Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

1 | ... | 330 | 331 | 332 | 333 | 334 | 335 | 336 | 337 | 338 | 339 | 340 | ... | 642

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2341425 21-Oct-2019 15:56

Handle9: Tony Brown is very unlikely to be anywhere but NZ next year. His family stayed in Dunedin when he went to Japan.

He's contracted to be the Highlanders coach but I've read rumours he may be the All Blacks attack coach.

Serving under Foster, or Robertson?

Thing is, even if we lose to England next weekend, I don't think they should discount Foster as head Coach.

I am not sure what the dynamic of Foster, Robertson, and Brown would be, and where McLeod would fit in.

I suspect it has to be Robertson OR Foster, even though I'd like to see Robertson get a year or two at the next level before taking over the AB's.

Whomever takes over from Hansen, may struggle to produce the same results, makes it almost a poison chalice and could get a good coach get a bad rap.

Or could be that whomever takes over, takes us to even better heights.

Handle9

11276 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2341430 21-Oct-2019 16:03

The team is in a better position for next year than it might be thought of being.

26 of this squad are available next year. Reid, Todd, Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith and Crotty move on.

We've got natural replacements for most of those (Laumape, Jacobsen, Mackenzie).

The tougher time will be when it's time to cut the cord for Aaron Smith, Coles, Whitelock and Moody. They are all in their early 30s and I doubt many would make the next world cup as starters.

tdgeek

29659 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2341477 21-Oct-2019 18:25

IMO Foster would make the best choice, continuity. The last RWC we lost a LOT of top talent. AB's haven't been unbeatable since them as seen on more than the odd occasion. Whether that be losses, draws, or not strong wins. The new talent that we have, by the next RWC and sooner will become top talent, and IMO sooner than post 2015. I always saw this as a rebuilding side, it still is, but the potential is huge. I dint see the older brigade going, to be the gap that was left last time, not even close. So while Ive been unashamedly bearish on the AB's the last 4 years, the young talent we have now is potentially back to nigh on unbeatable status in time.

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2342040 22-Oct-2019 20:00

I am wondering how NZR would view losing by a couple of points in a tightly fought match against the number two team in the world this weekend. I expect it wouldn't exactly help Fosters case, but I don't really feel it should count against him, especially if there is a referee decision in play. I am pragmatic about this weekend. I'd love us to win, but understand it is likely to be close and could be a coin toss decision in the end.

There are some interesting points in this article I think:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12278023&ref=clavis

Namely Fosters loyalty to NZR which meant he won't have the international experience many would expect of a head coach. Having said that, being an assistant coach to the best team in the world over 10+ years counts in my book as good as international experience.

What worries me a little bit is whether he has SH's drive to be better every day. Steve lives that himself and shows it in his management of the team, taking his own weaknesses and working on them. It's perhaps a little hard to judge him as an assistant coach and I had the same reservations when SH took over and that has been pretty good.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29727 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2342041 22-Oct-2019 20:03

Handle9: The team is in a better position for next year than it might be thought of being.

26 of this squad are available next year. Reid, Todd, Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith and Crotty move on.

We've got natural replacements for most of those (Laumape, Jacobsen, Mackenzie).

The tougher time will be when it's time to cut the cord for Aaron Smith, Coles, Whitelock and Moody. They are all in their early 30s and I doubt many would make the next world cup as starters.

Todd is going to Japan

Handle9

11276 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2342043 22-Oct-2019 20:17

Batman:
Handle9: Reid, Todd, Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith and Crotty move on.

Todd is going to Japan

Yes

Handle9

11276 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2342091 22-Oct-2019 20:32

networkn:
I am wondering how NZR would view losing by a couple of points in a tightly fought match against the number two team in the world this weekend. I expect it wouldn't exactly help Fosters case, but I don't really feel it should count against him, especially if there is a referee decision in play. I am pragmatic about this weekend. I'd love us to win, but understand it is likely to be close and could be a coin toss decision in the end.

There are some interesting points in this article I think:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12278023&ref=clavis

Namely Fosters loyalty to NZR which meant he won't have the international experience many would expect of a head coach. Having said that, being an assistant coach to the best team in the world over 10+ years counts in my book as good as international experience.

