This from Eddie Osullivan
“That’s a strong New Zealand backline but it’s not the perfect backline. I’m really happy about Barrett being at 15 because I don’t think he’s going to get his hands on the ball as much. I don’t think he gets his hands on the ball as much when he’s at 15. It’s practically impossible to bring him into the game as much as Richie Mo’unga will be. Joe’s got a very predictable, very solid, very experienced XV, compared to the All Blacks XV which is not as experienced and I would say not quite as solid. Richie Mo’unga has not a great kicking game. He’s not as astute at exploiting (the space) in the back field. That’s good for us. Especially, if it’s wet. It’s another weakness. It’s hard to believe we’re talking about All Black weaknesses. When you compare them to Sexton, if it comes down to a drop goal or a late penalty in a one-score game, that gives us an edge there”.

21 - Beauden Barrett made 21 carries in #NZLvIRE, the most ever by an @AllBlacks player in a @rugbyworldcup match, surpassing the previous best tally set by John Kirwan and Buck Shelford who both made 20 against Italy in 1987.
Key.
#RWC2019

🤣

So cool that we never had camera phones or social media in my stupid drinking years

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/3-sKQIdSaPkyetKfv4tsG-Kkwj4=/620x870/smart/filters:quality(70)/cloudfront-ap-southeast-2.images.arcpublishing.com/nzme/OZNCR5F5NJCZNHEDOFXRRBWFOQ.jpg

@antipodean said in Blues v Crusaders:

How the fuck is rugby not essential?

It is but they can only play socially distanced in the workplace (2m ideally, 1m min). So that means only the Chiefs defence qualify to play under Level 3

@Yeetyaah said in RWC Jerseys 2019:

They're smaller fitting again. Had to get 2 sizes bigger than usual.

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

Finally got a chance to watch the game. Based on this forum, I was expecting Bridge to have had a 'mare. In fact he was fine, one knock on in the 79 minute excepted. Too many people stroking each other off over bridge "say it louder baby, bridge is hopeless, that's right give me that upvote". Will never be an AB great, but he is hardly in the basket case category either.

ABs are waaaay better this season. Starts with selection, which is much better than last year. Forwards more direct. I think the ABs should ditch Coles who is now 34, 36 in 2023. The 2 hookers both had very solid games. I think the best AB loose trio would be Ioane, Cane and Jacobson, with Savea on the bench. Jacobson is a really class player.

BB, RI and BBBR were probably my 3 top players, but no-one disgraced themselves. There is great depth, if we have a weakness I'd say lock: Barrett is already a step down, I really don't rate PT at international level. The sprinbok and NH tests will be a good litmus test - teams that thrive on 10 man rugby and would be more than happy to claim an AB scalp playing that way.

Like Mealamu in 2015? Nah, if you’re good enough you’re not too old.

About Bridge, he wasn’t pointed out as crap. Just having been totally nothing as a winger. ABs wingers are X factor awesome, or amazing 2nd fullbacks (more recently) Bridge is meh. He is fine, but there are better options to go for long term. Everything about him says Journeyman, break out in case of emergency

!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/126150378/i-want-it-in-writing-rugby-australia-in-5-million-bledisloe-threat-to-nz-rugby

Contradict yourself then, what a tosser

“I sent him two messages asking not to make a public statement until such time as we have consulted our stakeholders and I had absolutely no response until 2.30pm.

“I’m not denying the fact they made their position quite clear, I would never deny that, what I am really disappointed about is that they chose to make a public statement on a postponement or cancellation that involved us, without telling us at all.”

Like NZ are going to pony up five million either. Maaaaaaaate you're dreaming

@dogmeat said in Beer thread:

@gt12 You can do that in NZ - as long as you don't mind some strange looks.

Always remember when I started living in Netherlands being told how great it was coz you could piss in the street

Although I did discover the Politie weren't keen on you doing it on their nice leather coats.

Yeah it's generally only CBDs that have booze bans, and beaches!

Yup the south ‘rapa was DB land, amongst the farmers around us anyway. Moved to Tui at some point in my late teens. Don’t have a photo like that, cos almost no pics when I was a kid. But certainly introduced to beer that way!

@gt12 said in All Blacks EOYT 2021:

Sounds like they’ve realized that neither Cane nor Savea automatically hold their place, so this is the right call (or Smith could work as well).

I’d hope so but I doubt that’s their thinking, Foster happy to move players/captaincy to fit his plans rather than form.

Plumtree said the All Blacks coaches believed Whitelock, who captained the side when they played in New Zealand, was the right man to lead the side in the weeks ahead.

Fixed it, he a lock in until RWC IMO, and a real leader

@crucial said in 2021 Wallabies:

@machpants said in 2021 Wallabies:

It'd be good to see such innovations/targeted tactics that work from our stale coaching set up...

https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/10/20/how-dave-rennies-wallabies-are-pushing-the-limits-in-contact/

Good article but Rennie's 'innovations' only last as long as a complaint from a whinging team to WR (eg England after the Italy game.

It is quite obvious that the tactic of players in front of the ball at the ruck then moving forward and creating a split in the defence is only working because refs aren't looking for it. Those players are offside when the halfback plays the ball and should not move forward until placed onside.

The other good coaching at the breakdown shown is good coaching.

Totally ‘pushing the boundaries’ that’s how you win, it’s smart. If they got caught doing it and how the players react, maybe we’ll never know, then we see how smart the players are!

It'd be good to see such innovations/targeted tactics that work from our stale coaching set up...

https://www.theroar.com.au/2021/10/20/how-dave-rennies-wallabies-are-pushing-the-limits-in-contact/

@scribe said in All Blacks EOYT 2021:

@booboo 0830 Sun for those in NZ.

Anyone know if the game is viewable from the UK?

And check out time is 1000 from our dirty weekend hotel, so I'll watch this delayed Sunday night, I guess

@oompb said in Springboks moving forward:

Salmat Moerat who is in great form the only debutant

Grant Williams too

Still no Kolbe

@stargazer said in Full replays of NZ rugby games on YouTube:

Started to watch, US commentary team, ugh.

@bones said in NH club rugby:

@machpants said in NH club rugby:

@bones said in NH club rugby:

@catogrande said in NH club rugby:

“cultural appropriation”

Care to enlighten?

Exeter chiefs using American Indian Chief as their symbol, also supporters wearing faux Indian headdress. Not like Celtic Exeter had its own chiefs it could use!

I'm pretty sure Wasps haven't signed up any actual Wasps.

White Anglo Saxon protestants? There will be a few 😜

@bones said in NH club rugby:

@catogrande said in NH club rugby:

“cultural appropriation”

Care to enlighten?

Exeter chiefs using American Indian Chief as their symbol, also supporters wearing faux Indian headdress. Not like Celtic Exeter had its own chiefs it could use!