At least he won't get benched now.

Sitting through the Black Ferns v Wallaroos XVs game was an absolute treat compared to sitting through the 2018 Blues season.

Clearly the punishment should be that the Crusaders are forced to start Brett Cameron at 10 this week vs the Blues.....

@cgrant No they'll just look short compared to the towering height of Ardie on the opposite side.....

@Tim said in Blues 2020:

Anyone know when Parsons will be available?

There's no rush...

@wreck-diver said in Bledisloe II:

@mimic said in Bledisloe II:

@rancid-schnitzel said in Bledisloe II:

@nzzp said in Bledisloe II:

@antipodean said in Bledisloe II:

I just don't see the Wallabies being that bad the week after. The lineout is solvable and even if you lose a couple, try something else... The scrum will be bolstered with Sio back and Tupou on the bench. A couple of sessions on running lines and catch-pass for the backs. Hey presto, they're competitive.

They were damn good for the first half. Aggressive hard defence, straight running. On a different night with a different ref, you're looking at a healthy half time lead.

I keep saying it; ther'es not much between these sides at the top level. I don't think the Wobbles will be as bad at set piece, and I reckon supporters should be heartened by the non-set piece effort last week.

All true but they don't have the heart and lungs to do it for 80. They were absolutely gone after 35 minutes. The ABs blew several opportunities in the first half as well and also lost line outs. I agree that it's a decent Aus team, but Cheika is just a shit coach.

This can be easily fixed if they amend their game plan to slow the game down in certain areas. They were trying to play at pace when they didn't have the fitness to last the full 80. Losing Tongan Thor was a huge loss.

Please he's not a Norse God he is a fat Sth Auckland kid that didnt have the balls to have a go in NZ after leaving school. In his own words he said he was used to running over skinny little white boys so move to Aussie to play rugby. I dont see him adding anything to their team let alone his youtube page.

This seems harsh. He's a 22 year old tighthead prop who really improved this year in Super Rugby. He looks a serious talent.

Worth it for the reaction of Crusaders fans

@sparky Beaudie has chosen the four year sabbatical....

Who the fuck would want to watch the Black Caps right now.

Stuff that - bring on the rugby

@trodthesod said in Crusaders v Blues:

Nothing seems to escape the trainer’s eagle eyes these days.The half back spot so demanding on fitness.

It would explain his performance v Highlanders.

Hopefully Christie can go long minutes cos Ruru is a real worry.

@Stargazer said in The future of NZ Rugby:

First of all, I'm not sure I believe that Aussie article. They're shitstirring on a regular basis.

Good call.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6826734/nz-boss-quiet-on-super-rugby-replacement/?cs=14276#gsc.tab=0

New Zealand Rugby insists it has made no decision about its preference for a trans-Tasman competition to replace Super Rugby next year and hasn't been pressured by Australian interests.

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson hit out at Australian media reports that his board were split over two possible preferred models - an open-border split of five NZ and five Australian franchises; or an eight-team competition featuring five from NZ, two from Australia and one from the Pacific.

Robinson said the board had yet to even see a copy of the independent Kiwi-driven "Aratipu Report" recommendations which will be unveiled publicly next week.

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald said Rugby Australia was poised to reject any proposal featuring three or less Australian teams.

Robinson said he had spoken to RA chief executive Rob Clarke earlier on Thursday and received no steer on his preference for 2021 and beyond.

"There's nothing we're hearing about what they would and wouldn't be open to at this stage," Robinson said.

"I'm not aware of what Australia are particularly focused on in that area."

Robinson said suggestions his board were split was "absolute nonsense" along with suggestions the Sanzaar joint venture was on the verge of being dismantled.

@Machpants said in Crusaders v Blues:

Bridge better play a blinder!

fixed

@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:

So the media speculation about Carter possibly playing against the Crusaders was premature. I wonder whether he'll be playing at all in SRA? Probably only if multiple players go down with injury?

I think he'll play - I think expecting him to play this weekend was daft.

Makes much more sense to ease him in next week onwards.

Dropping Nock is really weird. I wonder if there is more to that story.

Waratahs: Jack Maddocks, James Ramm, Alex Newsome, Joey Walton, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Will Harrison, Mitch Short; Will Harris, Michael Hooper, Lachie Swinton, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Robbie Abel, Angus Bell.

Replacements: Tom Horton, Tetera Faulkner, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Tom Staniforth, Jack Dempsey, Michael McDonald, Ben Donaldson/Tepai Moeroa, Karmichael Hunt.

@NTA The young Tahs certainly look worth watching going by last week.

Reds on paper should win. That Rebels pack looks journeyman-ish to me.

Agreed though that Rebels are a chance as Reds struggle to put teams away.

@Machpants said in The future of NZ Rugby:

@mofitzy_ said in The future of NZ Rugby: "Impey has said that SRA isn't financially viable so NZ needs Aust (and vice versa)." No he said a five team domestic league is not viable, increasing it to 8NZ teams is. It wasn't around finance but number of games. Ozzie will bring in fuck all money

Not sure how NZ are going to fund or have the population to support 8 professional teams.