Surprised not to see much comment on the string of red-cardable offences in the weekend's internationals - especially after the NH decision not to allow Red Card replacement after 20 minutes. After the weekend I think that is an extremely poor decision.

In watching matches this is what I though I saw, and is always open to interpretation. I have not re-watched and base this on initial impressions only:
a) Two players leap up for the ball and (both?) heads hit shoulders. Red Card Argentina
b) Player sets for tackle, but opponent passes well forward and catching player starts to duck for unexpectedly imminent contact. Medium contact to chin. Red Card USA
c) Player grabs jersey of opponent burrowing into ruck legitimately, and immediately knees him in the face. Opponent goes off straight away. Yellow Card only England
d) Player gets a bit of a hospital pass and shuffles across directly into the line of an exocet missile that launches into his chin sending him flying. Not worthy of review Fiji

With all the talk about mitigation and intention, I thought the first two were yellows due to obvious mitigation. But, the sendings off impacted significantly on the matches.

The other two seemed to be intentional acts with reckless disregard for opponent safety - but on the first one the Referee used the code word 'clumsy' to influence the TMO and it was just a yellow. The commentator suggested he was stepping into the ruck - where there was another head on the ground, and he barely missed another one after the knee. The second incident was not replayed on slow-mo as far as I can recall.

I am no doubt biased in my view of what I saw, but do wonder how much card decisions depend on who the player is, which team they are from, and whether their team is playing at home. And I must question whether the TMO's are listening to the biased hometown commentary prior to the referral.

I wonder what it would take for an England captain to be red-carded at Twickenham, or the Fijian captain in front of a partisan audience?

What do Ferners think? In my eyes this demands a rethink of the 20 minute red card, as I think the referees make plenty of judgement errors because the stakes are too high - and they don't want to make a call that would see them pilloried if judged unwarranted. That tends to favour home teams.

Just back from a marvellous time at the sevens. Bit of a deja vu feeling about NZ Men. The Mikkelsen/Collier combination was deadly whenever play was sent that way (far too rarely) because they showed huge energy at the contact point, Ng Shiu was great throughout, Ware was more effective than usual and showed good anticipation, Nareki showed lots of promise, and Molia was very solid throughout.

But, the others showed a continuation of previous issues that have prevented us reaching full potential. Ravouvou just could not connect with support players, and Knewstubb mishit far too many dropouts and goalkicks and was a bit hesitant on defence. Sam Dickson shows lots of endeavour, but is not as sharp and accurate as he used to be. Gregory still seems a step hesitant on defence. And Koroi - well how many 'strikes' do you let him have with his tackling technique.

Plenty of visible work-ons - but still a lack of explosiveness and outright speed. The Fijians were mesmerising with this. Tuimaba, Botitu, Nasoko, Naduva, Tuwai, Mocenacagi etc. The first three were incredibly skilful.

Well done to NZ women. Great spectacle.

@canefan but he didn't show near as much as Warbrick did in the trial matches. I think they have added the right guy.

Would prefer to see Jordie as a 12 longer term. Thought he was a bit indecisive at times today but still great impact. Just watched most of game then read posts here. Mystified by the excessive negativity about some players and blinkers on others. My upset if I supported Canes would be at Mafileo who showed distinct lack of energy when most needed. He should have protected his 9 better for the clearance and ambled through the last few minutes. I felt the game was won when Barrett called correctly on the toss.
Blackwell had a huge workrate throughout which complements some of the more individual stuff elsewhere. Campbell was much better than Hall too. Thought Whitelock and Bridge both went well.

@Bovidae I think Roe is a better option than the rest. Happy with Christie or Drummond though if no room for an 'apprentice'

@bovidae Finau impresses me greatly. Great support play and great leg drive to create the maul try. Surely he starts now...

Second best ton I have seen live (tim seiffert best) . Great partnership. Glad I brought suntan lotion now.

@Chris said in Exodus:

@Stargazer said in Exodus:

Signed with NTT Communications Shining Arcs in Japan:

• Fletcher Smith

• Piri Paraone (former Wellington Lions)

https://www.ntt.com/rugby/news/2020/201216.html

I don’t understand the Fletcher Smith going overseas
He is better than a few who have contracts.

