The Silver Fern

Hi all,

It’s funny how some things never change, back in the fern for the first time in a long hiatus and all the usual suspects are still active... respect.

Anyhoo tough game and happy to have that out of the way with a win. South Africa were impressive, had arguably the wrong tactics in the first half when they had decent ball, but will happily take that.

Scott Barrett was immense early on and Ardie was a machine and George Bridge reminds me of a young Ben Smith/Cory Jane with his aerial nouse.

For any if the foreign media/coaches complaining about rough calls, clearly Garces missed a lot from both sides, we just converted more of the opportunities we had even with little early ball and am glad the debarkle surrounding Sam Cane HIA didn’t cost us.

Saying all that the Boks weren’t bad when they opened up and Kolbe had fricken spiders on him. If they actually decide to play attacking rugby, we may see them later in the comp.

Great win, still have work ons, which we want including our scum and line out. I know it was extravagant but would love to see them try the move with the throw to Reece again, if executed that would have really created gaps.

Lastly, I had the team leaked via a friend the night before, I called BS but for the first time ever this tip was spot on. It still could have been luck, but if correct they said Retallick could have played if required. Expect to see him back soon then.

Cheers all, thanks for the views, loving it sitting in an airport.

@KiwiPie said in Im leaving:

You should carry on with the tipping - there's plenty who take part who never post on the forum. There aren't many of the originals left ......

you do realise @Winger that by the time you actually finish saying goodbye the NPC will be over!

right probably late enough....i believe it may look like this...

BB, JB, ALB, JG, CC, RM, AS, HS, SC, SF, SW, PT, OT, DC, KT
Bench CT, AH, TL, SB, DP, TJP, NL, RI

Is Bridge injured? Its going to make for a boring fern match day thread, without his availablility to distribute ..

and another thing water breaks..

seriously if you need water get subbed. If you're injured go off ffs. Big fluffy bunnies who do too much weights and not enough speed work can play until they're exhausted and be replaced, but should not be allowed to slow the game down

Sitting in my seat prior to take off and tv screen confirms rugby will be live…fuck yeah! Go ABs!

Had to laugh at Nic Kyrgios tweet in reply to this, take out the annoying "its all about me" aspect, but an element of truth in it too

@bayimports said in Bledisloe Three: Sydney, 31 October:

Anyone expecting big changes tomorrow should probably have a think about who the selection panel is.

I would suggest there will be no changes to the backs and but there could be a couple of changes in the forwards probably only daddy duties and concussion the only real changes, namely 8, probably 5 and 1. Bench could be interesting though

I will probably know soon enough if official timing is tomorrow

If the sauce is indeed the correct ingredient, then the guess above turns out to be very accurate, sorry wont post until later as too many journos have enough time to create stories this early. Fill in the blanks for starting XV, that was quite easy. If anyone correctly predicts the bench though they get a virtual beer, I didn't, most will get close, but in its entirety may not be so easy. Should at least create some fun for the afternoon.

Prendergast and Gowler gold....just ..but who cares..its gold

@Nepia this one?

https://www.afr.com/rear-window/hamish-mclennan-and-rugby-s-schoolboy-errors-20230925-p5e7ee

Hamish McLennan and rugby’s schoolboy errors
The Wallabies slumped to a historic World Cup loss. It’s high time for scrutiny of rugby’s administrators, chief among them, chairman Hamish McLennan.

The Wallabies’ descent into national embarrassment territory on Monday morning means the knives are out for coach Eddie Jones, the moody gremlin of global sport.

Australia had their arses handed to them by Wales, inflicting the country’s largest loss in World Cup history. Or in the traditional Welsh: “ffwrch!”

Jones rightly remains the focal point of ire. But scrutiny must show up at the doorstop of Rugby Australia and its cast of administrators.

Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh and chairman Hamish McLennan at Allianz Stadium. James Brickwood

What, then, of the performance of Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan? The Hammer’s blue-sky idea was to pilfer Jones. McLennan can’t be blamed for the veteran coach’s baffling selection decisions. He can cop it for signing a clearly past-it coach to a five-year contract on the eve of a World Cup.

You can imagine how it went down. Eddie comes around for dinner at the new Darling Point digs. A few chablis in, Hammer says he should come home. Save the Wallabies. He accepts on one condition, scanning around the $30 million trophy home: “Five years.”

Hammer has his guy! Lock it in, Eddie.

McLennan is a product of corporate Australia’s fail-up culture. After being part of the calamity at Channel Ten on behalf of Lachlan Murdoch, McLennan’s stunning career has soared. He now chairs not only Rugby Australia but occupies the top board seat at News Corp’s REA, media company ARN Media, and serves as deputy chairman at the little shop of horrors, Magellan Financial.

Three chairmanships. The Hammer is the east coast Richard Goyder. The very existence of the McLennans and Goyders – spread obviously too thin to actually provide adequate scrutiny for shareholders – proves the professional director class is taking the piss.