What worries me a little bit is whether he has SH's drive to be better every day. Steve lives that himself and shows it in his management of the team, taking his own weaknesses and working on them. It's perhaps a little hard to judge him as an assistant coach and I had the same reservations when SH took over and that has been pretty good.

It's a bit of a lottery. Outside of Gatland and Schmidt Jamie Joseph appears to tick the most boxes but he's never coached tier 1. It's a big change to be the organ grinder after being the monkey, which counts against Foster. Robertson has never coached at international level and it's a huge step up.

When Hansen was appointed it was a risk - Wales didn't do well under him and he was really bad with the media. He developed and had really good support around him.

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2342109 22-Oct-2019 21:19

It's a bit of a lottery. Outside of Gatland and Schmidt Jamie Joseph appears to tick the most boxes but he's never coached tier 1. It's a big change to be the organ grinder after being the monkey, which counts against Foster. Robertson has never coached at international level and it's a huge step up.

When Hansen was appointed it was a risk - Wales didn't do well under him and he was really bad with the media. He developed and had really good support around him.

I don't think as much of Gatland as many do.

Steve Hansen went from Assistant to Head Coach, so I think it's entirely reasonable if Foster is the right guy, he could make the same move.

I am not sure if or how it would work, but for me I'd like to see Foster as HC and Robertson as Assistant, though I am not sure or if that would work given Robertson is a genuine contender for Head Coach.

Not sure how I'd feel about Jamie Joseph as coach of the AB's.

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2342838 24-Oct-2019 10:11

Just confirming that kick off for the AB's via TVNZ will be 9pm Saturday night? I am going where I won't possibly have access to Spark Sport, so just making sure (and to work out if it's too late for my son to stay up for but given it's a holiday weekend I may just do it anyway). Presumably the Welsh SA game is an hour late the following day?

tanivula

991 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2342840 24-Oct-2019 10:19

networkn:

Just confirming that kick off for the AB's via TVNZ will be 9pm Saturday night? I am going where I won't possibly have access to Spark Sport, so just making sure (and to work out if it's too late for my son to stay up for but given it's a holiday weekend I may just do it anyway). Presumably the Welsh SA game is an hour late the following day?

Yep, thats what my calendar says 9pm Sat for the AB's v Eng & 10pm Sun for the SA v Wales

djtOtago

1142 posts

Uber Geek

#2342854 24-Oct-2019 10:21

Both semi-finals are Live on TVNZ 1

Batman

Mad Scientist
29727 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2342886 24-Oct-2019 10:54

Perfect

Handle9

11276 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2343058 24-Oct-2019 15:19

networkn:

It's a bit of a lottery. Outside of Gatland and Schmidt Jamie Joseph appears to tick the most boxes but he's never coached tier 1. It's a big change to be the organ grinder after being the monkey, which counts against Foster. Robertson has never coached at international level and it's a huge step up.

When Hansen was appointed it was a risk - Wales didn't do well under him and he was really bad with the media. He developed and had really good support around him.

I don't think as much of Gatland as many do.

Steve Hansen went from Assistant to Head Coach, so I think it's entirely reasonable if Foster is the right guy, he could make the same move.

I am not sure if or how it would work, but for me I'd like to see Foster as HC and Robertson as Assistant, though I am not sure or if that would work given Robertson is a genuine contender for Head Coach.

Not sure how I'd feel about Jamie Joseph as coach of the AB's.

Hansen had 3 years of being head coach of Wales. It's a bit different from Foster who has no experience bring an international head coach.

Roberson should be looking for an overseas job soon. It'd be great for his development and good for New Zealand when he comes back.

What is your objection to Gatland? He does an awful lot with not much.

Dingbatt

6744 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2343108 24-Oct-2019 15:50

Savea to 7, Barrett to 6, Cane to the bench and Tuipolotu on the bench replacing Todd. Relax and go with it!

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

Batman

Mad Scientist
29727 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2343165 24-Oct-2019 16:59

that's our biggest forward on the field.

we will be playing england style. slow the ball down and dominate with forwards.

1 | ... | 330 | 331 | 332 | 333 | 334 | 335 | 336 | 337 | 338 | 339 | 340 | ... | 642