@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
Black Ferns No 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u has been ruled out of Rugby World Cup final against England.
The powerful young No 8 was replaced at halftime in the semifinal win over France after hurting her thumb, an injury which will see her miss the final.
I would select Kennedy Simon at no.8 and have Charmain McMenamin in the reserves.
Bugger, she's been great
@Stargazer said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
@Bovidae Not if Mikaele-Tu'u is available. She's been great and I'd keep her at 8. Just as physical as her brother and same huge workrate.
She's out mate. That's what the post said. Broken thumb?
@Stargazer I copied the relevant info from the Stuff article (which they will update).
Think this is a good thing. Freshen up the pack, who were incredible last week. If it is Mcmeniman she will be hungry to show what she can do and will bring renewed vigour and fire.
Speaking of no.8s, did Sarah Hunter go off with an injury? I had the TV on mute and wasn't watching all the time.
@booboo said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
Thought McMenimen was awesome against Aus
It's her time to shine then
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referee 1: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
Assistant Referee 2: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
@Joans-Town-Jones said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
Does anyone give the BFs a chance? I'm 70/30 in favour of England.
50/50 for me. I’m prepared for a nail biter
Much will depend on small moments. A penalty that provides a 5 metre lineout, a spilled ball that turns into a transition from defence to attack.
These chest on tackles where the tackles players head jolts forward into the shoulder of the tackler seem common too.
@canefan said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
@Stargazer said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
@Crucial Yep, I agree with you! A win will show them what good support of the BFs and women's rugby can achieve! And it benefits all NZ rugby if they win. I think they're really inspiring young kids, girls and boys, to pick up a rugby ball and start playing the game.
It's NZR though. We all know that SR Aupiki is not good enough as a high level comp in its current format. It should at least be a full home and away comp + a final (and 3rd place play-off), with players being paid enough to enable them to participate for a longer period than 3-4 weeks. Currently, there are players who have to see 'no' to SR Aupiki because they can't risk losing their jobs. They need more financial security. The BFs have their own sponsors; maybe use the BFs success (whether they win the Final, or not) to find a few more sponsors for SR Aupiki so they can pay players more than the bare minimum to survive for 3-4 weeks.
They should be resourced by NZR no matter how much revenue they bring in. Sometimes it's not just about money, it's for the good of the game
But what’s “good” is usually in the eye of the beholder especially when it comes to allocating a limited amount of money.
Well right now the weather ain't looking good...gonna be alot of rain around Thurs/Friday and just rain possibly clearing in the evening.
@taniwharugby said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
Well right now the weather ain't looking good...goanna be alot of rain around Thurs/Friday and just rain possibly clearing in the evening.
Stop over analysing, geez. Educate yourself and just enjoy the game.
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
A better set piece than France so if it’s a grind we will need to be on our game.
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
The French defence is better despite losing to England? England have conceded 50 points, France 45 however the points differential is in favour of England 146 vs 73. There's not a lot in it.
@Stargazer said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
Dude
Hah! He deleted that one so his one could look like the shiz 
@Stargazer said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
Dude
@Bones said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Stargazer said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
Dude
Hah! He deleted that one so his one could look like the shiz
Nah, I've seperated it.
Didn't think that pissy whiny article was a good way to kick the match thread off!
Feilding represent
@Joans-Town-Jones said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
The French defence is better despite losing to England?
Yes. One try each in that game despite England having 67% possession and 70% territory. France made 227 tackles.
In the pool games and QF France conceded only one other try (against SA) before playing NZ. Fiji scored 3 tries in their pool game against England and England conceded 5 in total before the SF.
@Bovidae said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Joans-Town-Jones said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
The French defence is better despite losing to England?
Yes. One try each in that game despite England having 67% possession and 70% territory. France made 227 tackles.
In the pool games and QF France conceded only one other try (against SA) before playing NZ. Fiji scored 3 tries in their pool game against England and England conceded 5 in total before the SF.
