Roar Rookie
Joined November 2017
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Amongst the dread of New Zealand rugby media following the All Blacks’ latest calamity in the Republic - I thought I’d take a look…
From the mind of a truly unqualified couch-coach, I’ve used the small hiatus in international rugby, to ponder aloud what I’ve thought to be…
All I ask is for a clean run of health for Pari Pari Parkinson this season!
The Wrap: 'Curious and uncomfortable' move on the eve of SRP, and 12 players who will light up the comp in 2024
How’s this for an ironic turn of events: Zach Mercer heads to his Dad’s old stomping grounds in NZ – and then outplays Brad Shields to become an AB!! 😂
Rugby News: 'Good to have someone with that success' - Wallabies welcome Schmidt, SA referee calls time
From a national level, I can understand why some are very happy with returning experience to support & bolster the ranks coming through… But from a Blues supporter perspective: this appears short-sighted and potentially damaging to their long-term success.
There has been considerable time/investment made into several promising players, in both the flyhalf & fullback roles. This includes Zarn Sullivan & Stephen Perofeta as established squad members – but also features Lucas Cashmore & Payton Spencer coming through the provincial/Sevens pathways. At some point it’s easy to imagine one or more of these guys will be frustrated by the limited opportunity.
I’m willing to bet that there has been plenty of ‘legacy’ talk floated in front of these young men with famous Auckland/Blues surnames… And yet, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m going to end up watching the sons of Adrian Cashmore, Carlos Spencer and Michael Jones running around in any team but the Blues!
'A huge privilege': Barrett commits to New Zealand through to 2027 RWC
It was always a bit silly that, if BB was always gonna be the 15, then they should have encouraged the Blues to give him familiarity in the role.
ANALYSIS: Every Super Rugby team rated - and why Australia will make up ground on New Zealand
I keep trying to remind people: Stephen Perofeta just won a provincial title with Taranaki, playing as fullback. While Zarn Sullivan continued the flyhalf role he had with the Blues-B – through the season with Auckland…
They are somewhat interchangeable, yes, but I think the roles will continue as they are – and believe Zarn will become the obvious ‘heir-apparent’ flyhalf for NZ moving forward!
ANALYSIS: Every Super Rugby team rated - and why Australia will make up ground on New Zealand
“…the inaugural and prestigious Qatar Cup” what an oxymoron description 😂
Legacy vs ego: The Springboks are playing for South Africa, the All Blacks are playing for themselves
Ollie Norris & Aidan Ross, just to throw out a couple of contemporaries…
'Didn't want to leave': The Aussie-raised star in World Cup final - and the 'vision' that led him to the All Blacks
Good point Wrecked’em – but I would counter and suggest the ‘minimal’ mention of his appointment, is the very sign of it being well deserved!
Look across this forum (and others) where dozens of articles & comments highlight officials, inconsistency & controversy… And yet Gus is going into a RWC semifinal, playing the role of the ‘invisible man’ perfectly.
COMPLETE RWC SF teams: Poms make three changes as Boks name most capped XV, ABs' QF hero starts for Cheika's Pumas
Commercially, that’s got to be the best the organisers can hope for now! 😂
'Heartbroken': Springboks knock France out of RWC in dramatic, controversial QF as 'key moment' highlighted
So these are four of our best refs… May the best man become invisible this weekend!
World Rugby says they won't abandon tier-two teams despite mooted Nations Championships, refs named for RWC QFs
QF duck, record-equalling winning streak – and overall best chance for some of the generational veterans to win a RWC… I hope the All Blacks stay in the fight and play on that pressure – but if Ireland do overcome it and go all the way, they’ll fully deserve it!
17 STRAIGHT! Ireland smash Scotland to set up quarter-final vs All Blacks, sweat on Aussie Mack
It appears that Ofa & Tamaiti are the specialist looseheads now. Bit of a shame, as I’d have liked to see them run out together and alternate/swap sides of the scrum during a game, to see if it had any disruptive effect!
'We'll compare it': Foster suggests inconsistent ruling after de Groot's red card, 24 hours after French star gets off
Hmm given Jordie’s status, I wonder if the coaches would consider giving Rieko Ioane a more simplistic centre role by lining him up as the primary crash-carrier at #12?
