Dan Carter out of cup

[grievous]

I have to say that as a rugby fan this makes me feel pretty sad. This is a bloke who's been the best in his position consistently for years (and one of the best in his position -ever-). The kind of player that opposition fans, coaches, commentators and players all have a great respect for. This should've been this high point of his career and, being honest, he deserved it. It's a shame that the four-year rugby cycle means that when people look back on his career they might think he never reached the summit of the game, when he's really been there for a long time.

Of course a Wallabies fan, I'm glad this gives us a bit more of a chance to win. I don't think I'd be alone in saying I would've preferred a semi-final victory against a Carter and McCaw led All Blacks given the choice.

There is the little matter of a quarter final first.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I rated Tyler Blyendall (spelling) very highly after watching him at last years Under 20 RWC, ..... and the offer of a one way airfare to Sydney still stands.

I see he appeared in a couple of Canterbury ITM games towards the end of that comp. He didn't seem to be doing too much wrong.

How is his progress being viewed by the NZ rugby literati? Will the Lords of Darkness be fast tracking this young lad into the Senior Darkness Team?

 

[ACT Crusader]

I rated Tyler Blyendall (spelling) very highly after watching him at last years Under 20 RWC, ..... and the offer of a one way airfare to Sydney still stands.

I see he appeared in a couple of Canterbury ITM games towards the end of that comp. He didn't seem to be doing too much wrong.

How is his progress being viewed by the NZ rugby literati? Will the Lords of Darkness be fast tracking this young lad into the Senior Darkness Team?

He will only be fast tracked in say the next year or so if there are injuries, because with Slade and Cruden the ABs have two very young players. There's a couple of other young players in Anscombe and Sopoanga floating around as well.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

He will only be fast tracked in say the next year or so if there are injuries, because with Slade and Cruden the ABs have two very young players. There's a couple of other young players in Anscombe and Sopoanga floating around as well.

How many more of these 5/8ths do you have?

Why is NATO bombing Gaddafi in Libya, they need to conduct a bombing campaign on NZ's Five Eighth Factory.

 

[matty_k]

(And, whoever gave me the turtle logo, thanks.)

Rule number 2 and no problems. Although I might capitalise the L.

 

[whatty]

Big loss and I for one feel the tournament is devalued for it. Sad day he deserved a WC (gosh did I just say that?)

Pity the next best no 10, Nick Evans is not available due to self applied NZRU legislation.

If Reid does not get through this afternoons game the AB will have huge issues.

 

[FrankLind]

How many more of these 5/8ths do you have?

Why is NATO bombing Gaddafi in Libya, they need to conduct a bombing campaign on NZ's Five Eighth Factory.

Unfortunately, none will probably ever be as good as Carter.

 

[dobduff11]

How many more of these 5/8ths do you have?

Why is NATO bombing Gaddafi in Libya, they need to conduct a bombing campaign on NZ's Five Eighth Factory.

Slade, Cruden, Bleyendaal, Sopoaga, Anscombe, Barrett and Robinson have all come through quite recently along with Brett, Kirkpatrick, Botica and Renata.

Unfortunately, none will probably ever be as good as Carter.

Has anyone ever been as good as Carter?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Unfortunately, none will probably ever be as good as Carter.

I'm sure they said that about Fox, and Mehrtens as well in their day.

 

[twenty seven]

Gotta feel for Dan - wish him a speedy recovery.

 

[Bowside]

You always want to beat the best, very sad for dan and for the world cup in general.

It just highlights to me though how much of a hash we have made this world cup. The springboks and all blacks are both looking very beatable, but our run upto this point has been anything but smooth as well. If anything I think this puts more pressure on the wallaby team and coaching staff to perform as this world cup is very winnable and always was.

 

[Hawko]

I'm sure they said that about Fox, and Mehrtens as well in their day.

Fox and Mehrtens were better kickers but Carter's overall attacking abilities running with ball in hand and putting players into gaps made him the complete player. As good as Larkham IMO and he's the best of the modern era.

 

[Jay]

There is the little matter of a quarter final first.

As I said before, I think even with Slade it's a very winnable match. In fact, I'd go so far as to say they should beat the Argies 9 times out of 10*, considering the Pumas aren't exactly in great form themselves (and also have their own injury woes). I'm not hugely worried about the 1/4, but the semi (which I was already worried about) got a lot tougher.

*seriously, fuck you mocker gods.

 

[Jay]

I'm sure they said that about Fox, and Mehrtens as well in their day.

Both were great players, but there's never been a 10 with as complete a game as Carter. He's not the best ever at everything (he's not even the best currently in some areas) but there's never been a 10 who had no real weaknesses in his game. Even his worst area is still pretty good.

 

[chriscullen]

Slade, Cruden, Bleyendaal, Sopoaga, Anscombe, Barrett and Robinson have all come through quite recently along with Brett, Kirkpatrick, Botica and Renata.



Has anyone ever been as good as Carter?

Tony Brown! Get him back now

 

[Jay]

You always want to beat the best, very sad for dan and for the world cup in general.

It just highlights to me though how much of a hash we have made this world cup. The springboks and all blacks are both looking very beatable, but our run upto this point has been anything but smooth as well. If anything I think this puts more pressure on the wallaby team and coaching staff to perform as this world cup is very winnable and always was.

I'd say the injury/form woes of the TN sides just goes to show how inexact a science building for the WC is.

 

[Lee Grant]

It's bad news for the Kiwis and not just the team. Slade is a good player but the gap between him and Carter is vast. The All Blacks will be a lesser team now but only they would have the strength in the remainder of the team to redress such a loss.

 

[Reido]

As horrible as it is for Carter on a personal level, as a Wallaby supporter I am elated by the news. This guy along with McCaw has been a thorn in our sides for God knows how many years. If it makes our chances to win the cup easier, I'm sorry but I'll take it all day!!!!!

I'm gutted for him personally and I hope he makes a full recovery.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I'd say the injury/form woes of the TN sides just goes to show how inexact a science building for the WC is.

RWC is an endurance activity. As the Lords of Darkness well know, The Goddess of Rugby (AKA the Fat Lady) does not always reward the best with victory.

The best out of the gate is not always the winner. The team with the best haircuts, uniforms and shiniest shoes seldom wins.

Victory is achieved from a couple of moments of brilliance on the back of tonnes of unattractive and unspectacular grunt work in the trenches by a bunch of fat ugly bastards.

 

[Jay]

RWC is an endurance activity. As the Lords of Darkness well know, The Goddess of Rugby (AKA the Fat Lady) does not always reward the best with victory.

The best out of the gate is not always the winner. The team with the best haircuts, uniforms and shiniest shoes seldom wins.

Victory is achieved from a couple of moments of brilliance on the back of tonnes of unattractive and unspectacular grunt work in the trenches by a bunch of fat ugly bastards.

And a huge amount of luck.

I've no problem with the tournament itself, but the way it's devalued a lot of the rugby in between and the way so many fans simply write off results as 'building for the WC' annoys the hell out of me. And what's with today's music? It's just a bunch of computers going bleep bloop bleep. Get off my lawn, you kids!