Super Rugby Pacific 2023

[Gumboot]

Posted this in the other place, but it still stands...

I'd dump:

Christie for Weber
Tuungafasi for Moody
Laulala (he has no feeling in his hands FFS) for anyone
Frizell for Flanders
Clarke for Stevenson
McLeod for Goodhue
Ennor for Proctor

I feel for Sotutu not making the back-up squad. he was on fire at the start and middle of the season and just looks burnt out.

McLeod looks like Scott Hamilton to me. A good decent Super player, but that's it.

Yep, he's almost comically clumsy at times.

[Grandpa]

Posted this in the other place, but it still stands...

I'd dump:

Christie for Weber
Tuungafasi for Moody
Laulala (he has no feeling in his hands FFS) for anyone
Frizell for Flanders
Clarke for Stevenson
McLeod for Goodhue
Ennor for Proctor

I feel for Sotutu not making the back-up squad. he was on fire at the start and middle of the season and just looks burnt out.

McLeod looks like Scott Hamilton to me. A good decent Super player, but that's it.

Yep, he's almost comically clumsy at times.

I have it on good authority from people who have seen him play live that McLeod is actually very good... and a future All Black 12 or 13... so maybe keep him...

[Kiwias]

A quick look at the forecast suggests it will be raining heavily on Saturday evening/night.

[Guy Smiley]

A quick look at the forecast suggests it will be raining heavily on Saturday evening/night.

Then the Chiefs will look to pin the Saders down deep in their own half with that long kicking game from DMac and Stevenson. It'll be interesting to see what sort of plan Razor and co come up with to counter the Chiefs' favoured style.

[Kiwias]

Just watched the Breakdown and almost threw up in my mouth when Jeff Wilson, discussing Stevenson, said that he reckons he is a genuine fullback but faces a situation in which BB, DMac, JB, and Jordan are ahead of him in the race for the AB 15 jersey.

Is that genuinely how he sees the order of AB fullbacks?

[Guy Smiley]

Just watched the Breakdown and almost threw up in my mouth when Jeff Wilson, discussing Stevenson, said that he reckons he is a genuine fullback but faces a situation in which BB, DMac, JB, and Jordan are ahead of him in the race for the AB 15 jersey.

Is that genuinely how he sees the order of AB fullbacks?

Jeff Wilson is an employee of NZR, isn't he? Like the rest of the Sky talking heads, he's there to market the message, support the product, toe the line and / or pump the propaganda tyres. What he says will be lapped up by people who aren't really watching rugby because they're busy 'supporting the team'... but most of it is bullshit.

Sumo was pretty blunt about this last year, from his position outside the Zone of Compromise.

[Kiwias]

Just watched the Breakdown and almost threw up in my mouth when Jeff Wilson, discussing Stevenson, said that he reckons he is a genuine fullback but faces a situation in which BB, DMac, JB, and Jordan are ahead of him in the race for the AB 15 jersey.

Is that genuinely how he sees the order of AB fullbacks?

Jeff Wilson is an employee of NZR, isn't he? Like the rest of the Sky talking heads, he's there to market the message, support the product, toe the line and / or pump the propaganda tyres. What he says will be lapped up by people who aren't really watching rugby because they're busy 'supporting the team'... but most of it is bullshit.

Sumo was pretty blunt about this last year, from his position outside the Zone of Compromise.

It lessens the value of The Breakdown to the point at which it is not worth watching.

Separate point: here is a list of current players who were in the 2017 title-winning side in Razor's first year in charge:

Joe Moody
Codie Taylor
Sam Whitelock
Scott Barrett
Mitch Drummond
RIchie Mo'unga
David Havili
Jack Goodhue

Only Moody and Havili will not be playing on Saturday (fingers crossed for Big Sam).

[Dan54]

Just watched the Breakdown and almost threw up in my mouth when Jeff Wilson, discussing Stevenson, said that he reckons he is a genuine fullback but faces a situation in which BB, DMac, JB, and Jordan are ahead of him in the race for the AB 15 jersey.

Is that genuinely how he sees the order of AB fullbacks?

Jeff Wilson is an employee of NZR, isn't he? Like the rest of the Sky talking heads, he's there to market the message, support the product, toe the line and / or pump the propaganda tyres. What he says will be lapped up by people who aren't really watching rugby because they're busy 'supporting the team'... but most of it is bullshit.

Sumo was pretty blunt about this last year, from his position outside the Zone of Compromise.

