The Silver Fern

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="611209" data-time="1472688264"><p>
I'm not too despondent.<br><br>
The big step backwards is the retirement of McCullum - so we need to build up Nicholls or another to replace him at No. 5. Brendon's retirement has been exacerbated by the long term injuries to Anderson and Neesham, who ordinarily would bat at 6 and provide the 4th seamer - which allows BJ to bat at 7 and Santner at 8.<br><br>
Most promising thing about the South Africa "series" was seeing Boult bowling balls on the fringe of 140kmh. Last year against the Aussies he was struggling to get above 130. Now, I know that speed guns around the world vary significantly, but the Aussie ones are usually about the most generous.<br><br>
England are definitely on the improve - but, what last year's CWC debacle shows is that they have to get their selection spot on to compete at international level. They can't just whistle up a bunch of guys who have done well in county cricket in the same way we can't solve our problems by just picking Colin Munro.</p></blockquote>
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That's good to hear.<br><br>
I didn't actually watch any of this series (I like my off-seasons).<br><br>
I was going to say the biggest factor in our decline is Southee and Boult being shit for about 18 months now. We'd already started to decline in Baz's last year. But encouraging if Boult can get 'it' back.<br><br>
I'm expecting us to decline a bit anyway off a historic high, so that's no tragedy. Happened about 2 years earlier and more rapidly than I would have hoped/expected.

So, no one else watches The Breakdown?

England definitely better at the moment and on the improve, NZ on the decline. (In tests. And the trend isn't great in other forms either)<br><br>
County cricket to Plunket not much difference. As Chris pointed out there are heaps of kiwis in county cricket these days and doing well.<br><br>
Gollum's use of examples of guys on t20 contracts or Craig getting some 2nd XI gigs as a part of a tour prep as a favour by Bracewell - is disingenuous.

I've gone almost 180 flip on this.<br><br>
Having seen the normal side on angle here, I think from a link to a Twitter warrior, then the reverse angle from the smh article - I thought that was pretty damning.<br><br>
But on the Breakdown last night there was the front on footage, and, yeah, not a gouge. Just a facial.<br><br>
Spectacularly bad PR by Sanzar.<br><br>
Wouldn't mind a short ban, as facials close to the eyes aren't good for starters.<br><br>
Are these people at Sanzar too young to remember how bad the PR was from Richard Poke-eye?

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="611015" data-time="1472610389"><p>
I think Guppys "aura" in the team must play a part. His ODI record is exceptional so he has a bit of weight to throw around in the dressing room based on that one would think.......Bell, Papps and Fulton that hyrdro11 mentioned certainly never had that string to their bows.</p></blockquote>
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Nah.<br><br>
Believe it or not. He's just having his extended chance that Hesson has given to all his punts in the 3 or 4 problem positions*. Rather than re-shuffling for the sake of shuffling. And there's no one knocking down the door.<br><br>
*except Wagner in the third seamer role.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="611024" data-time="1472610917"><p>
To be fair, Richard Low deserved every bit of it!</p></blockquote>
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When watching the Jonah tribute games on Sky last year I was amused to see Sean Fitzpatrick getting booed every touch he made in Pretoria in a NZ v Sco game - 95 RWC.<br><br>
For having the temerity to attack Le Roux's mouth with his ear a few years earlier, of course ......

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="barbarian" data-cid="610987" data-time="1472607562"><p>
So are we allowed to boo Owen Franks for the next 6 years now?<br><br>
I mean he attacked our player in a viscous manner and got away without any punishment...</p></blockquote>
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Not yet. I think the threshold is 3 acts of dickery against the same player.

Apart from uprisings and revolutions, what is Twitter good for?

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="610907" data-time="1472594898"><p>
Fuck that is pretty damning.<br><br>
Good to see Horne on the list there. For some reason I used to rate him, fucked if I know why. Those were some dark days for BC fans when he was opening.</p></blockquote>
Not damning at all. About where expected and better than M Horne. I'd bite your hand off if you offered me M Horne to open for NZ.<br><br>
Averaging 20 v the best opening attacks, cashing in v the others. That's OK by me for 1 of our top 6, and the weaker of our 2 openers. We aren't and never will be works class accross all 11 positions. <br><br>
If he was doing this in the easiest spot in the order (number 5) then it wouldn't be good enough.<br><br>
No one else is pressuring his position.<br><br>
Nothing to see here.

I thought the boot throw was hilarious, in a Will Ferrall, grown man tantrum, kind of way.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="610776" data-time="1472538461"><p>
Sorry I was really talking about Raval.. who I think is better than Nicholls.. <br>
Popli has only one good season, but it shits on anything Nicholls has done..</p></blockquote>
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Nicholls got his chance because he combined a good domestic breakout season with a good A series v SL A.<br><br>
There is method to it. <br><br>
Now he's being given an opportunity to prove himself at international level. Odds are he won't make it, but they're giving him a decent crack, and there's no one yet banging down the door that he is keeping out.<br><br>
There is another A tour coming up. If Popli and Young are good enough and take the opportunity then doors are wide open. If they don't, well, nothing lost.

I like it how the historic NH journos outrageous idiocy now gets attributed, over time, to all of them, as memory fades if who the actual dunce was.<br><br>
Just like how a John Beattie can't tell the difference between a Tana Umaga and a Joeli Vidiri and calls all brownskins a poach. We now attribute the "born in Tokoroa" to about 5 or 6 different journos.<br><br>
One day we will be teasing Marto for running over children ......

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="610533" data-time="1472453245"><p>
Strong genes. Does he have anymore? Preferably playing a different position from the first two</p></blockquote>
Are you forgeting Kane Barrett?

Do they still have after match functions?

Having seen it from 2 angles, I think Franks should be suspended.<br><br>
Gouge or not you can't pull people's heads backwards by their eyelids.....<br><br>
The bent fingers in the reverse angle are damning.<br><br>
Should be bye bye Owen. <br><br>
Charlie F starting the rest of the 4 Nations, while we all prey Ofa T stays on the pine in 4 games v Saffa and Argies scrums.<br><br>
Typical crappy judicial, process stuff. Someone needs to tweet Gosper.

Some strange shit may have happened on wobbles flight home? Player fainting in the plane ailes. Other people also fainting on flight.<br><br>
But my source knows nothing about sport or rugby. Could be Drummoyne 2nd xv on and end of season trip.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="609907" data-time="1472328521"><p>
Thats weird as fuck. Security?<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk</p></blockquote>
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Don't think commentators were at any Jaguares games this year.<br><br>
Maybe even sunwolves?

Wow. The PA managed to not be playing crappy pop music while the debutant was subbed off.<br><br>
Surprisingly well done!

That scrum was hilarious.

Woah, that is the biggest goal kick I have ever seen! He would have made if from 65 out!