I love how he sells this dummy so well Broughton gets double teamed, compete stitch up!

I forgot about Cameron and how well he played last year. Must be in the AB frame. He is a traditional pivot who controls the game well. Just what the Canes need to compliment all the flash Harrys.

@Duluth said in Rebels v Brumbies:

5:05 in that video - wtf? Yes it's an easy three points, but you're down big and it's a free shot at 7 ffs. Doesn't exactly seem like their hearts are in it.

I guess NZR is trying to be "different" but what I will generously call the "jocular" commentary combined with the sub standard production made the entire thing look like an amateur shambles.

"Cringe" is what I think the hip young youth of today call it...

@Dan54 @Bovidae Good to see I'm not the only one who's a fan of Laban. A fantastic caller who knows how to pronounce Pacific Island names properly, always has a background knowledge of every player, and genuinely has a passion for the game from the top all the way down to the grassroots.

@MajorRage said in 6N - Scotland v France:

@voodoo said in 6N - Scotland v France:

@NTA said in 6N - Scotland v France:

Scotland should have won that game twice over in the first half but didn't take advantage of a France looking very Old French without Dupont and Ntamack.

Yeah the last decision is going to be talked about, but don't put it in the ref's hands.

Christ I hate that line of thinking. The old “the ref didn’t cost us, we should have have put it away earlier”. It makes no sense. They did what they had to do to be in a position to win the game and the TMO screwed them. Both teams made mistakes prior to then, it’s called “sport”

No, this is a good point which is on the players.

Same point applies to lions 3 in 2017, and from a personal point of view, missing out my marathon time by 23 seconds.

Re TMO. His call was correct following protocols. He has to overturn the ref. Evidence wasn’t 100% conclusive.

Thanks, but you’re wrong on both counts

I am visiting Mum's so the game was 20 minutes up the road. Went along, never seen so may cars in Methven.
Hard to get anything from the game but Billy Harmon is a brick shithouse and he influences the game whenever he is involved. He has looked AB material to me for a few seasons now.

I was at the game, first time at Ashton Gate. Really nice 27k seat stadium. Nice steep stands so really good views, good facilities and really clean.

It had been raining most of the morning but there was heavy drizzle from 10mins before kick off until about 5mins into the first half. First half handling reflected this (sometimes quite comically).

Scrums very solid although bristols scrum isnt particularly strong without Genge (although Sinkler played). First half was just played slow. Virtually no one ran onto the ball not helped by slow arrival to rucks by Heinz with a matching slow pass. Heinz decision making was good and experience on D was also good but the ball would go to a standing still Rehana who would pass to any of 5 players around him who would remain stationary until they got the ball.
Rush defence was rescued by some good wide scramble (Rova and Fihaki did well there) so a bit of work to do there.
Fihaki remains a bit of a 'not sure' player for me. Good kicker, good athlete but hands and decision making still let him down too often for a guy whose been there or there-abouts for a few years now, would have liked to see more improvement in those areas by now.
For conditions that would be ideal for someone with the size +speed of Manassa out wide I think he only got the ball once.
I had no idea someone got a yellow card.
Bristol used a lot of short chip kicks in the first half which was good to get go forward for them in the slippery conditions.
Big screen and announcements of who was replacing who was poor (and not helped that I didnt recognise so many of the players names) but the second half was a different game.
Pace really picked up. Hothams passing was lightyears away from Heinz, really quick and long and a really nice dummy and blind side run from a scrum but not tested as much defensively. So still inexperienced but with game changing skills. It got some movement forward so some momentum.
Overall it was a game where there was a lot of dropped ball that meant a score for either side was on the cards at any point.
Cant say I felt that we 'dominated the second half' as the stuff writer said but for a second pre-season game with new coach and systems they will be better for the experience.

@Windows97 Corey Evans

@MajorRage said in 6N - Ireland v Italy:

They are an exceptional team, no doubt.

Can't make it past the quarters tho 🙂

@Bones said in 6N 2024 England v Wales:

@Dodge yeah but the ref shouldn't have to study Ford's kicking style. He stands and lines it up, then takes a step to the left, to what...line it up again? That's how most kickers begin their approach. If it quacks like a duck then go for it I say.

Yep, fair point.

@KiwiMurph the fact he can cover 10/15 will be a big plus for him atleast having plenty of mins off the bench.

Also won't help the talk about booting Coleman.

Because that'll fix everything 😬

I think that O'Neill will be the backup TH prop but he went off injured. Less concern on the LH side although Ross didn't start in either game. Having our top two hookers should also help, as both are ball-carriers.

@Bovidae said in Preseason - Munster v Crusaders (Feb 4th):

Is Coombes a regular starter for Munster? He was part of the Irish squad that toured NZ. They have both Synman and Kleyn in their squad but both were unavailable due to injury.

Sky NZ is obviously doing in-studio commentary for these pre-season games.

Coombes usually starts at 8. He's a try scoring machine but not in Andy Farrells plans for whatever reason.

This is Snymans 3rd season with Munster and he's played about 11 games. Been injured all the time. Just happened to be injury free for the world cup. Lucky Rassie! Then got injured again.

@Yeetyaah said in Preseason - Wild Knights v Chiefs (Feb 4th):

Well that was a tough one to watch as a Chiefs fan.

It certainly was. At least no injuries AFAIK.

Panasonic are clearly the strongest Japanese club but I can't remember the Chiefs playing as badly as that in a long time. Boshier Jr wasn't a success at 7, and clearly didn't play to the ref like his big brother. This game also showed the importance of DMac and the first-choice back three with the kicking game and counter-attack, which was almost non-existent.

@antipodean said in 6N 2024 Wales v Scotland:

@game_film agreed. Good leadership means having uncomfortable conversations.

Prolly also means having your players respect you enough to listen to your "clear instructions".

@Daffy-Jaffy said in 6N - France v Ireland:

Great interview

No bullshit