No he's not an employee of NZRU. Haha, and even Sumo who I like got all anti everyone on sky etc when he chose the wrong lot to go with when Spark won TV rights for WC, were going to set up this rugby thing and never worked, so Sumo did cricket, and now Spark are gone not sure what he's doing. Pity I enjoyed his commentary too.

[Guy Smiley]

Well, NZR own a large chunk of Sky and anyone employed by SkyNZ is therefore employed by NZR as majority shareholder… especially with regard to rugby coverage.

[Dan54]

Just watched the Breakdown and almost threw up in my mouth when Jeff Wilson, discussing Stevenson, said that he reckons he is a genuine fullback but faces a situation in which BB, DMac, JB, and Jordan are ahead of him in the race for the AB 15 jersey.

Is that genuinely how he sees the order of AB fullbacks?

Jeff Wilson is an employee of NZR, isn't he? Like the rest of the Sky talking heads, he's there to market the message, support the product, toe the line and / or pump the propaganda tyres. What he says will be lapped up by people who aren't really watching rugby because they're busy 'supporting the team'... but most of it is bullshit.

Sumo was pretty blunt about this last year, from his position outside the Zone of Compromise.

No he's not an employee of NZRU. Haha, and even Sumo who I like got all anti everyone on sky etc when he chose the wrong lot to go with when Spark won TV rights for WC, were going to set up this rugby thing and never worked, so Sumo did cricket, and now Spark are gone not sure what he's doing. Pity I enjoyed his commentary too. Hell I never get too upset at what anyone on panels have as opinions, they just that, but didn't he say Stevenson was facing the situation where the others were already in squad who can/have played FB at for Abs, don't recall him saying they better than him. Not that it worries me, as I said his opinion is worth no more than ours. I will say he would of seen them all play more than us , as he actually get's to be at games (lucky bugger)

[Guy Smiley]

Read Kiwias’ post again…

Among the names he suggests are ahead of Stevenson as FB only Jordan plays in that position.

That’s just sadly funny.

What it does is magnify the complacent old boys mentality that rules in NZ rugby. A top flight sporting organisation would ideally be challenging itself to be the best. The whole AB marketing bullshit revolves around that theme. Instead, what we are looking at is a cowardly refusal to look honestly at itself from everyone associated with spinning the company wheels.

BB and DMac are named as 10s alongside Mo’unga. Jordie is named in the midfield.

Suggesting those guys are rated as being better FB options than Stevenson, who has been in consistently excellent form all year, is laughable.

Sure… we could sit back here and airily wave our hand and say it doesn’t matter because we all have opinions. My preference is not to do that. I’d rather be blunt and rude about the bullshit we’re looking at.

[Kiwias]

Read Kiwias’ post again…

Among the names he suggests are ahead of Stevenson as FB only Jordan plays in that position.

That’s just sadly funny.

What it does is magnify the complacent old boys mentality that rules in NZ rugby. A top flight sporting organisation would ideally be challenging itself to be the best. The whole AB marketing bullshit revolves around that theme. Instead, what we are looking at is a cowardly refusal to look honestly at itself from everyone associated with spinning the company wheels.

BB and DMac are named as 10s alongside Mo’unga. Jordie is named in the midfield.

Suggesting those guys are rated as being better FB options than Stevenson, who has been in consistently excellent form all year, is laughable.

Sure… we could sit back here and airily wave our hand and say it doesn’t matter because we all have opinions. My preference is not to do that. I’d rather be blunt and rude about the bullshit we’re looking at.

Very much the point of my post. Wilson's comments were so fucking stupid, they made my brain hurt.

[Guy Smiley]

Reason nails it

give it a click and post your favourite part of the article. I could have copied the whole thing but you guys deserve some satisfaction.

[Gumboot]

Yes well, I've been banging on about Clarke's shithouse defence for years. The guy is a massive liability.

[Ymx]

You have.

Remind us, what was that anecdote about you again?

[Enzedder]

The lads will be booking their flights to Hamilton now.

Boxing practise this week to prepare for the niggle.

Nah, Sevu Reece is out.

[Ymx]

Found the selection thread after several attempts

viewtopic.php?t=2250&start=80

[Gumboot]

You have.

Remind us, what was that anecdote about you again?

Ha! I'd forgotten about that. Think it was just before the England test in November. I'd been bitching and moaning about Clarke all week as usual, when some random bloke at the local pool said that he had a nephew (cousin? can't remember tbh) in the ABs. When I asked him who, he proudly announced that it was Caleb Clarke! First time this guy had ever spoken to me. Spooky...

