Hi all,

It’s funny how some things never change, back in the fern for the first time in a long hiatus and all the usual suspects are still active... respect.

Anyhoo tough game and happy to have that out of the way with a win. South Africa were impressive, had arguably the wrong tactics in the first half when they had decent ball, but will happily take that.

Scott Barrett was immense early on and Ardie was a machine and George Bridge reminds me of a young Ben Smith/Cory Jane with his aerial nouse.

For any if the foreign media/coaches complaining about rough calls, clearly Garces missed a lot from both sides, we just converted more of the opportunities we had even with little early ball and am glad the debarkle surrounding Sam Cane HIA didn’t cost us.

Saying all that the Boks weren’t bad when they opened up and Kolbe had fricken spiders on him. If they actually decide to play attacking rugby, we may see them later in the comp.

Great win, still have work ons, which we want including our scum and line out. I know it was extravagant but would love to see them try the move with the throw to Reece again, if executed that would have really created gaps.

Lastly, I had the team leaked via a friend the night before, I called BS but for the first time ever this tip was spot on. It still could have been luck, but if correct they said Retallick could have played if required. Expect to see him back soon then.

Cheers all, thanks for the views, loving it sitting in an airport.

right probably late enough....i believe it may look like this...

BB, JB, ALB, JG, CC, RM, AS, HS, SC, SF, SW, PT, OT, DC, KT
Bench CT, AH, TL, SB, DP, TJP, NL, RI

I am angry that is is not in the grumpy old man thread, if anything screams angry, it has to be a thread called "F off with PC Brigade".

that is all

Had to laugh at Nic Kyrgios tweet in reply to this, take out the annoying "its all about me" aspect, but an element of truth in it too

@bayimports said in Bledisloe Three: Sydney, 31 October:

Anyone expecting big changes tomorrow should probably have a think about who the selection panel is.

I would suggest there will be no changes to the backs and but there could be a couple of changes in the forwards probably only daddy duties and concussion the only real changes, namely 8, probably 5 and 1. Bench could be interesting though

I will probably know soon enough if official timing is tomorrow

If the sauce is indeed the correct ingredient, then the guess above turns out to be very accurate, sorry wont post until later as too many journos have enough time to create stories this early. Fill in the blanks for starting XV, that was quite easy. If anyone correctly predicts the bench though they get a virtual beer, I didn't, most will get close, but in its entirety may not be so easy. Should at least create some fun for the afternoon.

Ok so don’t have full team this week... however, from inside the camp....

S Barrett replaces Cane at 6, Tuipolotu on the bench for Todd. Savea at 7. Cane on bench.

Perhaps wrist not great, or just want a bigger/taller team

@Bovidae said in RWC: 3rd/4th game All Blacks vs Wales:

Based on the team changes for the ABs I have decided to watch this game now. I'm particularly interested in how Ioane and BFA go.

I’m going to throw it out there that most of you who said you wouldn’t watch the game still will. You are all All Black supporters regardless.

Those that have previously felt the pain of Fozzie have reacted as expected including myself. The selection has all the hallmarks of a confused Chiefs team previously under his control.

I can understand getting both Barretts on the field at the same time. Although the ballsy option would have been keeping Beauden as the super sub. Jordie has been immense playing in that position this year.

I could understand Goodhue at centre but not at 12. I struggle to even understand the rationale behind this one.

Given Cane was going to be captain, I would have had Ardie as a super sub as well. If we were trying to address weaknesses of the World Cup, Sotutu’s size alone would have been a better fit.

Still think we will win by 10+ but shit I think we could have done better

@JK said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):

Confirmed
All Blacks team to face Ireland:

Beauden Barrett, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Scott Barrett, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barret

so my source was accurate again, I still dont know who it is, as i get it through a mate, but if we do beat Ireland will promise to post it early again next time, if I get the call again

Incredibly hard to believe he is still playing but congratulations to Colin "Raijin " BOURKE named in mens team for Japan

http://en.rugby-japan.jp/2021/06/19/rugby-sevens-national-teams-selected-for-tokyo-2020-olympic-games/

@mariner4life said in Smart TVs:

@bayimports said in Smart TVs:

seriously all of you comparing 42" and 50" kitchen size tvs..

minimum 65" or you dont watch enough

anything using AI to improve upscaling in movement not just colours is useful regardless of brand (although very few doing this), but price is important.

Havent gone 8k yet..price still way to high

i have a 65 outside used only for sport and racing. it's fucking awesome

that size in the media room would be ridiculous though

nothing better than cheering on your chosen horse or team to win, when it appears similar in size to you!

seriously all of you comparing 42" and 50" kitchen size tvs..

minimum 65" or you dont watch enough

anything using AI to improve upscaling in movement not just colours is useful regardless of brand (although very few doing this), but price is important.

Havent gone 8k yet..price still way to high

@kiwipie said in Cricket 2021: NZ in England and WTC Final:

@bayimports said in Cricket 2021: NZ in England and WTC Final:

That's brilliant - were the rest even trying?

Its almost as though Southee was after a record he could own, now if I extended the list to include more six hitters then of course Shahid Afridi would join Southee, but that was too much effort

what the hell...

@kiwiwomble said in Smart TVs:

@bovidae said in Smart TVs:

I wouldn't rely on your Smart TV for apps if you intend to keep the TV for a reasonable length of time. Manufacturers/developers have a habit of discontinuing support for built-in apps after a while. I also use an Apple TV and I am sure there will be some cheap 4th generation models available now as people upgrade to the 4K model.

this was all i was going to add, we have a pretty good at the time Samsung LED circa 2017, it has stan and foxtel apps....but they don't really work properly, couldn't watch LIVE games on Stan, had to wait for the replay, weird annoying stuff like that

yeah they update the apps for the flagship models, but as soon as you're no longer on one then you get glitches in the apps

in saying that, I own a samsung neo QLED and the quality is excellent and my apps work

@kiwimurph said in Cricket 2021: NZ in England and WTC Final:

@bayimports don't forget in that scenario India would also be under pressure.

oh I am not, I just think India is better in general with dealing those nerves than we are. Don't think for one minute I want to see it happen, but it wouldn't completely surprise me if it did.

@kiwimurph said in Cricket 2021: NZ in England and WTC Final:

To me there's only two results on the table - draw and NZ win.

I still think a NZ collapse (again) is possible. I don't think India need a huge total either, we are our own worst enemy under pressure.

@canefan said in Cricket 2021: NZ in England and WTC Final:

Tomorrow morning is going to be massive. If we can dislodge 3 or more of them for not much it will be red alert for India. Even if they survive, we showed in the first innings that we have the ability to knock a bunch of them out in a hurry. It feels like we are the only ones with a chance to win now, I just can't see India having the time to post a competitive chasing target and bowl us out

This will be a big morning depending on how much either side wants a result. Wickets important for us, but ultimately with this pitch playing the way it is, if anyone comes in for India and scores quick runs in an unorthodox fashion then, I think they would back themselves to bowl at us too. We all know they have players that can do that too.

It just doesn't seem like the type of pitch you can just hang in there and block for time.

@mariner4life said in Super Rugby Trans Tasman:

@kiwiwomble said in Super Rugby Trans Tasman:

@mariner4life we cant poo poo on every idea because the current admin is shit, yes, RA would need to do better...but they'll need to do that for any option to work

current? the ARU have ignored development pathways for the entire 20 years i have been involved in the sport in this country. In fact they have put up barriers to participation, with shit like levies to help pay off State Union deficits.

I think what he is sayng conceptually could work, but you are right as well, RA has royaly screwed themselves sideways and havent enjoyed it in the process over many years