Super Rugby Pacific 2023

[Guy Smiley]

Joey. Fucksake, shut up.

[Kiwias]

Fucking useless bureaucratic arseholes

Bloke in charge of our biggest project with the state government has arranged a work bee at one of our sites for 4pm tomorrow afternoon, five minutes before kickoff.

Wankers the bloody lot of them.

[Dan54]

Interesting to see how it all develops Guy. I know regardless I am tragic enough to know I will sign up as soon as anything comes on air anyway.

As soon as the Silver Lake deal was announced it was clear this would happen... broadcasters have had their day with more and more content moving to online streaming. Netflix and Spotify are the big names but there's a host of others and for a 'brand' like the ABs (NZR) its a logical way to control their product while maximising revenue.... without having to bend to the wishes of a broadcaster.

That last hasn't been a major issue in NZ because NZR bought into Sky... but as you and I know Dan, the Australian situation shows what can happen when your broadcast partner throws you down the pecking order of promotion. SkySport there neglected Rugby Union to the point of abuse and RA suffered as a result.


I think we'll see this new platform steadily develop from small beginnings so that by the time Sky's deal expires it will be a glitzy package that hopefully ticks all the right boxes.

Yep mate, and I will happily get on board and drop sky!!

[Guy Smiley]

5 minutes to go

[Gumboot]

Heart says Blues. Head says Saders.

Should be a cracker.

[Guy Smiley]

Barrett starting at 10 for the Blues. Steve Hansen in the paper today tipping him as a player quietly improving.

[Guy Smiley]

The pace of this early stanza

and that line from Jordan for Fai’inganuku

[Grandpa]

Blues playing with their usual composed head on. The second half comeback should be epic now that they have emotionally drained the saders...

[Guy Smiley]

Justin Marshall with the Birds Eye view… “let’s look at the picture the player is seeing”

You fucking idiot, Justin. You fucking idiot.

[Gumboot]

Dang.

[Grandpa]

Justin Marshall with the Birds Eye view… “let’s look at the picture the player is seeing”

You fucking idiot, Justin. You fucking idiot.

Virtual Reality headcams to get a drone's view... might explain the way the Blues are performing... too busy looking into the sky...

[ASMO]

Just started watching, Bloos getting a total bumming, thought they would be more competetive than this.

[Guy Smiley]

I wouldn’t have changed those two players out…

Perofeta for BB for me or Zarn into 10.

[Ymx]

What a glorious day

[Gumboot]

Yet another classic performance from the Crusaders. Respect.

[Flockwitt]

Well played Saders. Tough luck Blu.... nah. Well played Saders.

[Guy Smiley]

As the Oracle Justin mentioned late in the game, the nice thing about this Crusaders squad is the depth and the way players come in and perform. It's a Razor trademark.

[Sandstorm]

Well played Saders. Tough luck Blu.... nah. Well played Saders.

[Sandstorm]

As the Oracle Justin mentioned late in the game, the nice thing about this Crusaders squad is the depth and the way players come in and perform. It's a Razor trademark.

Same as back when McAwe was starting skipper. Hardly mensa-level commentary.

[Certain Navigator]

If the Idiot Te Nana calls another person 'coach' in my presence, my need for a new TV is going to arrive early. As Bill Bowerman famously said to Karl's long-dead US equivalent "Call me Bill or call me sir, but don't f..in call me coach!"

Brilliant performance by the mainly 2nd-string Crusaders though. Their unheralded loosies made the much-vaunted Blues trio look like pensioners (not for the first time). How many Blues could really be picked in an AB 23 after that? Not Barrett, not Young Ioane (at centre), not Old Ioane, not Sotutu, probably not Clarke or Papali'i. The only ones who didn't go spectacularly backwards were Tu'ungafasi and Lauala, while Telea gets credit for an otherwise outstanding season.

[Grandpa]

I'd still have Dalton as the All Black starting 7. Him and Telea... that's about it from the Blues side.

It does make me even more excited about what Razor can do with the All Blacks over the next 4 years...

[Kiwias]

Back from the site and just finished watching the full replay.

First half was the best 40mins we have played all season, a joy to watch for the speed, accuracy, ruthlessness, and efficiency. Much like the final last year, not giving the Blues any space or time.

S Barrett was huge, as was Taylor, Williams, Lio-Willie, Christie, Richie, Goodhue,.... bloody well everyone really.

[Kiwias]

I'd still have Dalton as the All Black starting 7. Him and Telea... that's about it from the Blues side.

It does make me even more excited about what Razor can do with the All Blacks over the next 4 years...

Has Fitzie been giving Dalton some special one-on-one coaching? it certainly fucking looked like it tonight with him seagulling like the old master. He is far too good at the breakdown and is wasted out wide like that.

