Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

1 | ... | 358 | 359 | 360 | 361 | 362 | 363 | 364 | 365 | 366 | 367 | 368 | ... | 640

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2525067 18-Jul-2020 09:54

So 2 Brothers playing for opposing teams at fullback. That's something I haven't seen before. I was musing about how often Brothers play against each other in the same position? Maybe Franks Brothers in the front row?

I will be interested to see how Jordie copes with it, he has a habit of going a bit random/silly during games where he is feeling pressure in the past... He may well feel no pressure during this game, who knows? It is a unfamiliar dynamic...

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2525901 20-Jul-2020 09:14

What a weekend of SRA we just had. Perhaps close to the best one yet. If Jordie can be a bit more consistent, then he would be my pick at full back right now. I really rate Havilli, but the size of Jordies boot and his height are hard to go past.

I could scarcely believe the outcome of last nights game between the Highlanders and Chiefs. The HL'rs really wanted that win, and it goes to prove, against NZ opposition, you can't defend a lead, no matter what. Kudos to Gatland for refusing to blame refs for the decision to disallow DM's try. When the Chiefs had scored immediately after half time, I thought all was lost for the HL but what grit and determination they played with. They were an entirely different team after 30 minutes and were downright possessed the last 20 minutes. Kudos to Sam Cane for his classy acknowledgement of the Highlanders.

I am less and less convinced, however, that he is the right man for AB's captain. I really rate him as a player and would easily rate him as our best test 7, but his conduct in-game the past few matches leave a lot to be desired, and he is to lead by example, that isn't the type of player I want our guys to mimic.

What is with TJP playing at 10 second half? Are Hurricanes short of 10's (I guess so?) or are the AB's selectors looking for him to become a 10 in an emergency ala 2019 RWC? Another playmaker? He doesn't really strike me as having the right temperament of a good 10, and his distribution is pretty average under usual circumstances. The passing in the Blues Hurricanes match was some of the worst I have seen in a long time, and when the two half backs were replaced it was just SO much better. Ruru and Booths impact from the bench was pretty significant in that regard.

Lastly, I don't understand Reiko Ioane at 13... I have heard it's his preferred position, but we aren't really short of centers right now, and he doesn't look a patch of those who have gone before him. I used to call Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu the battering ram / lock pick combo, and if you paired Ioane and Laumape together you'd have the battering ram and ..... Not a lock pick, that's for sure. Goodhue is my pick at 13, ALB even, I really don't see taking a guy who everyones raves about as the best wing in World Rugby and putting him where he has less chance to get space to run....

I am pleased to see some good form in our 6's and 8's right now.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527192 22-Jul-2020 15:04

Maybe I just don't understand what they are trying to do, but NZR's handling of the new "super rugby" proposal and how they are dealing with Rugby Australia makes me very uncomfortable. Presumably, it's about money, but surely, if Australia can hold up it's end of the financial deal, then they should be able to field more than 2 teams? I have enjoyed SRA so far, but really am missing the Australian/SA/ARG element and to reduce Australia to 2 teams feels like we are basically helping kill Rugby in Australia altogether.

I think cutting Perth from the competition didn't really dramatically reduce the competition, but cutting another 2, I feel that wouldn't be ideal.

I'd have far greater concerns about the financial viability of a Pacific team, even one based in Auckland. Not because I don't want it to succeed, but because I am just not sure it could.

Handle9

11274 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527196 22-Jul-2020 15:09

It's just a continuation of the "me me me" behaviour from NZR. They just aren't capable of playing nicely with others then bitch when the northern hemisphere won't give them what they want.

MileHighKiwi

782 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2527212 22-Jul-2020 15:32

I thought the proposal is for an 8-10 team comp. With 8 you'd have 3 Aussie sides. I think that's the right number for them. Add a Pacifica team, based in Auckland, but possibly playing a 'home' game each year in Fiji or Samoa. 9 teams, a round robin of 16 games, perfect. I'm not sure on the Hawaii idea, don't we want less travel? Auckland makes more sense.

This comp has been brilliant, I really like the 3.30pm Sunday kickoff and hopefully its retained next year.

I'm happy to ditch the South Africans and Argentinians, too far away.

What about the North v South match selection criteria? Surely where you were BORN or your first club is better than where you played your first first class game. Damien McKenzie will suit up for the North despite being a mainlander for 90% of his life. Strange.

Handle9

11274 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527218 22-Jul-2020 15:40

The structure isn't so much the issue as the way NZR has managed the process. Rather than go and talk to Australia to negotiate, like you would expect from a partner of 25 years, they publicly state they will take "expressions of interest" from Australian franchises. The condescension is palpable.

