The Silver Fern

I couldn't breathe for about the last 5 minutes, amazing defense by all the guys, and they beat the Barnes voodoo no calls shit...Final against France?

@MiketheSnow
Sorry, I disagree, Read didn't make the Lions player fall, it was his other team mate unbalancing him, and a hollywood where he lifted his legs and flopped on the ground.

It was an appalling decision. Poite clearly lied twice. He said we have a deal, meaning the umpires have an agreement. However, that is not what he said to the video ref (I did not hear him talk to Garces). Then, he said to both captains that 16 red didn't play at the ball, it just touched him on the shoulder accidentally, so they play the knock on.

We also lost 15 seconds of gametime before they stopped the clock.

The other thing is he did not give any advantage, and ALB was away.

Sorry, but one or two lies and inability to apply advantage, or stop the clock quickly. An incompetent performance.

@sparky said in RWC Final: All Blacks v Springboks:

Take your pick:

A couple of baffling decisions from the officials, an over-enthusiastic TMO, the incredible defence of the Boks, Pollard’s super boot, our dodgy goalkicking, the decision to turn down points on offer, Cane’s bad tackle that led to a rightful Red card, the ABs midfield and outfield backs being a bit off their game, Foster being out coached by Razzie, SA being perhaps a wee bit hungrier and wilier.

Whatever. The main thing is that it hurts.

It just wasn’t our night, despite an awesome effort from the boys that left me super proud. In the end it was as close as it could have been.

It just wasn’t our night.

But then I realise there have been times when it’s been that tight and it’s been our night or it’s been our day. Eden Park 1981, Loftus 96, RWC Final 2011 when it mattered so much after Pike’s River and the Christchurch earthquakes. Maybe the big lesson from this is that the fates won’t always elide for you however much you try to make them.

Anyway that’s enough feeling sorry for ourselves IMHO. Time to look forward to 2024 and the start of the 2027 RWC campaign. In Razor we trust! Keep the faith! Go Black!

good post, I just watched the first 30 minutes or so. Clear yellow card missed on Etzebeth, ref apologized to AS after penalizing him, which led to crucial 3 points. And SC's card-possible yellow AT MAX. They never re-played the whole passage clearly, other player is running away from Cane then split second reverses and straight at Cane. He was completely surprised. I'm not going to say on purpose, but jeez. South Africa were tricky. Every chance they got would play up neck or head contact to the ref. Erasmus shouting instructions constantly but by calling himself Director of Rugby can avoid interviews and press conferences. Erasmus is ridiculous.

On the bright side, by the time this gormless saga is over, people will be looking forward to Razor making a clean shave and selecting a smarter tougher team.

Here's the try record list. Barrett has scored some amazing tries. Should get over 40.
DC Howlett 49
CM Cullen 46
JT Rokocoko 46
SJ Savea 46
JW Wilson 44
JT Lomu 37
JF Umaga 36
JJP Kirwan 35
JM Muliaina 34
BR Smith 32
MA Nonu 31
BJ Barrett 30

Commiserations to the supporters of Ireland and Wales, it's tough, lose and go home from the quarters. As good as we feel, they must feel just as bad. Ireland have had a fantastic run to get to this point, and it took a super effort from the ABs to just be holding on for the last few minutes.

I was reading a review of world media reactions (NZ Herald) and saw this one by Rúaidhrí O’Connor of the Irish Independent

*“The All Blacks needed a 37-phase defensive set in injury time to finally squeeze past them, Ireland going the length of the field into the end where Johnny Sexton had dropped his goal in 2018 but there was to be no fairytale end to the great out-half’s career as Sam Whitelock got over the ball to win it.

“So, the winning run ends at the worst possible moment and, in truth, they were beaten by the better team on the night."*

Yet, that is exactly what our 2013 team did to win. Ireland could have won, if they were good and fit enough. I wonder if BB and SW had a flashback.

@westcoastie said in How are the AB's tracking heading into the BIL series?:

Read - out for 5 weeks, broken sprain (back in time for Samoa test)

Thanks for the list!
This is the one I am most worried about, a broken sprain, sounds pretty serious..is that like 4*4 weeks out?

Welcome back Ben smith! Breaking tackles at will

Why the All Blacks don't just focus on 80 minutes of forwards up the middle, destroying the advantage line, with offloads to other forwards, then generously letting the backs finish the breaks off.
We are the All Blacks, with the invincible and fearsome aura, not the South Pacific Globetrotters. Time to demolish other teams with tough forwards and tight linking play.

