@canefan Roger Moore was the James Bond I grew up watching in the 1980s so I was saddened to hear of his passing despite his age.

I read this on another forum.

Time for Paddy T to have a big game at home as the senior lock. I didn't think he imposed himself at all in game 1.

The irony is that MacDonald could take Umaga's position again and Mitchell and Deans have nothing to do with it this time.

@nzzp said in Ireland Vs All Blacks:

Ireland have been seriously good for some time. They should have beaten us in Christchurch a few years ago. They should have beaten us in Dublin in 13. They did beat us in Chicago.

That win in Chicago was the catalyst for this victory in Dublin. Ireland now has the belief they can win these games, and that is half the battle.

The disappointing thing from an AB perspective is that Ireland played exactly how everyone expected them to so Hansen and co should have had a game plan to counter that.

@98blueandgold said in All Blacks Squad for France:

As Selectors pointed out its work rate and energy levels for Akira. ABs need the forwards to work, clean out rucks, link etc so backs can finish which is probably why Akira not chosen

Is "workrate and energy levels" a euphemism for masquerading on the wing ala Fifita?

I'm 2 days late reading this thread so I'll only make a few comments.

I was high up in the stands in the corner where Jordie scored so had a good view of the other chances at the same end of the ground. Both BB and Laumape could have also scored tries as they were in gaps but fumbled under some defensive pressure. But no excuses for Savea - that was a definite try if he had caught the bloody ball. As many have said, if we had taken 1 or 2 of those chances the ABs would be well ahead at HT and in control of the game, as the Lions were never going to score multiple tries.

The thing I was most pissed off about was that the officials let the Lions slow the game down all the time as not all the injuries seemed to be genuine. It was like watching a RL game when the support staff run onto the field at every opportunity. Read should have spoken to Poite about this too.

Now for something about the Lions tour in general. I picked my father up from the airport earlier in the day as he had been working in Europe and was going to the game with me. He travelled back to NZ via London and was sitting next to a guy who was flying into Auckland to attend the 3rd test and flying back to the UK the following day - that's dedication. And at the test there was a South African guy (wearing his Bok colours) next to me who also flew to NZ especially for the game. That is what makes these tours unique so long may they continue.

@sparky said in Bledisoe #1:

@Bovidae Opps, I forgot about Matt Tood.

Easy mistake.

@Bones I saw that article. Isaac isn't a Kiwi anyway. He's from the Pacific Island of Tokoroa.

@Nepia said in [Poll] Next All Black Coach:

WTF! Mains was only 46 when he took over the ABs.

He always looked old didn't he.

@ACT-Crusader said in Bledisloe Three: Sydney, 31 October:

Do we persist with Jordie on the wing?

JB does sometimes look a little bit lost on defence on the wing, the Koroibete try is a good example when he moves to his left instead of holding his position out wide. The thing is that Reece also has issues defending on the wing, as does Jordan. Rieko would be in the only other "safe" option if there was to be a change.

I don't see Savea playing much at 7 again, certainly not for the Hurricanes. He wasn't that impressive in the North-South game in that position. In the ABs, Ardie is obviously the backup to Cane in the 23 but Frizell is the player who is subbed and Savea moves to 6. That tells us what the coaches think of him.

Sky's rugby coverage in NZ is like Ch.9 in Australia with cricket and Fox with RL in that they think you need to employ a long list of former players to provide some insightful analysis. The problem is that the opposite usually happens (looking at you JK). We had this discussion a few weeks back about Breakdown.

And from this article.

They already have All Blacks No 6 Shannon Frizell, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, James Lentjes and new recruits Kazuki Himeno and Billy Harmon, who has been excellent for Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup.

“There are still a few gaps to fill,” Brown said.
“We need to find a lock and an outside back.
“We’ve made a couple of really good signings. I’m not sure they've been announced yet, I think that will be in the future.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300136875/super-rugby-tony-brown-wants-former-all-black-liam-squire-back-at-highlanders

I was expecting this to be posted already.

@Stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Aiden Ross (??)

As per earlier in this thread, he had knee surgery.

James Tucker (knee) is also out for the Blues.

And Villa with a 100% record.

The other thing I will say is that a few of the players selected in these teams in 2019 are playing M10 Cup this year so it will be interesting to see how many, and who, make that step up quickly.

@trodthesod said in 2020 NZ Schools:

Bovidae.Value your input with NZ Secondary School rugby and your team looks strong.A question I’d like to ask,did you watch the two boys from Whanganui Lennox and Godfrey during their season?I thought they both played well at St Paul’s.I see you didn’t go with the big lock Holland.Bit slow I thought .

I thought Godfrey played well at 1st 5 when he came on in the 2nd half. Lennox was OK but I would rate him as the 4th of the halfbacks involved in that match. I expected Iobu to be in with a good chance as he was in the Barbarian Schools team last year, and often those players progress to the top team the following year. Hannah was the same, which is why I think he would be picked with Craig. Hannah is a beanpole though so needs to pack on the weight. Holland is huge and fairly mobile for his size but I doubt he would start ahead of the other two.

I didn't get to see many CNI games as they usually clashed with the Super 8 games, apart from the St Paul's-St Peter's game which was on TV.

@taniwharugby said in 2020 NZ Schools:

Jadin Kingi from Sacred Hearts is Bruce Robertson's grandson.

He looks like a good prospect.