New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[KiwiM]

I'm really happy that there is at least someone that will push back on Razor.

Well done Stephen Donald

'This Springboks argument will never wash with me' - Ex-All Black's epic rant in response to Scott Robertson's plea

Ex-All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald says the Springboks argument over eligibilty doesn't "wash" with him and accused Scott Robertson of "giving up".

www.planetrugby.com

 

[Sully]

Razor finding out he's not that good a coach outside of Canterbury.

 

[zer0]

NZ SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) POTY nominations:
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Harry Plummer (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)

Does anyone know how/who selects them? Just interesting that there's only one starting AB, if we're being generous...

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

ASB Rugby Award Nominees are;

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year
Ben O’Keeffe
Maggie Cogger-Orr
James Doleman

DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Harry Plummer (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)

Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Blues)
Layla Sae (Hurricanes Poua)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (Matatū)
Kennedy Tukuafu (Chiefs Manawa)

Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year
Risi Pouri-Lane (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Koata, Ngāi Tahu)
Tamaiti Williams (Ngāpuhi)
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe, Muaupoko)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year
Fehi Fineanganofo
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Dylan Collier

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year
Jorja Miller
Risi Pouri-Lane
Michaela Blyde

Black Ferns Player of the Year
Georgia Ponsonby
Alana Bremner
Kaipo Olsen-Baker

All Blacks Player of the Year
Tyrel Lomax
Tupou Vaa’i
Wallace Sititi

ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year
All Teams in Black coaches eligible

Adidas New Zealand Team of the Year
All Teams in Black eligible


Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year
Steve and Lisa Wild (Thames Valley)
Dave Webb (Auckland)
Conor Croke (Waikato)

Bunnings Warehouse Rugby Club of the Year
Foxton Rugby Club (Horowhenua Kapiti)
Green Island Rugby Football Club (Otago)
Ponsonby Rugby Club (Auckland)

Te Hāpai New Zealand Rugby Community Impact Award
James Leggat (Tamai Rugby Project)
Lisa Kingi-Bon (New Zealand Rugby Foundation)
Erin Rayner (Sense Rugby NZ)

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year
Xavi Taele (Auckland)
Vernon Bason (Manawatū)
Oli Mathis (Waikato)
Elinor-Plum King (Manawatū)

Duane Monkley Medal (Bunnings Warehouse NPC Player of the Year)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Tasman)
Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay)
Josh Jacomb (Taranaki)

Fiao’o Faamausili Medal (Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse Player of the Year)
Chelsea Semple (Waikato)
Hollyrae Merekara Mete (Manawatū)
Mia Anderson (Waikato)

Ian Kirkpatrick Medal (Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship Player of the Year)
Siu Kakala (South Canterbury)
Declan McCormack (Mid Canterbury)
Alekesio Vakarorogo (Whanganui)

ASB National Men’s Coach of the Year
Vern Cotter (Blues)
Clark Laidlaw (Hurricanes)
Alando Soakai (Wellington)
Richard Watt (Bay of Plenty)

ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year
Willie Walker (Blues)
James Semple (Waikato)
Campbell McNeill (Manawatū)

adidas National Men’s Team of the Year
Blues
Wellington Lions
Thames Valley Swamp Foxes

adidas National Women’s Team of the Year
Blues
Waikato
Manawatū Cyclones

Awards night is 12 December.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I'm really happy that there is at least someone that will push back on Razor.

Well done Stephen Donald

'This Springboks argument will never wash with me' - Ex-All Black's epic rant in response to Scott Robertson's plea

Ex-All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald says the Springboks argument over eligibilty doesn't "wash" with him and accused Scott Robertson of "giving up".

www.planetrugby.com

“Let’s not sugar-coat it, this is about getting Richie Mo’unga back – it’s one person,” Donald continued.

“But if you don’t see your heroes playing week in, week out, and they’re up they’re playing a meaningless competition in Japan or playing over there for Toulon, what has that got for my kids to aspire to be, no one.

You might win the next World Cup, maybe even win one after but if there’s not going to be kids coming through, you won’t win the ones in 20 years.”

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Bugger me it would be funny if Mr "I want to win Rugby World Cup's with 2 different countries, I think it would be cool" SuperCoach gets sacked next Xmas for refusing to choose anyone on Super Rugby form and is back coaching the Cantabs halfway through the RWC cycle.

