@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Pumas I:
On Patty T - for what it is worth he was brilliant against Southland last Friday. His form also got better and better for the Blues as the season went on (a bit like Moala) so not sure what the go is.
I've heard that Hansen mistakenly thinks he plays for the Hurricanes, hence why he's not selected....
@kiwiinmelb said in Things that annoy you about rugby...:
Ex front rowers who become commentators that get over excited over fat unco blokes running slowly with the ball
Speaking of front rowers, one little annoyance is a packed stadium yelling out BEAST, every time said beast gets the ball and makes less yards carrying it than Owen Franks....
Come on fellas, some of the provincial stuff coming out now and fluffing is terrible.
But hasn’t Richie, Whitelock and Goodhue played well
@majorrage Timmy came up with some big moments with both bat and ball. Had the odd “big” moment in the field that let us know our hearts were working too!
Really was a strange test but what a great result. The fact that the 4th innings was the best to bat in adds to the mystique of it. Whoever said it, low run tests tend to deliver the drama.
Also on Virat, I reckon he’s a class act. Think that we had to endure Ganguly and others. In fact it’s hard not to like this Indian side. They are a professional outfit with hard workers. Not unlike our beloved Blackcaps. Fitting final in my view.
Was really impressed with De Groot tonight. Bought some real steel to his game especially in defence and cleaning out.
@barbarian you’re doing a pretty amazing job bro. Holding down a job, being a dad, supporting your missus. Things that might seem like every day stuff, but cannot be sniffed at in these uncertain times.
That’s not to say that even when we are putting forth our best effort we don’t experience the highs and lows, emotionally and physically.
After lockdown 5 in Melbourne was announced I was pretty emotional about it because one of my daughters (just turned 11yo, grade 5) who had just got back into the swing of going back to school again was going to be taken out again and then all the readjusting would have to happen in two weeks. Lockdown 6 then happens and earlier this week she can’t help but feel excited about going back to see her friends at school, lockdown extended and yesterday was a tough day for her. Nothing I can do about the situation other than love her, talk to her, encourage her.
Sometimes things simply do not work out the way we think - relationships sour, kids get depressed, jobs are lost, businesses go under, another lockdown, families can’t be visited, loved ones are lost - things that are sometimes outside of our control. Something my old man taught me back when I was going through a challenging time, resilience isn’t about not experiencing the bad things in life, but maintaining a positive outlook when there are a thousand reasons not too.
Not always easy but I believe that each day there is a chance to put it to the test. Sometimes it’s during a walk outside or quiet moment at home, or an epiphany like moment that @mariner4life had 
that we can reflect on our life and make a choice.
@Jaguares4real said in SR Final: Crusaders v Jaguares:
How to pronounce Jaguares properly
It’s pronounced ruh-nurs ah-p
@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v South Africa (Pool 
:
Shitty unconvincing win we need to be a lot better then that to win the WC
No we don’t. All we need to do is win the game. Who really cares how.
Abrar gets his 6th by dismissing Stokes.
RR still over 5 and Jacks looks set.
@cgrant said in 1. 2022 LOOSE-HEAD PROP:
I am hesitating between Baille and Genge. I will go for Baille who is the best all round player : excellent scrummager, outstanding in the loose and a good guy.
Baille
@Stargazer Blyde has been awesome and is getting better too.
Abrar gets the first 5 wickets on the first day of his first ever test match.
England going at 5.5 rpo with 167 in the first session
Celts offence is actually off the charts right now. They have depth, shooting, defence and two guys that can create and get you a bucket when you need it.
@mariner4life yep. 5 teams have winning records on the road (Kings, Breakers, Taipans, JJs, 36ers). Wildcats are 3-3 and then the other 4 teams (Phoenix, Hawks, United, Bullets) all have losing records on the road.
Only 3 teams have winning records at home, and it’s the top 3 teams on the table - Kings, Breakers and Phoenix.
@Bovidae sheesh we couldn’t buy a call last night, especially Pardon who probably missed out on three And-1’s.
But Sydney are very good. Cooks on track to win MVP, Soares has excellent footwork and soft touch around the rim, DJ spreads the defence even if he’s having an off night, Walton Jnr came out fired up after a sub-par game last time we met them.
We needed a bit more out of a couple of players, but we were right there after turning up our defence in the 4th quarter.
We are better on the road
@mariner4life said in FIFA World Cup 2022:
@KiwiPie a striker who won't work without the ball is worthless in modern football.
but as you say, he's still great to have if you desperately need to score
Agree. His athleticism (plus height) is still a decent weapon with a midfield that wants to just lob it into the box seeking an equaliser or winning goal. But he’s basically an extra time player with this Portugal side.
@nzzp said in Foster, Robertson etc:
@canefan said in Foster, Robertson etc:
So is international experience with Japan more telling than 6 SR titles with the Crusaders?
I'd say that 3-4 titles and 2-3 years coaching Japan would be better than either.
I don’t think any of that really weighs significantly on the decision because you can spin any “success” however you like.
I think in todays environment and dealing with young men mainly in their 20s, it’s the interpersonal skills, vision, and how you will respond in the face of challenging circumstances. Oh and can you get behind a cause or three so as to not ruffle the corporates when they decide to….
Super Rugby final guide: How to say Jaguares