@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks vs Pumas I:
On Patty T - for what it is worth he was brilliant against Southland last Friday. His form also got better and better for the Blues as the season went on (a bit like Moala) so not sure what the go is.
I've heard that Hansen mistakenly thinks he plays for the Hurricanes, hence why he's not selected....
@kiwiinmelb said in Things that annoy you about rugby...:
Ex front rowers who become commentators that get over excited over fat unco blokes running slowly with the ball
Speaking of front rowers, one little annoyance is a packed stadium yelling out BEAST, every time said beast gets the ball and makes less yards carrying it than Owen Franks....
Come on fellas, some of the provincial stuff coming out now and fluffing is terrible.
But hasn’t Richie, Whitelock and Goodhue played well
@majorrage Timmy came up with some big moments with both bat and ball. Had the odd “big” moment in the field that let us know our hearts were working too!
Really was a strange test but what a great result. The fact that the 4th innings was the best to bat in adds to the mystique of it. Whoever said it, low run tests tend to deliver the drama.
Also on Virat, I reckon he’s a class act. Think that we had to endure Ganguly and others. In fact it’s hard not to like this Indian side. They are a professional outfit with hard workers. Not unlike our beloved Blackcaps. Fitting final in my view.
@barbarian you’re doing a pretty amazing job bro. Holding down a job, being a dad, supporting your missus. Things that might seem like every day stuff, but cannot be sniffed at in these uncertain times.
That’s not to say that even when we are putting forth our best effort we don’t experience the highs and lows, emotionally and physically.
After lockdown 5 in Melbourne was announced I was pretty emotional about it because one of my daughters (just turned 11yo, grade 5) who had just got back into the swing of going back to school again was going to be taken out again and then all the readjusting would have to happen in two weeks. Lockdown 6 then happens and earlier this week she can’t help but feel excited about going back to see her friends at school, lockdown extended and yesterday was a tough day for her. Nothing I can do about the situation other than love her, talk to her, encourage her.
Sometimes things simply do not work out the way we think - relationships sour, kids get depressed, jobs are lost, businesses go under, another lockdown, families can’t be visited, loved ones are lost - things that are sometimes outside of our control. Something my old man taught me back when I was going through a challenging time, resilience isn’t about not experiencing the bad things in life, but maintaining a positive outlook when there are a thousand reasons not too.
Not always easy but I believe that each day there is a chance to put it to the test. Sometimes it’s during a walk outside or quiet moment at home, or an epiphany like moment that @mariner4life had 
that we can reflect on our life and make a choice.
@Jaguares4real said in SR Final: Crusaders v Jaguares:
How to pronounce Jaguares properly
It’s pronounced ruh-nurs ah-p
@Chris said in RWC: All Blacks v South Africa (Pool 
:
Shitty unconvincing win we need to be a lot better then that to win the WC
No we don’t. All we need to do is win the game. Who really cares how.
There is a randomness that Garces brings and I’m pleased we dealt with it relatively well. No cards is a big tick for me.
@BartMan said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):
I think the only real beating up of the ABs the last few years is Paddies in Chicago and Convicts in Perth. The rest of the losses are just the ABs running out of time to win 😉
The arrogance of new posters never ceases to amaze.
😎
Enjoyed the game.
Great forwards performance and excellent support play by our boys.
Hurley showed excellent skills and balance in those conditions.
For a hooker, Bell has good skills. Can pass both ways and has Coles like quick feet.
Watched the OZ v Argies match and the Argies pack look pretty well drilled so could provide a good test for our boys
The rucks were scrappy as which made it a tough watch. Both halves combinations I thought struggled to control the game. Argies combo only slightly less frantic.
That Saffa winger for the Scots, van der Merwe is a quality player, but is on the end of a funky aligned backline. They rarely created space for him or the other outsides.
I thought Gonzalez Samso played pretty well for the Argies.
The greatest crowd in NRL cripple fight history 😀
Well done boys, but man our attack is so painful to watch. I used to be a big SJ fan and would love it when he took on the line and then show some vision, but currently he would have to be the best hospital passing halfback in the NRL….
Onwards and upwards and well done fans for creating a great atmosphere after 60 looooong games away from Mt Smart.
@barbarian famous victories aren’t famous for no reason 😀
Congrats bro. Enjoy this one after a long drought.
@Crazy-Horse I think the most pleasing thing for me was the pressure we put on them which caused some of those errors or held ups or rushed plays.
For me that is a very positive step forward.
Still very much a work in progress around using the front foot ball that was there and also kicking for territory. But I’m willing to take that positive progress.
@zed said in Australia v England - 1st Test:
Not sure what the game looked like on TV, but I watched it live and it was poor. Very one-dimensional from both teams really. Pretty drab and not a good advert for the game. I can't see SA or the ABs being troubled by either of these sides if they carry on playing like this.
I'm not sure what the stats were, but it seemed England had the majority of possession, at least in the first half and should have done better. They have the players, it might be time for a new coach?
Different opponents (and conditions) can result in different game outcomes.
In saying that, the Boks looked pretty dire for large parts of last nights game.
@Donsteppa said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
Sure I want it to be our night every night, but I’m not 15yo anymore where I think it’s an injustice or some world shattering event when it’s not.
Where's the fun in that?
Spent too much on the psychologist after the 95 RWC loss to go back now 😀
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:
How come last year or two we have been underpowered in the forwards playing SA, France, Ireland with the bulk of the forwards the same as today. Taylor, Ofa, SW, BBBR, Sam C, Ardie, ScoBa.
This time they were great. Loved the error free play and ball retention.Sam Whitelock deserves a knighthood
Think we should bring in a next gen prop to give experience Newell, Norris
It’s called sport 😉
Sometimes it’s your night and sometimes it’s not.
Sure I want it to be our night every night, but I’m not 15yo anymore where I think it’s an injustice or some world shattering event when it’s not.
Haha, they just showed that ruck again that was a couple of metres out from the England try line and it was so clearly a penalty against Oz because the tackler (Fainga’a) not only sealed off and didn’t roll away, but then stood up in the middle of it. Hilarious.
Hooper’s timing and ability to pounce on that breakdown was excellent regardless.
If Sonny Bill is getting paid to conduct these interviews, then it must be the easiest money in sports TV history.
He’s having a laugh!
Super Rugby final guide: How to say Jaguares