Team for Sunday mornings match against Munster (6.30am kickoff)
All Blacks XV v Munster, 2 November 5.30PM (GMT) / 3 November 6.30AM (NZDT), Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland
All Blacks XV match-day 23:
1. George Bower* (Crusaders / Otago)
2. Brodie McAlister (Crusaders / Canterbury)
3. George Dyer (Chiefs / Waikato)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay)
5. Fabian Holland (Highlanders / Otago)
6. Oliver Haig (Highlanders / Otago)
7. Du'Plessis Kirifi - Captain (Hurricanes / Wellington)
8. Devan Flanders (Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay)
9. Finlay Christie* (Blues / Tasman)
10. Harry Plummer - Vice-Captain* (Blues / Auckland)
11. Kini Naholo (Hurricanes / Taranaki)
12. Quinn Tupaea* (Chiefs / Waikato)
13. AJ Lam (Blues / Auckland)
14. Chay Fihaki (Crusaders / Canterbury)
15. Shaun Stevenson* (Chiefs / North Harbour)
16. Bradley Slater (Chiefs / Taranaki)
17. Xavier Numia (Hurricanes / Wellington)
18. Marcel Renata (Blues / Auckland)
19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
20. Corey Kellow (Crusaders / Canterbury)
21. Noah Hotham* (Crusaders / Tasman)
22. Josh Jacomb (Chiefs / Taranaki)
23. Ruben Love* (Hurricanes / Wellington)
2024 All Blacks
15. Will Jordan: Mixed display at the back, with some good takes (and one drop) under pressure, the scoring of a superb try cutting back on the inside, but also guilty of forcing things, notably an ill-advised offload on own 22. 6
14. Mark Tele’a: First start on right wing since 2022 debut year and has now made the jersey his own again, with two fabulous finishes down the touchline, the second coming in the 76th minute to level the scores (having been subbed not long earlier but been required to go again). 8
13. Rieko Ioane: Another largely quiet outing (just 15 metres from seven carries), where he was also off for a bloodied hand in the 17th minute. Lost ball through the line as he looked to offload, then didn’t fling pass with numbers to burn late-on. 4
12. Jordie Barrett: Back from knee injury sustained in Sydney. Gave away penalty for game’s first points for what became one of many early tackles by the men in black. One break from deep with nothing on and strongly held up Freeman over the line. 6
11. Caleb Clarke: No ball his way in first half, and the one time there was there was an awful kick out on full (under penalty advantage). Into the action in the second stanza, though best run to set up Beauden Barrett try was undone by deliberate knock-on, with a forward pass (under advantage) to follow later. 5
10. Beauden Barrett: Picked for that educated boot and, after having his first kick charged, it got on-point, with nice variation, before a couple of poor ones (one dead and one grubber into legs) later. Linked nicely to put Jordan away for his try, and pace is still there, saving the day on an England breakout. Kicked 2/2 off the tee. Forced off in final quarter. 6
9. Cortez Ratima: Lacked the punch and class he’s previously showcased, with a kick out on the full and the lousy pass that was picked off by Smith for England’s only try. Won a ruck penalty over the ball later, but may have surrendered his starting spot. 4
8. Ardie Savea: Got back to some of his trademark big leg-drive ball carries and even chucked in a chip kick off a lineout play. Made just four tackles. 7
7. Sam Cane: Toiled away in a slog against the big men in white and did well to tidy some messy ball around the breakdown. Another off-the-ball tackle culprit, while won a ruck penalty with side under pressure. 7
6. Wallace Sititi: Copy and paste every outing for the rookie, it seems, thanks to yet another massive display. Ran with absolute vigour in racking up game-high numbers for metres (80) and linebreaks (three), while also throwing game-equal-high four offloads, including super one for game’s opening try as he sucked in two players. Also logged nine tackles without a miss. 9
5. Tupou Vaa’i: Nowhere near the steely impact he’d shown earlier in the year. In fact, made precisely zero metres and zero tackles, while also enduring a couple of drops (one in a big Cunningham-South tackle, the other from a slightly wayward Sititi pass). Dragged a minute into second half. 3
4. Scott Barrett: Got stuck into the thick of the tight stuff, leading the team tackle count with 16 (for just one miss), while also managed a kick charge-down and some fine maul defence with team under pressure in third quarter. Got through stern test of captaincy with some big decisions in high-pressure moments. 7
3. Tyrel Lomax: Mostly solid scrum platform, though a couple of shakes, pinged for one which resulted in three points, and free-kicked for another, but got around the ground well and showed some nice ball-in-hand touches. 6
