[RWC2023 SF1] Argentina vs New Zealand (20/10/2023)

[Atmavictu]

Have to say, this World Cup really has had a number of poor games, last week aside, you can probably count the number of memorable games on one hand

Disappointing for sure, poorly organized as well. WC needs to be hosted by some new countries, it needs a breath of fresh air. Not sure if any change of the format would help, at the end of the day it seems the gap among nations is getting wider not smaller.

 

[Reiser99]

Disappointing for sure, poorly organized as well. WC needs to be hosted by some new countries, it needs a breath of fresh air. Not sure if any change of the format would help, at the end of the day it seems the gap among nations is getting wider not smaller.

Whilst I agree with that, even one of the other NH or England winning again would be a bit of fresh air. If S.A win tomorrow then the last 5 tournaments will have been won by either N.Z or S.A. If France or Ireland had won then at least it would have been new.

 

[Horacito]

I hope the ABs win the final regardless of who gets there. But I also hope their opponent plays to their potential. So far they have lost to France, punished an underperforming QF edition Ireland and spanked a lot of dross.

Pumas must look forward to getting the Jaguares back in 2026 and having that give them a platform for the future. Better to lose three SFs than to never get there.

Yeah, those are my thoughts too

and also this:

argentinean flag -decency

at least the thought of maybe beating the pommies in the bronzino porno final brings some joy to us

 

[Kiwiwomble]

….sorry, have I just read England fans wanting to lose tomorrow because they have already given up and chance of beating nz? Jesus there is a huge difference between being resigned to an outcome and actually cheering for it, surely if you manage to be SA then you have to think you have a chance against anyone ?

 

[Derpus]

The world cup should just be a three match series between NZ and SA. Change my mind.

 

[Herman the German]

The world cup should just be a three match series between NZ and SA. Change my mind.

Will that still be the case when the wallabies sack Eddie Jones?

 

[Derpus]

Will that still be the case when the wallabies sack Eddie Jones?

They seem quite unrelated.

Sacking EJ will send us into administration anyway.

 

[Larksea]

Interesting game, felt like NZ didn't really click but did enough at the ruck and set piece to basically nullify anything Argentina had.
What I did like is that although a lot of the trys weren't vintage all blacks they were the sort of trys that are the product of finals footy.

While I thought the rub of the green from the ref went against NZ last weekend I think Argentina had a few tough calls against them this week. That yellow card was harsh and a few tough calls at the ruck. Seems like a couple went against us but 4-5 went against them. Obviously not enough to affect the end result but still, I think Argi needed some 50/50's to go their way to beat the AB's but it probably went the other way.

I know its the result that matters but Richie blowing a 4th try for Jordan to go himself really sucked haha! That really sucked.
DMac with the that awesome offload and that was a dead set try. just one simple pass away.
I'd like to think that in a closer game Richie would have the mind to pass and not go for personal glory. Honestly he should have just passed it.

One thing that is a concern for me is that later in the game the kicking gameplan isn't working because understandably the players are tired and don't have the same energy to chase the kicks. I hope that is something they pick up on, probably similar to last week. Kicking tactics have to change if there are no chasers.

Telea was a huge threat. broke 14 tackes? fantastic on attack. but it did look like Argi targeted him with both kicks and ball carriers and he was a bit indecisive. Then it seemed like the AB's adjusted by Richie Mo'unga spending more time on that side and taking high balls. Telea spent a lot of time in the front like defending and attacking around the rucks. Like a loosie with lightning feet

Was an interesting stat that the ABs have kept a semi final opponent tryless in 3 world cups 2011, 2015 and now 2023

Short story is, Job done but lots to work on this week.

 

[Derpus]

Interesting game, felt like NZ didn't really click but did enough at the ruck and set piece to basically nullify anything Argentina had.
What I did like is that although a lot of the trys weren't vintage all blacks they were the sort of trys that are the product of finals footy.

Lol

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Arg were just about in touch at 15-6 then 3 tries in 10 minutes either side of half time and it was game over with half an hour to go. OK the ABs were expected to win fairly easily, but that kind of scoring volley to kill a game has been a hallmark of the best NZ teams over the years.

I think the ABs are coming to the boil nicely. For all the plaudits given elsewhere Smith has been one of the players of the tournament for me. Highly influential.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

That game was reffed very poorly, was like the Wild West at the breakdown. New Zealand consistently had hands on the floor to bounce before competing which has been penalised in a lot of other games.

