Back from the game. Here are some notes:
(1) Good to see and hear Kiwis, Australians, Americans and Scottish at the game. Actually there was quite a bit of Kiwi support in the crowd. A couple of NRL jerseys floating around, a lot of RLWC2013 merchandise being sold to punters. A lot of rugby union jerseys (All Blacks and France) also in attendence.
(2) Also present were the Serbian national and U18 teams who take on PACA selection teams today.
(3) The crowd were more or less expecting a flogging, knowing quite well the level of the Kiwis. It would have been good if France has scored some points however. No one got upset, it was more an attitude of resignation than disappointment.
(4) Very few left before the full-time hooter and in general the crowd were great, applauding the Kiwis at the end and giving everyone a standing ovation for the final minute (which resulted in a Kiwi try). I don't know if it was shown on 7mate, but there was a French flag in each stand made from cardboard bits the crowd held up at the start of the game. As usual a band was in attendance. The ground speaker was pushing very heavily the social media side, asking people to twitter away - it was almost cringe worthy.
(5) This was a record crowd for the ground, which also hosts soccer matches.
(6) A lot of the comments here are spot on regarding the weak and uncreative French attack. I think this comes from Agar to be honest. The French really need to get a decent coach and get them earlier - three weeks is not enough time. Robinson would have been good. To be fair, they tried a bit at the start of the second half and looked threatening, but the Kiwi defence was just too well drilled. Any breaks were quickly shut down and there were some great try-saving tackles near the line.
(7) The French tried hard in defense and gave plently to the huge Kiwi fowards, but it became too much in the end and the offloads came thick and fast. Their kick defense was very poor, once or twice not even attempting to jump.
(8) I still think the French team has improved with respect to a few years ago, it is just that everyone else except PNG and Wales has improved also.
(9) There was a fair bit of print media coverage after the game but this is usually the case when France get flogged, they like having a sly dig.
