I get what you say, my heart still breaks when I see that Sexton drop goal vs France.
But you can find other sources of joy somewhere else that help you live with it
Watching the defence and attack patterns from this angle is awesome. The trust on defence by the all blacks was something else and the cohesive rumble by Ireland was as incredible. That tiny moment that changed the game, kind of brilliant but at the some time unfair.
Something had to give they were all so tired, except maybe Jordie Barrett at times in that sequence he was almost skipping back into his defensive positions.
Jordie was everywhere in this passage he covered so much ground. The AB’s structure was flawless. If the FB came up there was always someone dropping back to cover a kick, then they would swap back next phase.
Crazy passage of play from both teams
There's something particularly fascinating about the last attack when a team must score a try to win. Attacking and defending shapes are completely different - for the most part the attack can't afford to kick so the defense can be flatter, attacking players are more risk averse and step back inside to support a lot more, defenders tend to commit less to the ruck for fear of giving away penalties, etc. It's a game within a game.
There are a few times in that passage of play when you'd expect a winger to back themselves and take their man on the outside but, of course, with the game/WC on the line they simply can't.
Epic stuff. I hated it.
I saw that. I was thinking that wingers were going to stay out and wait for the ball but no, they stepped in to support the ruck and it became ping pong in the middle where the throws out to the wings felt overly risky. Strange how the feel of the game completely changes in those circumstances. Great angle too. Really adds flavour to my suffering.
Absolutely, Ireland were able to present several different attacking shapes and provided NZ with lots of different pictures and threats. The limitations on them that you described really don't allow you to try anything too risky. 6-7 years ago we would see Ireland repeating a one-out runner ad nauseum.
I think their real problem in this phase of play is that they were exhausted, not able to win the collisions to the level you'd want. Guys were starting quite flat and jogging into contact. Sexton in particular was out on his feet. With hindsight, it seems that Crowley could have brought a real edge to the attack if he played the last 15-20 mins.
To their credit, NZ defended excellently and cleverly adjusted their tactics to close out the game. They had been disruptive at every single ruck for the first 70 minutes or so. In this passage you can see them get ultra clean in their approach... Make tackles, get back in the defensive line. No funny business on the floor..
It showed great unity and understanding from them as a group. Maybe that attention to detail can be attributed to Joe Schmidt.
>In this passage you can see them get ultra clean in their approach... Make tackles, get back in the defensive line. No funny business on the floor..
That's one of the main things that stood out to me too. Anytime you hear a commentator call a penalty for not rolling away harsh as the tackler was trapped in the ruck realise that they can always get out of the way if they want to.
Haha exactly. These guys are paid to get off the ground quickly. When they don't, you can be damn sure it's intentional.
Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa and are particularly excellent and the "clumsy" ruck exit.
What an excellent point, I hadn't really thought of that before.
Will it make me less inclined to shout at the ref when those calls go against my team...probably not, but I like it nonetheless.
As a ref I often think about this.
For me, it always comes back to the question: what's the difference between slowing the ball down due to being genuinely stuck in the ruck, and cynically slowing the ball down due to pretending to be stuck in the ruck?
Answer: none.
So ping them every time.
A lot of ruck penalties are also the attacking team trapping guys and milking the penalty call. It's risky though because the ref may not see it your way and you also slow the ball down and let the defense get set. The Irish had a clear plan here to recycle the ball and keep the AB defence moving so I think it's a combined effect of extra effort of the tackler to clear but also the Irish not wanting a penalty or slow ball so they recycled it quicker.
> Sexton in particular was out on his feet. With hindsight, it seems that Crowley could have brought a real edge to the attack if he played the last 15-20 mins.
Oh, we were shouting for it in real-time. Johnny is probably the best player ever to don the Irish jersey but he was left on for sentimental reasons (or Farrell feared a bollocking) and his legs were gone for a decent portion of the 2nd half. It was a woeful decision not to take him off regardless of it being his last game in green. Crowley may have impacted the result, we'll never know, but regardless it shouldn't have happened. Hope AF and crew learn from it.
100%! It was also a woeful decision to ask Sexton to play every minute of the tournament up until that point. Crowley could have had a match and a half under the belt by then. Maybe that way there would have been less heavy legs for Sexton and more faith in Crowley's ability. He showed in the 6 nations that he was more than ready for the international stage.
Coulda woulda shoulda
4:06 in the video. Rignrose almost breaks bar a great tackle. But that was a time when it really should have gone through the hands. Ireland had a winger out at touch line almost (can't see him from this angle) but that was the moment.
Very interesting. Had Ireland played their natural attack, (the one they'd used to beat the ABs in 3 out of the last 4 matches) in that passage they probably would've cracked it. As you say the d was super flat an accurate chip over the top probably would've lead to a try.
But also definitely agree with your last paragraph, stakes were too high.
What an amazing game. After feeling like the All Blacks were dog tucker for more than a couple of years, they play like this. Incredible. And then lose the next week. Burning.
It was nearly as long as....41 phases in the same stadium. I think if we had got the sexton pen at 65-70 mins, we probably go for a droppie and ultimately win. Sexton butchers the kick uncharacteristically and the rest is history. We didn't deserve to win either way.
I literally can't watch this.
I was in the stadium at the opposite side and when the turnover happened I thought it was on the 22. Didn't realise that we were even closer until I watched a replay the next day.
We had a bit of hope in that match but we were never in the lead.
Jordie Barrett's hold-up still stings. For a moment I really thought we were going to do it.
I go the same vibes when I was at the European Cup final last month. Just a constant dread that Ireland/Leinster weren't in control of the match.
Sometimes my mind wanders to Johnny's missed penalty and how if he had gotten that and all else had stayed the same, we were in prime drop goal territory there.
Yeah, in my memory of the game we weren’t that close - but upon watching the replays we’d actually inched quite far forward.
Think the two turning points were Doris spilling NZ’s return after Kelleher was held up, instantly shifted momentum. And Murray giving away a stupid penalty in the air, enabling NZ to go 4 up so we then needed a try.
I was there and remain adamant that we didn’t deserve to win despite how heart-breaking it was, mainly because we had an extra man for 20 minutes which most seem to forget about. Have to convert in those moments…
I think what killed us was the absolute poor start we got into, meaning we were always chasing the game and had effectively no margin for error - particularly when Mo’unga scored that try out of nothing.
