@Nepia said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes: Goosen gets another start? I prefer Goosen to Lam

@KiwiMurph said in Waratahs vs Hurricanes: @Bones said in Waratahs vs Hurricanes: @ShadowTrooper said in Waratahs vs Hurricanes: @Canes4life Yep agree with all the changes suggested fro next week. Was impressed the Canes stayed in the fight though, and that (plus Jordie's boot) is what got them over the line. Compare and contrast that with tghe Chiefs who had the bloody game there for the taking ,and let it slip from right under their noses to a much hungrier Landers side. Soooo....Canes won, but Chiefs lost huh? As opposed to NSW lost, and landers won.... Perhaps it has something to do with the Highlanders being down to 14 men for the last 13 minutes of the game...... Ok

Video highlights with the tries scored by the Hurricanes Hunters against Blues A, last weekend. First two tries by Jonah Lowe (13), the other three by Danny Toala (12). Great to see they shifted Lowe to 13.

Leon MacDonald was a good #10 in my opinion, except he had a fullback's kick -- too slow, and hence prone to charge downs, and lacking a bit in variety. At the time it made sense to play him though.

The French should feel mortified they lost to a team that had that as a first five-eighth. Exactly the sort of game that gives me All Black RWC nightmares.

@stargazer said in Chiefs v Hurricanes: @crucial Yep. Blackadder signed him; he hardly got game time for the Crusaders because others were considered better; and Robbertson led him go. The few times he did play for us I actually thought he went okay. Provided some impact off the bench.

@pakman said in Hurricanes v Blues: @crucial said in Hurricanes v Blues: @snowy said in Hurricanes v Blues: @bones There will have been a shit load more to that. Annoying for you but you got there alive didn't you. There is reason air travel is safe. Yep, it is as annoying as fuck but aircraft repairs are way more complicated than chucking on a replacement part and crossing your fingers. Any fault has to be logged with full tracing of the faulty part in case it is potentially from a faulty batch. Any replacement must also have that same traceability and be checked for potential compatibility issues with other parts on that plane. The level of checking and caution is very high. Admittedly, I believe that like many airlines AirNZ have pulled back on their engineering spend to find a better cost balance although compared to some other large airlines they are still very good. Talk to an airline engineer about what airlines they won't fly on and you will get some surprises. Can't remember who told me this, about 20 years ago, but some engineering fellow said to stick to airlines with 'British' trained engineers. Back then I recall that as including BA, Virgin, ANZ, Qantas, Cathay, Singapore and SAA. Avoid American if possible. Three grades of fault, 1,2 & 3. Grade 1 immediate fix, 2 something like that week. Grade 3 was not vital but needed to be done at some point. Trouble was to save on costs American Airlines only did 3s every six months, as against promptly by 'Brits'. Cumulative impact of many 3s can become as risky as a 2, and in exceptional circumstances a 1. May be out of date by now. I occasionally have this discussion with an ex AirNZ engineer and this is what I picked up BA are awful now, massive interference in engineering by the accountants. Cathy and Singapore have always been very good and maintained high standards The UK/US thing is a bit true but doesn't always hold water. One of the key things is the investment in parts on hand. As I described earlier every nut and bolt on a commercial aircraft is computer logged with identifiers and makes it possible to trace faults, compatibility and batch issues If you need to order a part (as opposed to having it in store) this safety aspect can mean that it takes a little longer. In passenger impact this can mean that an expected small repair becomes a bigger issue when the part you expect to use is not usable on that particular aircraft. So you get those situations where they sit you on the tarmac saying short delay, which then becomes a long delay.

Game on now for 2nd in the NZC and a home QF. The Chiefs-Canes game in the final round could determine that, assuming both teams win next round and the Highlanders don't upset the Crusaders.

@rapido yea, i sort of remember those days. Around 2000 suddenly everyone had their hands in rucks, and cleanouts involved a heap of force.

@broughie All elbows and knees.

