NZ Rugby Thread

[sockwithaticket]

European player availability might have stopped this being an embarassment, but it still would've been a one-sided heavy beating.

The problems are population size and funding. Tonga has a shade over 100k as it's domestic population, not sure how many are overseas. That is a tiny base from which to be drawing players even with Pacific Islanders seemingly being purpose built for rugby and zero economic force to afford all the performance multipliers that richer, larger nations enjoy like nutritionists, sports psychologists, top line playing facilities, player access etc.

I don't know how the funding gets addressed. World Rugby has a responsibility to grow the whole game, not just keep the Islanders competitive.

[Kawazaki]

None of that changes the fact that NZ don't have anyone really credible to play test rugby against in a Southern Hemisphere competition. It's some fairly optimistic thinking to consider that the trend in Australia is just part of a cycle. It's akin to comparing the time it takes the earth to orbit the sun with the time it takes Haley's comet to do the same thing.

[sockwithaticket]

I was mainly responding to the reminder that this was Tonga sans their European players.

You are correct, at the moment it does look like NZ are pretty devoid of strong competition in the South and the way Union's going in Australia suggests that could be the case for quite some time unless some bridges are mended with South Africa.

[Ymx]

I was mainly responding to the reminder that this was Tonga sans their European players.

You are correct, at the moment it does look like NZ are pretty devoid of strong competition in the South and the way Union's going in Australia suggests that could be the case for quite some time unless some bridges are mended with South Africa.

It’s a strange one, though I can’t help but think our Supe rugby is stronger having playing ourselves only.

Intl, well, it’ll be fairly globally mixed up as always.

So I’m not too worried, except for the finances.

[sockwithaticket]

I was mainly responding to the reminder that this was Tonga sans their European players.

You are correct, at the moment it does look like NZ are pretty devoid of strong competition in the South and the way Union's going in Australia suggests that could be the case for quite some time unless some bridges are mended with South Africa.

It’s a strange one, though I can’t help but think our Supe rugby is stronger having playing ourselves only.

Intl, well, it’ll be fairly globally mixed up as always.

So I’m not too worried, except for the finances.

That's fair, from a pure rugby stand point Soup Aotearoa has probably provided Kiwis with the stiffest competition they've had in a while at franchise level.

[Paddington Bear]

I think we have a tendency to overstate the decline of the Aussie national team as well - it's more that NH teams are quantitively better than anything else, and the ensuing wins have broken the cultural cringe that anything sporting must be better if it comes packaged with an aussie accent.

[Gumboot]

ABs side has just been named:

1. George Bower (1)
2. Codie Taylor (56)
3. Nepo Laulala (29)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (37)
5. Brodie Retallick (81)
6. Shannon Frizell (13)
7. Ethan Blackadder (1)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (5)
9. Aaron Smith (97) - captain
10. Beauden Barrett (89)
11. George Bridge (11)
12. David Havili (3)
13. Rieko Ioane (35)
14. Sevu Reece (8)
15. Jordie Barrett (24)

16. Dane Coles (75)
17. Ethan de Groot – new cap
18. Tyrel Lomax (7)
19. Samuel Whitelock (123)
20. Luke Jacobson (3)
21. Finlay Christie (1)
22. Damian McKenzie (28)
23. Will Jordan (3)

[sockwithaticket]

I think we have a tendency to overstate the decline of the Aussie national team as well - it's more that NH teams are quantitively better than anything else, and the ensuing wins have broken the cultural cringe that anything sporting must be better if it comes packaged with an aussie accent.

Ha, I think there's a tendency to underplay it. They became absolute gash under Cheika, especially the last couple of years.

[Ymx]

.

[Ymx]

A nice welcome back for BB

Barrett, who spent the Super Rugby season playing in Japan, was named on the bench for the All Black’s opening game against Tonga and managed 25 minutes off the bench in the 102-point win.

The 30-year-old left the field looking in good wear but come training on the Tuesday following the match, two noticeable bruises had developed under the playmaker’s eyes. Had Barrett copped a blow against the ‘Ikale Tahi, or was something else to blame?

As it turns out, the Tongan team weren’t to blame for the bruises at all. Instead, it was some friendly fire on the training pitch that left Barrett looking like he’d emerged from a boxing match.

“Yeah it was [friendly fire],” confirmed Barrett on Thursday after being named in the No 10 jersey to take on Fiji. “I was warned about Ethan Blackadder when he first came into camp and found out about that pretty quick so between him and big man next to me [returning All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick], you’ve got to stay well clear of them at training.”

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has already made comments this year to suggest that Retallick’s team mates best steer clear of the towering second-rower come training.

“I’ve seen Finlay Christie get smacked out of a ruck and do a somersault and I chuckled and said ‘welcome back Brodie’ and that was a non-contact session,” Foster said last week. “That means that Brodie is back, doesn’t it?”

