So the first one has now been announced by NZR, the last four by the opponents (but not confirmed by NZR):

Sat 23 October: v USA in Washington DC (k/o 3.00pm) Sat 30 October: v Wales in Cardiff Sat 6 November: v Italy (venue TBC) Sat 20 November: v France in Paris (k/o 9.00pm) Sat 13 November: v Ireland in Dublin

All local time.

Yesss, the Black Sticks win again! Close and entertaining game.

Full time score: NZL 2 - 1 Japan

@act-crusader said in 2020 -> 2021 Olympic Sevens (Tokyo):

@canefan said in 2020 -> 2021 Olympic Sevens (Tokyo):

@arhs said in 2020 -> 2021 Olympic Sevens (Tokyo):

@canefan but he didn't show near as much as Warbrick did in the trial matches. I think they have added the right guy.

@arhs said in 2020 -> 2021 Olympic Sevens (Tokyo):

@canefan but he didn't show near as much as Warbrick did in the trial matches. I think they have added the right guy.

Looks like they should have had both

Who for though?

Webber should be dropped for that haircut alone

Well because he left before Aug 2, frees up an extra 250k. Apparently Joey Manu target of a 1m bid as a result

@mikey07 I’ve also got my Petone bias hat on. 😀

@higgins So much for retiring 2 years ago 😂

@kid-chocolate Matheson sports is the biggest website for all sports memorabilia in nz : http://www.mathesonsports.co.nz/

Have used Matheson for the past 20 years and are great to deal with. Has some amazing stuff for sale and you will be able to see what kind of rough value any of your items have

@machpants said in 2021 Wallabies:

@mackerzzzz said in 2021 Wallabies:

Can somebody explain to me why Australia think it's a good idea to add the biggest arshole in rugby to their squad as a 'mentor'!??

LOL did you see who they picked for their previous coach!

Well yes good point. They seem to have a great ability for making arsholes.

If anybody’s playing along the late quaddie, Race 6 at Scone was just won by darkhorse HEREDERO (NZ) 16-1.

R4) HURN COUNT 3-1
R5) EMPOWERMENT 7/2
R6) HEREDERO (NZ) 16-1
R7) BAIYKA 3-1

20-cent wager got me back $240, which seems kinda lame, if anything a more difficult combination than the early quaddie. Oh well, I’ll take them both. Another thankyou and shoutout to the NZ bloodstock industry.

@tim said in Auckland Rugby 2021:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-league-nz-warriors-confirm-captain-roger-tuivasa-sheck-will-leave-struggling-club-early/ED7JHR7A36EHIY2OMHEFA7OLBU/

Nice of them to let him go early, looking forward to seeing how he goes.

So RTS is not staying cos he can't get quarantine slots until Dec. So that may well apply to the ABs if the bubble doesn't open after the 8 week pause, so who the fuck knows what's going to happen

@tim Year of BIL tour Wtn and EP had Lions Tests, Dunedin got Oz and Albany (capacity 30K) got SA

TBH after a 57-0 8 try thrashing every fucking test should be played there!!

@crucial said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:

@kirwan said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:

@stargazer said in Super Rugby Women's Competition:

Men's Super Rugby is of a much higher standard than NPC, so women's SR will also be of a much higher standard than FPC.

If these games are stand-alone games, they'll be played at small grounds (e.g. Jerry Collins stadium instead of Sky Stadium; Rugby Park, instead of Christchurch Stadium etc.), so the ticket prices will be much lower.

I'll happily pay for a ticket to a women's SR game, provided it's not at Sky Stadium prices.

Not sure that statement is true. Worst case scenerio is that the standard is exactly the same, because you are assuming that the consolidation of talent will have the same effect as it does in the men's team.

Not sure there is any evidence of that, as it's really early days. Are they training full time like the men? Or this semi-pro still? If semi-pro then it leans more towards the standard being the same.

Has anybody done any research if there is a market for women's rugby? Will women watch it? Will men?

I know that there was alot of talk about the potential ratings for High School rugby, that didn't eventuate either. At the end of the day, there are so many choices for sports fans, you have to have a really good product to steal away eyeballs.

I'm a rugby tragic and find it hard to get through a woman's match, standard is not great and it's like watching rugby in slow motion. Woman's sevens is a bit better, that's reasonably fun to watch.

I get the argument that this may be moving too fast but I see it as increasing experience levels which will, in turn, increase skills.
The biggest problem with women's rugby is the amount of games available to get experience. School and Club comps have few teams so players are moving up a level to FPC with very little experience.
Growing the game in visibility will, in turn, increase participation etc etc.
Our top level 7s players show that if you play a often and gain experience you can produce high quality entertainment.

