{"id":19822,"date":"2023-10-20T11:01:54","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T22:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/?p=19822"},"modified":"2023-10-20T17:19:49","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T04:19:49","slug":"aisle-be-back-its-semis-time-at-the-rwc-and-the-npc-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/2023\/10\/20\/aisle-be-back-its-semis-time-at-the-rwc-and-the-npc-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Aisle be Back: It&#8217;s semis time at the RWC and the NPC final"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>By Kevin McCarthy<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s quite a testimony to the fast looming legacy phase of Ian Foster\u2019s <strong>All Blacks<\/strong> tenure that there\u2019s extra reason to have a gnawing feeling in the stomach ahead of tomorrow\u2019s rugby world semifinal against <strong>Argentina.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We surely know by now that there is nothing given for any team at this or any knockout stage.<\/p>\n<p>All four teams know this, and say they are prepared for it. If there is vulnerability in overconfidence, it will lie with New Zealand and South Africa \u2013 both of whom faced down imminent exit in two gripping matches against topflight opponents.<\/p>\n<p>England and Argentina are just the sorts of teams you don\u2019t want to play. Neither will try that much and will be tough to break down. They\u2019ll want to keep the game close and see where the cards (literally) fall.\u00a0 Apologies here to England \u2013 I thought them poor and doomed to stay in their pool. Well, here they are. Possibly still poor but built to keep trundling on.<\/p>\n<p>Back to Team Fozzie though, and after revealing last weekend what they could do at full noise for 80 minutes, the nervous feeling is that they typically back up the brilliant with the mediocre. This is not a lack of belief from fans but borne out by the cold, hard stats.<\/p>\n<p>The stakes are so much higher now that you\u2019d hope this won\u2019t happen again, but it\u2019s hardly our fault as fans if we have been conditioned to feel this way. A slap on the wrist for the great man Tana Umaga as well \u2013 using the slur of band-waggoning to attack the attitude of fans.\u00a0 We all want the All Blacks to succeed, but mindless boosterism of what for the past two years has been a struggling side is not of any use to anyone either.<\/p>\n<p>What will be good on Saturday? Anything over a 10 point margin as we head into the last five minutes.\u00a0 Anything less could be a bit excruciating, let alone fatal.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"pt\" dir=\"ltr\">Semifinal team \ud83e\udee1<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AllBlacks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AllBlacks<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RWC2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#RWC2023<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DEZDpXL98Y\">pic.twitter.com\/DEZDpXL98Y<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; All Blacks (@AllBlacks) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AllBlacks\/status\/1714672689623785621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 18, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>What will be good on Sunday? A <strong>Boks<\/strong> win.\u00a0 Of course, a part of us all might hope <strong>England<\/strong> could derail the world champs. But really, this tournament deserves quite a bit more than England getting anywhere near the William Webb Ellis.\u00a0 Fair play to them if they do, however.<\/p>\n<p>The universe will probably serve up a dream final \u2013 1995 redux, but with better hotel catering.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, I know we have three chickens where I live, and I have no intention of counting them.<\/p>\n<p>++++++++<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Irish<\/strong> continue to make huge strides with their rugby. They\u2019re now learning what it is like to be at or near the very top, and still lose.<\/p>\n<p>Listening to the pained, disconsolate feelings of commentators and fans post-match is like a huge echo chamber of what New Zealand supporters have endured at world cups.<\/p>\n<p>At least we\u2019ve won a few. At some point Ireland will do the same. It just never gets easier even after that. This is the price of being the best.<\/p>\n<p><strong>France<\/strong> has a different track record. Glorious upsets punctuate their world cups.\u00a0 But going out in your home tournament, by the narrowest of margin. Next level pain.\u00a0 If France finally win the Cup next time, it will mean Ireland won\u2019t. Cruel isn\u2019t it.<\/p>\n<p>++++++++<\/p>\n<p>Just a wee aside on the <strong>37-phase defensive effort of the All Blacks<\/strong>. In the immortal 2013 finish where the All Blacks had to keep the ball alive to win and secure their unbeaten season \u2013 as well as not lose to Ireland for the first time \u2013 they did the job after what seemed an eternity.<\/p>\n<p>In fact, I rewatched it. Just 12 phases. A veritable walk in the park.<\/p>\n<p>Former Wellington College hooker Dane Coles had this to say as well:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Did You Miss This? Dane Coles Calling Johnny Sexton a &quot;mouthy C&amp;^t&quot; Ireland vs All Blacks 2021 Clip\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RH4pRCEp6iA?start=4&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>+++++++++<\/p>\n<p>The Lions will probably not want to watch the <strong>NPC final<\/strong> this weekend, after crashing out against Hawkes bay. No shield, no consolation title after a very good regular season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Taranaki<\/strong> probably will do the job at home this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>Yet <strong>Hawke\u2019s Bay<\/strong> is bidding for a rare holding of three trophies \u2013 the championship being one, and the Lego Ranfurly Shield being the other two.<\/p>\n<p>Go the Naki.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-19823\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/npc-final-teams.jpg?resize=640%2C810&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"810\" \/><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Kevin McCarthy It\u2019s quite a testimony to the fast looming legacy phase of Ian Foster\u2019s All Blacks tenure that there\u2019s extra reason to have a gnawing feeling in the stomach ahead of tomorrow\u2019s rugby world semifinal against Argentina. We surely know by now that there is nothing given for any team at this or&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":19825,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,60,47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-blacks","category-club-rugby","category-latest-club-rugby-news","category-npc"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/abs-argentina-graphic.jpg?fit=900%2C537&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbDiON-59I","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19822","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19822"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19822\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19829,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19822\/revisions\/19829"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}