That's what happens when you take a week off the Fern! Think with Hoeft's input he could be very handy for Chiefs.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="573171" data-time="1460941731">
<div>
<p>Don't think so. It's Bonney Field in Sacramento. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I meant the one in Denver all covered in snow.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for the fitness and team cohesion - they've got to start somewhere. A lot of these guys didn't have a high school program on par with NZ Schools First XV etc.</p>

<p>I've been to Albany once. Was staying in One Tree Hill, and the ground was packed (Japan v France in the World Cup). We drove, and didn't have a problem getting in or out afterwards. Certainly no worse than any other ground i have been to. Travel time wasn't that bad from memory. </p>

<p>More has emerged over the weekend regarding the issue of mechanical doping. A french TV programme has made some claims about recent high profile races</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mechanical-doping-used-in-strade-bianche-and-coppi-e-bartali-claims-investigation/?utm_content=buffer02b68&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer'>http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mechanical-doping-used-in-strade-bianche-and-coppi-e-bartali-claims-investigation/?utm_content=buffer02b68&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you can speak french, the programme is here in 2 x 15 min sections.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://cyclinghub.tv/'>http://cyclinghub.tv/</a></p>

It's a pity everyone is so far apart because splitting the whole comp into two divisions would result in two pretty interesting comps. However the travel factor kills that as a viable option.

<p>Also -</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2016/engine/match/980909.html'>http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian-premier-league-2016/engine/match/980909.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Mitch Mclensahan is now an allrounder & its probably good Timmy didn't get a bowl in the T20WC</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="572054" data-time="1460584674">
<div>
<p>Yeah name rings a bell, can't find Cullens book, I'm sure I have it somewhere. I did think it was a stroke though. Our ol boy Paeks should be able to confirm if he reads this thread.....</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<div>Can confirm bro - they were a primo combo for Kapiti College's first 15. I was a few years behind Cully and those two were giants. I remember <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Daryl </span>was bigger and just as talented. I think he'd left school by then (Cully stayed as he was eligible for another year of NZ schoolboys) but everyone who played rugby at our school went to his funeral. Fark, that's a distant memory - that was the first funeral outside of family passings I'd been too. Really sad.</div>

I'm more concerned about the captain and team selection.<br><br>
For me, give the captaincy to Frans Malherbe and if he goes well then we have a captain for the next 8 years.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="572062" data-time="1460588040">
<div>
<p>well we all know Rotated was very anti the AIG thing, so his pre-conceived ideas spread to ignoring facts to allow him one more stab.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Isnt it now just the larger Provincial Unions that are still struggling to balance their books, with the obvious higher overheads?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>For FY14 it was Wellington and Waikato in the red, Counties, Canterbury and NH managed to just get into the black. BOP, Poo and Ta$man had good results.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think some Unions are breaking even only because of returns on accumulated funds.</p>

<p>Sad to read.  RIP.  </p>

Aren't Canes on lookout for a reserve halfback? hall may get a job there.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="571772" data-time="1460469090"><p>Thats fricking tragic, just cemented his place in the ODI side & got a run in the test team.<br><br><span style="font-size:10px;">Its Phil Hughes all over again. Only he's in the test & ODI team. And not dead.</span></p></blockquote>
<br>
Yup far too young, he will be missed<br><img src="http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160412/8ef81fe2de6db5ffd67670ea8f793af6.jpg" alt="8ef81fe2de6db5ffd67670ea8f793af6.jpg">

<p>So has Nelson actually looked impressive yet at senior level?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Because Akira Ioane was ripping it up last year in Super rugby. And I'd imagine he would be a weapon at NRL level too.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="aucklandwarlord" data-cid="571643" data-time="1460396159">
<div>
<p>I feel like I've been told off, and I'm not entirely sure why. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>If this thread has had any effect on me, it's to try and find my Back of the Y box set and watch Matt Heath in his finest moments!</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>The Sheriff of fern town has given us all a moral ass whuppin. We'll thank him one day.</p>

<p>MR I really don't think you can compare Samoa and Georgia. Samoa are and have been for many years, a lot more competitive than Georgia. Then there is the relationship that NZ has with Samoa going back many years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However I do agree with the idea of doing more to encourage the likes of Georgia, although I can see how difficult this could be. Perhaps sending the Saxons would be a good first step?</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="570344" data-time="1460020286"><p>Are you Chris Rattue from NZ Herald? ;-)<br>
If anyone is keen, write up an article and send it through to my email (sivanryn@gmail.com) and we will add you to our database of writers if it meets the standards of our website. <br>
You will have the scope to write about the latest trends and topics of our five main sports (Cricket, Rugby, Rugby League, Tennis and Football). <br>
As our website builds you will be writing to a large audience with the chance to earn $$$ based on how you rank within our database.</p></blockquote>
<br><br>
Damn. If we were only talking rugby and I was allowed to piss off kiwi supporters with my emotional flare-ups I'd have been in.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="571568" data-time="1460349463">
<div>
<p>From memory, he still got 2 birdies I think after that implosion (ok, also another bogie), but to pull 2 birdies back suggests to me he's quite tough.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Spieth seemed quite fragile over the final 2 rounds - but he kept sinking putts to make birdies while dropping shots as fast. Final round was 7 birdies for a 73, 3rd round was 5 birdies for a 73, 2nd round was 4 birdies for a 74, 22 in all for the week. In contrast Willett only made 13 birdies but finished 3 ahead.</p>

Taufua was awesome I thought. Both he and Todd worked very well together. <br><br>
Reiko was very strong with the ball.

<p><span style="color:rgb(84,84,84);font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:small;">Buxton Popoali'i was on my flight from Wellington to Dunedin this morning. Yes, THE Buxton Popoali'i.</span></p>