Is there a rugby fan on the planet who doesn’t have at least one question about the week just past? Luckily enough, we’ve got just the place for you to ask them.
As always, our resident rugby analyst Nick Bishop will be answering your questions on Friday in the next edition of Coach’s Corner.
» Miss the latest instalment of Coach’s Corner? Don’t worry, you can still catch up on it
To say there was a bit going on in the last week would be an understatement. Last Wednesday, Warren Gatland unveiled his 37-man British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of South Africa, and as always there were a host of controversial selections and omissions.
Then on Saturday night, we were treated to two belting Super Rugby finals. First it was Richie Mo’unga putting on a masterclass to guide the Crusaders past the Chiefs, and then the Reds and Brumbies traded blows for a full 85 minutes which culminated in that brilliant, thrilling finish.
That’s not the end of the action, though, as the Super Rugby sides from either side of the ditch will go head-to-head for the first time since the start of last year in Round 1 of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman this weekend.
So yeah, a bit going on.
If you have any questions about any of that, or about another rugby-related topic entirely, drop them down in the comments section below, and Nick will pick out a few to answer on Friday.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He likes to play with the ball though. Pretty sure I read some season stats for him that said he made <3 tackles per game across SRAU. So if he needs a breather he gets in when his team is defending
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
And that is a great question for Nick. How does Dave Rennie use his broader squad to extract the best results over three tests in 11 days. Do we need to use 30 players or more or could we change the 23 about?
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
"As an aside, he also seems to be strong enough to not need to pack like this." Exactly right, MD.
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Thanks Nick!
Matt Davis
Guest
Nick I’d be interested to see what you think at some more detail about the legality of Tupou’s technique at scrum time and how it could be pinged or exploited. You touched on it today, but for mine (and I’m a tight head) the angle is egregious and also seems so obvious compared to the packing direction of the rest of the scrum. An angle like that in my observation is almost impossible for any loose head to do anything about because they have so little of the TH to engage with, so the burden falls unevenly on the Hooker. You’re right I think that the hard work of the Reds LH makes the scrum seem somewhat square and legal, but is it? I know that at scrum time, whatever you can get away with is legal and it’s very much a game within a game, but surely this will get pinged at a higher level. As an aside, he also seems to be strong enough to not need to pack like this.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
The fish or the ‘do’?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
“ can a scrum be completed without a penalty next season ?” Can a game be completed without an unpunished offside? Or refereeing decisions by committees of halfbacks and hookers?
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Interesting Choppies, anything to add to this alternate view of the universe? Genuinely interested in your thinking on this as I have often wondered about the advantages of Hooper playing wide most of the time.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Maybe after one of the TT games we'll be able to get around to this C....
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
This'll have to wait for next week now B.
jcr
Roar Rookie
Not to mention world class trout and also a lot of mullets.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I think New Zealand coaching development systems still good. Not the rest of SH Rugby tho. but let’s see what’s Nick’s response is if he is able to fit MZs question in JD.
Wayne
Roar Rookie
mzilikazi, I dream of us having quality coaching teams the likes of what the Irish have at the moment. I also highly rate the Welsh who are not far behind, just lack the player depth. Yes, I can't wait either. All the podcasts I listen to the blokes have said the same.
Wayne
Roar Rookie
I have the same opinion that they will have to up their game, however, I have full confidence that in a couple of years time our coaching will be at the same level as it is in Ireland today. Even so I think the Bulls & Sharks will go far and qualify for the EC next year.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
I am sure that you expected a question like this eventually...it requires much thought.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
now mate that is a vexed question...moot point as well. As The Roar is a family friendly public forum...I probably would say no. Unless we can share the videos out of the public eye!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
obviously needs to pass the pub test. Brett McKay know all about that!
Bentnuc
Roar Pro
Hi Nick, do you think you could do some analysis on the Kiwi teams abilities to force turnovers in defence and compare them to the ozzie numbers you did last week?
In brief
Guest
In the crusaders/ chiefs a tackled player placed the ball while simultaneously the first arriving defender attempted to ‘jackal’ it. As Justin Marshall explained both players were entirely legal in their actions, yet the player in possession was penalised. The penalty was not for illegal play but was a ‘reward’ for the defender getting hands on the ball. Is it time rugby ditched the reward penalty which leads to so many technical penalties?
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Hey Nicholas I might be pushing it here. A couple of weeks ago I asked about what could David Havili bring to the All Blacks if selected in the midfield. We saw some very good things from him on Saturday night. If there is a chance please to have this answered that would be greatly appreciated.