[Grandpa]

I'd still have Dalton as the All Black starting 7. Him and Telea... that's about it from the Blues side.

It does make me even more excited about what Razor can do with the All Blacks over the next 4 years...

Has Fitzie been giving Dalton some special one-on-one coaching? it certainly fucking looked like it tonight with him seagulling like the old master. He is far too good at the breakdown and is wasted out wide like that.

To be fair it didn't look like anyone in the Blues side had received any coaching all week!

[Kiwias]

I'd still have Dalton as the All Black starting 7. Him and Telea... that's about it from the Blues side.

It does make me even more excited about what Razor can do with the All Blacks over the next 4 years...

Has Fitzie been giving Dalton some special one-on-one coaching? it certainly fucking looked like it tonight with him seagulling like the old master. He is far too good at the breakdown and is wasted out wide like that.

To be fair it didn't look like anyone in the Blues side had received any coaching all week!

Rangi's way of saying thanks to Razor for getting him the ABs job?

[Grandpa]

Has Fitzie been giving Dalton some special one-on-one coaching? it certainly fucking looked like it tonight with him seagulling like the old master. He is far too good at the breakdown and is wasted out wide like that.

To be fair it didn't look like anyone in the Blues side had received any coaching all week!

Rangi's way of saying thanks to Razor for getting him the ABs job?

You do have to wonder what Razor sees in Holland and Rangi? Maybe good lieutenants.. rather than good head coaches...

[Guy Smiley]

As the Oracle Justin mentioned late in the game, the nice thing about this Crusaders squad is the depth and the way players come in and perform. It's a Razor trademark.

Same as back when McAwe was starting skipper. Hardly mensa-level commentary.

While the Crusaders refused to make excuses ahead of the match, they were without 12 injured players, including a whopping eight All Blacks, at least making them appear vulnerable on paper.

[Enzedder]

Last night was proof that the Dad's Army Sadists side are not as good as the up-and-comers.

Weather for tonights game to find their next victims - shite has arrived

https://www.metservice.com/maps-radar/r ... =real-time

[Guy Smiley]

Last night was proof that the Dad's Army Sadists side are not as good as the up-and-comers.

wow

[Kiwias]

If the Idiot Te Nana calls another person 'coach' in my presence, my need for a new TV is going to arrive early. As Bill Bowerman famously said to Karl's long-dead US equivalent "Call me Bill or call me sir, but don't f..in call me coach!"

Brilliant performance by the mainly 2nd-string Crusaders though. Their unheralded loosies made the much-vaunted Blues trio look like pensioners (not for the first time). How many Blues could really be picked in an AB 23 after that? Not Barrett, not Young Ioane (at centre), not Old Ioane, not Sotutu, probably not Clarke or Papali'i. The only ones who didn't go spectacularly backwards were Tu'ungafasi and Lauala, while Telea gets credit for an otherwise outstanding season.

Tackle stats for the two backrows are stunning
Havili-Talitui. 18 tackles, 1 missed
Christie. 20, 2 misses
Lio-Willie. 16, 3 missed

Ioane. 14, 0 missed
Papali'i 9, 1 missed
Sotutu. 5, 0 missed

[Gumboot]

One thing's for damn sure, if Beauden Barrett makes the 36-man ABs squad tomorrow it will be solely on reputation. I don't see how Hansen thinks he's "coming right" - his Supe form has been shite this year, and last night he was shockingly inept.

[Kiwias]

One thing's for damn sure, if Beauden Barrett makes the 36-man ABs squad tomorrow it will be solely on reputation. I don't see how Hansen thinks he's "coming right" - his Supe form has been shite this year, and last night he was shockingly inept.

It would be a brave man who bet against him being in the squad and I fully expect him to be named at 15 in the first test.

[Gumboot]

Time to move on from Laulala, too. And Clarke of course.

The only Blues players I think deserve to make the cut are Telea, Rieko, Papalii, Ofa and Christie (but it wouldn't be a surprise if the latter also misses out).

[Gumboot]

One thing's for damn sure, if Beauden Barrett makes the 36-man ABs squad tomorrow it will be solely on reputation. I don't see how Hansen thinks he's "coming right" - his Supe form has been shite this year, and last night he was shockingly inept.

It would be a brave man who bet against him being in the squad and I fully expect him to be named at 15 in the first test.

Likewise, unfortunately.

[Dan54]

Noone is going to be picked on last night's game, it's guaranteed already written down.

[Enzedder]

Bugger - clouds have come back and its pissing down here

[Gumboot]

Go, Chiefs!

[Guy Smiley]

Just got home in the rain from Katikati to stream the game and option 4 is...

the Ashes...? WTF

sorted now for kick off. Phew.

[Ymx]

Brumbies actually look up for this

[Biffer]

Fella is lucky he’s going off for an HIA and not a yellow card for the high tackle.