All Blacks vs Tonga

rotated

Members of the 2003 squad that I would now consider to be in the top echelon of ABs ever (weren't necessarily at their peak in 2003);

Kevvie, BBBT, McGod, Marshall (ugh), DC, Tana, Ma'a, Joe, Dougie, Mils

There must not be very many echelons! No knock on any of those guys (except, of course, Marshall) but I'd have at least a tier or two between Thorn (at his peak not even top 3 in the world for his position) and McCaw (God mode for 14 seasons).

The broader point is fair though; 2003 more than any other is the one that got away IMO. With average coaching and captaincy that team should have won it reasonably comfortably.

canefan

@rotated said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

Members of the 2003 squad that I would now consider to be in the top echelon of ABs ever (weren't necessarily at their peak in 2003);

Kevvie, BBBT, McGod, Marshall (ugh), DC, Tana, Ma'a, Joe, Dougie, Mils

There must not be very many echelons! No knock on any of those guys (except, of course, Marshall) but I'd have at least a tier or two between Thorn (at his peak not even top 3 in the world for his position) and McCaw (God mode for 14 seasons).

The broader point is fair though; 2003 more than any other is the one that got away IMO. With average coaching and captaincy that team should have won it reasonably comfortably.

Looking back, the seeds of failure were sown when Wayne Smith was removed. At the time I recall his comments made it seem like he wasn't all in with the job so the NZRFU gave it to Mitchell

rotated

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

Looking back, the seeds of failure were sown when Wayne Smith was removed.

I don't know if I'd fully go along with that. The turnover of players between 2001 and 2003 was a big, if not the biggest factor for the uptick in fortunes. Smith may not have made the wholesale changes needed, especially after investing 1.5 years into some of the guys.

While I definitely put 1991 and 1999 in the category of RWCs where the goose was cooked a year out, I honestly think with a little bit of leadership and some awareness they could have avoided the semi final loss and solved whatever problems were there on the back of a napkin the night before.

Stargazer

Forgot the early start of the NZ Baabaas Legends v Pacific Legends game, so missed the first 10 minutes. Who scored the try?

Dice

@Stargazer Koonwaiyou scored the first try, not sure who scored the second.

Dice

This game has been pretty decent. These guys haven't lost any skills at all.

taniwharugby

@Dice I played golden oldies with a few ex super players last year, and yea these guys don't lose the skills.

Ref pretty lax on some rules

ACT Crusader

Love the yellow card fake - pull the hanky out

ACT Crusader

Rua Tipoki still with the quick feet

Dice

This ref has been too whistle happy.

Dice

We had a wall move sighting. Didn't work, but it was still beautiful.

ACT Crusader

@Dice said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

This ref has been too whistle happy.

I think he was okay. Some pretty blatant stuff out there and I thought he tried to let it flow as much as possible.

kiwiinmelb

That was a bit of fun , some nice ball handling skills even if the legs have deserted them .

Rembrandt

Really enjoyed that. Terrific idea and cause.

canefan

How cool is afternoon test rugby? It's like welcoming back an old friend

Nepia

Is there a reason for the blue and orange (tape?) boots?

canefan

@Nepia said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

Is there a reason for the blue and orange (tape?) boots?

Are they the RWC issue boots?

Nepia

@canefan said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

@Nepia said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

Is there a reason for the blue and orange (tape?) boots?

Are they the RWC issue boots?

Mental health awareness maybe?

No Quarter

Backline moves carving them up so far

Nepia

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

Backline moves carving them up so far

Reiko would have scored there. :face_savouring_delicious_food:

The Silver Fern

All Blacks vs Tonga