Olympics Thread

NTA

Typically clueless performance from us on defence. We need to starve them off the ball

Rancid Schnitzel

Keeping the coach thing only really makes sense if the guy hasn't been there that long. GT has been there for 20 plus years hasn't he. Time for a change.

Donsteppa

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When you win one game from four, commenting on the ref should be the least of your worries...

Billy Tell

Yeah it's pathetic. Just suck it up we were terrible.

hydro11

What kind of an exit play was that from the Aussies. Now they concede the try.

Gary

Mixed emotions about losing to Fiji - bugger we lost but at least we didn't stop Fiji from getting a medal when it would have been a bloody crime for us to get one given the way we played. Titch got it wrong with the game plan - unlucky with injuries but that's been the case all year - maybe its his training program

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="604863" data-time="1470865595">
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When you win one game from four, commenting on the ref should be the least of your worries...
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make your own luck...
 
Now the boys have to pick themselves up for the Plate....fun!
 
Titch has been HUGE for the game of 7s and is a shame if this is how he is to bow out, but it seems the game may have moved past him in the last year or so.

Sneakdefreak

Four years ago we assumed we would be in the finals of both mens and womens - at least the ladies came through with their part of the deal. Biggest problem for 7s is that most players view it as only some nice padding for their CV as they try and get a SR contract and make the ABs. NZ Rugby need to scout better or at the very least get better organised.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sneakdefreak" data-cid="604869" data-time="1470866301">
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Four years ago we assumed we would be in the finals of both mens and womens - at least the ladies came through with their part of the deal. Biggest problem for 7s is that most players view it as only some nice padding for their CV as they try and get a SR contract and make the ABs. NZ Rugby need to scout better or at the very least get better organised.
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Yep, maybe they have a trial, a camp, and then maybe the final 2 legs of the World Series, and then Olympics, look outside and allow League players to trial as well, afterall, this is supposed to be the NZ Olympics 7s Team, not the All Black 7s.

No Quarter

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When you win one game from four, commenting on the ref should be the least of your worries...
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Oh FFS not only did not not play like All Blacks, they are not not acting like All Blacks after the match. I know there are plenty of rabid fans that will crucify the ref, but to have the coach and players come out after the game and whinge like that is bloody pathetic. Just give Fiji their dues and take it on the chin.
 
Those comments are frankly embarrassing. Time for Titch to be put out to pasture. Perhaps he and Quinn can go to the same retirement village and regale each other with tales of past glory.

kiwiinmelb

It does remind me a little of the failed World Cup bids on the past , not through the level of disappointment , but more that the warning signs were there to see all year.

rotated

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="604872" data-time="1470867250">
It does remind me a little of the failed World Cup bids on the past , not through the level of disappointment , but more that the warning signs were there to see all year.</blockquote>
 
My thoughts exactly. I'm very positive about them rebuilding this program, the NZRU have shown they have the maturity and introspection to do this in the past. 
What is concerning is their inability to see an oncoming freight train that most of us saw coming a year ago. When this AB run does start to come to an end hopefully they can identify it a little quicker.

Wurzel

A shame this will taint Sir Gordon's legacy.
 
That said, he has a tell-all book due out later this year and it will be a compelling. Titch has been in some yelling matches at NZ Rugby HQ recently about player availability. No doubt he'll dish the dirt on some of those exchanges.

WillieTheWaiter

I'm forming a lynch mob to greet them at the airport.
 
WHO'S WITH ME?????
 
I won't be happy til I'm parading down queen st in the back of a ute with Titchs head in my hands.

WillieTheWaiter

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Great Britain gets through in extra time against Argentina.
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fark me the argies.. golden point, GB have a man in the bin. You win a pen, tap it, then boot it out.
 
Gives the ball back to GB, guy back from the bin. They score, you lose.
 
Easily one of the most retarded things I've seen on a rugby field.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="604874" data-time="1470868087">
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A shame this will taint Sir Gordon's legacy.
 
That said, he has a tell-all book due out later this year and it will be a compelling. Titch has been in some yelling matches at NZ Rugby HQ recently about player availability. No doubt he'll dish the dirt on some of those exchanges.
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Be interesting to see what comes out then, given wasn't it Titch who wanted them for a lengthy time to play in the WS (e.g the Ioanes, Messam, SBW) rather than having some late inclusions? I expect this is what put a number of players off, although it would have been more disruptive waiting until the quarter/semis of the Super season to see who was available from the losing teams.
 
I would wager Ardie is much happier with his decision now.

WillieTheWaiter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rotated" data-cid="604873" data-time="1470867723">
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What is concerning is their inability to see an oncoming freight train that most of us saw coming a year ago. When this AB run does start to come to an end hopefully they can identify it a little quicker.
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just chucking my tinfoil hat on for a mo - maybe a couple of years back titch had an honest chat with nzrfu where he told them we have fcuk all chance of winning.. he left, they decided meh lets not really get behind this thing cause it's not going to end well.. and no 'superstars' went.

WillieTheWaiter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="604877" data-time="1470868311">
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Be interesting to see what comes out then, given wasn't it Titch who wanted them for a lengthy time to play in the WS (e.g the Ioanes, Messam, SBW) rather than having some late inclusions? I expect this is what put a number of players off, although it would have been more disruptive waiting until the quarter/semis of the Super season to see who was available from the losing teams.
 
I would wager Ardie is much happier with his decision now.
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it all started going south for the team when the Ioanes signed for the Blues over the Chiefs.
 
The thing that blew me away the most was how farking rooted they looked compared to other teams.
 
Our 7's team was always the fittest, now we look like a bunch of fat unfit ba$tards compared to the other teams.
 
Too much weights not enough speed work??

Chris B.

The solution is obvious - let's just poach some Fijians. :)

Wurzel

I reckon about 18 months ago when Titch was told by the NZRU that he wasn't going to get access to any stars he developed that godawful, low-risk, look-for-contact, grind-'em-down game plan knowing it was his only chance of countering the pace of Fiji, USA and SA. Titch locked his squad in the gym, and then used the recent World Series to let the new game plane bed in. It was clear to everyone - Titch included - that it wasn't working but he had no other option to see it through.
 
I've not known a top class New Zealand rugby team that was unable to beat a man or create space through instinctual footwork and ballwork. Yet we just saw one stumble their way from Dubai to Wellington to Hong Kong, ending in a screaming heap in Rio.

The Silver Fern

Olympics Thread