Didnt look too composed in Nelson? Pretty short memory from some, Barretts performance at Eden park was hailed as closest thing to DC vs the Lions in 2005 3 weeks ago. He had an off night, he will bounce back next week
Bore off Regan mate, All Blacks look as strong as ever. Angus and Karl are there because they deserve to be. What props have left NZ in the last 5 years that would be in the ABs if they were still here? Still have Atu Moli, Nepo Laulala, Alex Fidow and Kane Hames to come back from injury (along with Moody and Jeff Toomoga-Allen). Looking like were going to have deep front row stocks and competition for places come the 2019 world cup.
Im not convinced. Its not a terrible idea, but I think it creates too much of a gap between the ABs/international rugby and the next tear down. Spreads our top talent that is currently condensed into five super rugby teams, to 14 (potentially less if it were to go ahead) provincial sides and weakens the overall skill and ability of the teams. On the other hand it provides more opportunity for young players trying to break into professional rugby. I think our hierarchically tier rugby system is actually the best in the world. Ive played rugby in UK, where each league is promotion/relegation from the Premiership right down to level 9 rugby (usually County 3rd grade) - where, if you win each league year after year you could theoretically progress from a level 9 club to the Premiership. The problem is, you have to leave clubs if you want play at a higher level and get noticed.By contrast, NZs rugby system works in a hierarchy where you can enter club rugby in U21s, play well to make Senior As, go from Senior As to provincial representatives, from there to super rugby and from super rugby to the ABs, at the top of the pyramid. Our system may be slightly broken in terms of commercialism, profitability and viewership, but it is head and shoulders above the rest of the world in terms of talent identification and development pathways for players. Its not broken, it doesnt need to be completely rebuilt - it may do with some slight mending though.
Non Canterbury/Crusdaers supporter here. 1) because hes played super rugby 2) Because he can (and has) play(ed) across all 3 back three positions 3) he has performed well for longer. Jordans time will come, but he hasnt played super rugby yet. There is no need to rush him, his time will come but look what happened to Aumua - best thing for Will Jordan after coming off an injury interrupted start of the year and a great mitre 10 cup season is to have a big off season and prove he can do what hes done at Mitre 10 cup and U20 level in super rugby.
Talent only gets you so far, its one piece of the puzzle. The fact that Akira Ioane is lazy and goes missing in games constantly doesnt help his cause. Neither does being involved in every scuffle that his team gets into
Again, Hansen has the best coaching record EVER. Retallick has been out for over a month, no need to rush him back. Building nicely towards England and Ireland tests
So people under the age of 18 dont currently drink? I think if we are being realistic, our problem in NZ is that kids are starting to drink from the age of about 15-16 and by the time they are 18 they are getting more immersed into the binge drinking culture and making bad decisions more often
I have lived in England and constantly got the same rhetoric NZ poach all their players from the islands. So, I did some research. Auckland has more Samoans than any other city in the world, including Apia. Auckland also has 40,000 fijians, half of the population of Suva and 18,000 Tongans, only 5,000 fewer than Nukuʻalofa.The average age that a non-NZ born AB (that have played in the last 5 years) moves to NZ is 6 years old. The average age of the English equivalent is 16 years old. Also, if you look at the players that have represent England and NZ in the last two years, England have a higher % of foreign born players in the last two years than NZ.
They still dont have a genuine 7. Billy Vunipola is a hard runner, same with Nathan Hughes but they dont offer much more than the league style hit up. Robshaw is a hard working 6 without any X-Factor and Haskell is a decent player well past his best. Sam Simmonds has potential to be a great player. Give me the ABs loose forward depth over Englands any day of the week
Scott barrett at 8? Isaia Toeava as reserve prop?? Laumape on the wing??? And who is this Lenoard-Brown chap? never heard of him! Anton Liernert-Brown should be in his place!
Dangerous precedent? Can pick from overseas if youre on a sabbatical but contracted to NZ, played 10 years in NZ, and have a shortage of viable players in your position? Be pretty rare that were in this position
Sounds like Sam Cane is going through concussion protocols so could be out of the next test. Surely its either Gareth Evans or Blake Gibson next in line?
foreigners like Debreczeni that was born in Auckland? Nothing wrong with a few teams having some international flavor, I quite like it actually. Auckland have Jacob Umanga who has played for england U20s and a canadian 6, BOP have Ardron, Manawatu have an Aussie 7s player at fullback and a Brumbies prop, Southland have a Reds hooker and thats about it I think. Do 7 overseas players out of around 448 players (14 squads of ~32) really hinder the development of local players?
