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Kiwis v Tonga

Matua

First Grade
Messages
5,212
Well that was frustrating to watch. I thought we'd have too much class across the park and wear them down and run up a score at the end. Instead Tonga did that to us.

I don't get why Leuluai is there, he's off the pace. Why is he a favourite despite being not close to his top form when other guys are doors slammed in their face?

So our great gameplan or relying on our forwards footwork (which is the Kidwell master plan) falls apart when meat a team that out muscles us in a 2nd half, despite the fact we were all over them in the first.

I'm not fussed about the draw, we have beat Australia some time and a semi is actually a better time probably, with the poor opposition they'll have in the lead up.

Would I love to see Taumololo in our pack, absolutely, but it has to be questioned now, if he can toss NZ aside so easily, was the passion really there or was it just a nice chance to cash a cheque ?
While JT clearly didn't handle things well that is bollocks. If that was the case he'd be playing for Queensland and the Kangaroos which is way more money than the Kiwis.
 

TheDMC

Bench
Messages
3,419
Great game of Footy, unfortunate for us with a few calls but they did enough to win

At the risk of getting hammered here, did anyone spot SJ when the going got tough ? Has always been my major thing with him and it showed again today

Absolutely right. I wasn't even sure if SJ was playing in the second half.
 

TheDMC

Bench
Messages
3,419
I don't get why Leuluai is there, he's off the pace. Why is he a favourite despite being not close to his top form when other guys are doors slammed in their face?

So our great gameplan or relying on our forwards footwork (which is the Kidwell master plan) falls apart when meat a team that out muscles us in a 2nd half, despite the fact we were all over them in the first.

TL was indeed off the pace. That intercept try stemmed from him, he didn't see that the ball had been played and it was a few seconds before he passed it, meanwhile Lolohea and co were well up toward the kiwi line...

I don't think there is a problem in the game plan. Footwork is clearly the kiwi forward pack's strength, and they mixed it up with some nice back play. Lollies being dropped in the second half was mental (plus Tonga played very very well).
 

Matua

First Grade
Messages
5,212
TL was indeed off the pace. That intercept try stemmed from him, he didn't see that the ball had been played and it was a few seconds before he passed it, meanwhile Lolohea and co were well up toward the kiwi line...

I don't think there is a problem in the game plan. Footwork is clearly the kiwi forward pack's strength, and they mixed it up with some nice back play. Lollies being dropped in the second half was mental (plus Tonga played very very well).
I agree, but we can't just rely on it solely.
 

JJ

Immortal
Messages
32,713
'Wake up calls' don't work, see the Warriors

I suspect 'blessings' won't either - funny thing is these things tend to happen to teams that aren't actually that good...
 

spear tackle

Juniors
Messages
1,176
Why is it we were beaten (and fairly as well) by a side full of Warriors that played like men possessed but chuck a Warriors jumper on them and they tend to clock off. I saw passes and intercepts that just don't happen in a Warriors team.
 

Matua

First Grade
Messages
5,212
What I saw , was that the Kiwis thought that they only needed to walk down the tunnel in the second half to win.
Basically, in the first half they leave the dressing sheds, stand around for the anthems, have the haka boogie off, wait for the broadcaster and then play. That's a good 20 minutes.

At half time they walk out and take the field after 30 seconds. Not enough of a gap from Kidwell's coaching.
 

ZEROMISSTACKLES

First Grade
Messages
8,700
What if, we beat Australia in the Semi (assuming we get past Hayne and Vunivalu) and Tonga get past England. NZ V Tonga in the final :O
As long as there is no upsets in the quarters (e.g. Fiji beats us and Tonga losing) this world cups semis will be the best semi finals in the history of the RLWC. You got 'Super Tonga' vs England and the Kiwis vs Kangaroos. Rugby league at its best.

Taumalolo leaving has brought our players together more so than before, or so it seems. I never gave us a hope in hell before the tournament and although I am still angry we lost to Tonga, the team has given me hope that we can topple the Roos through what I've seen so far.

I'm hanging on to the idea that IMO we've played harder test-like games than the 'Roos, therefore, when we play, we will start better and upset a Roos side scrambling to catch up throughout. Tonga will underachieve if they do not beat England. I'm calling Tonga the favourites and they can't step down from their performance against us. Tonga can't be thinking that beating the kiwis is all they came for. I love the way these guys play and they might not get another shot at the cup as good as they got it now with their team now.

Kiwis vs Tonga part 2 I believe could very well be this years cup final.
 
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