Jogre: I think Europe will be less appealing with how Savea is being treated compared to Japan.

Meh, If Savea was blindsided by the comments Mourad Boudjellal made about him, HE and his manager didn't do THEIR homework. Mourad Boudjellal is well known for the attutides and outbursts and his low tolerance for low performing players.

Racing 92's owner gave Dan Carter multiple serves and he was playing better than Savea.  Savea in my view, should have understood the perfectly reasonable expectation that he would perform to a high level when he was being paid the big bucks.

If players expect to walk into millions a year without having to perform and don't have thick enough skin, then perhaps they shouldn't be over there. Savea won't be soley to blame for his teams poor performaces, I hope he finds his Mojo and soon, but well....

Northern Rugby is *very* different from what we play here, and it should be obvious to players of that calibre. There is a players network up there they can rely on for information as well.

networkn:

 

Jogre: I think Europe will be less appealing with how Savea is being treated compared to Japan.

 

Meh, If Savea was blindsided by the comments Mourad Boudjellal made about him, HE and his manager didn't do THEIR homework. Mourad Boudjellal is well known for the attutides and outbursts and his low tolerance for low performing players.

 

Racing 92's owner gave Dan Carter multiple serves and he was playing better than Savea.  Savea in my view, should have understood the perfectly reasonable expectation that he would perform to a high level when he was being paid the big bucks.

 

If players expect to walk into millions a year without having to perform and don't have thick enough skin, then perhaps they shouldn't be over there. Savea won't be soley to blame for his teams poor performaces, I hope he finds his Mojo and soon, but well....

 

Northern Rugby is *very* different from what we play here, and it should be obvious to players of that calibre. There is a players network up there they can rely on for information as well.

 

 

 

Quite interesting the number of players from NZ, Australia and to a lesser degree South Africa who seem to think all they have to do is turn up in Europe. 

Jas777:

 

Quite interesting the number of players from NZ, Australia and to a lesser degree South Africa who seem to think all they have to do is turn up in Europe. 

 

The issues appear to be more prevelant in my view, in the group that leave at the end of their NZ career vs the ones who decide money beats the Black Jersey (With this comment I am not critising their choice). I do sometimes wonder about the fact that if you might be in the frame, but not quite there because those players can't quite give that extra 5% be it a capability issue or a mental or willingness to work on the  issue raised by the coaches.

networkn:

 

Not sure I agree about Drummond actually, he was in the frame for the AB's last year. Same with Hall.

 

Yes, I apologise, wasn't concentrating and wrote Owens, meant Owen Franks, but as per above he has signed overseas too.

 

The Crusaders will have a big 2020 challenge I believe, a little like the Chiefs are having right now. 

 

I'll be beyond delighted if the Crusaders can win SR this year, but I am realistic, with so many AB's in the Crusaders, their AB's time will be limited (perfectly fairly in my view). This will have an impact, as it would with any team, and I'd rather win the RWC than the SR.

 

 

 

Yes with Drummond but he would be much lower in the level of quality for international rugby. NZ does have a issue with quality of halfbacks at the moment.

I still think that re building the Crusaders 2020/21 for Scott Robertson would be better than being an Assistant for the All Blacks. As that would be quite a new learning experience to the first 3 years of being the coach.

Based on the teams in Super rugby , I think if the top All blacks were out for 6 games each but all back at the business end of the season the Crusaders would still win the title.

Jas777:

 

Yes with Drummond but he would be much lower in the level of quality for international rugby. NZ does have a issue with quality of halfbacks at the moment.

 

I still think that re building the Crusaders 2020/21 for Scott Robertson would be better than being an Assistant for the All Blacks. As that would be quite a new learning experience to the first 3 years of being the coach.

 

Based on the teams in Super rugby , I think if the top All blacks were out for 6 games each but all back at the business end of the season the Crusaders would still win the title.

 

 

 

 

 

Drummond is young yet, Hall too. It's not too late for them to make a play. Ben Smith took a long time to get into the AB's and really only was as good in the 18 months directly prior and really, in my view that last 12 months.

I agree in general the halfbacks are a bit of an issue, time will tell.

networkn:

 

Jas777:

 

Yes with Drummond but he would be much lower in the level of quality for international rugby. NZ does have a issue with quality of halfbacks at the moment.

 

I still think that re building the Crusaders 2020/21 for Scott Robertson would be better than being an Assistant for the All Blacks. As that would be quite a new learning experience to the first 3 years of being the coach.

 

Based on the teams in Super rugby , I think if the top All blacks were out for 6 games each but all back at the business end of the season the Crusaders would still win the title.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drummond is young yet, Hall too. It's not too late for them to make a play. Ben Smith took a long time to get into the AB's and really only was as good in the 18 months directly prior and really, in my view that last 12 months.

 

I agree in general the halfbacks are a bit of an issue, time will tell.

