The Silver Fern

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:

@KiwiMurph his PR skills might suck, in fact his entire tenure concerns me as to his capability to perform the role. But I find Hinton's article full of unfounded premises.

Where's the evidence that another Bledisloe Cup magically turns into a massive money spinner just because it's held on a certain date?

Why would SR clubs support a venture that takes away players during a competition when they could have an injury crisis?

If it requires a Test during SR to capture the attention of the rugby public, why aren't they addressing the problem with SR?

The fact Robinson appears to have consulted with stakeholders is the opposite of a "wave-of-the-hand type dismissal".

I have had similar thoughts.

We all now we moved away from having 3 tests with Aus a year due to over familiarity and interest dropping. I dont see why everyone will want it because it is held on anzac day.

Why dont they do something completely unique?

Have a super round on anzac weekend 4 aussie teams vs 4 kiwi teams in the same stadium. (Or saturday - 2 games in sudney/ sunday 2 games in Perth) and play for the Anzac cup. Country with the most wins in the weeknd, wins the cup.

Its unique, its country vs country for an additional prize in super rigby (bit like The triple crown in the 6 nstions)

This might sound daft but it took me 2 minutes to think of this and i prefer it over another bledisloe test

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:

doesn't look explosive enough to me. He's a big boy, handy in the air, reasonably quick, and a big boot - those are all good things, but without super quick acceleration and agression and evasiveness, i wouldn't pick him on the wing. he's just kinda a brown jordie barret no?

That would make a good terrace chant.
“You’re just a brown Jordie Barrett…brooowwnn Jordie Barrett!”

@canefan said in NZ rugby new sponsorship:

@taniwharugby said in NZ rugby new sponsorship:

@Machpants obviously more cash than when they weren't paying...

And they can stop paying the lawyers now

NZR had a pretty watertight case. Ineos conceded as much in the press release (blaming business condition in Europe as opposed to NZr not upholding their side of the bargain)

A protracted court case would have been a distraction for NZR and would have put a strain on their resources if they used inhouse legal team to fight this (more thsn likely
Would have had to use outside counsel which would be $$$). Plus, it may put off potential sponsors.

Best result to settle it with minimum of fuss, move on and add a new sponsor as the international season starts.

@taniwharugby said in NZ rugby new sponsorship:

@Machpants obviously more cash than when they weren't paying...

Ineos wouldnt have paid the full amount of the remaining contract.

NZR would have got less but are free to engage with another sponsor

@antipodean said in Waratahs v Brumbies:

Odds on the Wallabies finally claiming the Bledisloe..?

Nah

Hows scott Barrett been playing?

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:

Don't talk to guys in NZ who are eligible.

Watch them go overseas (Shaun Stevenson)

Watch them come back (shaun stevenson😃)

@Duluth said in All Blacks 2025:

There some comments from Robertson about overseas players. Sounds like he has been told to pull his head in. Lots of his usual management jargon but basically his fine with the current setup

He's a bit dim so I expect him to push for overseas players agin in a few months.. get told off.. reiterate his support for the current system.. repeat..

Peace in our time….

@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:

If it were up to me I’d pick the two 7s boys (Tangitau and Carter) on the wing with Jordan at fullback.

Razor, an email will be coming your way

The way Jordan is playing this season reminds me of Jane at fullback.... just without the handling skills.

Or kicking skills.

Other than that you’re spot on

How did Scott Barrett go?

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:

@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:

@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.

Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?

NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.

Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor

I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.

They indulged him by entering in negotiations to bring him back, leaked the news to the press, which upset the club and player thst it was leaked.

Not a great negotiation tactic

@W32 said in Springboks:

@DaGrubster said in Springboks:

@W32 said in Springboks:

@mariner4life said in Springboks 2024:

time for the #justice4respect armbands

Thanks for making my point

Ill help you out here.

As soon as this little period for the boks is over you will be back to being crap and everyone will be against you again!

You’re welcome.

True, the little period of two straight world cups and world #1 ranking will probably come to an end at some point. Thanks for the reminder

So needy

@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:

@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:

@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:

Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good

He needs to be a lot better than he was in his last stint as AB fullback if he's the answer going forward.

I don't remember these rock solid performances NQ mentioned.

Have you tried comparing him to the incumbent?

I dont think Razor will move away from Jordan at fullback.

@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

The Brumbies have always been the standard for Australia. They've been their top-ranked side in cross- Ta$man competitions since 2021. So they're not really the litmus test for Australian strength...

Good point but it looks as though they might be 3rd best Aussie team this year

@akan004 said in Chiefs v Brumbies:

Aussie teams are no longer the easybeats they once were.

About time too

@ACT-Crusader said in Springboks:

One of the dirtiest, flop on to the ruck off his feet players of the last decade.

I wish him all the very best with his health and post rugby life.

Good career, wasnt as good as saffas thought he was.

Good luck to him.

@W32 said in Springboks:

@mariner4life said in Springboks 2024:

time for the #justice4respect armbands

Thanks for making my point

Ill help you out here.

As soon as this little period for the boks is over you will be back to being crap and everyone will be against you again!

You’re welcome.

@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:

@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2025:

Yes, you are correct - the continued success/Brand of ABs/NZR requires success. Ideally at a world cup level.

Just a thought. The All Blacks built the brand off 92 years of dour amateurism, a bare 70% winning record (I'll check exact numbers later), and being worse than South Africa, compounded by a 24 year gap between World Cups.

A game or two per year in neutral territory is not destroying the brand.

‘The Brand’ needs to do more than the above now because the NZR requirements have changed what they need from it.

Rightly or wrongly, the ABs are the vehicle that drives all profit and revenue opportunities.

The brand is about excellence wrapped in mystique of AB’s and rugby success is increasingly about world cup success. Certainly when you want to be out in the market signing bigger deals to fund all aspects of the game in Nz

@sparky said in EPL 2024/2025:

Liverpool FC can book an open top bus voyage for the end of May in Strand Street. No one is catching them in the league this year.

Yes this win feels very significant in the title race. Especially after West ham winning at Arsenal yesterday.

11 points ahead with 11 games to play. 7 of those games are at Anfield. One of them is against Arsenal.

Its looking very good for Liverpool to win No. 20

@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:

@Darren Putting aside the ground can't meet the requirements, I believe outside of tournaments that they should be held in the country of one of the participants.

I genuinely don't see why Americans should get to see this fixture over Kiwis and the Irish.

What annoys me is the "milking" of a brand thats in danger of becoming irrelevant.

It's all well and good selling out to Ineos, Altrad and playing games in the U.S if you are the "Harlem Globetrotters" of your sport. But we are now losing regularly to France, Ireland and South Africa and even Argentina and still strutting around like we are the cock of the walk.

We could do with winning the odd tournament to justify our lofty sense of self worth these days.

The modern day iteration of the Allblacks are all fur coat and no knickers.

Winning is all that matters and the rest is superfluous.

The first Chicago expedition was the start of the current malaise.

I think it is more commercial realities where the AB brand is the growth engine for NZR.

Yes, you are correct - the continued success/Brand of ABs/NZR requires success. Ideally at a world cup level.

I dont think it is becoming irrelevant, its amazing how quickly the aura is restored after a period of non domination of the sport - which we are in now. Besting the boks at home would help of course and is a must for a number of reasons