Blackadder, on the other hand, is new to the All Blacks set-up – but evidently not afraid to get involved with a bit of rough and tumble with his more senior teammates.

“I’ve been very impressed with him since he’s been in here,” Barrett said of the 26-year-old. “For a young guy, he’s on top of his game when it comes to preparation. He asks the right questions and like I said, he’s into everything on the park so it’s great to see.

“[You’ve just] got to stay well clear of those rucks,” he later added. “Especially when I’m trying to get one of [the loose forwards’] jackals, one of their turnovers.”

Barrett will line up at first five on Saturday evening against Fiji and despite the bruises, is confident he’ll be fit and firing for the match.

Ha ha

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/i-was-wa ... lack-eyes/

[Ymx]

What changes for the starting backs next week we think?

Barrett’s starting?
Havili/Smith?

Clairvoyant on my part

Or just was sadly obvious Foster would do what he’s told to avoid upsetting the team, especially the Barrett’s. Particularly with BB demanding 10 spot.

[Enzedder]

Gee you Cantabs are a bit paranoid over Foster. Razor will get his turn if he's good enough.

Feel for Fiji today with the top temp in Dunedin around 7 degrees forecast.

[Ymx]

Gee you Cantabs are a bit paranoid over Foster. Razor will get his turn if he's good enough.

Feel for Fiji today with the top temp in Dunedin around 7 degrees forecast.

Is 50% win rate good enough?

[Tichtheid]

Fiji team:

1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Temo Mayanavanua
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Johnny Dyer
7. Mesulame Kunavula
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Levani Botia (c)
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Eroni Sau
15. Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves:

16. Peni Narisia *
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Leeroy Atalifo
19. Tevita Ratuva
20. Peceli Yato
21. Setareki Tuicuvu
22. Eneriko Buliruarua *
23. Manasa Mataele *

*debutants.

From what little I know, Semi Radrada, Bill Mata and Peceli Yato are missing from that lineup, they are big players in all senses. Atalifo and Kunavula are at Edinburgh - Kunavula is a big, athletic ball carrier, Eroni Sau has just left us, he was coming into some good form at the end of the season, his nickname is The Sledgehammer due to his tackling, he does hit hard.
Leone Nakawara has gone from being European player of the Year to looking like he can't really be arsed. I'm actually surprised he is playing in this game.

However, my guess is that is all irrelevant, it will all be about how many NZ score and whether Fiji can avoid the humping that Tonga got.

[Gumboot]

About an hour till kick off.

Congrats to Aaron Smith on getting the captaincy for the first time in his long and illustrious test career.

Very keen to see how the loosies go - Blackadder at 7 but especially Frizell at blindside, and (hopefully) a lot more of Jacobson from the bench.

Also interested in how Havili handles the midfield role.

Oh, and WELCOME BACK, GUZZLER!!!!

[Ymx]

Yep indeed. Can’t wait to see BBBR playing again. Hopefully with a big ranging run, the way only second rowers can look.

[Gumboot]

Looking at our bench it seems Jordie's considered the midfield injury cover, for now at least. Would've preferred Tupaea getting another run but hey ho...

[Ymx]

Captain Snecky

[Gumboot]

Last week's team set the marker by restricting Tonga's final score to a big fat donut...

[Ymx]

Not quite sure that’s going to be repeated.

Very different teams on both sides playing this week.

[Gumboot]

My friend can't find a working stream...bugger

[Torquemada 1420]

My friend can't find a working stream...bugger

Ditto

[Ymx]

Snecky at the front of Haka

Coles did ok leading the haka.

Didn’t seem that passionate though.

[Gumboot]

https://www.vipboxtv.se/stream-new-zeal ... iji-live-1

[Ymx]

https://www.viprow.me/new-zealand-vs-fi ... e-stream-1

[Ymx]

0-3 to Fiji

[Torquemada 1420]

Huge upset on.

[Gumboot]

Moral victory to Fiji already

[stunt_cunt]

Pretty sharp looking try.

[Ymx]

ABs not onside with the ref here
Going to be 7-6

[Ymx]

Knock on??

[Torquemada 1420]

Volavola really is a clown.

[Chilli]

All to easy.
Another record win on its way.

[Torquemada 1420]

Blackadder never supporting own weight there.

[Ymx]

21-6

[Torquemada 1420]

Got to do way better than that in defence Fiji.

[Ymx]

BB took a boot to face. Finishing off the work Ethan Blackadder started …

[Torquemada 1420]

Ouch

[Kiwias]

BB took a boot to face. Finishing off the work Ethan Blackadder started …

Even the players want Richie Mo'unga

[Torquemada 1420]

Pretty unsympathetic, "look at me "reffing