New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Dan54]

Teach, just back from rugby club, and after discussion over a beer thinking Wellington/Dunedin Welsh tests maybe the go next year, will let you know if that the case and will look at a beer whist in Dunedin huh?

 

[ACT Crusader]

^^^^^^^^^^ not sure about Taylor but I reckon they're looking at Big Ben as next cab off the rank if Woodcock proves to be past his use-by date.

Moody ahead of Big Ben.

 

[ChargerWA]

Maori v Fiji game on Fox in 45mins

Not sure if it was on earlier.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Was shown live (i think). Recorded on the IQ unit and watching that recording now. I love Foxtel IQ.

 

[da_grubster]

I don't think woody will make it to be honest. certainly not as a starter.

I really don't think SBW should be on the plane at this point but probably will.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Woodcock, feels like he's been running on fumes for the last 4 years, coasting along on the stratospheric contrails of that jet-shoed 5 metre bolt for the tryline in 2011

SBW no way deserves it, he looks like a luxury cruise liner without his little tugboat rudder in Cruden

I still think theyll go with all the safe options, the Jane's the Daggs the Crottys rather than the Super 15 comets, the Skudders Fekitoas and Naholos

 

[teach]

Dagg must be toast surely. Smith owns 15. Slade and Barret can cover it as well.
Surely Naholo has to be in. I expect him to play against the Argies on friday.
I don't rate SBW that highly. I also think Sapoaga's tactical kicking game may see him on the plane. Which also helps dropping Dagg and keeping Slade as the all rounder back up.
Fekitoa is a good back up for Smith. Skudder I don't think will go.
I doubt Ellis will make it. Some of his passes made Phipps look decisive and accurate.
Who knows what the three wise men are thinking. It will be very interesting to see the final squad.

 

[Shiggins]

Does anyone else think it's unfair that new Zealand have a new Zealand Maori team that plays test rugby. It's like they have another team that they can experiment with at test level.

 

[Highlander35]

Whut?

Everybody is entitled to play an A side or a Barbarians side, or even 3rd string sides. A lot just choose not to because of the expense involved. The Irish for example have both an A Squad (Wolfhounds) and a 3rd string side (Emerging Ireland). Emerging Ireland played in June against Emerging Italy, Georgia and Uruguay.

The Maori just has a focus towards to the Indigenous Kiwis, and consequentially, a bigger focus in the media and possibly greater funding.

 

[cyclopath]

Does anyone else think it's unfair that new Zealand have a new Zealand Maori team that plays test rugby. It's like they have another team that they can experiment with at test level.

No.

 

[Beefcake]

Im thinking that shady figure of a waitress 'Suzie' will suddenly be employed in the UK

 

[Shiggins]

So we could have an A team playing tests? Why the hell Don't we.

 

[Highlander35]

$$$$$$$$$$

 

[ChargerWA]

So we could have an A team playing tests? Why the hell Don't we.

As I understand it the ARU have to pay a match fee to the players (Rugby Union Players Association have demanded the full $10k match fee per player) and if 8000 people turn up ARU are out a shit load of money.

Apparently RUPA are now open to seeing a reduced match fee for Australia A games ($2500) but nothing's happened since the impasse.

 

[Shiggins]

It needs to happen. How do the Maori all Blacks make any money then? Didn't look like a big crowd

 

[cyclopath]

It needs to happen. How do the Maori all Blacks make any money then? Didn't look like a big crowd

AIG / Adidas. That's a big part.

 

[Shiggins]

So the fact that the all blacks is such a massive brand. It's a massive part of their success.

 

[ChargerWA]

So the fact that the all blacks is such a massive brand. It's a massive part of their success.

Nah, I'd say in this scenario the egg came well before the chicken.

The success brought them opportunities to maximise their brand, not the other way round.

 

[Shiggins]

Yeh for sure mate. Did the hard yards early!

 

[da_grubster]

That would be a mistake in my view.

jane surely is holidaying with Dagg somewhere in September/October.

Naholo and either Fekitoa/Skudder will make it.

Skudder is an interesting case, he has the footwork and x factor to unlock tight defences which makes him an intriguing prospect to take.

naholo has speed which will be invaluable for offensive kicking opportunities and his combination with Smith demands attention.

In a world cup year I think there is room for bolters, the AB's will be analysed to death by their opponents but these 2 will be fairly unknown quantities for the opposition at this level.