Mulkey: Winning title at LSU 'what I came to do' Mulkey: Winning title at LSU 'what I came to do'

Kim Mulkey said money wasn't the primary motivating factor for her move from Baylor to LSU. "I wanted an institution that I could be proud of," she explained. "I wanted resources to hire a staff to make me look good."

Kim Mulkey leaves Baylor after over 20 years and 3 national championships for her home state LSU. Huge move

There was a Ba Bas match or a possible v probables in 91 , Jones was 7 playing against NZ top players and he in the first half played at a level of freakyness - I remember commentators saying they had never seen anything like it.
I watched many a 80's Auckland match and Jones was the man, he also was part of the most in sync loose forward trio with AJ and Zinny. Ahead of them a brutal front 5.
MJ was a freak - someone mentioned height but he was a main lineout target even before lifting due to his athleticism.
I agree with the ...I would pay to watch Jones but want McCaw in a WC final quote

Dawes (together with Barry John & Mike Gibson) visited my school during the 71 tour. From memory he spoke very well and appreciated the school assembly singing Land of My Fathers.

I had a beer with him and Bill Beaumont after the 4th test in 77. Understandable he wasn't as chipper but still seemed like a decent sort. Lions in 77 were very unlucky. Shitty weather all tour long, Phil Bennett homesick and out of sorts, an unhappy tour party, key injuries before and during the tour - hence Beaumont being there. Yet despite all this they probably should have won the series 3-1 Batty and Knights winning tries in the 1st and 4th test both came against the run of play.

@mikethesnow said in Quality of Football:

@sparky said in Quality of Football:

@booboo Thought this year's 6 Nations and European Cup have been fabulous too. Rugby's an amazing game. Pass it on!

Line or a touch forward ok in the south

A metre forward if Barnes is the ref.

Yeah, I watched the final round. If Zalatoris putter had been on a fire, it would have been very interesting. Schauffle basically beat himself when he completely fluffed the 16th. He'd gotten within 2 at that point, and a birdie there would have been a complete game changer. However, it wasn't to be.

Fair play to Matsuyama though, holding his nerve. Not as great watching as previous years, but it's still the Masters.

@nepia said in Rugby on TV:

only took me about a year of using it due to male stubbornness to not look it up)

I've done 3 years at least. Trying for 4. I wouldn't be grumpy if you told me the trick though. Certainly not looking it up.

I actually use a universal remote so will have to dig out the Apple one if I am going to lose face over this.

As for savings, I think that you guys have a different situation in Aus. I still have Sky for the rugby, for reasons already mentioned, but now have to pay extra to get the cricket, F1, etc.

Woodcock

Coles

Hayman

Thorn

Whitelock

Collins

McCaw

Read

A Smith

Dan Carter

Savea

Nonu

C Smith

Howlett

C Cullen

Somerville

Mealamu

Faumuina

Retalick

Kaino

Marshal

Spencer

Rokocoko

Notes:
•Fitzy was before pro era
• no olo brown becuase I've never watched him
•don't reckon wilson would be that good if he was playing now

@rancid-schnitzel said in Joe Wheeler:

@mn5 said in Joe Wheeler:

@sparky said in Joe Wheeler:

Sensible words from Martin Devlin:

Newstalk ZB Martin Devlin: I hope Sky TV haven't sacked Joe Wheeler for good Martin Devlin: I hope Sky TV haven't sacked Joe Wheeler for good

I hope Sky TV haven't sacked Joe Wheeler but I fear they have.  Has he been temporarily stood down or permanently disappeared?  The waters remain murky but

Devlin pretty much just copied @Rancid-Schnitzel s homework and made it longer.

Well I actually asked a real live Asian about this - one of my best mates who is Malaysian Chinese. His response was “Why should I be offended by this?” “Who honestly gives a fuck?” and “That (Wheeler) is one inbred looking fucker.” 🤣

Your friend sounds ideal for commentary TV..

