The Rugby Championship

[Grandpa]

Is Ryan a selector too? Or just Foster and Schmidt?

[Guy Smiley]

Is Ryan a selector too? Or just Foster and Schmidt?

I don't know how their selection process works now. It'll be interesting to see what direction selections head in now though, after Foster told us a brand new dawn was coming with other, younger players coming into consideration. Perhaps Schmidt has told him to select Perofeta and Cullen Grace?

[Grandpa]

Yep... Schmidt made sure!

[Kiwias]

I do not enjoy seeing any player injured but am happy to see Mo'unga starting and look forward to Perofeta's debut.

[Gumboot]

Really looking forward to Perofeta making his debut.

[Guy Smiley]

I didn't watch their whole season but I thought the Blues functioned better with Perofeta at 10 this year.

I'm sure Schmidt took note of that....

[Gumboot]

Sotutu misses the match day squad yet again. They haven't picked him for a single game this year.

[Dan54]

Well pretty much as expected, same team, apsrt from injury to BB. That is a very rare thing these days, same 15 named in consecutive tests. Generally through injury I know, but I struggling to remember last time for a tier1 team it's happened.

[Guy Smiley]

Schmidt’s Ireland teams were very consistent as well… yet another sign that he’s running things his way Dan.

[Gumboot]

Schmidt’s Ireland teams were very consistent as well… yet another sign that he’s running things his way Dan.

So if we get rolled this weekend, is it on Schmidt, or Foster?

[Dan54]

Is Ryan a selector too? Or just Foster and Schmidt?

Pretty sure Ryan is a selector, think I read it somewhere. Would really need the forwards coach to have a pretty big say wouldn't you?

[Kiwias]

Sotutu misses the match day squad yet again. They haven't picked him for a single game this year.

Same for Fakatava

[Dan54]

What world do I live in?

I live in a world where stills from old movies are used to illustrate mild satire, Dan.

Fair enough mate.

[Dan54]

Schmidt’s Ireland teams were very consistent as well… yet another sign that he’s running things his way Dan.

[Dan54]

Schmidt’s Ireland teams were very consistent as well… yet another sign that he’s running things his way Dan.

So if we get rolled this weekend, is it on Schmidt, or Foster?

Easy answer that for Guy, any wins are Schmidts, and losses Foster's hell man it easy, you just read posts.

[Guy Smiley]

Schmidt’s Ireland teams were very consistent as well… yet another sign that he’s running things his way Dan.

So if we get rolled this weekend, is it on Schmidt, or Foster?

Easy answer that for Guy, any wins are Schmidts, and losses Foster's hell man it easy, you just read posts.

It's more complex than that...

everything is down to Fozzie as he is the head coach. He is being credited with adding Schmidt and Ryan along with some sort of inspired genius which achieved the win last time out, despite his 2 1/2 years of unconvincing results before that. The sudden change in style immediately after adding those two to the coaching ranks just adds to the Lustre of Foz, of course...

personally, I reckon he had change forced upon him by NZR who are pretty keen to cover their tracks in contributing to the unholy mess we got into and that Fozzie's habits in coaching and selecting will get the better of him sooner or later regardless of the input from Ryan and Schmidt. For now, thnngs have taken a turn for the better and that's great, but we should still be prepared for hiccups and frustration. Things like this don't just change overnight.

[Dan54]

So if we get rolled this weekend, is it on Schmidt, or Foster?

Easy answer that for Guy, any wins are Schmidts, and losses Foster's hell man it easy, you just read posts.

It's more complex than that...

everything is down to Fozzie as he is the head coach. He is being credited with adding Schmidt and Ryan along with some sort of inspired genius which achieved the win last time out, despite his 2 1/2 years of unconvincing results before that. The sudden change in style immediately after adding those two to the coaching ranks just adds to the Lustre of Foz, of course...

personally, I reckon he had change forced upon him by NZR who are pretty keen to cover their tracks in contributing to the unholy mess we got into and that Fozzie's habits in coaching and selecting will get the better of him sooner or later regardless of the input from Ryan and Schmidt. For now, thnngs have taken a turn for the better and that's great, but we should still be prepared for hiccups and frustration. Things like this don't just change overnight.

You do know he triesd to get Schmidt as did NZR) from the very start don't you? He freely admits to of been working with him behind the scenes for last couple of years.
I will add answer was obviously tongue in cheek.

[Guy Smiley]

I don't believe much of what Foster says. His talk is full of catchwords like 'exciting', 'potential' and 'challenge'. I think he's just going through the motions of trying to keep a positive spin on a festering shitfight...

and it's only just over a year ago that he oversaw the extension of his assistant's contracts. Those same assistants he so brilliantly cut loose a couple of weeks ago in time to get them under a passing bus.

[Ymx]

It truly has been a circus. Robinson talking like he wanted Foster gone, until that press conference.

