@chris-b said in Has Hansen gone stale?:

@mokey said in Has Hansen gone stale?:

@mariner4life Can you imagine trying to explain those years to kids nowadays.
Well, poppets, we had some rough times. The Wallabies were on top of the world. Locks kicked. Richie cried. Anton couldn't count. The French routed us. John was on a journey...

Has someone still got that Gorgeous Grogan post as he rode into the sunset...?

Ladies, Gentlemen and Adults of Indeterminate and/or Transitional Gender

May I present to you Peak Fern, the most awesome post ever.  Shared by long lost and departed @Gorgeous_Grogan (I added the @ just in case he’s still lingering …) the day after 23 October 2011 …

Enjoy.

(Sorry cloud image didn't work ... imagine it )

Ding dong the Witch is dead

Today, without a hint of overstatement, I can now die a happy man. Before I indulge you as to why first look at this picture of lovely little clouds...

(Cloud image)

They are as light and as fluffy as my soul today.

Now look outside your window gentlemen. Does the sun not shine a little brighter today? Does the grass not appear a little greener? Does the World not appear as though it has returned to a blissful harmonious state after seeming strangely off-kilter for the last 2 and a half decades or so? As you listen to birds warbling "The Hallelujah Chorus" in glorious symphonic unison, contemplate this simple truth...

Our team, yes OUR team.....are Champions of the World.

In the last World Cup of our lifetimes to be played on home soil, the annointed spiritual guardians of our great game have faced their demons, and stared them down. With an irresistible fusion of pure, concentrated mana, Aaron Crudens' lefty, and the terrifying power of an all-consuming Blackness, they have inscribed their indelible legacy into the pages of history forevermore. And if that act wasn't sufficiently "Brad Thorn" enough, we did it.....

...Without Dan Carter
...Without Dan Carters replacement
...We even did it without our cancer surviving, mono-bollocked, rough-headed Carter-replacement-replacement for fucks sake, it reads like a hollywood script. (Come on Peter Jackson, get off your arse and do something for New Zealand, prove you're still street. "Invictus II - The Redemption", it's as good as written)
...We did it with half a McCaw
...Against the Wallabies in a sudden death semi-final
...Twice against France
...In the style and spirit of the '87 pioneers (We even did it with cute little white collars on)
...With so many others gleefully, even desperately willing us to choke

Furthermore, for once our unparalleled player depth actually DID count for something at the pointy end. The Cartel redeemed themselves. The Duck redeemed himself. After falling twice Richie McCaw (The greatest living New Zealander bar none, now surely the undisputed greatest All Black, possibly player, of all time and general all round good fluffybunny) finally gets his reward (and probably an instant knighthood, a minted coin, maybe a postage stamp and at the very least an undie commercial).

Yes, for today my friends, we finally lay to rest the ghosts of failed campaigns, heartbreaking memories of drop goals in overtime, intercepts, forward passes, and explosive diaherrea. Tears of grief, humiliation and ridicule, missed opportunities, disastrous selection policy, fate, merciless sledging, raw disbelief and referees. Of fallen warriors such as Cullen, Jonah, Zinzan and Tana who deserved more for the blood they spilt in black and who fought and fell on foreign soil, with the Silver Fern on their chest.

Today is a rebirth.

Today I can watch rugby and actually enjoy it again (rather than through my fingers, with a burning, twisting knot of anxiety and nausea in my stomach)

Today I will no longer have to wonder if we will EVER win another world cup.

Today we no longer have to hear the "Choker" tag burning in our ears (usually from supporters who jump on the French because their own teams have been knocked out long before us, might I add)

Today I no longer have to hear the (annoyingly inaccurate and lazy) cliche about the All Blacks peaking between World Cups or about "losing their aura"

Today that evil little goblins' "Four more years" sledge suddenly hurts no more.

Today I will no longer have to watch our team flog themselves to exhaustion season after season trying to live up to impossible expectations under intense public scrutiny, conquering all before them, winning test after test yet always having one eye on an looming World Cup which will apparently invalidate it all (but we've still got our 85% winning record right guys?.....Guys?)

Today I no longer have to endure losing a World Cup and then listening to pasty, bandwagon-jumping, fair-weather twats with shit ginger Tarquin haircuts who know less than nothing about rugby, regurgitating the latest bullshit trendy newsfeed narrative that's been fed to them as though they have aaaaaaany fucking idea what they're talking about.