2. Codie Taylor: Off after just five minutes with a head injury, in what could potentially have huge ramifications next week. N/R
1. Tamaiti Williams: Big job after de Groot’s indiscretion left him unavailable, and largely held his own against Will Stuart apart from being pinged for one collapse. Logged nine tackles. 6
RESERVES
16. Asafo Aumua (Taylor, 5min): An unexpected extended 75-minute appearance. Lineout throwing initially on-point but then endured the second-half shakes. Busy with 13 tackles, including some powerful ones. 6
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Williams, 64min): Might just have been the man for the occasion in this set-piece-type affair, winning big scrum penalty against Cole and again standing strong in last shunt. 7
18. Pasilio Tosi (Lomax, 64min): Provided some punch and power for final stages, and also managed a key scrum penalty win. 7
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Vaa’i, 42min): Immediate impact on arrival with big presence at front of lineout and heavy charges. Able to breathe sigh of relief after knocking on soon after catching Ford’s post-hitting late penalty. 7
20. Samipeni Finau (Cane, 77min): N/A
21. Cam Roigard (Ratima, 60min): Upped the tempo in his stint and looked to snipe. Unable to latch onto tricky Aumua offload inside England’s 22, but put good pressure on Ford’s missed last-ditch drop-goal attempt. 6
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (J Barrett, 17min & 65min): On for initial 10-minute burst with Ioane in blood bin, then back later and also made to breathe big sigh of relief after 78th-minute yellow card (initially for off-the-ball tackle, then instead for head-on-head collision with Dan). 2
23. Damian McKenzie (Tele’a, 60min): Injected at fullback for final quarter but then went to first-five with Beauden Barrett’s withdrawal. Kicked 2/2 off the tee including sublime late sideline conversion which proved to be the match-winner. 7
- Stuff
14. Mark Tele’a: First start on right wing since 2022 debut year and has now made the jersey his own again, with two fabulous finishes down the touchline, the second coming in the 76th minute to level the scores (having been subbed not long earlier but been required to go again). 8
13. Rieko Ioane: Another largely quiet outing (just 15 metres from seven carries), where he was also off for a bloodied hand in the 17th minute. Lost ball through the line as he looked to offload, then didn’t fling pass with numbers to burn late-on. 4
12. Jordie Barrett: Back from knee injury sustained in Sydney. Gave away penalty for game’s first points for what became one of many early tackles by the men in black. One break from deep with nothing on and strongly held up Freeman over the line. 6
11. Caleb Clarke: No ball his way in first half, and the one time there was there was an awful kick out on full (under penalty advantage). Into the action in the second stanza, though best run to set up Beauden Barrett try was undone by deliberate knock-on, with a forward pass (under advantage) to follow later. 5
10. Beauden Barrett: Picked for that educated boot and, after having his first kick charged, it got on-point, with nice variation, before a couple of poor ones (one dead and one grubber into legs) later. Linked nicely to put Jordan away for his try, and pace is still there, saving the day on an England breakout. Kicked 2/2 off the tee. Forced off in final quarter. 6
9. Cortez Ratima: Lacked the punch and class he’s previously showcased, with a kick out on the full and the lousy pass that was picked off by Smith for England’s only try. Won a ruck penalty over the ball later, but may have surrendered his starting spot. 4
8. Ardie Savea: Got back to some of his trademark big leg-drive ball carries and even chucked in a chip kick off a lineout play. Made just four tackles. 7
7. Sam Cane: Toiled away in a slog against the big men in white and did well to tidy some messy ball around the breakdown. Another off-the-ball tackle culprit, while won a ruck penalty with side under pressure. 7
6. Wallace Sititi: Copy and paste every outing for the rookie, it seems, thanks to yet another massive display. Ran with absolute vigour in racking up game-high numbers for metres (80) and linebreaks (three), while also throwing game-equal-high four offloads, including super one for game’s opening try as he sucked in two players. Also logged nine tackles without a miss. 9
5. Tupou Vaa’i: Nowhere near the steely impact he’d shown earlier in the year. In fact, made precisely zero metres and zero tackles, while also enduring a couple of drops (one in a big Cunningham-South tackle, the other from a slightly wayward Sititi pass). Dragged a minute into second half. 3
