Scott Barrett had a great game.

How did they leave Sam Cane on the bench last week. Dumbest selection of all time.

Forgot how much I love watching Northland play. Can’t wait for the rest of the season.

Those that talk negatively about NZ provincial rugby ( and individual teams ) don’t understand how great this competition continues to be for NZ rugby - the jewel in the crown. The talent on display is amazing.

But a bit tired of reading articles from hack journalists and listening to ex rugby players acting as commentators who don’t know the players from the opposition team and have no passion for the game they are watching. The comments about Northland before, and after the game on the radio and in print lack any insight into our team.

I guess that’s why this forum is great .

This has been coming for some time. We keep being told that we can play rugby without the ball. Kicking it away. The Wallabies showed that keeping the ball in hand is what matters. Some of our tight forwards struggle with their hands. Tonight they lost the contact as well.

Read has been quality. Captains knock.

@Entertainer15 disagree. We lost it in the forwards an with poor tactical kicking. Their forwards created go forward, won their lineouts and they were tactically miles ahead.

Next World Cup will be more challenging.

Our Junior rugby teams have been beaten up recent years by sides with big forward packs. Development of our tight 5 depth and loose forwards that can win contact will be our challenge. We always have great footballers but size matters as the game gets tighter and defence dominates.

It’s a complete overkill. Franks tried to clean out, made contact with head. Yes red card but accidental, and some coaching on technique required. Unfortunate that refs missed it but with so much happening on field this will happen. No problem with judiciary giving a couple of weeks for accidental contact. It’s not tiddly winks and sometimes stuff happens. This doesn’t make the Crusaders dirty. It does mean any players involved need to take note and work to improve technique.

@booboo yes, those two drop goals were under advantage. Opportunity missed. Reads decision to take 3 when we needed a try to be able to win game. Those last few minutes when we had guys everywhere - in pods, out of pods, running lines, standing still - but we went side to side with nothing happening. Those endless box kicks which left us defending in our own half. Those 3 instances in the second half with running front foot attack ball and the player chose to grubber. In each case we hand the ball over. Something is wrong with our mindset.

The coaches should give themselves an uppercut as well. Aaron Smiths selection and performance for these two important Irish tests didnt work. The first you understand the second?

@canefan flat track bully. FFS.

@macandcheese From all comments Nock and Plummer are fine they just need to select them.

How do you not run 2 singles off 3 balls. Dumb.

Watched Federer tonight after work. He was gone for all money in the 3rd. Couldn’t run for shots, just sticking his racket out, feet weren’t moving so just throwing the racket at the ball. 4th was all about the mental game. Just making enough points to win service games and tie breaker - 7 match points saved. The commentators said he has never quit a match he has started (not turned up for about 4 or something like that - with injury). Amazing. Then the fifth he started to move and game, set and match. At the end he knew he was lucky Sandgren got the yips. But Federer is still all class at the end of his career. Great respect for Nadal (great guy who is looking good) but still love the grace and beauty of the Fed and his single handed backhand.

@Steven-Harris Big man. Hope they can get the best out of him i.e. hope he is fit.

@Godder said in Cricket: NZ vs Aus:

@Cyclops said in Cricket: NZ vs Aus:

This is undoubtedly the best NZ team to have toured Aussie since the 80s, but I think it's shown that bowlers win you games, batsmen decide margins. I'd trade Kane for Paddles in a heartbeat.

Hard to argue with that.

I would say that our Batsmen lost this series and their Bowlers won it. Can't have one without the other.

Based on batting averages this was supposed to be the best NZ Team to tour. But its results that matter, so they must rank with the worst.

Our batting lineup again have been made to look like flat track bullies without the combined mental approach required to achieve against a top line attack. Is that down to the individuals, preparation or coaching...so disappointing.

I keep walking away and coming back to check the score...hoping for that big partnership....just watched BJ get out to chopped on...could say no luck but we aren’t making our own luck. 300 looks a long way away.

This looks like our type of pitch. Got to think we can make runs here....got to.

If we can’t put 300 up on this surface, then I think we know where this team is at.

NB: Auckland has turned this weird dull orange. Sun behind clouds with fire particles you presume.