@kirwan said in AB EOYT 2018:
Most concerned about Ireland. If we bring our cute game plan they could feed off our mistakes like in 2013
Yeah their pack, especially back row, will be a match for ours and they have decent enough backs. Murray is probably out so that weakens their halves. Will be a tight game I reckon.
@nepia said in AB EOYT 2018:
At the risk of offending @Billy-Tell I'm going to continue the "WTF where's Akira?" theme.
His non selection in either of these squads is put in perspective by the selection of Gareth Evans. I’m a huge fan of Evans, he’s a Hawkes Bay boy born and bred and is a class attacking player. Emphasis on the attacking player part. He’s not a stand one off from the ruck and make tackle after tackle kind of guy like Whitelock, he’s not a toil away in the rucks ‘all game’ type of guy like – you know what, who is an example of this type of player? He’s a runner out wide, he’ll do some hit ups and he’ll make some tackles. Evans is a white version of Akira and if you compare them head to head in the Super comp (where Evans was considered to be on fire) and at the stuff you select an Evans for (attack) then Akira comes out on top every time.
I don't know how any of the selectors stand up in a press conference and defend the Evans selection over Akira - although I know they'll probably trot out he can play 7.
In saying all that I hope Evans a. gets a run in Japan and b. carves up ... because if they're not going to select Akira then they may as well select more Magpies in the team.
Not offending. Just boring. Which is a worse sin...
‘‘Tis ok. When I can’t get to sleep at night, I just read the Akira posts and I’m out in no time at all
Anyone else bored with the Akira stuff?
He’s not selected for the umpteenth time, we know people don’t understand, but there’s only so many vitriolic posts before it becomes...repetitive.
@chester-draws said in NH club rugby:
@billy-tell said in NH club rugby:
James Lowe's Leinster thrashing Brad and Lima's Wasps.
Sopoaga is a pretty average 10 these days, hasn't offered a lot and got himself a YC for a deliberate slap down.
Presumably a slap down which went forwards.
Slapping down itself is legal.
[semantics]deliberate knock on[\semantics]
@machpants said in NH club rugby:
Leinster were always going to thrash them, they're the best club team in Europe, maybe the world. Wasps are in a rut this season. With soapy, and his honest 'I'm here for the mega bucks for my family', you wonder if the fire isn't there any more. So often it's mental intensity and attitude that make the greatest teams and players, and he showed that living the dream - play making for the ABs in SA. But once it was about the money, that last few percent must go and such players go back into the pack. Not all, but a lot do, I reckon.
Sopoaga was great about 3 years back...he was pretty poor in his last season in NZ. Wasps signed an expensive lemon I'd say.
Lowe is going great guns for Leinster.
James Lowe's Leinster thrashing Brad and Lima's Wasps.
Sopoaga is a pretty average 10 these days, hasn't offered a lot and got himself a YC for a deliberate slap down.
@sparky said in Springboks V All Blacks:
This should be the end of the road for Sonny Bill Williams as an All Black. He was very poor indeed in this game.
I'd rate Goodhue, Laumape, ALB, Crotty, Aso, Matt Procter, Rob Thompson, David Havili, Jordie Barrett and even a 36 year Maa Nonu as better bets as Midfield players for RWC 2019 ahead of him now.
Thanks for the memories, Sonny, now take your circus somewhere else.
This is when forums get stupid. You rate 3 uncapped midfielders, therefore entirely unproven, as better bets than SBW first game back from injury, and not yet entirely up to speed? You should ring talkback radio, or write a letter to Chris Rattue.
@rebound said in Springboks V All Blacks:
Can we get rid of all these shit refs that seem to be hell-bent on being the reason the ABs lose. I mean God there has been way too many just not even Borderline calls. Just beyond home town bias. But that just make this win so much better
Ref was fine. Patch off my friend. Or try reffing yourself.