Olympics Thread
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="604483" data-time="1470772673">
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<p>I think this is a money thing.</p>
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<p>Once sports hit the olympics, the coffers open for administrators. Literally tens of millions of dollars. The Aussie 7s womens team lived at the Aussie Institute of Sport for the past 18 months practicing together. Guess what that does for your game. The Mens is showing what happens when people take the sport seriously - the comps get split wide open, and <strong>big spending teams dominate</strong>.</p>
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<p>If we are serious, we need to spend more and support more. </p>
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<p>Is Fiji a big spending team?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="604478" data-time="1470771721"><p>
Haaaaa. And instantly I feel better, such sweet tears. Lions did well eh? Hey guess what...South Africa lost to Japan over 80 odd mins at the world cup. Hilarious.</p></blockquote>
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Wow , I can picture this poor bugger waiting furtively for anything that might represent some sort of redemption for the embarrassment of the rwc . -
<p>Kenya paying $8 to beat the NZ 7s, $1.85 for 15.5pt start.</p>
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<p>NZ 14-5 Kenya</p>
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<p> 4:21 to go</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="604487" data-time="1470773751"><p>
Is Fiji a big spending team?</p></blockquote>
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No, but 7s is much more a focus than 15s there.<br><br>
Once players turned down 7s,I knew we were in trouble. -
<p>NZ up 19-5</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JAF" data-cid="604497" data-time="1470775993">
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<p>Good to see NZ 7s are back.</p>
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<p>good to see you back too!</p>
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<p>We missed you and Mister G!</p> -
<p>I was in Fiji recently and a rugby mad guy I talked to said that Ben Ryan has been the major game changer for them. He's overhauled everything around the team from trainings to diet, the professionalism he's brought is there for all to see in the results</p>
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<p>The problem with NZ losing to Japan is that even with a win over GB, and winning the group on PD, we could still end up with a tough QF and facing one of Fiji or SA early in the knock-out stages. Our best chances of going far was to avoid SA or Fiji until a final (assuming this team advances to the final).</p>
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<p>Webber is made of glass. I always knew his selection would be a risk. As Messam can't be used NZ only has a squad of 11 to use tomorrow.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="604505" data-time="1470776873">
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<p>Webber is made of glass. I always knew his selection would be a risk. <strong>As Messam can't be used NZ only has a squad of 11 to use tomorrow.</strong></p>
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<p>Why is that?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="604499" data-time="1470776200"><p>
good to see you back too!<br><br>
We missed you and Mister G!</p></blockquote>Didn't want to miss the occasion. Tournaments are not won in the first game, but at playoffs. Long way to go still. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="604508" data-time="1470777806">
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<p>I'm relying on Quinn here so take that with a grain of salt but I assume there is a limit on how many replacements can be made. Both Stanaway and SBW have been replaced from the original squad.</p>
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<p>after the Japanese loss, Tew was saying he wasn't sure if they could replace both SBW and Webber, sounded like they thought we might only be able to replace 1 person</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="604505" data-time="1470776873">
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<p>The problem with NZ losing to Japan is that even with a win over GB, and winning the group on PD, we could still end up with a tough QF and facing one of Fiji or SA early in the knock-out stages. Our best chances of going far was to avoid SA or Fiji until a final (assuming this team advances to the final).</p>
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<p>If medalling is the main concern then it's not ideal, but if it's gold or bust it's probably better. We have a better shot playing the better teams over the standard 7 minute halves rather than the final. The longer the game the more likely talent wins out.</p>
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<p>Honestly we are likely better off a man down than with Messam playing significant minutes - we need a cool head under pressure out there and he is not that.</p>
