Good news

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/128674150/highlanders-halfback-folau-fakatava-cleared-to-play-for-all-blacks-as-eligibility-case-is-settled

This from Eddie Osullivan
“That’s a strong New Zealand backline but it’s not the perfect backline. I’m really happy about Barrett being at 15 because I don’t think he’s going to get his hands on the ball as much. I don’t think he gets his hands on the ball as much when he’s at 15. It’s practically impossible to bring him into the game as much as Richie Mo’unga will be. Joe’s got a very predictable, very solid, very experienced XV, compared to the All Blacks XV which is not as experienced and I would say not quite as solid. Richie Mo’unga has not a great kicking game. He’s not as astute at exploiting (the space) in the back field. That’s good for us. Especially, if it’s wet. It’s another weakness. It’s hard to believe we’re talking about All Black weaknesses. When you compare them to Sexton, if it comes down to a drop goal or a late penalty in a one-score game, that gives us an edge there”.

21 - Beauden Barrett made 21 carries in #NZLvIRE, the most ever by an @AllBlacks player in a @rugbyworldcup match, surpassing the previous best tally set by John Kirwan and Buck Shelford who both made 20 against Italy in 1987.
Key.
#RWC2019

🤣

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/3-sKQIdSaPkyetKfv4tsG-Kkwj4=/620x870/smart/filters:quality(70)/cloudfront-ap-southeast-2.images.arcpublishing.com/nzme/OZNCR5F5NJCZNHEDOFXRRBWFOQ.jpg

So cool that we never had camera phones or social media in my stupid drinking years

@antipodean said in Blues v Crusaders:

How the fuck is rugby not essential?

It is but they can only play socially distanced in the workplace (2m ideally, 1m min). So that means only the Chiefs defence qualify to play under Level 3

@Yeetyaah said in RWC Jerseys 2019:

They're smaller fitting again. Had to get 2 sizes bigger than usual.

@billy-tell said in All Blacks vs Pumas I (yay we’re not playing the Aussies again):

Finally got a chance to watch the game. Based on this forum, I was expecting Bridge to have had a 'mare. In fact he was fine, one knock on in the 79 minute excepted. Too many people stroking each other off over bridge "say it louder baby, bridge is hopeless, that's right give me that upvote". Will never be an AB great, but he is hardly in the basket case category either.

ABs are waaaay better this season. Starts with selection, which is much better than last year. Forwards more direct. I think the ABs should ditch Coles who is now 34, 36 in 2023. The 2 hookers both had very solid games. I think the best AB loose trio would be Ioane, Cane and Jacobson, with Savea on the bench. Jacobson is a really class player.

BB, RI and BBBR were probably my 3 top players, but no-one disgraced themselves. There is great depth, if we have a weakness I'd say lock: Barrett is already a step down, I really don't rate PT at international level. The sprinbok and NH tests will be a good litmus test - teams that thrive on 10 man rugby and would be more than happy to claim an AB scalp playing that way.

Like Mealamu in 2015? Nah, if you’re good enough you’re not too old.

About Bridge, he wasn’t pointed out as crap. Just having been totally nothing as a winger. ABs wingers are X factor awesome, or amazing 2nd fullbacks (more recently) Bridge is meh. He is fine, but there are better options to go for long term. Everything about him says Journeyman, break out in case of emergency

!

The Brit/English press gleefully getting the knife in!

Rob Smith  /  Jul 2

UK VIEW: 'Glaring failure in discipline, game management' as Eddie's 'horrendous homecoming' humiliating

"Abject, humiliating, chastening, scruffy" … Eddie Jones and his England players were smashed by the nation's media after botching their opening rugby Test against…

So your starter for ten is that Sexton didn't fall his HIA and is likely to be available. 🤔

Ireland suggest Johnny Sexton didn't fail HIA

Johnny Sexton could yet make the second Test against the All Blacks after Ireland head coach Andy Farrell revealed that the Leinster...

@MN5 said in Sports Memes:

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Sports Memes:

@MN5 Don't forget the fine wine and fairer sex!

Yea but Britain also has whisky and decent chicks too.

Best whisky in the world comes from Japan, and they're honorary SH!

@Stargazer said in Raeburn Shield:

@Davesofthunder I assume the Raeburn Shield is on the line again in next weekend's test?

Totally, and the one after

@Victor-Meldrew said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

Do your talking on the pitch, Eddie. Otherwise some lying bastard will call you a whingy fluffybunny.

Jul 2  /  Sport

Eddie Jones claims referee tried to ‘even things up’ after Australia red card

The England coach has claimed James Doleman favoured Australia in their 30-28 win following Darcy Swain’s first-half dismissal

When's his YouTube video coming out?

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

@Billy-Tell

There were a few freak tries there and I don’t think Ireland are that far behind. They played to the end and they looked dangerous.

The big difference for me was the ABs looked way more composed and controlled. It's hard to pick a single NZ player who didn't play well overall and there were moments where individual players did something (e.g. Ofa's tackle of Furlong) which lifted the whole team.

Maybe not a new dawn but there was way, way less "headless chicken" stuff we've seen in the past - particularly when under pressure.

Our tactical kicking game is still very poor, that's what really needs to improve. In a tighter match it will cost us.

@cgrant said in Springboks v Wales - 1st Test:

Wales lost the game when, with 30 seconds left, Tomos Williams kicked away a good lineout possession. Why didn't he keep the ball with his forwards. A draw was a good result. Better than a loss anyway.

He cost us the number one ranking too, selfish git

The accuracy thing is correct, his last 3 throws were crooked, and he's been retired for 7+ years, ergo just 3 crap in 7 years. Clever use of statistics

@Kruse said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

@Machpants said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

@Victor-Meldrew said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

@Machpants said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

@Victor-Meldrew said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

Game started off as a snore-fest and became a classic. Bloody well done Oz. Eddie has some serious thinking to do.

Gonna grab some popcorn and head over to social media to enjoy the reaction.

I really disagree this is a classic.

Well maybe not a classic in the sense of a great game with flowing rugby, But as an enthralling watch, particularly the second half, it was pretty damn good.

Whereas I see this as really poor rugby throughout. Yes there was heart, and if this was outer Mongolia versus Iraq, I think that's a great game. But for two supposed rugby tier 1s? Nope

Famous. Victory.

http://www.ninjalane.com/images/gigabyte-5770/ut3_1.jpg

@Victor-Meldrew said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

@Machpants said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

@Victor-Meldrew said in Australia v England - 1st Test:

Game started off as a snore-fest and became a classic. Bloody well done Oz. Eddie has some serious thinking to do.

Gonna grab some popcorn and head over to social media to enjoy the reaction.

I really disagree this is a classic.

Well maybe not a classic in the sense of a great game with flowing rugby, But as an enthralling watch, particularly the second half, it was pretty damn good.

Whereas I see this as really poor rugby throughout. Yes there was heart, and if this was outer Mongolia versus Iraq, I think that's a great game. But for two supposed rugby tier 1s? Nope