Roar Rookie
Joined December 2020
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Keen to talk about rugby.
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Rugby has always required money to operate. Back in the day it was probably a few beers to borrow a farmer’s paddock. But even…
RWC 2023 looks like it will be a great tournament. The tournament host, France, is one of the favourites. The number of teams which…
Saturday’s Women’s World Cup final was the culmination of a great tournament. It started off with one-way traffic, the Red Roses scoring at nearly…
The All Blacks versus Springboks 100th Test match was an opportunity to celebrate one of the most esteemed rivalries in rugby. Instead the Test,…
Soon enough it will be again be time for the All Blacks. It will be time for the almost unbridled positivity of the Super…
Damian McKenzie has been in and out of the All Blacks for a few years, though he has been unable to carve out a…
Back before the 1992 rule changes, there used to be a lot of scrums. Rugby often used to move from set piece to a…
I am sick of seeing players infringing because they know they are unlikely to be yellow carded. They are unlikely to be yellow carded…
Ian Foster is “pretty satisfied” with the All Blacks 2020 season. Well, I’m glad one person in New Zealand is. Most of us are…
Agree, since 2012, the All Blacks didn’t put enough focus on developing direct/abrasive players.
They need to get more mongrel. It doesn’t even need to be new players. Look how much Cotter has improved the Auckland Blues. Their forwards are doing great. Their backs aren’t quite as good yet. But when the forwards are doing the job, that’s a good start; the opportunities need to be created first, then exploited.
Rugby is losing the long-term battle: What World Rugby must learn from Australia before it's too late
Rugby being less of a spectacle and changes made to reduce concussion are parallel issues. The main reason rugby is less of a spectacle is over focus on scrum/scrum resets, earning penalties, lineout drives, and aerial ping pong. Sort those and rugby will be good to watch again.
Reducing concussion must be a key focus.
Rugby is losing the long-term battle: What World Rugby must learn from Australia before it's too late
Good point.
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
Michael Brial enters the chat 😂
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
Any head contact can do the same damage. But a high tackle is, generally, a mistake. The intention makes a big difference.
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
I bet Rassie is furiously taking notes 😂
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
If that’s the reasoning (most likely is) it’s weird they just didn’t say that. Why leave it open to speculation?
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
The judiciary is a bad joke.
Lomani gets huge discount on ban for shocking elbow after guilty plea, teammate has penalty halved
Yes, all sides/countries commit foul play. But Finau needs to chill. He’s going to get a yellow/red one day with those ‘borderline’ hits (he’s riding the penalty/yellow card line pretty closely). He’s going to have the referees just waiting to punish him at this rate.
Finding the right kind of violence: Why rugby has never been harder to play
To this day the most unsportsmanlike violence I’ve seen on a rugby field was Michael Brial vs Frank Bunce in 1996 (though it was payback for a pretty nasty clean out in 1992). Brial should’ve got a red for that.
Finding the right kind of violence: Why rugby has never been harder to play
I remember the ‘Auck-Blacks’. It got ridiculous at one point.
Don't be fooled by the Crusaders start to the season: They are still boasting plenty of NZ Rugby talent in their ranks
The NZRU would love more money from Super Rugby. There is far more money to be gained by increasing Super Rugby’s interest in Australia than the Crusaders’ region/New Zealand.
Another thing to think about is it’s good for players to be challenged. Yes, winning is a habit. But it’s difficult to learn to win tough/close games when your team always wins well.
Don't be fooled by the Crusaders start to the season: They are still boasting plenty of NZ Rugby talent in their ranks
The Crusaders would even more able to set up good development systems if they didn’t lose the Jade Stadium (Lancaster Park) money. They must have very well developed systems to have withstood that, long term, financial loss.
Don't be fooled by the Crusaders start to the season: They are still boasting plenty of NZ Rugby talent in their ranks
The NZRFU used to have some say into the make up of the New Zealand Super Rugby teams. The NZRFU had to sign off the New Zealand Super Rugby teams squads. They could theoretically make changes. I’m unsure if they ever did. They had opportunities to do so; one year Dan Carter was listed as a Fullback as the Crusaders had two other good 10s (Slade, Taylor?); or when they had both McCaw and Matt Todd, so one of the better opensides in New Zealand was often playing out of position, or on the bench. I’m unsure if they still can alter the squads now they sold the Super Rugby teams to private investors.
