Yes. There were times when a kick to the corner was the best option but Cocksedge was determined to tap and go. Poor.

Jailbreak7

@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

If the BFs want to play a high tempo game how about picking halfbacks who can pass the ball with some speed and width, and not spend all night kicking aimlessly.

Amen to that.

nostrildamus

They are showing the highlights and when we kick / grubber ahead we split their line and their players are clearly at different speeds but we don't seem to return to that tactic even though they obviously had trouble with it..they weren't so good on the scramble IMHO..

Roos was huge. Kendra needs to know when to speed it up and when not to.

Not one question from Kirstie to Ruahei about the 2nd half tactics ..

Bones

The kick returns were awful too. We had France in a V at one stage and whoever it was, stood and waited for them to form a straight line, then ran straight into them.

taniwharugby

Was alot of panicked passing at times too, to go with the poor decision making, some calmer heads and that wouldn't have been close

ARHS

Just watched second half on delay. Picture quality was horrid for first 20. Tough to watch.
Well done girls. Sarah Hirini has unbelievable ticker. Luka Conner and Krystal Murray were awesome too. The Bremners went well. But somehow the work at rucks was not up to scratch.
I don't get how you can play with such a lack of kicking capability. Demant has no depth and Holmes seems inconsistent. Why on earth is Hazel Tubic not there to have us playing in the right part of the field more? Big calls for the coaches for next week?

Stargazer

@Damo Hirini agrees with you.

Crucial

Just enjoy the game and result and stop analysing everything. Save it for the early hours and the fat jokes.
I know we can’t help it with the ABs but how about leaving this area of the game to enjoy things?
It’s why I didn’t even open the thread during the match.
Check out that crowd. ABs might get more people but that was one of the best rugby crowds I have seen in NZ for enjoying being there and supporting.
Awesome days rugby. Both games had tension, skill, mistakes and players giving everything to the end.

Thought the ref got the big calls right. In the mens game they would have been reds but without the force of impact in Women’s game good calls.

Stargazer

@kev The most important thing was that both decisions were consistent. Not one red and the other yellow.

kiwiinmelb

Very different to mens rugby in that there is lots more execution errors , no criticism intended but it has a bit of a school boy rugby element to it ,

But you just got to go again and go again until you get there

nostrildamus

England will be interested in watching that game again.
Do we have a forwards coach? A little practice on ruck and ball security (and poaching at the lineout) might be a good idea..

Bovidae

Smith and Hansen will need to spend all week working on body height and support for the cleaners. France got players over the ball (not always legally) but England will flood the breakdown and counter-ruck. The BFs need to be more pragmatic in their own 22 and not risk running it every time.

The choice of ref will also be important. I'd much prefer Barrett-Theron than Neville but it might be Davidson or even Groizeleau.

@Crucial said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

Just enjoy the game and result and stop analysing everything. Save it for the early hours and the fat jokes.
I know we can’t help it with the ABs but how about leaving this area of the game to enjoy things?
It’s why I didn’t even open the thread during the match.
Check out that crowd. ABs might get more people but that was one of the best rugby crowds I have seen in NZ for enjoying being there and supporting.
Awesome days rugby. Both games had tension, skill, mistakes and players giving everything to the end.

I loved that game. Thought the skill level was great.

Canes4life

@Crucial said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

Just enjoy the game and result and stop analysing everything. Save it for the early hours and the fat jokes.
I know we can’t help it with the ABs but how about leaving this area of the game to enjoy things?
It’s why I didn’t even open the thread during the match.
Check out that crowd. ABs might get more people but that was one of the best rugby crowds I have seen in NZ for enjoying being there and supporting.
Awesome days rugby. Both games had tension, skill, mistakes and players giving everything to the end.

It’s because we have a higher expectation of the mens side because of the legacy they’ve built. An All Black test match crowd is totally different because the expectation for the men to perform is higher and the crowd is usually more serious.

With the Black Ferns, they are starting to create their own legacy but they don’t have the same weight on their shoulders because there isn’t that same pressure to perform.

Stargazer

@Canes4life I agree the Silver Ferns' expectation is low, because many here haven't seen much of the Black Ferns from previous World Cups. A lot of followers of women's rugby, however, will disagree. The Black Ferns have won 5 of the 6 women's RWCs. There is a huge legacy. The Black Ferns talk about that all the time. Of course there is a lot of expectation.

Crucial

@Canes4life said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

@Crucial said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

Just enjoy the game and result and stop analysing everything. Save it for the early hours and the fat jokes.
I know we can’t help it with the ABs but how about leaving this area of the game to enjoy things?
It’s why I didn’t even open the thread during the match.
Check out that crowd. ABs might get more people but that was one of the best rugby crowds I have seen in NZ for enjoying being there and supporting.
Awesome days rugby. Both games had tension, skill, mistakes and players giving everything to the end.

It’s because we have a higher expectation of the mens side because of the legacy they’ve built. An All Black test match crowd is totally different because the expectation for the men to perform is higher and the crowd is usually more serious.

With the Black Ferns, they are starting to create their own legacy but they don’t have the same weight on their shoulders because there isn’t that same pressure to perform.

Disagree. They have a massive legacy already but choose not to be weighed down by it.
The enjoyment from the players is as much in being there and playing.
I enjoy watching players enjoying themselves, smiling, laughing, dancing then smashing and bashing.
Hope it stays that way.
Like the BF 7s they are a breath of fresh air to a game that is getting stale by the day.
It’s not a criticism of anyone but some here have tried all year to get others on this ride and maybe understand the womens game is same but different but very entertaining. Glad that as many as possible are hopping on the bus, just try and except the differences and come for the ride.

booboo

@Crucial said in Black Ferns v France, RWC Semi Final:

Just enjoy the game and result and stop analysing everything. Save it for the early hours and the fat jokes.
I know we can’t help it with the ABs but how about leaving this area of the game to enjoy things?
It’s why I didn’t even open the thread during the match.
Check out that crowd. ABs might get more people but that was one of the best rugby crowds I have seen in NZ for enjoying being there and supporting.
Awesome days rugby. Both games had tension, skill, mistakes and players giving everything to the end.

Nah. We enjoy sport how we do, including post match analysis. If we didn't care we wouldn't worry.