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Your Shout: Why Did the ABs Go Out in the QFs?
Number 1, and possibly also number 2 team in the world for the last few years, 4 losses out of 49 games in charge for Graham Henry - none to a northern hemisphere team - and racking up tries in this World Cup, world class players in virtually every position, 13-3 up at half time... why did the All Blacks lose?
Everyone's going to have a theory or a mix of theories. Maybe France were simply better; maybe it was all about the ref. Maybe the coaches, the players, their abilities both physical and mental weren't up to scratch. What do you think? Multiple choices allowed...
October 7, 2007 in Rugby World Cup 2007 | Permalink
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Comments
I stuck one vote in for "French were better on the day" because, at least defensively, I think they were. And in the past, defence has won a number of World Cup matches.
Fundamentally, if you only score two tries against France, there's always the danger they will beat you because they have as much ability to conjure a try out of nothing as any team in the world.
Why is that? Because there is no greater kind of pressure than a WC knockout game.
Which brings us to the weak pool, which definitely left the ABs less psychologically prepared than the French.
Tactics were a problem and the centres were part of that. Reconditioning obviously played a part. Injuries to 2 fly halves left the options to get the winning drop goal somewhat reduced and that was quite vital in the end.
McCaw should take a lot of blame. He allowed the forwards to monopolise the ball at crucial times. Bad captaincy.
And I do think there was something in the divergence of rule interpretation between the hemispheres. Perhaps now the boot is finally on the other foot (SH usually benefit from this factor because they have a lock on the administrative side of the game.) people will actually discuss the problem seriously.
Posted by: Meh | 7 Oct 2007 11:03:46
Doh, of course the comment about pressure should have come after the remark about defence winning WC games.
Posted by: Meh | 7 Oct 2007 11:04:38