 

 

 

Don't know if you agree but is part of the problem with halfbacks that none of them ever play the full 80 minutes anymore and for a lot it is 30 or 50 minutes only. And when watch the levels below seems they are either good at one of passing or running and the other one is not that close.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12208175

great contest but rubbish news for RWC, what is the point of it? when best 9 will be playing each other each year. boring as rugby championship with one upset per couple yrs.

bring on Lions between RWC to NZ :) that's will be something to watch and wait for!

I feel if the players feel it will impact their well being, then that means it needs to be looked at again. Also exclusion of the pacific islands is a shocker in my view. I understand (some) of the challenges with including them, but the new financial backer, should really be looking to dig a bit deeper to ensure there can be at least 1-2 teams in the competition.

I fully support the inclusion of Japan and the USA. Japan has shown themselves worthy of inclusion, even though they are still a tier behind the other names, however, for the long term survival of the game, the USA pretty much MUST be there. Rugby is starting to get a foot hold, sponsors in the USA are paying attention and big names are interested as well.

Trouble: Players from the Pacific Islands are considering boycotting RWC in protest to the proposal. 

Highlanders beat by the Rebels!

I felt the Hurricanes v Brumbies game was quite an interesting one. Some pretty poor Rugby at the end by the Brumbies who looked all but out on their feet. Looked like the worst of Australian Rugby all over. But also some pretty grim reffing too. Forward passes missed, 5 extra meters given to the Brumbies at a lineout, and what's with half the team in front of the kicker at every kick off now.  Line outs not straight, only the really terrible ones picked up. 

Also, why is it that sometimes the halfback can place the ball directly under the feet of their own players, other times it feels more like it goes to the middle of the scrum.

Nice to see Dane Coles out and about and with pace. His overly aggressive stance is back, he showed a fair bit of disrespect to the ref a number of times. 

Hopefully, the Crusaders don't stumble against the Reds tonight. 

Prediction on the Blues? SBW dropped. 

networkn:

 

Highlanders beat by the Rebels!

 

I felt the Hurricanes v Brumbies game was quite an interesting one. Some pretty poor Rugby at the end by the Brumbies who looked all but out on their feet. Looked like the worst of Australian Rugby all over. But also some pretty grim reffing too. Forward passes missed, 5 extra meters given to the Brumbies at a lineout, and what's with half the team in front of the kicker at every kick off now.  Line outs not straight, only the really terrible ones picked up. 

 

I went to bed instead of watching the Highlanders so I've no idea whether they are fragile and likely to lose to the Hurricanes next week.

Re the refereeing, I'd like to know why players are being allowed to move forward around the sides of the ruck.

Hammerer:

 

networkn:

 

Highlanders beat by the Rebels!

 

I felt the Hurricanes v Brumbies game was quite an interesting one. Some pretty poor Rugby at the end by the Brumbies who looked all but out on their feet. Looked like the worst of Australian Rugby all over. But also some pretty grim reffing too. Forward passes missed, 5 extra meters given to the Brumbies at a lineout, and what's with half the team in front of the kicker at every kick off now.  Line outs not straight, only the really terrible ones picked up. 

 

 

I went to bed instead of watching the Highlanders so I've no idea whether they are fragile and likely to lose to the Hurricanes next week.

 

Re the refereeing, I'd like to know why players are being allowed to move forward around the sides of the ruck.

 

I feel that perhaps it's a consequence that the refs can only really keep an eye on say 10 things in a game, and right now they have been asked to specifically police the new rules etc, or perhaps deprioritize certain aspects to allow the game to flow. 

Not saying I agree with it, just a possible explanation.

Wow, what an upset. Full credit to the Sunwolves esp for that last period in the second half, keeping their composure to wear through those crucial 6 minutes to deny the Chiefs a miracle win. 

I am not sure what is up with the Chiefs, not a nice way for absolute legend Brodie Rettalick to celebrate his 100th. 

I know it must always be seen like I am picking on DM, however, I feel the experiment of playing him at 10 needs to be over. He just doesn't have the time and space at 10 to wind up and create opportunities that he does at 15. He wasn't by any stretch to blame for the loss on his own, but it's really apparent, to me at least when he is under pressure. 

The Chiefs are a quality side, and really in rebuild mode after losing so many good players last year, they will find their feet. 

I was a bit disappointed by the static nature of the Crusaders play. They looked like they just wanted to do enough to win. I am disappointed two weeks in a row they have let a bonus point try slip away. 

Having said that, no other way to slice it, it's an impressive set of records they broke/set yesterday with 18 consecutive wins and 8 playing away. Will Jordan played well for most of the game. Was a little farcical that they ended up with 14 guys for the last 9 minutes.

I hope they get home and prepare well because I imagine the Chiefs are hurting something fierce this morning (though they should really be trying to keep it in perspective as the Sunwolves were really pretty good) and there will be a little extra from them this coming weekend I predict. 

The Crusaders won't be able to play such strong teams each week, they have, like all other teams, AB's to rest and rosters to manage. I feel Razer felt the Reds game was a must win.