The Silver Fern

@Derpus said in ANZAC XV:

It would probably involve the tier of player just below/on the edge of test selection. Doubt you'd have centurians like Whitelock or Hooper lining up.

It'd still be fun though - I think a 23 selected from the best players in SR who arent currently in either test 23s would be fairly competitive.

And yeah, a true ANZAC team would only have a handful of Wallabies - Hooper, Koirobete, Kerevi, Valetini and White would probably be the only ones in with a shot.

I'd say the whole starting front row would get a look in.

Just saw Young's yellow card from this game. What an absolute shocker. That's as clear a red as you'll see.

@pakman unseen? Hardly. Still evident v Japan

@Tordah said in Bled 1 Melbourne - pick the score:

ABs to get a decent lead, then falter and almost lose it at the death, but for a B Foley knock-on.

About the closest prediction so far

@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe 1:

And if you are league supporter, just be sure to remember that whatever sanction a judiciary spits out there is a premium on top of that for any Warriors

Using the WE CAN'T PUNISH FANS AT FINALS TIME clause, because... well..... 😉

Belated watch of second half.

Not much in it. Injuries buggered Aussie backline, and the way the half went hampered what looked to me like opportunity against tiring Boks.

As it was, BOK’s refereeing mid half left a lot to be desired. Nine consecutive penalties including seven around 22 only gave way to warning, when a yellow was warranted. Then TMO call for relieving penalty. Wallabies might well have expected to have scored a try after all that at around 60, and at 10-17 would have made it more interesting.

As was, Boks’ mugging of Gold in H1 was always likely to be decisive.

@nostrildamus there’s only one ball and we want it - Pinetree, probably.

Watched the remainder just now.

I maintain there was fuck all between the teams and to be honest the Ockers were probably more creative and looked more likely to score.

Obviously the better team (the one who scored more points being the the one who conceded less points) won.

But not sure you can point the blame at Rennie because his team looked more likely to score more and concede less.

Happy if the Aussies toss him pre RWC though.

@booboo said in Pumas v Wallabies I:

Watching "Mini" on Stan.

Just on half time ref pings Aus for jumping across the line...

Only did that because the throw wasn't straight dick head ...

See my previous comment about Mike Adamson hating Rugby

@nostrildamus said in Australia v England - the decider:

@MajorRage said in Australia v England - the decider:

@Derpus said in Australia v England - the decider:

@ACT-Crusader Something seriously wrong with you if you'd rather England win.

England fans have never:

Punched me on a train after a game Ruined a dinner party over rugby
> 3. Tried to start a fight with me after the ABs lost

Cmon England.

I'd be surprised at number 3 as well..

My experience of England rugby fans over the years has been almost entirely positive. Very little in the way of unpleasantness, just the occasional bit of boorish behaviour. Maybe it’s different seeing things from an opposition viewpoint. I would also say that my overall positive view of England fans is mirrored by all the other countries too. In the main, rugby fans first, jingoistic second.

@Stargazer

Good on Mitchell for honouring the bet. Awful voice though.

@Stargazer said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

I actually agree with the decision in Swain's case. That was the softest head butt to get red-carded I've ever seen. It was stupid to respond to a provocation like that, no doubt, but it's ridiculous that he gets suspended while the grub who pulled his hair (and the incident earlier in the game) didn't even get a mandatory meeting with the Disciplinary Committee.

The softest I've ever seen was Mose Tuiali'i on Marius Joubert. It was more like a head push than a butt. Tuiali'i was red carded in the first half, the Stormers would still lose and Tuiali'i would be suspended for 3 weeks (entry point was 6 weeks).

And some say history doesn't repeat?

Swain decision definitely seems worthy of getting the blood pressure up over lol

@gibbon-rib said in Wallabies v All Blacks (Melbourne):

@booboo said in Wallabies v All Blacks (Melbourne):

@gibbon-rib said in Wallabies v All Blacks (Melbourne):

when the 80 minute hooter went, and the crowd went mad

Reminds me of a number of videos of the 2011 RWC final. The bandwagon jumping Kiwis who thought we'd won when the siren went ...

It's no surprise at all in Melbourne, expect better from Auckland though

Was really weird. Even some videos of the crowd at the ground. May track them down when more compos mentis.

Back on subject ... a trip to Melbourne in Spring would not be all bad ..

Full match on the World Rugby YouTube channel. Geo-blocked in NZ, so you need to use a VPN to watch it.

Finally got around to watching the Breakdown interview with Chelsea Semple. Was interesting to hear some of what she thought is so different with the new coaching and in doing so highlighted some of what was previously wrong.
There’s no feeling of places being anything but contested with the coaches actively turning over rocks and giving new players chances to show what they have. The older players are actually being pushed to be better to hold their places.

@duluth And that three-match ban will become a two-match ban ...

The No.8 will miss the Brumbies’ Super Rugby Pacific trial matches against the NSW Waratahs on January 29 and the Brumbies’ development team the following week plus their competition opener against Moana Pasifika on February 18.

But Valetini can opt to complete a Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention course to have his ban reduced to two matches.

That avenue is available to offending players in the hope of modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play.

I hadn't realised that that option to complete a Head Contact Process Coaching Intervention replace one of the matches a player is suspended for, had been adopted for the November internationals. Is it part of the law trials, or is it an official rule now? I only remember it being trialled by the the U20s a few years ago.

By the way, that a game of the Brumbies development team counts towards his suspension is ridiculous.

@nta said in England v Australia:

@higgins no ruck - play on, unfortunately.

Further to that: the option for Ikitau was to hit the deck and wait, but it wouldn't have made a lot of difference - only Leota and McDermott were in frame and there were about 8 Poms on their feet.