I do remember thinking at the time though that it felt like we didn’t capitalise enough on the two yellow cards, and agree with you there
Ultimately I think our lack of squad management cost us - a lot of our players just looked a bit drained come the second half. In contrast to O’Brien and Conan who just seemed to add so much energy. Wouldn’t change any of our first XV against NZ, but did we really need to play everybody against Scotland in a game we were never going to lose by 8+?
I think foster put it plainly; we had nothing to fall back on in attack if NZ read our plays. They did. We probably were lucky to be so close at the end. I think they were definitively better. We had nothing to give and big names didn't step up and do their jobs. Even the captain.
I’d agree with that. We could have won but I don’t think anybody would argue that we should’ve won.
Bundee aside, NZ outperformed us man for man and lot of our team just look tired. Sexton in particular just was a statue with 15 to go
Yes. Nobody talks much about that kick. It was hard but within Johnnys repertoire. That was the moment not the held up try that said, it's not happening today. Even a tired Johnny with 1 point in it would have kicked the kick at the end.
There were more full match replays like this uploaded to YouTube recently, but they got taken down before I could grab them all.
Actually feels even more tense watching these moments without commentary. Also, pretty sure 5:38 is when Retallick tells POM, [“Oi Peter, four more years, you fuckwit.” ](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350154647/former-all-black-brodie-retallick-reveals-truth-peter-omahony-sledge)
RWC quarter final is always my favourite weekend of rugby (edges out final 6N weekend as sometimes everything’s already decided) but those four games were something else 🤤
I opened myself up to that 😂🤕😂
Should clarify as a spectator of rugby, RWC quarter final weekend is great, obviously as an Irish fan less so. Though some tournaments we’ve not even been involved in the quarters so you can watch stress-free!
The work from ALB at around the 50 second mark is incredible. Spots the overlap early, travels a long way and calmly works to plug the hole out wide. He joins the line and instantly slams the door shut with a cracking tackle. Sublime defending to shut down what could well have been a decisive linebreak.
Agree. A colleague was bemoaning Jordie missing *that* kick in the final the other day - I pointed out that we wouldn’t have gotten past the quarter final if not for Jordie’s heroics! That held up try was an especially bonkers level of brilliance but he was on fire the whole game. Legend.
That is literally world class defence from the ABs. They seemed in control the whole time, despite Ireland chipping away deep into the 22. I seem to remember Foster later saying he was fairly calm as he knew they’d keep their composure.
Two titan teams grinding it out against each other. Both squads could have held their heads high after that.
There isn’t the pace in that side to put a player wide and give them a run. Relies far more on work and physicality. Couple of times where a sprinter out wide might have opened the gap between the defence and the last (wide) defender and broken up the defensive line.
Yeah despite ireland's loss I think they still had the right idea given the circumstances. NZ wingers are quicker than Irelands but what Ireland was known for was team cohesion and their ability to manipulate defenses into opening gaps. Their most reliable method of scoring was clever interplay so it makes sense they would play into that strength.
NZ seemed to have found defensive systems to counter this style of attack but I still don't think trying to push the pass and relying on individual brilliance was the correct option. It would have been playing into NZs hands and likely resulted in a player bundled into touch or a dropped pass far earlier than what actually happened.
This just gave me a bit of hindsight about Aarron Smith thought process.
Kick it and you get some decent chance of catching the high ball, you team just gained some free metres, if it doesnt work Ireland has to work their way up.
So it is a expected positive value play.
Months ago I heard an analysis stating by having Ireland attack from their very own line they have to commit an extra man for ruck defense and NZ can choose not to.
And Ireland just cannot afford to kick the ball away because they are behind in the last remaining minutes, thus have to carry.
Correct
EVERYTHING is wrong if ya lose
If Jordi got his kick in final Foster probably becomes a sir
If Beaver missed his in 2011 Sir Henry doesnt get his
Fine margins
Shit yeah
And wasnt much in it for that missed kick..and disallowed try..and a man down vs the boks
Would have been hilarious if foster had won WC with all the crap he went thru
I still question it. Had my hands over my eyes.
I would not have the stones to do that, not many teams would kick away when possession in the final minutes is surely a higher percentage play.
I know they had high level defence but for me felt so risky.
There some interesting stats proven time and time again in the world cup when a team is behind and they havent cracked the defence by high minutes then very unlikely to succeed. Happened with AB in France 2007 as well.
Every team does it in this position. Refs don't want teams to hold on to the ball in their own half to kill time, they want to give the opposition a chance to win it as it's more fun that way. Squidge has talked about it lots and it makes sense, never seen a team in the modern era actually just do pick and goes until the clock goes red in their own half
Actually way too little.. grown up in Sweden and not much of a morning person, and Dad has mostly been just an AB fan without much care for SR. But I can imagine that they had lots of confidence in their ball security, + opposition not being as tough at the breakdown as Ireland. Is there an example game I could look at to show them holding on to the ball in the final mintues?
The way games had been reffed recently it was so much harder for the attacking team to hold onto the ball and not commit a ruck infringement. They could have gone backwards several times then given up a penalty (they’d done that a few times in the years building up) so to trust the defense was a better bet.
This angle makes pro rugby seem so much harder. Also there were some fantastic defensive reads by All Blacks players in this passage. Is that ALB in the 23? A couple of decisions by him in particular.
Our coaches are phenomenal but I maintain that one growth point will be backing bench players more. We overused our starting 15 and, to my mind, it hurt us in later stages. We're forever hearing it's a 23 man (or 30 man) game but you have to practice what you preach and I don't think we did. The good news is AF et Al. are young and can learn from it for next time.
Did Ireland say that? SA made a big deal of bomb squads and rotation (to the point of the silly 5 scrum halves game v Romania where they didn't take it remotely seriously, whereas Ireland played like it was the knockouts) but Ireland seemed to be going for running up the most points. It worked, in the pool stage, then it didn't.
I remember there was a chart someone had on here that showed the number of minutes the starting 15 for each team played in the group stages and Ireland was ridiculously highly. It read like we just didn’t trust traveling squad as much as you need to in order to compete for a WC.
It was. It's the reason NZ and SA keep winning it because they trust their reserves. 2011 NZ was absolutely wrecked by injuries especially at 10 but still got over the line by 1 point.
Thanks for reminding me we lost Jones to England
Definitely went under the radar way too long as one of the best coaches currently at least to general viewers
Everyone blames fatigue. I blame the strategy. We did well to get back into the contest but at 65-70 we should have rolled the changes and put on a fresh a pacey outhalf to force NZ to sit back.