Yes, being in a high quality environment helps players develop. But there is also merit in having quality players actually playing. It’s a balancing act.
One of the main ideas, for the NZRFU, in setting up Super Rugby was to get the best players, playing together; not spread over 10 first division teams. With the idea that five high quality teams getting regular game time together would produce better All Black candidates than the NPC.
Is the goal of the NZRU to win Super Rugby, or produce better quality All Blacks? If one of those two goals has to suffer I would prefer better All Blacks than a New Zealand side always winning Super Rugby. Also, if Super Rugby was more even it would bring in more money to keep more All Blacks in New Zealand.
Don't be fooled by the Crusaders start to the season: They are still boasting plenty of NZ Rugby talent in their ranks
Most likely a bit of both.
Thought they undoubtably have excellent development systems, going back to when Robbie Deans was running the show.
Don't be fooled by the Crusaders start to the season: They are still boasting plenty of NZ Rugby talent in their ranks
It will be sink or swim time. He it will make him or break him.
'Such an emotional guy': Why RA should let their biggest star leave for the sake of the Wallabies
If they are going to pay him big money, they will definitely make sure he gets in shape.
He’s always known he will start, if fit, in any Australian team he is in; so hasn’t had to attain top level conditioning. He will have to work harder to earn his spot in a European club as they have far better scrummagers. He will have to find new discipline to get in proper shape. That discipline will make him a far better player, more than just being in better condition.
'Such an emotional guy': Why RA should let their biggest star leave for the sake of the Wallabies
Agree the net difference between the Australian and New Zealand teams is less. The Australian teams are getting back to their long-term level of quality.
The loss of the Crusaders coaches, compounded with the player changes makes a big difference. All the other Super Rugby New Zealand teams have some top level coaches. The Crusaders probably have the worst players (fit and available) and coaches out of the New Zealand teams.
The All Blacks have those three ex Crusaders coaches now. The All Blacks personnel lacks depth (especially at 10) and needs some game time to develop combinations. But the coaching set up will be light years ahead of Foster. It will be an interesting and challenging year for the All Blacks
Blues beat Crusaders for first time in 10 years, Chiefs survive late scare
Penny should bite the bullet and have McLeod and Aumua in the midfield. I’d give Aumua a go at 12, he needs to get involved more. Penny by is wasting Aumua’s talent.
Blues beat Crusaders for first time in 10 years, Chiefs survive late scare
Normally two or three sides are good, one is ok, and one isn’t good. It’s just the teams that are good/bad that have changed.
Blues beat Crusaders for first time in 10 years, Chiefs survive late scare
The commentators said that only one of the Crusaders that stated last years semi final was playing last night; due to injury and player moves. If that’s correct, no wonder they aren’t playing well.
Blues beat Crusaders for first time in 10 years, Chiefs survive late scare
Agree. Time to bring it back. A good ‘liver shot’ still hurts like heck 😂
The Wrap: Reds light up Melbourne, while it's lights out for TV over Lienert-Brown concussion
I was taught ‘cheek of my face and the cheek of the ball carrier’s buttock‘ in the 1980’s. In the 1990’s ‘cheek to cheek’ changed to front on, head next to head.
The Wrap: Reds light up Melbourne, while it's lights out for TV over Lienert-Brown concussion
I remember Dean Lonergan concussion in 1991. The replays went way to far with that one.
The Wrap: Reds light up Melbourne, while it's lights out for TV over Lienert-Brown concussion
Sonny Bill Williams was an outstanding athlete. He was a very good rugby union player, with potential to be an all-time great; I don’t think he quite got there. Being behind Nonu (who is probably the current starter for the all-time XV at 12) didn’t help.
If SBW fully committed to the All Blacks and didn’t go back to rugby league (muscle memory, shoulder charge 2017), or tried to get a gold medal at sevens (Achilles tendon, losing a yard of pace) he could’ve been an all-time great.
Also, if Cruden didn’t sleep in and got himself dropped that would’ve made a difference. SBW always played better outside Cruden than any other 10.
Hansen's done Joey Manu no favours comparing him to SBW. He'll be more like RTS - and Foz is the reason why