Today I became genuinely impervious to any bitter trolling that Welsh "journalists" may scrawl about the All Blacks. Negative articles will now simply slide right off like so much dust off a gumboot (as opposed to previously, when it was more like say, irritating dog turd nuggets mashed right into the sole, requiring a stick or some other implement to extricate from the tread, and even though you're sure you got it all there always still seems to be a vague lingering turdy smell following you around all day, even after you've given them a couple of good goings over with the hose, (maybe you got a bit on your sleeve).......Anyway, what I was getting at is that the petty squealing of "the Irrelevant" matters not when you're the World Champions. Yep you heard that right, WORLD CHAMPIONS...(And yes, even now when they'll probably just put out articles claiming we can only win the thing at home)

Today brothers and sisters, "The Curse" has lifted.

As pathetic as it may sound, after the continual gut-wrenching failure and heartache I have endured for my entire adult life, over a quarter of a century, today IS that important. Indeed we may never lift another world cup in my lifetime. But to me at least, it simply no longer matters. Say it with me now.....It No. Longer. Matters. We knocked the bastard off. The searing agony of 4.5 million Kiwis has been extinguished, and now we all get to ride off merrily into the sunset to our pre-planned victory parade in our big-arsed jumbo with our front row repainted all over the front. See kids? Dreams do come true.

All Blacks.................Fuck yeah!

So...

.. married in mid 30s to a lady a little older than me with a previous family (two kids she loves dearly but is out of touch with... for reasons I won't go into here...). Given her circumstances she was no longer able to have children.

We were never having kids. Just accepted fact. I'm not sure I reflected on this or even if I "regretted" it. It just was. We weren't having kids. It was her and me and we were happy.

Happens my Dad passed away in 2001.

As part of the grieving process Mrs Boo lines me up and asks me if I want kids. Honestly. DO YOU WANT KIDS? Searching within, well yeah I do. Mrs Boo then has to have surgery to make having kids possible again.

Not long after we end up with Ms Boo Jr. Best decision of our lives.

When @mariner4life or @taniwharugby or @NTA describe how they out of the blue come and share some random moment in their lives that's so awesome. And the joy at her successes at school and in sport transcend any I ever achieved for myself.

She's about to set sail into the world in a year or so, and Mrs Boo and I will have to find that spot we had 17 years ago when it was just her and I.

My point being is I think having child is beyond awesome.

But if we could go back 17 years (ok ... 18) I really don't think I would have have gone through life regretting it.

So @chimoaus don't . Regret not having kids that is. I wouldn't have.

But if you do have kids they are the best toys ever.

13 from 14 after missing 800+ caps.

Chuck Bledisloe retained.

Perfect Rugby Championship.

A few noobs introduced.

Continue to fuck with the minds of the northern tinfoil brigade.

The only black spot(s) being the result in Chi town, and perhaps the performances at Eden Park and Dublin (and to a lesser extent Paris) where we won on defence (which is a good thing).

Generally a solid B+ for me.

On review we didn't mess too much with the First XV throughout with the exception of Italy. However injury allowed us some pseudo rotation.

I think we need to confirm a 3rd hooker.

Our top 4 props are good. Next in line needs some looking at. Ofa cops a bit of slack but he held up OK. Laulala and Moli bear looking at next year.

Locks. Top 2 are top 2. Romero has some work to do to stay in front of Barrett. Pat T was a bit of a disappointment on tour. Wanted him to meast it up. Think he suffered from lack of game time. Think he's one of those guys who gets better the more they play. So won't write him off. Bird in the background is worth remembering too.

Loosies: apologies from me to Matt Todd. I didn't think he was Test class. He is. He's not Sam Cane but he's not bad. Ardie at this stage has his niche in the pine.

We missed JK at 6 in Chicago. And I don't think either Squire or Dixon are his replacement. As I have said elsewhere I think Luatua is a more like-for-like replacement. Ioane may be a bench option.

Read was quiet, but hardly a passenger. A long term replacement 8 is needed too. Ioane is not that yet IMO.

Halfbacks. We're well served. We all know about Smith's form dip. Disappointing. But a month or two off to get his head right will do him a world of good.

TJ's form has been a huge plus.

Back up from TKB, Weber and Pulu and there's plenty of depth.

When you consider Lima Sopoaga is rated the 3rd 10 we're doing good there.

BB killed it this year. AC still looks really good even if he is not BB.

As always we need to consider who else is around. Need at least 4 10s one of whom can whitebait. DMac must be in the mix I suppose.

Midfield. Well after starting the year with this area as a point of major panic, whilst it's not a weapon currently it's not the weakness it could gave been.

