The Silver Fern

Well ,as I had posted, today was my 71st birthday and was looking forward to this test so much. I then watched the worst AB performance I have seen live in my life, by quite some margin.
I can handle a loss happily, but when I think the players look like they had lost interest, to say I am pissed is an understatement

That was brilliant. I am 70 yo and my whole life AB/Bok tests have been the ultimate for me. And after tonight I haven't changed my mind. That was test rugby as it should be.

Well watched that in a bar in Wales( apparentlyJerry Collins old regular), and loved it. That was f***en good win. Will sleep well tonight.

Well it a bit strange. I not feeling absolutely gutted (disappointed of course), I just don't think this AB team is good enough to really deserve a Grand Slam and go into the ranks of the good teams that have done it.

@canefan said in WRWC Final - NZ Vs England:

Watching the BFs win the RWC with CF Sr and mum, and CF Jr. Pretty special

Was actually watching it with Mrs Dan, and I have to say to see her dance around the floor in tears at end has given me much joy. She's only a little thing to but when she leapt into my arms I suddenly remembered how old I was, just about knocked me over! Really good stuff I think!

Geez that was a test and a half! That was brilliant, and to all you negative lot that were picking a loss ! Get stuffed!

Another good test I thought. No arguments about the result. The honest truth at moment the Boks are a better team, in general have better players, and coachies.
I not overly upset, they are where we were about 2015, and we perhaps got a couple of years of pain until we get our team settled in, both younger players and coaches learn that test rugby are a bit different beasts..
I thought positives were tighties were good (Vai'i really has come on etc) loosies weren't bad either Sititi had good start to career, we will miss Cane at end of year though..
Backs are struggling a bit and I buggered if I can see Jordan is batter at 15 than 14, but just ny take right or wrong.
Still wonder about our fitness with gameplan, we seem tired in last 20 minutes.

Yeah!!! Fen yeah!! You Fen beauties. We got the shield!!!

I'll calm down soon fellas!

Just thought I would put up a post to remind everyone about club rugby. I know it not trendy to follow it these days as much as it was, but moving back home and too a small town it reminds me where a lot of the heart of NZ rugby lies. Taranaki actually kicked off club rugby on Good Friday, so I was able to go to Stratford and enjoy them playing Clifton. Was just brilliant sitting in a packed stand and having a chat to people I didn't know about the game etc, as well as watch game full of players just playing becuase they love the game. And were a good number of cockies there in gumboots etc . Only trouble was too many heading into clubrooms after game seemed it best to head home.
And then Saturday in Hawera ,Southern (which is now my club played Tukapa and were enjoying 25th year anniversary. Once again it was a great crowd ,and bloody enjoyable time watching games, and this time while having a quiet beer and great rugby chat with a few gents I had never met before. I know we get a few that sneer at what they call park rugby etc, but I would suggest that it is still what any rugby man should try and do more often (I know some can't for their own reasons) and you just may remember why the game is so bloody good.
What is the point of the post? Just that this is a rugby bored and the theme of posts is to often negative about players/coaches etc, and I just thought why not have one about some of the bloody good things and why ours is the best game around!
I actually posted this elsewhere, but just I feeling real good about game so..............

@taniwharugby said in RWC Week 4: All Blacks v Italy:

@Dan54 tbf...you are still an idiot

But Frizzel has barely even shown glimpses of what he has done this year for the ABs in his previous tests.

Of course I'm an idiot, I post on here!

@taniwharugby said in Connor Garden-Bachop:

@Dan54 sadly, this is inevitable, people want and expect to know, if they dont, they speculate, as seems the case on several posts about his passing on SM.

Various ones do say a medical event, but either way, this is so sad for his whanau.

Yep mat, I probably just being over sensitive, I had youngest sister pass away with Brain Anarysm 6 weeks back, and wifes nehew 2 weeks ago. He had 3 kids, and to be honest I just maybe feeling a touch sensitive about it all. Wasn't really trying to get at anyone.

I got a genuine question for those that are whinging that we only 'only' beat Scotland by 8 points (and as I said earlier I was happy with an 8 point win).
Do you all remember probably the best AB team we have had since the game went pro? Probably the 2011-2016. Geez those useless pricks could only beat Scotland by 8 points , the year before '15 WC (24-16), I recall some angst then too.
I think we need to celebrate wins fellas.

I not sure what problem is, he has got a new contract , I sure Razor etc have their thoughts on what he will be used for in team and for how long. I said before and don't mind saying again, I am pleased he has signed back here. I my opinion for what it's worth the more competition we have for places in ABs is only good for the team.

By geez this a good performance from Chiefs. Jacobson is again impressing the hell out of me.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:

It is Mark Robinson's former club too. I think it is good that they do this. When Foster was coach one of the AB squad announcements was from TA Sports.

I also pleased to see Coastal used for announcement! There is a club that deserves credit, last year they actually brought a farm , use the profit to help keep costs down for players, and they look after the gear etc of the Opunake College teams,as well as Saturday morning club.. They built up a dairy herd with help of club members, and leased a farm , put on a manager etc,until got into position to actually buy a farm. Never underestimate haw good the farming community is to be involved with!

@mariner4life said in Springboks vs All Blacks 2:

Sam Cane is a fucking test match warrior, and th3 slander on his name from salty Blues fans needs a written fucking apology. Who hits fluffybunnies and stops them? Who gets breakdown turnovers and pressure? Who gets his old legs in to wide channels? The warrior.

Taylor my MotM, just a massive game.

A man after my own heart!!! I keep yelling at idiots that rubbich Cane, actually watch him in a game, and see what we should want from loosies!!!

Kind of what I half expected, but hoped for more. I doubted whether there was ever going to be a walkover (even if I wanted it). Was real stoked with my man Holland, and saw nothing to dissuade me of my idea he will be a 100 test AB. The CLW went well. I thought most went ok without setting world on fire. Proctor looked more comfortable in 2nd half.
Just saw the interview with Holland, his Dad is just gazing at him with a look of just such pride.

@sparky said in All Blacks v Springboks I:

My Dad was at Eden Park in 1956 when the All Blacks secured that famous series. I have listened to and watched hundreds of All Blacks games with him.

He died on Tuesday.

That one was for you, Dad.

Genuinely sparky, mate after reading that room got a bit dusty. I am sure your Dad would be smiling as he looked down!

Well we got away with that. Pleased with win, a little disappointed with performance.
Positive for me, I really think Lakai is looking so good at 8.

@rapido said in Pasifika SR team:

With this kind of thing:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/124896487/super-rugby-tonga-coach-welcomes-moana-pasifika-but-with-a-warning-for-all-blacks

Did Mark Robinson et al actually think an NZ Pacific franchise would be ever be a good PR thing for the NZRU?

Welcome to years of trolling anytime an NZ born and raised Samoan happens to make the All Blacks if at some time early in his career he happened to have played for an NZ franchise based in Penrose rather than another one 9.5km away in Sandringham.

Kefu kind of has a point, though from a Tongan POV. Tonga, unlike Samoa, actually do produce some good players that enter the NZ system and go right to the top. Although they already enter at schoolboy level and this won't increase any of it.

Isn't it good to see Kefu's worry etc, after the stirling performance he had for Tonga!
FFS how short the memories and pot kettle comes to mind!