Good news

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/128674150/highlanders-halfback-folau-fakatava-cleared-to-play-for-all-blacks-as-eligibility-case-is-settled

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

🤣

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

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

@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

!

@number9 nothing more than is said around here, opinions on new picks (eg fakatava, RTS) and who gets dropped (eg Bridge, TJ) then a first Ireland test 23 in their opinion. Not who they think will be picked, but who they would pick.

Pretty sad Captain Vito want on the field for the victory. What an awesome player he is, I hope he enjoys retirement

@Billy-Tell said in NH club rugby:

It’s clear that if the ABs can man up to Ireland they are eminently beatable.

Mmmm yeah not our forte last few years

@Daffy-Jaffy said in All Blacks 2022:

Any one got cheats notes off interesting points? Foster puts me to sleep, slow drawl

@canefan said in Western Force vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Western Force vs Hurricanes:

Anyway I’m off, the Canes need to be a lot more clinical next week if we are a chance at beating the Brumbies. Right now, it’s not looking good.

Is that in Canberra? We have an appalling record there

Yup Moana Pacific didn;t do us any favours!

Not much support there! That was average

There's a certain something about that 1/2 time oz comentator team...

@Frank said in Movie review thread...:

Looking forward to going into the DZ, been watching some (less exciting, more grainy) handy cam footage of mine. Getting 'home sick'

@Damo said in Drua vs Chiefs:

@Yeetyaah said in Drua vs Chiefs:

Sweating bullets, and now the Warriors are on, might take up smoking. Shit last 20 by the Chiefs. Job done though, no hope for next week however.

Almost certainly you have the Canes in Hamilton next week. That's a coinflip.

Aged well haha

@Damo said in Moana Pasifika v Brumbies:

The upshot of this is that probably we will have

Brumbies v Canes
Chiefs v Waratahs
Crusaders v Reds
Blues v Highlanders.

A Tahs win and a Canes loss tonight would change their respective positions.

And if the Canes get with the program, could be all NZ semis