New Zealand under 20
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="586963" data-time="1465697255">
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<p>I would have said the same thing back in circa 2012 when the baby blacks team with Tuungafasi at tight head were getting minced.<br><br>
As someone who pretty much never watches the Blues, I still can't reconcile Ofa as being an AB.<br><br>
But then in 2011 I though I was watching a future great, and maybe captaincy potential in TJP. While 5 years later I have him ranked as the worst AB in my time.<br><br>
So anything can happen. Especially teaching youn props to scrimmage. Lowest common denominator stuff ....</p>
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<p>Yep, some of the players who have shown themselves to be brilliant at this level just never kicked on. It is hard to gauge much from these games alone, and any of these players, if they work hard could be future All Blacks.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="586942" data-time="1465693562">
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<p>Didn't see any of last year's games, but I think the 2014 team was the one with Damien McKenzie and Tevita Li - and Tom Sanders? I recall the Jaapies making mincemeat of our pack - I can recall thinking Sanders was a bit of a lone wolf forward and our backs keeping us in the game. Still lost.</p>
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<p>Don't think the scrum can have been as bad as last night's one, because I don't recall thinking that 2014 performance was the most humiliating by an NZ team since the 1999 RWC. Last night's efforts in the scrums were that bad. </p>
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<p>Those Irish boys made us look like Australians! :)</p>
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<p>The pack that year was rubbish and even got thoroughly outplayed by Samoa. The backs were pretty good and kept the team watchable. Actually, 10 of 13 back players in that squad got Super contracts, which is pretty amazing.</p>
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<p>I really liked last year's team, they looked quite assured and were a really smart outfit. The tight 5 weren't anything to write home about, but the scrummaging of the props did come around in the semi and final. The backrow was fun to watch and were head and shoulders above their peers - although when Karpik got injured, James Blackwell was not much of a replacement. The backline was really sharp and were probably the best defensive backline I can remember for the U20s.</p> -
Impressive little stadium. <br><br>
Do Man City actually get crowds to their reserve grade games that fill the stadium? Or is the Sheik just spending money to look cool?<br><br>
I suppose their reserve team could field 11 world greats though -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">That's why it's pretty funny to see people touting Barrett as the new AB 10 already.
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<p>Ridiculous for two reasons: he is playing 12, not 10.</p>
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<p>Last thing we want is for him to get played all over the show. He has all the skills to be a very good 12, can't we just let him focus on that? To me, it seems like, if he does well, he'd be the perfect kind of 12 to have outside of Beauden Barrett, eventually. Can help control the game and kick goals, as well as being another playmaker.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="586968" data-time="1465698243">
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<p>The pack that year was rubbish and even got thoroughly outplayed by Samoa. The backs were pretty good and kept the team watchable. Actually, 10 of 13 back players in that squad got Super contracts, which is pretty amazing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I really liked last year's team, they looked quite assured and were a really smart outfit. The tight 5 weren't anything to write home about, but the scrummaging of the props did come around in the semi and final. The backrow was fun to watch and were head and shoulders above their peers - although when Karpik got injured, James Blackwell was not much of a replacement. The backline was really sharp and were probably the best defensive backline I can remember for the U20s.</p>
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<p>Yep, Faiane and Lienert-Brown were superb on defense. Goodhue was also pretty good, and Aso couldn't even make the starting lineup!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="586971" data-time="1465698556">
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<p>Yep, Faiane and Lienert-Brown were superb on defense. Goodhue was also pretty good, and Aso couldn't even make the starting lineup!</p>
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<p>Yup, those 3 led the defense nicely. Teams could barely get any rhythm on attack because of them.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="586963" data-time="1465697255"><p><br>
But then in 2011 I though I was watching a future great, and maybe captaincy potential in TJP. While 5 years later I have him ranked as the worst AB in my time.<br></p></blockquote>
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Harsh. "Not lived up to potential/promise" I'll wear ... but worst? Naaah -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="586909" data-time="1465688614"><p>I was searching for this on Foxtel and couldn't find it ... sounds like I was lucky.</p></blockquote>
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Nepia it was on ch 507. They had been showing the games on 503 but because it clashed with the OZ v Italy game they moved us to the viewers choice channel. <br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587084" data-time="1465717517">
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<p>Nepia it was on ch 507. They had been showing the games on 503 but because it clashed with the OZ v Italy game they moved us to the viewers choice channel.<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>Cheers. Is that in the HD channels section or the other section? I had a look up and down but didn't see it but maybe I didn't go high enough.</p> -
You know what I really really like about NZ fans more than anything else?<br><br><br>They never, ever, ever complain about the weather or use it as a reason they didn't play well.<br><br>I'd really appreciate if you could convey this to other SH fans<br><br>"Yes it fucking rains. And yes it fucking rains during rugby matches - particularly in NH seasons. It has done for the last 150 fucking years.<br><br>Get fucking used to it."<br><br>Or something like that.
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Our props were shit PH. Nothing to do with weather. Besides it often rains in NZ. <br><br>
Weather excuses are for the convicts across the ditch. -
Only thing that grinds my gears more than water dropping from the sky at a rugby game, is watching young guys celebrating like they've really enjoyed their achievement.
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In case it wasn't clear, or people thought I was being sarcastic, I actually meant what I said about NZ fans re weather.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="587125" data-time="1465723959"><p>
In case it wasn't clear, or people thought I was being sarcastic, I actually meant what I said about NZ fans re weather.</p></blockquote>
Ah, I thought you were being sarcastic. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="587085" data-time="1465718063"><p>Cheers. Is that in the HD channels section or the other section? I had a look up and down but didn't see it but maybe I didn't go high enough.</p></blockquote>
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In the non-HD channel section. Go to 507 then press red button. I think there were 3 other sports events on that time to choose from. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="587125" data-time="1465723959"><p>In case it wasn't clear, or people thought I was being sarcastic, I actually meant what I said about NZ fans re weather.</p></blockquote>
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NZ fans can't complain given we are the land of the long grey and white cloud.... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="587146" data-time="1465725886"><p>NZ fans can't complain given we are the land of the long grey and white cloud....</p></blockquote><br>Neither can Ireland - since we're the land of the as-far-as-the-eye-can-see everywhere cloud - 99.9% of the time. Not sure what happens in the other .1% - this yellow dot appears in the sky sometimes and I don't have to wear my vest.
