Do you think the "WEAK" pool games of NEW ZEALAND and AUSTRALIA helped with their defeat?

Question

Only New Zealand and Australia had perfect 20 points exiting the pool matches... and guess what. Both got eliminated when the challange got harder. And thats not all... both Scotland and Fiji came from the same pools as them and both out on the next round aswell.

Weak pool games... then a sudden jump in tempo equals teams going into the 1/4 finals undercooked?

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think it's a very good point, especially New Zealand....playing the likes of Portugal and then as soon as they get a hard game, tight score, then they were found wanting. Even so NZ should have done a lot lot better whatever their pool games.

Answer 2

I see your point, but both Australia and New Zealand knew what they were getting themselves into before leaving for the World Cup.

They knew this was going to be a problem before going into their pool matches.

From a coaches perspective both teams lacked in preparation and under estimated their oppositions.

Both their team coaches can say what they want, but it what showed on the field that count and if they were to evaluate the players performace and their coaching, I'm sure they would agree that they could have done better. If they were to say otherwise, well... we all saw it.

The players played well and it was both a great game to watch, a little bit of luck going to their opposition resulting to Australia and New Zealands down fall.

Answer 3

No. I dont believe this for a moment. Aussie vastly overrated their inferior pack. Had they been able to ensure just 40% of the possession they would have got over the line as they had clearly the superior backline. NZ copped key injuries in the second half which stifled the backline and also some very ordinary refereeing decisions by a ******** who played to the crowd.

Answer 4

I definately think that had something to do with it. Less of a challenge in the pool matches means they both went through to the next round undefeated which either went to their heads or made them stop thinking about the pressure of the next rounds and how much of a challenge they would be.

Answer 5

That makes since to me, seeing that the 4 teams in the Semis are from Pool A & Pool D.  I think NZ and the Aussies did not benefit at all having the easier pools, because they were not challenged enough and were not mentally prepared come the QF stages...which led to their early demise at the World Cup...sigh.  Hopefully by next WC the All Blacks are in their own Pool of Death...come on 2011 World Cup =)

Answer 6

I think the weak pool games and the lack of top rugby caused their defeat.  The All Blacks being kept out of the Super 14 and the lack of rugby leading up to the world cup didn't help in getting the boys up to match fitness and hardness which is why their was so many injury's in the game agents France.

Answer 7

This is the World Cup and it would be unfair to trash weaker teams such as Fiji and Scotland!

Their (Wallabies and All Blacks) Loss has nothing to do with weak teams in their respective Pool.

They are just over confident and that led to their downfall!

Feet on the Ground Gentlemen!!!!!

Answer 8

I doubt the pools had anything to do with it.

We knew the pools were to be little more than training runs.

It was always about three test - 1/4, semi, and final.

Just three tests.

The coaches and the team knew this. The French also knew this. We were defeated by the French not pool C.

Edit: I can't understand how people think the ABs played a bad quarter final, or were found wanting -They played well, 20 plus phases and still not able to score - great French defense

Answer 9

While it is good to have tougher games at pool stages Australia and NZ also had the benefit of being able to rest players. Not a knock on either of them but it is not the first time that they have "blown up" in important games. France did not play extremely well and NZ at times looked like the proverbial rabbit in the headlights and Australia lack only one thing ..... A "plan B" so that if it goes wrong they have a back up. But unfortunately two best teams are out SA to win now

Answer 10

Correct.  One of the least fair things that's been said about the ABs is that they were arrogant, too cocky - whatever - coming into the WCup - but in fact it was absolutely everyone else who insisted they were favourites.  (Hard not to, since by statistics the facts spoke for themselves.) The cruisy early games prevented them getting a good edge - but the positive should have been that they had less risk of injury.  Those Pool draws are one of the 'luck' factors.  Excellence in a team should be able to counter that though.