Marc Hinton  /  Dec 4  /  sport Super Rugby Pacific: Blues believe Caleb Clarke ready to ignite after tough 12 months Super Rugby Pacific: Blues believe Caleb Clarke ready to ignite after tough 12 months

Leon MacDonald says hot competition among his outside backs will bring the best out in an All Black on the comeback trail.

Back to earth with a thud with that loss. Had to happen sooner rather than later and an away game against the best team in the NBA when missing arguably your best player and having just motivated them by having beaten them a few days before is probably the perfect storm.

@kiwi_expat said in NZ tour of India:

@chris said in NZ tour of India:

@kiwi_expat said in NZ tour of India:

@chris said in NZ tour of India:

@donsteppa said in NZ tour of India:

And Jamieson has a big swing and that's that.

@chris said in NZ tour of India:

You will find Williamson has a massive say in selections, in fact the driving force in selecting the team more than Stead.

Then the non playing Captain also has a bit to answer for.

A mate of mine who I do a lot of coaching with here in Australia when he is here,
Has a coaching role within the Black caps set up.
He tells me Kane has a strong hand in selections.

That's interesting, what other information can you tell us?

I'd like to know about coach Stead, is he highly regarded at all, or just fortunate to inherit a Golden generation of NZ players?

I think he is good as a man manager,I know my mate likes working with him.
Kane has a strong say in things as it should be.
In cricket the Captains weld a lot of power.
Once Kane hits the field it’s his show.

Really, so what do you know about the internal rift that developed within camp with how Stead very poorly 'managed' his players for the SCG test by dropping his most effective bowler against the Aussies in Southee? I think he's a supremely average coach who's considerably out of his depth at the international level.

Southee made himself unavailable after Stead made Latham skipper for the match.

And for the 1000th time, have a look at when Southee took his wickets in those two tests.

Or 2001-2002 (just make make the blue stripes white):

alt text

Cycling NZ as an organisation sounds a bit like a $4 note.

Dana Johannsen  /  Dec 3  /  sport Secret settlements 'should have raised red flags' for High Performance Sport NZ Secret settlements 'should have raised red flags' for High Performance Sport NZ

Sports integrity experts question why legal escalations did not raise red flags with government agency.

NZ Barbarians team for tomorrow's game:

1 Michael Bent (Taranaki)
2 Mills Sanerivi (Taranaki)
3 Solomone Tuku’afu (Waikato)
4 James Thompson (Waikato)
5 Semisi Paea (Bay of Plenty)
6 Veveni Lasaqa (Bay of Plenty)
7 Sam Smith (Wellington)
8 Keelan Whitman (Wellington)
9 Connor Collins (Wellington - Captain)
10 D’Angelo Leuila (Waikato)
11 Te Paea Cook-Savage (Waikato)
12 Louis Rogers (Waikato)
13 Taniela Filimone (Manawatū)
14 Vereniki Tikoisolomone (Taranaki)
15 Drew Wild (Manawatū)

16 Bryn Gordon (Manawatū)
17 Joseph Gavigan (Manawatū)
18 Flynn Yates (Manawatū)
19 Cruise Dunster (King Country)
20 Frank Lochore (Hawke’s Bay)
21 Leroy Carter (Bay of Plenty)
22 Josh Jacomb (Taranaki)
23 Quinnlan Tupou (Waikato)

@kirwan said in All Blacks 2021:

@duluth said in All Blacks 2021:

@crucial said in All Blacks 2021:

11 weak
14 depth disappears quickly

I can't think of time when the wing depth has been worse

Which is saying a lot when we had Ralph on the wing

Stole lots of caps from Rundle, Reihana and James Kerr.

@cgrant said in AB Props:

@machpants
Nowadays, props make more carries than in 2015. Back then, it was the locks who were standing as first receivers, next to slow ball rucks. Now, it's more frequently the props who are there. France use Cyril Baille a lot in this position while both Irish props make a lot of carries.

Bill Cavubati was born in the wrong era

The Chiefs ones are two busy, take away the read from the Crusaders jersey and that could be an alternate Magpies jersey. Ugh.

