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I thought it was a cunning piece of media play by Hansen, far more effective than Nucifora's veiled references to pressure. Better, I suppose, to give the media a headline you can live with, than see them twist something innocuous into something you never hear the end of. Or, crazy idea, you...

I agree Ruggo.

The canes had not dissimilar issues to the brumbies. The all blacks have always demanded more from players. You see it in the tight coordinated play they drill for. If the players don't raise to the standard and click as part of the team they fall to the wayside. We don't seem to show these...

MR you are of course absolutely right, there's plenty of other sports NZ is great at, it's a wonderful country to live in - one of only three I'd raise my kids in, the other being Canada. Having lived there 25 years and Victoria 13, I think the weight of rugby in NZ is a lot like AFL here...

He was quoting Captain Cook there I believe Dan. I think some of his points had resonance. If the Kiwis lose there will be an immense impact on NZ. If you took the pommy angst at not having won a world cup since 1966, multiplied it, condensed it into a month, you'd maybe have some sense of...

Opinion has been divided on Deans since day 1. No surprise the critics are baying now. But in saying that I find myself agreeing that the Wallabies under performed. While I loved seeing their character and defence vs Boks, no one could be so deluded as to think that game showed all black...

You know, I think TC will get a shot to stake a claim this year WJ. But like McCabe he is gonna have to show a step up in attack and distribution. Will TC get played at 12 or 13 now Horne is in the mix?

We will have to agree to disagree WJ. For me the way he dealt with it showed he is, excuse the services expression, a jack. As I said I had no issues with the decision. But I'd not have the guy leading anyone under me.

I haven't rated him as a player in years, and personally I thought he was rubbish outside Cooper last year. But I do agree he gives a game 100%, he is a real competitor and extremely fit, and I'd have had no issues with him being next called up 10 or 12, both of which were real possibilities...

Good player, but if he'd crabbed anymore in recent years there'd be oceanographic expeditions naming new crabs Giteau.

eh?

Inclined to agree Riptide. Though I also question the lack of effective teamwork in breakdowns. Joubert made it crystal clear the attacking team was going to win them. We needed to cut our losses and run tight pods of 3 at them, retain possession and build pressure. We showed signs of it...

The irony being that despite popular opinions to the contrary, Quade actually can tackle very well when he wants to. And did so a couple of times this weekend. He'll do just fine playing straight 10.

Oh, re wing, FB, Drew coming back will be a major plus, hope he can sort the hamstring.

Sorry can't bring myself to read all 8 pages. I did manage to force myself through the first 25 of the game again though, so maybe some observations to start. Dagg was bloody magic. He made our forwards look useless in defense. Jane and Dagg were bloody great under the high ball. Cruden...

Stupid topic from where I sit. I don't believe for a minute it's true, but even if it were I wouldn't care given how our team plays. They play clean and flowing rugby with little cynical play and even less dirty play. They aren't angels and don't pretend to be. They aren't world conquerors...

1-3 equal. Ioane, O'Connor, Pocock

We lost at catching the high ball and in the collisions. And we did so because the blacks were better. End of story. We can learn from it by heeding the advice of people like Dwyer, and we can choose not to bomb but we can't change history, and the team dynamic of synchronised support is one we...

They showed signs vs blacks in first 15, and played fairly vs England. Certainly have some great talent. Be a pretty silly team to underestimate them I think. You can be sure the other finalists won't. When blacks played them in pools, they rode out the first 15mins then turn the tables, which...

Can understand the red card, none of us want paralysis injuries or worse in the game surely, and the rules are clear so as to minimise that risk. Don't believe for a second it was deliberate, but reckless clearly. Yellow arguable, but Warburton would not have played next week I think, and that...