@mariner4life The Chargers will be looking for their own new coach within the next 12 months i'd say. Brandon Staley is a fraud.

I think Broncos can quickly bounce back with an experienced offensive coach at the helm. He even did well at the Saints once Brees was shot/retired.

@mariner4life said in Campbell Johnstone:

@antipodean said in Campbell Johnstone:

@mariner4life said in Campbell Johnstone:

@antipodean said in Campbell Johnstone:

@mariner4life said in Campbell Johnstone:

@Magpie_in_aus said in Campbell Johnstone:

the player's potential worry within a team environment to come out.

well, if australia is any indication, "christian" pacific islanders don't like it much

but hey, it's not like there are many of those in rugby...

I think there's a profound difference between accepting and being forced to celebrate.

and i disagree

If I'm prepared to let people live their best lives, I don't see why I should have to participate in it to the extent others determine. Surely that's for me to decide? Or do we have to climb on the float next year as well?

i knew this is where we would end up

last post on it, it's been done to death. If players were forced to go on the Manly float in teh parade then that's maybe a bit over the top

If players were handed a jersey with small rainbows instead of skinny white stripes, then maybe that's not such a big fucking deal.

The Taipans just went through the same thing because 3 players (and i have a pretty good idea which 3) wouldn't wear one that had a slightly different coloured fucking Champion symbol. The champion symbol is the size of a 50c piece. That doesn't seem very fucking accepting.

I see your point on that, but it does cross an important line between being accepting of other people, and actively participating in and celebrating them. It's a very small step, granted, but once that line is crossed it becomes very grey as to how much they are expected to participate in it is. So while I pretty strongly disagree with pretty much all of the religious views of players like that, I completely understand why they would take a stand on it. I really don't think forcing people to celebrate the LGBT community is having a positive effect on views towards them.

@NTA said in Aussie Rugby:

@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby:

@NTA said in Aussie Rugby:

@Stargazer cue the cries from south of the Tweed about young players missing out at the Reds.

I'm more worried that the Australian Fijian wing pool has dried up so much you have to import ineligible Fijians now.

He's a front rower.

But yeah, Nadolo's return to the Tahs is plain weird.

Haha, I saw Fijian and just assumed winger ... 🤦🏽♂

If Nadolo can replicate the form from when he was a Crusader then he'd be a good buy.

I just started reading this thread again,It really has nothing new does it, rehashing the old stuff.
As long as the coach is new with fresh ideas and revitalises things I am good with whoever the NZR select as long as we have change.

@Bones said in NH club rugby:

Steffan Thomas  /  Jan 23  /  Rugby Jamie George incident sparks outrage and calls for investigation Jamie George incident sparks outrage and calls for investigation

Jamie George is now a Six Nations doubt after being caught up in a head injury storm.

The issue here is perception versus medical expertise. As a ref we're supposed to take guidance from medical staff, although are still free to send someone from the field (and then they can't return). The video isn't long enough for me and my limited experience/ knowledge to come to a meaningful conclusion.

And I doubt many modern medical staff would risk sending a concussed player back on the field.

Jan 30 World champion Tubic wary of Super Rugby Aupiki young guns World champion Tubic wary of Super Rugby Aupiki young guns

Black Fern Hazel Tubic is looking over her shoulder as she prepares for the second season of Super Rugby Aupiki to kick off.

@dogmeat understand what you saying dog, all I meant is exactly what you said, it was acceptable in the day, and that's when the game was played, in the day.

That Logan Dodds dude trained with all SR squads. Here's his session with the Highlanders.

@booboo So winning the previous event gets you the draw from hell, while pool D is rather weak. Luck of the draw??

@Stargazer Ahhhh Prince Charles Park, certainly brings back memories. I well remember seeing William Ryder play for the very first time in the Nawaka 7s at that very Park the first time I was in Fiji. Stayed in the Narewa Village just outside Nadi and was appointed "coach" (or was it manager?, can't really remember it was about 20 years ago now) of the village's Western Marines 7s side that played in that tournament. I suspect it was mainly because they wanted it to be known that they had a kiwi involved with them to try and scare their opponents but suspect that it was mainly because the white man is usually thought to be rich and was expected to pay for all the refreshments etc!!!!!!!
Well recall that there was a crowd invasion from behind the deadball line from the right hand end of the grandstand as you look at it in the top picture. Sadly it was supporters of the second Western Marines team as it turned out but it was a good knuckle up amongst the well lubricated invaders and the Western Marines B team's opponents!!!!!! The village elders did not take too kindly to the act and there were major ramifications dealt to those involved.

NZ riders did alright in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race.

Corbin Strong; 7. Dion Smith; 9. George Bennett; 12. Aaron Gate.

A novel experience for George to be contesting the sprint!!

Here's the last 3km....