 

[Wilson]

ASB Rugby Award Nominees are;

New Zealand Rugby Referee of the Year
Ben O’Keeffe
Maggie Cogger-Orr
James Doleman

DHL Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Harry Plummer (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)

Sky Super Rugby Aupiki Player of the Year
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Blues)
Layla Sae (Hurricanes Poua)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (Matatū)
Kennedy Tukuafu (Chiefs Manawa)

Tom French Memorial Māori Player of the Year
Risi Pouri-Lane (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Koata, Ngāi Tahu)
Tamaiti Williams (Ngāpuhi)
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe, Muaupoko)
Katelyn Vahaakolo (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Maniapoto)

Richard Crawshaw Memorial All Blacks Sevens Player of the Year
Fehi Fineanganofo
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Dylan Collier

Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year
Jorja Miller
Risi Pouri-Lane
Michaela Blyde

Black Ferns Player of the Year
Georgia Ponsonby
Alana Bremner
Kaipo Olsen-Baker

All Blacks Player of the Year
Tyrel Lomax
Tupou Vaa’i
Wallace Sititi

ASB New Zealand Coach of the Year
All Teams in Black coaches eligible

Adidas New Zealand Team of the Year
All Teams in Black eligible


Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year
Steve and Lisa Wild (Thames Valley)
Dave Webb (Auckland)
Conor Croke (Waikato)

Bunnings Warehouse Rugby Club of the Year
Foxton Rugby Club (Horowhenua Kapiti)
Green Island Rugby Football Club (Otago)
Ponsonby Rugby Club (Auckland)

Te Hāpai New Zealand Rugby Community Impact Award
James Leggat (Tamai Rugby Project)
Lisa Kingi-Bon (New Zealand Rugby Foundation)
Erin Rayner (Sense Rugby NZ)

New Zealand Rugby Age Grade Player of the Year
Xavi Taele (Auckland)
Vernon Bason (Manawatū)
Oli Mathis (Waikato)
Elinor-Plum King (Manawatū)

Duane Monkley Medal (Bunnings Warehouse NPC Player of the Year)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (Tasman)
Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay)
Josh Jacomb (Taranaki)

Fiao’o Faamausili Medal (Farah Palmer Cup presented by Bunnings Warehouse Player of the Year)
Chelsea Semple (Waikato)
Hollyrae Merekara Mete (Manawatū)
Mia Anderson (Waikato)

Ian Kirkpatrick Medal (Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship Player of the Year)
Siu Kakala (South Canterbury)
Declan McCormack (Mid Canterbury)
Alekesio Vakarorogo (Whanganui)

ASB National Men’s Coach of the Year
Vern Cotter (Blues)
Clark Laidlaw (Hurricanes)
Alando Soakai (Wellington)
Richard Watt (Bay of Plenty)

ASB National Women’s Coach of the Year
Willie Walker (Blues)
James Semple (Waikato)
Campbell McNeill (Manawatū)

adidas National Men’s Team of the Year
Blues
Wellington Lions
Thames Valley Swamp Foxes

adidas National Women’s Team of the Year
Blues
Waikato
Manawatū Cyclones

Awards night is 12 December.

Only 21 awards?

Where is the better person memorial away sheds broom and the A. Smith award for most fun had in a public bathroom? Who are the nominees for this year's coveted Best Barrett?

New Zealand used to be a rugby nation

 

[KiwiM]

Here is award 22

Douchebag of the Year Award

Only one nominee Sevu Reece

Razor wants to have overseas players considered so that Frizell is also eligible to be nominated

All Black Sevu Reece discharged without conviction on wilful damage charge

Name suppression was dropped today when the 27-year-old appeared for sentencing at the Christchurch District Court.

www.1news.co.nz

 

[Wilson]

Here is award 22

Douchebag of the Year Award

Only one nominee Sevu Reece

Razor wants to have overseas players considered so that Frizell is also eligible to be nominated

All Black Sevu Reece discharged without conviction on wilful damage charge

Name suppression was dropped today when the 27-year-old appeared for sentencing at the Christchurch District Court.

www.1news.co.nz

How many times can he trot out this line and get away with it?

His lawyer Elizabeth Bulger described the offending as "low level".

Bulger said Reece should be discharged without conviction as it could affect his career, including travel overseas.

 

[Derpus]

I'm really happy that there is at least someone that will push back on Razor.

Well done Stephen Donald

'This Springboks argument will never wash with me' - Ex-All Black's epic rant in response to Scott Robertson's plea

Ex-All Blacks fly-half Stephen Donald says the Springboks argument over eligibilty doesn't "wash" with him and accused Scott Robertson of "giving up".

www.planetrugby.com

He's on the losing side of the argument, though. For most rugby players this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build generational wealth and they will almost always choose the money (at least for a few years).

Its not like these are players choosing between 15m or 16m p/y. Its life-changing money even for already well off professionals.

 

[KiwiM]

He's on the losing side of the argument, though. For most rugby players this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to build generational wealth and they will almost always choose the money (at least for a few years).

Its not like these are players choosing between 15m or 16m p/y. Its life-changing money even for already well off professionals.