Hopefully the stats bear out in the final and we can find a little space to do our thing
@Bovidae said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Joans-Town-Jones said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
The French defence is better despite losing to England?
Yes. One try each in that game despite England having 67% possession and 70% territory. France made 227 tackles.
In the pool games and QF France conceded only one other try (against SA) before playing NZ. Fiji scored 3 tries in their pool game against England and England conceded 5 in total before the SF.
Oz also sliced open their backline on the one occasion they got them going backwards and Canada regularly made breaks but weren't connected enough in attack to complete.
Don't want to sound snarky but that (very good) length of the field try that England scored and supposedly showed how they can play with expanse wasn't as great as it is being sung about IMO. The breakout from behind the line was because they knew the French fullback was down receiving attention and there was a huge amount of room that side. The rest of the French team were forward and on attack. Good execution and thinking from a turnover but it was also a non defence.
Yes this is a handful of straws I am grasping.
@Crucial said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Joans-Town-Jones said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
The French defence is better despite losing to England?
Yes. One try each in that game despite England having 67% possession and 70% territory. France made 227 tackles.
In the pool games and QF France conceded only one other try (against SA) before playing NZ. Fiji scored 3 tries in their pool game against England and England conceded 5 in total before the SF.
Oz also sliced open their backline on the one occasion they got them going backwards and Canada regularly made breaks but weren't connected enough in attack to complete.
Don't want to sound snarky but that (very good) length of the field try that England scored and supposedly showed how they can play with expanse wasn't as great as it is being sung about IMO. The breakout from behind the line was because they knew the French fullback was down receiving attention and there was a huge amount of room that side. The rest of the French team were forward and on attack. Good execution and thinking from a turnover but it was also a non defence.
Yes this is a handful of straws I am grasping.
Kind of puzzled with this post.
Are you trying to convince yourself it wasn’t a great try?
@Bovidae said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Joans-Town-Jones said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
The French defence is better despite losing to England?
Yes. One try each in that game despite England having 67% possession and 70% territory. France made 227 tackles.
In the pool games and QF France conceded only one other try (against SA) before playing NZ. Fiji scored 3 tries in their pool game against England and England conceded 5 in total before the SF.
Furry muff.
@MajorRage said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Crucial said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Joans-Town-Jones said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Bovidae said in Black Ferns v England - RWC Final:
The English defence isn't as strong as the French defence, so I'd be confident the BFs can create more scoring opportunities. They just need to take them.
The French defence is better despite losing to England?
Yes. One try each in that game despite England having 67% possession and 70% territory. France made 227 tackles.
In the pool games and QF France conceded only one other try (against SA) before playing NZ. Fiji scored 3 tries in their pool game against England and England conceded 5 in total before the SF.
Oz also sliced open their backline on the one occasion they got them going backwards and Canada regularly made breaks but weren't connected enough in attack to complete.
Don't want to sound snarky but that (very good) length of the field try that England scored and supposedly showed how they can play with expanse wasn't as great as it is being sung about IMO. The breakout from behind the line was because they knew the French fullback was down receiving attention and there was a huge amount of room that side. The rest of the French team were forward and on attack. Good execution and thinking from a turnover but it was also a non defence.
Yes this is a handful of straws I am grasping.
Kind of puzzled with this post.
Are you trying to convince yourself it wasn’t a great try?
At the time I thought that the commentary was over hyping how good it was and other media have just fed off that. It was certainly good vision to take the advantage offered, and well executed but from the moment the ball was about 20m out from their own line is was pretty clear field.
I have seen better tries this tournament and dont think it is a sign that England have finally worked out how to play running rugby. Just my opinion.
My concern is that we'll get trapped in our own half and ground down by the English set-piece (a familiar story). We don't seem to have any distance in our kicking game which makes it hard to play for territory, basically have to rely on running it back or a string of penalties to get down the field.
I have nightmares of us getting strangled in a dour match of set piece chess, still I think if we get an early lead and make England chase the game we stand a good chance.
I'm about 80/20 for England but hope I'm wrong!