4. Scott Barrett: Got stuck into the thick of the tight stuff, leading the team tackle count with 16 (for just one miss), while also managed a kick charge-down and some fine maul defence with team under pressure in third quarter. Got through stern test of captaincy with some big decisions in high-pressure moments. 7
3. Tyrel Lomax: Mostly solid scrum platform, though a couple of shakes, pinged for one which resulted in three points, and free-kicked for another, but got around the ground well and showed some nice ball-in-hand touches. 6
2. Codie Taylor: Off after just five minutes with a head injury, in what could potentially have huge ramifications next week. N/R
1. Tamaiti Williams: Big job after de Groot’s indiscretion left him unavailable, and largely held his own against Will Stuart apart from being pinged for one collapse. Logged nine tackles. 6
RESERVES
16. Asafo Aumua (Taylor, 5min): An unexpected extended 75-minute appearance. Lineout throwing initially on-point but then endured the second-half shakes. Busy with 13 tackles, including some powerful ones. 6
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Williams, 64min): Might just have been the man for the occasion in this set-piece-type affair, winning big scrum penalty against Cole and again standing strong in last shunt. 7
18. Pasilio Tosi (Lomax, 64min): Provided some punch and power for final stages, and also managed a key scrum penalty win. 7
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Vaa’i, 42min): Immediate impact on arrival with big presence at front of lineout and heavy charges. Able to breathe sigh of relief after knocking on soon after catching Ford’s post-hitting late penalty. 7
20. Samipeni Finau (Cane, 77min): N/A
21. Cam Roigard (Ratima, 60min): Upped the tempo in his stint and looked to snipe. Unable to latch onto tricky Aumua offload inside England’s 22, but put good pressure on Ford’s missed last-ditch drop-goal attempt. 6
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (J Barrett, 17min & 65min): On for initial 10-minute burst with Ioane in blood bin, then back later and also made to breathe big sigh of relief after 78th-minute yellow card (initially for off-the-ball tackle, then instead for head-on-head collision with Dan). 2
23. Damian McKenzie (Tele’a, 60min): Injected at fullback for final quarter but then went to first-five with Beauden Barrett’s withdrawal. Kicked 2/2 off the tee including sublime late sideline conversion which proved to be the match-winner. 7
- Stuff
I drink and I forget things.
Early in the season, we were bemoaning our inability to score in the fourth quarter or to close out tight matches. Last night's win showed a massive improvement, something we should be happy to see. It was not a pretty test but we now have two good young halfbacks who will serve us well for the next few years, very good threequarters, and a powerful forward pack with plenty of young players.
I must admit to being impressed with P Tuipulotu, thinking he had his best performance in the black jersey -- until he spilt the ball under our posts right at the end. He was chucking English bodies with gay abandon and pulverising the ball carrier on many occasions.
Another positive we can take from this was a significant impact from some of our bench players, something we had missed in earlier matches.
I must admit to being impressed with P Tuipulotu, thinking he had his best performance in the black jersey -- until he spilt the ball under our posts right at the end. He was chucking English bodies with gay abandon and pulverising the ball carrier on many occasions.
Another positive we can take from this was a significant impact from some of our bench players, something we had missed in earlier matches.
Was very pleased to see the ABs finally close one out, but the discipline is showing no improvement. Some of the guys in the "B" team deserve a run.Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 12:47 am Early in the season, we were bemoaning our inability to score in the fourth quarter or to close out tight matches. Last night's win showed a massive improvement, something we should be happy to see. It was not a pretty test but we now have two good young halfbacks who will serve us well for the next few years, very good threequarters, and a powerful forward pack with plenty of young players.
I must admit to being impressed with P Tuipulotu, thinking he had his best performance in the black jersey -- until he spilt the ball under our posts right at the end. He was chucking English bodies with gay abandon and pulverising the ball carrier on many occasions.
Another positive we can take from this was a significant impact from some of our bench players, something we had missed in earlier matches.
