As a middle-aged man that has dealt with hair loss and been the subject of never-ending numerous jokes on the situation from family, friends, and pretty much everyone, I feel like my wife has let me down by not slapping my tormentors. She'd have to slap herself quite a few times though....

Bloody hell! Pack of grumpy shites! Night games were serious bonding sessions with the old man. Only dad and I would be up, toast and cup of tea at halftime. Old fella going on about the cheating northern bastards lying on the ball and the incompetent refs allowing them to do so (I carry on this family tradition very well )...Bill McClaren......you could feel the atmosphere through the TV.....Mourie in at the corner....
Still get excited about night games to this day! Can't wait!

@Frank Oh how we laughed when the Aussies persisted with two opensides when it was obvious it wasn't working....

I am a bit of a republican but:
The Queen has been through WW2 as a poster child for the British people, she became a beautiful (?), young queen and has led the UK and commonwealth since 1959 (?), overseen unbelievable changes, never put a foot wrong in the public eye, never waived her duty, and even apologised to the friggen Irish! It wouldn't be hyperbole to say she is one of the most beloved characters in modern history.
VS
Markle........

The yanks just don't get it. I think Markle makes a perfect fit with their fucked up society problems at the moment.

Can I hate the Irish team for their "soccer" antics and pressuring the ref?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/127232137/ian-foster-reflects-dissects-and-says-the-all-blacks-will-find-the-answers

I am not particularly anti-Fozzie but the signs aren't great. The game has well and truly moved on and the ABs are now being reactive to better teams rather than being innovative or revolutionary. Basically chasing the pack.
What worries me the most is that some players are being scapegoated but I truly believe, no matter who you put in this old and tired system that has been worked out and surpassed by other teams, the results will be the same. The writing was on the wall for change in 2017, and we are now heading into 2022 with talk of tweaks and changes in selection to make the "system" work.

Uptight rant here. I wish Foster and co would just shut the fuck up about saying they are disappointed about losing to Ireland in NZ. We are too but that is not it you fluffybunny! It is the obvious decline in AB rugby since arguably 2017 and the fact that it is getting worst not better!!! This decline has been obvious to everybody, the NZ fans, the opposition teams, etc, all except fucken NZR and Foster! Do they think we have forgotten about 2020, 2021? There has been no game plan, no defense, shite attack for friggen years and people are fucken sick of it! To be honest, I think the NZ fans have been incredibly patient and have given Foster and his team a lot of time to sort out obvious problems. All we have gotten back is lip service and excuses. Just fuck off!

Ireland has done us a favour.
Test rugby has always been about the team that makes the less mistakes wins. As a person who experienced test rugby in the 70s (can't remember much to be honest), the 80s, 90s up to now, the rugby that the ABs play now doesn't feel like test rugby. There is a lack of territorial awareness which means a lack of pragmatic kicking, they invite chaos near their line which more often than not has negative results, etc, etc.
It is hard to explain but in the Foster era, they give it up too easily.

Holy shit! Sam Cane must have been in charge of selections, game plans, defense, and attack. I had no idea! Well, in that case, good riddance Mr. Cane.

@taniwharugby So did I until 5 seconds ago.

@Billy-Tell Or Henry to say we shouldn't criticize Foster.

@KiwiMurph Hence Foster saying it was the best performance of the year?

Also noticed AB loosies playing as individuals. Savea takes it up and other forwards just watch and there is nobody attached to his shoulder for support. Result; lack of go forward or risk of a turnover. Compare that to the Boks who take the ball up with forwards on their shoulders. It is something the Crusaders (Cullen/Blackadder) and the Chiefs do well (The Chief's win in Chch this year comes to mind when the Crusaders couldn't get near the ball for numerous phases).

@taniwharugby said in Foster must go / Assistant Coach changes:

You'd like to think if we lose next weekend (as it would appear we will) then NZR need to come out from behind the rock and make a decision.

It is crystal clear under Fozzies leadership things are going backwards at a rate of knots, NZR must start working on contingency plans, or accept he is there through 2023, where our fall from grace will be at the amusement of NH media.

A line must be drawn, calls must be made.

Wait! What? Is that still an option?

@Tim But then after that, he came right and put the SA prop under pressure. Is it a concentration thing?

About the aerial battle, the Boks (and NH sides) all have similar tactics to get the ball back. Their players have set roles and have the same positions in each "contest". With the ABs not doing anything like this themselves, it is like taking candy from a child. The lack of cover behind the catcher was obvious last year (the Bridge debacle) and also fruitful for the Boks again last night. Coaching?.....

Oh, oh.... I think this means we would clearly struggle to win against Wales.

@taniwharugby So did I until 5 seconds ago.

@Machpants said in Pick the score, AB v Boer v1.0:

** Since 2016

It is the same mundane comments every single friggen time!

27-12 to ABs. Reality call for Boks rather than ABs.
2nd test complete turnaround and ABs smashed leading to more Foster bashing but he survives for the rest of the Championship with up and down performances as usual.
If ABs lose this one, the 2nd test will be very ominous......