Wayne Smith factor makes it closer to 50/50 IMO.
@Frye said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
Wayne Smith factor makes it closer to 50/50 IMO.
They have 2/3 of the 2011 cartel. The effect on the team has been dramatic
Black Ferns team for the Final:
1: Phillipa Love (24)
2: Georgia Ponsonby (12)
3: Amy Rule (11)
4: Maiakawanakaukani Roos (13)
5: Chelsea Bremner (11)
6: Alana Bremner (12)
7: Sarah Hirini (16)
8: Charmaine McMenamin (30)
9: Kendra Cocksedge (67)
10: Ruahei Demant (25) – co-captain
11: Portia Woodman (24)
12: Theresa Fitzpatrick (17)
13: Stacey Fluhler (24)
14: Ruby Tui (9)
15: Renee Holmes (9)
16: Luka Connor (13)
17: Krystal Murray (8)
18: Santo Taumata (6)
19: Joanah Ngan-Woo (16)
20: Kennedy Simon (12) – co-captain
21: Ariana Bayler (7)
22: Hazel Tubic (21)
23: Ayesha Leti-I’iga (20)
Unavailable due to injury: Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
@Stargazer said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
Black Ferns team for the Final:
1: Phillipa Love (24)
2: Georgia Ponsonby (12)
3: Amy Rule (11)
4: Maiakawanakaukani Roos (13)
5: Chelsea Bremner (11)
6: Alana Bremner (12)
7: Sarah Hirini (16)
8: Charmaine McMenamin (30)
9: Kendra Cocksedge (67)
10: Ruahei Demant (25) – co-captain
11: Portia Woodman (24)
12: Theresa Fitzpatrick (17)
13: Stacey Fluhler (24)
14: Ruby Tui (9)
15: Renee Holmes (9)16: Luka Connor (13)
17: Krystal Murray (8)
18: Santo Taumata (6)
19: Joanah Ngan-Woo (16)
20: Kennedy Simon (12) – co-captain
21: Ariana Bayler (7)
22: Hazel Tubic (21)
23: Ayesha Leti-I’iga (20)Unavailable due to injury: Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
A good team with one glaring exception.
I'm a big fan of Smith as a coach but WTF is this blind faith in Cocksedge?
[mod edit]Removed the last sentence. Just a joke obviously but it shifted the thread replies in a bad direction[/mod edit]
@RoninWC said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
@Stargazer said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:
Black Ferns team for the Final:
1: Phillipa Love (24)
2: Georgia Ponsonby (12)
3: Amy Rule (11)
4: Maiakawanakaukani Roos (13)
5: Chelsea Bremner (11)
6: Alana Bremner (12)
7: Sarah Hirini (16)
8: Charmaine McMenamin (30)
9: Kendra Cocksedge (67)
10: Ruahei Demant (25) – co-captain
11: Portia Woodman (24)
12: Theresa Fitzpatrick (17)
13: Stacey Fluhler (24)
14: Ruby Tui (9)
15: Renee Holmes (9)16: Luka Connor (13)
17: Krystal Murray (8)
18: Santo Taumata (6)
19: Joanah Ngan-Woo (16)
20: Kennedy Simon (12) – co-captain
21: Ariana Bayler (7)
22: Hazel Tubic (21)
23: Ayesha Leti-I’iga (20)Unavailable due to injury: Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
A good team with one glaring exception.
I'm a big fan of Smith as a coach but WTF is this blind faith in Cocksedge?
[mod edit]
Neither of the others demanded selection ahead of her tbf. Sure, they had to also overcome the experience points she gets but she directs the players around her better.
Overplayed her hand last week and I think Smith will have given her a rark up about that.
If she starts then at least there is the option of taking her off.
McMenamin is bigger than Simon so I can sort of understand the logic. It will be interesting to see who Simon replaces. If Hirini is being outmuscled at the breakdown she should be subbed.
I expect the English forwards to bring the heat at the breakdown so Cocksedge needs to get the ball away ASAP instead of doing her Marshall traffic cop impersonation.
