The Silver Fern

The U20s, Black Ferns, as well as the Hurricanes and Phoenix have all been at NZCIS.

@chchfanatic Have to ACTUALLY win games first champ before you start thinking of a QF.

@Higgins said in Super Rugby 2024:

Apr 22  /  Sport Radio veteran demands sacking of ’dim-witted’ football great Radio veteran demands sacking of ’dim-witted’ football great

‘I’m embarrassed to be in the same camp as him.’

Wow, this says it all with no holds barred!

I saw read that, but he obviously not too worried about having the same employer, or he can fix that himself surely? A letter of resignation would take care of who employs them both

(“I don’t know how this bloke has continued to be employed by the network that employs me,” Hadley said.

“That’s a decision for people who are on a higher post than me.)

@bayimports

Well, he doesn’t have any control below the premier league so if you did get promoted, you would be straight down asap!

@Darren Most people talking him up wouldn't have even seen him play. If his name was John Smith, no one would bat an eyelid.

Low scoring but a good intense defensive game. I’m a Clippers supporter but I thought the Mavs bought the heat today and deserved the win.

@gt12 Clippers version of Harden is far more bearable

@antipodean said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

Hmm

Herbert said Rugby Australia was concerned about New Zealand and South Africa formulating a plan for old-fashioned tours in 2026 and 2031, which would lead to an eight- or nine-game tour being played during the Rugby Championship window.

It would mean a truncated Rugby Championship for the Wallabies and Argentina, which would mean a reduction in the much-relied upon Test revenue. Herbert said Australia would be looking for compensation if it was to approve.

Do SANZAAR decisions need to be unanimous?

If not just buy off the Argues and get the vote you need?

What has two thumbs, is way too old, and will probably play most of First Grade at hooker on Saturday?

I'm an idiot. Fuck long weekends and fuck military rugby being played mid-season...

Bunting answers questions:

Summary: (My comments in italics)

Only 13 new contracts on offer. Does this mean the rest are on multi year contracts? Must be until the next World Cup.

22% of the squad are props. It reflects the key strategic focus for this World Cup cycle. Good. The BFs have been dominated in the forwards by both France & England for many years now; going back to at least 2018.

He has been talking to many of the BF7s who have signalled their intention to return to Aupiki next year to be in the running for the World Cup.

However, he acknowledges that many of those who miss out on BF contracts next year will very likely be snapped up by the new NRLW Warriors women’s team. The two seasons don’t actually overlap so there remains opportunities for players to play both every year (for now). Aupiki is at the start of the year & NRLW is in the second half of the year

Aupiki needs to be expanded to provide more first class rugby experience for the next generation of front rowers as it’s a key strategic development area for the NZR 15s programme. At the moment, Aupiki coaches are favouring the old incumbents with years of experience as there’s not enough game time to develop the youngsters in the short season. Aupiki definitely needs to expand. The English pro season goes on for 20 weeks! It’s a big reason why they are way ahead of every other team and it pisses me off that the poms are so far ahead as I don’t like their style of play

Arihana Marino-Tauhinu’s dropping gives an opportunity for new leaders to be developed (question asked if dropping her exposes a big leadership gap in the BFs)

Joanah Ngan-Woo (who has barely played since the World Cup final) is finally confirmed by Bunting that she is returning from injury. Finally someone asked him the bloody question after all this time! I’ve been wanting to know this for the past year!

Marlborough Boys' College 41 - 14 Waitaki BHS (Mon)
Marlborough Boys' College 35 - 22 Shirley BHS (Wed)
Sacred Heart College 41 - 35 Hastings BHS

@DMack said in Golf:

I never knew that was talked about for President’s cup. I’d watch that.
I don’t really root for Korda or Scheffler when they play. They appear robotic which is a strength of theirs I guess. I have tried the Scheffler shuffle on the range though. My hip felt like it was going to dislocate more than doing the Happy Gilmour.
Golf has gotta be one of the only sports that is watchable that can have men and women competing fairly (obvs different tee positions though). Ultramarathon supposedly is genderless but is also a fairly joyless sport for the viewer. Can’t be bothered thinking of others.

Equestrian? Never watched, don't know if that's a sport.

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Not to mention a particularly heartless and dare I say irresponsible use of a time machine

im kind of hoping this is just the start of moe regular changes so we see different takes, still waiting for one of the NZ teams to lock in a design language (stripes, hoops, quarters or the brumbies deal) rather than just a colour

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders 2024:

I’m preparing myself for a 96-esque season. The transition from Razor and a number of very key players from previous successful campaigns all at once will take time to overcome.

Bump

@Duluth said in Highlanders 2024:

In general I think all the teams should put more up on social media/youtube.

Yep, a good portion of the Warriors hype train is down to social media, for some reason rugby has been useless at it.

Highlights from Petone's win over OBU on Saturday.

Petone's side featured a raft of current/former Super Rugby and NPC players including Harry Godfrey, Riley Higgins, Ngani Punvai, Losi Filipo, TJ Clarke, Belgium Tuatagaloa and Kaliopasis Uluilakepa. Petone also have Brad Shields, Peter Lakai and Logan Henry in their ranks so pretty stacked if all those players were available at the same time.

It is interesting that the cost is so closely related to the opponent, IME ABs games are not. The pricing might be a bit different, but really it is about the ABs.

@sparky

What have you seen of Taylor so far?

Vai’i shouldn’t even be in the squad, let alone starting

Ignoring the predictable winner out front, I've enjoyed the tussle for the third podium position and those trying to get that solitary point for coming 10th. But that's been F1 for as long as I've been watching.

As to the size, this is a good indication of the problem; so much easier to block:

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