@Stargazer said in Law Application at RWC19:

I'm 100% for increasing player welfare/safety, and the framework itself isn't the problem, but the way it has been applied during the RWC was enough to put a lot of people off watching the games. I still hear Ben Skeen's "check, check" in my nightmares.

Maybe the issue was that this new framework was introduced AT the RWC.
Spectators, refs and players hadn't had a season or two to get used to its application so it was something new for everyone to adapt to. Introducing new stuff at rugby's showpiece event is maybe not the smartest move.

But despite having said the above, I was happy with the new application at the RWC.

So much noise around Brady not being at the Patriots. Lots and lots of chat around the Raiders. But also the Titans, and surprisingly, the Niners

@OomPB "Prohibited Items: Drugs, weapons, alcohol, food, cans and glass bottles." Eish.

@sparky good guy on the piss too.

One of my fave AB's ever.

Saw this on Auckland Rugby's instagram. Didn't know about this game. From other posts I understand that Tiaki Fabish, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Joeli Rauca, but also Tiaan Falcon and Neria Fomai were playing. I think Liam Udy-Johns was there, too. Don't know about the rest of the team.

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@KiwiPie said in Bay NPC Fixtures 2020:

@Hooroo said in Bay NPC Fixtures 2020:

@KiwiPie said in Bay NPC Fixtures 2020:

Here we go - 3 Tauranga games in the final 4 weeks for that semi-final push.

NPC Fixtures 2020.jpg

Hopefully the 4th of Oct is a shield challenge....

That's taking a long view!

and hopeful

made a porno too

living the dream

I think if you want the PI Nations to remain competitive, having a five year stand down and then being able to play for a team in Tier 2 is fine.

Not just from the ABs, but Oz, England and France too.

The goal is for more strong teams in international rugby, and the fact is that all those countries have large polynesian (and melanesian) populations (England and France due to professional sport, but it's not that different from the 70s migration to NZ for work).

It actually won't be that many players IMO, but just a handful would be enough to pass on experience and provide a bit of depth.

Whatever we are doing now is certainly not working.

@NTA said in England Vs Ireland, Six Nations 2020:

Intensity from the Poms was great but Ireland didn't adapt or adjust to any of it.

Not the only team in recent history for that to happen to!

@Cyclops they were doing that when England claimed the wicket too.

I reffed a lot of those games in Hamilton. Really fast skillful games. Generally played in great spirit too. My favorite grade to ref - or perhaps equal with first XV.

Late 2017, watching TB pick up his dog's business while chatting to couple on terrace of overlooking flat with that happy smile of his certainly came across as the behaviour of a top bloke. Living the dream I s'pose?!

@Cyclops said in Super Rugby News:

@Duluth said in Super Rugby News:

Tim Perry.. of all the players who had multiple starts for the Blues he was the worst. Second place is miles behind him. Think of all the crap players that played for the Blues over the decades Tim Perry was number one. Well done.

Managed to win three super rugby titles though!

Didn't really watch him at the blues but he was decent for the crusaders and ultimately managed to push crockett out of starting his last final.

Not to mention a fairytale end to his career winning the M10 Cup with the Mako in his final match.

Six test caps.

And even memorable for the Blues....

Pretty solid, Tim! 🙂

Great stats (if indeed true).
Clearly shows that only SA refs can spot all the cheating done by NZ and Aussie teams.

:face_with_stuck-out_tongue_winking_eye:

@Hooroo 🤔

@mariner4life
MMA can be pretty dull too but Adesanya's fights have always been entertaining from start to finish.

@antipodean said in Saffas going?:

Quality over quantity. Time to go back to Super 12.

The round robin S12 was the best format. Sure it was pre-kids and there were more stars, but I was interested in all games including the games in SA. The home and away conference round takes away from the Mitre10 cup and I'm bored already

@Duluth the first black mark was at least mitigating the second.

TBF while he was on the field the Lions took a two point lead. In the 2nd half after Jones replaced him due to his severe injury the Lions scored 11 unanswered.

Cooksley played his last test in 2001 which beggars belief

Yeah, like many I've barely seen the front page as my bookmark for the Fern is the unread threads page.