European Club Rugby
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mattduffie:
The time has come to hang up the boots and I am so happy to be doing it on my terms.
In 2014, when I was 23 years old I was struck down with my second ACL injury, after 4 shoulder reconstructions. Booking in for my 8th surgery, I thought and truely believed it was all over. With the support of my family and friends, I managed another 8 seasons and mostly injury-free considering my early years.
Though its been a tough decision to come to, I really feel excited about starting the next chapter and I will not miss limping around for 20 mins each morning, let alone the pain after a hard session or game.
I was truely blessed to share the locker room with some of the greats of both codes, encounters many only dream of, its not lost how fortunate I was for those experiences. I want to thank all my teammates that I have had throughout my time, its truely a connection that lasts a lifetime, looking forward to a beer and a yarn when our paths cross.
Thank you to all the coaches I have had, I have learnt something from everyone that has ever coached me, good or bad, coaches promote growth and I am the person I am today with those experiences.
To the fans, the beating heart of Sport, thank you for always supporting me. I hope I have made you proud. I also hope you had a good laugh whenever I got bumped off.
To the teams I represented @storm, @nzrugbyleague, @bluesrugbyteam , @harbourrugby, @allblacks, @barbarians_fc, @hondaheat_official. Thank you, it was an honour.
But most importantly I want to thank my wife @perriduffie. I said we were leaving for two years when we packed up and headed to Auckland at the back end of 2015, nearly 7 years later I am finally making good on that promise and we are heading back to Melbourne with our two girls in tow. None of it would have been possible without the support of you and the girls. Love you.
Exciting times on the horizon. Much love
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“Don’t cry because its over. Smile because it happened” -
LOL. All conquering Leinster were a damp squib in the final losing to O’Garas La Rochelle. Only LAR penalties kept Leinster in the game.
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LOL. All conquering Leinster were a damp squib in the final losing to O’Garas La Rochelle. Only LAR penalties kept Leinster in the game.
@Billy-Tell how did Ihaia West go..?
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@Billy-Tell how did Ihaia West go..?
@Steven-Harris said in NH club rugby:
@Billy-Tell how did Ihaia West go..?
Steady. Nothing too flash but no howlers either.
Caveat: I was dipping in and out of the game.
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@Billy-Tell how did Ihaia West go..?
@Steven-Harris said in NH club rugby:
@Billy-Tell how did Ihaia West go..?
The main thing was he nailed his kicks after 1 from 4 in the semifinal. He had a solid game with no errors. 7/10. I think he’s off to Toulon next season.
The surprise was Dylan Leyds the ex-bok. Always thought he was crap but he was very good today.
It’s clear that if the ABs can man up to Ireland they are eminently beatable.
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@Steven-Harris said in NH club rugby:
@Billy-Tell how did Ihaia West go..?
The main thing was he nailed his kicks after 1 from 4 in the semifinal. He had a solid game with no errors. 7/10. I think he’s off to Toulon next season.
The surprise was Dylan Leyds the ex-bok. Always thought he was crap but he was very good today.
It’s clear that if the ABs can man up to Ireland they are eminently beatable.
@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
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@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
@Machpants you'd think not a huge shift in attitude and tweak in gameplan should have us there....
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I know Leinster are not Ireland, but with the notable exception of Molony upfront, the Irish pack is the same as Leinster's. Behind, only Aki and Hansen are non Leinstermen. So we can tell that La Rochelle showed the All Blacks how to beat Ireland ! Outmuscle them upfront and don't kick your possession away. The problem is : are the NZ forwards capable of dominating their Irish opponents ?
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Pretty sad Captain Vito want on the field for the victory. What an awesome player he is, I hope he enjoys retirement
@Machpants said in NH club rugby:
Pretty sad Captain Vito want on the field for the victory.
The same for TKB not being able to play in the final due to a broken hand. Both are now dual SR/ERC winners.
A very physical last 5 mins when La Rochelle were camped on the Leinster goal line. I was waiting for a Barnes special.
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@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
@Machpants said in NH club rugby:
@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
It's about selection. Selecting a competent scrumhalf. A backrow that's physically imposing and combative at the breakdown. Impact over workrate or highlights.
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Tis a great place. You can see where the Red Bull divers do their stuff. Looks a narrow landing area :astonished_face:
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South African teams to join European Champions Cup
Stormers, Bulls and Sharks have been confirmed for next season’s ECC.
Lions and Cheetahs have been confirmed for the challenge cup. The cheetahs will take the ‘20th’ place usually reserved for teams from the Italian league or Romania.
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South African teams to join European Champions Cup
Stormers, Bulls and Sharks have been confirmed for next season’s ECC.
Lions and Cheetahs have been confirmed for the challenge cup. The cheetahs will take the ‘20th’ place usually reserved for teams from the Italian league or Romania.
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@Daffy-Jaffy great news for Cheetahs. This may open the way for the Pumas and Griquas also who have been great in the CC.
But what does this say to the lower tiers in Europe? What about growing the game? It’s all about money and has fuck all integrity about it.
Shame on SA rugby for turning their back on their own comp and shame on Euro rugby for enticing them in.
Get fucked the lot of yers.
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South African teams to join European Champions Cup
Stormers, Bulls and Sharks have been confirmed for next season’s ECC.
Lions and Cheetahs have been confirmed for the challenge cup. The cheetahs will take the ‘20th’ place usually reserved for teams from the Italian league or Romania.
@Daffy-Jaffy said in NH club rugby:
South African teams to join European Champions Cup
Stormers, Bulls and Sharks have been confirmed for next season’s ECC.
Lions and Cheetahs have been confirmed for the challenge cup. The cheetahs will take the ‘20th’ place usually reserved for teams from the Italian league or Romania.
What a bloody disgrace.
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Bloody well looking forward to these games
Go the Mighty Quins!
A couple of good cross hemi games too