That joint interview was utter cringe.

It’s pretty clear Robinson wanted Foster removed, but his hand forced.

The fake niceness was something else.

[Dan54]

It truly has been a circus. Robinson talking like he wanted Foster gone, until that press conference.

That joint interview was utter cringe.

It’s pretty clear Robinson wanted Foster removed, but his hand forced.

The fake niceness was something else.

Only trouble it's not up to Robinson, it's up to board!

[Dan54]

I don't believe much of what Foster says. His talk is full of catchwords like 'exciting', 'potential' and 'challenge'. I think he's just going through the motions of trying to keep a positive spin on a festering shitfight...

Don't know if I believe him or not, but know NZR tried to get him when he finished with Ireland, or so Hansen said in his book before any of this stuff happened. I also do know that Foster and Schmidt are (and have been) good mates for a good while.
But regardless Schmidt is part of the coaching group and I quite happy about it.

[Dan54]

Anyway, on to stuff that's important, how long do we think Perofeta will get on Saturday? Assuming there is no injury to RMo or JB, would be good to see him come on 15 at least minutes to go.

[Ymx]

I’d say he will only be put on if the result is done and dusted or if Mo gets injured.

[Guy Smiley]

I’d say he will only be put on if the result is done and dusted or if Mo gets injured.

What if Jordie goose steps himself with a knee to the head in an attempt to field a high ball and has to go off?

[Guy Smiley]

[OomStruisbaai]

Wallabies – 15 Reece Hodge, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 David Porecki, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Pete Samu, 22 Tate McDermott, 23 Andrew Kellaway.

[OomStruisbaai]

Wallabies looks weak. Dunno a lot of them.

[average joe]

Toothless without the Oopers.

[Gumboot]

Sotutu misses the match day squad yet again. They haven't picked him for a single game this year.

Same for Fakatava

He only came off the bench twice against Ireland, but I hope we see a lot more of him this year.

[Chilli]

Wallabies looks weak. Dunno a lot of them.

07h30 kick off?
Too early for a few beers and a braai.

[boere wors]

07h30 kick off?
Too early for a few beers and a braai.

Yeah, just saw that as well. 1500h local... couldnt they have just started it 2h later, like every proper test match?!

[OomStruisbaai]

07h30 kick off?
Too early for a few beers and a braai.

Yeah, just saw that as well. 1500h local... couldnt they have just started it 2h later, like every proper test match?!

Can do a brunch on the fire after the rugby.

[_Os_]

Wallabies looks weak. Dunno a lot of them.

I don't recognise most of the names on their team sheet, as in I know nothing about them at all.

But the Boks have a terrible record in Australia. That's part the Wallabies being generally a good side of course. But it's also something else I think, my feeling is a lot of our guys get there and treat it as Durban on steroids then basically go on holiday and don't focus on the match.

I load in a 10 point Wallabies advantage for every Bok game in Australia. Fully expect to lose one to them.

[OomStruisbaai]

Lots of rugby, test followed by All Blacks vs Pumas and then Boere war between Boland Landbou vs Oakdale followed by u18 international tournament plus 7s Add test cricket and lots of sport.

[OomStruisbaai]

Wallabies looks weak. Dunno a lot of them.

I don't recognise most of the names on their team sheet, as in I know nothing about them at all.

But the Boks have a terrible record in Australia. That's part the Wallabies being generally a good side of course. But it's also something else I think, my feeling is a lot of our guys get there and treat it as Durban on steroids then basically go on holiday and don't focus on the match.

I load in a 10 point Wallabies advantage for every Bok game in Australia. Fully expect to lose one to them.

I will be disappointed if we lose this one. Why?

We are under dogs
We have an experience team.
We can make history.
We will be motivated.

I expect Gelant , Duanne , Dweba and Faf to play out of their skin.
Bokke by 15+

[_Os_]

I will be disappointed if we lose this one. Why?

We are under dogs
We have an experience team.
We can make history.
We will be motivated.

I expect Gelant , Duanne , Dweba and Faf to play out of their skin.
Bokke by 15+

Underdogs = No
Experienced team = Yes
Make History = ? The Boks have won there before
Motivated = They often go to sleep when they get to Australia


Dweba just needs to do the basics and not concede dumb penalties to upgrade his performances. If he comes out with his eyeballs popping out of their sockets it's probably not a good sign.

[OomStruisbaai]

This will be the first time we play in Adelaide.

[Gumboot]

This will be the first time we play in Adelaide.

Is this the first time a test's been played there?

[OomStruisbaai]

This will be the first time we play in Adelaide.

Is this the first time a test's been played there?

Dunno Boet

Hannes Marais Springboks played there in 1971 against Southern Australia.

[_Os_]

This will be the first time we play in Adelaide.

I'm not sure "guys we've never played in Adelaide before" is going to bring out the gees.