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

🤣

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

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

!

@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

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/126150378/i-want-it-in-writing-rugby-australia-in-5-million-bledisloe-threat-to-nz-rugby

Contradict yourself then, what a tosser

“I sent him two messages asking not to make a public statement until such time as we have consulted our stakeholders and I had absolutely no response until 2.30pm.

“I’m not denying the fact they made their position quite clear, I would never deny that, what I am really disappointed about is that they chose to make a public statement on a postponement or cancellation that involved us, without telling us at all.”

Like NZ are going to pony up five million either. Maaaaaaaate you're dreaming

@taniwharugby said in The thread of learning something new every day:

@bovidae some of that made sense haha!

and

@nta said in Wallabies v Springboks II:

@smuts said in Wallabies v Springboks II:

Congrats Aussies. First time in forever that I’ve not even watched the highlights. Hope it feels great.

Cheers. Not a great couple of games by your okes but hopefully they'll take it out on the ABs

I don't know much about your coach, but a quick wiki search shows he's Rassie's man, and TBH it smacks a little of nepotism. Hopefully there is a bit of a shakeup and the Boks find their groove. And some fitness training!

One thing on which I agree with Keo: trying to play like someone else is just going to hurt the Boks. Use their strengths by all means, but they've not yet made sure they can execute that to the level required against faster teams.

That would never happen in the ABs……

@mariner4life said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@l_n_p said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@mariner4life 1.3 seconds faster speed by the AB's - feels huge on the (in)ability to reset a defensive line by the opposition.

Makes me fully appreciate the finer points of cheating how a top class seven / backrower is able to buy his side 0.5 - 1 seconds in the tackle ... (1) target the ball in the tackle (2) fall marginally on the other side (3) live on the edge as you roll away and (4) adjust all this to what the referee will let you get away with.

most fun position on the field

sucks when you get too slow to play it and you have to move

Prop?

@bones said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@booboo said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@pakman said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@act-crusader said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@hooroo said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

i dont mind it

I'm underwhelmed a bit but I don't know what I would change with no ALB. Can't argue with forwards though.

Whilst still a work in progress, Ioane is the second best centre in the squad, so he has to play there.

I would’ve gone for Reece on the wing, but can’t complain about the other two selected.

Will be interesting if one of our wingers has to go off, will they put Tups on and move Ioane or do they put DMac on and move Jordie. If it’s early in the game I reckon the latter because of experience.

Flakes did well against Boks when Hodge came on by having big boot to drive them back when kicking for territory.

So Jordie for me to stay at 15. I’d bring on Quinn.

I understand none of this post.

Flakes = Hodge

Cadbury flakes = wallabies

@mn5 said in Memes:

Interesting choice of Band name

They live in Wanka Valley

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huanca

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@machpants said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@machpants said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

Jesus there some clueless comments here, not all of them, but these leapt out. More stuff to be up on the changing room walls 😜

This is not the same team that won the World Cup. Let's be very clear on that. They've lost a number of their players who have headed off overseas

SA freely pick from anywhere

And two years ago, they were playing a lot more open and expansive rugby than this team is showing us this year."

Obviously didn't watch the semi versus Wales

The fullback is fine; Willie le Roux is a very good player

Was

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-championship-former-all-blacks-coach-laurie-mains-reveals-reasons-behind-springboks-decline

Is.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby-championship-former-all-blacks-coach-laurie-mains-reveals-reasons-behind-springboks-decline/NGCSTIXCTDWPQ56G4FNNO5ELSQ/
"Willie le Roux is a very good player"

“Willie le Roux was a very good player” he has been average for quite sometime

oh not arguing with that, I just couldn't find Mains saying that, he blamed the centre, props..

I'm missing your point, he said the Le Roux is not a problem as he is a very good player. Which is utter rubbish, he was def a problem versus the Wallabies - he was responsible for a lot of the stiffled attack

@kiwimurph said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

Interesting comments by Foz about the bench and picking those who had played the Boks before.

Despite his half lidded eyes makin ghim look pissed, that was the most concise and articulate interview I've heard from him

Scientific basis for the story of Sodom & Gomorrah

https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/327326-blast-more-powerful-than-tunguska-may-have-devastated-ancient-city

@frye said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

Could be bad news for the Boks. They're going through what must be a crisis of confidence considering their A gameplan isn't working. And it would be a pretty bad idea to try a different gameplan against the All Blacks (of all sides), especially attempting a game that could involve playing wider.

So they might be stuck somewhere in between. And an indecisive Springbok team is not exactly a dangerous Springbok team.

Their best hope is that they find an emotional gear they haven't found since the Lions. Which they're capable of but still, if their execution is lacking it could be a loong day at the office.

I think they tried their arm a little Vs Wallabies in the second game. I think all this talk of 'lost their soul' etc means they will go even harder into their Vs lions gamelan

@kiwimurph said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

Can't argue with that. Strongest 23 available. Bring it on.