The Chiefs teams:

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@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV:

@Crucial said in All Blacks XV:

This points to the possibility of using dirt trackers from the ABs squad though.

A possibility for the AB XV game against Ireland A, as the ABs play Wales the following day. It appears that the AB test against Scotland and the NZ XV-Barbarians game is to be played at the same time.

I still dont see that as a problem. Lets say that the AB squad is 32/33. They will nail down 23 for the match and hold a couple if there are niggles but there will be players that can leave one camp and go to the other. If you look at the RC squad there were a whole bunch that were helping at training only.
Besides, I wouldn't be surprised if both squads are together as much as possible for opposed training and only moving to venue city two days before.

@cgrant said in Highlanders 2023:

@SouthernMann
I rate Max Hicks a lot. But with all these locks, I could see him moved to the blindside. A combo with him plus MMT and Harmon could be interesting.

Still have Frizzell around the team at the moment. So he is a lock for the six gig. Hicks shpuld get some opportunities.

@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes 2023:

I wonder if Tito is a chance in the coming years to join Canes coaching ranks. Seems to be doing well with the Lions pack.

Lakai is a must sign. I'm keen to see what wingers we'll pick up. If AJ Lam is available I'd be very happy with him.

Another option is to move Sullivan onto the wing, I reckon he would go well.

@KiwiPie He picked up an injury against Sweden and played with his calf and ankle heavily strapped against Norway (but still scored the winning goal his 50th for Serbia). He limped off on Saturday and there has been no real news from Fulham since.

The club have been pretty open about injuries to the likes of Wilson and Salomon this season so I am hopeful his substitution was preventative. Writing was on the wall by that stage. Newcastle were going to win so why run the risk. October is crucial for Fulham as we have a run of winnable games that could see us go a long way towards securing our place in the Premiership. Despite what some say we are not a one man team but we still wouldn't want to lose a guy that has been banging in goals at just under one a match for the last 18 months.

It is amusing how quickly the conversation has pivoted from Mitrovic can't score in the EPL to Fulham are nothing without his goals.

Mate Ma'a Tonga
Talatau Amone (St George Illawarra Dragons)
David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)
Siliva Havili (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
William Hopoate (St Helens Saints)
Konrad Hurrell (St Helens Saints)
Isaiya Katoa (Penrith Panthers)
Sione Katoa (Cronulla Sharks)
Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm)
Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Toluta’u Koula (Manly Sea Eagles)
Tui Lolohea (Huddersfield Giants)
Soni Luke (Penrith Panthers)
Ben Murdoch-Masila (Warriors)
Tesi Niu (Brisbane Broncos)
Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles)
Will Penisini (Parramatta Eels)
Mosese Suli (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Siosifa Talakai (Cronulla Sharks)
Tevita Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Siosiua Taukeiaho (Sydney Roosters)
Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

@Bovidae hopefully we will throw it open this weekend...😅

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2022:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2022:

Injuries seem to increase a players reputation by about 200% judging from what I read on the fern

That Charlie Ngatai bloke getting injured was a real loss.

Pragmatic bunch of fans on here. I don’t think it’s ever been mentioned.

@ACT-Crusader Screenshot_20221003_165636.jpg

@Stargazer said in NZ Defence Blacks:

Defence Ferns

There's a new international competition for women's defence teams and it starts this weekend. In New Zealand.

Defence teams from Australia, Fiji, France, Tonga, the United Kingdom and a combined Papua New Guinea/Vanuatu side will represent their countries and militaries at the tournament in Auckland.

Watch live online
Select matches will be streamed live (check the match schedule above) and can be viewed from this page.

Watch later online
Matches that have been live streamed will be available to view later from this page.

Be there live
All games are being played at College Rifles Rugby Club, Remuera, Auckland. Bring your friends and whānau along to the park and experience the thrill of top-level women's Defence rugby.

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I haven't seen a final Defence Ferns squad list, but there will be some FPC players playing at this tournament.

I so won't be watching this.
Thanks for letting me know.

@Dan54 said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:

@NTA said in Womens RWC 2021 -NZ to host:

Side rant: as an admin for a small club, we've got a womens 7s side that has had varying degrees of success and participation the last 3 seasons (thanks COVID and Gen Z bitchiness). TBH we lack the volunteers to give it a full go, and the competition they play in is tournament Sundays where the mens play Saturdays.

I'm also a Board member for our Suburban comp and we've identified womens as very important to get going on Saturdays and play alongside the mens. Either as 7s (maybe longer halves) or 10s.

I have refereed a couple of the womens Sunday tournaments this year, as well as running one at our club. Every time the tournament notice goes out, clubs are told they need to supply an AR. The ones that usually do are Subbies clubs. Premier don't even give a fuck enough to supply more than a manager/coach on the day, and they're the fluffybunnies with all the money.