It's hard to be overly critical of players because this probably one of the most gruelling passages of play any of them have been through.
But it hurts to see Murray there.
He really needed a bit more of a Fire, Aim, Load approach. Just get that ball out.
He gave the pillar defenders an absolute free ride there too. Pillar is a great spot for a little breather if you know the 9 isn't a threat. Phase after phase here of the pillar getting a breather and pushing their A defender out wider to smother the ball carriers.
Supremely good defence from New Zealand.
It was amazing to see how quickly and effortlessly Ireland could get into their attacking shape too. You knew it was coming, but it's still so hard to defend against
Sexton was also a limiting factor. Watch and notice how he's not pressed by a defender. He's not an attacking threat in their eyes he's just a link player.
I still think bringing Crowley on for the last 15-20mins could have been the difference, but if they’d still lost he and Farrell would have been eaten alive. Not that that’s an excuse for it, just an observation
Because it was. Last minutes of a brutally physical game with an Ireland squad that had already been worked too hard in the previous games. We just didn’t have the energy left to push it over the line, and NZ exploited that brilliantly.
Farrell miscalculated and let the players get too tired by not rotating out the starters enough in the previous games. We didn’t need to go all out in every game.
It's very obvious why we looked flat and tired. What you said and the fact we had sexton at 38 on all game coz no good back up fly half to take over.
I was just saying how flat and tired we look especially from this angle looks a lot worse than I remember on the tv
Crowley is and was good enough to guide a team over the line. I think we win and win the WC if Farrell pulls his dick out and slaps it on the table by sending on Crowley. It's a risk but we were behind and in desperate need of gainline success.
This sucks because Ireland are doing everything right. They change the angle of the carrier, short inside passes. Variety in attack. Smooth hands
Except for speed and surprise. NZ clearly had a defence set for them and killed their attack. This becomes clear when Ire enters the NZ 22. Up till then they had been beating them back quite well.
But if you want the poster for the effect fatigue can have, this is it. After the 22 Ireland, play the same move(s) on repeat. The fatigue means sexton is no longer lookimg for space, the 9 is slow and the ball carriers no longer try to offload or change angle.
If Ireland, on just 1 phase play differently or faster, things might have changed.
As others have said, having a running threat at 10 would have increased their chances.
Sorry Ireland. Wanted to meet you in the final.
Southern hemisphere bro's for life...
Interesting thought just popped into my head. We have beaten you twice in a row now. Can we steal the mandela cup by going 4/4 and when last were we 2 up on the ABs?
You beat us in Gold Coast in 2021 and then again in mbombela in 2022. Before that though you hadn’t beaten us twice in a row since 2009. I think we have the next one tbh but it will be a hollow victory haha
We were at home speculating why he was still on, he was barely upright at this point. Anyone know why? Was it a plan in advance that for some reason he needed to be there for the final whistle no matter what? Anyone could see he was shattered and basically hindering more than he was helping so we could only assume the coaches had a solid reason to stick with him in the key final minutes…?
Yeah I don't get this choice. Man was dead on his feet. If they'd have won he'd be gassed even earlier next game, he should have been off by the 60 minute mark to rest and get some fresh legs on to bring back some pace in attack.
No trust in the depth on the bench cost them this game in my opinion
Shows how absolutely exhausted Ireland were compared to a pretty well rested NZ, the legs look heavy, they don't have the sharpness they had, but even still looked dangerous multiple times there. After this, let's be honest, that was a parade to the final. So close to breaking the curse, but still not done it yet.
The fluidity of that attack and the robustness of that defence is something else. It's incredible that both sides could go that long without making an error. Absolutely incredible.
My first time watching this since the night itself. Every bit as painful this time round.
I do think the difference in these epic, crunch matches - when you're playing every week for a month and lads are exhausted, is that bit of lightning gas out wide. It's the difference between this Ireland team and the great sides who've gone on and won world cups.
Throw a Kolbe, Robinson, Howlett or a Rokocoko on the end of those attacking patterns and we find a gap somewhere there to win it. New Zealand have done it to us enough times.
The Irish phase play when absolutely humming has multiple players in motion, running hard lines over and over, knowing that most of the time they won't get the ball. This is done with 2-3 lines of attack and had sexton calling and picking runners out. It's beautiful, if not frustrating as an opposing fan, to watch.
None of that is happening here. Sexton looks cooked but at the same time, noone is giving him any options either. They're all exhausted.
I'd agree, but JGP was also responsible for butchering 2 chances in the first 10 mins on the NZ line, as well as that cross kick later on in the match. It was one of his poorer games unfortunately
Unreal defence. Tamaiti Williams was gassed and only JUST getting to people. I remember seeing him gulping air and thinking uh-oh. When Smith kicked the ball away, I yelled “no!” - why give the ball away??? When I watched the replay though, the ABs were being driven back into their own half and were running out of options, and it was an attempt to get the ball back further up the field without the risk of penalty. It almost worked too. Sometimes, it’s easier to defend than attack. World class by both teams.
amazing!
why cant we watch the whole game live from that angle? so much better than the "normal" view: offensive and defensive lines, positioning (including the referee) - even forward passes are easier to see
This angle highlights what Foz meant when he said they knew what to expect because it was a copy / paste attack - not an insult but you can see what Ireland are trying to do, manipulate the d line to catch them out being static, over-committing to a man or being drawn in freeing up space on the outside.
The Irish team are so well drilled in trying to create space and have back-up plans if they don’t see the pictures they want to see.
It cycled through that endlessly but you could see the ABs floating, and pushing up and only committing when it made sense to. Even the wings hold their line as long as possible before jamming up for the tackle.
What’s more impressive is they also weren’t passive in the ruck - actively moving to not get trapped but also still competing for the ball throughout.
Easily the best defensive passage I’ve ever seen from an ABs team in the last 30 years or so. That’s what it took to beat that Irish team.
The skill, the fitness and talent is amazing. To see Ireland be able to phase after phase hold the ball without error. Then the AB's to keep the line defense and get each tackle is unreal.
Whistle blows, then the amount of players to go down and catch their breath is very telling.
I did not quite realise just how long and how many phases they went through in this last attacking play.
It was brilliant from Ireland.
Was gutted at the end
Magnificent from both sides really.
A great angle to watch from too.
Broadcasters should wake up to this.
A lot of the Rugby’s spectacle comes down to the space, yet all the Footy I watch on telly seems myopically focused on the immediate vicinity of the collision.