@tim said in Sam Cane goooorn:

@mariner4life said in Sam Cane goooorn:

@kirwan said in Sam Cane goooorn:

@nepia said in Sam Cane goooorn:

Bugger!

I wonder if they'll still consider Ardie an 8 with Cane gone?

Huge opportunity to get Ardie in at seven (and blood Dalton) and have a big bruiser at 8 (Sotutu would be my choice)

It might be one of those injuries that force the coaches into a better selection balance.

lol haaaave you seen our selectors

Savea at 8, Kirifi at 7. Some spud at 6. You know it's true

Some clown in the Herald picked the following trio for the ABs. I'm convinced most of these guys haven't watched test rugby since 2015.

Frizell Savea Jacobson

All the impact of a combination that gets blown out by the aussies. I can see Jacobson making the squad as a 6, but he is not an 8.

Gold! Imagine getting paid to write that?? Money for nothing, chicks for free

@rapido No doubt. "Best of the rest" i.e non cartel, should get us some improvements in tours and opposition, hopefully. Not that that would be hard to improve on.

Those three are going to have a circle jerk anyway. Got to wonder if they are going to overdo it and lose appeal to the their audience due to repetition.

So this was the Bunnings and NPC announcement?

If so then I agree it is special, they've finally seen sense.

@rancid-schnitzel said in Foster resigns!!!!:

Just saw this:

1 April 2021: Breaking news
Allblack coach resigns
New Zealand rugby has been rocked by the sudden and unexpected resignation of national team coach Ian Foster. Governing body New Zealand Rugby has called an emergency board meeting to discuss his replacement. With the first Allblacks game of the season only months away, the matter will be of one of major urgency.

Potential candidates include Crusaders coach Scott Robertsen and former Lions coach Warren Fatland, however it is understood that Foster’s assistant and fan favourite Scott Mcleod is willing to step into the breach at short notice.

The reason for Foster’s sudden departure is unknown. Speculation has been rife on social media. However the general consensus appears to be that he is a fat, KFC munching muppet who should never have gotten the job in the first place and either came to that realisation or suffered a cardiac arrest because he is a fat, KFC munching muppet.

Whatever the reason, Allblack fans both in New Zealand and around the world are rejoicing and looking forward to a new era of logical selections, a winning game plan and a coach who doesn’t look like he swallowed a pig.

Ahhh if only this was true 😢

Bulls under Jake White and Duanne Vermeulen has been our top province since lockdown.

We are in a few weeks break before the start of the Rainbow Cup.

First 3 rounds local derbies (again) before we head to the NH for anther 4 rounds.

Final between the two top teams before the Lions tour.

Was listening to Devlin yesterday and he suggested Moment was decided by the judges. Which momentarily pisses me off.

And then I remembered you could vote (I voted once and it was a pain). Public votes are open to abuse and stupidity and are thus excusable.
Stupidity by appointed experts is not.

To my mind the final whistle in 2011 is as far in front of the next most momentus moment (Elliot 6), as the Elliot 6 is in front of whatever is third.

And my opinion includes all the reasons many of don't like: the grind, the tension, the nerves, the weight of 24 years. It truly was fucking amazing.

A 5 try burst 10 minutes either side of halftime by the Blues under 20 team was enough to see off a plucky Northland Future Taniwha team 38-17 played at Onewa Domain in Takapuna on Saturday

The Blues Under 20s had a point to prove after being held to a 24 all draw by the Taniwha in the previous fixture , but it was the visitors who would score in the first 2 minutes after an impressive lineout drive and maul , Mason Hohaia picking up the try and Johnny Cooper adding the extras .

Unlike a week ago when the Taniwha dominated at set piece scrum and with possession, it would be the Blues that would dominate possession for much of the 1st half , The Taniwha showing some incredible resilience on defence especially Manny Snooks despite taking a stinger on the shoulder early in the game featuring.
Isi Manu who started at number 8 for the unavailable Sam McNamara was once again a handful in both attack and defence for the Taniwha .

