Canterbury have had a very poor start to the Mitre 10 cup. They look awful. Hopefully, they will recover.

Tasman look Lethal!

That was some hiding that Ireland took at the hands of England in the weekend. I watched the extended highlights and I really couldn't put my hand on whether England has suddenly become a powerhouse with unparalleled skillful players all clicking at once or Ireland decided to hold back somewhat, because honestly, it was one of the worst defensive efforts I can recall in recent times. The entire Irish team looked like they were carrying packs of boulders around their legs.  There were, however, some pretty average refereeing moments in the game too, not that it would have been the difference in all honesty. 

I'd be interested to see if England played that way against a team who fronted defensively and fired better on the attack, what the result would have been... 

What I will say, is that the distribution of ball from players in first and second receiver roles was really excellent. I talk about it a lot, the ball arriving to the player at the correct height and slightly in front so as to not pause their momentum, and England did that better than any international side in recent times, it was really nice to watch. By comparison, Ireland was awful in this regard. I do wonder if was just the difference in defensive line speed. 

Billy Vinopula and Maro Itoje were absolute monsters in that game. Massive. 

So Squire has apparently let Steve Hansen know he's available to be picked for the world cup Squad. What do you think the chances of him going are ? @handle9

Watching other international teams, we are still short a world class place kicker in my opinion. The last time we had a kicker that didn't make me cross my fingers and hold my breath at every kick, was Dan Carter. Even RM who I really rate as a kicking option, still misses kicks he shouldn't. I would be very anxious if the final play of a game was a sideline conversion to win the RWC.

networkn:

So Squire has apparently let Steve Hansen know he's available to be picked for the world cup Squad. What do you think the chances of him going are ? @handle9

Handle9:

networkn:

 

So Squire has apparently let Steve Hansen know he's available to be picked for the world cup Squad. What do you think the chances of him going are ? @handle9

 

If he's fit (aerobically prepared) and they are confident of where his head is at they have to pick him. He's much better than Fifita and gives us the option of starting a big 6 with Savea or Cane off the bench. He's also a proven international 6 which we don't have currently.

He won't be test match fit, having been playing at Mitre 10 level, but he has been very solid there when I have seen him play. I guess he could join the main squad, but I do worry about his tendancy to tackle with no arms and attract cards and penalties. In my view is he no Kaino. I guess I'd prefer him over Hemapo and potentially Fifita as well having said all that.

networkn:

 

Handle9:

networkn:

 

So Squire has apparently let Steve Hansen know he's available to be picked for the world cup Squad. What do you think the chances of him going are ? @handle9

 

If he's fit (aerobically prepared) and they are confident of where his head is at they have to pick him. He's much better than Fifita and gives us the option of starting a big 6 with Savea or Cane off the bench. He's also a proven international 6 which we don't have currently.

 

He won't be test match fit, having been playing at Mitre 10 level, but he has been very solid there when I have seen him play. I guess he could join the main squad, but I do worry about his tendancy to tackle with no arms and attract cards and penalties. In my view is he no Kaino. I guess I'd prefer him over Hemapo and potentially Fifita as well having said all that.

 

He's more match fit than Crotty, Scott Barrett, Retalick, Coltman etc etc so I don't think that's such a big issue. Hansen and Cron know whether he can pick up the system quickly enough and compared to Fifita he's a much more consistently impactful player. If we are playing the very physical sides you know he won't go missing whereas Fifita drifts in and out.

I think this will be the team named tomorrow:

1. Moody

2. Tu'ungafasi

3. Laulala

4. Franks

5. Ta'avao

6. Coles

7. Taylor

8. Coltmann

9. Whitelock

10. Retalick

11. Scott Barrett

12. Tuipolotu

13. Cane

14. Savea

15. Read

16. Squire

17. Todd

18. Aaron Smith

19. Perenara

20. Weber

21. Mo'unga 

22. Beauden Barrett

23. Williams

24. Goodhue

25. Lienart-Brown

26. Crotty

27. Reece

28. Bridge

29. Ben Smith

30. Ioane

31. Jordie Barrett

Hemopo and especially Laumape would be desperately unlucky to miss out.

You may be right. I really wanted Fifita to be something special and had high hopes after his debut, but I can't recall anything from him since, and he had a pretty average super rugby season for the canes.

I was surprised to see commentary by one pundit suggesting that Havilli hadn't been considered because of "horror 40 minutes". I can't recall that myself, and certainly it not happening more than once. He certainly was missing the sparkle he showed in 2017, with a fairly quiet 2018, but 2019 he was very solid. I mean, he won't get picked this time around, but I was just surprised at the inference he had multiple horror 40 minutes.

Yeah, my squad looks pretty similar actually. Not sure I'd take Jordie Barrett on his long standing form, but he was *excellent* in the test against Australia.

I watched some highlights of Ioane recently, and with the exception of flat out speed, I didn't see many tries that most other wingers couldn't have scored. I certainly don't believe he could have scored the try that Reece scored last weekend or anything that even closely resembles it. I hope he finds his form and quick.

I hope they figure out the lineout and quick, it's been horrendous this season. Both Coles and Taylors throwing has been poor and they don't seem in sync.

Dave Rennie is apparently being tipped as the successor to Michael Cheika. 

Kiwi's coaching Australians hasn't really ever worked that well. Seemingly their choices are limited in Australian Coaches, but still. 

On another note, I do believe that a fair amount of the Wallabies improvements have come from Rugby Australia forcing external selectors and some additional coaching support for Chieka. He also seems a lot calmer, partially because he isn't carrying the entire burden by himself, but I suspect they have him seeing a mental skills coach. The group seem a bit more cohesive and together, which I suspect comes from having brought back in some of the older players like Adam Ashley Cooper etc. 

networkn:

 

Dave Rennie is apparently being tipped as the successor to Michael Cheika. 

 

Kiwi's coaching Australians hasn't really ever worked that well. Seemingly their choices are limited in Australian Coaches, but still. 

 

Cheikas win rate is like 49% as was Mckenzies.  

Franks supposedly set to miss out. I won't say I called it, but I think that's an acknowledgement we expect to be more harshly policed and discipline isn't something we can compromise on. 

All Blacks website returning 503 error - too many people trying.