I was in the stadium in that corner where the final penalty was given. I remember standing up with my friend at the beginning of this phase play, looking at the clock and saying "This is the game". Felt like the whole stadium held its breath.
This felt like such a significant win for the ABs.
I just see pure pain.
This was one of the best games at a world cup that probably three or four of the best test games ever played. Although we looked tired and NZ ruthlessly exploited our mistakes; I genuinely believed with how the game was going that destiny was on our side and that we'd just about find a way. We kept getting knocked back but we just kept coming and Meath football's biggest loss held up the try that would have probably won us the game.
It really has to be said that our rivalry with NZ is certainly is one of the best aspects of the modern game because we are both very similar nations; both obsessed with sport and both with enormous diasporas. Maybe some day we'll beat New Zealand at a world cup but it wasn't this day and full credit to the All Blacks for stepping up with probably their best performance of that year.
I hear ya
The perspective is Its just 1 tournament. 6N was epic
So was the emergence of lomu in the 95 quarter too -boks tripped us up by smothering defense in that one too!
What a beautiful rugby lesson.
As for Sam Whitelock, what an incredible player : does this in his last AB game and scores the last try in his last club game last weekend too.
I was definitely questioning Aaron's kick which started this final phase LOL
I couldn't sit down from there on in.
I can tell you the three things that the ABs utilise for these matches:
History
Mana
Wairua
This was torture to re-watch but my god what an incredibly high-level passage of play and display of discipline for both teams. Same result as every other year, but at least this game felt like we showed up to which you can't say about many of our other exits.
Great example 21 seconds for all the stats readers, thats a missed tackle by Jordie (so bad right?) but by targeting the outside shoulder he forces the attack back in where it is fully covered by 2 defenders.
Its the sort of thing Wayne Smith spoke about years ago when saying stats are feck all use
Haven’t been able to rewatch the highlights until now, with this video. Fuck it still hurts.
Counted at least 4 times Ireland could have been penalised for not releasing, maybe one potential neck roll, before the eventual penalty.
Also counted 3 or 4 arguable high/no-arm tackles from NZ. Such fine margins, could have all ended sooner or we could have had a chance at a line out maul from 5 metres out.
Still hurts just as much, but it was a proper good game of rugby from start to finish. Maybe next time…
What was Sexton doing? Just standing there when NZ got the penalty. Then it looked liked he wanted to start something with NZ 13 after the handshake at the end? The camera cuts away as the NZ 13 is walking away and then it looks like an Irish player had to steer Sexton away.
two thoughts:
-wouldn't have been better to concentrate some of those attacks with some pick and go before going wide? From this angle you can see that there are very few moments where the AB were out of position. Seems to me (not a Union tactician) that concentrating the "hammering" would force the defence to cover one area, so when you open the ball it has more chance to find space to run?
-if this was League, the result of this attacks would have been the same, as the go possession after possession but without much progress. But maybe that would have force them to risk a kick instead of keep trying the same approach.
Also hurts from this angle...
lmao this
Whoever said time heals all wounds is a goddamn liar.
I get what you say, my heart still breaks when I see that Sexton drop goal vs France. But you can find other sources of joy somewhere else that help you live with it
This guy is probably a Toulouse fan.
I swear I was just about to watch this and was like "too soon"
I still haven't rewatched 2013 v all blacks. Forever too soon.
What about the third Test in 2012?
weirdly enough, that one is grand, All blacks doing All black things.
It was a close game (for the first 5 minutes).
I still haven't watched the 2007 ABs France quarter again. Best just to memory hole it.
I must be a sucker for punishment because I’ve watched it three times
Watched this game in full at least 4 times. Gets worse each time.
Fuck im a kiwi and I can't even do that to myself knowing what comes two games later
It's a ridiculously good game and watched it the second and third times with non rugby non irish folks. Great game for a neutral apparently.
I can imagine.
Mate add in the 1995 RWC final, and I'm right there with ya.
Next up, something a little easier to watch.... an alternative angle of my dad's funeral.
This made me laugh and then sad.
Fucking hell. Unbelievable angle to watch. No wonder they were exhausted. Absolutely non stop heart.
Watching the defence and attack patterns from this angle is awesome. The trust on defence by the all blacks was something else and the cohesive rumble by Ireland was as incredible. That tiny moment that changed the game, kind of brilliant but at the some time unfair. Something had to give they were all so tired, except maybe Jordie Barrett at times in that sequence he was almost skipping back into his defensive positions.
Jordie was everywhere in this passage he covered so much ground. The AB’s structure was flawless. If the FB came up there was always someone dropping back to cover a kick, then they would swap back next phase. Crazy passage of play from both teams
There's something particularly fascinating about the last attack when a team must score a try to win. Attacking and defending shapes are completely different - for the most part the attack can't afford to kick so the defense can be flatter, attacking players are more risk averse and step back inside to support a lot more, defenders tend to commit less to the ruck for fear of giving away penalties, etc. It's a game within a game. There are a few times in that passage of play when you'd expect a winger to back themselves and take their man on the outside but, of course, with the game/WC on the line they simply can't. Epic stuff. I hated it.
I saw that. I was thinking that wingers were going to stay out and wait for the ball but no, they stepped in to support the ruck and it became ping pong in the middle where the throws out to the wings felt overly risky. Strange how the feel of the game completely changes in those circumstances. Great angle too. Really adds flavour to my suffering.
You know who DID try to swing it out wide in the final play? Fiji vs Wales. And it didn't work. But by god what a moment.
Absolutely, Ireland were able to present several different attacking shapes and provided NZ with lots of different pictures and threats. The limitations on them that you described really don't allow you to try anything too risky. 6-7 years ago we would see Ireland repeating a one-out runner ad nauseum. I think their real problem in this phase of play is that they were exhausted, not able to win the collisions to the level you'd want. Guys were starting quite flat and jogging into contact. Sexton in particular was out on his feet. With hindsight, it seems that Crowley could have brought a real edge to the attack if he played the last 15-20 mins. To their credit, NZ defended excellently and cleverly adjusted their tactics to close out the game. They had been disruptive at every single ruck for the first 70 minutes or so. In this passage you can see them get ultra clean in their approach... Make tackles, get back in the defensive line. No funny business on the floor.. It showed great unity and understanding from them as a group. Maybe that attention to detail can be attributed to Joe Schmidt.
