Bledisloe II - Have a stab at the teams.
-
<p>Excuse my ignorance as I have been away with limited internet access for a week ( mind you that doesn't excuse nearly ten years of other dumb comments from me on here ) but is Moala injured ? I managed to catch the AB team being named but little else ( as an aside I'm not sure why on an island where I socialized with lots of Kiwis and Aussies the Rarotongans decided to broadcast SA/Argentina as opposed to the Bledisloe but I'm sure there's some reason )</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sounds like Fekitoa had a good un and J Savea scored a wonderful try too so if Ioane makes a good fist Moala might struggle to get back in despite his awesome showing against Roberts and Davies.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="608216" data-time="1471906829"><p>
He doesn't have time to sit back and laugh. He's too busy fighting the good fight over on Planet Rugby as well.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Which is why I think he isn't a troll. a troll wouldn't go to this much rouble for this long. He probably thinks the crusaders installed smoke machines in 2005. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="608219" data-time="1471907436">
<div>
<p>Excuse my ignorance as I have been away with limited internet access for a week ( mind you that doesn't excuse nearly ten years of other dumb comments from me on here ) but is Moala injured ? I managed to catch the AB team being named but little else<strong> ( as an aside I'm not sure why on an island where I socialized with lots of Kiwis and Aussies the Rarotongans decided to broadcast SA/Argentina as opposed to the Bledisloe but I'm sure there's some reason )</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sounds like Fekitoa had a good un and J Savea scored a wonderful try too so if Ioane makes a good fist Moala might struggle to get back in despite his awesome showing against Roberts and Davies.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>They likely wouldn't have a say in the decision. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>They usually get all the big matches on free-to-air Cook Islands TV. I watched the Super final there last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I assume that Sky (Pacific version) would have been playing it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="608221" data-time="1471907499">
<div>
<p>Moala injured his knee in the leadup to the Sydney test. Ligament damage, could be out a few weeks. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>That's shit. Of all the newish ABs of recent times he's the one who's gib I like the cut of best overall. He's had two tests that just ooze potential and he'll just get better.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fuck I sound like I'm getting all davidav/Toeava over him, I'd better stop now.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="608223" data-time="1471908303">
<div>
<p>Which is why I think he isn't a troll. a troll wouldn't go to this much rouble for this long. <strong>He probably thinks the crusaders installed smoke machines in 2005.</strong></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I can't believe I've never thought of that ... it all makes sense now! ;)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="608216" data-time="1471906829">
<div>
<p>He doesn't have time to sit back and laugh. He's too busy fighting the good fight over on Planet Rugby as well.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>What a trooper!! Let's have a moment and reflect on this.....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="608223" data-time="1471908303">
<div>
<p>Which is why I think he isn't a troll. a troll wouldn't go to this much rouble for this long. He probably thinks the crusaders installed smoke machines in 2005.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>My conspiracy theory is that he's a professional state-sponsored troll. Keeping us all busy arguing on here while the government screws us all over.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="608228" data-time="1471908412"><p>
I can't believe I've never thought of that ... it all makes sense now! ;)</p></blockquote><br>
Think about it, what evidence do we have that they don't ? At that stage the whole coaching staff were cantabs, connect the dots sheeple.... .. ( folds arms , nods knowingly) -
<p>With this new information coming to light, and the fact the canes finally managed to win something, does this mean Nepia is putting the Chiefs jersey back in the roof, and digging his Canes membership back out?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>canes 4 life! (!!!!!!)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="608242" data-time="1471909239">
<div>
<p>With this new information coming to light, and the fact the canes finally managed to win something, does this mean Nepia is putting the Chiefs jersey back in the roof, and digging his Canes membership back out?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>canes 4 life! (!!!!!!)</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Hmmm, that's a thought, after all it was clearly the Canterbury dominated NZRU who forced Hammett on the Hurricanes so he could keep them down and never have them win Super rugby. Once the Board got some kahunas and brought in a home grown coach who went against the script and won, the Canterbury dominated NZRU are now using Hansen to keep the Canes down as Winger rightly points out. Damn I wish didn't have that Canes bonfire in late 2011.</p> -
