New Zealand Bledisloe Cup fixtures confirmed for mid-October

Unders. Pieter Stef du Toit is injured, Handre Pollard is injured, Snyman, Etzebeth and de Jager is injured, Beast has retired, Francois Louw has retired. But that isn’t the biggest issue, it is match fitness and the lack of hardened bodies up for test rugby. The seven players from Sale only means two RWC players, the rest may be Springboks, but they aren’t first choice and have a handful of caps, the situation in SA is that the local players are only playing their first first class match next weekend, then a “Springbok trials” match the weekend of 3 October. The Currie Cup starts there after, and if we travel to Australia we will have to leave mid October to accommodate quarantine for 14 days, thus the players might play two Currie Cup matches. So max four matches, then quarantine vs teams that have completed a local Super Rugby tournament and two test matches. a bit behind the eightball, don’t you think?

CVV, why do many South African fans not back a weakened Box team out in Australia? As an England fan, the 'Sale 7' have been impressive with Faf and the Du Preez trio all impressing. Unlike your native players, they will have enough hardened fitness albeit not test level of demanding rugby in uncertain times, hard grounds and generally hotter weather as you will arrive in Australia's cricket season. I understand concerns about the depletion of De Jager, EE and the formidable RG Snyman all injured- the Boks won the WC partly due to strength in depth- although 3 world class locks short is an issue, PTSD could fill in if needed along with a Du Preez or Mostert. In the back row, however, there are no injury issues but more gametime. The Boks showdown in early October will be the first return to many SA based forwards. In Australia providing the Boks make it, I would like to see the likes of a Du Preez brother, a Coetzee, Smith and others along side Kolisi and Vermeulen. It will be interesting to see if the senior SA-based players are rotated and rested. The backs are generally intact with the exception of Pollard. This arises an opportunity for Willemse and Rob Du Preez and even Jantjies to stake their claim as a reliable deputy to one of the best 10's in the world. Yes the Boks will be without a few standout players, but do you really think they won't be competitive? No- NZ may have their number and a resurgent Aussie side may push them, but there should not be a fear of defeat for the World Champs- with a British Irish tour soon incoming, Bok management should blood some new players, while prioritising European based players to consistently start whilst SA based players start to slip into returning to rugby. I would not be surprised if we see some Bok success without their first teamers in action down under

KB? Really? I like the bloke but he is 5 years past his best. He got sent off on the weekend for a ridiculous tackle. High and hopeless

the last time a daytime test match was in wellington was in 2000 against Australia when john earles kicked the wining goal as well

At least Fitzy called Rennie or Renae (french)out. Don't agree with with most of his rhetoric. I reckon the NPC would come back into its own if that's how it needs to be till corona becomes a flu. Watched counties play with Kerin Reid his experience leadership had them right in it. But he didn't come out after halftime back to poor decisions well beaten by defending champions.

Although an All Black supporter I am excited about the Wallabies this year. Sure a number of players have left the shores but in honestly many should have shown the door earlier. Too many players were selected on a couple of moments of exceptional play but plenty of moments of mediocrity. What is lost with experience will be made up with attitude and SKILL. With Dave Rennie you have a good one. Look forward to the games ahead. Cheers

I can see some merit in that given that a full International Calendar hasnt happened this year.

Given they might well pick Rory Arnold & Will Skelton, it is looking like there is no way their French clubs will voluntarily release them before the international window. In fact, the LNR is going to court in typical selfish fashion to try and evade WR's temporary change to the international windows for this year. It is also possible that Rennie might want some other players from O/S in his RC squad (as opposed to this Bledisloe squad); possibly Kurtley Beale who qualifies on the 60 test/7 years rule. However, he is on record saying that " I'm not a big fan of trying to pluck guys out of France." So overall, it may be that he wants a couple of experienced locks, despite them coming back from France, and they will only be available during the RC - depending on how the French court case goes.

Jeez Jacko, you don't even try though, do you? There is a whole discussion going on about it on NZ, so you'd almost have to be actively not looking. Less than two minutes on Google yielded; "Southern hemisphere governing body Sanzaar said it wants New Zealand as sole host of the four-nation Test tournament because of its success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic...Kiwi government officials responded that NZ Rugby and Sanzaar would need to agree to its safety stipulations before opening its doors." https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/16/new-zealand-poised-to-become-sole-host-of-2020-rugby-championship and "The head of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) says the country's quarantine protocols were a significant factor in losing out to Australia in a bid to host the Rugby Championship....NZR had several talks with the government on the fact that quarantine protocols were a "critical area" for SANZAAR which manages the championship. He said that visiting rugby players would have been required to individually isolate for three days, then spend another four days in a bubble of 15 players before moving to a bubble of 25. In contrast, rugby players were able to have unrestricted access to training in Australia "from day one". "This was a significant difference especially for teams travelling a long way or with teams which need to prepare quickly."" https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/425843/nz-quarantine-rules-critical-to-losing-rugby-championship-bid

Dave Rennie won the 2 Super Titles during the only 2 seasons the great Wayne Smith was his Assistant Coach. The 3 years after Smith left the Chiefs, Rennie won nothing. In fact the Chiefs were a very poorly disciplined team on and off the pitch after Smith left under Rennie. Just saying.

Rob Muldoon before he robs you!

Sorry, I actually copied, pasted that quote from Geoff Parkes article title.

I see Foster is calling for rankings to be put on hold for this year...

So I guess you cant find it?.....I love water! Its pretty obvious from your posts you indulge in a much harder drink.

It’s sounds to me Ken, you’re struggling to enter the Zen. Next time you leave the desert and head to the ocean, saying goodbye to the dust of the past, when you get close and can faintly hear the sea please enter the Zen from there. If you can’t quiet hear it? Enter the the Zen from there too. Jacinda winning the election followed by Sunday kickoff – what a weekend !! A double loss is coming your way, Zennith! But that’s okay! Peace. The light has to get in in somehow. :shocked:

He was spotted in the skies above Perth last year!!

Sounds good, Rennie may bring all that about. EXCEPT, he has little chance of transforming the kicking department from aimless to tactical.

You are so right Colvin. Good spotting. Imagine if they surrender the Bledisloe under Foster.

Warm up games against the touring Argentina and SA sides. Those countries will need game time against reasonable opposition to tune up for the tests. Probably against Super rugby teams (minus Wallabies) or Australia A.

Well said DMac.