@Rapido said in NZ Super Smash 20/20:

Lance Cairns hit 59% of all the 6s hit by New Zealanders in internationals during the span of his career.

(although cricinfo's records are incomplete, some games boundaries haven't been retained in the uploaded scorecards).
He hit 69 known sixes of the known 117 known sixes NZers hit in tests and ODIs during his time.

Or, another way ...

Nzers batted 1963 times for 177 sixes Cairns batted 130 times for 69 sixes Batting records | Combined Test, ODI and T20I records | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com Batting records | Combined Test, ODI and T20I records | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

Also the boundaries were way longer and you had to clear the fence that marked the boundary for the full six runs to be scored, hitting the fence on the full only counted for four. The bats he used would not have had the benefit of the minute computer design analysis todays slabs of willow are given to ensure they were optimal for six hitting. It is not uncommon to see mishits and thick top edges going for six these days.

@Bovidae
Kalani has a background in league , i am still staggered he only played one game for the Taniwha in 2022 , he was the standout midfielder at club level ,scored 4 tries in the Northland Club final playing for Mid Northern against Waipu , Came through with flying colours when it came to S&Cs , i would have understood if the Taniwha had very good midfielders ahead of him , but to see Blake Hohaia constantly being selected ahead of Kalani is still one of the great mysteries
Certainly a question i would love to put to George Konia

Weird feel with the fog and constant noise. NZ did very well to take it that deep. The 2 missed chances in last over cost us. Well bowled Glenn Phillips and Chapman.

Watched the 10 min highlights package, without knowing result, of Fulham v Sunderland in the FA Cup.

Time well spent.

Keven Mealamu helping MP!

@Victor-Meldrew Yep mate, sounds a little like mates club haven't maybe passed on info as NZR released all this stuff in November.

Interview with Joel Hintz (6 September 2022)

@Canes4life I really wanted to be wrong! That means he'll also be lost to the Hawke's Bay academy and will probably end up playing for Canterbury. 😞

East goes:

Greek Freak
Tatum
Durant
Irving
Mitchell

No Embiid!
Someone was going to get unlucky.

@Mackerzzzz thats not true, they have not guaranteed they wont make any money, they made the deal at the tail of covid when shipping materials was the hardest, lots to suggest they will become easier to source....and they will have hiked a huge premium onto the price to be locked in....the construction company is the last one im worried about

This is from World Rugby's media release about the WR U20 Championship and Trophy.

World Rugby U20 tournaments return for the first time since 2019

Pools and match schedules have been unveiled for both tournaments

African continent to host two influential men’s age-grade competitions

The U20 Championship, featuring the best 12 U20 nations in the world, will take place in Cape Town and the Western Cape (South Africa) from 24 June-14 July

South Africa will host the U20 Championship two years in a row (2023 and 2024)

The U20 Trophy will be contested by eight teams in Nairobi (Kenya) from 15-30 July

World Rugby continues its U20 investment to increase rugby’s competitiveness globally

South Africa will host the World Rugby U20 Championship for the next two years (2023 and 2024). The 2023 edition will be the second time that South Africa welcomes the future stars of the game after 2012 when the Junior Springboks won on home soil. The age-grade tournament will be held from 24 June-14 July. Played over five match days in the Western Cape Wineland regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Wellington, the world’s best 12 nations have been placed into three pools and will all hope to clinch the coveted title and succeed two-time defending champions France. The team finishing last will be relegated to the World Rugby U20 Trophy next year.

The World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 participating teams are: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Wales.

No explanation in the media release as to why the tournament is held in South Africa, both in 2023 and 2024. I find it strange, to say the least.

Following the U20 Championship’s conclusion, Kenya will host the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 for the second time from 15-30 July, having previous staged the tournament in 2009. It will be the third time the tournament has been played in Africa with Zimbabwe having acted as hosts in 2016. Eight teams will battle over four match days at the Nyayo National Stadium with the eventual winner being promoted the U20 Championship in 2024.

The World Rugby U20 Trophy 2023 participating teams are: Scotland (relegated from the U20 Championship in 2019), Kenya (hosts), Hong Kong (Asia), Samoa (Oceania), Spain (Europe), Uruguay (South America) and two teams still to qualify through regional competition from North America and Africa.

worldrugby.org World Rugby U20 tournaments return to Africa in 2023 | World Rugby World Rugby U20 tournaments return to Africa in 2023 | World Rugby

The World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy return for the first time since the pandemic with the tournaments hosted in South Africa (24 June-14 July) and Kenya (15-30 July) respectively.

@Crucial said in Boxing Thread:

@MN5 said in Boxing Thread:

@Crucial said in Boxing Thread:

@MN5 said in Boxing Thread:

@muddyriver said in Boxing Thread:

@MiketheSnow hahaha. it's sad how the common man does not see skills unless someone is world elite. I see it on here with rugby players all the time.

