SF1: New Zealand v Canada; Friday, 7.00pm; BBC2

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Just finished it, bloody hell I reckon Scotland could have given this NZ a good game.

Probably, nz lost to Ireland last year.

 

[Brigantine]

Reminder that NZ only won the last cup thanks to:

1. Home advantage
2. A red card to England at 18'

Even then we were lucky to just scrape a narrow win
We only beat France in the SF by 1 point
You could barely have made up a more dramatic story if you tried, it was like we had plot armour in 2022

Expectations were never super high for the Black Ferns, and good on Canada - They were the better team

TBF maybe someone should have told the commentators

 

[Ddanno]

Canada are ******* terrifying, they've got the game to turn our (very good) defence inside out when they feel like it, and they've had a bit more of a test in the run up to the final

 

[Quel Carreleur]

TBF maybe someone should have told the commentators

I seem to remember, 3 years ago in the SF, NZ v Fra - France scored a try to go 14 up, and the commentators were talking about how that was the start of France's come back - as if they hadn't already been 7 points up.
My memory of the SF is that France were panicked by the loss of their 2 best players & game controllers (Sansus and Trémoulière, and it was that panic that let NZ win - which isn't to take anything away from that win, you pressured them into panicking after all - though again, you'd never have known that if you relied on commentary to tell you what was gong on.


There was another match back then, where NZ got through due to the ref inventing new laws - and only applying them to the side that wasn't NZ, whilst ignoring existing laws when NZ infringed - though I can't remember which match that was ETA: and actually, might not have been at the RWC, now I flick through the fixture list).

 

[Reiser99]

I think there is also an element of exaggeration to create some theatre. To anyone who actually follows women's rugby, they would have known Canada were favourites. However, many people wouldn't know that, but would know that NZ are the current champions, even if you could argue they had a lot of luck when they won. They also have a different level of reputation that casual fans would know. Therefore commentators use that to try and create a more exciting narrative even if it's not completely true.

 

[petetherhooker]

I had the privilege of being at Ashton Gate last night. What an absolutely fabulous spectacle. Canada were completely awesome in the first half, they just seemed to be more powerful and do everything quicker than NZ. The fourth try with the off load was a delight. I do wonder if their weakness might be the bench. They visibly tired in the second half and the replacements didn't have the same impact.

 

[Saintjay]

I think if England do get the win today. I'd rather 2nd half Canada than the 1st show up in the final. They were awesome.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

I think if England do get the win today. I'd rather 2nd half Canada than the 1st show up in the final. They were awesome.

Whilst I'd obviously want England to win, I wouldn't begrudge Canada (or France if they get there) the title