Ire v NZ QF 2

[Mr Mwenda]

Wow. I am out of breath. Hard luck, Ireland. Just met a team playing the game of their lives.

[Insouciant]

Congratulations NZ. Such intensity tonight. Thought you might walk it in the first half.

Ireland had chances - heck, they played well, even put together more phases in the last 5 mins than some teams (e.g. England) have in whole tournament. Plus they had NZ with 14 men for 20 minutes but they didn't take their chances. Missed kick and visits to the 22 without points. Costly.

What a game though - truly lived up to the billing. I hope France and South Africa were watching and fancy out-doing them entertainment-wise.

[Sourdust]

So pleased for plucky little New Zealand.

Maybe now they'll finally be taken seriously by the big boys?

[Big D]

Ireland victims of the draw too.

[Donny osmond]

Bloody hell. What a match!

I’m actually feeling sorry for Ireland. All those phases at the end and today is the day the All Blacks find their discipline. All Blacks deserved it, but only by a fingernail.

Could be hard for the All Blacks to get back up for next week. That was worthy of a final.

It's bizarre to think the eventual winner might not be the ones who won that match

[Donny osmond]

Ireland victims of the draw too.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Operation Northern Hemisphere Dominance has hit a couple of snags today.

[pompey-zebra]

Ireland victims of the draw too.

True but if they cant get past the quarter finals even when ranked number 1 in the world, when can they?

[canta_brian]

Cane

His best match in the black jumper?

[Insouciant]

Operation Northern Hemisphere Dominance has hit a couple of snags today.

It might be the case that despite how awesome Ireland and France have been over the past few years, and Wales's great group stage performances, that England might still be the only Northern Hemisphere side who gets through...


... if indeed any of them manage it.

[Sandydragon]

That was a gripping game. Well done All Blacks.

Did Ireland lack a bit of composure at key times? But 34 phases at the end when players were just out on their feet is just an incredible effort.

[Insouciant]

Ireland victims of the draw too.

That would be primarily be Scotland imo, who were better than at least 4 of the quarter-finalists (albeit on paper).

[Banquo]

Cane

His best match in the black jumper?

tremendous- motm for me

[Sourdust]

Ireland victims of the draw too.

True but if they cant get past the quarter finals even when ranked number 1 in the world, when can they?

Remember NZ were "ranked" 4th going into the tournament. If the rankings are worth five-aitch-one-tee, 1st v 4th is hardly an egregious quarter-final pairing.

[Big D]

Ireland victims of the draw too.

True but if they cant get past the quarter finals even when ranked number 1 in the world, when can they?

When they aren't playing one of the top 4 who are all light years ahead of every other team in the comp?

[Sourdust]

That was a gripping game. Well done All Blacks.

Did Ireland lack a bit of composure at key times? But 34 phases at the end when players were just out on their feet is just an incredible effort.

...by both sides.

Albeit Barnes absolutely did not want to give a penalty either way in that attack. And I don't really blame him.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Operation Northern Hemisphere Dominance has hit a couple of snags today.

It might be the case that despite how awesome Ireland and France have been over the past few years, and Wales's great group stage performances, that England might still be the only Northern Hemisphere side who gets through...


... if indeed any of them manage it.

Reckon tomorrow's matches are 50:50s so the NH will probably still be represented (for what it's worth).

[Big D]

Saw Sexton walking off moaning at someone after spending a lot of the game moaning at the ref.

A player who is lucky to be at the RWC after getting banned for a referee abusing a referee that he wasn't even playing in.

A great player but terrible example for kids to follow. Nowhere near the same class as Wilkinson and Carter.

[JonnyScuba]

If NZ go all the way and win it, what does that make of the NZRFU's decision to replace a World Cup winning coach a year ago. Bittersweet for Fozzie.

[Galfon]

Operation Northern Hemisphere Dominance has hit a couple of snags today.

It might be the case that despite how awesome Ireland and France have been over the past few years, and Wales's great group stage performances, that England might still be the only Northern Hemisphere side who gets through...


... if indeed any of them manage it.

Someone's crystal ball needs a good polish
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67049106

[Donny osmond]

That was a gripping game. Well done All Blacks.

Did Ireland lack a bit of composure at key times? But 34 phases at the end when players were just out on their feet is just an incredible effort.

They made some poor/panicked decisions. But you have to say, 20 minutes against 14 men, plus a try held up over the line, you would be feeling the pressure.

[16th man]

Ireland massively frustrating tonight.

The last 5 minutes showed what they can do, but they spent a lot of the previous 75 putting in shitty little kicks and chucking ridiculous miss passes.

New Zeakand out in some good defensive intensity and ran the ball well, but we're error laden and got some skin of the teeth decisions.

I don't think the French or the Boks are worried by that.

[Cameo]

Ironically, the biggest cock up was before Ireland's try. Barnes asks whether Retalick was taken out, TMO confirms he was, Barnes doesn't here. Couple of phases Ireland get the penalty. TMo tries to get Barnes' attention but in failing around trying to fix his mike, it all gets lost. 3 points lost for NZ and from the resultant pressure, Ireland get 7.

Right player, wrong team in possession penalty the wrong way

Nah, it was Retalick coming into the ruck and gets taken out. If that wasn't what Barnes was asking about, he should have.

Anyway, what a game. Best of the tournament by a long way. Glad NZ won it but Ireland didn't choke or anything. Two good teams going at it. Felt NZ's turnovers were key.

[Big D]

New Raeburn Shield holders too

[Spiffy]

Ireland massively frustrating tonight.

The last 5 minutes showed what they can do, but they spent a lot of the previous 75 putting in shitty little kicks and chucking ridiculous miss passes.

New Zeakand out in some good defensive intensity and ran the ball well, but we're error laden and got some skin of the teeth decisions.

I don't think the French or the Boks are worried by that.

Agree that Ireland were too sloppy tonight. Poor lineout, too many scrum penalties and inaccurate passing. The 13 point gap was just too much to chase. Very tight game that could have gone either way. Well done NZ who were sharper at taking their chances.