SBW out? Rieko to 12!

TSF version of Godwin’s law:

“As a thread grows longer, the probability of discussing the RWC failure or Akira Ioane approaches 1”

There's been some comments in the media that the current situation is similar to all the other Blues coaches. I thought I would check out the win percentages vs other NZ sides

Yes, the form of the NZ teams has ebbed and flowed but they are generally strong. Also, they are the one constant across the various number of teams, competition structure etc

Umaga 6.7%

15 games 1 win

The one win was the first game vs the Highlanders (33-31)

If his team the next 5 NZ games (2 vs Crusaders, 2 vs Hurricanes, 1 vs Highlanders) he can just edge in front of Kirwan

Kirwan 29%

24 games 7 wins
(3 Hurricanes, 2 Highlanders, 2 Crusaders)

Crap

Lam 37.5%

24 games 9 wins
(4 Highlanders, 2 Chiefs, 2 Hurricanes, 1 Crusaders)

I think there has to be a note about the injury crisis in Lams fourth season. Crazy number of injuries, players with no NPC experience starting... locks in particular, we were starting our 7th choice lock with a loosie next to him etc

First three seasons prior to that injury crisis:
9/16 56.3%

This included the best streak since Henry: 6 in a row versus NZ teams. The streak Included all other NZ sides. That season was the last time the Blues made the playoffs

Nucifora 50%

6/12
(2 Chiefs, 2 Highlanders, 1 Hurricanes, 1 Crusaders)

A bad first season cemented reputation then his team went ok (0-4 in that first year)

Sloane 52.9%

9/17
(3 Crusaders, 2 Chiefs, 2 Hurricanes, 2 Highlanders)

Various 1 season coaches all got 50%

Yes, even Jed Rowlands

Henry 92.9%

13/14

13 in a row before losing the final in 98

Clearly Henry belongs in his own category.

From 1999-2011 all of these coaches had a minimum of 50% success rate against NZ teams:
Rowlands 50%
Hunter 50%
Oliver 50%
Sloane 52.9%
Nucifora 50%
Lam 56.3%

Sure, thats not good enough, but they were competitive. They all got a lot of criticism in the press compared to the current coach.

Then came the injury crisis in Lam’s fourth season. I have never been convinced the right action was to sack Lam after that amount of injuries. He had very little support in the media and from the board so he had no chance.

The new normal of shittness has settled in under Kirwan/Umaga

I want to have a thread where I can make my political points and no one can disagree with me.

At the moment the only punishment is some public humiliation and going to whatever anger management course his lawyer enlists him in.

I would like to see him removed from the current AB squad. At least then there would be a financial penalty. It also serves as a warning to others

We have a perfectly good squad replacement in Robinson. He should've made the original squad IMO

After that I don't really care. It sounds like a low level incident - he can come back later if he's good enough (..and based on his efforts at Test level so far, he is not good enough)

@frank said in Depth at 10:

Zarn Sullivan is the obvious guy to try.
Problems
-he won't get game time there because of BB playing for Auckland
-he is being used at fullback
-Fozzie is way too conservative to think outside the box and pick him

I think this is getting a bit silly. Sullivan hasn't even had a single start as a ten at NPC level

He's unlikely to get a run at ten because he's been very good for the Blues at fullback. MacDoanld (a decent fullback himself), has raved about Sullivans natural lines from fullback. Maybe his best position is actually fullback?

Maybe he becomes a ten, maybe he doesn't. But the rating he is getting in thread based on almost no adult rugby in the position is over the top

Merry Christmas. I hope there isn't too much covid talk during your family gatherings

I'll mention a positive

Great to see Hodgman get a bench spot. He's been on a steady improvement for a few years now. A well earned debut

Plenty of other spots to disagree with.. in particular Sotutu should've got a start

Just cancel it. The current ground is good enough for Canterbury. The Crusaders should move to their new power base of Nelson

Cane/Sotutu/Ioane

Savea on the bench

@nzzp said in Brumbies v Blues:

I think they went by the 'they can't ping everything' mindset.

Rennie’s tactic when he was Wellington coach

Visinia is back for Moana Pasifika.

Did they ever give a reason why he wasn’t making the 23? He was fit enough to play club rugby in Auckland. I don’t think his form was that bad?

1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth
2. Luteru Tolai
3. Chris Apoua
4. Veikoso Poloniati
5. Mahonri Ngakuru
6. Sione Tu’ipulotu
7. Alamanda Motuga
8. Jack Lam (c)
9. Ereatara Enari
10. Lincoln McClutchie
11. Neria Foma’i
12. Henry Taefu
13. Levi Aumua
14. Tomasi Alosio
15. Lolagi Visinia

Reserves

16. Samiuela Moli
17. Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi
18. Joe ‘Apikotoa
19. Alex McRobbie
20. Penitoa Finau
21. Manu Paea
22. Fine Inisi
23. Anzelo Tuitavuki

Moana Pasifika retain just two players in starting team for Force clash

Moana Pasifika have made a whopping 13 changes to their starting team ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific clash against the Force on Tuesday.

@NTA said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

Also: Charlie muthafukn Gamble

..and another turnover. Such a good player

Gilbert is a retard

@FakatavaFuture said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

Mikaele-Tu'u & TUJ both scratched...

A few changes for both sides. Here’s the updated 23s:

15 Connor Garden-Bachop, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Josh Timu, 12 Scott Gregory, 11 Rory van Vugt, 10 Sam Gilbert, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Hugh Renton, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 James Lentjes, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Sam Caird, 3 Saula Ma'u, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Reserves: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Luca Inch, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Max Hicks, 20 Marino Mikaele Tu'u 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Liam Coombes-Fabling

15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Will Harris, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Langi Gleeson, 5 Hugh Sinclair, 4 Geoff Cridge, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Te Tera Faulkner
Reserves: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Charlie Gamble, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Jamie Roberts