I was speaking to your comment on englands back row depth and nothing else. Englands best back rowers are, in no particular order, Vunipola, Robshaw, Sheilds, Hughes, Haskell and Simmonds. Underhill is behind all of them, apart from maybe Haskell due to age not ability. None are out and out 7s, and neither is Underhill who plays 6 and 7 and is nothing more than a good defender like Robshaw.
I cant get over the fact that the Turbos just look badly badly coached. They cant win set piece to save themselves, and thats with three super rugby props and an NZ U20. Lineout a shambles, which looks to be a mix of not having a decent hooker and poorly coached/executed. They dont seem to have any phase play structure in place and dont look to be piecing phases together as part of a plan, just playing off the cuff and trusting the halves to conjure something up for their potent outsides
Struggling to see your point. Crotty gets injured quite often, yes, but he also gets himself fit again pretty quickly. You dont see him injured for more than 2-3 weeks very often. You dont need every player to add x-factor. You need cool calm heads that take the pressure off too, Crotty offers this. We need players that have been there and done that, with Rieko still young, Jordie Barrett only having a handful of tests and Goodhue and ALB being in their early 20s, a bit of experience around them can only help.Big fan of the ALB and Goodhue combination, but I think their time will come. Crotty adds a bit of experience and ALB is great off the bench.What is the point in both Mounga and McKenzie on the bench? between them they cover two positions, 10 and fullback. If you have Ben Smith at 15, and he can cover wing. You need specialist midfield cover on the bench with the current setup.
What a load of rubbish! Its not gender discrimination, they picked a candidate more suited to the role in their eyes due to their physical attributes! Really undermines the woman that have go through real gender discrimination with these Im offended stories!
Lost me at The battle between James Tedesco and Valentine Holmes pits the form fullbacks of the competition in a mouth-watering head-to-head showdown, RTS and Ponga are the favorites for the Dally M but arent the form players in their position??
Good on them. Theyve obviously worked hard at their career to get themselves to this position, the market sets the salary expectations - if thats what companies are willing to pay, thats what the CEs will be more than willing to earn
Richie Mo'unga is the answer to the All Blacks' composure problems
Didnt look too composed in Nelson? Pretty short memory from some, Barretts performance at Eden park was hailed as closest thing to DC vs the Lions in 2005 3 weeks ago. He had an off night, he will bounce back next week
Otago whitebaiters net 200-year-old taiaha from the water
Not for long though: It was likely to be stored at ÅŒtakou Marae and eventually offered to local runanga, Wesley said.
All Blacks players and coaches being inspired by their late-blooming props
Bore off Regan mate, All Blacks look as strong as ever. Angus and Karl are there because they deserve to be. What props have left NZ in the last 5 years that would be in the ABs if they were still here? Still have Atu Moli, Nepo Laulala, Alex Fidow and Kane Hames to come back from injury (along with Moody and Jeff Toomoga-Allen). Looking like were going to have deep front row stocks and competition for places come the 2019 world cup.
Sir John Kirwans big idea for NZ rugby: Bring back the tribalism
Im not convinced. Its not a terrible idea, but I think it creates too much of a gap between the ABs/international rugby and the next tear down. Spreads our top talent that is currently condensed into five super rugby teams, to 14 (potentially less if it were to go ahead) provincial sides and weakens the overall skill and ability of the teams. On the other hand it provides more opportunity for young players trying to break into professional rugby. I think our hierarchically tier rugby system is actually the best in the world. Ive played rugby in UK, where each league is promotion/relegation from the Premiership right down to level 9 rugby (usually County 3rd grade) - where, if you win each league year after year you could theoretically progress from a level 9 club to the Premiership. The problem is, you have to leave clubs if you want play at a higher level and get noticed.By contrast, NZs rugby system works in a hierarchy where you can enter club rugby in U21s, play well to make Senior As, go from Senior As to provincial representatives, from there to super rugby and from super rugby to the ABs, at the top of the pyramid. Our system may be slightly broken in terms of commercialism, profitability and viewership, but it is head and shoulders above the rest of the world in terms of talent identification and development pathways for players. Its not broken, it doesnt need to be completely rebuilt - it may do with some slight mending though.
Auckland flanker Dalton Papalii the bolter in All Blacks' northern tour squad
Non Canterbury/Crusdaers supporter here. 1) because hes played super rugby 2) Because he can (and has) play(ed) across all 3 back three positions 3) he has performed well for longer. Jordans time will come, but he hasnt played super rugby yet. There is no need to rush him, his time will come but look what happened to Aumua - best thing for Will Jordan after coming off an injury interrupted start of the year and a great mitre 10 cup season is to have a big off season and prove he can do what hes done at Mitre 10 cup and U20 level in super rugby.
