@Donsteppa it's going to hurt indefinitely I'm afraid. The only salve will be a win at a future WC.

But what are the chances that there is a similar situation when they tour here!! wonder if the TAB will offer that option... hmmm maybe not. I'm sure they don't want their offices burnt down!

Sooo is their strategy a slap in the face for Oz and/or a big opportunity for SA to get tipped over??

Had forgotten that our opening match at the RWC is against SA. That will be a bell ringer for sure.

Going to be interesting to see who Krusty names for this match. O'Connor back in the mix, who starts at 1st five...

and you gotta love how people just try and pick him up, no matter the risk of a spinal or neck injury!! Although to be fair they are trying to get him out of strike range. Looked like he copped a nice pointing horn to the head on that second charge.

Situational awareness was average - eyes on the first bull and missed the second one that'd lined him up.

Cheers mate! It's improving and I've been able to work around it with training this week which has been good. But man I've got DOMs all over. We did a lighter leg session last night and my mate aggravated his hip again.

I worked well within myself and the heaviest I got to was 4 sets of 5-6 at 100kg. Tried the yoke bar (no idea what it's real name is) that lets you mimic a front squat without having to get in rack position. So I got in some back and front squats.

Hitting back tonight with some leg accessory stuff. 3 days straight of training will kick my ass for sure.

Back on the fasting wagon after a week or so off. I was still fasting but not actively tracking it, and now the CWC is over I can finally get back to a usual sleep schedule. Had almost shifted my body clock over the last wee while. Paying for that now in the mornings, doh.

Gym bro and I are looking to hit a course of creatine soon. He's been trying to bulk while I've been cutting. But I'm ok with a bit of weight increase if I know it's mainly muscle mass. Also wondering if that might be what I need to finally crack that 150kg bench.

@SammyC so the obvious answer there is the Tahs

But I totally agree. A quality 10 is a huge part of the equation.

Hmmm who would be the 'worst' 1st five to lead a team to a super rugby title??

@jegga that's worse that putting concrete mix in millkshakes.

Far out.

@Chester-Draws you have a higher estimation of Smith than I do. We were unhappy (ie the franchise) to lose Black but he hasn't amounted to much in his time at the Blues. I think Ioane is a rising star and has shown some real brilliance this season, so he's far more than just steady imo.

There was also a reason why the Chiefs ended up with Debraceny starting ahead of MMac, as he was doing a better job and is a genuine longer term option for the team.

As for availability, contracts are always coming up for renewal/review or ending around the world. I don't think the Canes should limit their search to NZ, as I'd agree the pickings are lean here. But that doesn't mean a better option than our currently signed crop of players is impossible to find. Whether we can foot the $$ to compete with other interested parties is another story.

@Chester-Draws and being not as good as BB means he hasn't had opportunities - nor should that be a black mark against a less experienced player. Particularly when they were also trying out Smith and toying with Marshall providing cover. So unless we expect him to rock up as a fully polished and influential super rugby player there has to be some time to develop. He's had 6 games for the canes which isn't enough imo to make a full judgement on where he'll end up.

I'm not sold on him by any means, but think he offers as much as Smith, who also hasn't dominated in his appearances.

Unless we snag an established player we are going to have to try a few options. And even if we do get someone proven we'll still need back ups in the squad.

@Kirwan absolutely. No matter how bad a piece of shit you are in prison, and how much we'd love someone to get roughed up a bit, they have a right to be safely held. That's not negotiable and the fact he was dropped into high Muslim populations and copped a hiding is beyond shit.

Missed a workout about 10 days ago. But then my right wrist flared up something chronic. If only I had medicinal chronic for it lol. But it's been slow to come right, although it is much improved since Sunday or so. Acute pain in the middle of the wrist, especially when bending my hand down or up. Suspect something has aggravated it as I never had a moment where I thought I'd fucked my wrist.
I seem quite 'lucky' with that sort of injury - I guess most of my niggles are from volume and an issue building up over time. Rarely have I actually broken something in the workout... fingers crossed! But I try to lift smart these days, rather than everyday is 1RM day.

Felt pretty good aside from the wrist after over a week off. Would be better to do a light deload week rather than nothing. But I've been wrecked with cricket hours, have pretty much shifted my bodyclock

Bench tonight. Flat to start. Used my mates wrist straps and they made heaps of difference. Warm up sets of 8-10 at 60 and 80kg. My working sets were two sets of 10 at 100kg then 15 at 80kg.
Incline press next. Set of 10 at 50kg, then 10 more at 60kg. Final set of 6 at 80kg to finish.
Finished up with cable flys. 3 sets of 10-12, really trying to hit dem biddies.

Was really good to do a bit of mahi tonight. Legs or back tomorrow then the other on Thursday. Warriors at the Cake Tin on Friday too. Lets hooks some sharks lads!!