Roar Rookie
Joined April 2014
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Work in Credit in Finance. Father of 2. Former player, now social. Armchair opinionator. Love what I learn from the Roar. one of the best Sports sites I have ever seen.
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Well, Eden Park sure didn't live up to the hype. Ireland surged from the kick-off. After a kicking duel early, they settled into the…
The Springboks would have been disappointed to lose at Queensland Country Bank Stadium last weekend. Their set-piece and kicking game forced penalties and errors…
The general sentiment being sold to us is that community resolve is behind the drive to change the name and branding of the Crusaders,…
The All Blacks got better with each Test, just as the English worsened in each of theirs. This is not to denigrate the Roses,…
With the midyear Tests approaching, I've run my eye over the form of New Zealand's best to put together an All Blacks squad to…
Under-rated, considering his record, as that effort in Australia would suggest.
Lion-hearted competitor and decent fella, love watching him serve up short stuff and execute plans, even against players like Smith.
He should be proud of what he achieved, especially given the round-about manner in which he got there, another inspired selection from Mike Hesson.
Wagner's last opera: NZ veteran to call it quits after Australia series
Australia deserve some credit the way they ran that down.
Marsh was the back-bone but man, David has some real clout.
Wouldn’t read too much into the bowling. Both sides struggled with length on a sticky pitch.
I can see Phantom’s point a bit actually. Southee’s drop off a difficult chance and the ineptness of the spinners hurt.
What really annoyed me were Phillips histrionics. He has a tendency towards unnecessary heroics. Glorious dives over stoppable balls allowed boundaries, especially that last 4 from David; he just needed to stop it and made the ground easily. This was further illustrated by dropping a sitter on the boundary due to an over-zealous leap earlier.
But… the bowlers from both sides were average. Black Caps had it in the bag, made errors and then righted the ship, largely thanks to Ferguson, only to choke at the final hurdle.
1 up to Aussie…
'Special to watch': David's demolition propels Australia to last-ball cliffhanger win after bowlers earn unwanted record
Time for Zarn to really step up Blues. Such a talent. Equally Perofeta, another natural talent, needs a big year; Plummer showed real promise last year, I thought.
Blues halves have looked suspect when their forwards haven’t delivered and that 2nd row machine room will cause them some issues.
Then there’s the gel with the new coaching and plugging holes in June when some of their roster goes on international duty.
Cotter has credentials and Leon has left the franchise with some upward trajectory but they must continue to avoid a repeat of the doldrums us fans had to endure for a decade.
Hoping for a top 4 finish…
Cotter must address depth and team cohesion issues to avoid first-season Blues
I think the shift in IP may be more significant than that but yes, that will be part f his strategem, Muzz.
Let it go mate…
Razor is gone, but underestimate Penney’s Crusaders at your peril - and the open spot that could determine their fate
Halves is the only issue I see and once fit, Burke is no mug, and will flourish outside Drummond/Heinz, especially behind a dominant pack.
The 1st season meshing might see some hiccups but there’s still serious talent spread across the paddock.
Razor’s selections for June will be interesting; some of these boys will figure no doubt, which may add pressure.
Chiefs will be looking for pay-back…
Razor is gone, but underestimate Penney’s Crusaders at your peril - and the open spot that could determine their fate
Still wrong Bilbo, both the grammar and the content.
Prepared to bet the following you claim to have will disagree with that assessment too.
His numbers against England/India/Australia are not as strong as others in the “Fab Four” but they are still strong.
This is particularly relevant when you consider the reduced amount of Tests NZ plays compared to those teams.
Steve Smith v Kane Williamson - is the Test series across the ditch to be their last battle?
If you’re going to go out of your way to denigrate him, as least get your grammar right, Bilbo…
Steve Smith v Kane Williamson - is the Test series across the ditch to be their last battle?
To add some rationale to the conversation mate, here is a comment from ‘cricinfo’ on today’s live coverage: “Re Williamson, it’s not surprising considering NZ has had only 77 tests in the past 10 years, vs 123 for England, 100 for Australia and 99 for India. Can’t score runs if you don’t get to play….”
