ABs braced for French heavies
27 Nov 2009
Neemia Tialata says the All Blacks are prepared for the scrum battle against France on Saturday.
While France were dominant in the physical match up against the Springboks a fortnight ago, the Les Bleus forwards also had the advantage over the South African pack as they had the upper hand at the scrums and used the set piece as a source of momentum.
As the All Blacks get ready for the last Test in Marseilles, Tialata is confident he will be able to hold his own at the scrums.
‘I have to be [to be ready]. This is going be the game of the tour and game of the year as well,’ he told stuff.co.nz. ‘It’s 1-1 so far, and we’ve picked a team to combat what they’re going to bring. It’s going to be won or lost up front, just like every other week.
‘They’re pretty good up front, they’ve picked a team to bring the battle, and they’ll want to target us up front. That’s nothing new.’
The All Blacks have had some bad experiences in the scrums this tour, especially against Italy where they were penalised on numerous occasions and Tialata was sent off in the latter stages of the Test.
IRB head of referees Paddy O’Brien apologised after the game and Tialata believes things will go better against France.
‘We had a chat to big [refs] boss Paddy O’Brien, and let all our frustrations out on him… against Italy we were frustrated and surprised at some of the calls. It was good to have Paddy there to clear some things up, and share some thoughts with. Last week it gave the boys a bit of confidence knowing the ref wouldn’t be an issue. There were a few resets, but as long as there’s not 20 or 30 like we had against Italy.
The All Blacks prop even added some advice for match referee Alain Rolland.
‘Just call the crouch, touch, pause, engage, and don’t try to coach us. Just ref the game. We want to hit, get a good hit, and then just play. We want to play rugby and not scrum all day,’ he said.
118 Comments
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27 Nov 2009, 16:47 pm
@Transformation:
says the guy who, like Charo, flicks between threads looking out for the Kiwis so he can abuse them.
Tweedledum and Tweedledummer.
27 Nov 2009, 16:49 pm
@grant10:
Must be you bouncing on clouds, G10, ever since PdV shoved Smit back to 2 and brought in a proper prop, BJ.
You appear to be glowing, is it natural or highlights ?
27 Nov 2009, 16:55 pm
@WakaNathan:
Sticks in the memory huh!
One of my better put-down lines.
27 Nov 2009, 16:56 pm
@Dawn:
It had a certain amount of class in so far as it was devoid of class.
27 Nov 2009, 16:58 pm
@WakaNathan:
I know. Innit great!
27 Nov 2009, 16:58 pm
@WakaNathan: ha ha here you go again…have you ever seen me “abuse” cane, chch -welcome back laulala, hurricane, nils etc…don’t talk nonsense here…
27 Nov 2009, 17:01 pm
@WakaNathan: Another season of Smit at 3 and i would have been grey my man!!
Better balance now…Bissy will be missed though…up to Smit to keep the young Lions at bay.
Bakkies a blow…maybe a mortal one i fear!
27 Nov 2009, 17:07 pm
@grant10: the new GBS & Carol… All that is missing now is for waka to end his posts with the requisite “xoxo”…
27 Nov 2009, 17:22 pm
@Transformation: LOL…..Just enjoying the ceasefire…so no comment from me!
27 Nov 2009, 17:27 pm
Transf,
yeah Grant almost had Carol, then he rocked up at the airport in his speedo.btw it seems waka is quite oblivious to his teams major flaw
27 Nov 2009, 17:30 pm
@Slappes: LOL…ja boet….the biltong proved tastier than the potroast!!
I will be at firemans from about 3 30 tomorrow by the way, if you want to join Justrugby and i you most welcome.
Robzim has been quiet??
27 Nov 2009, 17:31 pm
I think the AB should revert back to God save the queen. Maybe their luck changes in the WC.
27 Nov 2009, 17:32 pm
@Slappes: not even Jan Pierrewiet will stop them from from spluttering and choking!
27 Nov 2009, 17:34 pm
Grant, will call you tomorrow. Yeah what happened to Rob – surfseason maybe?
27 Nov 2009, 17:36 pm
Grant
jan pierriwiet!
27 Nov 2009, 17:44 pm
@Slappes: Must be busy….hope no shark diving!!
Rob…if you read this amnd you want a cold one pop in tomorrow boet!
AB De Villiers a damn genius….Poms chasing leather
27 Nov 2009, 17:52 pm
what a knock by AB….reckon this gonna be a cool weekend for Sa!!
27 Nov 2009, 17:54 pm
@grant10:
Biss is the Biz, therein lies the problem. My money is still on Smit retiring – the book, the successful year, the change back to his favoured no2 – but he would have a better chance of lasting another 2yrs if he stayed at Hooker rather than fringe with TH again. But even you, G10, saw that scrum under the posts at Hamilton when Smit put the shove on, there is no denying he could turn it on if req’d.
