The Silver Fern

From the article -

"The hard-running inside back....."

@Bones said in 2024 TOTY from elsewhere:

Look, I can understand he's maybe better than I give him credit for - but what drugs do you have to be on to think he's the best fullback in the world? I want some.

I think it's because he "looks" good.
Runs very smoothly.
Hair always in place.
Nice looking guy who gets all the chicks etc.

Alternatively, a lot of rugby commentators are just what they are when they were playing - absolute meatheads.

@sparky said in 6. 2024 TOTY BLINDSIDE FLANKER:

Pieter- Steph Du Toit

No weaknesses to his game, hard as nails and coolheaded. The best player in the world at the minute.

A few more seasons of greatness to challenging (or is already there) McCaw and Carter.

He also selected Tosi - which seems to be paying off.

As for selections, he picks the tight five - which has been pretty good ever since he took over.

@darylmitchell said in All Blacks 2025:

@Chris I remain unconvinced that we can win 2027 WC with this current coaching staff, look at the last 4 World Cup winners all of them had at least 1 world class assistant coach, 2011 Professor, 2015 Professor, 2019/2023 Nienaber and Felix Jones, and world rugby is only getting more competitive and the gap between NZ and European resources/money getting bigger so feel we need a genuine point of difference (like Tony Brown is) going forward.

Jason Ryan is a very, very good forwards coach.

So our 4th ranked side beat Paul Roos - who are what ranking in SA?

What are the rankings of Kelston and Paul Roos within NZ and South Africa?

Is Kelston NZ's best school?
Is Paul Roos SA's best school?

The great, unbeatable Paul Roos side lose.
NZ school side wins again.

I thought SA teams were unbeatable ????

@Nepia said in Nomination - Most level headed ferner:

@Frank said in Nomination - Most level headed ferner:

Chris B for rugby.

Da fuq

I know, I know, - way too Canterbury for a Canes/Chiefs turncoat.
But he took a lot of abuse from me and stayed calm without descending to my level.
That counts for a lot.

@Smudge said in Nomination - Most level headed ferner:

@Nepia said in Nomination - Most level headed ferner:

@Frank said in Nomination - Most level headed ferner:

Chris B for rugby.

Da fuq

Look at the nominator...

You mean the smug middle aged liberal reporter?

Duluth for politics and Chris B for rugby.

He was going to be dropped anyway - surely.....

Is that the Fern record for the most liked post?

Which players in the current squad that are to retire before the next WC will be replaced by someone realistically likely to be better?

@Bones said in All Blacks 2024:

@Frank didn't he use more players though? Which could imply it's experience at the next level down that counts...

Which of the new players he has introduced are going to be at the same level as the more experienced heads in front of them?

I really don't know enough about their team to say.

Their 10 is certainly an upgrade.

Has he found another lock anywhere near as good as Etzebeth - no
Flankers as good as Steph De Toit, Kwagga Smith of Kolisi - no

Other positions I am not sure.

What it looks to me is that while he has introduced players, the key point of whether they be as good as the predecessors is largely unknown. (and could be unlikely)

I think there may be significant step downs coming (hoping - haha)

@SammyC said in All Blacks 2024:

Long time listener, first time caller 😊

This season hasn’t surprised me at all, I’ve been a part of the local rugby scene in Chch for a number of years….. and have had a few dealings with both Razor and Jase Ryan.

Razor has no interest in building depth past the next world cup, he’s all about his own legacy and wants to win the world cup with NZ and then go and win it with England or someone else. Becoming the first coach to win it with 2 different countries.

Rightly or wrongly, he thinks picking all the old blokes is the way to do it.

Jason Ryan is a bit of a prick and hates Hoskins Sotutu.
Jason is very good at holding grudges. There’s a number of people around the traps down here that have been cut off by for disagreeing with him (or just not giving him the accolades he thinks he deserves).

Despite the above, I am still glad we have these guys and not Foster.

Really intereesting scuttlebutt Sammy.

On Jason Ryan, well, the forward pack is VASTLY improved under him.
Perhaps you have to be a bit of a prick to drive that improvement.

The average age of our players is significantly less than the Boks.

Rassie is attempting to build depth, but just how many of those coming through will be top level test players is hard to gauge. Especially when the more experienced heads depart.

(Bongi 34, Steph De Toit 32, Kwagga Smith 31, Etzebeth 33, Kolisi 33, Mostert 34, De Allende 33, Kolbe 31, Le Roux 35, Kriel 30, Am 31, Mapimpi 34)

South Africa squad for season 2024/2025

South Africa2024/2025 squad : heights, weights, ages, birthdates...

My overall feeling is he hasn't grown the squad enough. I hope he is more bold next year. Plus harping on about overseas players is really about putting all his eggs in one basket with Mounga. I want more attention paid to picking younger talent loyal to NZ rugby.

There is a ton of depth that could be developed.

@Chris said in All Blacks 2024:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2024:

Jack Goodhue

I have not heard, read or seen any substance to overtures being made.That is a bit of a pie in the sky comment.
To be fair if you have watched any of LF s games for Toulon he has been very good although it has been at Centre.

With more pace, he would have been one of our great centers .

@Crazy-Horse Jacomb looks a good prospect