So I went to a fundraising dinner last night with Mark Reason and Stephen Jones speaking.

Rattue was supposed to be speaking originally but replaced by reason at late notice.

Firstly I'll comment on Reason.
Terrible public speaker, his whole speech was basically about how the 1971 game between Canterbury and the lions ruined what was a great game forever. Apparently Canterbury and New Zealand rugby teams have acted like arrogant thugs ever since.
In the questions and answers after an old bloke who was mates with Alastair Hopkinson stood up and had a real go at him. Apparently hoppy after the field had 2 black eyes and a broken cheek bone and was furious at the lions tactics that day.

Secondly Stephen jones.
Excellent speaker, talked about how much he enjoys lions tours, loves touring New Zealand and loves the passion we have for the game. Thinks the lions have become far too commercial and is certain we won't see another tour here in 12 years.
Really worries about the game at grassroots level, and talked extensively about that.

Afterwards I had a good chat to both. Chatted with Stephen for several minutes about local club rugby and my passion for that. Also asked him about his writings that seem to annoy so many NZers. We had a good laugh about that.... He said its because he loves the game so much, and with the the amount of articles he writes there's always the potential to someone to disagree with him.

Best part of the conversation is that he told me to give him a wave in the press box tonight. He will come and say hello and let me watch the game in there with him if I want!

In summary .... Mark Reason confirmed piston wristed gibbon, Stephen Jones not a bad bloke

Hansen re Akira:

It’s the same problem he’s always had, came into the season not fit enough. He played every game for the blues and at the same time was trying to get fit so he’s a tired athlete. We didn’t see the best of him during super rugby.

We know what’s under the surface, we just need him to take ownership. You can lead a horse to water but can’t make it drink.

Wait till the arrogant fucks at NZRU appoint foster as the next coach. We are in big trouble then

@MN5 said in Alternative needed from the absolute crap of stuff.co.nz:

@jegga said in Alternative needed from the absolute crap of stuff.co.nz:

A new low! And they said it couldnt be done. The articles original title was What Gemma wore[maybe].

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/fashion/88420065/what-gemma-wore-kiwi-designers-share-what-the-bride-should-wear-ahead-of-wedding

I can quite unequivocally say I did not gear up for the wedding of the year. I suspect I'm not alone in that regard.

The wedding of the year was the day before in Christchurch (mine)

Better weather, a way hotter bride and gliding wasn't mentioned in a single speech

@pukunui said in TRC squad:

Surely Todd would have asked Hansen if he was in their plans before he signed in Japan. I was under the impression that Hansen said something to that effect when it was first announced. Could be wrong.

Spoke to friend of mine last week that knows Matt Todd pretty well.

He received an offer from japan that was too big not to consider. He had 2 weeks to make up his mind.

So he contacted Hansen and told him the situation. Essentially wanted to know if he was in the plans for AB selection, if so he’d turn down the offer, was very specific that he only had 2 weeks.

2 weeks passes and Hansen hasn’t made contact so he signs the contract.

2 weeks after that Hansen calls and says we want you in NZ. By this time the contract is signed and it’s too late.

Before I get accused of Canterbury bias or some bulshit. I’m not apportioning blame either way, just reporting what I was told

@frank said in 2020 All Blacks Squad:

Definitely Akira (in the wider training reserves for the tour of Uruguay).

Only if he increases his workrate

All jokes aside (there are certain players we must not joke about on here) I was pretty happy with the result.

Best crowd of the season, vocal and involved.

Whacked $100 on under 47.5 total points at the TAB (paid $2.20) as it was pretty obvious to me that conditions weren't right for a high scoring game.

I think this is the first time in quite a while that we came with real line speed and aggression on defense. It's how we've won our last 2 titles and it was good to see it back. Plummer and Nonu had real trouble dealing with it behind a pack that was on the back foot, rurus service didn't help either.

Interesting to compare the way the number eights played.

Whetu Douglas seems to lead us in defense and at breakdown,and is super involved.

