Prabalan Naidoo

What is it about the All Blacks and France that when they come together the rugby is not pretty but the results always seem to be the same. I cannot believe that this was the same country that lost to Argentina is the opening game. What went wrong with the ALL BLACKS? Did their arrogance as favourites get in the way or did they not turn up to play on the day. Either way as a committed ALL BLACKS fan it is most disappointing. I would not blame the ref or any ALL BLACK player or management, I do believe however that collectively they ALL lost on the day and hence have to take the blame collectively. What an incedible way to bow out of the World Cup. Go France for playing with heart and a whole lot of compassion. It just goes to show that nothing beats experience and playing with passion.

Popgun

It goes to show the reconditioning program was a load of shit. Graham Henry got 'too smart' and decided to do some rediculous reconditioning program. Hence all our good players were rusty when it counted. We deserved to lose. Carter looked ordinary, no wonder with this reconditioning bullshit.

Also we deserved to lose anyways. Just like in 2003 we got out coached. Rather than looking at the opposition we got arragont and looked at the games ahead. France came up with the kicking strategy. Told us they would do the kicking strategy and the coaches did nothing to counter it.

Total losers.

Well done France for beating a talented pack of guys with no brains.

donnyboy

To Popgun,
I know youre upset but to counter some of your points.
Yes Carter wasnt the best but he went into that game not 100%. That was the problem.
The French did employ a kicking game but was trumped by NZ superior kicking game. This occurred in the first half. We lead 13-3 at half time so you cant say we did nothing to counter it, cause we scored a try and kicked 2 penalties and won territory and possesion.
where we faulted was when the french changed tactics after half time and started to run at the all blacks and basically out muscled us at the breakdown and scored 2 tries, (1 forward pass)1 from broken play.

Luke McAlistar

Funny how the guys name i carry changed the game, he scored a superb score but then was unfairly in my view sin binned. A bad drop goal attempt at the end as well, but i thought the ref was very poor he gave France all the decisions at the time of the drop goal attempt he was playing an advantage which he didnt give after New Zealand had kicked, both my teams out of the cup. C'mon South Africa

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McAlistars the man

donnyboy

totally agree Luke.

the ref totally missed a blatant forward pass that changed the game.
If he saw it, the result would have been different. Although the french had the momentum, I think we would have hang on to win.
The french were offside alot during the game and infringed which the ref did nothing about,
Luke was unfairly sinbinned and later the french were doing the same thing and no sin bin.

Im hoping South Africa or the Pumas take it.

theborg

totally agree donnyboy, just 1 thing to add why didn't we go for drop goal at 71 min mark , get the lead then its up to the french to try and beat us, it's no good going for as try when a drop goal can give you the lead...lack of leadership sean fitzy was the best cap we had he knew how to read a game and change the plan when needed to make us win

LucasCain

Why is everyone hoping that a team other than England win?

Is it true that everyone hates England? Wouldn't it be more refreshing if the underdogs triumphed? I know we won back in 2003, but back then we were favourites.

I wish all teams luck, but I wish my beloved England the most