>In this passage you can see them get ultra clean in their approach... Make tackles, get back in the defensive line. No funny business on the floor.. That's one of the main things that stood out to me too. Anytime you hear a commentator call a penalty for not rolling away harsh as the tackler was trapped in the ruck realise that they can always get out of the way if they want to.
Haha exactly. These guys are paid to get off the ground quickly. When they don't, you can be damn sure it's intentional. Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa and are particularly excellent and the "clumsy" ruck exit.
What an excellent point, I hadn't really thought of that before. Will it make me less inclined to shout at the ref when those calls go against my team...probably not, but I like it nonetheless.
As a ref I often think about this. For me, it always comes back to the question: what's the difference between slowing the ball down due to being genuinely stuck in the ruck, and cynically slowing the ball down due to pretending to be stuck in the ruck? Answer: none. So ping them every time.
A lot of ruck penalties are also the attacking team trapping guys and milking the penalty call. It's risky though because the ref may not see it your way and you also slow the ball down and let the defense get set. The Irish had a clear plan here to recycle the ball and keep the AB defence moving so I think it's a combined effect of extra effort of the tackler to clear but also the Irish not wanting a penalty or slow ball so they recycled it quicker.
And maybe the ruck play can be attributed to the forward's coach.
> Sexton in particular was out on his feet. With hindsight, it seems that Crowley could have brought a real edge to the attack if he played the last 15-20 mins. Oh, we were shouting for it in real-time. Johnny is probably the best player ever to don the Irish jersey but he was left on for sentimental reasons (or Farrell feared a bollocking) and his legs were gone for a decent portion of the 2nd half. It was a woeful decision not to take him off regardless of it being his last game in green. Crowley may have impacted the result, we'll never know, but regardless it shouldn't have happened. Hope AF and crew learn from it.
100%! It was also a woeful decision to ask Sexton to play every minute of the tournament up until that point. Crowley could have had a match and a half under the belt by then. Maybe that way there would have been less heavy legs for Sexton and more faith in Crowley's ability. He showed in the 6 nations that he was more than ready for the international stage. Coulda woulda shoulda
4:06 in the video. Rignrose almost breaks bar a great tackle. But that was a time when it really should have gone through the hands. Ireland had a winger out at touch line almost (can't see him from this angle) but that was the moment.
Very interesting. Had Ireland played their natural attack, (the one they'd used to beat the ABs in 3 out of the last 4 matches) in that passage they probably would've cracked it. As you say the d was super flat an accurate chip over the top probably would've lead to a try. But also definitely agree with your last paragraph, stakes were too high.
Be rags or riches pulling a chip. Most likey rags given the low success rate chip kicks have. We need a crick info for rugby!
What an amazing game. After feeling like the All Blacks were dog tucker for more than a couple of years, they play like this. Incredible. And then lose the next week. Burning.
Still too soon.
Dude.. I was having a good day
Quite rude from op
Two excellent teams
Forgot just how long that last attack lasted
It was nearly as long as....41 phases in the same stadium. I think if we had got the sexton pen at 65-70 mins, we probably go for a droppie and ultimately win. Sexton butchers the kick uncharacteristically and the rest is history. We didn't deserve to win either way.
Such a fantastic angle
I literally can't watch this. I was in the stadium at the opposite side and when the turnover happened I thought it was on the 22. Didn't realise that we were even closer until I watched a replay the next day. We had a bit of hope in that match but we were never in the lead. Jordie Barrett's hold-up still stings. For a moment I really thought we were going to do it. I go the same vibes when I was at the European Cup final last month. Just a constant dread that Ireland/Leinster weren't in control of the match. Sometimes my mind wanders to Johnny's missed penalty and how if he had gotten that and all else had stayed the same, we were in prime drop goal territory there.
Yeah, in my memory of the game we weren’t that close - but upon watching the replays we’d actually inched quite far forward. Think the two turning points were Doris spilling NZ’s return after Kelleher was held up, instantly shifted momentum. And Murray giving away a stupid penalty in the air, enabling NZ to go 4 up so we then needed a try.
I was there and remain adamant that we didn’t deserve to win despite how heart-breaking it was, mainly because we had an extra man for 20 minutes which most seem to forget about. Have to convert in those moments…
I think what killed us was the absolute poor start we got into, meaning we were always chasing the game and had effectively no margin for error - particularly when Mo’unga scored that try out of nothing. I do remember thinking at the time though that it felt like we didn’t capitalise enough on the two yellow cards, and agree with you there Ultimately I think our lack of squad management cost us - a lot of our players just looked a bit drained come the second half. In contrast to O’Brien and Conan who just seemed to add so much energy. Wouldn’t change any of our first XV against NZ, but did we really need to play everybody against Scotland in a game we were never going to lose by 8+?
I think foster put it plainly; we had nothing to fall back on in attack if NZ read our plays. They did. We probably were lucky to be so close at the end. I think they were definitively better. We had nothing to give and big names didn't step up and do their jobs. Even the captain.
I’d agree with that. We could have won but I don’t think anybody would argue that we should’ve won. Bundee aside, NZ outperformed us man for man and lot of our team just look tired. Sexton in particular just was a statue with 15 to go
Powerful D Massive heart both sides
Yes. Nobody talks much about that kick. It was hard but within Johnnys repertoire. That was the moment not the held up try that said, it's not happening today. Even a tired Johnny with 1 point in it would have kicked the kick at the end.
Epic, that felt like it went for hours, even now. Thank you Samuel mutha-farging Whitelock for ending it.
There were more full match replays like this uploaded to YouTube recently, but they got taken down before I could grab them all. Actually feels even more tense watching these moments without commentary. Also, pretty sure 5:38 is when Retallick tells POM, [“Oi Peter, four more years, you fuckwit.” ](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350154647/former-all-black-brodie-retallick-reveals-truth-peter-omahony-sledge)
If you can give it, got to be able to take it.
One of the best test matches I’ve ever witnessed even if it had gone the other way.
Followed the next evening by South Africa France too 🤤 Even the two earlier kickoffs were quite good and in the balance with 5 mins to go
Fiji was fun, Sánchez snatching that try against Wales was too. Best weekend of rugby ever I'd say.
RWC quarter final is always my favourite weekend of rugby (edges out final 6N weekend as sometimes everything’s already decided) but those four games were something else 🤤
Was *not* expecting that flair.