Rest assured tho that genetic flaws in Bok fan psyche will mean that benching a class player like BdP, after the 1st meaningful loss when/if Smit starts next season, will raise all those ques’s and doubts again.
Reminds me bit of Buck Shelford – the most unbelievably Follow-Me Capt who ever drew breath – leading the ABs whilst Zinzan stayed on the bench. For 1-2 long years, maybe longer. Zinzan had league scouts poring all over him (Manly), rugby was still amateur and Zinny was turning on the tricks for Auckland. Buck was an UNbeaten AB Capt – only to be dropped……W T FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFk ?!
All just to keep Zinny from going to league (he admits he signed on the dotted line, only to ask Graham Lowe to rip it up)
And that AB team never recovered, despite Zinny playing well. The Whetton Bros ruling the roost, Marist ran the Auckland cabal, less team harmony….lost, deservedly, at RWC’91.
Smit may surprise me and go on thru to 2011. But he will need a thick skin to get there.
27 Nov 2009, 18:01 pm
@grant10: 121 – off of 85 balls. Brilliant, brilliant. That is his first 100 on SA soil in a odi. He was superb.
Take a Bow AB de Villiers.
27 Nov 2009, 18:02 pm
17 off this over. We really getting stuck in here.
27 Nov 2009, 18:04 pm
@WakaNathan: He does end his book with this is not the last you will hear from me. So let us see. He mentions somewhere going on until 33 then will take a holiday with his family to Europe for a few months.
33 means world cup 2011.
27 Nov 2009, 18:06 pm
@Transformation: C’mon Tannie WakaPanther is a good oke. Gives as good as he gets. Fine with me.
27 Nov 2009, 18:07 pm
@WakaNathan: all true….for me a couple of good scrums dont a tighthead make….and the retreat came far too frequently imo!
But Smit has the attributes , let him fight off the pretenders…..
Sharks gonna cop it though….rather them than stormers
27 Nov 2009, 18:08 pm
Alviro Petersen is all class as well!
27 Nov 2009, 18:10 pm
@WakaNathan: Agapanthus, Biz is good to very good. I am unconvinced about his scrumming technique.
Smit is rubbish at 3.
Unfortunately if you say that here you get threatened with terminal crucifixtion.
27 Nov 2009, 18:10 pm
@Puma:
Then he’ll need a cover thicker than the book then, Puma. Good luck to him. Front rowers certainly take the beats but are usually made of stern stuff.
Now tell me, has anyone figured out WHY the powers that be at Keo have decided to change the system with respect to the reply showing #78 or whatever ?! I dunno, but it was easier to follow threads and see why people were answering what previously. Dont like this change, it makes a chore where there wasnt 1 previously. Capiche ?
27 Nov 2009, 18:11 pm
@Puma: I think his sojourn at 3 has made him a much better 2, and 2′s that can scrum are rare at the moment, especially with John’s outstanding ability in the loose.
He can also throw the ball in straight.
27 Nov 2009, 18:14 pm
@SodaJoe: All true Soda….
I have said that for months on this site….got the scars to prove it!!
27 Nov 2009, 18:16 pm
hOWEVER….I DO AGREE WITH wAKA….I STILL RECKON INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT THE SAFEST BET….
27 Nov 2009, 18:16 pm
sorry caps…..long day!
27 Nov 2009, 18:16 pm
@WakaNathan: Everyone is bitching. I am sure Roy will fix it, he’s pretty good at keeping this site moving.
Bit worried about your boys on Saturday. Tialata makes Smitty look like a hard man, and other than Dan & Richie everyone looks quite average, although I must say Mils had his best game in a black jersey in ages last week.
27 Nov 2009, 18:17 pm
@SodaJoe:
Soda
I think we appoint you Keos own roving Diplomat with a mandate in a Bill Clinton-esque role as International Peace Mediator.
@SodaJoe:
Biz is da man. Even I know that. I like the dont fark-with-me attitude (he’s just pleading for YCs it seems), is a sheer athlete and does well at lineout. Frankly, he’s a way better no2 than Smit will ever be (do I need clearance to say that…….DOH !). Scrummaging my arse. Props and locks ‘scrum’, hookers should just hook that pill (if ONLY the refs would INSIST on straight feeds…….grrrrrrrr) and throw straight. Yes, it helps if theyre an excellent scrumager, but point finger of blame at props & locks 1st.
27 Nov 2009, 18:21 pm
@grant10: I must say that other than the racial wars of the past the Grant Wars were pretty brutal.
I like our team for Saturday.
