Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#2219849 17-Apr-2019 13:37

I wondered if some of them, after seeing the sights and novelty, didn't enjoy being away from home indefinitely, but maybe you are right, enjoyed it too much, makes sense.

tdgeek

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#2222372 22-Apr-2019 20:12

How does this sit with you experts?

Makes sense to me, but??

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rwc-2019-japan/112193961/rugby-world-cup-why-dan-carter-shouldnt-be-a-shortterm-signing-for-the-all-blacks#comments

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#2222375 22-Apr-2019 20:21

but can he still run? or do you envisage him kicking and passing only?

i can see the opposition running hard at DC and smothering him and the AB.

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#2222383 22-Apr-2019 20:35

Batman:

but can he still run? or do you envisage him kicking and passing only?

i can see the opposition running hard at DC and smothering him and the AB.

Im an AB fan but not a rugby FAN, if you get what I mean. Experience vs agility, thats the question. A younger up and comer who is a newbie, or a veteran who has the nous? Maybe both. One starting 15, the other for the last 30 minutes. If nothing else its an option that causes the other teas to screw up the set plans and start over?

It might be an unpredictable game plan from the other side. That in itself is a gain

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#2222402 22-Apr-2019 21:15

well if you have a number 10 that is struggling to keep up with his number 9 you are going to have problems.

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#2222405 22-Apr-2019 21:35

DC has just had neck surgery. Not incredibly major but he also hasn't played at the top level for 4 years almost. I'd consider him an outside chance at best, and unlikely at best.

Much as I'd love to see him in Black again, I just don't think it would be the best option.

Grant Fox has said they are considering the option of not taking 3 10's to Japan and having JB or TJP play 10 for the 2 pool matches against Canada and Namibia.

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#2225524 26-Apr-2019 13:31

Logic would say that the Crusaders at home, playing against a Lions side which isn't playing that well, and with a depleted team (no Malcolm Marx is a huge loss to them) we should romp over them tonight, however, I feel that the result could be closer than some might think. We always seem to stumble on the "easy" games.

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#2225538 26-Apr-2019 14:01

networkn:
Logic would say that the Crusaders at home, playing against a Lions side which isn't playing that well, and with a depleted team (no Malcolm Marx is a huge loss to them) we should romp over them tonight, however, I feel that the result could be closer than some might think. We always seem to stumble on the "easy" games.

If you consider that they only just beat the Chiefs last week, who are missing key players and played horribly for all but ten minutes, then the Crusaders, even on a bad day will wipe them out.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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#2227113 29-Apr-2019 09:50

Well, @dingbatt turned out your prediction was pretty accurate. I really enjoyed the game. Sevu Reece is a monster! I am worried his brutal edge could be an issue, but hopefully, the Crusaders coaching staff are helping him channel it. His hit on Kwagga Smith was mind boggling followed by his try! He literally flew backward through the air. Reminds me of Nadolo vs that halfback a few seasons ago, and Seta Tamiavalu who I was terribly worried we would miss, but seem to be ok so far without.

Jordie Barret getting lots of props for his performance against the Chiefs but whilst he was impressive, it was as much to do with a horrifying defensive line that the Chiefs don't seem to have organized. I am actually quite worried about them. For long periods of play they were playing Chiefs rugby (unstructured off the cuff stuff) without anything being produced. I think the combination they had before allowed for that play, but their team right now isn't settled enough to play it and it's not producing....

The Red Card elbow to the head from the Warratahs was sickening to watch. Holloway didn't even seem upset he got it, and I expect him to spend 4 weeks on the sidelines for it at least.

The Highlanders made short work of the Sunwolves, was a little disappointing, seems like the first season where the Sunwolves didn't have any attack OR defense (Defence has always been the weak link).

Has the Lions Head Coach resigned, or having a medical break and will resume his duties?

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#2227732 30-Apr-2019 09:02

So Steve Hansen has been linked with Director of Rugby at a Japanese Club. I wonder how true that could be? It seems like it wouldn't really be of interest. I had always imagined he would stay with NZR in some capacity. I know there was mention of director of Rugby for NZR mentioned a while ago.

I know there are probably reasons for him to be moved on completely,but it feels like a massive loss of proprietry information if he goes and Ian Foster doesn't take Head Coach and then moves on too.

I could imagine that whomever comes in fresh might not want the old boss hovering over their shoulder...

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#2227799 30-Apr-2019 10:09

networkn:
So Steve Hansen has been linked with Director of Rugby at a Japanese Club. I wonder how true that could be? It seems like it wouldn't really be of interest. I had always imagined he would stay with NZR in some capacity. I know there was mention of director of Rugby for NZR mentioned a while ago.

I know there are probably reasons for him to be moved on completely,but it feels like a massive loss of proprietry information if he goes and Ian Foster doesn't take Head Coach and then moves on too.

I could imagine that whomever comes in fresh might not want the old boss hovering over their shoulder...

All power to him if that rumour is true. He deserves to have a well paid position away from the pressure cooker of NZ Rugby.
If the ABs manage to pull off three in a row at RWC this year, then I picture him being a bit like Thanos in the garden after the snap (InfinityWar) relaxing after a job well done. Unfortunately the damage done to world rugby and vengeful home unions would probably mean big changes, so best to lie low away from the limelight.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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#2228461 1-May-2019 09:56

He's earned the right to go whereever he wants, it just seems a little surprising to me that he would want to go to Japan. I am unsure exactly why.

I do wonder how much they will pay him. As I understand it, SH is on well over a million with NZR. I am a little surprised by the fact that a club in Japan playing the equivilant of the Mitre10 cup has >1M to spend on director of rugby. I understand they are well backed, however, unless the rules for salary caps are different in that league, and they quite possibly are, I am unsure how they could afford him.

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#2228462 1-May-2019 09:57

Amazing news that Sam Whitelock has agreed to stay with NZR for 4 more years!

They have made some deep consessions for him though, he will miss the entire 2020 Crusaders season and still be eligible for the AB's.

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#2230806 4-May-2019 13:35

That wasn't the best Crusaders performance of the year, unfortunately, but massive credit to the Sharks who really bought excellent defensive line speed and strong defense in general. Despite conceding 3 tries themselves and scoring none, they could have won that game. Reminded me a little of the England and South Africa of old. It's a bit concerning seeing the Crusaders scrum looking a little shaky on a world cup year. Cron was there this week, and I thought that might have meant they were better, though often it takes a week or two for that stuff to settle in.

Penalties and ill-discipline continue to plague them too.

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#2230977 4-May-2019 21:40

Well as a Chiefs supporter that draw has made my weekend. Really the Chiefs had no right to come away from that game with half the points. They were outplayed for most of the game by the Highlanders. But then maybe the Highlanders could be guilty of taking their foot off the throat in the last ten minutes.
Entertaining game though.
Oh dear, another key All Black hobbles off with a knee injury.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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