The Premier Rugby Board just expects everyone to turn up and fall over themselves to be part of their great "grassroots" rugby, instead of actually finding the means to make their operations sustainable. They've got no idea what grassroots means, they just wave the word around and complain that nobody funds their shitty product.

So things haven't changed since my days being involved over there NTA.😠

Except it is shrinking

@cgrant said in Chiefs 2023:

What about McCurran and Leroy Carter ? They looked the goods in the NPC.

McCurran wasn't even in the original Waikato squad. Simon Parker is fit again (after multiple injuries/surgery) so will provide more depth at loose forward.

Haven't seen the result of the non-competition game of the HB U16 Dev team against Whanganui, but our HB U16 'A' team lost to Wellington U16 Gold. The result was 13 - 20.

@Stargazer is this right. MP play the Drua twice. And only 2 NZ teams twice

One of the Drua matches should be a NZ side

Edit. It is right. And a good move. Hope it's done next year too.

@Bones said in Formula 1 2022:

That was quite fun. Good drive from Mexican Tom Cruise.

Entertaining for the foibles of the last two world champions.

@FakatavaAllBlack really felt on paper this team could have done more, the season feels so short, a couple of injuries and a couple of losses in the bounce and everything becomes an uphill task

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Are a lot of people liars generally?
Guys at my work talk about using their sick days.
But they aren't sick.

@Steve said in The Current State of Rugby:

superb post. the game is gone to the dogs really.

I'm not so sure. I think modern rugby is pretty much OK apart from 1-2 areas and generally better to watch over the years. I like the mix of skills on display - from set-pieces to backline moves and cover defence. That and the way the game can change in a very short time. While it caused problems in the past, the changes to protect player's heads seems to have settled down a fair bit.

I think there's too many cards though and the Red Card situation still needs sorting out to differentiate between malicious and careless/accidental acts. And stop the water-breaks and cynical time-wasting. I'd focus on the Refs to improve the game. Some are great, don't muck about and use the TMO well while others seem to want to refer everything upstairs, allow too many delays etc. No knocking them, just think focussing on refereeing can have a major positive impact

Finally, can we have a moratorium on rule changes for a few years? Even avid followers of the game have difficulty keeping up between competitions.

Such a shame he couldnt get/chose not to get a contract for next year he’s been next level this NPC.

@Duluth Given that he hasn't played since 9 July, you'd have to be concerned with how serious the injury is.

Eddie keeping it real. Some fun games in the prem, but defence wins tests (McLeod 😭)

Eddie Jones' explicit warning to players eyeing England call-ups Eddie Jones' explicit warning to players eyeing England call-ups

Eddie Jones has reacted to the new Gallagher Premiership season being launched with a glut of tries by warning his England players they...

I mean, doesn't that make it even worse when you get done over?

Ref mic picks up Kyle Sinckler sledge as prop's performance slated Ref mic picks up Kyle Sinckler sledge as prop's performance slated

A humourous sledge from Bristol Bears prop Kyle Sinckler was heard on the ref mic during his side's 30-15 Gallagher Premiership loss to...

So, we've qualified for the Quarter-Finals, but why was Nisbo saying we're playing Wellington? I know it's unlikely that Counties beat Wellington, but if they do, the winner of Waikato v BOP will jump over Wellington on the table. So nothing is certain, yet.

New Zealand Under 19 team edge plucky Leopards New Zealand Under 19 team edge plucky Leopards

The New Zealand Under 19s (NZ U19s) have made it three from three on their tour of South Africa with a hard fought 42-31 victory over the Leopards in Potchefstroom.

@nzzp said in Foster:

@Dan54 I'd still have Rennie or Joseph over Foster. Any time.

I don't have a problem with that NZZP, as I said I liked Joseph, and would have him over Rennie. I think he has made a bit of difference to Japan, actually got them to QF in WC. Rennie I don't dislike by any means, but can't actually see a lot (if any) to Wallabies since he took over, so reserve judgement. But regardless neither were available.
I not for or against Foster either, I wasn't part of board that interviewed him etc, so don't know what or wasn't said to get him appointed.

THe worst ever HB Tipping Team result two weeks ago was surpassed last week with an even worse drubbing against the same opposition. However they may have fallen into our trap of being the only team still in the running to win two NPC Team Tipping Trophies after the demise of Minor Premiers Wairarapa-Bush in a big upset after the very late Southland penalty turn what was looking like a narrow win of Harbour-Auckland into a narrow loss for them. We have the Minor Premiership Wooden Spoon safely tucked away and now only have to find a way to lose to Northland to annex the Real Wooden Spoon. Things are looking quite promising on that score with jus usual chain dragging me being the only one to tip so far
EDIT As I write this @stockcar86 has just fronted. That is a good indication that, like me, he too is getting in early to ensure he can get to McLean Park early to get his pick of what is expected to be a large number of unoccupied seats given the not so friendly weather conditions here today.

