@Frank said in Blues v Chiefs:

@Dan54 said in Blues v Chiefs:

Blues v Chiefs
4 - Naitoa Ah Kuoi (CHI)

AB contender but we are pretty flush at lock.

is he? Has appeal but is kind of a loosie/smaller lock crossover at AB level?

@MN5 said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@nostrildamus said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Machpants said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@MN5 said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

Haven’t really been up with the play, is Jordie available for the ABs later this year or do we have to face the very real prospect of Havilli being the number one number 12 ?

Sabbatical so he is available, yes

Lam is way ahead of him in my book. (It's not a red and black book though).

Havili or Jordie ?

ahead of DH...

@African-Monkey yea wasnt having a go, but he talked about how they had both discussed playing at MP

@Kiwiwomble said in Waratahs v Highlanders R1:

@Dan54 sweet, where was that announced?

Just last night I think .It on super rugby website.

How that wasn’t a RC for that tackle beggars belief

@Dodge said in 6N 2025: England v France:

They butchered some chances but by the same token, it was nice to see some dogged scramble defence - how Sleightholme got across to force the ball inside from BB is a mystery to me.

It was a mystery to Moefana, too

6abd2131-d822-499f-9231-03162dfd74a1-image.jpeg https://archive.ph/grFP7/26c684feb7008c8b35809985c28afa4f1569751a.jpg

@Tim said in Scotland v Ireland:

@Bones said in Scotland v Ireland:

Can't help but feel if we had Lowe, we'd be moaning about how slow he is.

Still would have been faster than Bridge.

TBF, so would the TMO

Depending on your sauces either

Gatland’s resignation will be accepted this weekend and Wales will have an interim coach for the remainder of the tournament

Gatland’s resignation will be accepted at the end of the tournament

Either way Wales has to approach the remaining fixtures with a new game plan and different personnel with which to execute it

If fit, the backs are easy

Liam Williams / Cam Winnett
T Rogers
M Llewelyn
E James
J Adams
G Anscombe / B Thomas
T Williams / E Bevan

Will have a think about the forwards

The returning ABs looked a little rusty at times, but I think all will start in Rd 1.

My guess is that the back three will be Carter, Narawa and ENS. The loose forwards Finau, Brown and Jacobson (Parker on the bench, as he has switched between 6 and 8 in the pre-season games). There are some decisions to be made at lock and in the front row, including the reserves. Maybe some of the missing players were just being rested.

There are a few try highlights on the Chiefs FB page.

@Higgins said in Preseason - Highlanders v Crusaders:

Excellent coverage from ThePits TV. Hadn't really heard much of them much before this and was expecting just a one or two camera job but they far exceeded that and look to have set a high benchmark for any others out there to try and match.

Couldn't agree more. Was real impressed with whole production. Enjoyed the commentary team too.

Thanks for the write ups. The comments about no major injuries is great.

@Jet said in 6N 2025 : France v Wales:

@Dan54 said in 6N 2025 : France v Wales:

@Jet said in 6N 2025 : France v Wales:

@Dan54 said in 6N 2025 : France v Wales:

I have personally reckoned that any team using the pod system are illegal 5/10 times. France seem to be pushing it, and I put it down to how game has changed. Just know when I played you tried to never have a team mate with the ball behind you as you would get pinged for offside. I did think some of the French ones were extreme, even for whats allowed these days.

Ireland dined out on it for years during their recent golden age. Players ahead of ball carriers all over the place masquerading as bodies in motion.

It’s no wonder a geriatric sexton had an arm chair ride in his latter years.

He was basically walking around out there.

Yep we weren't adverse to using it either, don't know any team that was. Though some seemed to overdo it I agree.

I think rugby peaked around 2003-2007. The 05 lions tour was Rugby as I liked it.

Maybe I’m getting old (40) but the current overly busy refs, and skullduggery such as this du Pont stuff does nothing for me.

I preferred when backs were backs, forwards were forwards, and you could have a bit of a “sort out” without being sent off.

The TMO is a good addition for adjudicating on whether a try is scored but going back a couple of phases to see something technical that was missed leaves me cold.

Camel. Horse. Committee. Etc

TLDR : “games gone”

Old at 40??? But genuinely mate I perhaps 30 years older, but I agree wholeheartedly.

Karl Dickson would be a better ref if he actually blew the whistle instead of trying to be everyone's mate during and after the hang.

I like continuity, but he goes too far

@Nevorian said in Ireland v Wallabies:

Thought if they had scored off the TT intercept that might have taken the game, unfortunately support didn’t quite get there

Shit option from Tupou - should have given it to Williams once through the line, and then followed him. They should have both drifted left a little and called Sua'ali'i and Jorgensen into the middle of the field.

Passing late and badly is never a good option. See it all the time with the leaguies at my club: they think the offload-in-contact is a hero move, rather than staying alive to support.

Took me 2 days to get up the courage.

TBH it isn't all bad. Besides some shit refereeing, and this stupid short kicking tactic, we're not doing too badly.

Physically we're dominant.
Mentally we're kittens

@dogmeat said in Italy v All Blacks:

Careful - I got pilloried for suggesting the great one was fucking thick.

alt text

Based on current evidence, stupid is as stupid does

That drop by Ioane, coachkiller.

FB_IMG_1732687785381.jpg

@Nepia no need to apologize.

The PR on Rassie’s doctorate:

“In addition to his visionary leadership, he has also shown an unwavering commitment to the Sport Transformation Charter – which is included in the Strategic Plan of the Department of Sport and Recreation – that has resulted in a systematic change in the development of talent and skills across the national rugby spectrum.

Erasmus has shown himself to be a nation builder of whom the country can be proud.

“Rassie embodies the principles of resilience, determination and teamwork that we at the North-West University hold dear in our educational mission. His contributions to South Africa, both as a rugby strategist and as a nation builder, serve as a shining example of what can be achieved when passion, dedication and visionary leadership come together. This esteemed recognition is not only well deserved, but also a testament to the remarkable contributions and exceptional impact Rassie has made in the field of sport and innovative sports management,” said Bert Sorgdrager, Council chairperson.

“His commitment to inclusivity and transformation in sport has not only revitalised rugby but has served as a powerful symbol of reconciliation and unity in a nation with a complex history. Under his guidance, the Springboks not only achieved rugby greatness, but also became a unifying force, bringing together people of all backgrounds and beliefs. His emphasis on teamwork, discipline and dedication has resonated far beyond the sports arena, offering life lessons that inspire not only aspiring athletes, but also individuals in their everyday lives. He has meaningfully used his sphere of influence to advocate for social change, fostering an environment in which diversity and inclusivity are celebrated, and differences are seen as strengths rather than weaknesses,” Sorgdrager concluded.”