The Silver Fern

@Machpants said in Blues v Crusaders:

Barrett dropped, or injured?

Perofeta not doing his teammates any favours

Barrett is injured, but makes no difference. He seemed to be who got blamed when the Blues lost early season.

I think it right result. I think they would be too disheartened, they a team of kids with 1 test player. Reds are best of Aussie teams.

@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders v Reds:

Just turned it on. What’s gone wrong?

Reds are simply a better team.

@Frank said in Blues v Crusaders:

@Dan54 said in Blues v Crusaders:

Well Penney isn't going to come out in press and say that Springer isn't the best under a high ball. He's not, I haven't taken much notice of what Fihaki is like, but if he is think you can almost understand decision.

Once, just once, I'd like you to question a selection decision Dan.

Why? There are plenty who question them, and then if I agree with them I just hit like button. You know I admit that more often or not I agree with the coaches and suspect they know more then me.
I don't feel the need to point out those that only post when they got complaints that they should post pro coaches etc comments.

Geez and I had Blues to win this in my picks. And as a matter of principle I don't allow myself to change them!!!! Still should make sure I stay around bottom of table!

Well Penney isn't going to come out in press and say that Springer isn't the best under a high ball. He's not, I haven't taken much notice of what Fihaki is like, but if he is think you can almost understand decision.

@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Dan54 said in Chiefs v Blues:

But just my opinion is that Nock and Plummer are handbrakes on Blues if they trying to play anything but power style they played last year.

I can understand the comment regarding Plummer

I don't understand how Nock is a handbrake and Finlay Christie isn't?

I not sure Nock is more of a handbrake than Christie, although maybe Christie is a little quicker. I maybe thinking of the Christie/Nock battle being a couple of similar ability 9s, so no sure why only one gets pointed at. Once again, both are capable players at super level, I believe.

@pakman said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Dan54 said in Chiefs v Blues:

@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Dan54 said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs v Blues:

Finlay Christie has (rightfully) copped a lot of criticism on here but Sam Nock's kicking was abysmal on Saturday.

I agree really , not really a Christie fan, but in general would start him ahead of Nock. I don't get the Nock love , he's ok ,but in I don't think he anything special by any means.
I do suspect we mark players who are or have been ABs a lot harder? Understand why up to a point, but for some players don't seem to be makred the same.

This feels like gaslighting. Christie doesn't get marked hard because he was an All Black.

The Blues attack when Christie starts looks really poor because he has real issues on attack - he's both a slow and poor decision maker from the breakdown, he has a high error rate and he struggles with messy ball.

That's not to say Nock is perfect - Nock has issues on defence and his kicking game is weak.

However - on balance I'd prefer Nock to keep starting. I'm willing to roll with Nock's weaknesses and get the benefit of the attacking shape.

I not a Blues man, so I don't probably really examine how some of their players go. But just my opinion is that Nock and Plummer are handbrakes on Blues if they trying to play anything but power style they played last year. I also said same about BB, he wasn't Blues'problem in first few games (neither were Nock,Chistie etc) , the problem in first games were forwards, and their ability to support.
Mind you that's just how I saw it, and as I say I pretty neutral on how Blues go.

I am an admirer of Harry Plummer as a great asset in the Blues squad. That said, it is obvious that BB and SP have dramatically upped the Blues’s tempo when they’ve been at 10. That has significantly improved the effectiveness of the Blues backs.

Mate, I always been a Plummer fan, would be in my squad too. Remember he was mainly at 12 for Blues until Perofeta and Sullivan were out last year.
Not against him, but he not what I would call a creative 10.

@KiwiMurph said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Dan54 said in Chiefs v Blues:

@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs v Blues:

Finlay Christie has (rightfully) copped a lot of criticism on here but Sam Nock's kicking was abysmal on Saturday.

I agree really , not really a Christie fan, but in general would start him ahead of Nock. I don't get the Nock love , he's ok ,but in I don't think he anything special by any means.
I do suspect we mark players who are or have been ABs a lot harder? Understand why up to a point, but for some players don't seem to be makred the same.

This feels like gaslighting. Christie doesn't get marked hard because he was an All Black.