Auckland flanker Dalton Papalii the bolter in All Blacks' northern tour squad
Talent only gets you so far, its one piece of the puzzle. The fact that Akira Ioane is lazy and goes missing in games constantly doesnt help his cause. Neither does being involved in every scuffle that his team gets into
Brendon McCullum rips David Warner over century celebration
Doesnt play for his country at the moment does he?
Damian McKenzie picked to play fullback for the All Blacks v Wallabies
Again, Hansen has the best coaching record EVER. Retallick has been out for over a month, no need to rush him back. Building nicely towards England and Ireland tests
Coroner calls for increase of alcohol purchasing age following death of drink-driving teen
So people under the age of 18 dont currently drink? I think if we are being realistic, our problem in NZ is that kids are starting to drink from the age of about 15-16 and by the time they are 18 they are getting more immersed into the binge drinking culture and making bad decisions more often
"Brad Shields likely to face All Blacks as England injury crisis deepens",
I have lived in England and constantly got the same rhetoric NZ poach all their players from the islands. So, I did some research. Auckland has more Samoans than any other city in the world, including Apia. Auckland also has 40,000 fijians, half of the population of Suva and 18,000 Tongans, only 5,000 fewer than Nukuʻalofa.The average age that a non-NZ born AB (that have played in the last 5 years) moves to NZ is 6 years old. The average age of the English equivalent is 16 years old. Also, if you look at the players that have represent England and NZ in the last two years, England have a higher % of foreign born players in the last two years than NZ.
"Brad Shields likely to face All Blacks as England injury crisis deepens",
They still dont have a genuine 7. Billy Vunipola is a hard runner, same with Nathan Hughes but they dont offer much more than the league style hit up. Robshaw is a hard working 6 without any X-Factor and Haskell is a decent player well past his best. Sam Simmonds has potential to be a great player. Give me the ABs loose forward depth over Englands any day of the week
The Block NZ: Triple room reveal prompts a judge's blowout
Not sure if the teach fundamentals of shelving in an architecture degree
Scarfie flatties accept bong-taking proctor's apology
Owning paraphernalia associated to marijuana isnt a crime
All Blacks skipper Kieran Read backs himself to regain batting form of youth
Doesnt really promote the event to say Read will captain the team, who was a pretty average cricketer in his day
All Blacks find themselves caught in a conflict between instinct and structure
Scott barrett at 8? Isaia Toeava as reserve prop?? Laumape on the wing??? And who is this Lenoard-Brown chap? never heard of him! Anton Liernert-Brown should be in his place!
Wallabies reveal how All Blacks changed tactics to destroy their lineout
What silverware? Coached Waikato 2002-03, didnt win. Chiefs 2004-11, won the year after he left.
Auckland flanker Dalton Papalii the bolter in All Blacks' northern tour squad
Dangerous precedent? Can pick from overseas if youre on a sabbatical but contracted to NZ, played 10 years in NZ, and have a shortage of viable players in your position? Be pretty rare that were in this position
'F' rating for Waikato Council in Forest & Bird dairy effluent report - but council says it gave wrong data
No. Manawatu river is one of the worst in the western world. http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/3097651/Manawatu-River-among-worst-in-the-West
"Damian McKenzie shows selectors he's ready to kick if called upon",
Utter rubbish, Ben Smith is playing as good as ever! Still head and shoulders above any other full back in the world
All Blacks hooker Dane Coles is about a fortnight away from playing provincial rugby
Sounds like Sam Cane is going through concussion protocols so could be out of the next test. Surely its either Gareth Evans or Blake Gibson next in line?
Five players the Warriors could target for 2019
Tell that to James Maloney
Late penalty from Bryn Gatland helps North Harbour edge Northland by a point
foreigners like Debreczeni that was born in Auckland? Nothing wrong with a few teams having some international flavor, I quite like it actually. Auckland have Jacob Umanga who has played for england U20s and a canadian 6, BOP have Ardron, Manawatu have an Aussie 7s player at fullback and a Brumbies prop, Southland have a Reds hooker and thats about it I think. Do 7 overseas players out of around 448 players (14 squads of ~32) really hinder the development of local players?
Warriors will travel to Sydney for sudden death playoff with Penrith
Cool story bro, league must be really strong in the North if a team from Toronto can win back to back promotions and end up in the super league
Waisake Naholo, Jack Goodhue ride super form into starting spot for All Blacks
Lucky he plays for Fiji then
Late penalty from Bryn Gatland helps North Harbour edge Northland by a point
Still played a hell of a lot better than Gatland who was very poor. Think that is the worst game Ive seen him play.