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Guy Smiley
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- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:52 pm
Enzedder wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 7:10 pm 15. Will Jordan: Mixed display at the back, with some good takes (and one drop) under pressure, the scoring of a superb try cutting back on the inside, but also guilty of forcing things, notably an ill-advised offload on own 22. 6
23. Damian McKenzie (Tele’a, 60min): Injected at fullback for final quarter but then went to first-five with Beauden Barrett’s withdrawal. Kicked 2/2 off the tee including sublime late sideline conversion which proved to be the match-winner. 7
- Stuff
These clowns in NZ media.
Probably gave him 6 of the 7 for that final conversionGuy Smiley wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 6:46 amEnzedder wrote: ↑Sat Nov 02, 2024 7:10 pm 15. Will Jordan: Mixed display at the back, with some good takes (and one drop) under pressure, the scoring of a superb try cutting back on the inside, but also guilty of forcing things, notably an ill-advised offload on own 22. 6
23. Damian McKenzie (Tele’a, 60min): Injected at fullback for final quarter but then went to first-five with Beauden Barrett’s withdrawal. Kicked 2/2 off the tee including sublime late sideline conversion which proved to be the match-winner. 7
- Stuff
These clowns in NZ media.
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Guy Smiley
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- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:52 pm
I've seen reviews like that where someone comes on and plays a blinder for 15 minutes and gets a 3. Our media is full of sanctimonious lickspittles all pushing their favorites.
I think Plummer showed enough against Munster to get a bench spot for the ABs. Our two current 10s aren't good enough. I'd like to see Razor drop a bomb into that dynamic and start moving forwards with a wake up call.
I think Plummer showed enough against Munster to get a bench spot for the ABs. Our two current 10s aren't good enough. I'd like to see Razor drop a bomb into that dynamic and start moving forwards with a wake up call.
I've been calling for Plummer to get a run for a while nowGuy Smiley wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 7:19 am I've seen reviews like that where someone comes on and plays a blinder for 15 minutes and gets a 3. Our media is full of sanctimonious lickspittles all pushing their favorites.
I think Plummer showed enough against Munster to get a bench spot for the ABs. Our two current 10s aren't good enough. I'd like to see Razor drop a bomb into that dynamic and start moving forwards with a wake up call.
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Guy Smiley
- Posts: 5996
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:52 pm
I think there's a few of us... I understand the need for Razor to get runs on the board and how poor results would have a virtual lynch mob mentailty set against the team. I also appreciate that NZ rugby has its sacred cows and any suggestion that one of them could be past it or due for the chop...
but BB was shithouse last night. A few good moves as usual and that seems to be all he needs to offer up for sentiment to swing right behind him, but the silly little chip kicks to nowhere are boring now and he offers little else...
and DMac's performance against Japan was brutally honest in its revelation of his shortcomings.
It's time to start easing the next generation in.
Calling BB shithouse has become an almost traitorous act but I agree wholeheartedly. I would not mind if Razor got through the autumn series by juggling BB and DMac, even by using Tuipulotu occasionally, but still believe that this is their swansong and that we will not see any of them in black next year. Cane has made it easy by announcing he is off to Japan next year but he is actually still playing pretty well. He was an absolute pest last night at the breakdown, even if he did not win many turnovers.Guy Smiley wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 7:45 amI think there's a few of us... I understand the need for Razor to get runs on the board and how poor results would have a virtual lynch mob mentailty set against the team. I also appreciate that NZ rugby has its sacred cows and any suggestion that one of them could be past it or due for the chop...
but BB was shithouse last night. A few good moves as usual and that seems to be all he needs to offer up for sentiment to swing right behind him, but the silly little chip kicks to nowhere are boring now and he offers little else...
and DMac's performance against Japan was brutally honest in its revelation of his shortcomings.
It's time to start easing the next generation in.
Will Greenwood agrees wholeheartedly with you
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360473610 ... eorge-fordBeauden Barrett will not have a poorer game at fly-half
He did very well to make DMac look good.Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:30 amWill Greenwood agrees wholeheartedly with you
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360473610 ... eorge-fordBeauden Barrett will not have a poorer game at fly-half
I drink and I forget things.
It's funny.. a former England fly half said the opposite...Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:30 amWill Greenwood agrees wholeheartedly with you
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360473610 ... eorge-fordBeauden Barrett will not have a poorer game at fly-half
I'd like to see Plummer given a run as well....In the second half, Marcus Smith was comfortably the second-best fly half on show. Beauden Barrett rolled back the years in a first half of consummate control.
https://archive.ph/DS8cQ#selection-1537.0-1537.149
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Guy Smiley
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- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:52 pm
The logical move is to put Plummer on the bench. BB has a head knock, no egos bruised that way.
