waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Ruben Love has signed up for two more years at 'canes. If he doesn't crack AB in that time I'd expect him to then head overseas at 24-25 which is kinda depressing.
New Zealand Rugby Team Watch
- Thread starter Hugh Jarse
- Start date
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Fozzie's selections have always been those of a dull conservative company man but I would say the weight of public pressure has forced him to have a cursory look at Stevenson and Roigard in the RC.
Aside from that its laughable to see Stuff with their "AB watch player ratings" thing. "Who's going to make the cut from Soup Rugby and be on the plane????"
It's already been decided you dopes.
eg, the midfield. For Fozzie, Goodhue, ALB, Quinn Tupaea etc only have to have a pulse and they're on the plane.
On form Roigard should surely usurp Christie or Weber..... but Fozzie isnt in the business of making bold decisions. FFS if it was up to him we'd still have George Bridge and Grant Batty on the wings. "They've got the experience with the systems, let them play their way back into form....."
The hapless zero-impact RWC 2019 losing pack from the semi?
Insert Sam Cane for Read and it might be exactly the same pack this time around.
"But this time it will be different" says Fozz. "They have more experience now......"
The backline from the 2019 failure?
Aside from that its laughable to see Stuff with their "AB watch player ratings" thing. "Who's going to make the cut from Soup Rugby and be on the plane????"
It's already been decided you dopes.
eg, the midfield. For Fozzie, Goodhue, ALB, Quinn Tupaea etc only have to have a pulse and they're on the plane.
On form Roigard should surely usurp Christie or Weber..... but Fozzie isnt in the business of making bold decisions. FFS if it was up to him we'd still have George Bridge and Grant Batty on the wings. "They've got the experience with the systems, let them play their way back into form....."
The hapless zero-impact RWC 2019 losing pack from the semi?
Insert Sam Cane for Read and it might be exactly the same pack this time around.
"But this time it will be different" says Fozz. "They have more experience now......"
The backline from the 2019 failure?
"We'll chuck Rieko on the wing for Sevu. So we can maintain continuance from 2019...."
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
NZR & JRU have announced what almost amounts to a joint venture:
www.newshub.co.nz
NZ Rugby, Japan in groundbreaking partnership to grow game across Asia Pacific
The deal will see the All Blacks and Brave Blossoms meet regularly for the next four years.
www.newshub.co.nz
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
I really like reading this , a huge plus and great work by NZR I think.-
The MoU will see the two unions explore strategic and commercial opportunities including more regular matches between the All Blacks, All Blacks XV and Māori All Blacks and Japan Rugby’s Brave Blossoms and Japan XV.
The All Blacks, Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV will play the Brave Blossoms and Japan XV on a regular basis in Japan, from 2024 to 2027.
There will also be a commitment to explore opportunities for New Zealand-based Super Rugby teams to play Japan League One outside of core DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition windows, and for the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens to play the Japan Sevens outside of existing tournaments.
In the women’s rugby space, opportunities will be discussed around the inclusion of some of Japan’s top women’s players to play in the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and Bunnings Warehouse Farah Palmer Cup competitions.
NEW ZEALAND AND JAPAN STRENGTHEN RUGBY RELATIONSHIP
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen the relationship between the two national unions and grow the game across the Asia Pacific region.The MoU will see the two unions explore strategic and commercial opportunities including more regular matches between the All Blacks, All Blacks XV and Māori All Blacks and Japan Rugby’s Brave Blossoms and Japan XV.
The All Blacks, Māori All Blacks and All Blacks XV will play the Brave Blossoms and Japan XV on a regular basis in Japan, from 2024 to 2027.
There will also be a commitment to explore opportunities for New Zealand-based Super Rugby teams to play Japan League One outside of core DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition windows, and for the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens to play the Japan Sevens outside of existing tournaments.
In the women’s rugby space, opportunities will be discussed around the inclusion of some of Japan’s top women’s players to play in the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki and Bunnings Warehouse Farah Palmer Cup competitions.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ NZR's brief is to always do what's best for rugby in NZ; RA's brief is to always do what's best for rugby in Australia. Sometimes those briefs will intetsect & be mutually beneficial, other times either will pursue whatever other opportunities come their way - article doesn't say who approached who but what if it was JRFU who got the ball rolling? Is NZR supposed to get RA in on the deal as well & risk JRFU walking away?
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Well to me it's probably a brand thing as much as anything for Japan, who gets more attention and so grow game in Japan? I also think it helps that NZR and Japan have already a good relationship,
I actually wonder if talks have been in background for a fair while, and has something to do with NZR originally not being keen on tying up for Super rugby until 2030, from what I read they wanted it to be until 2027? Would of opened foor for alternative comp etc?
I actually wonder if talks have been in background for a fair while, and has something to do with NZR originally not being keen on tying up for Super rugby until 2030, from what I read they wanted it to be until 2027? Would of opened foor for alternative comp etc?