ALB looks the part. Crotty makes whoever he is there with look good. Fekitoa has his moments. Moala runs hard and straight. Reiko (just for @GT12) looked comfortable in his outings. Tamanivalu may be a bit of a work on.

Given SBW will be around, Barrett Jr will have a full SR campaign, and Charlie Ngatai may be over his head knocks (hopefully - for his sake as much as anything else) we're not thin at 12/13.

Wings. We had our moments. Savea was up and down. He suffered a lot from reputation lag though. If he didn't score from 35m out and only beat one tackler he was "useless". Some of the criticism was justified some of it wasn't. Naholo had flashes but I'm sure we hoped for a bit more. Given we were forced to play Dagg at 14 says something about the depth and form of our wings.

Ioane could be additional cover here and if course NMS will hopefully be back. Nanai may be an option too.

BFA was excellent through the year. Dagg excellent deputy.

Considering though that Dagg was the best option at wing we need to look for depth in the back 3. As above NMS covers this and Nanai has been in the mix. Proctor may be on the fringes.

With regard to tactics I think teams have worked out that they can't kick it back to us. So they hold on to the ball more. Hence we've had to defend. And by crikey the defence has been awesome. Teams may have worked out that they need to hold on to the ball, they just need to learn how to hold on to it and do something with it to break that defence.

In a lot of ways we've slowly been dragged back to the pack from where we were at the start of the season .. or at least the chasing pack has caught us a little.

I think Aussie at Eden Park looked dangerous and have backed that up (even allowing for Ireland result).

Not sure of some of our tactics. Plenty of times I'd have liked to work the corners rather than a half pie kick which turned over possession 60m out. We did that too much against Aus at EP, Ireland and France. And they were all good enough to take advantage and mount attacks. Deeper kicks would have put more pressure on.

Anyway. My 2c.

Not going to read the thread.

Yay, good guys won.

Fozzie is fat.

Ok.

I'm off to bed.

I'll repeat in case the ether did not register...

I'm off to bed...!!!

Match report from ground zero.

So seats were awesome. First allocation we got was on the try line. Emailed and enquired about anything better and got reissued on the 10. Much pleased.

Stadium brilliant. All seats looked to have a good view. Pretty easy to get around prior to kick off. No queue for food (only bought two cartons of chops - reckon they might have only charged for one as it only cost $6), and three people for beer. (Two XXXX Golds and two Bundy & cokes go Mrs Boo- one of which I ended up drinking - $38. Was sufficient to see us through the game remaining compos mentis with no need to get out for comfort stops.)

Surprised at the access to around and from the Stadium. Lots of road closures and diversion and rat runs. I don't recall even Eden Park being that level of disorganised outside the ground.

Crowd atmosphere was pretty much the best I've experienced. Seemed at least 50/50. Not a bad size either but enough gaps to make moving easy enough. Good natured, despite the niggly game , and both sides had reason to cheer.

But the incessant bloody music! First time I've been to a game for five years and I don't recall it being that bad last time.

I also don't recall buying tickets to a disco.

Several times there was good lead up work, crowd getting into it, maybe a kick to a corner with attacking lineout (one team or the other) and then DOOF DOOF DOOF. Way to kill an atmosphere. Or they're still blasting out some tune 10secs (a long time in sport) after kick-off.

Some of it was good. The rest of it just drowned out the atmosphere.

But enough of that rant.

On to the game. I'm not very good at remembering the intricacies of a game at the best of times, so the following are just general observations.

I did start browsing the match thread last night, got about as far as half-time so will be an interesting exercise to see if my opinions match with the general feel of TSF.

I'm over us giving away penalties. The Wobs first try came from a penalty that gave up possession and territory, after that all they needed was a lucky bounce and presto! Five points.

Bigger discussion point here but I am beginning to think the desperate need to retain possession is not balanced by the consequence of a penalty.

Will need to watch the recording but thought Ofa's red was deserved. First viewing from the stand looked ok but the shots from the reverse looked bad. Quick peruse of the forum suggests there may have been mitigations that weren't fully factored. Will have to check.

Shame they had to drag Akira. Looked like he'd been going well.

Missed the Swinton red live but lucky it was only a red.

Game didn't have a lot of shape from my viewing, especially after the cards.

Not sure about the obsession with the rolling maul just prior to half-time. Wondered if we shouldn't have had a crack wider.

Thought we missed a couple of chances on the outside, particularly in the second half. I think ALB went himself once, and Jordie could have passed to Rioane once. Maybe not full on overlaps but felt there was some space out there.