Also big shout out to the 3 dumbest locks ever, the two argie boys who constantly did silly thinks and scotty B for his no need yellow.

Boring game and I expect the same kind of margin today when England get their asses handed to them.

 

[Zootalaws]

Cubelli injured? Again relying on a guy in the Italian domestic league as SH backup?

ABs must be buzzing and get Telea back. But the Pumas win over Wales was a solid result and performance. 80% chance NZ completely run away with this but if the Pumas defence can hold firm early then this could be fascinating as the Pumas can score points here if their confidence is not destroyed early on. However....

ABs 43 - Pumas 9 (sorry )

That's the closest prediction I've seen

Had a punt?

 

[Reiser99]

That game was reffed very poorly, was like the Wild West at the breakdown. New Zealand consistently had hands on the floor to bounce before competing which has been penalised in a lot of other games.

Also big shout out to the 3 dumbest locks ever, the two argie boys who constantly did silly thinks and scotty B for his no need yellow.

Boring game and I expect the same kind of margin today when England get their asses handed to them.

Angus Gardner was the ref so what do you expect?

 

[Atmavictu]

My dream final was Ireland-France, it would have been an amazing atmosphere at the Stade France and a breath of fresh air.

New Zealand - South Africa means average to boring crowd, no media interest here in Europe and 7/10 WC trophies for the two teams combined which ain't particularly good for the growth of Rugby worldwide.

I might go for the springboks since they will reach the final having gone through tougher games than NZ (Scotland, Ireland, France, England).

Very anticlimactic World Cup. Hopefully an Epic final will make us forget how mediocre most games have been

 

[Zootalaws]

The world cup should just be a three match series between NZ and SA. Change my mind.

Nah, we already have that in The Championship

It's pretty funny reading this. Poms wanting SA to win because they don't have a chance, Argies played NZ + Angus, Fra - Ire would be a better final, NZ - SA is boring, and all the other utter shite spouted.

Ireland lost - get over it
France lost - get over it
Argentina were second-rate - get over it
The refs are the best in the world - get over yourselves, or get a reffing ticket and show us how fkn great you really are

You know how to make the WC better? Play better.

But you can't. You can only whine and snipe.

The ABs have played a blinder of a tournament, despite losing to France. They've played better than every other team they came up against.

That's how you win WCs

I want SA to win to have decent opposition in the final. England aren't that.

Whichever team wins it, if the match is decent, makes it worthwhile. I'd rather it was us, but if it ends up being SA, it will be because the best team was better on the day.

My dad taught me that when I was seven, along with 'don't be a whiny **** when you lose - it's undignified and unsporting'

 

[Atmavictu]

Nah, we already have that in The Championship

It's pretty funny reading this. Poms wanting SA to win because they don't have a chance, Argies played NZ + Angus, Fra - Ire would be a better final, NZ - SA is boring, and all the other utter shite spouted.

Ireland lost - get over it
France lost - get over it
Argentina were second-rate - get over it
The refs are the best in the world - get over yourselves, or get a reffing ticket and show us how fkn great you really are

You know how to make the WC better? Play better.

But you can't. You can only whine and snipe.

The ABs have played a blinder of a tournament, despite losing to France. They've played better than every other team they came up against.

That's how you win WCs

I want SA to win to have decent opposition in the final. England aren't that.

Whichever team wins it, if the match is decent, makes it worthwhile. I'd rather it was us, but if it ends up being SA, it will be because the best team was better on the day.

My dad taught me that when I was seven, along with 'don't be a whiny **** when you lose - it's undignified and unsporting'

Im the final you are gonna use the usual tactic to injure the best opposition player after 5 minutes?

Now I am all for the Springboks which if I am not mistaken have never lost a final to New Zealand

 

[Zac_ETNZ]

Im the final you are gonna use the usual tactic to injure the best opposition player after 5 minutes?

Now I am all for the Springboks which if I am not mistaken have never lost a final to New Zealand

Keep wailing

 

[ncurd]

Angus Gardner was the ref so what do you expect?

The question is when Barnes refs the final what are SA and NZ gonna do when the laws start actually getting applied?

 

[Which Tyler]

The question is when Barnes refs the final what are SA and NZ gonna do when the laws start actually getting applied?

Theyll take their inspiration from England


More likely, WR will have got to Wayne, and told that anything goes

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Wales will be looking at that game with some regret - I've no doubt the game wow have been far closer if it had been Wales New Zealand