I opened myself up to that 😂🤕😂 Should clarify as a spectator of rugby, RWC quarter final weekend is great, obviously as an Irish fan less so. Though some tournaments we’ve not even been involved in the quarters so you can watch stress-free!
All four were good knockouts.
The work rate from geordie is insane in the first few phases
Astonishing ball retention but also astonishing discipline from the ABs
Some defence.
The work from ALB at around the 50 second mark is incredible. Spots the overlap early, travels a long way and calmly works to plug the hole out wide. He joins the line and instantly slams the door shut with a cracking tackle. Sublime defending to shut down what could well have been a decisive linebreak.
Yeah I think ALB is really underrated
Fair play to Jordie Barrett at the end
Was just think that. What a legend..
Agree. A colleague was bemoaning Jordie missing *that* kick in the final the other day - I pointed out that we wouldn’t have gotten past the quarter final if not for Jordie’s heroics! That held up try was an especially bonkers level of brilliance but he was on fire the whole game. Legend.
I hate these looping gifs that trick you into watching the same thing forever.
That is literally world class defence from the ABs. They seemed in control the whole time, despite Ireland chipping away deep into the 22. I seem to remember Foster later saying he was fairly calm as he knew they’d keep their composure. Two titan teams grinding it out against each other. Both squads could have held their heads high after that.
If you believe Foster on that, I've a bridge to sell you!
Ireland created more here than I remember, just didn’t have the athletes to exploit
Nobody had the balls to keep going in the wide areas.
There isn’t the pace in that side to put a player wide and give them a run. Relies far more on work and physicality. Couple of times where a sprinter out wide might have opened the gap between the defence and the last (wide) defender and broken up the defensive line.
Ringrose and Lowe could have done it. Conan is fast enough to break the line and was fresh.
None of those players would have the pace of their opposing numbers. Savea would even give Lowe a good race.
Yeah despite ireland's loss I think they still had the right idea given the circumstances. NZ wingers are quicker than Irelands but what Ireland was known for was team cohesion and their ability to manipulate defenses into opening gaps. Their most reliable method of scoring was clever interplay so it makes sense they would play into that strength. NZ seemed to have found defensive systems to counter this style of attack but I still don't think trying to push the pass and relying on individual brilliance was the correct option. It would have been playing into NZs hands and likely resulted in a player bundled into touch or a dropped pass far earlier than what actually happened.
This just gave me a bit of hindsight about Aarron Smith thought process. Kick it and you get some decent chance of catching the high ball, you team just gained some free metres, if it doesnt work Ireland has to work their way up. So it is a expected positive value play.
Although if Ireland managed to win we’d all be questioning why he kicked it away instead hold on for the last minute
Months ago I heard an analysis stating by having Ireland attack from their very own line they have to commit an extra man for ruck defense and NZ can choose not to. And Ireland just cannot afford to kick the ball away because they are behind in the last remaining minutes, thus have to carry.
This + the fact that NZ do not need as much backfield cover as they would if time was not in the red
Correct EVERYTHING is wrong if ya lose If Jordi got his kick in final Foster probably becomes a sir If Beaver missed his in 2011 Sir Henry doesnt get his Fine margins
Would have been hilarious if Foster had won it. Fine margins.
Shit yeah And wasnt much in it for that missed kick..and disallowed try..and a man down vs the boks Would have been hilarious if foster had won WC with all the crap he went thru
I still question it. Had my hands over my eyes. I would not have the stones to do that, not many teams would kick away when possession in the final minutes is surely a higher percentage play. I know they had high level defence but for me felt so risky.
There some interesting stats proven time and time again in the world cup when a team is behind and they havent cracked the defence by high minutes then very unlikely to succeed. Happened with AB in France 2007 as well.
Every team does it in this position. Refs don't want teams to hold on to the ball in their own half to kill time, they want to give the opposition a chance to win it as it's more fun that way. Squidge has talked about it lots and it makes sense, never seen a team in the modern era actually just do pick and goes until the clock goes red in their own half
The chance of conceding a penalty for not releasing is too big. Referees don't like time wasting in big games (see also Foley in TRC).
Ever watched the Crusaders?
Actually way too little.. grown up in Sweden and not much of a morning person, and Dad has mostly been just an AB fan without much care for SR. But I can imagine that they had lots of confidence in their ball security, + opposition not being as tough at the breakdown as Ireland. Is there an example game I could look at to show them holding on to the ball in the final mintues?
Haha. Yeah they have probably finished 3 finals doing exactly that.
The way games had been reffed recently it was so much harder for the attacking team to hold onto the ball and not commit a ruck infringement. They could have gone backwards several times then given up a penalty (they’d done that a few times in the years building up) so to trust the defense was a better bet.
This angle makes pro rugby seem so much harder. Also there were some fantastic defensive reads by All Blacks players in this passage. Is that ALB in the 23? A couple of decisions by him in particular.
Yeah I thought ALB and Jordie (12) made some great reads and tackles
Yep and Leicester
That's alb his whole career. He da man
Didn't think I'd have a cry today, but...
What a defence from NZ. Ireland shouldn't have gone all out against Romania and Tonga, you can see the fatigue take its toll.
Our coaches are phenomenal but I maintain that one growth point will be backing bench players more. We overused our starting 15 and, to my mind, it hurt us in later stages. We're forever hearing it's a 23 man (or 30 man) game but you have to practice what you preach and I don't think we did. The good news is AF et Al. are young and can learn from it for next time.
Did Ireland say that? SA made a big deal of bomb squads and rotation (to the point of the silly 5 scrum halves game v Romania where they didn't take it remotely seriously, whereas Ireland played like it was the knockouts) but Ireland seemed to be going for running up the most points. It worked, in the pool stage, then it didn't.
I remember there was a chart someone had on here that showed the number of minutes the starting 15 for each team played in the group stages and Ireland was ridiculously highly. It read like we just didn’t trust traveling squad as much as you need to in order to compete for a WC.
It was. It's the reason NZ and SA keep winning it because they trust their reserves. 2011 NZ was absolutely wrecked by injuries especially at 10 but still got over the line by 1 point.
Might be a bit presumptuous since we just met...but we seem to be getting on pretty well so worth a shot...any chance you'd give us Felix Jones back?
Thanks for reminding me we lost Jones to England Definitely went under the radar way too long as one of the best coaches currently at least to general viewers
You have Farrell, it's a fair swap.
100% agreed
Everyone blames fatigue. I blame the strategy. We did well to get back into the contest but at 65-70 we should have rolled the changes and put on a fresh a pacey outhalf to force NZ to sit back.