I think Sexton is a big gamble and will perhaps be the critical selection that costs them.
However – Croke Park is almost the heart of Ireland, and we have not beaten Ireland the last 2 games we played.
Do we wear white jerseys? I hate those white jerseys we never win in ‘em.
27 Nov 2009, 18:22 pm
@SodaJoe: 77 – Joe, Think John is a magnificent scrummer at hooker probably the best in the world there. I never cover my eyes when he does the throw-ins either. Just know he will find hid jumper. With Bissie it was not very good with the throw-ins and John scrums better than Bissie.
Bissie better in the loose but John over all for me the better hooker and he is our captain. He must play there and Bissie off the bench. John should be captain at the Sharks too. None of this nonsense now from Plum he must make John the captain.
27 Nov 2009, 18:23 pm
@WakaNathan: Agree there too….at the end of the smit experiment even habana was being blamed for the poor scrums….
Damn silly thing to do in the first place….against Italy i was literally appalled….would never have believed it unless i saw it with my own eyes!!
It made the Leicester retreat seem like an advance!!!
No….ffs….thats not on….dont anyone ever try and convince me there is merit with smit at 3…ridiculous….!
27 Nov 2009, 18:23 pm
@grant10:
the safest bet for your credit card?
smittie will be there to lift the cup..
27 Nov 2009, 18:25 pm
@SodaJoe: i think we in white….and Bakkies out may be a death blow….but Bekker coming of age…so lets give it a shot…
Boks by 5
27 Nov 2009, 18:26 pm
@WakaNathan: 76 – How old was Fitzie in 1996 when he captained ABs to their first ever Test series win in SA? I think he was 34 (could be wrong) he played hooker and was damn fine there.
John will be 33 in 2011 he may still make it to the next world cup. I am hoping.
Waka think they are having trouble with the reply button here probably will get it fixed sometime. Just put the post number to the poster you are answering too. Makes its easier to answer back. Otherwise have no clue where to look to what post to answer back.
27 Nov 2009, 18:27 pm
@WakaNathan: As I said good to very good, and you are quite right about props & locks (& when we have a good strong 8 it also works), but Biz is a might tall imho, but you are better versed in the black arts than me.
You know, for me Smit is as good as it gets at 2. And he will be exceptional come 2011, at 2.
I am looking forward to Saturday’s game, for once that gnawing apprehension and then horror of seeing a Bok pack back pedaling is not there.
27 Nov 2009, 18:27 pm
@SodaJoe:
I have about 10-30% expectancy of a Black win. Come on, this is France at home. These guys dont fark around. They know this isnt 6 bleedin Nations. They know Boks/Blacks are about 10steps beyond any Engl team. Theyre big, theyre mean and theyre proud. Bish bash bosh, allez allez allez !!!!
Just wished they ran it, like great French teams of old.
This is an average AB with 4-5 great players. They could still win. Probably not tho. But an ave AB team can still end the year no1.
Ive got em all right on tour so far and unfort the tea-leaves dont look pretty.
Tricolors 23
Blacks 19
As for your lot, well theyll be too strong. Irish have had their moment, and moments, over the past 5+ years and have blown all of em except in the 6N. And therein lies the answer.
Ireland 21
Boks 29
Ladies, enjoy the festivities. Just wish I was in Marseille and not in shitey dark wet grim ole London. That is til the BaaBaas next week……
kia KAHA !
27 Nov 2009, 18:27 pm
@grant10: I have that on my SuperBru. Boks by 5. White or not..hehe. Not the same to see them in white though.
27 Nov 2009, 18:28 pm
@gunther: LOL….if i had to put down my money…i somehow just doubt he has enough left in the tank…..the politics may make him tired….perhaps a move with Muir to 2 at lions his best option…..
The tank gonna be unpleasant…watch Gunther….the crystal ball has spoken.
27 Nov 2009, 18:30 pm
@WakaNathan: cheerswaka
27 Nov 2009, 18:30 pm
Gunther….how good were those proteas!
27 Nov 2009, 18:31 pm
Cheers all.
Good luck Bokke for tomorrow. We can still win. Losing Bakkies is huge but we can still win this.
Also good luck to the ABs against France.
27 Nov 2009, 18:32 pm
walk time…beaches are magnificent…..man i am a blessed oke…
cheers
27 Nov 2009, 18:32 pm
@Puma: cheersall
27 Nov 2009, 18:34 pm
@WakaNathan: Well good luck to your team bud.
Actually your scorecard is almost identical to mine.
@grant10: By bud.
27 Nov 2009, 18:34 pm
@WakaNathan:
ironic that soda enjoys a nice cgiar now and then…
27 Nov 2009, 18:36 pm
@grant10:
the crystal ball or the crystal meth?
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