Rugbyman2023
Peter Burge (5)
What’s thoughts on selections for the end of year squad
keeping in mind out of contention are
Sevu Reece - good chance to get selected as the 5th or 6th outside back but not in the best 23
Fletcher newell - was a good chance as well
Angus taavaou - fell away abit end of last year
George bower - slight chance
many smokies also predicting to get in?
keeping in mind out of contention are
Sevu Reece - good chance to get selected as the 5th or 6th outside back but not in the best 23
Fletcher newell - was a good chance as well
Angus taavaou - fell away abit end of last year
George bower - slight chance
many smokies also predicting to get in?
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ you don't think there's room for both WJ & SS if JBar is the first-pick 12?
They took five outside backs in 2015 & I think also five in 2015 so...
Clarke
Jordan
Stevenson
Still leaves room for one of Fainga'anuku or Narawa plus someone else.
They took five outside backs in 2015 & I think also five in 2015 so...
Clarke
Jordan
Stevenson
Still leaves room for one of Fainga'anuku or Narawa plus someone else.
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Rugbyman2023
Peter Burge (5)
Are tj perenara and Quinn teupue back in time? I think these guys were needing a good super rugby season to get a spot so may miss out with little game time before the cup
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
TJ is a chance I think, but Quinn Tupaea very little chance. Be surprised if TJ gets enough time to put his hand up anyway.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
^ AB 13 GOAT or very close thereto. FWIW 12-yo me wanted to be him, had my wrong-foot flick-pass down pat & everything...
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Razor Selects No Auckland Blues In First All Black XV
--June 2024---
New All Black coach Razor Robertson has today selected his first all Black XV. There appears to be not a single Auckland Blue. "Nothing personal," said the new coach. "But we're here to win. Not vanish when the heat goes on. My Cantabs teams played the Auckland Blues a few times and they are some of the dumbest people who ever lived. Again, nothing personal."
1. de Groot
2. Samisoni
3. Lomax
4. Scrote Barrett
5. Lord
6. Ethan Blackadder
7. Ardie Savea
8. Cullen Grace
9. Roigard
10. DMac
11. Leicester F
12. Jordie Barrett
13. T. Umaga Jensen
14. Shawn Stevenson
15. Will Jordan
Further to this, Robertson provided in-depth scouting reports of the discarded Blues All Blacks:
Ofa: penalty magnate and seems barely interested at the best of times.
Pat Tuipulotu: indecisive, passive passenger
Dalton Papali'i: decent player but the stink of being an Auckland Blue might permeate my new AB environment ergo FIRED
Hoskins Sotutu. Fuck all that fancy hands bullshit. How about winning a lineout pal.
Akira Ioane: LOL. This guy just walks from ruck to ruck.
Finlay Christie: pass is too ropey
Rieko Ioane. Can't pass the rugby football at all and, along with his brother, failed my No Dickheads In The AB's policy
Mark Telea: see D Paps.
Caleb Clarke: Total puttyhead. Dropped ball, defensive lapses. Go away.
--June 2024---
New All Black coach Razor Robertson has today selected his first all Black XV. There appears to be not a single Auckland Blue. "Nothing personal," said the new coach. "But we're here to win. Not vanish when the heat goes on. My Cantabs teams played the Auckland Blues a few times and they are some of the dumbest people who ever lived. Again, nothing personal."
1. de Groot
2. Samisoni
3. Lomax
4. Scrote Barrett
5. Lord
6. Ethan Blackadder
7. Ardie Savea
8. Cullen Grace
9. Roigard
10. DMac
11. Leicester F
12. Jordie Barrett
13. T. Umaga Jensen
14. Shawn Stevenson
15. Will Jordan
Further to this, Robertson provided in-depth scouting reports of the discarded Blues All Blacks:
Ofa: penalty magnate and seems barely interested at the best of times.
Pat Tuipulotu: indecisive, passive passenger
Dalton Papali'i: decent player but the stink of being an Auckland Blue might permeate my new AB environment ergo FIRED
Hoskins Sotutu. Fuck all that fancy hands bullshit. How about winning a lineout pal.
Akira Ioane: LOL. This guy just walks from ruck to ruck.
Finlay Christie: pass is too ropey
Rieko Ioane. Can't pass the rugby football at all and, along with his brother, failed my No Dickheads In The AB's policy
Mark Telea: see D Paps.
Caleb Clarke: Total puttyhead. Dropped ball, defensive lapses. Go away.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
The cupboard is bare. It's either him or the equally unproven Tupou Vaai or some real left-field rubbish like giant puttyhead Pari Pari Pants Parkinson.Josh Lord at 5 is a big call.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
Was stoked to hear Mark Robinson talking on Breakdown, saying ABs next year got Fiji and Poms in June, but also trying to get a teat played in Fiji after those tests, great for promoting game there. Won't be a moneymaker for NZR, it's to get game promoted more in Fiji, ,, but if they get FRU probs sorted it, it sounds like it a goer. Bloody good stuff!!
Was also interested that he was saying that 17,5% ($40 mill) of NZR's earnings go to provincial unions, wondered the amount.
Was also interested that he was saying that 17,5% ($40 mill) of NZR's earnings go to provincial unions, wondered the amount.
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