@sammyc said in Super Rugby News:

@kiwimurph said in Super Rugby News:

Blues fans getting their excuses in early this year

Of course they have the hardest schedule. They can't play themselves now can they.

Bower was excellent. I think he's vastly underrated.

No idea why there is debate about 10. DMac clearly has the most experience and even if he isn't exactly a world class first five he's still an excellent 3rd choice. Jordie should be left at fullback for the next 3 tests.

@game_film said in Bledisloe 1:

Look at Foley’s team mate screaming at him to kick it. He knew

The commentators saying it's unprecedented but honestly what Foley was doing was taking the piss.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs:

On the other hand Collins is starting and Nanai isn't even in the 23 - ridiculous.

I can't believe it took four replies before that was mentioned!

@Nepia said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Ireland - 1st Test:

Ireland go to shit when Sexton is not there and now he failed the hia. Does that mean he's out for next weekend too?

Oh no, are we in for two weeks of Could'o'Doid the sequel?

Marshall saying Cane hit Sexton on the chin without mentioning that Sexton had fallen about a foot and was 6 inches off the ground lol.

There's got to be better commentators out there.

Reece needs to come in for Clark next week.

Clark is completely unable to find his support, butchering opportunities.

@No-Quarter said in Awesome stuff you see on the internet:

@NTA said in Awesome stuff you see on the internet:

Fucking loved that. The Northern Territory is a special place, still has a sense of humour, and is not shy about taking the piss.

Brilliant stuff. Weird too as every female I've shown that to thinks it's funny and not offensive - when the complainants say it is "offensive to women in general" I wonder who they are reffering to?

fluffybunnies, obviously.

@Crazy-Horse said in Nz maori:

@Milk said in Nz maori:

Thursday?

Never gets old. It'll be dad joke status soon. I can't remember who cracked the shits but it is has given us heaps of material. Thanks whoever that was!

Short odds on Stargazer

@Damo said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

When was the last time an Australian team won in NZ?

A couple of weeks ago in Hamilton.

Chiefs got spanked by the Brumbies.

@Stargazer there's nothing wrong with helping to develop an MP player. Or helping to develop someone playing for a Pacific nation. Potentially helping develop LA into a marquee player for MP is good for Super rugby, it gives the comp more credibility.

Also, if he goes really well then maybe a conversation with him about choosing NZ.

If the AB XV doesn't affect Levi Aumua's eligibility for Samoa/Fiji then what's the problem?

@Chris-B said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@Kirwan Beady and Jordie are very different fullbacks. I have quite a strong preference for what Jordie brings.

Of course, it's all fucking Jordie's fault. If he'd just signed with the Crusaders when Razor told him to he would have been playing second-five for the past five years!

Beauden can catch high balls at FB better than David Havili can offer anything remotely resembling a physical presence in midfield.

It wasn't just that Jordie was carrying hard and making big metres but was also putting in a big shift in defence as well. It made a huge difference.

@KiwiMurph said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@Frye said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

Havili must be feeling unlucky. One head knock had him go from starting All Black to suddenly possibly missing out on a World Cup berth if ALB and/or Goodhue are fit and in form.

Havili's utility value will put him in good stead for a World Cup spot even if he can't regain the 12 shirt.

Room will be found for McKenzie before Havili I think. I'm not ruling him out but the picture has just become a lot less clear.

@Chris said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@canefan said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

@Frye said in So what did we learn from Bled2?:

Havili must be feeling unlucky. One head knock had him go from starting All Black to suddenly possibly missing out on a World Cup berth if ALB and/or Goodhue are fit and in form.

In saying that though, we have to temper Jordie's performance (and All Blacks performance in general) with the fact that the Wallaby are currently 9th in the world.

He never felt like the answer. After a few games up north we will see if JB can nail 12 down or not. Unless Foster hands the job back to DH and we learn nothing

To be fair Japan,Scotland and Wales will not give us too many answers.England maybe will.

Wins may not but losses might certainly change the landscape.

Havili must be feeling unlucky. One head knock had him go from starting All Black to suddenly possibly missing out on a World Cup berth if ALB and/or Goodhue are fit and in form.

In saying that though, we have to temper Jordie's performance (and All Blacks performance in general) with the fact that the Wallaby are currently 9th in the world.

@African-Monkey said in Bledisloe 2:

@KiwiMurph I feel that its only a small thing that Clarke needs to work on as well, but the kid is quality.

As people have pointed out, the breaks are getting made, he just needs to link up, but I'd much rather have someone make the linebreaks, than someone who doesn't even get us into the position in the first place.

Combined with the bad reads on defence though... I'm not convinced we wouldn't have been better served with Caleb Ralph on the wing on the weekend.

But you're right he has a high ceiling. And both areas could simply be an anxiousness in the situation, which will only get better with more experience and more time in the jersey.

@Derpus said in Bledisloe 1:

If Rennie has made shit up its hard to see why. He's not actually under the kind of pressure you'd expect a coach of a bad team to be. Not even the media hacks are calling for his head. Strange one.

The vipers aren't at his door because he's doing a great job at acting as if it's the Wallabies who are the victims.

Rennie must be under huge pressure.

9th in the world and should really be staring down the barrel of another thumping by all rights.

Injuries have hit them hard. And their depth is just bad in general. They've done well to almost win the series against England and still be in the RC right up until the last game.

@Tim said in Bledisloe 2:

@No-Quarter Yeah, am fired up to see this backline on Saturday. Really hope to see Jordie's big body smashing through the line off short-balls!

If Jordie is successful at 12 then what an(other) indictment of Foster honestly. He wrote Barrett off as an option in the midfield during Super rugby and obviously had no intention of trying him there during this campaign, it's only injury that has forced his hand. Good luck rather than anything resembling good management.

He's better suited there of course. He's not the fastest and can look ungainly joining the line out wide, but in close his running style is perfect for heavy traffic and as a bigger body more effective than the other options. He can also kick, pass and possibly most importantly offload.

This backline is definitely exciting. Let's see if they can realize that potential.... Apologies if I just gave him the kiss of death.