Guinness has retired for the evening.

@sparky said in RWC squad. Who's in, who's out?:

Sparky's All Black RWC squad

Props: Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi

Hooker: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor.

Locks: Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuitupolou, Sam Whitelock

Back Row: Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea, Matt Todd

Half Backs: TJ Perenera, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber

First Fives: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga

Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Leinert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams

Back Three: Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Reiko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith

Some very tough decisions ahead for the selectors to get it down to 31..

Proof that a stopped clock is right sometimes.

His name is spelt "Ma'a Nonu" but it can be pronounced as "Living Legend".

This is a guy who made his NPC debut in 2002 and his Super Rugby debut in 2003. In his distinguished international career he donned the famous Black Jersey for 104 Tests, contributing to two World Cup wins with tries in the 2011 Semi Final and the 2015 Final.

Tonight he set up Tom Robinson for the first try with a superb pass, he set up Caleb Clarke for the second with another superb pass and had the instincts honed by nearly two decades playing and training at an elite level to be in the right place to take the offloaded from Reiko Ioane to run in and score a try himself.

A great signing for the Blues. Their young players must be learning so much from playing with perhaps the greatest ever 12 to play the game.

New Zealand have won the Netball World Cup!!!!

Classic Ted:

Ngani Laumape re-signs with the Hurricanes and NZRU until 2021:

@Chester-Draws Honestly, mate if you're looking for "top-quality analysis", you should skip my posts.

@antipodean said in AB squad for the Rugby Championship:

Fifita is still in the squad? I don't understand modern rugby anymore.

Fifita's special role in the squad is to guard the powder and to make sure it stays dry.

Dear Sirs and Madams,

Don't even think about making Ian Foster the next All Blacks coach.

Yours faithfully,

Sparky

@MiketheSnow said in Wales Vs France, Six Nations 2020:

Full match highlights

1hr 27 min

Definite knock down, should have been at least yellow.

Penalty try not certain.

Poor reffing.

Ref got it about right IMHO. The hand was out to make the tackle. Not clear and obvious that it was an intentional knock down or that the player would have scored.

Game of 2020 so far IMHO. France beginning to look like the business.

Impressive breakout by Wales reaches the France 22. But Tompkins holds on too long on the ground. Penalty.

Kicked out. All over. Wales 23 France 27.

3 out of 3 for France in 2020 6 Nations so far.

Ntamack rightly named MoM.

Kick wide. 2 and a half minutes to go.

Wayne Barnes, a touch judge, penalises Alun Wyn Jones and he is not happy at all.

Try given by the TMO. Looked a bit rough on Ntamack IMHO. Four point ball game with 5 minutes to go.

23-27.

Biggar over with six to go. Did he ground the ball? On field decision is try.

Ten to go. Impressive character and resilience by Wales to be still in this.

France very impressive but still Ill -disciplined at times.