@l_n_p said in Eddie Jones confirms he's finishing up at England after RWC2023:

@machpants

Good article on Nick Dolly, the (aussie) England hooker but with a very Oz background

I only came to the UK to visit my grandparents — now I’m an England international

Headline writes itself: "Well Hello Dolly!"

Massive weekend for the 49ers try to solidify a wild card spot as they play a Seattle team in poor form. A few weeks back I thought the 9ers season was over. What a weird NFL season this is

I have zero faith we'll get anything that looks as good as that prelim design. If the latest construction start date is August 2022, that means we'll lose at least another $9m more month to month in costs in the meantime, whilst also watching steel prices soar globally amongst other key materials, then there's inflation and rising labour costs in a tight market. So let's say that's another $15m off the budget. Unless the prelim design already takes into account the shrinking pool of cash, it'll have to change which means a degradation in spec.

Can't remember whether this has been posted before. BOP's Dutchman Stan van der Hoven has signed with New England Free Jacks in the MLR.

Obviously that’s all true, I was really just saying this is kind of bleeding obvious

if the blues have struggled to identify talent previously, and of course I know this as the landers have benefited more than once from it, but you put another option on the doorstep of these players that have maybe wanted to stay around Auckland due to family say….

It’s more just funny that the article makes it seem like the blues have just realised this is the situation

Charity match tomorrow.

boprugby: Ohhh this is gonna be a good game! 🔥 some legends lacing up for tomorrow’s @iamhope_nz XV vs WASPS XV charity game!

This game is all about brining former players, coaches, managers, volunteers back to the game of rugby and to connect them back with the rugby community while advocating for positive discussions around mental health in the game of rugby.

An I Am Hope Give a Little page has also been set up for those who feel they would like to donate to a great cause 👉 https://givealittle.co.nz/fundra.../i-am-hope-xv-vs-wasps-xv

🎟 : FREE ENTRY

🗓 : Saturday 4th December

⏰ : 2.30pm kick-off

📌 : Blake Park, Mount Maunganui

🎥 : Watch free Live-stream on Bay of Plenty Rugby Facebook page

COVID restrictions apply:

Show your vaccine passport at the gate

Scan in on arrival and use provided sanitiser

Please wear a mask

Please keep 1m distance from others

Mike, PLEASE go off script and destroy him, I beg you

@hooroo said in Sports Memes:

@gt12 said in Sports Memes:

alt text

Did they really or is that photoshopped? That is excellent!!

I think they really did it. Either way, it's gold.

Waitomo Chiefs Manawa announced as new identity for women’s team | Chiefs Rugby Waitomo Chiefs Manawa announced as new identity for women’s team | Chiefs Rugby

We have unveiled the new identity and jersey of our womens team named Waitomo Chiefs Manawa.

Chiefs women team officially announced as "Chiefs Manawa." New jersey also shown off in the article.

Anyway, I'd rather have a competition of one division where teams play 11 of the 13 other provinces and then a Final in week 12, than a competition with two divisions where teams play the 6 provinces of their division and 4 cross-over games, followed by a Semi-final and a Final.

The first format is much simpler. They just need to avoid that teams miss out on playing each other every year. The provinces you don't play should be different every year. Preferably one of those provinces finished in the top 7 the previous year, and the other in the bottom 7.

@southernmann said in Highlanders 2022:

You'd think with all those players being brought in and Vahaakolo missing, it confirms things.

Highlanders name replacement players to cover All Black leave and Squad injuries | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership Highlanders name replacement players to cover All Black leave and Squad injuries | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

The Highlanders have added three players as temporary replacements to cover for their All Blacks who will return to the squad in mid to late January after a break following their Northern Tour.

