The Silver Fern

I think I remember Auckland having some arrangement with Blackheath - sending over young players for experience but think it just fizzled out and Blackheath were relegated or bankrupt

@Nepia said in Stupid ideas to fix rugby:

@booboo said in Stupid ideas to fix rugby:

@Kiwiwomble said in Stupid ideas to fix rugby:

@gt12 said in Stupid ideas to fix rugby:

@Smuts said in Stupid ideas to fix rugby:

Surprisingly ball in play has crept up steadily since the 80s. There’s actually less stoppages now than ever before.

Problem with big changes to player fatigue levels is that even small increases result in far greater risk of injury.

Also there’s a huge tension between the conditioning/physiques needed to scrum safely and effectively and that required to play multiphase running rugby.

So probably the best way to encourage wide attacking rugby, greater defensive commitment to the ruck and fewer stoppages is to:

a) reward committing more players to the ruck with possession NOT penalties;

b) lower the risk of going wide with too little support from a likely penalty to simply losing possession; and

c) make sure that refs see their role at the ruck as a fair fight for possession that should rarely result in a penalty.

Get rid of every ruck rule. Replace with: must enter from your side of the ball (more or less & regardless of angle) & only players on their feet count and may play the ball.

So basically the ELVs - which were awesome to play under and produced great rugby.

Nice post. Simplification with a focus on contest for possession.

Personally, I'd remove penalties for scrum infringements until it's actually them trying to not-scrum. Scrumming for a penalty is a blight on the game.

100% scrum is a competition for the ball...the reward for dominating one should be the ball...not 3 points

Put the ball in straight in the middle.

Woah woah, this is supposed to be stupid ideas, not batshit crazy ones.

imposing the laws we actually have...this place has finally gone too far

Ice hockey is only like 5-a-side isn't it? And on a smaller playing area?

Makes sense for it to be shorter when there's less players (e.g. SVNS). Can't see it having much impact in FFTNS.

@Duluth said in Auckland v Manawatu:

@Kirwan said in Auckland v Manawatu:

Manawatu have a great backline (not you Laumape, thanks for the try). Their halfback in particular has great mongrel.

I expect the centre, Kyle Brown, to get a SR contract. He makes some good decisions

Conditions were tough in this game. Auckland played into the strong wind and had the dipping sun in their face. Manawatu had to put up with that in the second half

Some very good goalkicking from Taele given the conditions

Hopefully he does he was good last year as well.

He's an interesting dude. Would love to sit down with him over a beer to talk scrums, or have him at our club to run a session

How good was this!

Really good defence. Pledger as the primary playmaker from halfback.

Will Stodart looking like an absolute beast!

@Chris said in All Blacks MOTM v Springboks II:

@ploughboy said in All Blacks MOTM v Springboks II:

@Chris said in All Blacks MOTM v Springboks II:

@ARHS said in All Blacks MOTM v Springboks II:

Jordie was pretty good tonight. And Carter and Dmac did a lot of good things amidst the mess. In the forwards Parker and Sami went ok.
Poor Reuben Love, had a shocker, but what horrible circumstances and out of position.

Aye ST missed a crucial line out throw when we were on attack he got bumped off a few times trying to make tackles he was poor.

on that lineout savea and vaii were complaining cause lift seemed to be interfered with.still missed a couple of tackes though

part of a poor front row as well at scrum time.

true

Horrible conditions. Corporate boxes evacuated, due to the winds I guess.
Was a little disappointed with Bop tactics, especially after they lost Judd. Wish Lasaqa had seen more ball and wish bop had taken points when on offer.
Sullivan, Parsons and Fakatava v good for Hawkes Bay.

Equally as absurd as that trophy was Fitzy clearly getting product placement in by lifting it together with his water bottle 😄