[Ymx]

You have.

Remind us, what was that anecdote about you again?

Ha! I'd forgotten about that. Think it was just before the England test in November. I'd been bitching and moaning about Clarke all week as usual, when some random bloke at the local pool said that he had a nephew (cousin? can't remember tbh) in the ABs. When I asked him who, he proudly announced that it was Caleb Clarke! First time this guy had ever spoken to me. Spooky...

That was the one. Could have gone so badly had you not found that out first and started a rant.

[Gumboot]

That was the one. Could have gone so badly had you not found that out first and started a rant.

Yep. But I graciously decided to let him have his moment...






(...he's a big unit.)

[Kiwias]

Reason nails it

give it a click and post your favourite part of the article. I could have copied the whole thing but you guys deserve some satisfaction.

Beauden Barrett refused to kick for territory and for the umpteenth time was outplayed by Richie Mo’unga who has become Barry John to his Phil Bennett.

[Grandpa]

Reason nails it

give it a click and post your favourite part of the article. I could have copied the whole thing but you guys deserve some satisfaction.

Beauden Barrett refused to kick for territory and for the umpteenth time was outplayed by Richie Mo’unga who has become Barry John to his Phil Bennett.

I didn't get that part... is he implying that Phil Bennett was poor?

[Ymx]

The players know what’s what. They know that this squad is riddled with favouritism. Foster said sadly: “There's still a couple [of players] I've left texts and messages and haven't heard back from, which hurts a bit.”

[Ymx]

Reason nails it

give it a click and post your favourite part of the article. I could have copied the whole thing but you guys deserve some satisfaction.

Beauden Barrett refused to kick for territory and for the umpteenth time was outplayed by Richie Mo’unga who has become Barry John to his Phil Bennett.

I didn't get that part... is he implying that Phil Bennett was poor?

Other way around, I think.

BB = Barry John
RM = Phil Bennett


Did Phil Bennet own Barry John?

[Kiwias]

Reason nails it

give it a click and post your favourite part of the article. I could have copied the whole thing but you guys deserve some satisfaction.

Beauden Barrett refused to kick for territory and for the umpteenth time was outplayed by Richie Mo’unga who has become Barry John to his Phil Bennett.

I didn't get that part... is he implying that Phil Bennett was poor?

I reckon he meant that Phil Bennett may have been pretty good but he was never as good as Barry John, a view with which I fully agree.

[Guy Smiley]

I think he's saying that Ms Beaudene Barrett is a busted flush, an empty husk, has ceased to be a going concern...

is an ex parrot.


BB is shit.

[Grandpa]

I didn't get that part... is he implying that Phil Bennett was poor?

I reckon he meant that Phil Bennett may have been pretty good but he was never as good as Barry John, a view with which I fully agree.

I thought they were both pretty damn good... Barry John and Rob Andrew maybe?

[Grandpa]

I didn't get that part... is he implying that Phil Bennett was poor?

Other way around, I think.

BB = Barry John
RM = Phil Bennett


Did Phil Bennet own Barry John?

No one owned Barry John! He was the Dan Carter of his time.

[Sandstorm]

I didn't get that part... is he implying that Phil Bennett was poor?

Other way around, I think.

BB = Barry John
RM = Phil Bennett


Did Phil Bennet own Barry John?

No one owned Barry John! He was the Dan Carter of his time.

I think he meant that one hung on for too long and wasn't replaced wih the Young Gun soon enough.

Of course comparing BB and RMo to a couple of the greatest of all time is also a joke.

[Kiwias]

Big Sam in red and black one last time. Otherwise, unchanged from the semi.

[Kiwias]

And the opposition have a strong line-up too.

[Guy Smiley]

Big Sam in red and black one last time. Otherwise, unchanged from the semi.

looks strong

[Guy Smiley]

And the opposition have a strong line-up too.

looks weak

[Enzedder]

Big Sam in red and black one last time. Otherwise, unchanged from the semi.

looks strong

Looks old

[Gumboot]

Fifteen minutes to kickoff. Fizzing. Go, Chiefs!

[Guy Smiley]

Fifteen minutes to kickoff. Fizzing. Go, Chiefs!

Workmate has just posted a pic from the stands…. As the crew finish. Hope it pisses down on him

[Kiwias]

Here we go!!!

[Ymx]

And we are off !

[Sandstorm]

1 hour in. Still 0-0?

[Kiwias]

Ten minutes in, no rain now, 0 - 0