So I’d suggest we are underdogs vs Ireland.

Which is not far off suggesting Trump has decided to a make the US a socialist state.

Some things you just don’t expect to read in your lifetime.

F Me. We lost to Wales U20?!

Italy will be licking their lips.

World Rugby has announced a major overhaul for next years U20 tournament. Following a submission from Mr C. Philpott, the emphasis will change from winning the tournament to warm hugs and kisses for taking part. As a result, points will no longer be awarded and the knockout stages have been scrapped. Instead players will get a certificate of participation with a gold star and good effort stamped in the corner. At the end of the tournament, teams will congregate around a bonfire and share their participation experiences. “It’s a trial” said a world rugby spokesman. “If it’s successful, we might look at introducing this for the RWC 2023”.

@canefan said in Who does TSF want to be the next AB coach?:

@Stargazer said in Who does TSF want to be the next AB coach?:

And now it's official:

Much easier (and more lucrative) situation than coming back and trying to start at the bottom of the ABs setup or even back to Super Rugby. Never say never but I think the ABs have passed him by

Who cares? A sullen taciturn coach is yesterday’s man as far as nz rugby is concerned. You not only need to be able to coach you also have to be a bit likeable imo. Following the Mitchell debacle.

@MN5 said in All Blacks locking stocks post 2019 RWC:

@shark said in All Blacks locking stocks post 2019 RWC:

@Bones said in All Blacks locking stocks post 2019 RWC:

@shark I'm not that fussed by height, who's to say the shorter lock can't jump higher anyway?

If that were the case then why would we predominantly select guys around 2m?

Cos a good big guy is always better than a good little guy.......

unless it comes to painting bottom skirting boards.

Starting reading that last sentence and wondered where you were heading...

@Stargazer said in Exodus 2019:

@Billy-Tell Nah, that's not necessary at all. The examples of Matt Todd, Ash Dixon, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and maybe a few others has shown (last year), that players can sign contracts with Japanese clubs for only part of the Top League season. To highlight Ash Dixon's example for those who don't know: he signed a contract with Panasonic that allowed him to play for Hawke's Bay during the regular season of the Mitre 10 Cup, but miss the finals, and play for Panasonic from mid-October to mid-December. So only for 2 months!

So, there's nothing stopping Japanese clubs from signing All Blacks for only part of the season again, allowing them to return to NZ in time to play Super Rugby.

Yeah nah. Japanese season is now going to overlap with super rugby.

The rate this is going

1. The highlanders will be Coltman + 14 rookies
2. The ABs will soon be selected from Super Rugby and the Japanese Top League

If that proposed world rugby league falls thru the game will be up.

@Canes4life said in Crusaders v Rebels:

In replace of who though? Man we have some talent in NZ atm.

My backs atm are: Smith, Perenara, Hall, Barrett, Mo'unga, Leinert-Brown, Laumape, Goodhue, Crotty, Ioane, Bridge, Barrett, Smith, assuming they go with 13 backs - add in Ennor if they take 14.

I'd take Ennor ahead of Bridge. It's super handy to have a guy who covers centre as well as the back 3. The guy has been the find of the season IMHO. In saying that Bridge, Havili and Reece have also played well for the Crusaders. Ioane, B Smith and J Barrett are certainties IMO, so one place open in the back 3.

@Canes4life said in Crusaders v Rebels:

@ACT-Crusader they usually miss out to other players that are actually playing. For Laumape to be playing like he is and miss out on selection to someone that has hardly shown any form for the last 2 years, has hardly played this year and cost us the Lions tour, it must be hard to swallow.

Would be hard to swallow. Let’s wait until squad named first.

@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Rebels:

@Canes4life said in Crusaders v Rebels:

@Chris-B it's harsh on Laumape because he has been brutally consistent all season and would probably give us more impact over an ageing SBW.

If it comes down to the two I would say Bridge gets the nod, purely from the fact he can cover all three backfield positions. I don't see a need for Ennor if we already have four midfielders.

Wouldn’t be harsh at all. At every World Cup good players have always missed out.

Doesn’t not make it harsh.