Auckland flanker Dalton Papalii the bolter in All Blacks' northern tour squad
New Auckland hooker Able is also a near 30 year old Australian.. Also Lomax is twice the player Marcel Renata is
"Brad Shields likely to face All Blacks as England injury crisis deepens",
I was speaking to your comment on englands back row depth and nothing else. Englands best back rowers are, in no particular order, Vunipola, Robshaw, Sheilds, Hughes, Haskell and Simmonds. Underhill is behind all of them, apart from maybe Haskell due to age not ability. None are out and out 7s, and neither is Underhill who plays 6 and 7 and is nothing more than a good defender like Robshaw.
Otago hammer Manawatū in Palmerston North with second half blitz
I cant get over the fact that the Turbos just look badly badly coached. They cant win set piece to save themselves, and thats with three super rugby props and an NZ U20. Lineout a shambles, which looks to be a mix of not having a decent hooker and poorly coached/executed. They dont seem to have any phase play structure in place and dont look to be piecing phases together as part of a plan, just playing off the cuff and trusting the halves to conjure something up for their potent outsides
The Block NZ: Living room week reveals a noticeable judges' bias
Yet you feel the need to read the article and comment? Dont like it, dont waste your time on it.
Suddenly The Rugby Championship's not so dull after all
Struggling to see your point. Crotty gets injured quite often, yes, but he also gets himself fit again pretty quickly. You dont see him injured for more than 2-3 weeks very often. You dont need every player to add x-factor. You need cool calm heads that take the pressure off too, Crotty offers this. We need players that have been there and done that, with Rieko still young, Jordie Barrett only having a handful of tests and Goodhue and ALB being in their early 20s, a bit of experience around them can only help.Big fan of the ALB and Goodhue combination, but I think their time will come. Crotty adds a bit of experience and ALB is great off the bench.What is the point in both Mounga and McKenzie on the bench? between them they cover two positions, 10 and fullback. If you have Ben Smith at 15, and he can cover wing. You need specialist midfield cover on the bench with the current setup.
Steve Hansen says Beauden Barrett's bad night with the boot is no World Cup omen
I agree Leon McDonald is to blame
Unsuccessful female candidate told store opted for physically strong male
What a load of rubbish! Its not gender discrimination, they picked a candidate more suited to the role in their eyes due to their physical attributes! Really undermines the woman that have go through real gender discrimination with these Im offended stories!
Taika Waititi helps award Venice Film Festival prize to Alfonso Cuaron's Roma
Well said Paulus68
All Blacks on Kalyn Ponga's radar as he contemplates code switch
Scott Barrett pretty handy behind Retallick/Whitelock?
Taika Waititi helps award Venice Film Festival prize to Alfonso Cuaron's Roma
Tall poppy syndrome alive and well I see
Late penalty from Bryn Gatland helps North Harbour edge Northland by a point
And your point being..? Aussies shouldnt be allowed in NZ teams?
Auckland flanker Dalton Papalii the bolter in All Blacks' northern tour squad
New Auckland hooker Able is also a near 30 year old Australian..
"New All Blacks centre Matt Proctor rather overwhelmed by his selection for Japan",
Are they even related?
The Block NZ: Living room week reveals a noticeable judges' bias
So why comment on an article about it just to tell people you dont watch it?
Richie Mo'unga is the answer to the All Blacks' composure problems
Thats odd because the TAB doesnt have a betting option for Ireland to beat the ABs in the world cup final?
All Blacks show faith in fast-tracking Jordie Barrett's test match education
The headline is All Blacks show faith in fast-tracking Jordie Barretts test match education....
Warriors will travel to Sydney for sudden death playoff with Penrith
Look at the table.. every top 8 team has been like that this year. Warriors and Sharks are the only teams to win 4 of their last 5
NRL Finals format explained for most open playoffs in competition's history
Lost me at The battle between James Tedesco and Valentine Holmes pits the form fullbacks of the competition in a mouth-watering head-to-head showdown, RTS and Ponga are the favorites for the Dally M but arent the form players in their position??
Kieran Read admits two All Blacks squads will be 'a bit weird'
Keep flogging that dead horse mate, theyve played two games since then
Late penalty from Bryn Gatland helps North Harbour edge Northland by a point
Well no, at least a super rugby player at best given he plays well at that level??
NRL Finals format explained for most open playoffs in competition's history
Apart from the Lions who made the final and the Warratahs who made the semi (beating the highlanders)?
All eyes are on the 15 men and women in $2 million club of executives
Good on them. Theyve obviously worked hard at their career to get themselves to this position, the market sets the salary expectations - if thats what companies are willing to pay, thats what the CEs will be more than willing to earn