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.

@voodoo said in Coronavirus - Overall:

@Nepia said in Coronavirus - Overall:

@SynicBast I have hypertension and basically don't tick any of those ... except the BMI tells me I've overweight because I'm vertically challenged.

Everybody in my family has it (had it).

BMI is such a load of shit. I'm technically overweight at 6'2 and 95kgs, which is ludicrous. I just have massive guns.

it's spelt with a T

@chimoaus said in RWC: All Blacks v South Africa (Pool :

Also how fit is Titsoff, that man got through some minutes.

He's a ginger, so not technically human

@rapido said in NH club rugby:

@machpants said in NH club rugby:

@mariner4life said in NH club rugby:

@gibbonrib said in NH club rugby:

still obviously Cardiff, but not Cardiff enough so that it alienated a lot of Cardiff fans. If that sounds like a lot of garbled nonsense then that means I've accurately described it.

welcome to the Super rugby sides

"We're the Waikato Chiefs, i mean The Chiefs! We are based in the Waikato, play in predominantly Waikato colours, and have mainly Waikato players, but we represent you guys from the BOP/Counties (now)/Harbour (before)/Taranaki (for some reason)! see, we included this tiny bit of your colours on our jersey. Support us! love us! and occasionally we'll throw you a home game against the worst touring side on the schedule"

This made me think, what unions have never had a franchise game (pre season doesn’t count) in their region. I don’t think the ‘rapa has, unless it was when I was overseas. In addition are there any unions that have never been on a franchise when it has been super rugby champ? I don’t think Taranaki has?

Wairarapa used to get an annual pre-season game at Mangatainoka. Tui Brewery etc. Paddock with bleachers and hay bales etc

Yeah I went to all the ones at the brewery, great fun, and there ones at Masterton. But the bush has not had a full game, not a huge surprise

@mariner4life said in NH club rugby:

@gibbonrib said in NH club rugby:

still obviously Cardiff, but not Cardiff enough so that it alienated a lot of Cardiff fans. If that sounds like a lot of garbled nonsense then that means I've accurately described it.

welcome to the Super rugby sides

"We're the Waikato Chiefs, i mean The Chiefs! We are based in the Waikato, play in predominantly Waikato colours, and have mainly Waikato players, but we represent you guys from the BOP/Counties (now)/Harbour (before)/Taranaki (for some reason)! see, we included this tiny bit of your colours on our jersey. Support us! love us! and occasionally we'll throw you a home game against the worst touring side on the schedule"

This made me think, what unions have never had a franchise game (pre season doesn’t count) in their region. I don’t think the ‘rapa has, unless it was when I was overseas. In addition are there any unions that have never been on a franchise when it has been super rugby champ? I don’t think Taranaki has?

@nevorian said in Hawt discussion (lots of PG13 gifs/pics):

Why do I never see that on the tube?

@r-l said in Memes:

@machpants not even on the gin and I don't get it... I don't get your comment either

http://viz.co.uk/category/top-tips/

Time to learn!

@r-l said in Memes:

@bones wtf...

Sounds like a Viz top tip

@bones said in NH club rugby:

@sparky I'm confused. Is this a different comp?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-9155225/Disgraced-ex-Premiership-champions-Saracens-fall-shock-defeat-against-Ealing.html

No that's from January, and those were a trio of warm up games Saracens paid for. This the first week of the Championship.

What an excellent result, the long term benefactor of the Pirates has a good rant at RFU, too. This was from just before the match

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/05/cornish-pirates-penzance-rfu-saracens-rugby-union-championship

It was Pirran's day on the 5th Oggy Oggy Oggy Oii Oii Oii!

@mofitzy_ said in Japan Top League:

Nice offload from Brodi to Brodie.

And yes, I will keep posting Retallick highlights until he returns.

@stargazer said in Japan Top League:

Live on Sky Sport 1, this weekend:

Sat. 6/3 @ 3.55pm: Kubota Spears (with Ryan Crotty) v NTT Shining Arcs (with Jimmy Tupou; Fletcher Smith not in the 23)

Sat 6/3 @ 5.55pm: Suntory Sungoliath (with BB, Beauden Barrett, Tevita Li and - on the bench - Richard Judd) v Sanix Blues (with Jarred Adams, Dan Pryor and - on the bench - Jason Emery)

Usually, they broadcast one game on Saturday and one on Sunday, but I think they changed that because the Crusaders v Hurricanes game has been moved to Sunday afternoon.

Who's BB?

Japan are only allowed two foreigners at a time on the field, which is a good rule for them. Funny tho, when they do it it is great for Japan rugby, SR teams doing it is being anti Pacific island rugby

Fuck I'd love to see this

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/05/ship-hovering-above-sea-cornwall-optical-illusion

That was an awful kick