I thought the wee abs used the touchline very well and kept their width.
NZ competed hard at the breakdown. They put in the hard yards, their line speed was great. Another night, another result under the same conditions. Ireland were better moving the ball under pressure. It was just a gutsy and we'll executed plan by NZ. Neither side were poor.
The IRB needs to be heavily criticised. Ireland should have at least made the semis. Ditto the Boks or France. Here again a very good side will go out.
I seldom saw the Irish creating numbers or space. It always looked like NZ had two more defenders than the Irish had attackers. Ireland had to fight for every inch they gained in attack in the second half. Lots of passing to little effect . I don't think they got their game going - think they were under tremendous pressure to perform and after that NZ start they were just playing catchup, and every time they got close NZ scored again. I see some Irish pundits has questioned the amount of gametime vs rest the Irish key players got in the tournament. Not sure if it was a factor but Ireland did seem to start fading in the last 20. That last 6 or 7 minutes of attack was brave but it lacked teeth.
When the breakdown is being so hotly contested, there is an added risk of being turned over out wide. It takes resources to secure that possession. I don't think that it was as simple as "throw the ball wide". It's the nature of the beast in such a tough game.
D ave
Mozart scream praises of Aki against SA because h e amdxe a line break - I never saw anything bar a defense failure yesterday. We warned Mozart he is useless - so was he sueless y esterday?
D ave
Mozart scream praises of Aki against SA because h e amdxe a line break - I never saw anything bar a defense failure yesterday. We warned Mozart he is useless - so was he sueless y esterday?
Aki has been one of the best players in the competition, more effective than the entirety of the SA squad!
75m run right in the middle of everything, no easy yards, 7 defenders beaten, one clean break, cracker of a try and Ou Mike saw nothing but a defense failure.
On his wanking machine?
LMAO!
That could be a good call. Let's hope it wasn't "sueless"
I think those two early penalties by Porter had an influence on the game….Ireland has been so clinical, that relaxed the ABs. Much later in the game Sexton missed a kick that also was a psychological turning point.
In the end though, as always, it was back play that cracked it open for the ABs. The well worked try for Fainga and the most consequential break of the year by Mo’unga leading to another Jordan try.
The forward battle was about even I’d say.
This from Planet Rugby:
12 Bundee Aki: Such a shame we won’t be seeing more of the centre in this World Cup, considering his brilliance. Once again, he was utterly magnificent. Arguably the player of the tournament. 9
Bu$#t he does kan o#l5 ly mkae defensiv errors waht are all h)@ e do
