The Silver Fern

Spot on:

Thing is you have a split second to prepare for a fall, and you can learn how to fall properly (usually to fall as safely as possible) so in theory you could make that split second decision to milk a penalty or card, but you'd think the self preservation instinct would be the over riding one that your mind goes to first.

P.S. Expect Chefs forwards will be gunning for Canes pack in last pool game.

@nta said in Waratahs v Highlanders:

One in a row!

Just glad it wasn't the Blues

@stargazer Thanks. I guess that begs the question of why one mid range is 6 weeks and why the other is 4 weeks.

@nta said in Waratahs v Blues:

That was a fucking dud play from Beale when you're 5 metres out, and it doesn't matter how good Folau is in the air: if you don't back your forwards to crack the Blues' defence from that distance, then all of them can go and get fucked.

Well, that was unequivocal, unambiguous - quite clear and direct really. 😂 Love it!

I used get as angry back when the best the Waratahs could offer was the likes of Manny Edmonds, while Chris Malone and Matt Nilan cruised around for Sydney University and the Mighty Eastwood offering master classes in craft and composure, but weren't given a look in.

I realised then that the rubbish we saw in those last few minutes this weekend is a feature, not a bug. You can bet the rent money it wasn't under instructions from Daryl Gibson.

@taniwharugby The backline formation was all over the place. At one stage it appeared that Cruden was defending on the wing and Stevenson was on the wing nearest where I was sitting. That could only leave Alaimalo in the midfield. Having 2 outside backs on the bench wasn't ideal.

@Bones said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

@Smudge makes an appearance!

That'll teach me for sending a smart arse Snapchat to the cameraman.

I could not see the game live. Is there a replay on the net ? Thanks for the link.

@Stargazer said in Hurricanes v Waratahs:

@Crucial said in Hurricanes v Waratahs:

Perfectly timed by Kepu. The off field YC means he will wipe the other two hanging over him and collect a suspension during the bye and game against the Kings.

Byes are no longer included in a suspension. Rule change since the beginning of this season.

What about games at home against the Kings? Surely missing that game shouldn't count either.

@Siam They probably just assumed that any attempt would be as poor as Taufua's.

<p>See Moody not travelling to Jo'berg for quarters -- nerve damage.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="595909" data-time="1468229673"><p>Was it a challenge for the ball or a dangerous tackle?</p></blockquote>
This.

Bold and strikeout doesn't show on Tapatalk, so it looks like all you did was add the word rugby.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="582412" data-time="1464141031">
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<p>Actually, I think it is.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="margin:0px;font-size:14.72px;color:rgb(42,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;">Intentional knock or throw forward. </span><span style="margin:0px;font-size:14.72px;color:rgb(42,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A player must not intentionally knock the ball forward with hand or arm, nor throw forward.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="margin:0px;font-size:14.72px;color:rgb(42,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://laws.worldrugby.org/?law=12'>http://laws.worldrugby.org/?law=12</a></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="margin:0px;font-size:14.72px;color:rgb(42,51,51);font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think you have to read this text carefully and note that "Knock on" is the official term and is used differently to "knock forward". I don't think you're allowed to intentionally bat the ball forward and recover it. O-fucking-tago scored a try in an ITM Cup semi doing exactly this and eliminated Ta$man (not that I'm bitter).</span></p>
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</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Yeah that's the bit which stops you repeatedly tapping the ball over defenders and eventually catching it when clear. A bit like we tap balloons over kids to tease them</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pretty easy to spot and certainly not something commonly used</p>

I guess that's part of the beauty of the game, not only can differing people play it, different people can take away a different perception.<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="572918" data-time="1460841471"><p>The lack of impact from Skelton kind of shows just what a leveller and game for all sizes that Rugby Union is and what makes it so awesome.<br> <br>You can't just give a big dude the ball and expect rewards. You have to work together to give him the ball effectively</p></blockquote>True, but if I've got Mumm playing as a lock, I want my tight lock to do more than a metre per carry, or more tackles than there are halves. Particularly if he weighs ~140kg. For some reason our workrate has been poor this season and we're not imposing ourselves. Doesn't help that our execution has failed us too.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="569709" data-time="1459727779"><p>Well, I think there are a few factors in play.<br>
 <br>
This is Gibson's first shot at the big time, and therefore he's less likely to be as confrontational as Cheika was. As with the Reds post-2011, the feeling in Tah land is that now we've done it once, let's not upset the apple cart in order to do it again.<br>
 <br>
What is shows is that personnel is not enough, and that AAC and Kepu - though maybe moreso Douglas - were important. <br>
 <br>
Blades' appointment was met with a few raised eyebrows, as was the acquisition of Ta'avao. Though in fairness the scrum was a lot better than it has been in past weeks. <br>
 <br>
One problem is that we started the season picking a THP at LHP and that has now marked us for the rest of the season. The penalty from the last scrum of the game shows that more than anything. That was, at worst, a reset, because from where I was sitting, the Rebels THP played Paddy and the AR like a fiddle. <br>
 <br>
The main issue is that we're playing the same plan we had two years ago when we won, and it isn't working, and hasn't worked, for over 12 months. The Rebels set up their first try with a nice load of Pick n Go before going wide, and getting a back on forward.<br>
 <br>
The Tahs are still trying to hit 2nd Channel with a forward, and then running laterally in the backs, without understanding that people are wise to this, and know to cut down the space of guys like Skelton and Lousi and Palu, and just drift on Folau and Foley and Beale.<br>
 <br>
Rebels did the basics well, and still could have lost that game despite all the Tahs' ineptitude. The didn't score on the second half, didn't have much territory, and didn't kick that well. But they tackle their arses off and waited for (inevitable) mistakes.<br>
 <br>
Doesn't matter how you win, really, but neither side is going to ring up huge gates with those kinds of performances.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Ta'avao responsible for two of the Rebels tries. Timani swatted him off like he was an u-65kg winger. An improved scrum doesn't make up for that.

<p></p><p></p><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><span style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">Never in the 134-year history of NSW rugby, established in 1882, has a reserve player come on in a first grade clash and scored three tries.</span>
<p style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">Astonishingly, Holloway managed this feat in just 16 minutes on Friday for the Waratahs against defending Super Rugby champions the Highlanders.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">In a stark contrast of the present and future, backrower Holloway replaced veteran Wycliff Palu in the 56th minute, and scored within 60 seconds with his second touch.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">He crossed again the 65th and 72nd minutes to rack up an incredible hat-trick</p></blockquote>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="562461" data-time="1457092110">
<div>
<p>TPN broken wrist - 8 weeks minimum<br>
Hegarty ACL - season<br>
Horne knee - no diagnosis this stage</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Just read that Horne is okay and will be able to play against the Highlanders. Tahs already had a few injuries, hadn't they? Foley?</p>

<p>Yep. Palu is back on the bench this week, so it may have been a passing comet in terms of fantasy rugby scoring. Shame really - I don't know why we've got Palu back who has been a great servant for us, but is hardly going to help with generational change.</p>