@nostrildamus think mate Mounga doesn't go that well with an inside centre type player as much as a 2nd 5/8, someone who plays first receiver a bit and allows him to take the ball a little wider. With the Crusaders off set play especially early in game, Havili often takes the ball off set play. Not a criticism of Mounga, but just something I have seen.

Just saw Young's yellow card from this game. What an absolute shocker. That's as clear a red as you'll see.

@pakman unseen? Hardly. Still evident v Japan

@mariner4life said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:

@ACT-Crusader said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:

@Jailbreak7 said in Black Ferns v Wales QF - RWC:

Main diff between mens and womens game is that the BFs really enjoy themselves out there, all smiles and really want to play for each other.. Shot of the bench showed teamates relaxed and having fun. Think the mens game has lost that spark and energy somewhere. Weight of Expectation? Too serious, need to lighten up and play with more freedom and the passes will stick.

You still see the ABs getting excited and celebrating. Sometimes it looks out of relief (eg Melbourne Bledisloe and final try) and others just genuine joy and excitement in the moment no matter at what point in the game it happens.

Just some of my thoughts, but you can’t overlook factors like the amount of money involved in the game, the fine line between being in and being cut for many players, the whole ‘AB legacy’ vs ‘play my own game’ tension. This does build pressure and expectation within and from the outside.

Fuck, take this place as a microcosm, times it by a millions for Stuff and Facebook

Have a look at the comments directed at any fucking player that dares to show a bit of emotion on the field. To celebrate. To puff the chest when they do something cool. You think that doesn't filter back to the fucking players?

NZ is still a very serious introverted little backwater in many ways. The ABs are still supposed to be stoic farmer types. Jog back to half way like it's nothing or you are a flash fluffybunny with a shit selfish attitude.

Good on the girls for ignoring that shit. But let's not pretend the pressure or expectation is the same

They can show the way though.

I tell you what. Clubs around the country better be gearing up for a boom in their womens teams next year. There will be a few that a happy if they hopped on the bus a little earlier as well.

@cgrant alt text

I’d love to watch some of the training sessions to see what Smith does to build awareness of space and shifting the ball to it. These women had handling skills but he has developed instincts which is a very difficult thing to do.

What useless ending to a poor season. Completely and utterly outplayed by Welly and I hope they haven't played their final. I'm rooting for them this week that they get up against Canterbury.

Are we rid of Ieremia for 2023?

@Crucial said in Black Ferns v Wales RWC:

@Joans-Town-Jones said in Black Ferns v Wales RWC:

@MiketheSnow said in Black Ferns v Wales RWC:

Class Act

I wanna convert her...

To what? Mormonism?

For the night

@KiwiMurph said in SF - Canterbury vs BOP:

It's a shame Poihipi isn't a starting 12 in Super. Class player.

The ABs to use the lineout drive often against Japan.

@Bones said in QF - Waikato v BOP:

Is he the one most likely to become the next Kurt Baker?

He does seem to have a bit of Baker about him. Good player, well suited to sevens but his workrate will bring value to NPC level if not Super.

@ACT-Crusader said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

@Canes4life said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

So close Northland. Canterbury are definitely beatable.

I think what this season has highlighted are that there are certain teams that play a way that trouble others.

I don’t think there is too much between the 8 teams that made the playoffs.

Yeah it feels like any of the top 8 can knock one another off on their day, it's about timing your run to the finals and making sure your players aren't gassed when they get there.

@Bones said in QF - Wellington vs Shield Snorters:

@mikey07 said in QF - Wellington vs Shield Snorters:

@foobaNZ Starting Morgan is a must for a start yeah I totally agree with you about the pack looking toast which is weird considering most of them were rested last week

I only saw the highlights but JGB looked to have a strong hand in many of the lions points. Was the rest that bad?

I thought he had a good game. But kicked too much. But after being rubbish during super rugby and until CM he's been so much better

@KiwiMurph said in QF - North Harbour v Auckland:

@Nogusta said in QF - North Harbour v Auckland:

@Tim Hickey 10, Plummer 12
, Lam 13, RTS 14

"Late change for Auckland with Hickey at 10"

More like

"Team is as @Nogusta suggested 4 days ago".

Yea strange why they didn't just list them with their actual playing numbers the last couple of games?

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Kirwan said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

@Duluth said in All Blacks v Argentina II:

“I’m one of the guys that says ‘the things that happens on the field stays on the field, that’s how it has to be always."

Clearly this is not true. The next word was 'But'

"he just continued picking on me"

"it really hurt me"

"He said things that I’m sensitive about"

"I just couldn’t understand why he kept picking on me"

It's almost like Coles singled out an emotional player and tried to get him to lose focus on the game.

I'm shocked. Nothing like this ever happens in top level sports.

Won't someone think of the children?? Oh Pablo pulled out that bullshit too

"I know there’s a lot of young kids or young players watched the game and it’s not a good example"

zzzzz

Smart from Coles, targetted what appears to be a mentally weak player.

Nothing the opposition says should stop you thinking about the game. Fitzy would be proud.

But did it affect him thinking about the game, during the game? All it seemed to impact was the post game handshake…

Certainly did, he was chasing Coles several times rather than getting into position

Usually the North Bridge Hilton.

editor  /  Oct 5, 2022 Game-worn tribute jerseys available on TradeMe - Counties Sports Hub Game-worn tribute jerseys available on TradeMe - Counties Sports Hub

Fans are being offered a chance to buy their own piece of Counties Manukau Rugby history with game-worn, one-off throwback jerseys available for purchase on TradeMe. On Sunday, October 2, 2022, the PIC Steelers wore a one-off heritage jersey against Wellington in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC in...

@kev Rivez Reihana has extended his stay at the Chiefs, just not sure if it’s one or 2 years but will be definitely with the Chiefs in 2023

I thought that Ratima played a big part in the comeback. He brought some energy on which DMac tuned into. The connection between those two was much better and DMac had that extra moment on the ball to wait for the defence to make a decision then try and take advantage.
That first of the three comeback tries was DMac on a good day to a tee. Ball in both hands looking at options then an acceleration through two forwards and a great offload.
Ratima mixed it up quite a bit and also cleaned some critical breakdowns on the verge of isolation.
To me that extra action and energy is what had BOP's storm week problems kick in and errors start.
Will be a cracker game next week.