@pukunui I would prefer Lousi to PT at the moment. He has made some pretty impressive strides since the days of the Tahs. Would add some needed starch to the AB pack compared to Barret.

@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes: Doesn’t have a two game AB break due? I hope so, Tana is grinding him into dust because he’s so reliant on the Ioanes saving his blushes. I'm not sure he does as he's not an AB, only those that played full ABs tests last year are included, I think. Even if they're on the radar. Hard enough to take those guys out of two games, let alone possibles and fringe players.

@mariner4life said in Hurricanes v Lions: you need a lesson in damning stills, and bold red arrow placement from that delusional Aussie bloke. Video with boring monologue over the top is also appreciated. I can't see anything but a pile of arms and legs, and can't tell who is who. Almost makes me miss the days when players from different positions had different body shapes. Ah the 90s aye @MN5 ? But, based on experience, if we are charging A Savea with doing something physical, and actually being involved in tough stuff, then weight of evidence says not guilty. Absolutely. Royce Willis and Norm Maxwell locking the scrum, Isi Maka off the back. Mayerhofler at centre. Marvellous.

@bones said in Hurricanes all time XV: @nepia Lowe could be the next Ngatai minus the injuries. Thought it would be good to have a set of brothers in there.

@chester-draws said in Hurricanes v Sunwolves: Julian Savea might be finding his mojo. He may be playing well. But players don't suddenly "find" their old pace, like it slipped down the back of the sofa and he didn't look hard enough. If he is to "find" some pace it will be in the off-season. And I have a lovely bridge that you might like to buy, if you fall for that. Only one owner, a lovely Nigerian Prince. Losing the weight might be a start, he’s looking trim. I agree with you, have an old memory of Savea or was it the Rok being sent to sevens to sharpen up and came back quicker.

@mn5 said in Hurricanes v Chiefs: @gt12 said in Hurricanes v Chiefs: @mn5 said in Hurricanes v Chiefs: @bones said in Hurricanes v Chiefs: @mn5 something about penetrating from the back and blokes getting something up so that it goes straight down your throat. Good God man. Do you actually think before you post? Stones and glass houses right here. Guilty as charged As am I, during any Chiefs game.

@nzzp said in Hurricanes v Sharks: @kiwipie said in Hurricanes v Sharks: 2 things I have noticed about the Sharks one of the big things for me is their defence is strong. Players just seem to run into a brick wall when they hit the line - and often go back. Noticeable against the Blues, and often against the Canes as well. Good footy to watch. Jean-Luc du Preez is monstrous.

@bones Yes in 2015. They also beat the Chiefs and Crusaders in Chch that year.

@bones said in Hurricanes vs. Highlanders: @kiwipie said in Hurricanes vs. Highlanders: Late to the thread but what a try saver by Ben May. No idea why he was so far back in play but great to see a Fatty put in the big ones. What a fucken shamozzle by Li though. No brains to toe it ahead and no courage to make a play at it. It was moments like this that fucked it for the landers. Yep - saw a big man moving fast and decided to let him have it. Although conversely he may have been buggered as he'd just sprinted a considerable distance back and then forward again

@dice said in Hurricanes vs Crusaders: The Canes aren't helping Fifita's AB chances by playing him at lock, especially with a surging Akira. He is stuck in the tight and seems too lanky to play there with any authority. I think his best role is a wider ranging 6 on attack, just like Squire, who basically parks himself out wide for the Highlanders. Maybe. but Shields is playing so well at 6. He's a must start and 6 is his best position Well enough that Jones will be watching him closely. He looks in the best physical condition I have seen him in. maybe training extra hard with England in mind Julian had a very good first half. faded in the 2nd until replaced but hopefully he's getting back to his best form. Ardie also looks to be playing at a higher level this year. He just looks a bit bulkier and is playing with more maturity I though the Crusaders tight 5 would be too good (without our 4 top props and top hooker) against a tired Canes but the Canes were deserved winners.