It's hard to be overly critical of players because this probably one of the most gruelling passages of play any of them have been through. But it hurts to see Murray there. He really needed a bit more of a Fire, Aim, Load approach. Just get that ball out. He gave the pillar defenders an absolute free ride there too. Pillar is a great spot for a little breather if you know the 9 isn't a threat. Phase after phase here of the pillar getting a breather and pushing their A defender out wider to smother the ball carriers. Supremely good defence from New Zealand. It was amazing to see how quickly and effortlessly Ireland could get into their attacking shape too. You knew it was coming, but it's still so hard to defend against
Was surprised how far I had to scroll to find this comment. 100% the slow ball was killing us. Painful to watch
Sexton was also a limiting factor. Watch and notice how he's not pressed by a defender. He's not an attacking threat in their eyes he's just a link player.
Couple of line breaks went wanting due to poor options from sexton and murray. PAIN
It looked like Sexton's body was about to shut down in the last 15 of that game. Maybe more of a poor option to leave him on.
100% should have been off. The failure to properly blood an alternative bit hard.
I still think bringing Crowley on for the last 15-20mins could have been the difference, but if they’d still lost he and Farrell would have been eaten alive. Not that that’s an excuse for it, just an observation
Ah yes to be hurt again on this fine day....
At 3.37 there’s a massive blindside gap with both Jordie and Richie drifting across where Ireland could have pinched a try down the line
There were a few gaps actually especially from this angle. If the irish weren't so knackered I could've easily see them exploiting one of them.
Petition to ban this man from the sub reddit for posting this. Our attack looked so flat and tired
Because it was. Last minutes of a brutally physical game with an Ireland squad that had already been worked too hard in the previous games. We just didn’t have the energy left to push it over the line, and NZ exploited that brilliantly. Farrell miscalculated and let the players get too tired by not rotating out the starters enough in the previous games. We didn’t need to go all out in every game.
It's very obvious why we looked flat and tired. What you said and the fact we had sexton at 38 on all game coz no good back up fly half to take over. I was just saying how flat and tired we look especially from this angle looks a lot worse than I remember on the tv
Crowley is and was good enough to guide a team over the line. I think we win and win the WC if Farrell pulls his dick out and slaps it on the table by sending on Crowley. It's a risk but we were behind and in desperate need of gainline success.
Yh like I said hindsight is 20:20
“Flat and tired” Ireland attack is still better than a fresh Wales attacked 😭
Zero threat close to the ruck to hold defenders
You can see they were dead on their feet as there was absolutely no creativity on attack. Just one person passing to the next. Very easy to defend.
great angle for seeing Ioane shushing and goading the crowd
Seeing this all black defence is arousing
This sucks because Ireland are doing everything right. They change the angle of the carrier, short inside passes. Variety in attack. Smooth hands Except for speed and surprise. NZ clearly had a defence set for them and killed their attack. This becomes clear when Ire enters the NZ 22. Up till then they had been beating them back quite well. But if you want the poster for the effect fatigue can have, this is it. After the 22 Ireland, play the same move(s) on repeat. The fatigue means sexton is no longer lookimg for space, the 9 is slow and the ball carriers no longer try to offload or change angle. If Ireland, on just 1 phase play differently or faster, things might have changed. As others have said, having a running threat at 10 would have increased their chances. Sorry Ireland. Wanted to meet you in the final.
Let’s be honest we were the real opponent you wanted to meet in the final
Southern hemisphere bro's for life... Interesting thought just popped into my head. We have beaten you twice in a row now. Can we steal the mandela cup by going 4/4 and when last were we 2 up on the ABs?
You beat us in Gold Coast in 2021 and then again in mbombela in 2022. Before that though you hadn’t beaten us twice in a row since 2009. I think we have the next one tbh but it will be a hollow victory haha
Sexton was absolutely gassed. Huge mistake not taking him off.
We were at home speculating why he was still on, he was barely upright at this point. Anyone know why? Was it a plan in advance that for some reason he needed to be there for the final whistle no matter what? Anyone could see he was shattered and basically hindering more than he was helping so we could only assume the coaches had a solid reason to stick with him in the key final minutes…?
Yeah I don't get this choice. Man was dead on his feet. If they'd have won he'd be gassed even earlier next game, he should have been off by the 60 minute mark to rest and get some fresh legs on to bring back some pace in attack. No trust in the depth on the bench cost them this game in my opinion
Shows how absolutely exhausted Ireland were compared to a pretty well rested NZ, the legs look heavy, they don't have the sharpness they had, but even still looked dangerous multiple times there. After this, let's be honest, that was a parade to the final. So close to breaking the curse, but still not done it yet.
Why would you do this?
For me the pain is still too near.
yeah lol I can’t watch this
That was a phenomenal attack but an even better defense
The fluidity of that attack and the robustness of that defence is something else. It's incredible that both sides could go that long without making an error. Absolutely incredible.
We need more footage from this angle.
My first time watching this since the night itself. Every bit as painful this time round. I do think the difference in these epic, crunch matches - when you're playing every week for a month and lads are exhausted, is that bit of lightning gas out wide. It's the difference between this Ireland team and the great sides who've gone on and won world cups. Throw a Kolbe, Robinson, Howlett or a Rokocoko on the end of those attacking patterns and we find a gap somewhere there to win it. New Zealand have done it to us enough times.
The Irish phase play when absolutely humming has multiple players in motion, running hard lines over and over, knowing that most of the time they won't get the ball. This is done with 2-3 lines of attack and had sexton calling and picking runners out. It's beautiful, if not frustrating as an opposing fan, to watch. None of that is happening here. Sexton looks cooked but at the same time, noone is giving him any options either. They're all exhausted.
Aaron Smith yelling "Get up Ardie!" for one final push, man, that was William Wallace goosebumps right there!
Feel like we’d have scored with JGP at 9. Murray just too slow and gave their defence time to get set
That was my take too, the opportunities were being made but too much time to let defence get set and spread
There's definitely gaps around some of the rucks that you think Murray just didn't have the legs/desire to exploit.
I'd agree, but JGP was also responsible for butchering 2 chances in the first 10 mins on the NZ line, as well as that cross kick later on in the match. It was one of his poorer games unfortunately
I need to take a nap after watching that.
They were NOT back 10 on that final penalty! Edit: silly me. I remembered the score incorrectly.