<p>It's not your fault, the conspiracy was too big for regular person to see. You need a big intellect; open eyes; and an open mind to see it. </p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="608223" data-time="1471908303"><p>Which is why I think he isn't a troll. a troll wouldn't go to this much rouble for this long. He probably thinks the crusaders installed smoke machines in 2005.</p></blockquote>
<br>
What smoke machines???<br><br>
[Quickly runs to filing cabinet to shred invoices from party warehouse] -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="608225" data-time="1471908359"><p>
That's shit. Of all the newish ABs of recent times he's the one who's gib I like the cut of best overall. He's had two tests that just ooze potential and he'll just get better.<br><br>
Fuck I sound like I'm getting all davidav/Toeava over him, I'd better stop now.</p></blockquote>Ummm...nope that's not how you're getting! I don't know if you recall the davidav/Toeava thing too well. -
Dave Moffitt speaking sense about super rugby and it's expansion and the fallout for Oz rugby<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11699523">http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11699523</a>
-
<p>cutting a NZ team is sense?</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="608375" data-time="1471934340">
<div>
<p>cutting a NZ team is sense?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Will let someone else finish 5th?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="608371" data-time="1471933474">
<div>
<p>Dave Moffitt speaking sense about super rugby and it's expansion and the fallout for Oz rugby<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11699523">http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11699523</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The other point about attendance - which I might have raised already - is that there were a shedload of Suburban Rugby finals on Saturday in Sydney. So you're talking another 15-17 clubs with one or more grades, supporters, etc. whose season ended one way or another. They'd be back at their sponsors drowning sorrows or celebrating.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And the Homebush factor. People in Sydney rugby's heartland (eastern suburbs) are sick of the journey out there for zero atmosphere and a probable pounding.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="608097" data-time="1471857181">
<div>
<p>The Hurricanes didn't dominate the competition that is for sure. They were awful in the first game against the Brumbies and mediocre in their second against the Highlanders. The NZ conference went down to the final weekend with four sides in with a shot of topping the conference. The Hurricanes hit form at the right time.<br><br>
I disagree with the assertion that the Hurricanes won because the cards fell their way. They won the competition because of a helluva of lot hard work by the squad and excellent coaching by Boyd and Plumtree. We were fortunate to have two of the best players in the world right now in Beauden Barrett and Dane Coles, aided by the very experienced Victor Vito and Cory Jane who were hungry for success having tasted much disappointment with the franchise over the years. TJP, Ardie Savea and Brad Shields played perhaps the best Rugby of their careers so far in the business end of the season.<br><br>
The Hurricanes had a star squad rather than a squad of stars. There were no weak links in the player roster and everyone played their part during the campaign at some stage. Injuries happened to first-choice players but other players slotted in and did very well. The spirit in the squad was excellent.<br><br><strong>The key to the successful campaign in so many ways was the 35-10 win over the Crusaders in Christchurch at the end of the regular season. </strong>Not only did it put the Hurricanes top of the NZ conference, but IMHO the quality of the performance gave them huge belief going into the knock out games. It is many years since I have seen the forward pack of a NZ team get the better of the Crusaders forwards on their own turf like that. Awesome stuff and a welcome change from some of the beatings the Hurricanes have received from the Crusaders over the years that is for sure.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>A considered and intelligent response, Sparky.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I think the bolded bit is key and the point I was making. Even after you'd thumped the Crusaders (helped by us being pretty shit), you still needed the Chiefs to lose and the Highlanders not to get a bonus point. If either of those things had happened then most likely you guys were making the long trek to South Africa and coming back to play guys who'd spent a fortnight sleeping in their own beds.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Could you then have won? Well, it's possible - but, no-one's really managed it in 20 years. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Credit where it is due - you guys have won the trophy - and most of the other things you say were important contributors that you wouldn't have won without. Overall, I think the NZ conference was pretty even this year, so it is not surprising to anyone sensible that the ABs are not dominated by the winning Super team. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="608375" data-time="1471934340">
<div>
<p>cutting a NZ team is sense?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>we've had 5 teams all along, every NZ team has won and we should drop a team?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Used to be:</p>
<p>NZ 5</p>
<p>SA 4</p>
<p>Aus 3</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="608375" data-time="1471934340"><p>cutting a NZ team is sense?</p></blockquote>I must have missed that, I read him saying they should drop the farce and the rabbles. We're doing just fine thanks
