New Zealand v Italy (Fri/Sat)

[Lizard]

Is it wrong that I’m pissed off we didn’t get to 100?

No.

Not at all.

[Cameo]

That was impressive. Felt like a throwback to when I'd tune into any All Black's game expecting a thrashing. Just looked more skillful, more confident, bigger, quicker, stronger...

I don't like speculating on this, but Italy really did give up in defence. Weirdly their attacking shape continued to look okay but there were some poor efforts overall once it started badly. Must be so demoralizing though.

[Beasties]

Fair play, when NZ are on it they’re an absolute joy to watch. I didn’t even watch the 2nd half either.

Not sure how relevant it is though in determining where the WC ends up.

[Which Tyler]

I think that playing flat-track bully can be good for the confidence.
The question then, is how much of the downturn in form is confidence (relating directly into execution) and how much is gameplan / talent?

For France, for example, I'd say their comparative downturn was about bedding in players into the first choice XV, and a little confidence due to that. Putting 96 on Namibia will have helped with both (but... Dupont... erm...).
Especially as they were running plays that they're happy to use against anyone (unlike England vs Chile, for example).

For NZ, I think it's more about gameplan and making the most of their talent. NZ have always been able rely on moments of individual brilliance, and able to take a mile every time the defence gives them an inch; always capable of putting in 5-10 minutes of just being unplayable and making the score a question of "how much" rather than "who".
So putting 96 on Italy will help their confidence and belief, but I'm not sure it improves their chances much against a top 4 team.

Which is not to write them off, of course, they're just "not necessarily the favourites" against 3 teams.

[Lizard]

For me it’s not about the score so much as the relative lack of inaccuracy, errors and things not working.

[Cameo]

People also forget that against France NZ đidnt have half their first choice pack or their first choice 12 (though France were missing theirs too).