NZR love to complain about being be the victim of rugby politics but is it any surprise that they don't get supported by other unions.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527279 22-Jul-2020 16:27

Handle9:

NZR love to complain about being be the victim of rugby politics but is it any surprise that they don't get supported by other unions.

I don't think it's reasonable to assume that if NZ were less "us us us" as you put it, that RFU would be one *iota* less arrogant and self-serving themselves. There is a *long* history of RFU being short-sighted and only interested in their own financial benefits.

There would be no RWC if RFU had been left to it's own devices.

All parties need to be more flexible and open to compromise in my view.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

MileHighKiwi

782 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2527282 22-Jul-2020 16:31

We only know what we have read in the media. I would be surprised if the 'expressions of interest' comment was the first time Australia were made aware of the new proposal.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527284 22-Jul-2020 16:33

MileHighKiwi:

We only know what we have read in the media. I would be surprised if the 'expressions of interest' comment was the first time Australia were made aware of the new proposal.

I'd be kinda interested to know that as well. It was a pretty abrasive way to handle it, makes me wonder if there is more going on here that we haven't yet been made aware of.

Handle9

11274 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527288 22-Jul-2020 16:35

networkn:
Handle9:

NZR love to complain about being be the victim of rugby politics but is it any surprise that they don't get supported by other unions.

I don't think it's reasonable to assume that if NZ were less "us us us" as you put it, that RFU would be one *iota* less arrogant and self-serving themselves. There is a *long* history of RFU being short-sighted and only interested in their own financial benefits.

There would be no RWC if RFU had been left to it's own devices.

All parties need to be more flexible and open to compromise in my view.

So what if they are? NZ rugby has 2 options to cause change. They either claim the moral high ground or try and convince the northern hemisphere by persuasion. They are incapable of either and look like idiots.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527299 22-Jul-2020 16:57

So what if they are? NZ rugby has 2 options to cause change. They either claim the moral high ground or try and convince the northern hemisphere by persuasion. They are incapable of either and look like idiots.

They tried persuasion, that got them precisely nowhere. What is it exactly you'd have them do?

Handle9

11274 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2527352 22-Jul-2020 17:30

networkn:

So what if they are? NZ rugby has 2 options to cause change. They either claim the moral high ground or try and convince the northern hemisphere by persuasion. They are incapable of either and look like idiots.

They tried persuasion, that got them precisely nowhere. What is it exactly you'd have them do?

They did it extraordinarily badly, over a long period of time, RWC 2003 being a classic example.

You persuade people by giving them something they want, not by shafting them in public or treating them as poor cousins. The sign of how poor NZR are at this is the way that the islands voted for Bill Beaumont.

What has NZR done to help Scotland or Wales, neither of whom are in great financial shape?

NZR grossly over estimates it's importance to rugby politics and annoys the rest of the rugby world. The All Blacks are a good draw but other than that NZ doesn't make any sort of financial difference to world rugby. There is fairly negligible TV revenue from New Zealand as it's a tiny market and it's in a painful time zone so it's not great for Northern Hemisphere TV. There isn't anything NZ can do about that but unless it can accept it there will be no progress, quite the opposite.

networkn

Networkn
32247 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2528036 24-Jul-2020 10:03

The injury list for the Crusaders is starting to really mount up, it's making me more concerned than I would usually be about the 'canes in Christchurch this weekend.

My gut says if we can contain Laumape, and front up with the forwards, we should be OK, but discount the Canes at your peril.

cshwone

1069 posts

Uber Geek

#2528041 24-Jul-2020 10:07

networkn:

The injury list for the Crusaders is starting to really mount up, it's making me more concerned than I would usually be about the 'canes in Christchurch this weekend.

My gut says if we can contain Laumape, and front up with the forwards, we should be OK, but discount the Canes at your peril.

Alternatively, if Laumape can find some space and our forwards front up, we should be OK :) but don't discount the Crusaders.

MileHighKiwi

782 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2528081 24-Jul-2020 11:11

The Canes are outstanding value at the TAB, $4.10 for the win.

Teams.

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Fetuli Paea, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Tom Christie, Tom Sanders, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Whitelock, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor (c), Joe Moody. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Oli Jager, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Perenara (captain), Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Tevita Mafileo, Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Vaea Fifita, Jamie Booth, Vince Aso, Chase Tiatia.

Gona be a cracker! I'm picking the Canes by 6.

1 | ... | 358 | 359 | 360 | 361 | 362 | 363 | 364 | 365 | 366 | 367 | 368 | ... | 640