The set piece scrum was solid , but the issue for the Taniwha was most of the game was being played in their own half and the other issue being the quick ball being supplied to the Blues outside backs was creating problems for the defence.

The pressure and possession finally told in the 20th Minute , with the Blues crossing from close range and then adding another 2 tries 10 minutes before halftime .
The Taniwha went into the break 7-21 down with the very real prospect of the hosts posting a large score line and that danger became even more apparent when the Blues introduced 4 Blues squad members in the 2nd half , Taine Plumtree , Emoni Narawa ,Jacob Ratumaitavuki Neepkins and Tanielu Tele’a into the frame , and it would be 3 of this group of players who would feature in the next 3 tries all scored in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half ..Plumtree throwing a superb offload for one of the wingers to score , and then he was the recipient of an offload himself and finally Neepkins scoring off a Narawa break after a Northland turnover.

At 7-38 down and 30 minutes still left on the clock , it took a few reassuring words from Taniwha head coach George Konia to his charges to sting them into action ,the words had the desires effect with a slight change of tactics using their ball runners to punch holes closer to the rucks .
With Elsie Fono and Kaliopasi Uluilakepa starting to monster their opposites at scrum time setting a much needed attacking platform giving both Jayden Kemp and Brody Tamarua at 9 and 10 an opportunity to showcase their skills .

Kemp looks a really good prospect for the future and Tamarua who plays for Te Rarawa and has come from rugby league has a very good skill set.

Rob Rush who plays with plenty of physicality crashed over after some good work and Felix Rayasi after some excellent ball movement out to the flank touched down for the Taniwha’s 3rd try

For the Futures Taniwha , full credit to Kaliopasi Uluilakepa who played out the entire 80 minutes , Isi Manu on the back of these 2 games has sent a clear message to the Northland coaches that he is the right condition to go to the next level .
Terepai King who has put on 10kgs since last year has also impressed over the last 2 weeks with his lineout work and his effort around the paddock complimenting what will be his locking team mate at Mid Northern Allan Craig for this upcoming 2021 club season.

Not the result the team wanted , but it has been great seeing the next group of young Taniwha players pitting themselves against quality opposition over these last 2 weeks and it would not surprise me if several don’t force their way in the 2021 Northland Mitre 10 Cup squad if they can maintain and improve during the season.

Score
Northland Future Taniwha 17 (3 x tries Hohaia,Rush,Rayasi,con:Cooper)

Blues 20s 38 (6 x tries, 4 x con)

H/T 7-21 Blues 20s

Footnote
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa has been really impressive in these 2 fixtures, with both his scrummaging and work around the paddock, incredible ball skills for a big man , could develop very nicely into a Charle Famauina type player ..
Had a good chat to Pasi, great kid with an even better attitude
Leka Tuangafasi. I suspect will also be right in contention for a mitre 10 cup contract along with Isi Manu who was an absolute beast at number 8 , finally Northland may have a number 8 that’s gives them gainline..
Was also really impressed with Terepai King , has stuck on 10 kgs and if he can keep developing is probably an outside chance for a Mitre 10 contract .

@higgins said in The Crusaders and their success:

@chris-b Holy crap 55 contracted players. Were they running a contracted womans and development team as well?

Not sure quite how it was all supposed to work - but, there definitely wasn't a women's team.

My memory is that they retained a Nelson Griffins and a Marlborough Red Devils team and presumably the guys in those were on semi-pro contracts. But, I'm guessing really.

A guy who was big in one of the Nelson clubs told me he'd been talking to a very fringe player who told him how much his contract was and that there were plenty of others like him. I can't remember the figure he mentioned - but, both of were, "Why the hell would they pay him that!"

They definitely got the financial model badly wrong back then, but I think learned some very good lessons. 🙂