Remember reading after his accident that his lungs would fill and the pain would recede. At that point, realising he was dying he'd ring the bell for them to pump him out and that would bring searing pain. Tough hombre.

When is Perofeta expected back?

@Dice said in Highlanders vs Blues:

@kev said in Highlanders vs Blues:

@Crazy-Horse Great comment. Add to those an outside back Ben Smith who creates space and passes better than anyone. I would say that is the Blues greatest weakness - they have had so many destructive ball runners yet constantly miss opportunities with backs not passing in the open or forwards off loading in 50/50 contact areas.

It was a big problem in past seasons when we were stuffing wingers into the midfield, but I'm not sure that this has been that big a problem for us this year, probably because we have proper midfielders in the midfield now who are willing passers. Then you have Melani who has improved his passing and ability to put players away.

I was watching a dodgy connection on VPN, but I don't remember our first fives kicking much, other than that Plummer PEARL.

What I did notice was Clan sending a runner at breakneck pace to get between our midfield players and encourage the cutback.

I'd have expected a seasoned 10 to kick tactically to keep the Clan rush honest. As it was, the Blues backs were predictable and their penetration reduced to individual attempts at breaks.

Did we do one kick chase?

@Chris said in Highlanders vs Blues:

@Kirwan Makalio will resign with the Crusaders

Big difference between resigning and re-signing, no?

@sparky said in Highlanders vs Blues:

Nonu and Reiko Ioane were excellent for the Blues. The Blues lost this in the forwards: at scrum time and the breakdown. Big Karl and "King" Akira weren't really there tonight.

Ben Smith as ever, superb for the Landers. Coltman, Lomax and Lietjens all very good.

I don't think big Karl was that bad. For me Ofa is a bit flat at the mo. As it turned out probably cost us that Mafileo went off so early.

Old schoolers like me look for balance in the loose trio, and Red, Dalton and Akira doen't have it. Through (EDIT:Throw!) in Blake Gibson at and balance is restored.

@Tim said in Highlanders vs Blues:

Those two intercepts really fucked us. Heads went down after Nock's.

Can't help thinking Mauger coached Clan to seek these out.

@sparky said in Aussie Rugby in general:

@Kirwan Not comfortable with restricting free speech at all, even stupid drivel like this

I am grateful to live in a free society with religious freedoms, press freedoms and very little censorship. But there are obligations on employees to uphold the values of the organisations they work for and abide by their contractual arrangements.

Folau posted from social media accounts that identify him as a Wallaby and an Rugby Australia employee. Their content and tone go against the code of conduct that he signed. No one is taking away his democratic rights to have his own opinions and to practise his religion as long as it doesn't harm anyone else, but as an employee there are consequences to communications that are totally at odds with the values and aims of his employers who remunerate him very well indeed.

I'm afraid I don't really buy this employers' values rhetoric. All the rugby fans I know watch drunks, gays and adulterers who play pro rugby without any prejudice or qualms. THAT is what matters. This employers' value drivel is really about sponsors, who are nowadays trying to cultivate a 'right on' image and will twist arms if a sponsoree might queer that pitch. Do sponsors enhance the fans' experience? I must say I have my doubts. They DO encourage there being TOO MUCH rugby, and their money does lead to increased players' remuneration, but at the cost of their long term welfare.

I'm not confident the game will be in good shape in ten years' time the way things are going.

Somehow smacks of meeting religious doctrine with secular doctrine.

YAWN.

@taniwharugby said in Blues vs Waratahs:

@Kirwan rugby isnt big on releasing that kind of info for some reason.

saw this recently...

Quite serious BP targets for fatties. What do the chin numbers mean?

@Bones At 12 pace much less of an issue than at 13, although Maori Jesus showed true pace at 12 (which is rare) can be big weapon.

@ACT-Crusader said in Blues vs Waratahs:

@Nepia said in Blues vs Waratahs:

@SammyC said in Blues vs Waratahs:

Best game I’ve seen Akira play I reckon.. he’s becoming the big bully that the all blacks could use in their loose trio.

Hope the blues waste the chiefs next weekend.

Hmmm. He was better in his last game - TBF that was probably one of his quieter matches (while still being influential).

@Machpants said in Blues vs Waratahs:

@SammyC then right at the end he had to slap some body for no reason after they'd got the penalty and big up to the crowd. He's like itoje. Not sure what the and coaches will think of that cos they notice

They put up with Franks' thuggishness so not sure that would hinder Akira.

He’s a good Christian is Owen

As is St. Owen of Farrell.