The Silver Fern

@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks MOTM v Boks:

Morunga’s

You knew Marc too huh? 🙂

There is also another airing of the 1987 final on SS2 tomorrow.

Screenshot 2023-09-07 at 18.30.19.png

Ignore the 1999 and 2007 NZ-France games later in the day. 🙂

@Bones
Well, that's that then.

@dogmeat said in Argentina v All Blacks:

I am surprised (if AB stats can be believed) how (comparatively) light he is though. 8kgs less than Rieko and lighter than ALB

Yeah, but he's faster....

Seriously though, he and Reiko have worked out a good understanding and his playing continuously at 12 in SR this year will have benefited him. Be happy with a no-frills performance in midfield this WE. Against the Boks that'll do just fine.

I caught the beginning of that. Thought Quinn was really showing his age.

@Catogrande dunno if it is enjoying, it is reminiscing and celebrating them, which is perfectly fine to do, although with his health issues of the past 4 or 5 years, it is good that he is finally out of pain.

Saw a post by Cricketer Joey Yovich on Bruce, and this paragraph made me smile:

I will never forget a particular sports festival day in the small town of Dargaville in Northland, where Bruce led a fun game of Rippa rugby with an enthusiastic group of young kids. Observing that one team was struggling, he selflessly joined their backline to even the odds. In a moment of grace and finesse, Bruce received the ball, effortlessly swerving past a couple of young defenders before setting up a young player on the wing for a try. After the match, as Bruce distributed gift packs to the kids, one of the opposing players upon receiving his pack, exclaimed, "Sir, you're a pretty good player. You could have been an All Black." Bruce in his unassuming and gentle way just smiled.

Whatever the options at first-five are, I'd like to see potential 10's actually play 10 for their franchise. Just not convinced constantly shuffling potential AB 10's around the backline helps the ABs much.

@Machpants said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

@sparky said in RWC veterans to be dumped.:

Richie Mo'unga. Great in Super Rugby, but not a Test Match Animal.
Sevu Reece. Too small for RWC.

Lol. So drop Richie for who? I'm no fan but we've got no one to replace him. Beaudy had gone backwards, so gotta be jordie then - at least he has RWC ten experience 🙄

Reece too small? World's best winger last year Cheslin says hi.

Yes but Cheslin is a freak!

Razor on selecting the ABs....

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300920475/a-lot-of-tears-emotional-scott-robertson-prepares-for-next-chapter

"I'll just be as objective as I possibly can, it's a performance based sport. You be really clear on your unconscious bias. You pick, you get challenged, you have people around you to make sure you get the right people. That's part of the job, it's the best players in the country, that will be clear.”

@antipodean happy to write off one game in the season.

Stuff

At least Ryan will have a chance at redemption

Never tire watching that try. Awesome!

They kinda dropped into a big hole after that era. Couldn't help but notice it when I visited Kimberley for a big sporting occasion.

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 10 after BB & RM finish?:

@kiwi_expat Even though he has had his moments at fullback, I have often thought he got ragdolled there and may have been questionable under the highball. Jordan or Beaudy at fullback offers a more secure option and Jordan in particular has pace to burn from the back. Also wonder if Havili could be another 10 option, as he has played there for the Crusaders.

There's no way havili is even remotely good enough to be a staring 10 for the abs

@No-Quarter said in Thoughts on Cane now?:

@MajorRage good post, though I'm not convinced he went missing, I just think he was asked to play a tighter game against SA. His tackle stats are always up there even in games where he isn't so prominent. I think the fact he can be so devastating with ball in hand counts against him a bit, as when he puts in a tighter shift people think he's gone missing as they expect to see him running over people out wide.

Yeah, probably true.

He's got a bit of Toeava about him on this forum, that's for sure.

@Crucial also he let the English first five waltz past him with BBS yellow card.

I hope Goodhue gets a full season without injuries. I still think he has potential to be a very good centre, even lacking top line speed.

We don't really need a brilliant player at 13, just a competent, organised and reliable player who takes the right options. It's been a while since we saw Goodhue sans injury but he could fill that role if he doesn't break down.

@Joans-Town-Jones said in All Blacks v England:

@TheMojoman said in All Blacks v England:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v England:

@TheMojoman Stevenson or Lam?

I'd love to see Stevenson in the mix but IMO he would be competing for the 14 spot with Jordan, Telea and Reece potentially as 15 cover. Lam is a maybe, not sure he has the same impact as Clarke though as a power winger.

Foster (rightly IMO) clearly wants to play a power winger/finesse winger combination with his 14 also an extra FB with kicking etc. Leads me to believe Jordan will be the first choice 14 when fit. Telea has been the find of the northern tour.

I'm on the Shaun Stevenson bandwagon. He needs to be and AB.

an

@broughie said in All Blacks MOTM v Scotland:

@nostrildamus who are you talking about? Coles? Are you testing my attentiveness?

Sorry, rather than testing you I am undoing myself, not enough sleep, meant Codie I think...