Set aside the Eddie shambles, McLennan’s rugby turnaround narrative hinges on Project Aurora, which proposes hawking off a slice of the sport to investors and private equity. That was supposed to raise $250 million. Jefferies star banker Michael Stock was tasked with finding investors to buy in.

What exactly is Stock offering up? We give you a claim to several years worth of ticket receipts and broadcast revenue to losing games, played in front of half-full stadiums. The Wallabies are going to get spanked 3-0 by the British Lions on home soil in 2025. But you and the lads can get a box on the halfway line.

Earlier this year, McLennan tapped former Wallabies flanker Phil Waugh to lead the turnaround. McLennan, graduate of the exclusive Sydney Church of England Grammar School, needed a CEO to execute the game’s vision and settled on ... another Shore boy.

Waugh was then given ample space in this newspaper to explain his “plan to save Australian rugby”. Along with trying to get PE interest and growing the game in western Sydney to fend off competition from competing codes, he had a neat idea.

“I love the concept of an old boys’ day at Allianz Stadium ... three back-to-back GPS [Great Public Schools] games at Allianz Stadium from 11am to 5pm, and you just make it a festival,” Waugh said.

The “save rugby” plan involves a “festival” of Riverview, King’s and Joeys? Phil, that’s not a plan, that’s a Betoota Advocate headline.

After the 2019 World Cup exit, no fewer than 11 former Wallabies captains wrote a letter expressing no confidence in then-CEO Raelene Castle. The group included Nick Farr-Jones, George Gregan, Michael Lynagh, and successfully agitated for Castle to fall on her sword.

The Wallabies are for the first time all but guaranteed to exit a World Cup without making it out of the group stage, strapped to a checked-out coach, with a tied-up chairman. Time to get out the stationery again, boys.

Reiko for winding up that oirish fluffybunny

Ok so don’t have full team this week... however, from inside the camp....

S Barrett replaces Cane at 6, Tuipolotu on the bench for Todd. Savea at 7. Cane on bench.

Perhaps wrist not great, or just want a bigger/taller team

@Bovidae said in RWC: 3rd/4th game All Blacks vs Wales:

Based on the team changes for the ABs I have decided to watch this game now. I'm particularly interested in how Ioane and BFA go.

I’m going to throw it out there that most of you who said you wouldn’t watch the game still will. You are all All Black supporters regardless.

seriously who does this...???? world champion Sifan Hassan makes an incredible recovery from a fall at the final bell to win her 1500-metre heat at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday. Falls over another runner, face plants, gets up, catches pack, out sprints them also to win heat

Those that have previously felt the pain of Fozzie have reacted as expected including myself. The selection has all the hallmarks of a confused Chiefs team previously under his control.

I can understand getting both Barretts on the field at the same time. Although the ballsy option would have been keeping Beauden as the super sub. Jordie has been immense playing in that position this year.

I could understand Goodhue at centre but not at 12. I struggle to even understand the rationale behind this one.

Given Cane was going to be captain, I would have had Ardie as a super sub as well. If we were trying to address weaknesses of the World Cup, Sotutu’s size alone would have been a better fit.

Still think we will win by 10+ but shit I think we could have done better

If Hoskins misses out on one of these squads there should be an uproar.

There won't be though, NZ sports journalism are weak gutted dogs. I hate NSW rugby league journalism but when something needs to be investigated, they will at least turn the place upside down, even if it isn't a real story (unless one of their own is getting thumped under a tree in Balmain)

As for no NPC form, last start against Wellington demonstrated more ability than many eights have done in the NPC this season. Good coaches should be able to get consistency from these players, he is a major talent

Assuming a QF awaits, showing we can actually do the basics might be a good way to start. I would just like to see some direct forward play, legitimate attempts to play down in opposition territory first and foremost.

Jeez would love to see a big score based on the above to put some doubt in the Ireland faithful. This may sound contradictory to the above, but I don't believe so.

I am convinced we have the players just not convinced we will get the tactics right.

@Nepia said in Slow speed:

@Smudge said in Slow speed:

@nzzp said in Slow speed:

@Kirwan said in Slow speed:

Big thanks to those that are still on Patreon, much appreciated.

Just updated my contribution to two coffees/month. Come on Ferners, dip in and support. Keep ads away

Maybe I'll tie my donation to the removal of the "Shield Snorters" on behalf of my fellow Bay peeps.

Please I will pay double to keep it

@Donsteppa said in Black Caps tour of England 2022:

For anyone that saw them, was there anything about Mitchell's three overs that would have meant a fourth over was a bad idea? I feel asleep at one wicket down, so missed much of the bowling, but in the scheme of things his economy rate doesn't look massively worse than anyone else...

didn't see the overs, but I can suggest his back was probably sore from carrying the dead weight of the NZ top batting order