The Silver Fern

@Bones said in Bledisloe 1:

@gibbon-rib said in Bledisloe 1:

@Bones said in Bledisloe 1:

@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe 1:

@Kirwan I see Owen's has had his usual post game review...if he wants to be involved he should really get on the referees panel or whatever to try and help the current crop of coaches instead of stirring the pot saying this and that was wrong and he'd have done this or that...

Why? Can't he just be another punter who's doing a "vlog" (probably because he's been asked to) that people can either take notice of or not? Instead he's only allowed to commit himself to more time and travel than just sitting down and recording a video on his farm.

Are all the guys on panel shows and other YouTubers also required to do this?

I guess he can do what he wants, but I think people shouldn't take what he says too seriously these days. He was obviously a good (& charismatic) ref, but his opinions in these videos are sometimes a little wonky

I think his opinion is probably at least just as valid as most other punters on shows, I can't really see how it's a bad thing - especially as I'd rather him inspiring people and refs to learn the laws than some of the other shit refs....but I don't really catch his videos much. I guess if you don't like them you could do similar. Or start up your own channel doing response videos!

I have no idea if Mark Lawrence does anything but he'd be one worth noting.

Sure, I don't disagree, I think his videos are a bit of fun and his opinions have a lot more credibility that most other commentators.

I saw one a while back (can't remember which incident now) where it was clear he didn't actually know the law in question when he was talking about what he would have done. That subjective/ discretionary element is an important part of Rugby refereeing, I just always assumed that top refs would also know the laws inside out so it was an eye opener. Just made me realise that while his opinion is valuable it's not gospel.

@Bones said in Bledisloe 1:

@taniwharugby said in Bledisloe 1:

@Kirwan I see Owen's has had his usual post game review...if he wants to be involved he should really get on the referees panel or whatever to try and help the current crop of coaches instead of stirring the pot saying this and that was wrong and he'd have done this or that...

Why? Can't he just be another punter who's doing a "vlog" (probably because he's been asked to) that people can either take notice of or not? Instead he's only allowed to commit himself to more time and travel than just sitting down and recording a video on his farm.

Are all the guys on panel shows and other YouTubers also required to do this?

I guess he can do what he wants, but I think people shouldn't take what he says too seriously these days. He was obviously a good (& charismatic) ref, but his opinions in these videos are sometimes a little wonky

Just back from the match. Absolute bedlam, that was great fun. What an ending, haven't seen the replay yet so don't have an opinion.

I don't normally like that stadium for rugby because it's the wrong shape, but it was rocking tonight. Looked like it was about 50:50 in terms of support, but sounded more like 70:30 - the Kiwis were rowdy as

@MN5 said in RWC - if the ABs lose, which champs wouldn’t be too bad?:

Why all this love for Wales. Fuck Wales.

Scotland all the way

I don't know about anyone else, but for me it's probably because I'm Welsh

That's a tough question, but I'd probably have to say Wales

@antipodean said in O Captain! My Captain!:

@stodders what do the other camera angles show?

Either they'll show his forearm magically elongating 50 cm and not in line with his upper arm like this one, or they'll show that some cheeky Saffa fan has been mucking around with the video editing software again

@Bones said in Commonwealth Games (2022) - Sevens:

I've just sat down in front of this opening ceremony for the past 5 minutes. What an absurdity. Could be a scene out of Zoolander.

Shithouse

Didn't see it, but it sounds great. Hoping it's the one with the gasoline fight.

@Nepia said in Aussie Rugby:

@NTA said in Aussie Rugby:

2 throws not straight and back spams from launching the ball over their only jumper to 4, 5, and occasionally 6. Must be roughly 80% hit rate.

You eligible for NZ?

I would ask the same thing about Wales, but with a success rate as high as that he's clearly not got any Welsh heritage whatsoever

@MN5 said in Rugby Brain Injuries:

I remember Powell coming across as a brainless fuckwit on the pitch, glad to see he appears to be the same off it as well

Exhibit B: the time he got smashed after a Wales match, stole a golf buggy from the team hotel at 5.30am and drove it onto the motorway in search of a kebab

On This Day: Wales' Andy Powell drives golf buggy down M4

Andy Powell was thrown out of Wales’ Six Nations squad on this day in 2010 after driving a golf buggy on the M4 motorway.

Andy Powell is being a 5 star dick. This was his initial response to Ryan Jones' news:

Unsurprisingly, loads of people have told him that he's out of order, and his response is always let's meet up face to face and see if you've got the chops then.

He's since given a bullshit sorry-not-sorry "anyone who knows me" apology.

Awful news about Ryan Jones though. He's widely regarded as one of the nicest blokes in rugby. Only 41, 6 kids, desperately sad.

@Stargazer said in RWC 2023:

@Rapido said in RWC 2023:

Wow. What a 2 legged tie that was.

Well done Chile!

Chile will probably get smashed in each and every game at the RWC, but just qualifying already means the world to up-and-coming tier 3 teams and what an experience it will be, playing against some of the best teams in the world!

I'm stoked to see them there, it's always great when a first time qualifier makes it.

They probably will get battered, but it'll still be a massive boost for them. Hopefully the squad will get funding for proper training camps and preparation matches etc. And should be massive for the profile of rugby in Chile

@gibbon-rib said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:

@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:

@Smuts said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:

@MiketheSnow seems a good time to say how impressive your starting locks, both hookers and all your loosies have been. Played out of their skin.

