Zinzan Brooke opinion: Just reward for Scott Barrett 26 Oct 2019
Zinzan Brooke
Playing him at No 6 may sound like a surprise call but he’s punched above his weight and played good rugby all season long. We can now challenge England’s lineout with a fourth option. This is great recognition for him and I’m sure he’ll go well.
Things change quickly. Look at his brother Beauden, who was our first choice No 10 three months ago. Now he is playing so well at fullback and Richie Mo’unga has looked more accomplished in every outing. That combination is working well for the All Blacks.
I was at a function last night and there were mixed opinions on how this big Rugby World Cup semifinal will pan out.
The rugby supporters think England will do it. The rugby people think both teams can do it.
There was some beating of the chest from English fans, perhaps fuelled by amber liquid. But the rugby purist, like former England halfback Danny Care, feels the All Blacks are going to be too good. I feel it’s all about execution and delivery.
I think the team that creates momentum early doors will be the winner, and I believe whoever wins this game will win the final. The All Blacks and England are the two best teams at the Rugby World Cup.
The Springboks have had their wobbles, and how on Earth did Wales steal that quarter-final against France?
The All Blacks need control and early dominance and if that happens, England will need to play catch-up and won’t want to kick the ball away. England has reunited George Ford and Owen Farrell in the five-eighths, so expect a few high balls on the back three. Conversely, I would be bombing Elliot Daly, because I didn’t think he’s as sound under the high ball as Mike Brown.
Jonny May will probably win the aerial battle against the shorter Sevu Reece, so does Reece wait for him, hit him when he comes down and shut down the offload? That might be the strategy.
England tactically got the better of Australia last weekend, and I thought it was arrogant of Michael Cheika and the Wallabies to think they could just run it from deep in a tight playoff match. Multi-phasing against a team like England has to be done in their territory. Then you can increase scoreboard pressure by taking shots for goal or push the ball into the corner. The Wallabies’ tactics were bonkers. The All Blacks won’t play that naively.
Ireland was just never tested by Scotland and then got upended by Japan. So, without being disrespectful to the Irish, they just never coped with how the All Blacks executed, especially in that first 40 minutes. They were sensational.
The Springboks should win in the second semifinal. I haven’t seen their side yet but I believe they will try and beat Wales up physically.
Wales will miss injured No 8 Josh Navidi, and I think they have run their course. If France knew how to close the game, then Les Bleus would have won that match.
I feel the All Blacks-England game will be very tight, and it could go 5-8 points either way. I’m leaning towards the All Blacks.
I hope it doesn’t happen, but I do not want to see a red card in these semis. I suspect we’ll see a couple of yellows, but we can do without the reds.
NZ Rugby/Getty Images
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more