Tommy fury out boxes 99.999% of the world population.

Was it one of the Klitschkos who said everyone is an expert on boxing but no one boxes yet no one is an expert on chess but everyone plays ?

I hit the heavy bag ( which I love ) and have done a bit of light sparring. The dedication to be a top fighter is extraordinary and something the average joe would have no idea about. Even doing this has made me fitter and more conditioned at 45 than I ever was in my 20s and 30s.

Top fighters to me are THE ultimate all round athletes if you take every factor into it ( skill, toughness, strength, power, speed, heart etc )

It is human nature to have a go though, I’m fairly sure George Bridge would runs rings around any ferner who marked him in a game of touch for example despite all the criticism.

Just on the boxing/fitness thing. When I took up veterans rugby in oz I found that using a heavy bag and gloves at home really help 'toughen' the old body for impacts. I guess it was that rebounding 'jarring'.

Yeah although I wonder about the wisdom of doing it too much. Sometimes the shoulders/elbows ache after a session….and not in a good way.

Maybe they are just catching up with your wrist strength

Impossible

Brad Mooar has a new gig -

Stuart Bathgate  /  Jan 24 Pete Horne and Brad Mooar join Scotland coaching team Pete Horne and Brad Mooar join Scotland coaching team

The Glasgow Warriors assistant and the former Scarlets head coach will work on specific areas with the national squad.

@Stargazer
He was pretty good during the NPC and I thought he could have earned a call for the Highlanders WTG.

More info here:

Navigation Homes Stadium to host Chiefs Rugby Club Pre-Season Games | Chiefs Rugby Navigation Homes Stadium to host Chiefs Rugby Club Pre-Season Games | Chiefs Rugby

The Gallagher Chiefs and Waitomo Chiefs Manawa will feature in a block-busting international pre-season double header in Pukekohe next month.

The Chiefs must be playing another preseason game the week before.

Edit: Moana Pasifika is available to play.

editor  /  Jan 24 Draw confirmed for Wider Auckland rugby comp - Counties Sports Hub Draw confirmed for Wider Auckland rugby comp - Counties Sports Hub

North Shore will celebrate their 150th anniversary by facing Auckland heavyweights Ponsonby in the opening round of the Wider Auckland Club Knockout competition this March. The three-week long schedule has today been confirmed with four huge matches set to kick-off the opening weekend of the...

@Duluth turner is the biggest lw I've ever seen. Very tough match up hope Dan smacks him

@Stargazer

Yes, it appears to be a missed opportunity to expand/lengthen the tournament. And as I said previously, might mean the end of the Barbarians team participating.

@Chris nice wish him the best

BASELALA, NATAVE JOIN MAIN SQUAD | Fijian Drua Rugby BASELALA, NATAVE JOIN MAIN SQUAD | Fijian Drua Rugby

18-year-old high school sensation Philip Baselala and 24-year-old Flying Fijians prop Livai Natave have been awarded full time playing contracts and drafted into the main Swire Shipping Fijian Drua squad.

3ee94f47-5222-40f6-a92f-8528495c7c40-image.png

@canefan said in NBL 2022-23:

@Bovidae said in NBL 2022-23:

@ACT-Crusader I've watched a replay. Loe and Gliddon also made important contributions. Hopefully this win gives them some momentum for the Bullets game.

We are best when we give max effort on D, play with great motion on offence, and we take advantage of the depth of our bench

Not an easy thing to do when we have two guys out that both average 28+ minutes a night and will give you 30+ points combined.

Will played 37 minutes last night (8 more than his average), Jarrel played 32 (5 more than his average). Given how much we played through them plus they both had tough defensive assignments - it was iron man stuff from both of them.

Less money, but here's another one. I assume there are lots of sevens tournaments coming up soon.

bdb7c89c-4d45-4e1a-b421-8693f758c308-image.png

@MiketheSnow said in Rennie Sacked, Eddie In!:

I don’t think any coach would have done significantly better than Rennie if they’d had to select from a very shallow pool of players with the pool springing a leak and play the teams Australia played during his tenure

It was a panic decision

@antipodean it was ruled leading with the elbow, but it fucking wasn't. It was a guy running into his elbow as he'd raised his arm to fend - the guy still complete the tackle iirc.

The American Raptors look to be based on the XO rugby academy that are all cross over atheletes. There is a TV/ Youtube series called rugbytown.

ryan@iobisystems.com  /  Aug 31, 2021 American Raptors - Colorado Crossover Rugby Team American Raptors - Colorado Crossover Rugby Team

The American Raptors are Colorado's rugby team built from professional crossover players from sports like football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, soccer, and more.

The professional part of an amateur club based on Glendale, Colorado.