Agreed, except throwing the fucking ball in

They've both been shit

Beard owes us a big match. Rowlands has been very good.

Lydiate is reborn
Faletau is just warming up. He's a 3rd Test player who loves the deep water.
Reffell has been the revelation

Really good balance in the backrow

All of this.

I'm biased, but I think Faletau has been absolutely world class for most of his career. I reckon he's very underrated, even though a lot of people do rate him pretty highly. If he hadn't been hindered by some major injuries (and sometimes his teammates) then he would be considered an all time great. There is nobody better at controlling and rescuing a ball from the back of a scrum that is being completely vaporised, which is a priceless skill for a Welsh number 8.

He's going to have a shocker now, isn't he?

Well, I'm relieved that Faletau didn't have an awful game as a result of me putting a hex on him

This pitch looks like they spray painted some sand green

Faletau and Anscombe injured?! What the funk

@stodders said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@MiketheSnow said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@stodders said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

@Steve said in All Blacks vs Ireland - series decider:

If you are breaking 6ft 8" Brodie Retallicks eye socket in a tackle the match ref describes as "upright" then I think you may have tackled him a tad high.

I'm sure it will be dealt with by the citing system. It is best to keep 15 vs 15 after all and let the post-match citing process do its thing.

How deliciously ironic.

Fundamentally that’s why I’m against the football and rugby league method of delayed censure.

You’re handing the justice to the next opponent

Yep. Thing is Mike, if you can't be consistent, you have to leave it to a post-match review process. Red card for obvious dirty play or clear high shots to the head.

Ireland were the better team today when it was 15 v 15, but NZ with a man advantage carved them up.

Would Ireland have hung on playing with 14 for more than 10 mins with NZ having the momentum? We'll never know. But because of last week's decision and this week's inconsistency, it doesn't exactly feel right that Ireland escaped having to find out.

You're spot on that it needs to be consistent. But I'm with Mike, no doubt that should be a red card.

The main defence seems to be it's accidental. Don't care, doesn't matter. Refs aren't mind-readers, and the lack of intent doesn't mean Retallick's cheekbone is any less broken. I'm sure the dickhead hoons that crash their cars do it accidentally, doesn't mean they shouldn't be punished for it.

If someone slips just before the tackle, then fair enough, that's a real accident. But going in for a challenge knowing that a head clash is likely isn't an accident, it's poor technique and reckless.

The idea of cards was to force players to change to avoid these clashes. But because it's such a lottery whether you get red, yellow or nothing, the incentive to change isn't there

@ACT-Crusader said in Australia v England - the decider:

@Derpus said in Australia v England - the decider:

@ACT-Crusader Something seriously wrong with you if you'd rather England win.

Nah, I know I’m in the minority here but I’m an England fan. They’ve been my second team to support since the late 80s.

Not just here, you're in a minority of one globally.

I know lots of people support England, but I assumed that they were literally nobody's second team

@Bovidae said in Australia v England - the decider:

@MiketheSnow said in Australia v England - the decider:

Long range goal kicking option can not be underestimated

The thing is that Hodge seems to be known for missing long-range penalties, not getting them.

Oh, you wanted direction as well as range?

@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:

@Smuts said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:

@MiketheSnow seems a good time to say how impressive your starting locks, both hookers and all your loosies have been. Played out of their skin.

Agreed, except throwing the fucking ball in

They've both been shit

Beard owes us a big match. Rowlands has been very good.

Lydiate is reborn
Faletau is just warming up. He's a 3rd Test player who loves the deep water.
Reffell has been the revelation

Really good balance in the backrow

All of this.

I'm biased, but I think Faletau has been absolutely world class for most of his career. I reckon he's very underrated, even though a lot of people do rate him pretty highly. If he hadn't been hindered by some major injuries (and sometimes his teammates) then he would be considered an all time great. There is nobody better at controlling and rescuing a ball from the back of a scrum that is being completely vaporised, which is a priceless skill for a Welsh number 8.

He's going to have a shocker now, isn't he?

It's more-or-less the same team as the first two tests isn't it?

Surprised and pleased to see Dillon Lewis is playing, I assumed he'd be out after that injury last week.

Biggar and Hardy is the more conservative half-back combo. Expect plenty of box kicking again. Anscombe was great last week, him and Tomos Williams will come on later when the game might be a bit more open.

The Welsh back three are pretty decent, but our problem is lack of any attacking creativity. Tompkins and North are both decent players, but it's not really clicking as a centre partnership - and our game plan is pretty unambitious too. I know we have to play to our strengths, but there are times where it's just so turgid it's tough to watch.

I know the Boks have the class to win big if they hit their straps, but they've been far from their best so far (obviously the wholesale changes have been a factor there). If we can play smart, the forwards can keep us in the fight, and LRZ can magic another couple of tries out of thin air (although not quite as thin as the previous weeks) then we could just do it.

@Billy-Webb said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:

@MiketheSnow said in Springboks v Wales - the decider:

It's going to be magic

I certainly hope so since this will be my first Test attendance since you know..., the plague.

And I am joining you in putting some (a little) money on Wales. At 6.6 to 1 it is worth it. And will (very) slightly lessen my heartbreak if the Boks lose.

No shame in buying some insurance.

Enjoy the match, should be a fantastic occasion, I'm jealous. And I hope you find something comforting to spend your winnings on.