@sammyc said in Super Rugby News:

@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:

Blues fans getting their excuses in early this year

Of course they have the hardest schedule. They can't play themselves now can they.

No idea why there is debate about 10. DMac clearly has the most experience and even if he isn't exactly a world class first five he's still an excellent 3rd choice. Jordie should be left at fullback for the next 3 tests.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs:

On the other hand Collins is starting and Nanai isn't even in the 23 - ridiculous.

I can't believe it took four replies before that was mentioned!

@No-Quarter said in Awesome stuff you see on the internet:

@NTA said in Awesome stuff you see on the internet:

Fucking loved that. The Northern Territory is a special place, still has a sense of humour, and is not shy about taking the piss.

Brilliant stuff. Weird too as every female I've shown that to thinks it's funny and not offensive - when the complainants say it is "offensive to women in general" I wonder who they are reffering to?

fluffybunnies, obviously.

@Crazy-Horse said in Nz maori:

@Milk said in Nz maori:

Thursday?

Never gets old. It'll be dad joke status soon. I can't remember who cracked the shits but it is has given us heaps of material. Thanks whoever that was!

Short odds on Stargazer

@Damo said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

When was the last time an Australian team won in NZ?

A couple of weeks ago in Hamilton.

Chiefs got spanked by the Brumbies.

Ardie at 12.
Let's go

@akan004 said in England vs All Blacks:

Karl tends to miss a lot of tackles. Great scrummager but Moody is still the better all round prop. It's Perry that concerns me, hopefully they will opt for Ofa as the bench loosehead cover instead.

Joe also has a habit of getting penalised at very inopportune moments. I don't think it will matter much.

@Chris-B.

That clearance page is fantastic! Fire sale!

I assume the iPhone screen protectors is to help prevent the screen from breaking when you can chuck it against the wall?

@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs Pumas I (yay we’re not playing the Aussies again):

we dont think we'll see jordie?

We should. He didn't get a decent crack last weekend. And went well for the time he was on.

@Dan54 said in Waratahs v Blues:

@akan004 said in Waratahs v Blues:

@Crucial said in Waratahs v Blues:

Jeez, I know they've earned the right but that's a bit of a pisstake team.

Tahs will be going all out. Top four probably out of reach but a win here will put pressure on the Canes in the following game where Force will be going hard to put pressure on the Highlanders.

Seems smart to me. I think freshening up the top team makes sense especially since they will most likely have to beat 3 kiwi teams to win the thing. No point risking injury when the game is of no real consequence.

Yep and we have seen in it in World cups where it is quite usual to save your best team for important games. We all like to see top line up every week, but it ain't going to happen. You earn the right to do these things by playing well all season!

Ah yes playing a B team against the likes of Portugal where the outcome is definitely in the balance

MacDonald obviously knows what's best for his squad though. And he would see freshening them up to be more important than momentum. Although (not to draw comparisons) we know it has gone wrong in the past for teams (ahem 96-19).

Hard to attribute the Blues scrum dominance to Eklund when he's surrounded by 4(!) All Black props. But he's been playing well and he's hungry, he should definitely be in the picture. I've been a huge fan of Taylor but his form just isn't there at the moment.

Taukei'aho is the best hooker in the comp, it would be crazy not to start him. The tight five desperately needs spark. You can't simply fill the pack with players that have experience but lack form and think they will deliver when it matters. The second row will probably have to be experienced, so start the tyro at 2.

Loosehead is a problem. It would be great to see someone stand up in these last few games because it's wide open honestly. Bower might be the best scrummager so looks most likely to get the tick at 1.

@number9 said in Hurricanes vs Rebels:

Hey Admin just wanting to confirm if you guys are still monitoring my posts. I noticed that the dot next to my avatar is dark gray and not green. When I am online. If so Why?

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2022:

@Crucial said in All Blacks 2022:

I think that Reece makes a better impact player than Clarke. He is busier and just what is needed to spot opportunities against tiring opposition

If we have JB at 2nd 5 and Jordan at fullback you can have Reece and Clarke on the wings.

I'm not super enthused by that back three. Jordie brings a level of safety under the high ball and defence that I don't think you quite get with Jordan. Jordie, Jordan + [Clarke/Reece/Faainganuku etc] looks a lot more assured as a trio.

I've been super impressed with RTS, he's clearly a leader and someone who thrives with responsibility, which is a really important attribute for me at test level. So he's ahead of Tupaea IMO. Tough on Quinn but he'll be in the mix.

I don't have a problem with throwing RTS into it straight away. He's going to be surrounded by experience, familiar faces and it's not like he is lacking big match temperament. I'm unsure about his boot but luckily we have a fullback who can occasionally and seamlessly slot into 12.

@Damo said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

When was the last time an Australian team won in NZ?

A couple of weeks ago in Hamilton.

Chiefs got spanked by the Brumbies.

Watched the last 20 and the Highlanders looked truly woeful.

Looks like they'll be without Gilbert for the rest of the comp too. Good chance for the Rebels next week and a very comfy QF for the Blues coming up.

@Chris said in Crusaders v Fijian Drua:

I know it’s off topic But I have just walked into the QLd cricketers club at the Gabba for a Brisbane Heat sponsorship function,First fluffybunny I see is Chris Lynne who whines to me about not getting his Heat contract extended,And I blasted him for not scoring enough runs and thinking he is better than the rest of the team last season gooood start should be fun.
Where is the bar

Love fanfic tell me more

@NTA said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

I thought Perese was injured?

Anyway, 6-2 bench might bring us undone. We will see

Well they had to find room for "test star" Ned Hannigan!

Ofa being touted as the first choice All Blacks tighthead I'd really like to see him start both this match and next week against 2 very good scrums.

I want to see him continue his form and really nail that position down.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Rebels:

Fozzie needs to have this first half on repeat to show Rieko.

This is how you play 13.

Rieko needs to watch his own performance to know how to play 13?

Brilliant.