Uni looks sharp

@ACT-Crusader said in Black Caps v Australia:

@Bovidae said in Black Caps v Australia:

I don't see a change of test captain while Stead is still the coach. We'll be needing a Hesson moment for that to happen.

Forget about Darryl’s comments, when is someone (Weenink or DPL) going to comment that Stead and Southee have the full support of the Board…

The problem is, they genuinely do have the support of the board.

I think the comments from Darryl are being grabbed as a symptom reaction. The reality is we have limited Test quality players, and we need to get the best out of them. We lost that test because we couldn't keep going in the first innings, and we dropped catches, and too many of our bowlers were toothless. Those are structural issues with our cricket - but I see little appetite to seriously address them.

It will be interesting to see how big the AB squad for the EOYT is, as that will impact who gets selected for the AB XV. On one hand this provides an opportunity to players pushing for higher honours, but could also test the depth in some positions. Some non-playing ABs might be used as previously.

@Kruse said in Best of RWC 2007:

It's over two fucking hours long of audio-only.
Yeah... nah.

Oh, thought it was a normal vid. No thanks

@Duluth said in Quality of rugby media - TV Shows etc:

Rugby, Sport, The Country, Sport, Whanganui Chronicle Blow for grassroots rugby as Sky drops two shows Blow for grassroots rugby as Sky drops two shows

They are dubbed the 'Country Calendar of rugby’.

Grassroots Rugby and Mainfreight Rugby cancelled

Boo - they were always a good lazy day watch and gave your average joe's a chance to get on TV 😞

Peach of a ride got Think It Over home over Fangirl.

On a personal note, had my 50th win as an owner in January. #leviathanowner

@Dan54 said in All Blacks - Springbok Tours: Revival?:

I am stoked this maybe coming to reality. The thought of tours even every 4 years with the Boks excites me no end. I just love the idea on top of everything else that the special relationship we have had over the years with SA will come to something. Even said to Mrs although I reckon I don't need a lot more trips overseas, can see me trying to sneak us on a supporters tour to SA!

100% - especially the chance to support the boks in person as they try to finally avenge 96.

Which reminds me. Late morning of the second test, Fitzy’s boys at history’s doorstep. brunch at some hotel in Durban fill to the tits with excited kiwis. Fair few overexcited ones.

Old mate at the table next to us looks rough, probably feels rougher: underestimated Cane’s destructive powers. he’s swaying, obviously got a bastard behind his glassy eyes, and the strain of not spewing the one bite of egg he takes is etched on his green face.

With obvious effort, he lifts the table cloth, revealing an even rougher kiwi. His ABs jersey smeared with chunder he lies quietly moaning curled between the chairlegs. There is no way he’s making it to kickoff.

With impeccable timing, the slightly less rough bloke tuts: don’t worry mate, you’ll be alright. Just pace yourself.

And drops the tablecloth.

I guess it’s one way to overcome the mental hurdle of QF anguish.

@KiwiPie said in Wags retires:

@Bovidae said in Wags retires:

The article I posted mentions that Wagner was originally a much quicker bowler but later changed to be the bowler we all loved.

It was performances like this before he played for New Zealand that had everyone so excited - the short pitched bowling came later on.

I remember that, that amazing achievement is what got the calls going for him to be eligible to play for NZ

This from last week won't help matters

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350190747/moana-pasifika-devastated-not-being-able-play-north-harbour-stadium

The field at North Harbour Stadium was resurfaced shortly after Juicy Fest on January 6 and was expected to be ready for Super Rugby game. However, on Tuesday Sakalia was told by his match-day operations team they had no confidence that the turf would be in a good enough state in two weeks.

Pacific Nations Cup enters new era with expanded competition Pacific Nations Cup enters new era with expanded competition

The Pacific Nations Cup has had a revamp, with two new teams added and a new pool structure feeding a playoff that will crown a champion.

@Duluth said in TSF Wiki:

@Kruse

No, not MN5 stuck in a loop and repeating the same list every few months

Someone made a bunch of polls and it was voted on. I just can’t find the results

I’ve had to rethink my openers. Hopefully someone can find it and I can change it.

hope you're both right, would be good to see an aussie team step up

SA Rugby

Feb 18 Boks to get wheels in motion with Cape Town alignment camp Boks to get wheels in motion with Cape Town alignment camp

The Springboks will get the wheels in motion for the 2024 season in Cape Town in the first week of March with the first in-person coaches’ strategic session and a two-day alignment camp with a group of 43 players, which will mark the team’s first gathering following their Rugby World Cup triumph in...

Yeah very gutsy. Excellent season so far.

@MN5 said in Black Caps v South Africa:

@Chris said in Black Caps v South Africa:

@Donsteppa said in Black Caps v South Africa:

On Conway, his technical issues are one of the awkward joys of cricket. By the time TSFers and Junior parents are talking about things, there's no way that he is blind to it. If only the fixes were always quick (even I'd have been a decent batter )

They can be quick with the resources Conway has but something is holding him back.
Maybe it is other issues but there is to much repeats for me to understand why there is no correction at all, not even a forward press or back foot movement to get his feet moving to get into a better balanced position.
No correction of that front foot placement nothing just same every innings so same results.

So same dismissals always off balance Lbw,Snicked off or caught in the covers or gully.

Really frustrating. I watched his whole innings and he looked good getting to 17 before disaster struck.

Very frustrating it is like there is a mental block and he reverts back to staying cast on the crease.
I hope he/they get it right NZ needs him firing.

@dogmeat said in Quay Park stadium for Auckland?:

I added the pigs....

NZ and Auckland should aim high. Eden Park will always be no more than adequate. It's better than the joke cake tin design (but what wouldn't be) but not as good as the Dunedin stadium.

Spending even more on Eden Park is throwing more good money after bad. Time to bite the bullet etc. Have something that stands out and we can all be proud of rather than bland and a little embarrassing. And what's a billion plus. And Auckland deserves this. But stick at 55,000. Thats more than enough

WWE turned to shit once all the steroid accusations came to light in the 1990s…..

Could all be coincidence though.

Such an interesting one, it’s not like such and such can take roids, sit back and get jacked. There is still a truckload of work that needs to go in and genetics are a huge factor too.

Arnie as one example had all three.

But as @NTA alludes to it’s a case of glory at the expense of a long life in most cases

@dogmeat Cheers mate,I did recall he was a pace bowler? God only knows why that has hung around in a corner of my brain for so bloody long, but I happy someone has given me that extra bit of info that was obviously jammed in one corner!!