The Silver Fern

Well another test watched in pub here in Wales, and the overriding feeling of the patrons there seemed almost sadness. Most there seemed real invested rugby people, all I think were former players etc (even an ex Welsh captain), not real anger, or blaming Gatland, but saddened with how the game has shrunk etc in the country.
I have feeling Gats isn't the problem, but should maybe go to allow the players a chance to mentally refresh. You get impression they have lost all confidence.

@sparky said in Autumn Test 2024 : Wales v Fiji:

Fiji win.

Taxi for Gatland?

Just got back from pub here in Wales, and can assure you mate, talking to locals, dumping Gats isn't on anyone's mind, just sorting out Welsh rugby from top to bottom is what they want.

By the way,did I imagine it, or was only half our Anthem played. I was in a pub here, so may have missed it, Mrs Dan said same as me.
If it was only half, I even more happy with win, you don't really f*** with anthems.

Well watched that in a bar in Wales( apparentlyJerry Collins old regular), and loved it. That was f***en good win. Will sleep well tonight.

@Catogrande said in The Haka:

Marler now retiring from International Rugby. I do hope that it’s not because of this issue.

I see now that there has been suggestions online that NZ could be fined for advancing within 10m of the England line during the Haka. I guess theme the rules but how ludicrous has it all become?

I don't know why anyone thinks WR has rules for haka outside of WC. They don't, never have,they don't control what happens before tests,other than WCs, where they control all rematch stuff including how teams come on field, how anthems are done, and advertising. Outside of WC it is up to home union, they can scrap hakas,sivis or anything they want. There is no rules about anyone from advancing etc and never has been. Did anyone see Scotland/Fiji pregame? Fijians were up to halfway in a semi circle, and rightfully f*** all said.

Well have to say that was a fun watch. Mind you I was sitting in a pub in Wales, the beer tasting great, and the Welshmen all cheering for ABs too. Didn't see things as carefully as usual when watching tests, but thought in general team looked ok, with of course Sititi and Pat T, I thought outstanding. Although both players looked quite good, I was a little surprised at Ratima and Roigard both seemed a little hesitant at times. But happy with it all in general anyway,because of the W beside the game

@MN5 said in All Blacks EOYT:

@brodean said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Chris-B

Riccitelli is the same weight as Taylor.

Yeah but Cantab beef is full of more power to weight than any other beef in NZ so Taylor wins.

Yep but Taylor is Horowhenua beef, so maybe it's the Canterbury tucker??

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks v Japan:

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks v Japan:

All in all a bit of an average game, I know not top team etc, but a combination of a real crap field and not a lot of connection in either team left me thinking it not a test I'll remember for a long time.

Did you and @Bones enjoy the game together?

Well as he in England , and I still in NZ, not quite mate lol!

Oh what, I thought you said earlierin the thread that you were over there! Never mind then haha!

Naa Mate meant to head off tomorrow!

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks v Japan:

All in all a bit of an average game, I know not top team etc, but a combination of a real crap field and not a lot of connection in either team left me thinking it not a test I'll remember for a long time.

Did you and @Bones enjoy the game together?

Well as he in England , and I still in NZ, not quite mate lol!

All in all a bit of an average game, I know not top team etc, but a combination of a real crap field and not a lot of connection in either team left me thinking it not a test I'll remember for a long time.

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks v Japan:

Positives:

• Roigard's 1st Test since injury and he went OK
• Aumua (except esrly throwing)
• DMac's defence
• Telea showing some form
• Pat T's breakdown work
• Wallace confirming he's starting XV material

Negatives

• Poor defence
• Lack of focus - particularity in second half
• Scrum didn't dominate
• Poor kick options - esp.DMAC

Agree with most of that, buggered if I know what the defence coach is doing! It's not bad tackling, but just not being set in a defence pattern.

@Bones said in All Blacks v Japan:

@Dan54 plenty of room on the sofa here fella.

Not worried about a sofa or anything mate, but genuinely where in UK are you, me and Mrs haven't aren't completely sure of whole itinerary yet, so if handy to where you are perhaps I would pm you to see if you fancy a quick ale.

Can't help with UK channels for this one fellas, I only got to worry about turning on Sky in L'il Ole NZ, but the next4 are different as I will be in UK, so guess I will be finding pubs with them on!

@Cyclops said in Other Cricket:

Incredible result. Crazy to think we'd lost 10 straight t20s in the lead in to this tournament!

Funnily enough Cycs when I saw how girls went it reminded me of what James Parsons talked about on Aotearoa Rugby Pod last week. He was saying one of the great things he learnt playing top level sport is to be positive. When you are losing etc, you don't look to put blame etc on individuals etc, but look at how to fix things that went wrong!
And bloody good stuff from the girls, I not into T20 at all but still pleased for anyone who does well.

I have to say, first time I have seen Harkin play that I recall off hand, didn't show much in my opinion, just average 10, not somene I was thinking get in Canes or anything.

@KiwiPie said in BOP v Canterbury (SF):

That second half from the Bay was epic. Just so solid. Sorry getting emotional here. Carter's try in the corner will go down in Bay folklore

By geez it was great watch as a neutral, maybe I leant towards the Bay, there something about that team I really like, Pretty solid from 1 to 15 and just a bit of X factor thrown in to make them a real fun team to watch. I really happy if they win the whole thing , though I still really quite neutral.

Geez that was good wasn't it? A worthy watch after the Heartland final, some of those tries were stunning!! The Bay will take some beating in final.

By geez I enjoyed that game. Good on the Swamp Foxes!

Thank god there a test next week huh fellas? We can maybe drop argiments over Sotutu etc and have a game to discuss? Mind you it has filled in time.

Colour me surprised, Blackadder is injured? Poor bastard cannot catch a break on injury front!!