The Silver Fern

@westcoastie

Looking at his height to weight ratio, I reckon Jordie's natural position could be Lock. Giraffe and Scooter could be a brothers-in-arms locking partnership like Pinetree and Snowy. Sam Whitelock can they move out to Centre. He is fast and can throw a dummy too.

Jack Goodhue can then sit on the bench and focus on his mullet-growing.

@Salacious-Crumb said in Better people make Better All Blacks...or do they?:

ABs could swap out the black jersey for a rainbow; the fern for a pink triangle; the haka for twerking; and academia and media would still be upset that trans-genders are under-represented. Extreme...? You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.

Yes, they crossed a line when they infiltrated Top Gear.

My wife just bought me the RWC jersey for Fathers Day. I now have to send back the 'black' training tee I bought a few days ago as I like the RWC jersey and am finally prepared to ditch my long-held belief that only All Blacks should wear an All Blacks jersey.

So I actually tried the paywall thinking there might be something decent in the premium section (which was foolish of me to think NZH produces anything decent). Turns out most of the premium content was New York Times articles which are free to read on the NYT website. Cancelled and thankfully they didn't try to ping me with a 12-month exit clause fee.

Mauger was awesome in 2002 and 2003, looked like he’d be a great, then he hit a wall and essentially got surpassed by Lucky.

Not sure why Ma’a’s career at the top is being shortened - he was our top 12 from 2008 - 2015. BFA doesn’t get ranked down because he took a relatively long time to become BFA.

@booboo said in AB's v Wales:

@pakman said in AB's v Wales:

@stargazer It seems Read is suffering from sciatica. With luck, rest and right exercises will ease disc back into place: fingers crossed!

Sciatica killed my "career". Took 18 months 2 steroid injections and lots of physio to get right.

Prolapsed disc L5S1. Caused by dopey fucking prop who wouldn't bend down properly, exacerbated by trying to deadlift too much.

No doubt knowledge and treatment has improved in 20 years. But it wasn't straightforward.

How much is "too much"?

Speaking of deadlifting, Justin Tipuric must have the least impressive physique of any international rugby player.

@Victor-Meldrew said in Things that annoy you about rugby...:

@sparky

I have to disagree. Thought both the 6Ns and SR so far have been a really big improvement on recent years - fewer hold ups, less pissing around at the scrums and rucks and some real ambition on attack.

The handling of cards in SR seems to be a big step forward and just hope it gets rolled out globally.

because of various commitments i have actually been able to watch many whole games....but what i have seen...i agree, things seem faster

@bones said in AB Test Team v France.:

Maybe SBW is mistaken and Gardiner said he's sorry about the card, but that thems the rules.

Thats what i thought , he probably said something along the lines of sorry to have to do that to you mate , but didnt mention it was the wrong decision ,

SBW jumps to the wrong conclusion ,

later , Gardiner is probably reading it in the media , and thinking you fucking dickhead , I didnt say that .

@disgusted-of-tw said in Future All Black coaches...:

@crucial D'oh, I forgot him. Maybe I should have excluded the West Island from the question - what about an NH coach, then?

Considering that NH teams are grabbing SH coaches in order to get away from stodgy rugby it is unlikely that we would go the other way.
Perhaps a set piece coach once Cron retires?

@mikedogz

Have made a video, thanks for the spot ☺🙌

Right now playing NH sides, I feel like they are always close to stealing our ball at the breakdown, where as we never seem to be in an ideal position to do so. Ireland to me seem to be the best at competing at the breakdown right now.
I've also noticed this year the NH sides are much better at exploiting poor body position of the ball carrier, and attempting to hold the player up.

@ACT-Crusader said in AB's v Samoa:

Precedent? Haha, are you kidding? You only have to look back to 05 and 93 and see a number of players that made the team that were past it, out of form or what some would say were coaches favourite.

So there will be no precedent with Savea.

Yeah, that 2005 team was shit. Full of complete no-names and has-beens.

@Tim said in BIL & AB teams for Test #1 (AKA - who's impressing you at the moment?):

I hope that Cruden doesn't get on the field. Our play really deteriorated last year when he came on at 1st 5 and Barrett moved to the back.

I agree with that.

On form, it's probably fair enough to bring him in as 15 cover, but please, please, no time at 10.

@Rocky-Rockbottom said

speaking of 2019, I see the Official Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup website's already up:

Home

thanks! very amusing site

We played Fiji on Friday 10 June 2005 prior to the Lions series starting on Saturday 25 June. I agree a decent game together beforehand for the ABs (not just a "game of three halves") is a must.

However, in 2005 the Lions played provincial sides plus the Maori. In 2017 they play mostly SR sides. The first test is June 24 and they play the Blues on Jun 7, Crusaders on Jun 10 and Highlanders on Jun 13. I think we were assured that ABs test players will play in their SR sides in the leadup to the first test (not sure if this means core ABs or just fringe ABs - and injury concerns will scupper these plans quick smart).

I'm pretty sure that means the Blues and Crusaders (at least) will have their ABs. This means that ABs preview game would have to be the week before the first test (while the Lions play the Maori).

Meanwhile, New Zealand Rugby has announced a naming rights sponsorship deal for the All Blacks tour, with leading American private equity firm Vista Equity Partners coming on board for what will be known as the Vista 2016 All Blacks Northern Tour.

Vista, which has offices in Austin, Chicago and San Francisco, and over $26 billion in cumulative capital commitments, currently invests in software, data and technology-based organisations led by world-class management teams with long-term perspective.

“We are delighted to partner with Vista on the All Blacks' end of year tour,” said New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew. “Vista is a successful and innovative company that prides itself on investing in winning teams and fostering a culture of excellence. Vista and the All Blacks both have a legacy of sustained success, and we look forward to working with them on the upcoming tour.”

“Vista is excited to partner with an organisation that shares in its commitment to excellence,” said Brian Sheth, Vista's President and Co-Founder. “Working with the All Blacks is a natural partnership for Vista, and we look forward to supporting the team on their Northern Tour.”