Akira seems to run away from the ball a lot, he'll pack down in a scrum or stand in the lineout then when the ball is cleared, jog out into the backline and stand around waiting for the ball to find him. I know it's the team patterns that dictate this, but he's such a big strong bully type player I'd love to see him closer to the ruck hurting people, particularly on a cold wet night like this one.

Moody made a huge difference to our scrum.

Tom Robinson the best blues forward for me, he's a niggly prick. Refs missed a clear swinging arm to the head from him on a crusaders player at the bottom of a ruck, I like watching him play

Both fullbacks were good.... as was George Bridge, a Ben Smith like game from him.

Edit: @KiwiMurph feel free to put your grammar nazi cap on and criticise my post 🙄

@broughie said in What's Wrong With Reiko Ioane?:

The rush defense affecting penetration in the midfield and we are not managing it. This is why we need the forwards to win up front and maybe that is why Hansen wants ball running props. The game is still won in the forwards. Just my dos pesos.

Once leinert brown replaced SBW the ball suddenly made it past 12 pretty regularly... SBW affects the whole backline because he's too slow to get it to the outside channels.

So fucking good, rivals 1998 for my favourite season ever. I think there's been 5 or 6 games this season I've rated amongst the best ever wins.

Perfect gameplan.... rolling maul defence was outstanding (apparently we haven't conceded a maul try all year). the defense in general shows the biggest difference from last year, we actually care and play with passion.

So bloody happy... will be at the airport to welcome the lads and the trophy home

In Mexico City for this one... Gonna have the Mrs ring around all the Irish bars in town to find one that’s showing it.

Reading a bunch of trip adviser reviews I reckon this one sounds like a good option.

“It was a good bar until I went to the bathroom and was offered cocaine. Management didn’t seem too concerned about it”

@kiwimurph said in Chiefs v Blues (27 March 2021):

@sammyc Not really. Ruru was more to blame for the miss. But don't let context get in the way.

What about the other 5 missed tackles? at least 3 of them one on one with Tupaea by my count..... I just think it's a bit rich to imply he's a good defender at 13.

Leinert-Brown and Tupaea thoroughly outplayed the blues midfield in this one

No doubt an amazing ball runner, and should be playing 13 for the blues so he gets his hands on the ball. But I don't think he starts at 13 for the ABs

But yeah...... agenda

@kiwimurph said in Chiefs v Blues (27 March 2021):

@sammyc it wasn't a lazy miss on Jacobson but carry on with your agenda.

Edited, happy now?

@gt12 said in Chiefs v Blues (27 March 2021):

I think that Rieko is starting to get the defensive issues sorted as a 13 (which is fucking hard). If Rieko can sort out when to distribute and do it well, he could be an absolute weapon at 13 for the ABs.

What? Reiko missed 6 tackles, the most of any player in the game......including the miss on Jacobson that lead to the final try.

No defensive issues there aye, what a "weapon".

Bunch of idiots, can't see anything but a continuation of the downward slide we are currently on.

Brad Mooar (if confirmed) is not a huge surprise. I've heard that Razor and him don't really get along.

@Toddy said in Next All Black Coach:

Who ever it is needs to get Robertson out of the Crusaders and Blackadder back in. At least Blackadder was able to manage his All Blacks to cruise through Super rugby without giving two Fu&&$. Robertson has them giving everything and it's impacting on the ABs

I think that was McCaw’s influence more than Blackadder. His last 5 or so years he just cruised for the crusaders and the younger players followed suit.

Wait till the arrogant fucks at NZRU appoint foster as the next coach. We are in big trouble then

@ACT-Crusader said in RWC: England v New Zealand (SF1):

No concerns with that loss. We were outplayed and Eddie Jones did his thing.

Never got the criticism of Itoje because he’s played like this before. Well done that man.

Look forward to seeing the ABs one more time against the Boks. 😎

The criticism of Itoje is NZ rugby fan arrogance at its best.

Mari Itoje clearly man if the match.

Foster will still be coach, too much arrogance at the NZRU to change that decision

Savea not physical enough for this type of game either

We have hardly contested a lineout when they’ve thrown the ball in, what’s the point of picking a tall lineout.

Codie Taylor and Nepo have been poor.

Think we need sbw and cane on sooner rather than later