@antipodean said in Leon MacDonald Quits:

@KiwiMurph I get the feeling reading some rugby media that they wait until this forum has had a go at fleshing out the argument and then asking an AI to summarise the thread and write them an article.

We done a few of those now, works surprisingly well.

@nzzp I guess as it is currently with Zurich, there is always other insurers, however I suspect the market will likely have a similar response.

I did find this part a bit odd:

Perhaps the most concerning voice of all comes from the insurance industry itself.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) submitted to the 2023 Senate Inquiry that:

the availability of insurance, particularly public liability insurance, is critical to ongoing sports participation at all levels.

The ICA cautioned that for the vast majority of sporting clubs and organisations the “absence of the financial protection provided through insurance would mean they could no longer continue to operate”.

In sum, this means “no insurance, no sport”.

I expect this means they are looking at whether players could turn around and sue thier club/union after suffering a concussion injury, given Public Liability is different to the injury/income protection type cover the article alludes to.

Currently in NZ, NZR provides a suite of Liability products to all affiliated clubs, I expect player insurance (outside of ACC) is under a separate cover as well.

@ACT-Crusader said in Maul:

@pakman said in Maul:

@Duluth Reds probably the benchmark, but Blues were good.

Although you’d have to ask why the Brumbies consistently make more metres per maul. From what I could see is their organisation / formation is quick to align hence there are initial metres made before the defense is really set.

On the defensive side, players with long levers certainly helps. Darry and Lord could both be really effective in that regard.

Long arms help, and BBBR was very good for that (as was Itoje, who has very long arms for his height).

So agree with potential, but not sure how accomplished Darry and Lord yet are. The former was part of several very effective mauls against Los Pumas.

Winger says goodbye
Because the news ain’t true
Because the news ain’t true
Because the news ain't true

CO2 to plants is just food
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
elites want to take power from you
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
That's why I'm telling you
The news is what I saw through
I turn away as you close your thoughts

Winger says goodbye
Because the news ain’t true
Because the news ain’t true
Because the news ain't true

Putin doesn’t want any war
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
West wants Ukraine to be sore
(Na, na, na, na, na, na, na)
That's why I'm telling you
The news is what I saw through
I turn away as you close your thoughts

Don't know how many I've been to. Somewhere between 20-30 Used to go to at least one a year but then transferred to watching games at Albany or at other venues Did all the RWC plus Lions III which was last one I went to (I think) Also one of the more memorable for all the wrong reasons along with Bled 03 Lions 05 Oz semi

I played Prezzies today against Te Kowhai and gave Dwayne Sweeney a bit of a cheeky sprig in the ruck. A bit of chat that Charlie Ngatai (Māori Jesus) might come for a run. He has retired and has settled in Hamilton and works with one of our club Sponsors. He will be playing twilight cricket with the Te Rapa boys this summer so the boys will be in his ear no doubt to have a run and there is also chat about coaching.

@Kruse This must be the only time that anyone has ever wanted Paj's picks!

@nostrildamus said in Nigel Owens - 100 Tests:

Barrie Jones-Davies-could there be a more Welsh name?

Barrie Jones-Davies-Owens.

@Machpants
The Russians always go two steps further.

I've heard that in 2019 when Hansen made his intentions clear, the 1st group by Foz after Razor said no to assistant and went for HC is Foster, Jamie J, Brown. Schmidt was supposed to come in as selector but then needed a break for two years, so Fox was extended as selector.
NZR couldn't match Japan money for Joseph, but was keen to go with Foz.
Plumtree was asked to apply in 17 when Wayne Smith retired too, he was always on the NZRs radar.

@MiketheSnow naive much 😉

A couple more in recent weeks:

453589286_870136834931749_561326090277570210_n.jpg

454314094_873079717970794_4257487988819033046_n.jpg

Cockerill looks to have been the second oldest living AB at 95. Laidlaw was 89.

@Machpants said in Olympic Sevens 2024:

One of the things I have enjoyed most about the BF7s is Waaka, and she is almost always grinning ear to ear - and still owning the plays.

Love seeing smart NZ halves/playmakers get her 1 on 1 in a major final and then watching her turn on the jets and blast by whoever on the outside.

@mikedogz said in Old AB teams discussion:

Every NZer thinks they are an AB coach, even the coach’s son…

This week's Ta$man announcements:

NPC squad: Taine Robinson, Viliame Napa'a, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Finlay Christie

All Blacks: Tyrel Lomax, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder, David Havili, Noah Hotham

Development squad: Brodie Robinson, Quinn Harrison-Jones, Mason Lund

They're done with Backs and the Development squad.

Added to:

NPC squad: Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Isaac Salmon, Ryan Coxon, Sam Matenga, Quinten Strange, Jack Gray, Kyran Taumoefolau, Sam Moli, Levi Aumua, Campbell Parata, Braden Stewart, Monu Moli, Quentin MacDonald, Willi Havili, Max Hicks, Macca Springer, Sione Havili Talitui, Antonio Shalfoon, Louie Chapman, Fletcher Anderson, Will Butler

Development squad: Hugh Robinson, Cooper Roberts, Maloni Kunawave, Eli Odenryn, Johnny Lee, Cooper Grant, Matt Lowe, Nic and Timi Sauira, Joel Lauvale, Sione Mafi, Hunter Leppien, Tayne Hemopo

Didn't get to watch any of this thanks to SBS's shithouse streaming service.

@MiketheSnow said in Nations Championship?:

@gt12 said in Nations Championship?:

It’s going to happen with that amount of money.

I would make one change: the 6th ranked team in the South plays the 7th ranked team in the South to see who comes up the Rugby Championship.

Likewise, 6th 6 nations team (Italy) play highest ranked Tier 2 team (Georgia) to see who gets into the 6 nations.

I know this won’t happen.

The 6 Nations is doing just fine than you very much

I love having Italy there purely cos on the whole they’ve made Scotland look less shit for 24 years.

Won a few bucks with Dan Hillier finishing inside the Top 20 so pretty happy with that. Also had Swede Alex Noren to finish inside the Top 20 as well.
What a year it's been for Xander. Started the year with no majors, now has two. He's had 12 Top 10 finishes in the 17 tournaments he has played this year including the majors.

England win the tournament. A really powerful forward pack. I could see Steve Borthwick fast-forwarding the U20 props into the full national team.