The build it and they will come argument in short. Considering how poorly funded NZ Rugby is right now, it's a risk to drain finances for these sort of comps without have a clear revenue model to make it sustainable.

Auckland/Otago score flatters Auckland a little. They only stretched ahead once Otago got a couple of scores behind and started chasing the game/throwing on reserves.
The Otago team is very young and inexperienced and have also just stepped up a grade but are holding their own for large parts of the game through very well coached forwards. Unfortunately the backs seem to be an afterthought and rely on individuals.
The halfback (Maia Joseph) is quality and will surely rise to higher honours.
I like the play of the young lock Henderson as well, who is into everything and has a big engine. Played for the Baabaas against the Black Ferns last year so is definitely on the radar.
Likewise Muir at 8 seems to have the goods.

@machpants said in Future of The Rugby Championship:

@nepia said in Future of The Rugby Championship:

@canefan said in Future of The Rugby Championship:

@sparky said in Future of The Rugby Championship:

Sharks CEO backs Springboks joining the 6 Nations.

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/125853436/springboks-will-definitely-join-the-six-nations-says-sharks-chief-executive

Do the 6N actually want the Boks?

Also, WR would be stupid to weaken the other strong competition - it's not good for international rugby, which they're supposed to be in charge of.

WR have no say in who is in RC or 6N, so that's irrelevant. I would imagine that investment group that brought a chunk of the 6N would be very keen to have the boks in

They are the governing body that sanction the competition. If the World Rugby Council thought it was detrimental to the game they could block the Boks from joining, they could withhold WC funding etc.

@booboo said in Other Cricket:

@catogrande I've heard of it but not taken much interest.

What are the rules?

Each team faces a hundred balls. Hence the name.

Bowlers can ball five or ten ball spells. Most are five.

Change of ends every ten balls.

Bowlers can bowl a maximum of 20 balls.

First 25 balls are a power play with only two fielders allowed outside 30 metre circle.

After a catch, the non-striker remains at the bowlers' end.

No balls worth two runs.

Each side gets one tactical timeout.

Apart from that, it is Cricket as normal. Some of the more radical suggested changes such a scrapping LBW or doubling scores for boundaries at the end of an innings, never materialised.

Three problems from the first round. The games are meant to be done and dusted inside two and half hours, but are taking a bit longer than that. Not obvious what penalties there are for slow bowling. The white card that umpires produce every five balls is just bizarre, has been widely ridiculed and should be ditched. Too much of the TV coverage has basically been propaganda saying how wonderful every aspect of The Hundred is.

That said, the organisers will be delighted so far. Lots of close games. A lot of media coverage despite it clashing with the start of the Olympics. Very respectable TV audience figures. More kids than normal in attendance, especially at the womens games.

@bones @mofitzy_ #booboo

@stargazer cheers 🍻

Lions obviously got a rocket at half time and come from 4 goals back to hammer the Suns

Lol at Carlton

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/89795/future-plans-for-mercedes-could-mean-retirement-from-formula-1.html

A hour long interview from March, Anton Oliver talking to Google Director, Craig Fenton, about his Rugby and Business Careers.

Some questionable refereeing in this game, with the offside rule apparently only being applied to the Tui. Having said that, they really need to work on their discipline and fitness also let them down. Very young team though, so it was always going to be tough against Northland, who deserved their win.

FT: Tui 31 - 46 Northland

@higgins It's on the Wasps website too:

https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/england-coach-john-mitchell-to-re-join-wasps/?fbclid=IwAR1LutrM9lOCljezxS1876Dplhv_GtHA6fCt5coID4tqtPIcryvc-lpzCF8

Blood Diamond has got a UFC contract now. Lots of kickboxing experience but not many mma fights

I guess he’ll make his debut on the next Adesanya card

I hope he doesn't fade away and end up in Europe or somewhere. He was the 12th pick so he should be able to enjoy some longevity in the NBA, but if he continues in his current vein I can see him being reduced to a bench role and locker room presence sooner rather than later. After that it's a slippery slope. Get that 3 ball going Steve!

@billy-tell said in 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to SA:

Ha ha.

Neil Francis fired by the indo for saying smith had an Oompa Loompa tan

Fuck off neil you won’t be missed.

Some Sweatie messing with his Wiki page (though I'm not sure it's coherent):

Neil Francis is a retired Irish rugby union lock forward and number eight. He played for Blackrock College, London Irish, Old Belvedere, Leinster and won 36 caps between 1987 and 1996 for Ireland, during which time he was pumped off Scotland each time he played them.[2]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Francis_(rugby_union)

Jadon Sancho has joined Man Utd for £73 million:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57827831

@stargazer Post deleted and Lesson learnt will be more careful in future.