Beaudie put in a couple of awful kicks.

As Jordie was calling for the quick throw in from Reece I could see Wellington all over again. Came close.

Reece wasn't up to much.

Not a fan of SB, don't see him adding much.

Maybe we made a few too many changes?

We need to clone Aaron Smith ASAP, or find a different way to play.

More thoughts on the thread as they come.

Am now one and one for tests attended at Suncorp.

All up a great day apart from the result. Will be back again. Maybe not this package - will take a chance of purchasing tickets, and do a cheaper hotel.

@baron-silas-greenback said in Convicts v Marxist Land Thieves - Crucket:

@baron-silas-greenback And for the record I have spoken to someone who has played with and against Warner about the very topic of sledging and abuse. And he is indeed pretty feral. Off the field he is apparently a bloody nice guy and less arrogant than most of his teamates. But nothing more than a number of other players. He just gets pumped on the field and crosses the line more often than others.
The reaction to him over this is disgusting and more feral than Warner.

Oh good. He's a nice bloke away from cricket. That makes his on field behaviour ok then...

I'm sure we all have aspects of our lives where we act differently in different situations.

I'm sure some people can be really really nice when they're not posting on internet forums.

This is too much for me.

I'm abandoning TSF for the common sense and decency of the Trans debate on Twitter ...

I'm backing Razor.

Fuck Schmidt.

@mimic said in Aussie Rugby in general:

@Machpants said in Aussie Rugby in general:

@Bones yeah faith is not greater than hate speech

What was it that he said that was hate speech?

**Note: I haven't seen what was posted by Izzy, only that people are hating on him.

Can I please wade in on this?

I'll declare my agnosticism first up, which includes some time toying with Christianity.

So ...

I don't think it is hate speech.

At no point has Folau said homosexuals should go to hell.

He has said they will.

Important distinction.

Especially given it appears his belief is that homosexuality is a sin. And that it is something you have control over.

Again, let me qualify that this is not my belief. But I understand how it could be the belief of a committed Christian.

Let's face it, plenty of people have opinions and beliefs that fly in the face of widely accepted and often scientifically proven fact. Climate science, vaccination, flat earth, gender to name but a few.

Secondly, as a Christian, if he's doing it right, he's praying peeps don't head off to the hot place. If you're a true Christian you don't wish that on anyone. (I find it awfully hypocritical when supposedly Christian people wish someone would rot in hell. Aren't we all meant to be able to be redeemed? John 3:16 (look it up) and all that? I recall the sign in the Sydney church getting some publicity that "God loves Osama bin Laden".)

But I digress...

It is conceivable that he is reaching out to these people he believes are sinning and that, as "Only Jesus saves", he's doing his best to save their mortal souls.

Frankly I don't think he's very bright. I don't agree with him. But I don't think he deserves the level of derision he's getting.

@OomPB said in 3. 2022 TIGHT-HEAD PROP:

Fat Frans Malherbe. Played the most important role for Springboks winning the 2019 WC. He became the most experienced player for the Stormers, passing Schalk Burger. A true team man playing for the badge and the Springboks most important player in the pack.

Kinda not relevant to 2022

@MajorRage said in Royal drama:

Certainly didn't watch it but seems Harry & Meghan think they are the cause of Brexit.

Wow.

Haven't watched and won't... but just checked some dates, and they apparently met in July 2016 (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/prince-harry-meghan-markle-netflix-documentary-relationship-timeline/).

Brexit referendum was 23 June.

Damn they're good.

What was the context Rage?

@Windows97 said in Foster, Robertson etc:

However simply speaking it is quite an interesting paradox.

"Give me the 23 best rugby players in New Zealand and I will give you the world cup!!"

"Very good Mr Roberston/Joseph, and of course we'll give you the best coach's in NZ to work with as well".

"Heavens No!! I only want to work with these specific people and couldn't care less about the skills, talents or ability of any other coach".

Whilst of course the above is facetious one mark of a "good coach" is that they can get the best players in the country and form them into the best team. It would seem a little bit odd that they wouldn't take a similar approach with the coaching team. Get the best coach's there are and make them into the best team.

A coach may have differing opinions as to who is the best 23.

Not talking specifics, but attitude and ability to work within a given team is part of what makes up "the best".

Is it just me or is this starting early this year?

First match 9 September!

Comparing to 2019 kick off was 20 September.

2015 on 18 September.

2007 was comparable on 7 September.

1999 was 1 October.

1991 20 October.

