Dan54
David Wilson (68)
For some reason stupidity seems to stick in my mind, maybe as mechanism to stop me reading or relating with stupid people!!
New Zealand Rugby Team Watch
- Thread starter Hugh Jarse
- Start date
For some reason stupidity seems to stick in my mind, maybe as mechanism to stop me reading or relating with stupid people!!
TJ is the name that sticks out on that list most. His star is rising and he could easily force his way to being the starting 9 by the RWC. He's also only 26. I would say there's some chance he's a future All Blacks captain.
SBW is a reasonable one to name. He is 33 and has missed more rugby through injury than he's played and there are solid arguments that he's no longer the best player in his position.
Crotty, Read and Coles are all injury risks but will be there for sure if they're healthy.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
I don't think he will displace Aaron Smith because he's not as good n that. Plus A.Smith is still only 29 so he's got at least a few years left.
Also, how often do 9s captain? Figure you usually want your captain on for the full 80.
I don't think he'll be a long term captain, more that I tend to think he'll be in the team and a senior player for a considerable time and could be a good chance to captain them for a test or so (like Cane, Whitelock and Ben Smith have done in the time that Read has been captain).
I think if you were picking on form he would have displaced Smith from starting last year and should start this year. I agree with you that Smith will probably start though.
Slim 293
Stirling Mortlock (74)
There's been a few notable scrumhalf captains......... Gregan, Farr-Jones, Pichot, Edwards, Van Der Westhuizen.........
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
See, that's the kinda piece Rattue coulda written if he weren't such an out&out hack
As in 2015, I think provided SBW can get himself to the plane he'll be on it. Word is they like his calming influence on the young'uns & even if he's no longer guaranteed a place in the 23 come the business end of things they'll take him anyway.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Riewoldt Ioane is reportedly about to sign a five-year contract worth $1Mn+ p.a.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...tions-no-distraction-for-dialledin-all-blacks
I can understand them wanting to lock him in long-term, but five years is a very, very long time in terms of an AB winger's career - just ask JSav.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...tions-no-distraction-for-dialledin-all-blacks
I can understand them wanting to lock him in long-term, but five years is a very, very long time in terms of an AB winger's career - just ask JSav.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Just reading that WOB, I not too keen on 5 year contracts, though I know he only be about 26-7 when it finishes I worry a little if things go wrong! Still I can understand the need to lock him away from NH paychecks, because he probably be close to highest prizes contract to get I think.
zer0
John Thornett (49)
Five years certainly is a long time, but he is 21. Five years would bring him up to 26, which is the typical expiration date for strike wingers. I imagine he'll try and transition into the midfield post-2019. Certainly will do for the Blues, and will aim to be a legitimate midfield option at test level. If he makes it, then he could hang around longer (the Umaga route). If he doesn't, then he'll head off to the NH.
Alternatively any NH side wanting him post-2019 would be staring down a hefty transfer fee.
Alternatively any NH side wanting him post-2019 would be staring down a hefty transfer fee.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
I agree zer0, it is generally assumed he will play 13 eventually, is his preferred position, will be interesting to see what Goodhue and ALB have to say about it!!
Here's Hurricanes best and fairest, Ben Lam.
Looks like he ordered his outfit from one of Dismal Pillock's Gunston fashion catalogues.
Looks like he ordered his outfit from one of Dismal Pillock's Gunston fashion catalogues.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
"White courtesy telephone call for Mr Lam, it's Ardijah on the line calling from 1988 and they want ALL of their shit back."
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
hard to argue with.
Fitzy was a legend but Coles skillset at hooker is just another dimension
Might go Rokocoko instead of BFA, he was dynamite on ice for a few years there
Brumby Runner
Jason Little (69)
Telling that five of the all time greats are still in the game today. They really are that good.
Rokocoko would be stiff to miss out, as would Tana.
Rokocoko would be stiff to miss out, as would Tana.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Tana defending at centre wasn't entirely rock solid inMyIhomo.
l0ll, only 3 Cantabs.
6 Blues.
l0ll, only 3 Cantabs.
6 Blues.
The torpedo
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Beautiful
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
I'm comfortable with Bender at 14 & obviously Fitzy can't pick himself. Only close call imo is Brooke v Read & Zinny wins just for kicking that 50m droppie at Loftus or wherever then casually jogging back like it wasn't that big of a deal. If you watch the Bokke in the background, though, it just gutted them. May have even shut the crowd up iirc.
Re: only three CruSadists, look at who's picking the team. Sheesh, I'm surprised he didn't have Carlos in there
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
I've used this thread (& others ) a few times to rant about the ridiculous amount of time it's taking for Christchurch to get a new stadium so I should probably give some credit where it's due:
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...er-from-councils-plans-for-government-funding
TLDR: Gov't is giving Christchurch City Council $300Mn to spend pretty much as it sees fit & on Thursday they'll likely commit $220Mn of it to a 30K-seat covered stadium, taking total funding to $473Mn. Should be completed by 2023 or thereabouts so a mere 12 years after Lancaster Park got munted.
) a few times to rant about the ridiculous amount of time it's taking for Christchurch to get a new stadium so I should probably give some credit where it's due:https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...er-from-councils-plans-for-government-funding
TLDR: Gov't is giving Christchurch City Council $300Mn to spend pretty much as it sees fit & on Thursday they'll likely commit $220Mn of it to a 30K-seat covered stadium, taking total funding to $473Mn. Should be completed by 2023 or thereabouts so a mere 12 years after Lancaster Park got munted.
aeneas
Tom Lawton (22)
Not wanting to depress any aussie fans but *ahem* https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...n-deficit-to-win-national-schools-rugby-title
de pipleline keeps delivering.
de pipleline keeps delivering.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Christchurch City Council have published coatings of three options for the new stadium:
Option 1 is a stadium with covered seats only, estimated to cost about $385m
Option 2 is a stadium with a transparent ETFE plastic roof similar to that at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr stadium, estimated to cost about $470m
Option 3 is a stadium with a solid roof, concrete floor and retractable turf (so grass could grow outside), estimated to cost about $561m.
All for 25K permanent & 5K temp seating.
Given the funding already & shortly to be announced Option 2 looks most likely & happens to be the recommended/ preferred Option. That decision isn't due until November.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...hurch-stadium-options-range-from-384m-to-561m
We've an election due in 2020 so the project needs to be sufficiently advanced that no incoming National-led coalition can kill it (with the exception of a handful suburbs Christchurch is a Labour town which IMO is one of the reasons the previous National-led coalition did such a shit job of the reconstruction inc putting the Minister of Wine & Cheese in charge of it).
Option 1 is a stadium with covered seats only, estimated to cost about $385m
Option 2 is a stadium with a transparent ETFE plastic roof similar to that at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr stadium, estimated to cost about $470m
Option 3 is a stadium with a solid roof, concrete floor and retractable turf (so grass could grow outside), estimated to cost about $561m.
All for 25K permanent & 5K temp seating.
Given the funding already & shortly to be announced Option 2 looks most likely & happens to be the recommended/ preferred Option. That decision isn't due until November.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/poli...hurch-stadium-options-range-from-384m-to-561m
We've an election due in 2020 so the project needs to be sufficiently advanced that no incoming National-led coalition can kill it (with the exception of a handful suburbs Christchurch is a Labour town which IMO is one of the reasons the previous National-led coalition did such a shit job of the reconstruction inc putting the Minister of Wine & Cheese in charge of it).