I said during the game that a couple of chip kicks landing in the right spot would have the BB fans lauding his excellence but those same fans don't seem to see the aimless chips to nowhere conceding possession or the shuffle sideways before delivering a hospital pass into contact (cast your mind back to that massive hit on Vaa'i).
MacKenzie is on a parallel track to BB of a few years back... still fast enough to dazzle with some bizarre piece of individual play but not a good game general. There were a few of us bemoaning this years ago on the old bored, I'm pretty sure Ted was one... the structure wasn't there in general play and under Hansen post Carter, the preference was for speed. That 4 years after 2015 sowed the seeds for the debacle after 2019 and we are still dealing with mopping up the slops now.
I said during the game that a couple of chip kicks landing in the right spot would have the BB fans lauding his excellence but those same fans don't seem to see the aimless chips to nowhere conceding possession or the shuffle sideways before delivering a hospital pass into contact (cast your mind back to that massive hit on Vaa'i).
MacKenzie is on a parallel track to BB of a few years back... still fast enough to dazzle with some bizarre piece of individual play but not a good game general. There were a few of us bemoaning this years ago on the old bored, I'm pretty sure Ted was one... the structure wasn't there in general play and under Hansen post Carter, the preference was for speed. That 4 years after 2015 sowed the seeds for the debacle after 2019 and we are still dealing with mopping up the slops now.
I knew it was Barnes even without opening the linkGrandpa wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:00 pmIt's funny.. a former England fly half said the opposite...Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:30 amWill Greenwood agrees wholeheartedly with you
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360473610 ... eorge-fordBeauden Barrett will not have a poorer game at fly-half
I'd like to see Plummer given a run as well....In the second half, Marcus Smith was comfortably the second-best fly half on show. Beauden Barrett rolled back the years in a first half of consummate control.
https://archive.ph/DS8cQ#selection-1537.0-1537.149
He's always loved Beaudan. Though to be fair, compared to DMac he does seem more Grant Fox-like...Kiwias wrote: ↑Mon Nov 04, 2024 6:55 amI knew it was Barnes even without opening the linkGrandpa wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:00 pmIt's funny.. a former England fly half said the opposite...Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:30 am
Will Greenwood agrees wholeheartedly with you
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360473610 ... eorge-ford
I'd like to see Plummer given a run as well....In the second half, Marcus Smith was comfortably the second-best fly half on show. Beauden Barrett rolled back the years in a first half of consummate control.
https://archive.ph/DS8cQ#selection-1537.0-1537.149
Would like to see the forwards making inroads closer to the ruck this week. And Plummer to get a decent run off the bench now BB is out.
I thought he might become a tighter player with experience... but if anything, he's become even looser with age...Guy Smiley wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 11:19 pm The logical move is to put Plummer on the bench. BB has a head knock, no egos bruised that way.
I said during the game that a couple of chip kicks landing in the right spot would have the BB fans lauding his excellence but those same fans don't seem to see the aimless chips to nowhere conceding possession or the shuffle sideways before delivering a hospital pass into contact (cast your mind back to that massive hit on Vaa'i).
MacKenzie is on a parallel track to BB of a few years back... still fast enough to dazzle with some bizarre piece of individual play but not a good game general. There were a few of us bemoaning this years ago on the old bored, I'm pretty sure Ted was one... the structure wasn't there in general play and under Hansen post Carter, the preference was for speed. That 4 years after 2015 sowed the seeds for the debacle after 2019 and we are still dealing with mopping up the slops now.
The All Blacks XV team has been named ahead of their second match of the Northern Tour against Georgia at GGL Stadium, Montpellier, France on Sunday 10 November, kick-off at 2PM CET (2AM, Monday 11 November NZDT).
