NPR

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:29 am Dang, this season just goes from bad to worse for the Saders. Hard to see them making the play-offs from here.

SOme good bits mixed in there but too much dross: ball retention is poor, directionless kicking, poor support, all things we used to pride the team for.

Force prevail 37-15.

World's gone mad.

On the bright side, Jamie Hannah's a very exciting young prospect.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:37 am On the bright side, Jamie Hannah's a very exciting young prospect.

So is young Hotham.

Kiwias wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:39 am

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:37 am On the bright side, Jamie Hannah's a very exciting young prospect.

So is young Hotham.

Yep, and Bell.

All is not lost.

The only positive I can take from this season is that Razor made a bigger difference than I could have imagined.

And he’s now the AB coach. Hurry up the Rugby Championship.

Crusaders at home vs Rebels and leading 10 - 0 after 32 mins. Rebs replaced their entire frontrow after 30mins because their scrum was being demolished.

Crusaders have dominated possession and territory so will not be happy with this lead.

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 7:44 am Crusaders at home vs Rebels and leading 10 - 0 after 32 mins. Rebs replaced their entire frontrow after 30mins because their scrum was being demolished.

Crusaders have dominated possession and territory so will not be happy with this lead.

Is this the new low, we are chuffed we are beating the rebels at home ?!

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 7:52 am

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 7:44 am Crusaders at home vs Rebels and leading 10 - 0 after 32 mins. Rebs replaced their entire frontrow after 30mins because their scrum was being demolished.

Crusaders have dominated possession and territory so will not be happy with this lead.

Is this the new low, we are chuffed we are beating the rebels at home ?!

Forgetting that the Rebels are sitting 4th in the table?

Scott Barrett is having a massive impact.

Drummond is not even close to playing well, twice being very lazy at the back of rucks and letting REbs get the ball. Get Hotham on please.

Owen Franks gets only his 3rd try in 175 matches, first since 2010.

A completely unexpected scoreline of 32 - 0 with 7mins left

39 - 0 whitewash for the Crusaders.

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:53 am 39 - 0 whitewash for the Crusaders.

I’ve not had sky this season, sadly.

So I guess this classes as a big message. A little late, but moves off wooden spoon spot.

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:32 am Owen Franks gets only his 3rd try in 175 matches, first since 2010.

And he played over 100 tests without scoring a single try. Front Rowers Club LEGEND!

Just arrived in Bega after a day on the road. Missed the game, but great to hear that the Saders are back on track.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 9:05 am

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:32 am Owen Franks gets only his 3rd try in 175 matches, first since 2010.

And he played over 100 tests without scoring a single try. Front Rowers Club LEGEND!

Just arrived in Bega after a day on the road. Missed the game, but great to hear that the Saders are back on track.

I can't see anyone ever breaking his test non-scoring record of 108 tests. A genuine superstar.

Just watched footage of the Chiefs/Tahs game. Really enjoyed Finau's big tackles on Edmed.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 2:46 am Just watched footage of the Chiefs/Tahs game. Really enjoyed Finau's big tackles on Edmed.

As if Edmed had a target on him.

21mins in and Brumbies leading 21 - 5, not what was expected.

Brumbies take down the so-far unbeaten Canes.

Are there always this many groups of teenagers at Highlanders/SR games?

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 8:16 am Are there always this many groups of teenagers at Highlanders/SR games?

You are probably referring to the Zoo, the stand behind one set of goalposts that is occupied in the majority by students at Otago University.

Kiwias wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 8:21 am

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 8:16 am Are there always this many groups of teenagers at Highlanders/SR games?

You are probably referring to the Zoo, the stand behind one set of goalposts that is occupied in the majority by students at Otago University.

as annoying as I expect they could be its good to see large groups of youngsters there. Particularly if they're regular attenders.

What is wrong with the players and their addiction to kicking the fucking ball away?

Having a game which is literally Reds vs Blues with neither team wearing red or blue is very Super Rugby.

I feel there’s a missed marketing opportunity.

Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 9:54 am Having a game which is literally Reds vs Blues with neither team wearing red or blue is very Super Rugby.

I feel there’s a missed marketing opportunity.

Anzac tribute designs.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 12:29 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Apr 27, 2024 9:54 am Having a game which is literally Reds vs Blues with neither team wearing red or blue is very Super Rugby.

I feel there’s a missed marketing opportunity.

Anzac tribute designs.

I would have thought an all white strip was more of a French military tribute.

Interesting to see Havili will start at 10 for the Saders against the Reds, with Razor apparently keen to see how he goes there. I'm quite intrigued by this. Feel he's been found out as a test 12, and I don't want to see him play there again. He's OK at fullback, but again without being fully convincing there, imo. But I reckon he may have the skillset and smarts to make a good fist of covering fullback and first-five from the bench. Just hope that wherever he plays, he can curb his propensity to throw stupid intercept passes.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2024 3:51 am Interesting to see Havili will start at 10 for the Saders against the Reds, with Razor apparently keen to see how he goes there. I'm quite intrigued by this. Feel he's been found out as a test 12, and I don't want to see him play there again. He's OK at fullback, but again without being fully convincing there, imo. But I reckon he may have the skillset and smarts to make a good fist of covering fullback and first-five from the bench. Just hope that wherever he plays, he can curb his propensity to throw stupid intercept passes.

I must admit that when I saw that, my first thought was that Penny is getting desperate but knowing that it was a Razor request makes me feel a bit more relaxed about it. I agree that Jordie Barrett has made the second-five position his own in the last couple of years but reckon that Havili still has something to offer the ABs.

Ymx wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:57 am

Kiwias wrote: ↑Fri Apr 26, 2024 8:53 am 39 - 0 whitewash for the Crusaders.

I’ve not had sky this season, sadly.

So I guess this classes as a big message. A little late, but moves off wooden spoon spot.

1 game out of finals contention there big fella, wouldn't be writing off the Crushers at this stage

This weekend sees some more interesting clashes:

Friday

Canes vs Tahs - expect the Canes to bounce back here and keep the Blues at bay from the top spot

Rebels vs Blues - sure 5 points for the Blues, though the Rebs have had some surprised results at home

Saturday

Pasifika vs Highlanders - going with home side for this one, the Highlanders are clearly rebuilding again this year

Crusaders vs Reds - must win game for both teams, Crusaders are back on track .... or are they

Chiefs vs Force - Chiefs to take all five at a canter

Brumbies vs Drua - Brumbies to run away with it if the Drua continue their ill discipline of late.

Jethro wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 5:20 amFriday

Canes vs Tahs - expect the Canes to bounce back here and keep the Blues at bay from the top spot

This one's kicking off shortly in the capital.

Keen to see how young Riley Higgins goes tonight, filling Jordie's sizeable shoes at 12.

Going to be a long day at the office for the Tahs' scrum.

Gumboot wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 6:54 am

Jethro wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 5:20 amFriday

Canes vs Tahs - expect the Canes to bounce back here and keep the Blues at bay from the top spot

This one's kicking off shortly in the capital.

Keen to see how young Riley Higgins goes tonight, filling Jordie's sizeable shoes at 12.

Higgins does not look out of his depth

Nice!

Awful series of connection issues at my end and once I finally get back online the Canes have put 14 point on.

Love is playing brilliantly at fullback.

Canes win it comfortably 41-12.

Rebels hosting the Blues next...

Blues close it out 38-11.

Hope Rieko's OK - he took a heavy knock just before HT and didn't look at all good.