@Bones
@reprobate
@taniwharugby
In relation to the SOB forearm, I think you guys are being too nice and have got it wrong.
I went through this in the other thread
When you slow it down, it is pretty obvious that SOB tensed his hand and arm for a hit, he made a half movement to line up the jaw, then the full hit. Completely on purpose. Furthermore, he at no time tried to engage in the tackle. He stayed stooped but held back behind his teammate, let the tackle fall to the ground. He also did not try for the ball which was hidden in Naholo's lap.
Both Vunipolo and this were intentional. Both might have seen red, definitely yellow.
The hit on Naholo cost us a lot in the game, although the boys had a chance to win it and so can only look at themselves in the end.

@Bones said in 2020 All Blacks Squad:

@Wairau said in 2020 All Blacks Squad:

@Kirwan said in 2020 All Blacks Squad:

They managed him poorly.

Yes, and if they had selected the right players and tactics we should have won the cup. Wasted opportunity and disappointing.
I think with fresh energy from a new coaching group, more attention paid to bulk in the forwards, better skills practice combined with the natural talent in NZ, we can expect to be very close in 2023 as well.

All hail nostradamus!

"Shocking news as New Zealand predicted to be contender for 2023 Rugby World Cup"

hahaha, I would prefer we swept the next two cups, then the Boks can have 2031

and a 90% win ratio the next 12 years, only 1 loss to England, no more to Ireland, none to Wales or Argentina. Basically, a continuation of form pre Lions, with a harder forwards approach.

Seeing us in the semi-final again is a blast, but it's almost as good seeing Ireland with all these Kiwis and an English coach, miss out on the win record, hahaha.
What a great night, first Wales, then Ireland knocked off by teams that love to play rugby.

I don't want Cane playing in the midfield, sorry. Nor Todd. Savea, maybe

There was no way this was accidental. His head was sticking out, O'Brien lined him up with a swinging forearm. I was calling for red as soon as I saw it.

I actually think this won the game. They scored a try immediately after, we didn't have Naholo on attack, and defence was weakened.

@crucial said in Cricket Stuff:

@wairau said in Cricket Stuff:

ladies are playing ireland, 333/1 in the 41st over

here are the top 3 internation 1 day scores for the girls

1 490–4 (50 overs) New Zealand v Ireland YMCA Cricket Club, Dublin 2018
2 455-4 (50 overs) New Zealand v Pakistan Christchurch 1997–1998
3 418-10 (50 overs) New Zealand v Ireland Dublin 2018

Got to 440/3 this time.

232no for Kerr

Ireland 19/1 after 5

and she's only 17 years old, breaking a 21 year record for highest score...
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12070268

@akan004
Well, I'm not one to moan about unfair. The guys could have won despite this and lots of other shit. All that is normal stuff they must rise above, they are the All Blacks. And they nearly did.
However, I focus on the truth (as much as I can see).
Pull up a clip of the incident.

1. Naholo's head is sticking clear out, the ball is hidden in his lap
2. Sean O'Brien (let's call him SOB haha) braces himself and tenses his right hand. His hand actually is angled up like a karate chop.
3. SOB carefully lines up the head with a half movement, then connects. When SOB connects, his whole body is behind the other Lions tackler.
4. SOB releases and backs away from the tackle area.

SOB wasn't committed to a tackle and didn't go down. SOB was at all time standing up braced for swinging an arm and minimal contact in the tackle.

I would have accepted a yellow. But it deserved a red, or failing that, citing and 2 week ban.

@South-Africa-Man said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

@Wairau said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

@South-Africa-Man said in All Blacks Tests 2020:

@African-Monkey no one beats prime Frans Botha
takes drugs, dyes his hair, FAT-20kg overweight, looks confused, and probably thinks it's funny to hit his friends arms

Ya let's bag someone who has fought Tyson, Lewis and Wlad Klitschko. He got in the ring with these men and you, a keyboard warrior, slander him.....lol

I do respect that a little, no matter he won or lost.
It was tongue in cheek, but I guess that is not South African humor.

He's still fat.

For George Bridge's try, before BB received te pass, Bridge had his arm straight out indicating BB to take the gap. Great play.

The second try was caused by ALB spotting that Marx had drifted too far over to him on the right, leaving a spot behind him-and he was too bulky to change course.
Again, lovely play.

@ACT-Crusader Whatever it is, it's well deserved.
I'm putting my hand up as a Kiwi like for like ( I may need to bulk up a bit) replacement for JJ if Japan need-I reckon I can keep Japan humming. PM me here, Japan.