The Silver Fern

@booboo said in AB RWC Squad:

@nostrildamus said in AB RWC Squad:

Foster in that article
"He's good, he's realistic… They always feel gutted because they want to give their best and Scott's at the top of the tree when it comes to that.
He's fine, we just go back into process mode now and just try and take the emotion out of it."

Foster doesn't seem to think SB has a tendency to be carded?

Obviously. Because that's exactly what he said ...

Just confirming as that is my reading too but if he doesn't think SB has a weakness re: cards (perhaps his one big major flaw) and going into this tiddlywinks RWC that is a crucial concern ...I am speechless!

Good to see @Tim has the courage of his convictions, (no matter how wrong they are).

This was objectively the best RWC because one very generous young lady scragged young Smuts like Mulder on Lomu.

@Catogrande said in Best of RWC 1991:

@Machpants said in Best of RWC 1991:

@Catogrande said in Best of RWC 1991:

to the NZ selectors who then poached him

from Auckland

Added for full historical facts

Is re-poached a thing?

It's called a restoration or return home 😉

Mo'unga scored a brilliant try, prove me wrong.

Except you, Wayne Barnes.

@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.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/rugby-world-cup-2023/2023/10/rugby-world-cup-emotional-assistant-coach-jason-ryan-in-tears-over-all-blacks-legends-devastating-last-defeat.html?fbclid=IwAR15GkVG8LKv_EC_vPBf38wpZgNwG3wyEVBZhmSOgofuK22rLGGoBpP7aEk

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