I've never seen the "two opensides" work for an extended period either.

And I can't see why we would try it to basically accommodate Todd over a specialist blindside flanker. He's a good player, but he's not that good.

If we were going to play two short flankers I'd rather see Jordan Taufua paired with Cane than Todd paired with Cane.

But, I think it will be Ioane, Cane and Whitelock - assuming that Squire isn't available.

I presume most people are thinking that we will name six loose forwards - Cane, Todd, Savea, Fifita, Ioane and Whitelock.

But, if Squire is available - who misses out? Personally, I don't see the point of three openside flankers! For me, it's Ardie.

This poll is missing I am really scratching my head an no fkn clue option. It'll be interesting to see what happens tho!

Tragic news.

@crucial said in Gold Coast Comm Games:

@nzzp said in Gold Coast Comm Games:

@nepia said in Gold Coast Comm Games:

Stupid that a non gold medal winning cyclist is rated above gold medal winners.

The All Whites got a Halberg for a series of draws. The quality of the competition has to play a part in the significance of the achievement.

Yes, but.

The achievement has to come first IMO. Then the context.

If (using the other example) Lisa C gets an Olympic gold and WC in her chosen sport that trumps someone who makes a final in a higher profile sport straight away.
Someone who wins a higher profile, more prestigious event takes the position off her.

I understand the argument, but I do disagree. For me, the quality of the field is very important. That's why Olympic medals are more valued than Comm Games medals.

The argument for the 100m mens (and the frankly amazing achievements of Nick Porn Willis) are that the competition at that level is massively high - the pool of potential 100m runners in the world is basically everyone with a pulse and 2 legs. It is much much harder to compete at that level, than in other, more specialised events.

So, as I said before, the quality of the competition has to play a part in the significance of the acheivement. And yes, I was OK with the All Whites getting a Halberg - what they achieved was huge, and in a very very hard international field.

Not quite test cricket but worth recording anyway.

NZ Club Championship decider

Napier Tech Old Boys 113/3 in 18.2 overs
Onslow 108
NTOB win by seven wickets

Live scores, live streams, video highlights and schedules from NZC

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@bones said in Super Rugby form XV (from the NZ franchises):

@billy-tell looks good to me. Bench of Perenara, Mounga...ummm...Lam.

I’ll be annoyed if sbw walks straight in. Laumape and Goodhue for form, Crotty is reliable glue and ALB’s form has been steadily improving.

I reckon lam will make the squad if he keeps this up. Won’t be hard to drop players like duffie havili et tamanivalu from the 2017 November tour. I suppose it depends if selectors want to pick nms and Dagg cold.

Sharks

15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Tera Mtembu, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Ruan Botha (captain), 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements: 16 Akker van der Merwe, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Tyler Paul, 20 Daniel du Preez, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk.

Bulls

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Johnny Kotze, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain), 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Hanro Lieben;berg, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Replacements 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Frans van Wyk, 19 Jason Jenkins, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Andre Warner, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Duncan Mathews

For anyone interested this is the discussion panel on the SH Vs NH topic.

Have to say I really enjoyed it with a good relaxed chat style and interesting topics.

@machpants said in England's 6 Nations downfall explained:

I love this guy, he's funny and makes sense too. You have to watch the vid twice to ger ful value - first time full speed and listen. Second time pausing to catch all his graphics!

Excellent 👏

Patrick Reed seems like a really odd bloke. This article about his family is quite revealing.

Joshua Berhow  /  News 'My son is a Masters champion': Patrick Reed's estranged family endures a complex mix of emotions 'My son is a Masters champion': Patrick Reed's estranged family endures a complex mix of emotions

Patrick Reed is a lone wolf on Tour with a complicated past. As he was on his way to winning the Masters Sunday night, his parents, sister and their family and friends were watching on TV just miles down the road at home.

To add a few:

LFC: Tim Cadwallader (Turbos)

HBHS: Ben Tameifuna (Racing92), Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (Highlanders/Shield Snorters), Jacob Devery (Shield Snorters), Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Lincoln McClutchie, Danny Toala and Kianu Kereru-Symes all have Shield Snorters contracts; I don't have a link, but didn't someone say Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe has a contract as well?
Not sure about contracts, but I think Jeriah Mua has at least an academy contract with BOP, but it could also be a full Steamers contract. I think there was another Hastings player at BOP. Maybe Antonio Mikaele-Tu'u has a contract with Waikato, but not sure.
Kini Naholo has been signed by Taranaki on an academy contract

NBHS: Pouri Rakete-Stones

St John's: Jonah Lowe (he went there, before going to King's)

There have been quite a few professional players who went to Te Aute College at some point.
I don't know many, but - apart from Cory Jane and Piri Weepu, who have retired - I can think of Billy Rophia (Dax, in France's Pro D2 comp).

@majorrage said in Convicts v Marxist Land Thieves - Crucket:

@antipodean said in Convicts v Marxist Land Thieves - Crucket:

@majorrage said in Convicts v Marxist Land Thieves - Crucket:

And he's not appealing ... time will tell if this is because he wants to cut his relationship with CA all together to purse other avenues of revenue generation ...

I can't think what. He's been imbued with one talent.

TV and book deals.

And T20 in other competitions e.g. Caribbean.

@hooroo said in Super Rugby Boards:

It essentially means you just have to get lucky!

I suspect you have to have the powers that be get worried about the money. If revenues drop, then the owners are losing money. That tends to focus things (except if the owner is paying for celebrity, which many European football and US baseball ones are).

I was just reading this:

Greg Cooper has joined the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars as head coach with former Highlanders and All Blacks prop Carl Hoeft as his assistant. The Dynaboars play in the Top Challenge League - the second tier of Japanese professional rugby - and are based in Sagamihira in the Kanagawa prefecture, 47km from Tokyo. Their squad includes ex-All Black Walter Little's son, Michael, a midfield back currently playing for the Sunwolves Super Rugby team and former Ta$man and Northland five-eighth Daniel Hawkins.