Just waiting to see if the likes of @Paj @delicatessen @Stargazer and @BorderJB can get their tips in in time for all games to count. It would be a shame to make it obviously something devious was afoot if we fronted four tippers short to ensure we win The Spoon, especially so when we have had not much trouble getting toppled each week with enough counting scorers anyway!
Naturally a HB 17+ margin is expected but you will not be voodoo pinned if you opt for just a home 9 - 16. Interesting a late surge (well two tippers anyway) have opted for Tasman as the lowest scorers for the round. Disappointingly neither of those are members of the HB Tipping Team!

TSF Tipping Submit - The Silver Fern

Dolphins star QB Tua got concussed on Sunday (they called it a 'back injury') was allowed to play Thursday night and then this happened.

NFL lead the way in a lot of things - not in regards to concussion management.

This makes me think of Any Given Sunday and how James Woods played the rogue doctor.

Back in 2023:

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I watched a replay of the King Country-Ngati Porou East Coast game to check out a few former school boy players I was familiar with. The KC centenary jersey looks really nice.

@ACT-Crusader said in AFL 2022:

The Jordan De Goey saga continues. He’s a very good big body mid and Saints could do with one or two of those. But he seems a bit of an egg.

AFL do it better than any other sport in OZ and know how to stay in the news even after their big dance.

I think that has a lot to do with the appetite to be in the news. There's no down side for having bad press for the sport, in the southern states especially. There's no competition. Fans will still love the sport, just develop more hate for the other club that is seen as the villain in this particular story.

So where say rugby may down play a transfer story, AFL will play it up.

@African-Monkey said in Boxing Thread:

@kiwiinmelb Haha, not that it mattered, but that's boxing for you, the worse you look in fights, the more likely you are to land fights on a fairer playing field.

The funniest case being the start of Wilder v Fury. Fury had come off a 3 year layoff on drugs and alcohol binges with 2 lackluster wins over Sefer Seferi and Francesco Pianeta, Wilder's team thought he'd be an easy touch with obvious name value to strengthen his case for being the A side against AJ at the time, and let's just say it was a cherry pick gone wrong for him.

Fury is like a Guy Ritchie movie just larger and more full on.

It's Planet Rugby. A quick scan of the comments are more interesting than the team named.

@Crucial said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@ACT-Crusader said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@nzzp said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@ACT-Crusader said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@nzzp said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@Victor-Meldrew said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

teams who've analysed his play at 12 first

knowing something is coming and doing something about it are two very different things. Big body running straight is a key rugby requirement at the top level. Then if they doubleteam/stack a defence, space is created elsewhere.

Bring it on, JB at 12, Hayman at 8, 2023 is ours

Dagg to 10 and Messam to centre. Mealamu to openside

*Messum

5- Jordie
6- Lomu
7- Mealamu
8- Hayman
9- Cruden
10- Dagg

12- Ardie
13- Messam

DMac as reserve halfback?

I was going to put Ben Blair as halfback, but didn’t want to trigger some of the haters in here

@bayimports said in Aussie Rugby:

@mariner4life lol, when I am also not playing hooker

Or missing tackles. He was ordinary on Saturday. Particularly compared to bled 1

Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union Good wins for Bs, U85s Good wins for Bs, U85s

@Mackerzzzz said in Rugby Commentators/Presenters:

The crop of commentators at the moment are all shocking imo.

Marshal makes me want to find him and sock him.
Nisbo should have retired 10 years ago.
Johnson average at best.
Jk one of the few I don't mind
Wilson ok but very biased
Mills sounds about as intellectual as a five year old.
Rikki s average
Laban is way to over eager at times.
Hames waaaaay to much dribble and is an extremely boring talker
Parsons like Hames but more thick
SBW sounds like a complete retard
Mertens total windger
Harrison excessively biased

Can't remember the rest (yes I know some are aussies)

Well I like Mils, Laban (I don't mind someone who actually knows where players come from and loves the game) and Hames maybe boring to you, but I find interesting as he knows the laws and game, same as Parsons he knows the game.
I don't need the commentators to be exactly as I want, and actually enjoy the difference, and if one or two annoy me now and then just kind of shrug my shoulders. I pretty easy to please, as I take much more notice of what I see anyway, not what I hear, think it's why I like watching games live at park.

@taniwharugby said in Super Rugby 2023:

Will be interesting to see if having MP at Mt Smart affects blues games...

Hopefully MP can start to get some half decent crowds.

They really struggled to get anyone to go this year.