Our worst fears are realised - South Africa's shocker across the ditch is bringing Test cricket into disrepute
Those are 2 separate questions CPM.
1) I’m not privy to the machinations of Test scheduling; my fervent hope would be that NZC would bit the hand off if an invitation was extended. Your supposition that they have thumbed their nose at such an invite suggests you might know more than me.
2) NZ cricket is selfish and greedy and exposed for not willing to make a sacrifice for the good of test cricket. You make a generalisation of the deliberate sabotage of the longer format by NZC. You answer this question yourself above actually: it’s like the sleepy NZ cricket board who will be waking up one day next month to realise that they are the only top 9 “test” nation without an international T20 competition leaving them out in the cold
By all means though… continue your malignity…
Our worst fears are realised - South Africa's shocker across the ditch is bringing Test cricket into disrepute
Player power is the only issue I can consider given Schmidt’s apparent abrasive style.
But the Japan coach has left a trail of destruction that should see that off for some time.
Once some of the injury ward has returned and Joe has his coaching group in place we should see some immediate progress IMO.
It’s a smart appointment that carries only the “Kiwi factor” as a potential down-side…
'Something we needed': Coles says ABs would not have made RWC final without Schmidt - and why Wallabies stand to benefit
NZ cricket is selfish and greedy and exposed for not willing to make a sacrifice for the good of test cricket.
Absolute horse-puckey. A poor response…
Our worst fears are realised - South Africa's shocker across the ditch is bringing Test cricket into disrepute
I tend to agree but can also see the relevance of CPM’s comment.
My understanding is that the SA20 has not been as successful as it was, but it will still be garnering interest and $ so the point is not negated.
That said, the fact the Proteas have fielded such a weak team is a slight on the Black Caps, who get considerably less Test Cricket than many other nations.
The sad reality is that pajama cricket continues to attract the instantiates and therefore the TV $. Day/Night Tests and the Championship are attempting to resurrect cricket in whites but are probably only staving off the death knell.
Test cricket remains the pinnacle for many of us older brigade but it needs some drastic intervention to halt its slide into oblivion.
Our worst fears are realised - South Africa's shocker across the ditch is bringing Test cricket into disrepute
Great Headline!
We HAVE to do something so that the original (and best) format remains.
T20 cricket has seen an improvement in results, and more expeditious play, in whites but the reality is that the bubblegum-quickaholic format continues to usurp its progenitor.
As a former military-medium less-than-average opening-trundler, I am aghast at the continuing diminishment of those that deliver the pill in the 1st place. There is little protection in the lesser formats; Tests is the safer space to see their wares…
Day-night Tests make dollars and sense but India’s reluctance means pink ball snookered by red
Kiss mentions “buy in” which will be critical under Joe’s no-nonsense style. If we look back on how Deans’ and to a lesser extent, Rennie’s tenure ended, I believe this is significant.
That said, the Jones debacle should position a desperate RA and Wallabies to be receptive, and even flourish.
Is 2 years enough? Who knows? Caution on both sides of the contract maybe? I fervently hope, both for Australia’s, and the game’s sake, that we see progress and development under Schmidt.
As an All Black’s fan, I am looking forward to seeing how Razor handles the rebuild of his team as well as that almost eerie aspect when these coaches’ charges cross paths next…
How Joe Schmidt is going to 'connect us all' and bring Australian rugby back from the brink
Never been a huge fan of the man but always respected his ability to flay… and his record speaks for itself.
If this IS his swansong that’s a meritorious start; he dominated the opposition attack apart from an hour or so after lunch that saw the demise of his opening partner.
An excellent knock.
On the Pakistan team, they coughed up way too many pressure-release balls, even during that better period after lunch. I think no spinner may be a critical mistake as this game progresses, too…
COMMENT: David Warner defied his critics - but he didn't prove them wrong
Oh man, that’s under-egging it mate.