(Not comparing 2011 coz it was down our way, but even 2003 waited till October .. prolly to avoid the Aussie footy finals.

And 1987 and 1995 were obviously early winter in May and June.)

Just an observation.

IiRC correctly "Public School" referred to it being open to (fee paying) public, as opposed to private tutors... or something like that.

From time before there were State run schools.

Could be wrong though, and can't be bothered Googling ro check.

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Parenting:

@barbarian said in Parenting:

@Rancid-Schnitzel I don't actually think my parents will really mind. My dad just has a very deep connection to the place - he went there, he taught there for the vast majority of his working life, he coached sport there, he practically lived there. Still works there now in his retirement.

So saying we're taking our son elsewhere may come as a blow, but we just can't afford it. Which is almost a luxury because if we could afford it I'm not sure we'd want to send him there either, and THAT is a much tougher conversation...

It's definitely worthy of a cost-benefit analysis. You can go on one hell of family holiday for one year of school fees.

Some places you can buy a house ...

@Frank said in Royal drama:

Comments underneath the trailer are good.

Comments were brilliant.

"I loved the time when ... " 😀

@MajorRage said in Royal drama:

@booboo said in Royal drama:

@MajorRage said in Royal drama:

They are going to trash / destroy the family, everything it stands for.

And America, especially Black America, and the anti Royal UK (which is sizeable) is going to absolutely fucking love it.

For a couple that claim to promote peace etc, this is going to cause unbelievable trouble and divide.

I'm disagreeing Rage.

I think their shark has been well and truly jumped.

Yes, there will be a minority who'll lap it up, those that see racism in everything.

But when some of the women on "The View" start calling them out I think it's becoming clear their schtick is wearing thin.

And the lies are getting so much easier to spot that it's kind if not fun any more. I almost feel sorry for them.

A very loud, very vocal minority.

@booboo said in Royal drama:

@Frank said in Royal drama:

@canefan said in Royal drama:

@Bones said in Royal drama:

This is pretty funny. Seems another photo showing intrusive, sneaky paparazzi was actually a scheduled shoot too

Lisa McLoughlin  /  Dec 5  /  00:59  /  Showbiz

Photo of press ‘hounding’ Meghan and Harry in Netflix trailer taken at film premiere

The couple released the first trailer for their highly-anticipated six-part docuseries last week

Instead of just getting out like he said he wanted, Harry has allowed a woman from a broken family with a toxic relationship with her father and half siblings to help him break his family and create toxic relationships with his father and brother. And he has trashed his family for personal gain. He is a fucken disgrace

Also a very stupid man.

Pathetic shadow of his former self.

I definitely feel pity.

The whole thing will come crashing down around his ears when she tires of him and the money runs out as they've rung the narrative for all it's worth, and there's no more "shocking revelations".

I see real bitter divorce proceedings in their future.

The money will never ever run out.

I hope I'm wrong and your're right.

How many times can they tell the same story and get paid for it?

@Frank said in Royal drama:

@canefan said in Royal drama:

@Bones said in Royal drama:

This is pretty funny. Seems another photo showing intrusive, sneaky paparazzi was actually a scheduled shoot too

Lisa McLoughlin  /  Dec 5  /  00:59  /  Showbiz

Photo of press ‘hounding’ Meghan and Harry in Netflix trailer taken at film premiere

The couple released the first trailer for their highly-anticipated six-part docuseries last week

Instead of just getting out like he said he wanted, Harry has allowed a woman from a broken family with a toxic relationship with her father and half siblings to help him break his family and create toxic relationships with his father and brother. And he has trashed his family for personal gain. He is a fucken disgrace

Also a very stupid man.

Pathetic shadow of his former self.

I definitely feel pity.

The whole thing will come crashing down around his ears when she tires of him and the money runs out as they've rung the narrative for all it's worth, and there's no more "shocking revelations".

I see real bitter divorce proceedings in their future.

@MajorRage said in Royal drama:

They are going to trash / destroy the family, everything it stands for.

And America, especially Black America, and the anti Royal UK (which is sizeable) is going to absolutely fucking love it.

For a couple that claim to promote peace etc, this is going to cause unbelievable trouble and divide.

I'm disagreeing Rage.

I think their shark has been well and truly jumped.

Yes, there will be a minority who'll lap it up, those that see racism in everything.

But when some of the women on "The View" start calling them out I think it's becoming clear their schtick is wearing thin.

And the lies are getting so much easier to spot that it's kind if not fun any more. I almost feel sorry for them.