I'm not sure he articulated it particularly well - but I'm with Donald in that the answer is not to open up the floodgates simply because Razor wants to pick Mo'unga.

There's plenty of talent in NZ.

Look at the 4 players nominated for Super Rugby Player Of The Year - Sotutu wasn't even selected (even as cover/wider squad), Plummer got 3 minutes playing time, Proctor played 2 tests (where Razor rolled the changes vs tier 2) and DMac got dropped for Beauden because Razor lost his nerve and went back to Beauden.

 

[Dctarget]

Here is award 22

Douchebag of the Year Award

Only one nominee Sevu Reece

Razor wants to have overseas players considered so that Frizell is also eligible to be nominated

All Black Sevu Reece discharged without conviction on wilful damage charge

Name suppression was dropped today when the 27-year-old appeared for sentencing at the Christchurch District Court.

www.1news.co.nz

What a twat. Amazing amounts of chances for actions that should be one and done.

 

[zer0]

Here is award 22

Douchebag of the Year Award

Only one nominee Sevu Reece

Razor wants to have overseas players considered so that Frizell is also eligible to be nominated

All Black Sevu Reece discharged without conviction on wilful damage charge

Name suppression was dropped today when the 27-year-old appeared for sentencing at the Christchurch District Court.

www.1news.co.nz

 

[Derpus]

I'm not sure he articulated it particularly well - but I'm with Donald in that the answer is not to open up the floodgates simply because Razor wants to pick Mo'unga.

There's plenty of talent in NZ.

Look at the 4 players nominated for Super Rugby Player Of The Year - Sotutu wasn't even selected (even as cover/wider squad), Plummer got 3 minutes playing time, Proctor played 2 tests (where Razor rolled the changes vs tier 2) and DMac got dropped for Beauden because Razor lost his nerve and went back to Beauden.

Mo'unga is just the present example of an issue that will probably continue to come up for your top players as it does for ours.

 

[zer0]

What a twat. Amazing amounts of chances for actions that should be one and done.

That seems to defeat the purpose of attempting rehabilitation. He shouldn't have been selected for the 2019 RWC as punishment, but he seemed to be on the straight and narrow from ~2019-2023 and did all the counseling, demonstrated improvement etc... so deserved his fair go at a second chance imo. He's wasted that change now, so can jog on.

 

[Dctarget]

That seems to defeat the purpose of attempting rehabilitation. He shouldn't have been selected for the 2019 RWC as punishment, but he seemed to be on the straight and narrow from ~2019-2023 and did all the counseling, demonstrated improvement etc... so deserved his fair go at a second chance imo. He's wasted that change now, so can jog on.

Rehabilitation is separate from being allowed to be showered with admiration, honour and incredible privileges. Sure, go ahead rehabilitate him but if you leave a woman bruised and bloodied in the street in front of everyone, you don't get access to your country's highest honour.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Substantial damage was caused to the vehicle and the garage. Reece then left the address on foot.

Slowest winger in AB history?

Fat local copper: "I chased down an All Black winger with ease."

 

[KiwiM]

Mo'unga is just the present example of an issue that will probably continue to come up for your top players as it does for ours.

Sure. And perhaps one day it will make sense for NZR to pivot. Today is not that day.

It's overblown how much difference Mo'unga would have made to ABs this year anyway

ABs lost to Boks, France and Argentina (in NZ) this year - it's worth noting

- the last 2 games Mo'unga played vs Boks ABs lost
- the last 2 games Mo'unga played vs France ABs lost
- ABs lost at home to Argentina in 2022 with Mo'unga at 10 (in Christchurch of all places).

 

[KiwiM]

Good on Harry Plummer for some straight shooting in these comments about his departure.

A real waste. Career best form - wins Super Rugby playing like a test 10 - Razor gives him 2 minutes of game time which was only the result of Beauden being ill on game day.

'I felt I wasn't going to get a shot': Why Plummer decided to leave NZ

One-test All Black playmaker outlines his reasoning for a surprise exit next year.

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Had our home test schedule released yesterday, I like, 2 tests in Wellington (just 3 hour drive) and best of all one against the Boks is on my 71st birthday!! Would look at first Bok test but they playing it at Eden Park, don't mind the park but deeply dislike the whole of a city it is in, right up there with Sydney as cities I avoid where possible!

July Series
v France, Saturday 5 July, 7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, DUNEDIN
v France, Saturday 12 July, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON
v France, Saturday 19 July, 7.05pm, FMG Stadium Waikato, HAMILTON

Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship
v South Africa, Saturday 6 September, 7.05pm, Eden Park, AUCKLAND *Freedom Cup
v South Africa, Saturday 13 September, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, WELLINGTON *Freedom Cup
v Australia, Saturday 27 September, 5.05pm, Eden Park, AUCKLAND *Bledisloe Cup