Also potentially the weather
Some key things for me
The all blacks didn't allow Ireland a single put in on their own scrum, with just one handling error all game
Libbok is the one who has enabled South Africa to utilize their backline effectively, Pollard starting limits this to a 12 man game...
I'd have to say the last two games are potentially Itoje's best in several years, he's been magnificent and completely outplayed the likes of Etzebeth. I'd be curious to see this combo, but both Martin and Chessum have a lot of incremental work to do to be as effective as Itoje in this sort of...
It'd be interesting to see the post game refereeing ratings, as I'm just shocked how Luke Pearce hasn't been involved at all since the group stages
That being said I'm hoping New Zealand run out with this, just for the sake of promoting attacking rugby
Having watched the South African semi...
Also a noticebale drop off in scrummaging power when he went to hooker and Mbonambi came off. Not sure if Bongi has another 70 minutes in him so we'll see
It depends on the structure too. Lawes is usually a wide forward in a 1-3-3-1 structure, and usually a hooke rtakes the other side for ease after lineouts.
Potentially Earl's dynamism lead to him taking precedence in a 3 man pod, but surprised by Curry who I think runs really nice lines at...
I think this highlights it
So most professionals have a trigger movement, a step back before moving forwards to the ball. Kick chasers rect on that first step. I think it's perfectly timed I have to say, and anyone calling it clear cut would be incorrect
Upon the Etzebeth decision, I was one of...
This was my first viewing as well on a lot of french breaks, off feet jackalling was causing havoc to French ball in areas where Dupont normally finds massive space and the French capitalise. Vermeulen was a key culprit, but that's years of experience
Jimmy O'Brien, and Potentially McCarthy/Baird are very interesting for me. I like McCarthy a lot, and Baird could be the same style as O'Mahony but more pace and less hard nous
Unsure prop wise though, I've seen Tom O'Toole since school days and i just don't know if he's even really close to...
Is France's defense that leaky? I actually think with Danty/Fickou instead of Moefana in there, they'll be incredibly tough. New Zealand had a searing linebreak off first phase with moefana jumping out of the line and can't remember a whole lot else
For an attacking team like NZ to score just 13...
I think you could also ask what x factor Arundell brought to that game? there was one chip over the top after a line break, but other than that the tries were walk-ins. Several he just trotted over the line, so I don't give a ton of credit for that
He's a good player who's rapid and can break...
I mean to be fair, regardless what sde you're on, if you can't get behind a song that's basically saying how wrong it is to shoot kids dead, what are you even doing
Captain could be so many people, and any game could be decided by a tight margin, or runaway due to pressure and mistakes. I love it, no easy options and a ton of different teams out. My entire backline may get 150 points
Also Am has been absolutely critical to this, teams have struggled to get around him because of his defensive reads and intelligence. He's so so good. If it's Kriel at 13, that's definitely going to help France, and it's most likely to be at this point
Momentum, yes
I think the recent difference last autumn was a four point win to France, but SA had an early red card?
I genuinely think it comes down to this... to beat a blitz dfefense you need to play trhough it, so sharp footwork at the line in Danty and the back row forwards, they have that...
Lowe's eye injury is potentially more recoverable, but I'd back JOB to fill in for Hansen. as long as you have that 10-12-13, NZ will struggle. I'd worry if Stockdale is needed though, especially on the big stage. When out of confidence, I can see some mistakes coming from him that they just...
It's games like this I feel Paul Willemse is a massive loss. His bulk stabilises them and he does so much grunt work to allow Flament to shine. Woki is more of a hybrid, and I think they miss the physicality
Danty will be huge too, but I'd pick the French back row over their Bok counterparts...