Fixtures - 24-25 July 2021

Saturday 24 July 2021

Sports exchanges/traditionals

King's College v Palmerston North BHS - 11.00am - livestream: https://sideline.live/play/14540 New Plymouth BHS v Westlake BHS - 12.00pm - livestream: https://sideline.live/play/14590 Rathkeale College v St Pat's Wellington - 11.30am Rongotai College v Wairarapa College - 12.00pm Kelston Boys v Tauranga BC - 2.30pm - livestream: https://sideline.live/play/15121

Auckland 1A
No games

Harbour 1A
Round 11

Rangitoto College v Massey HS - 12.00pm Takapuna Grammar v Manurewa HS - 12.00pm Orewa College v Rosmini College - 12.00pm Westlake BHS v Whangārei BHS (Tue 3 August 2021)

Central North Island
Round 8

St Paul's Collegiate v Whanganui Collegiate - 11.00am - livestream: https://sideline.live/play/14605

Super 8
No games

Wellington Premiership
Round 7

Mana College v Wellington College - 12.00pm

Miles Toyota Championship
Round 11

Waimea combined v Roncalli combined - 11.00am St Thomas College v Nelson College - 11.00am Marlborough BC v Timaru BHS - 12.00pm St Andrews College v Selwyn Schools Combined - 1.00pm Shirley BHS v Mid Canterbury combined - 1.00pm Christchurch BHS v St Bede's College - 2.45pm Christ’s College v Rangiora HS - 2.45pm

Otago Premier Schools (Premiership)
Round 9

Southland Boys v John McGlashan - 12.45pm Mt Aspiring College v South Otago HS - 12.45pm King's HS v Otago Boys - 2.15pm

Otago Premier Schools (Championship)

Otago BHS 2nd XV v Dunstan HS - 12.45pm St Kevin's v Wakatipu BHS - 12.45pm Waitaki BHS v Otago Combined Co-Ed - 12.45pm

Sunday 25 July 2021

Rugby exchange

Napier BHS 1st XV v Feilding HS 1st XV - 12.30pm - livestream: https://sideline.live/play/14855

@taniwharugby Jacobson was going to be offered a PUDC ..player union development contract , but much of that depended on where he was with his head knock ..

There is a reason they didn't just then give the tours to the second placed rider.

alt text

@chris said in 2021 Rugby Championship:

unprecedented

That's a big call!

The HBRU have posted photos of training (clearly not all of the same day) on their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/posts/6065664943474196

I see a big guy (must be a frontrower) that I don't recognise in this photo:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065661860141171

Also can't see who is standing to the left of Joel Hintz in this photo (it isn't Gareth Evans, is it?):
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065660863474604

Not sure, but Jason Long (who was injured for the club final) seems to be there, but not training?

Tiaki Fabish clearly visible on the photos.

Almost all are on the photos, but I don't see: Ash Dixon, Bryn Evans, Gareth Evans, Brendon O'Connor, Anzelo Tuitavuki, IWL (injured), Funaki (injured & still with Tonga squad), and obviously Brad Weber & Folau Fakatava.

Also don't see Sapsford. Not signed?

@southernmann damn, yeah hopefully it's not too long. Or hope he can play come the end of the comp

Dynasty Sports tell me the Canterbury kit will be available in a couple of weeks. Its a bit stupid that they don't have this available in the lead up to the season starting. I'm heading to Hanmer tomorrow, taking a group of 50, and I know there are a few people who would gear-up if they could including myself.

@machpants said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

@daffy-jaffy said in SH International Rugby (other than TRC, ABs):

In the opening round of the Rugby Africa Cup, a competition that makes up part of the Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifying process, the Ivory Coast registered a 24-13 victory over Namibia, whilst Senegal defeated Kenya 20-19. It was a late converted try for Senegal that ultimately proved decisive as they claimed victory over a side more than 20 places above them in the World Rugby Rankings.

Oh gawd imagine having Ivory Coast or Senegal in your pool. 102-0 … but at half time!

But if they're better than Nambia why wish for Namibia?

@booboo said in Radio Sport:

Didn't the Ex unload on NZME and the Herald?

Weird thing was I thought he'd been the victim of a hit piece by Stuff and an Alison Mau-ing.

Seems she's blaming the Herald.

Bob Jones doesn't like it -- and I think has a point

https://nopunchespulled.com/2021/07/21/dominion-post-editor-attemps-suicide-now-in-hospital/