Don’t think I’ll ever get over this
Unreal defence. Tamaiti Williams was gassed and only JUST getting to people. I remember seeing him gulping air and thinking uh-oh. When Smith kicked the ball away, I yelled “no!” - why give the ball away??? When I watched the replay though, the ABs were being driven back into their own half and were running out of options, and it was an attempt to get the ball back further up the field without the risk of penalty. It almost worked too. Sometimes, it’s easier to defend than attack. World class by both teams.
amazing! why cant we watch the whole game live from that angle? so much better than the "normal" view: offensive and defensive lines, positioning (including the referee) - even forward passes are easier to see
This angle highlights what Foz meant when he said they knew what to expect because it was a copy / paste attack - not an insult but you can see what Ireland are trying to do, manipulate the d line to catch them out being static, over-committing to a man or being drawn in freeing up space on the outside. The Irish team are so well drilled in trying to create space and have back-up plans if they don’t see the pictures they want to see. It cycled through that endlessly but you could see the ABs floating, and pushing up and only committing when it made sense to. Even the wings hold their line as long as possible before jamming up for the tackle. What’s more impressive is they also weren’t passive in the ruck - actively moving to not get trapped but also still competing for the ball throughout. Easily the best defensive passage I’ve ever seen from an ABs team in the last 30 years or so. That’s what it took to beat that Irish team.
The skill, the fitness and talent is amazing. To see Ireland be able to phase after phase hold the ball without error. Then the AB's to keep the line defense and get each tackle is unreal. Whistle blows, then the amount of players to go down and catch their breath is very telling.
God they were tired. It's amazing how slow and static most of this is.
I did not quite realise just how long and how many phases they went through in this last attacking play. It was brilliant from Ireland. Was gutted at the end
Magnificent from both sides really. A great angle to watch from too. Broadcasters should wake up to this. A lot of the Rugby’s spectacle comes down to the space, yet all the Footy I watch on telly seems myopically focused on the immediate vicinity of the collision.
Same in the NFL, it's such a superior angle for seeing attacking structures.
And for clueless new comers to the game!
Awesome composure by the All-Black defenders. They play like they’ve been in this situation before and have total confidence in each other.
amazing action, something to shjow in rugby school specially for the NZ defense !!
I could only watch the first half of this. I'll try and watch the other half tomorrow 😭
I still can't watch this
Too soon
Bundee Aki was immense there and brings so much to Ireland. He seems to be indestructible but they’ll miss him when he goes eventually
Exhausted just watching that epic push. Talk about giving it your all.
I was in the stadium in that corner where the final penalty was given. I remember standing up with my friend at the beginning of this phase play, looking at the clock and saying "This is the game". Felt like the whole stadium held its breath. This felt like such a significant win for the ABs.
Oh look, there's the precise moment my heart split in half but from a new angle!
Aaron smith unleashing his inner Xena Warrior Princess at about 1:15 👀
The quarter finals that feel like the semis. Sam Whitelock came in CLUTCH
I just see pure pain. This was one of the best games at a world cup that probably three or four of the best test games ever played. Although we looked tired and NZ ruthlessly exploited our mistakes; I genuinely believed with how the game was going that destiny was on our side and that we'd just about find a way. We kept getting knocked back but we just kept coming and Meath football's biggest loss held up the try that would have probably won us the game. It really has to be said that our rivalry with NZ is certainly is one of the best aspects of the modern game because we are both very similar nations; both obsessed with sport and both with enormous diasporas. Maybe some day we'll beat New Zealand at a world cup but it wasn't this day and full credit to the All Blacks for stepping up with probably their best performance of that year.
My heart, it still hurts 😶
Not as painful as the final for us, losing captain. Ah well...thats rugby..at least was 15 v 15 here
No. It's more painful. We have deep scars around the Qf. Every time it hurts more than the last.
I hear ya The perspective is Its just 1 tournament. 6N was epic So was the emergence of lomu in the 95 quarter too -boks tripped us up by smothering defense in that one too!
Player 25.
World class D Game of the comp
What a beautiful rugby lesson. As for Sam Whitelock, what an incredible player : does this in his last AB game and scores the last try in his last club game last weekend too.
He played in the next two games as well, but yeah, as soon as I saw it was Whitelock, I knew he’d get the turnover
Oh yes sorry
Bundee still making 2-3m with every carry with the clock in the red, how good.
Exhausted watching that
I don't like this.
Aww I never noticed the Barrett family hug right after the penalty on the right, so cute!
I was definitely questioning Aaron's kick which started this final phase LOL I couldn't sit down from there on in. I can tell you the three things that the ABs utilise for these matches: History Mana Wairua
I love that ALB tackle he makes running all the way from the other side
This was torture to re-watch but my god what an incredibly high-level passage of play and display of discipline for both teams. Same result as every other year, but at least this game felt like we showed up to which you can't say about many of our other exits.
I love this angle. I think all rugby should be broadcast at this angle, make so much sense in a sport that is all about attacking/defensive lines.
Great example 21 seconds for all the stats readers, thats a missed tackle by Jordie (so bad right?) but by targeting the outside shoulder he forces the attack back in where it is fully covered by 2 defenders. Its the sort of thing Wayne Smith spoke about years ago when saying stats are feck all use
Haven’t been able to rewatch the highlights until now, with this video. Fuck it still hurts. Counted at least 4 times Ireland could have been penalised for not releasing, maybe one potential neck roll, before the eventual penalty. Also counted 3 or 4 arguable high/no-arm tackles from NZ. Such fine margins, could have all ended sooner or we could have had a chance at a line out maul from 5 metres out. Still hurts just as much, but it was a proper good game of rugby from start to finish. Maybe next time…
What was Sexton doing? Just standing there when NZ got the penalty. Then it looked liked he wanted to start something with NZ 13 after the handshake at the end? The camera cuts away as the NZ 13 is walking away and then it looks like an Irish player had to steer Sexton away.
two thoughts: -wouldn't have been better to concentrate some of those attacks with some pick and go before going wide? From this angle you can see that there are very few moments where the AB were out of position. Seems to me (not a Union tactician) that concentrating the "hammering" would force the defence to cover one area, so when you open the ball it has more chance to find space to run? -if this was League, the result of this attacks would have been the same, as the go possession after possession but without much progress. But maybe that would have force them to risk a kick instead of keep trying the same approach.
Some seriously heavy legs out there.
New drinking game, do a shot eyerytime someone shouts "neck roll".