In for All Blacks Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell and Ethan De Groot are Otago players halfback James Arscott, loose forward Sam Fischli and up and coming Tasman prop Luca Inch Christian Lio-Willie has been drafted in to cover for the injured Billy Harmon who is not expected back until early April. Otago halfback, Nathan Hastie (selected for the 2021 NZ U20 team) will back up the rehabbing Folau Fakatava who is due to be available in the early rounds of Super Rugby Pacific

happy enough with all those, generally all looked pretty good during NPC

sad for freedom though

arscott, leo willie and, fischli all really looked like starters at NPC level and hoping they will all grow

@dan54 said in NZ and World Rugby Awards 2021:

@billy-tell said in NZ and World Rugby Awards 2021:

IMHO Hooper has been inspirational for the WBs this year. Reckon itoje might get it though, although Dupont has his fans.

I reckon Hooper will have to go very close, but like you agree be between him and Itoje.

Would have to go with Hooper over DuPont. DuPont didn’t play in Oz mid year, Hooper has played just about every minute of almost every test for 2021 at his usual 110% workrate

@machpants said in Foster, Robertson, Other Options etc:

It’s basically in permanent ink on the nomination form, no matter how shyte they are.

Yes. All those teams are nominated

“All teams in black that took the field in 2021 will be running for New Zealand Team of the Year, and their respective coaches nominated for ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year”

So it will be the same as 2020.

The NZ team of the year nominations in 2020 were the AB's, Black Ferns, Both NZ 7's sides & NZ Maori. It will be same this year
All of the coaches were up for the NZ coach of the year too. The qualification is coaching a NZ national side

This is a non story with a provocative headline.

@booboo said in Tennis:

Maybe Politics forum?

Wow. Good on them

Fulham's nickname is The Whites - well one of them. We don't get any shit for it. We get shit for being 'posh' which some Fulham supporters doubled down on earlier this season by posting a video of them eating a cheeseboard with Port on the train on the way to an away game.

I did read an article a while ago by a Yank who accused Fulham fans of being racist because when he was at the Cottage the terraces were all chanting "Away You Whites"

‘Game On Global’ community law variations to advance rugby accessibility and welfare

Welfare and accessibility are at the heart of Game On Global, a groundbreaking programme of optional community law variations launched by World Rugby and national member unions today.

Modified contact, weight-banded matches and lowered tackle height at the heart of new community law variations to further advance accessibility and welfare

Law variations include flexibility in number of players, game duration, pitch size, ball size, as well as variations to scrums, lineouts and kicking rules

Promoting global consistency at the community level of the game, the menu of 10 law variants can be implemented by national unions from January 2022

The introduction of Game On Global follows World Rugby’s recently launched participation plan to accelerate sustainable rugby involvement

Implementation of the law variations will be optional and available in part or in whole for National Unions to determine.

Central monitoring, and research will be undertaken evaluate impact

Game On Global provides national unions with the ability to implement modified laws at a domestic mass participation level, furthering game experience and safety for participants. Unions can pick and choose from dependent on their context and purpose.

Promoting global consistency in the law variations open to unions at the community level of the game, a menu of 10 law variants are now available to all unions. From January 2022 the Game On principles can be utilised by all World Rugby member unions at their discretion:

VIEW THE LAW VARIATIONS >> (this links to a Word document)

A number of national models of good practise already in existence, including in England, New Zealand and Wales, who have shared their knowledge and expertise in the development of World Rugby’s global project, which builds on these models and extends to other areas of the game.

You can find my post about the NZ initiative "Game on" here:

Nov 20, 2016  /  Sports Talk Law trials and changes Law trials and changes

The following is a new law variation that applies to New Zealand club and school rugby only. The NZR initiative "Game on" makes it possible for club rugby and school rugby games to be played even if a team has fewer than 15 players or doesn't have enough ...

@crucial more like i pig i think

The European playoffs to qualify for the World Cup may be more exciting than the World Cup itself. One of Portugal or Italy won't make it but should get to play off head to head, Scotland may play Wales for a spot and the Russia/Poland/Sweden/Czech set is really touch to pick.

