The Silver Fern

@Windows97 said in NZ Rugby Collective agreement:

It was a great one-off injection of cash into the game and grass roots no doubt...

I could see the theory - that Silverlake leverage their digital/marketing knowledge to grow the AB brand and revenue.

In practice, that did not happen. NZR+ was a shocker and a money pit. That's the sort of shit that happens in a corporate. Foster's pretty scathing of the 'commercial focus' of NZR - but they seem to miss that getting the onfield stuff right leads to off field success as well. Crusaders have the best back office and it supports onfield success. Most other Super bakc offices seem ... poor to mediocre.

@canefan said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

@frugby said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:

Maybe sour grapes, but not sure either side goes out of that game with much credit - I thought attacking wise it was absolutely dour.

As expected the Canes loose forwards were too good for the Landers ones, and that was ultimately where the game was won and lost (outside of the missed kick/missed penalty).

Not really sure the Landers have the solutions to fix it either… IMO, Bell and Renton come back in, because both will offer more defensively/around the ruck.

I think it's a good win for us. We still wait to insert our first choice midfield, so any win with PUJ and Sullivan is meritorious

Yeah the Canes will look like a completely different side with Higgins and Proctor in the centres. Our outsides will see a lot more ball as well.

@gt12 said in Highlanders v Blues:

@Dan54 said in Highlanders v Blues:

POTY points
6 - Finn Hurley (HIG)

3 - Harry Plummer (BLU), Hoskins Sotutu (BLU), Folau Fakatava (HIG)

2 - AJ Lam (BLU), Caleb Clarke (BLU), Timoci Tavatavanawai (HIG)

1 - Patrick Tuipulotu (BLU), Finlay Christie (BLU), Tanielu Teleʻa (HIG)

As good as Hurley was, Jim only getting 2 points from that game while Plummer and Hoskins walk away with 3, is, well, fucking mad.

I thought that Jim would get more, but as I say with system, I am sure the players on field know who is causing them the most problems in the opposition team. I was also surprised that Hoskins and Plummer got them too, but guess I missed stuff.

@antipodean I'm going from this year's form, he's been one of the best players for the Brumbies and one of the top fullbacks in the comp. Wright's screwed up plenty of times in the past but is this the year he's finally matured? Who knows but I'd have him in the mix for sure.

Darby Lancaster is another young gun winger playing really well for the Rebels. He could also be in the mix. The Wallabies aren't short of outside back options.

@Bones said in Highlanders v Brumbies:

@frugby said in Highlanders v Brumbies:

Certainly in the past, I think that has been the weakness of his game compared to say Cane?

I seriously think you've been watching someone else and confusing them for Harmon. The only noticeable thing about Harmon when he first hit the scene was his support play and running.

Have too agree, hard running was often the first thing i listed under his name

@gt12 how did the Sam Gilbert slander work out for you 😉

All jokes aside, hard fought win. Think we should be glad to take that win and get home to regroup and take on the brumbies next week. As someone in the season thread suggested, Expect a couple changes to freshen up. I just hope we stick with Patchell as it is definitely working, injecting Ajay in late has also looked good the last 2 weeks.

We are in a pretty decent place, better than I thought we would be after 3 weeks anyway. Promising start to the season is nice for a change!

@akan004 I think that's correct. The residency period of 5 years starts running from the age of 18 years, unless a player was already financially independent from his parents/caregivers before that age or the parents have moved here as well before the player turns 18. These exceptions don't apply in case of Fabian Holland. He turned 18 in 2020.

@ARHS said in BoP v Otago:

@bayimports yes had his best match today. Was disappointed by his erratic kicks in earlier matches.

Geeze the BOP locks do a lot of work.

Definitely - Selby-Rickit and Sangster have been huge as a pair for us.

As I mentioned in the covid thread, I had a suicide in my family in 2020.

I feel for his friends and relatives. It always leaves those behind with more questions than answers.

The poor fella. He ran out of road and saw no other choice. They never do.

To quote REM in the song Leaving New York:

"its easier to leave than to be left behind".

RIP Billy.