Was that performance good enough to win a 1/4 final?

Question

Quite simply NO. It's not time to panic yet, although the AB's will be concerned about their second half performance where they got sucked into helter-skelter rugby instead of playing for feild position.

Answer 1

nah

Answer 2

They had total control of the match and would have lifted their performance had it been required. Its not the quarters yet and I don't think any team goes through the group stages at 100%, no matter who they are. Sometimes we have to let go of the expectation of teams coming out and winning 80-0 every match. They got the job done and that was the objective.

Answer 3

HAHA The Abs are men of mystery... they dont show they poker face when they dont need to.

Scotland was disrespectful enough not to use their best side amongst the best side in the world. I believe 40-0 serves them right. And thats with the ABs not even trying... what more could you want? Peak to early? Course not. A win is a win at this stage.

Answer 4

Of course they are ready for a quarter final, semi final and final, they will bring home the cup. As far as to Scottish game, 40 - zip what does that say? even if they made a few mistakes, it still shows they had enough control to win. Why show all their game plans for all the other teams to see, keep some plays up their sleeves. Save the best for last I say. Kia Kaha, go the All Blacks.

Answer 5

well they were playing almost a second team and it looked like they weren't trying very hard for alot of the game. i think they'll raise their game and ease through the quarters.

Answer 6

you can only give 65 to75% concerntration to a 2nd rate Scottish side.The ALLBLACKS  were forcing the pass and trying things they wouldnt normally do against an Aussie or S.A side.Give Scottland some credit,they defended staunchly and ran great interferrance, running in between the AllBlack support runners.It would of been great if Scottland fronted up and put on their A side ,the AllBlacks did with the exception of no.6 Jerry Collins

Answer 7

When the h**l did the AB's panic?

They will go back to the drawing board and put it right.........or Henry will holler and swear at them........LOL!

Either way, they will come next time guns blazing!

Answer 8

of course , and who cares if they werent 100% on the day because they were always going to get there anyway.

mr Baldwin

Answer 9

I totally agree with Hawkeye - wake up people !

Six unanswered tries ! 40 to zip !  

And still people are judging them. What do people expect in a pool match against Scotland B ?

It was a bloody training run !

Seemed like we were trying to find ways to bring our scrum into the game - which was totally unreal - as was the seamless integration of the bench. Handling errors were frustrating - but so is playing a second string team that were always going to be spanked.

I suspect If NZ beats France, Australia and RSA to take the cup (oops better not forget Argentina, the flavor of the month) people will still be complaining and judging.

Answer 10

I think new zealand will choke in the quarters against france or argy.

Answer 11

Quite simply YES.  I mean we're likely to play France in the 1/4 final..... so far, (ya never know, lightning may yet strike for Ireland - that is only slightly sarcastic, lol) and well I have yet to be impressed with France, although I think they're finally getting their groove back since their opening match shocker.

If the ABs were to play against their 1/4 final opponent like they did against the Scots, yes I still believe they'd win....... the only difference would be that they'd (the opposition) maybe score a penalty or two.

When it comes down to it there's a very big difference to a pool play match and a 1/4 final match and all teams adjust accordingly.  It's better that the ABs have their somewhat crappier games during pool play rather than in the 1/4, semis or final.......... which seems to be a key factor.

In the 03 World Cup the ABs were pretty much impressive for every single game and then finally had their "off" game against Australia which was unfortunately for us, capitalised on by the Aussies and meant that our chances were over.

I personally would prefer their somewhat or seemingly "off" game to happen sooner rather than later - wouldn't you?

Answer 12

They weren't at their peak but they were in control for the entire match.

I think everyone is being abit too harsh on them I might put my head in the sand for a few days because I am already sick to death of it.

You cannot say "was that performance good enough" because that performance was in that game, against that team, with that ref and against those players. If they were playing someone else they wouldn't of played "that performance".

I have no concerns from that game and I think we are in good shape for the QF, whoever it is.

Answer 13

LOL Thats almost comical.  It wasn't good enough to win a QF match???  Maybe not against SA, Australia, France or Argentina but it was good enough to beat any of the other QF probables.

It makes me laugh that they didn't play well and yet they run in 6 tries, blank the Scots and people are looking at this like it is a sign of weakness!  40-0 when playing about 75% of your ability would be an astounding result that would be hailed in folklore for all time if one of the home nations had done it.

Answer 14

I am an NZer and an All Black supporter. And I honestly can say NO. That display was pathetic, ugly, sloppy and indisciplined. 20 handling errors, at least 6 try scoring opportunities that should have been taken and many more opportunities at good positions which may have lead to points. If they played well and executed the tries they butchered, it could have easily gone above 70-80 (the score) with out any or much more effort than they put in. They were slack.

Scotland on the other hand did not play too well, so we cannot use the excuse this time that the opposition was outstanding etc etc

We played terribly and anyone who says otherwise must be a very one eyed AB supporter IMO

But in saying that. We must remember that we are comparing this game to the standards that the team has set in past, and many other teams would be happy with a performance like that.

No need for alarm though IMO. For a team to have 20 handling errors, play not very convincingly for their high standards, win by 40 points and concede 0, its got to be a nice feeling.

I mean, South Africa played very well, and managed to beat England by 30 odd. If they played with as many errors as we did today, the score would have been less.

So to all those worrying about the QF, no cause for alarm at this stage, just a not so good day at the office for a team with very high standards.

Answer 15

Hawkeye and Jonboy...on the button again , you two usually make more sense than most , I agree entirely.

" Great minds think alike "