Ditto to that. Maybe it is a by-product of all franchises trying to complete squads way too early, at times when a lot of assumptions must be made. I wonder if NZRU will consider setting a date late in NPC after which a certain number of positions must be filled by each franchise. i.e. 3 to 5 positions must be open/unsigned as at the week between NPC semis and finals. That might lead to better options for the best of those players not already signed, with NZRU assisting with information on options. Just a thought... Seems a shame to have overseas players brought in each year when very good players are forced overseas.

@Crucial. Matt Garland won't defect to the Lions while he is training with the Chiefs.

@Chris

Thought it was a toss-up between Savea and Lienert-Brown - both in so many key moments on attack and defence

@bovidae yep. I had picked up on other teams being named. It rankles me.

@canefan but he didn't show near as much as Warbrick did in the trial matches. I think they have added the right guy.

Risky leaving Tim on the bench. Glad they saw sense and put Warbrick in the 13. He looks very impressive and is our real weapon. Collier was huge v Argentina with his physicality. Add MGB and Timmy and we have some real strike power.
But do we have the depth under pressure? ENS Molia Ware Baker and Webber have all been a bit error prone so far.

@bovidae Cheers. I meant that everyone else has released either their squads for the 'trial' matches or the real squad. Waikato does not even manage to tell people who played in the game of three halves. Little wonder the enthusiasm has waned so much for NPC in Hamilton. Used to get rip-roaring crowds over there.

Have seen news and squads for 13 teams here. Has Waikato withdrawn? Does anyone know what is going on there? Why no information regarding NPC squad?

@gibbonrib said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions 1:

@kiwiwomble said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions 1:

I feel like I’m missing something, there is loads of banter on the socials about the game being a bit of a hiding, felt to me like they limped over the line

Banter on socials is not known for being the most accurate reflection of reality. But any BIL fans who really think that was a hiding are deluded. They were in control at the end, and were unquestionably the better team for half the game. But it was a close game, a few moments of luck and a few decisions the other way would have made it a very different game.

According to Planet Rugby ratings the Lions won't have a chance in tests 2 and 3. The Boks pretty much all played well below their normal level and got 5s to 7s, while the Lions all played at the top of theirs, and were getting 8s and 9s. Hardly any wonder so many deluded fans with media of this quality. I felt the game turned on Itoje getting away with his kneel on players turnover. If there was a penalty or a card there, it would likely have been fairly different as the Boks were well on top.

@mikethesnow said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions 1:

@gibbonrib said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions 1:

@sparky said in Springboks v British & Irish Lions 1:

Lawes, AWJ and Itoje has been massive for the Lions.

I thought Lawes was terrible and AWJ invisible in the first half. But good second half from all of them.

Ha fucking ha

Lawes should have been MOTM

Then Kwagga

Expected Lawes to be mom. He really delivered throughout.
Expected to hear more of the Itoje 5m turnover while kneeling on players though. That strange non-call had a huge impact on the game. Berry v good otherwise.
Thought only Daly and Curry under performed for Lions. But the Boks lost it with a poor impact from the entire bench. I did not expect that.

I think Lions have messed up not starting with Watson given makeup of the Boks loosies and their weaker starting front row. Can see the game won at the breakdowns in first half. His energy in the close exchanges generates big momentum. Would have had Curry and Lawes on the bench to adapt as required when boks heavy artillery and Elstadt comes out. Else Lions picks spot on. Boks by 7

Watched the most absorbing game of the season last night. Funny how kiwi Jordan Rapana did the pre match interview and then he was the one who provided the highs and lows of the match and the defining moment a few seconds from time. So glad the ref allowed his brave game saving slam tackle. I love it when a guy you can identify with plays with such passion. And well done commentators with your brilliantly passionate commentary too.

Geez the atrocious article from Mark Reason on stuff really ignites this topic. It is what he ignores that is of interest. Hollywood's and late hits on AB's are sacrosanct and World Rugby's ruling on Koroibete is misguided... But hey anything in the name of player safety, so any pointed rubbishing of Southern hemisphere refs and players is entirely warranted. Makes me wonder about the editors of Stuff more than anything else.
The poor refs and players need a better deal in this trial by media.