All Blacks XV team named for clash against Georgia (Super Rugby Club / Province):
1. George Bower (Crusaders / Otago)
2. Kurt Eklund (Blues / Bay of Plenty)
3. Marcel Renata (Blues / Auckland)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
6. Caleb Delaney (Hurricanes / Wellington)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes / Wellington)
8. Simon Parker (Chiefs / Northland)
9. Finlay Christie (Blues / Tasman)
10. Josh Jacomb (Chiefs / Taranaki)
11. Kini Naholo (Hurricanes / Taranaki)
12. Riley Higgins (Hurricanes / Wellington)
13. Dallas McLeod (Crusaders / Canterbury)
14. Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs / Waikato)
15. Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs / North Harbour)
16. Bradley Slater (Chiefs / Taranaki)
17. Xavier Numia (Hurricanes / Wellington)
18. Saula Ma’u (Highlanders / Otago)
19. Fabian Holland (Highlanders / Otago)
20. Corey Kellow (Crusaders / Canterbury)
21. Devan Flanders (Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay)
22. Noah Hotham (Crusaders / Tasman)
23. Chay Fihaki (Crusaders / Canterbury)
All Blacks XV team named for clash against Georgia (Super Rugby Club / Province):
1. George Bower (Crusaders / Otago)
2. Kurt Eklund (Blues / Bay of Plenty)
3. Marcel Renata (Blues / Auckland)
4. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
6. Caleb Delaney (Hurricanes / Wellington)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes / Wellington)
8. Simon Parker (Chiefs / Northland)
9. Finlay Christie (Blues / Tasman)
10. Josh Jacomb (Chiefs / Taranaki)
11. Kini Naholo (Hurricanes / Taranaki)
12. Riley Higgins (Hurricanes / Wellington)
13. Dallas McLeod (Crusaders / Canterbury)
14. Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs / Waikato)
15. Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs / North Harbour)
16. Bradley Slater (Chiefs / Taranaki)
17. Xavier Numia (Hurricanes / Wellington)
18. Saula Ma’u (Highlanders / Otago)
19. Fabian Holland (Highlanders / Otago)
20. Corey Kellow (Crusaders / Canterbury)
21. Devan Flanders (Hurricanes / Hawke's Bay)
22. Noah Hotham (Crusaders / Tasman)
23. Chay Fihaki (Crusaders / Canterbury)
I drink and I forget things.
What has happened to Ratima? I liked him earlier in the season because he was so much quicker at getting the ball away than Christie and Perenara... but now he seems to have caught the deer in the headlights disease?
Information overload? Something has changed...
Information overload? Something has changed...
Must have gotten a rocket for that intercept last week - too scared to fire out a pass in front of a runner in case it gets picked off? Send him back before he is scarred for life please.Grandpa wrote: ↑Sat Nov 09, 2024 3:12 pm What has happened to Ratima? I liked him earlier in the season because he was so much quicker at getting the ball away than Christie and Perenara... but now he seems to have caught the deer in the headlights disease?
Information overload? Something has changed...
I drink and I forget things.
Would hope to see some major changes against Italy, Plummer deserves a run for example, but Razor looks like he has gone conservative in his old age ... where is the break dancing dynamo we saw a few seasons back.Kiwias wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 8:10 amCalling BB shithouse has become an almost traitorous act but I agree wholeheartedly. I would not mind if Razor got through the autumn series by juggling BB and DMac, even by using Tuipulotu occasionally, but still believe that this is their swansong and that we will not see any of them in black next year. Cane has made it easy by announcing he is off to Japan next year but he is actually still playing pretty well. He was an absolute pest last night at the breakdown, even if he did not win many turnovers.Guy Smiley wrote: ↑Sun Nov 03, 2024 7:45 amI think there's a few of us... I understand the need for Razor to get runs on the board and how poor results would have a virtual lynch mob mentailty set against the team. I also appreciate that NZ rugby has its sacred cows and any suggestion that one of them could be past it or due for the chop...
but BB was shithouse last night. A few good moves as usual and that seems to be all he needs to offer up for sentiment to swing right behind him, but the silly little chip kicks to nowhere are boring now and he offers little else...
and DMac's performance against Japan was brutally honest in its revelation of his shortcomings.
It's time to start easing the next generation in.
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Guy Smiley
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- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:52 pm
Ah well...
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/534239 ... -continues
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/534239 ... -continues
My guess is, he won't be playing Italy.Harry Plummer will be leaving the Blues and his All Black dreams behind, with reports out of France confirming that he has signed with Top 14 club ASM Clermont Auvergne. An official statement from Clermont is expected Wednesday night NZT, this comes after Plummer had been spotted visiting the club's facilities last week while in France on the current All Black tour.
