Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

1 | ... | 366 | 367 | 368 | 369 | 370 | 371 | 372 | 373 | 374 | 375 | 376 | ... | 640

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2544031 18-Aug-2020 21:54

The comparison of careers is only superficial at best. Barrett became the All Black starting flyhalf in 2016, his 5th year in the team and with around 40 caps. He was a proven international player who stepped up to start after a superb domestic season.

Mo'unga is a pup, he's not at all proven yet.

Backblaze

Backblaze Unlimited Backup. World’s easiest cloud backup. Get peace of mind knowing your files are backed up securely in the cloud (affiliate link).

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2544095 19-Aug-2020 05:06

I think the All Blacks 35 will be below:

I've divided it up into guys who will start, guys who will be somewhere in the 23 most weeks, guys who might be in and out but will contribute in big games and the guys who they have picked for the future or, in the case of the backup locks, the cupboard is bare.

The toughest picks are the backup hooker, backup locks, the mix of the backup loose forwards and the last midfielder.

Guaranteed to start:

1. Moody

3. Tuungafasi

4. Whitelock

5. Tuipolotu

6/8 Savea

7. Cane

9. Smith

10/15 Beauden Barrett

Wing George Bridge

12/13 Jack Goodhue

Almost Guaranteed to be in the match day 23:

2/17 Coles

2/17 Taylor

18 Laulala

6/20 Frizell

21 Perenara

15 or bench Jordie Barett

10 or bench Mo'unga

Wing or Bench Reiko Ioane

Horses for Courses:

Tuinukuafe

Taavao

Sotutu

Papalii

Akira Ioane

Ennor

Lienart-Brown

Reese

Mackenzie

Developmental / Backups / there isn't anyone else

Aumua

Parkinson

Shelby-Rickit

Boshier

Weber

Umaga-Jensen

Jordan

Clarke

Jas777

838 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2546929 21-Aug-2020 11:35

What are people's opinions over the way North and South teams are picked?

I would prefer what school played at even though at times it will favour the North. If did it that way the North would always be strong and the South sometimes weak.

If did it now I think the North is a 15 to 20 point better team. The South is weak in key positions, Hooker, Lock, No 8, Halfback.

But if had done it in 2018 then South with the likes of Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Ryan Crotty etc would have been a better match.

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2546956 21-Aug-2020 12:16

The south is weak at hooker with Taylor and Coleman? Lock is much of a muchness as well.

It's an artificial game with arbitrary eligibility being played to make money. I wouldn't over think it too much.

tukapa1

724 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2546974 21-Aug-2020 12:32

Handle9: The south is weak at hooker with Taylor and Coleman? Lock is much of a muchness as well.

It's an artificial game with arbitrary eligibility being played to make money. I wouldn't over think it too much.

If it was done on High Schools then both Taylor and Coltman would be North Island (Manawatu and Taranaki).

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2546977 21-Aug-2020 12:38

Isn't all professional sport primarily played to make money? I agree it's fairly meaningless or if it means anything regards to position, form etc...

Should be reasonably entertaining, and that's what I care about.

Jas777

838 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2547063 21-Aug-2020 14:48

Handle9: The south is weak at hooker with Taylor and Coleman? Lock is much of a muchness as well.

It's an artificial game with arbitrary eligibility being played to make money. I wouldn't over think it too much.

I was meaning if done on schools.

If no exemptions for Auckland players then game is ruined anyway, so no point worrying about it now.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2547153 21-Aug-2020 17:05

So they have postponed the N v S game a week to try and allow us to get to see it in person, but won't consider beyond that, as it will interfere with Mitre 10 Cup.

I wonder how different M10 will be to Super Rugby this year if the AB's are all playing due to not having any AB's Duty. I guess it will allow some of the SR players to have a few less weeks in a row getting smashed, but if we do play International Rugby nearer the end of the year, one wonders how they will manage players workloads..

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2547325 21-Aug-2020 20:30

networkn:
Isn't all professional sport primarily played to make money? I agree it's fairly meaningless or if it means anything regards to position, form etc...

Should be reasonably entertaining, and that's what I care about.

Compared to test matches or provincial games there isn't any meaning to the game. It's entertainment and revenue. Nothing wrong with that but not worth getting would up over.

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2547326 21-Aug-2020 20:34

networkn:
So they have postponed the N v S game a week to try and allow us to get to see it in person, but won't consider beyond that, as it will interfere with Mitre 10 Cup.

I wonder how different M10 will be to Super Rugby this year if the AB's are all playing due to not having any AB's Duty. I guess it will allow some of the SR players to have a few less weeks in a row getting smashed, but if we do play International Rugby nearer the end of the year, one wonders how they will manage players workloads..

I can't see international rugby happening in New Zealand this year. Politically and economically it makes no sense.

Workload is hardly a problem, the players had a 2 month holiday in the earlier part of the year. Normally the top players would have played 15-20 high level games by now. Of course if they want further pay cuts they can take more time off.

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2547751 22-Aug-2020 17:52

networkn:
Scott Robertson has extended his contract with the Crusaders and NZR, which is great news from my perspective. I didn't really see him likely to rush off anyways, on account of the C19 thing, the fact he is pretty established with a relatively young and settled family in NZ right now, and the fact he is the heir apparent to the AB's if Foster doesn't meet expectations. I think Foster has been given the poisoned chalice because he's damned if he does or doesn't with the AB's right now. If they play well, he won't get the credit, it will be blamed on the other teams having less time to prepare, and if they don't play well, it's just as likely nothing to do with him as completely his fault. 2021 *might* be a better season to judge him on, but if he's average, then they are already halfway through the RWC cycle and do they stick with him, or cut the strings and take a gamble on Robertson.

It appears that he hasn't extended his contract and is looking offshore. It's a logical move for him, especially as he's outside of the magic circle at NZR.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2548064 23-Aug-2020 11:57

He's looking at the Lions which is very short term stuff, I think he is staying local for a couple of reasons, but primarily because he knows there is still a chance with the AB's I believe.

Reds v Force was some game. The Force were fairly lacklustre, but don't let that take anything away from the Red's who looked like they were back in their hey day. Tate McDermott looks the goods, quite possibly a Wallaby in the making. O'Conner looks his best self in quite a number of years. They looked electric most of the game and Taniala Tupoa is probably the form front-rower in Australian Rugby now. Rennie must be licking his lips.

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2548199 23-Aug-2020 14:12

networkn:
He's looking at the Lions which is very short term stuff, I think he is staying local for a couple of reasons, but primarily because he knows there is still a chance with the AB's I believe.

Is he staying? Has it been formally announced?

He's very publically speculating about coaching in France.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2548201 23-Aug-2020 14:17

When I posted it, I posted it after seeing an article which basically stated he had resigned with NZR and Crusaders to the end of 2021. It included quotes from him. I had no reason to doubt that. I wish I'd linked to the NZH article now.

I suspect he may have given himself an out and he may be choosing to explore that. I think he would be great with the Lions.

Handle9

11241 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2548206 23-Aug-2020 14:24

If it's the same this then it wasn't a formal announcement, it was a reported but never announced.

There's something going on here - coaches don't speculate in the.media as Robertson has unless they are.settingvthe scene to move or trying to get significantly more money out of NZR.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12355158

1 | ... | 366 | 367 | 368 | 369 | 370 | 371 | 372 | 373 | 374 | 375 | 376 | ... | 640