He’d also be able to use his pace to rush out for pressure/intercept opportunity – and allow ALB to act as the defensive linchpin at #13!
Otherwise, I am a Havili fan 😂 👍
RWC News: 'It's just f---ing nonsense' - Jones says Cipriani 'horny teenager' claim is 'complete fabrication'
What an observation: fans of a serious contender will be disappointed if they don’t win!
Still appreciate you listing the majority of other hopefuls though. Way to hedge that ‘I told you so’ 😂
Kiwi View: All Blacks fans finally tuning in to RWC threats - should they pay more attention to a dark horse in blue?
Finau at 6 – Jacobson at 8 👍
RWC News: Eddie's surprise new Wallabies coach revealed, fresh scare for ABs, Richie fumes at 'slap in the face'
Perhaps this is Stevenson’s chance to leapfrog Fainga’anuku, by way of the ‘loyalty’ factor?
One guy spurned NRL royalty to try and fulfil his AB dream – while another has decided an overseas sojourn is best for his overall future… Fair or not – NZR have sent that message before!
Barrett-less Bledisloe: Fozzie makes 12 CHANGES for Wallabies rematch, Eddie bats away 'disrespect' line
And yet he’s already played for the Wallabies before? 😂
'Whoever sacked Rennie, needs sacking': Eddie Jones wants you to 'pray' as his stock sinks faster than NZ economy
Perhaps Eddie may try and convince Jermaine Ainsley that the Wallaby jersey is still his best bet for international rugby!
In a losing Highlanders team, he was a rock-solid set-piece operator – and might bring a bit of IP with him…
'Whoever sacked Rennie, needs sacking': Eddie Jones wants you to 'pray' as his stock sinks faster than NZ economy
Missed opportunity not to go with Tu’ungafasi & Williams as the reserve props. They could pack down on alternate sides, switching from scrum to scrum as it best suits them – and potentially throw off the opposition!
All Blacks team: Foster eases Cane concern, reveals lock pecking order ahead of Bledisloe I
Nah, Taukei’aho is our best, and is needed at the end to match-up with Boks bench. As soon as Marx stands to warmup – Samisoni should be doing the same!
All Blacks debut for Aussie-raised rookie, Mo'unga back at 10, Springboks rocked by death of captain's dad
Agreed. Nowadays you actually want to have some of your strongest options on the field in the final moments, rather than the first half (particularly in set piece).
I’d like to see the ABs load up with De Groot, Taukei’aho, Williams, Whitelock & Jacobson to combat that Bok bench!
Eztebeth leads Boks, Willemse at 10 but Wallaby destroyer misses out altogether for All Blacks clash
Exactly. Carter was already the leading all-time points scorer, adept at any/every part of flyhalf play – and never had lingering questions about his game-management, goal-kicking, or core skills as an international #10.
It was only his body that would have forced any decision on Hansen back then – fortunately, it wasn’t a factor!
Fozzie's Dan Carter moment: All Blacks face crunch call on Barrett ahead of RWC as ghosts of '19 remain
By that logic, how did any of the outside backs?! Telea, Narawa, Jordan & Fainga’anuku are all known for their attacking play – and all have had horror defensive moments. It really seems a cop-out excuse!
'Total belief': Cane still All Blacks captain as FIVE debutants named in TRC squad, gun fullback misses out
Every time Fozzie gets a nice, easy ‘slow ball’ decision – he manages to swing, miss & clean his own stumps!
'Total belief': Cane still All Blacks captain as FIVE debutants named in TRC squad, gun fullback misses out
Pretty sure it was a knock-on by Billy Harmon, the phase before Patchell channelled his inner SBW too… but that would have ruled out another magic try, but this one against the team you were rooting for! 😂
Perhaps you should think about that RWC final again and truly decide what you want: a TMO who can look back and comb over every error/infringement like Ardie Savea’s knock-on – or accept that refs miss things and stop harping on about it!
Seriously, this is about your third comment through the Roar forums mentioning that one moment??
'Who doesn't kick that out?' Stunning play turns match for Blues as forgotten All Blacks star says 'pick me'