Good.Eligibility rules not likely to change until 2028
It appears New Zealand Rugby won’t be changing its rules around eligibility any time soon. Sources spoken to be Sidelines have said the national body sees no reason to change its policy right now and any further thoughts on the matter will only be considered after the current world cup cycle.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/12/02/scot ... ecember-2/
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Guy Smiley
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Interesting that Sumo uses the phrase ‘ rugby needs to move with the times’ within that article. He’s not specifically suggesting that himself, rather putting it forward as one of the arguments to be made.
I’m gonna suggest the opposite is true. I know I’m the older generation of fan and don’t necessarily empathise with what younger fans might be looking for but if we look at the global decline of rugby in general and the corporate style of most CEOs along with their boards, I reckon it’s time rugby took stock and turned back to its roots and the wide appeal that carries. The crowd turnout for NPC suggests there’s something in that.
I’m gonna suggest the opposite is true. I know I’m the older generation of fan and don’t necessarily empathise with what younger fans might be looking for but if we look at the global decline of rugby in general and the corporate style of most CEOs along with their boards, I reckon it’s time rugby took stock and turned back to its roots and the wide appeal that carries. The crowd turnout for NPC suggests there’s something in that.
Couldn't agree more Guy.I find that NPC gets more interesting all the time, and super and even test not quite so much. Also could be age bracket etc, and don't get me wrong I still love rugby at all levels, just finding at that teams full of players who ply their trade around world etc, just takes something out of it. As I said could be age thing, but I just want to watch tests involving ABs with ABs full of players who actually play here, just means more to me. And the game could look to it''s roots a little more.Guy Smiley wrote: ↑Sun Dec 01, 2024 11:27 pm Interesting that Sumo uses the phrase ‘ rugby needs to move with the times’ within that article. He’s not specifically suggesting that himself, rather putting it forward as one of the arguments to be made.
I’m gonna suggest the opposite is true. I know I’m the older generation of fan and don’t necessarily empathise with what younger fans might be looking for but if we look at the global decline of rugby in general and the corporate style of most CEOs along with their boards, I reckon it’s time rugby took stock and turned back to its roots and the wide appeal that carries. The crowd turnout for NPC suggests there’s something in that.
Happy with the front row, think we need to cast the net wider for another lock - not entirely sure why, but have a general feeling we could do better there, loosies coming along nicely.
Overall happy with the improvement in 2024 but have a nagging doubt now about Razor's ability to adapt to changing situations, we'll know more end of the 2025, work in progress still.
Good.French reject NZ Rugby’s bid to move an All Blacks test to the USA next year
New Zealand Rugby has been knocked back in its bid to move one of the All Blacks’ three tests against France next year to the United States.
The All Blacks will host France in July and NZ Rugby wanted to take the third test of the series to the west coast of the United States, similar to how they played Fiji in San Diego earlier this year.
However, NZ Rugby confirmed on Thursday that the French had rejected the plan.
“We explored the possibility of taking a test to America, but that match will be in New Zealand,” said NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson in a statement.
So NZ Rugby think it's OK to take a HOME test offshore a la Team Fucking Emirates whenever they feel like?
Taking a one-off romp against Fiji to San Diego is one thing, but the third test of a domestic 3-test series against France? Fuck right off with that shit!
Disgraceful behaviour. That Robinson clown needs to go imho.
Showing total disrespect for the AB fans in New Zealand. Utter wanker of an idea.Gumboot wrote: ↑Thu Dec 05, 2024 3:07 amGood.French reject NZ Rugby’s bid to move an All Blacks test to the USA next year
New Zealand Rugby has been knocked back in its bid to move one of the All Blacks’ three tests against France next year to the United States.
The All Blacks will host France in July and NZ Rugby wanted to take the third test of the series to the west coast of the United States, similar to how they played Fiji in San Diego earlier this year.
However, NZ Rugby confirmed on Thursday that the French had rejected the plan.
“We explored the possibility of taking a test to America, but that match will be in New Zealand,” said NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson in a statement.
So NZ Rugby think it's OK to take a HOME test offshore a la Team Fucking Emirates whenever they feel like?
Taking a one-off romp against Fiji to San Diego is one thing, but the third test of a domestic 3-test series against France? Fuck right off with that shit!
Disgraceful behaviour. That Robinson clown needs to go imho.