elsewhere for all the talk about the pyramid being England's unique strength the EPL fat cats get their way and replays are now a thing of the past.

Another case of the greed and self-interest of the Top 6 looking to ensure no one can break into their cosy little club. The changes to FFP are more directly about that but this decision shows no sympathy for lower tier clubs, their financial positions or their fans.

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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Black Caps vs Pakistan T20Is:

Live now on YouTube - Edit: Well that was a waste of time. Abandoned to rain after two balls with NZ 2 for 1 wicket.

That’s a hell of a lot of action for two balls I have to say

@Victor-Meldrew

With the quality of the forward pack, hopefully the lack of experience at lock can be hidden this year for the most part.

Just watching some footage of Blues practice on CGW and Jason O'Halloran was there. I hope he is well and fully back on deck.

@bayimports Yeah it is a hard position for a debutant to make an impact straight away. Wouldn't surprise me if they went for an experienced campaigner as a stop gap either, someone in the Jarrod Wallace/David Klemmer mould until their juniors get fully up to speed. Utoikamanu is starting to live up to his potential so far this season too which would make perfect sense if they did infact go for him.

NZR and the provincial unions are all set up as Incorporated Societies. They get an exemption from paying tax because they are set up to promote amateur sport.

@Winger I read IWL as 2028 initially as I was looking at it off a small screen.

@taniwharugby The Brumbies seem to be the most aggressive in looking for talent in NZ. They also have the largest representation in the Aust U20 squad. I don't know if others have NZ links.

@mariner4life said in AFL 2024:

@barbarian said in AFL 2024:

to some extent cricket

i don't trust hawkeye

No, neither. But I trust hotspot, snicko and side cameras to adjudicate on runouts.

Why isn't it red...?

It's not like dark gold is a particularly ANZAC-y colour so no reason why they had to go with that... They could've done a big poppy design or something.

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Fifteen-cap All Black Ngani Laumape has switched international allegiance to Tonga, it has been revealed.

The Kobelco Kobe Steelers centre earned the last of his 15 caps in November 2020, but, given the 30-year-old has Tongan parents, he has now committed his international future to his parents' country of birth.

He first declared his interest in playing for the ‘Ikale Tahi when the birthright ruling was introduced by World Rugby in 2021. He has been eligible since November last year, however it was too late for him to be involved in the World Cup. He will likely line up in the centre alongside another former All Black in Malakai Fekitoa.

“Our priority now is to qualify for the World Cup so there is still a use for those players and bringing their leadership into the group. And at the same time, we have got guys like Ngani Laumape, who has put his hand up to come in,” assistant coach Nili Latu told RugbyPass.

“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30 and as we’re looking to build some of those players may give us a year or two.

“I think it is really important that we do keep some high-profile players to lead the way for the next generation. A few of the boys have already asked for time off for family reasons and, for me that gives opportunity for the next person.”

Four years after getting a taste of international coaching, Geoff Parling will return as the Wallabies’ new lineout coach.

The Roar can reveal the Rebels assistant, who coached alongside Dave Rennie in six Tests during the 2020 campaign, is set to be unveiled as Joe Schmidt’s latest recruit to his coaching team in the coming days.

Portugal appoint ex-All Black Simon Mannix as new coach Portugal appoint ex-All Black Simon Mannix as new coach

Former All Black and current Biarritz director of rugby Simon Mannix will take the reins of the Portugal men’s team for the next four years...

George had his best result in quite a while in the Giro d'Abruzzo - coming in 3rd in the GC, 2nd in the KotM, and 2nd in the final stage.

Solid throughout.

Behind Lutsenko and Sivakov, but ahead of Adam Yates, Ulissi, Pozzivivo and a few other decent names...and everyone else.

Warriors played like trash today. Was pretty lack lustre. Gave up too many offensive rebounds and gave away too many turnovers.

Klay was brick city. Kerr was messing with the lineups. Not enough out of Kaminga, Wiggins, CP3.

It’s a tough old road in the West and this version of the Dubs got found out.

Predictions:
Tomorrow - Heat and Bulls win
Saturday - Pelicans and Bulls win

@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders 2024:

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2024:

i really regret going on the weekend

Seems a bit harsh. Sucks to see your team lose but a good stadium to watch rugby and Rebels played some great footy

im sure it would have been different if id gone with other highlanders fans, shared misery and all

maybe i need to go back and watch the highlights

@Donsteppa Slater is a serial offender in this regard.

I read his biography (or autobiography) years ago. He's got some mental health issues that partially derailed his playing career.

From today:

Southland BHS 24 - 22 King's College

SBHS are off to the Sanix in Japan later this month.