Keo and other’s were going bat$hit…
The threats there put all this to bed actually.
I think we all just need to grow up, have a few beers and a cuddle…
Rugby News: RWC final TMO quits over 'torrent of abuse', Wallabies Grand Slam tour touted, Fiji lock facing jail
I am disheartened that you use the moniker of one of my favourite movies to peddle your mis-information.
For the record, the dude abides…
Rugby News: RWC final TMO quits over 'torrent of abuse', Wallabies Grand Slam tour touted, Fiji lock facing jail
clearly…
good grief…
Rugby News: RWC final TMO quits over 'torrent of abuse', Wallabies Grand Slam tour touted, Fiji lock facing jail
This is just a poor edit of an article that is probably not the click-bait portrayed here.
In any case, after the start they had, this is a brilliant win for Australia.
Their name has been engraved on the silverware…end of…
'India still best 50 overs team in the world': Former star blames 'sandpaper pitch' and toss of the coin for World Cup loss
Some pretty good points in this Fruit.
Don’t get the South Africa and West Indies supposed allegiance to India quip; it suggests “in isolation” when anyone with half a brain realises the BCCI wields the power.
I remember a Graeme Smith-led Proteas coming to NZ only to face the greenest pitches in living memory; debacle ensued. We were famous for it. Just ask Pakistan or India who faced regular seamers’ paradises.
The reality is I don’t think pitches are as manufactured nowadays, despite being particular to their region. Even here in NZ, we eventually realised it was worse for OUR game in the long run.
As a fan, I don’t particularly care. Both teams have to play on it and this is the very definition of the word: Test. However, changing a scheduled block should require the sign-off of both teams, especially if it’s at the pointy end of a tournament.
As a sporting columnist… (of some note according to you – sorry, couldn’t resist)…what are your thoughts on the toss? This seams to be a bigger issue in determining outcome or advantage, than the storm-in-a-teacup pitch in the Semi against us (where we were plainly not good enough.)
Cooked wicket paranoia has gone too far - why should World Cup hosts lose a key privilege?
Head’s not the only unlucky one here.
Santner?
Ravindra?
Aussie star snubbed as Indians dominate BCCI, oops, ICC World Cup team of the tournament
a ‘raging Bunsen’
Funny guys…
ICC announces World Cup final to be 'best of three' following India's loss, BCCI complaint
Watch the game again; Pocock and Hodge were awesome…
Rugby News: World Rugby warns Kiwis' over 'robbery' whine, Barnes hits back at ABs, damning report into 'toxic' culture
I agree.
They were in the wrong areas from the get-go… again. Thought Henry was the pick of the quicks before his tournament was curtailed.
Of course, you also have to acknowledge the way Rohit started, and then Master Kohli and Sreyas. They applied pressure and the Black Caps failed to respond.
NZC is about to enter a re-building phase in any case; they need to get on with it. Guys like Ashok, Foxcroft, Sears, to name a few need to be involved.
As Sarge said, there is no shame in losing to one of the great Indian Teams at home. Would have been nice to fight a bit harder tho. I have been a Shami fan for years and am often confused when he is left out. Great shift from him…
'Perfect picture': King Kohli smashes ton to break Tendulkar's world record as India send New Zealand out of World Cup
The New Zealand Team is in decline, from the heady days of winning the inaugural Test Championship.
The coaching team is tired, the selectors have taken too long to introduce younger players, and they continue to struggle away.
As a result our bowlers can lack penetration, and some of the batting is brittle; too much loose decision making. Even the fielding has ebbed; some of the dropped chances in the T20 series were unforgiveable.
Nevertheless the article’s point is a good one as more regular cricket would probably benefit both teams and the reality is New Zealand just doesn’t get enough Tests.
There has been a recent selection shake up here but fresh coaching and assistants to help reinvigorate the top level and the pathways beneath cannot come soon enough…
Australia vs New Zealand Test series deserves greater fanfare than a March through autumn clash with footy codes