Semi-finals – Thursday 24 March 2022
Path A
Scotland vs Ukraine (20:45 CET)
Wales vs Austria (20:45 CET)

Path B
Russia vs Poland (18:00 CET)
Sweden vs Czech Republic (20:45 CET)

Path C
Italy vs North Macedonia (20:45 CET)
Portugal vs Turkey (20:45 CET)

Finals – Tuesday 29 March 2022

Path A
Wales / Austria vs Scotland / Ukraine (20:45 CET)

Path B
Russia / Poland vs Sweden / Czech Republic (20:45 CET)

Path C
Portugal / Turkey vs Italy / North Macedonia (20:45 CET)

The King's-AGS game is on youtube so you can see Monaghan in that. I do remember him being mobile.

Wellington is tapping into King's players for their academy.

@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs 2022:

Tito was the Chiefs' under-20s head coach this year.*

Except he wasn't the head coach. Paul Hodder was. Tito wasn't even involved. Stuff making shit up again.

@derpus said in Eligibility thresholds ('Giteau Law' type rules):

@machpants Why would the players be tired/pissed off? they have complete autonomy. Don't want to travel too much? Don't sign for a Japanese club/retire from internationals.

If they want their cake and to eat it they can fuck themselves.

You've missed my point (from three years ago!) At the time clubs were releasing bok players for their 2 games in rugby champs, then they'd have to fly back to UK for one weekend (down weekend in RC) then back to squad again for the next 2 games. Players wanted to play for country, but UK clubs were being fluffybunnies trying to make it as hard as legally possible for them too

@mariner4life said in NRL 2021:

so it's fucking silly season in teh recruitment stakes. Players making moves, lots for the 2023 season (which menas prepare for the barrage of stories about wanting an early release, get rid of him he's not committed etc)

Penrith obviously battling to keep everyone so they lost Kikau to the Bulldogs. Not a huge loss though
Melbourne have lost Kaufusi to the Dolphins, again no massive loss especially in another year
The Bulldogs pinched Reed Mahoney from the Eels in a bit of a shock

The big free agent is The Cheese, and everyone wants him. So, of course, it looks like the Roosters will get him.

Bulldogs recruiting nicely, still need to play well together though. Kikau is a pretty good buy in my opinion, always a threat on the edge. Penrith do have other backrowers but Kikau if used well is dangerous

The cheese to the roosters who will probably won't supposedly pay him overs compared to other clubs..wow that is a great pick up if rumours are true.

Dolphins will need to pick up a few names soon.. not just kaufusi, and agree not a huge loss to the storm

@antipodean said in World Rugby Change Eligibigilty Rules:

I'm becoming more convinced that World Rugby is dominated by imbeciles.

how many years of incompetence does it take to fully convince you?

@gt12 said in Rough tips and other bets...:

@hooroo said in Rough tips and other bets...:

Was an easy watch in the end.

JMac had her so relaxed her ears were flopping along the back straight. Never seen her like that before. Once she got to the 1000m he switched her on to win mode.

4th Black type win for her over there.

We love Pol Pol.

By chance my old man was talking about your mare, as he loves any horse that goes back to the Tetrarch (which is pretty much any grey horse running around) and has been following her for a while.

Great win!

That's really cool. She has got a small following that look forward to seeing her race.

Apparently it may be a wet December in Sydney so Chris Waller has a couple of really nice races lined up for her.

Nice header

Nov 28  /  00:43 Heads we win... Bridgend full-back's unorthodox effort wins it at Swansea Heads we win... Bridgend full-back's unorthodox effort wins it at Swansea

Edd Howley's instinctive, if unorthodox approach, gives Bridgend Ravens their winning try in Welsh rugby's Indigo Group Premiership Cup at Swansea.

@act-crusader said in NBL 2021:

We’ve looked pretty good in the NBL blitz. Besson, Yanni, Finn and Dieng playing well.

Not Breakers related, but Dan Fotu has had two very good back to back games for St Mary’s

I don't know any of these names!

A few whispers that Carey might not be the keeper

Nov 27 Paine’s heir apparent smashes TON after shock bolter catches selectors eyes — Ashes Daily Paine’s heir apparent smashes TON after shock bolter catches selectors eyes — Ashes Daily