The Blues attack when Christie starts looks really poor because he has real issues on attack - he's both a slow and poor decision maker from the breakdown, he has a high error rate and he struggles with messy ball.

That's not to say Nock is perfect - Nock has issues on defence and his kicking game is weak.

However - on balance I'd prefer Nock to keep starting. I'm willing to roll with Nock's weaknesses and get the benefit of the attacking shape.

I not a Blues man, so I don't probably really examine how some of their players go. But just my opinion is that Nock and Plummer are handbrakes on Blues if they trying to play anything but power style they played last year. I also said same about BB, he wasn't Blues'problem in first few games (neither were Nock,Chistie etc) , the problem in first games were forwards, and their ability to support.
Mind you that's just how I saw it, and as I say I pretty neutral on how Blues go.

I guess Sky will do some cost cutting etc, it happens.
I go to Naki games, so that doesn't worry me, but understand why we don't want it.
I already got out tickets for the year anyway, and as we have a couple of bonus Shield games including one in Manaia, I am quite happy. Also I see on Sept 13th, when ABs play Boks in Wellington , Naki is travelling, so I don't need to miss that!! Good stuff, only one trouble is NPC is my favorite comp, and it's still a fair bit of a wait until it starts.

@Mr-Fish said in Chiefs v Blues:

Finlay Christie has (rightfully) copped a lot of criticism on here but Sam Nock's kicking was abysmal on Saturday.

I agree really , not really a Christie fan, but in general would start him ahead of Nock. I don't get the Nock love , he's ok ,but in I don't think he anything special by any means.
I do suspect we mark players who are or have been ABs a lot harder? Understand why up to a point, but for some players don't seem to be makred the same.

@DaGrubster said in Crusaders v Force:

How did Scott Barrett go?

Was ok I thought, 2 best locks in NZ so far this year are Holland and Vai'i.

Well it worked, by picking Highlanders my Canes won. But really I had no idea, and I have no real probs being near the bottom, I keep putting in my picks, the comp isn't certain, which I love!

@pooler-fan & @MiketheSnow , funny you should mention the singing in the crowd. I said to my wife while watching I miss the Welsh singing and doesn't seem right to me hearing 'swing low' coming out so loud at a Welsh home game. I imagine a few ghosts at Cardiff Arms Park next door would of been shaking their heads!
How even I as kiwi in NZ miss the days of the Welsh crowds at the Arms!!
Anyway I will still be supporting Wales as my second team, so stuff em!

@pooler-fan said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

@Dan54 the WRU has ignored the game in Wales for far too long and it's now suffering as a result.
Wasting millions on hotels, zip walks & WRU beer while cutting funding on the actual rugby.
I fear the decline may well be terminal unless something drastic happens.

That was what I was hearing whilst talking to rugby followers in Wales. Noone was angry, just sad.

@pooler-fan said in 6N 2025, Wales v England:

Sad times to be a Welsh supporter.
We'll probably lose against Japan this summer too.
Never seen a capitulation like that in Cardiff & we've had some very dark times over the years.
Totally stuffed physically.

I understand your disappointment mate. That was a hiding, and unfortunately as most supporters said to me when I was in Wales before xmas, the problem was never Gatland. Something has gone missing from Welsh rugby, and I personally hope they can sort it out.

Early days, but like this kid at 12 for the Blues.

Watched that Wales/England game. Real bloody enjoyable, but maybe just because Wales held on to win. By geez that English pack are big boys, and will take some handling in WC.

@antipodean said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

@Mattasaurus said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

That sucked. Good game of rugby though. A lot of should haves...

Landers created plenty of opportunities , some poor options, pushed passes etc.... cost them

I thought they looked devoid of solutions towards the end. No clear pattern of play. Slow ball from rucks to forwards standing still.

Didn't take the option to attempt a drop goal when they were in a better position, and like McAlister went for a hail mary miles out.

I think you are not giving credit to Canes at the end, they were pretty bloody good at slowing ball down and setting defence. I can understand why JJ was happy with drop goal attempt at end, as he said, the team at least tried to set up a solution , when they couldn't break through. Also didn't see which Cane it was coming at Gilberts right lag to help make him kick a bit left shouldn't be ignored.
As A Canes man I was pretty happy with that last 10-15 minutes.