New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Dismal Pillock]

NZHurld are reporting an unconfirmed story out of Japan that Sam Cane has a back injury that will sideline him for up to ten weeks. Source is an expat journo who's lived there for years & is well connected with Japanese rugby so I'm picking the info is solid.

Rich Freeman? If so very solid guy.

Week 2 AB 9's Watch

1 Roigard
2 Barkays Fakatava
3 Ratima
4 Viljoen the bogan bok pygmy has really got something
5 Christie
6 Nock
7 Funaki
8 Roe. his white line fever ignoring Stevenson outside him to totally botch that potential alltime rugby football try was a war crime against all humanity
9 Perenara
10 Hotham LOL

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Rich Freeman? If so very solid guy.

Yup.

 

[Dan54]

Real interested to read that Gallagher Insurance are to be partners of the NPC comp in a 3 year deal. Seems the comp still being sponsored by Bunnings (and be called that), but Gallagher have come in with the NPC provinces and they setting up own marketing etc, even got to point of talking maybe taking the comp to tv in seperate deal. The Gallagher Ins is the one from Gallagher Prem in NH and all teams will have their logo on jersey etc. They reckon there a few more parties they talking to, and seem to be almost setting up similar to Super rugby commission, kind of lead on after the NZR report that suggested NPC needed to be trimmed. I like it a lot, a real lot.
NPC baby the way forward!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ anything the Unions can do to make themselves less dependent on NZR funding gets my vote. Also frees up some resources for grassroots up to & including Heartland.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The stoush between NZR & the member Unions looks to be coming to a head:

NZ Rugby chair Dame Patsy Reddy threatens resignation over boardroom standoff

Former governor-general threatens to resign as NZ Rugby chair if reform isn't achieved.

www.nzherald.co.nz

TLDR: NZR want a Board of nine fully independent directors; at least some of the Unions want three of them to have at least two years experience at provincial board level; NZR Chair Dame Patsy Reddy has threatened/ promised to resign if the Unions don't fall into line; a Special General Meeting will probably be needed to sort it all out

 

[zer0]

Reddy seems to talk a lot of sense whenever she is quoted, so would much rather trust her recommendations than those of the provincial blazer brigades.

 

[Dan54]

Something I read this morning that pleased me no end, kind of what I like to see Silver Lake money used for. Kids paying no subs ? Works for me, though I personally know a few clubs that have that anyway! But hopefully whole unions would be great. Also esp in CM where the biggest RL presence probably is.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dismal Pillock]

the 1st Razor AB side I want to see:

1 Lomax
2 Oddjob Aumua
3 Groot
4 Scrote
5 Paper Tiger Pat. has he finally worked it out?
6 Finau. that nasty shoulder is reminiscent of Jerry Collins ffs
7 DPaps
8 Ardie I suppose but ffs just choose Akira or Sotutu u dickheadz
9 Roigard
10 DMac
11 CC. has he finally worked it out too? fuck Reece. cnuts leaving he can jog on
12 Jordie. still really not sure about this dingus. basically lost the World Cup Final and got zero blowback. Charmed life
13 Rieko
14 Telea
15 Will Jordan

 

[Dan54]

We DP, with Roigard gone, I reckon TJ will get job, none of others have put a stake in ground. Jordan won't be fit , so would be happy with Love , but don't tell anyone but basically agree with rest.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

"Sam Whitelock To Make Shock Return to NZ Rugby" update:

Whitelock announces retirement from rugby

Sam Whitelock will end his career after the French club season.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Can see him being fast-tracked into AB setup as a specialist coach/ mentor if he's interested in such a role. Or he might just head back to the farm.

 

[Dan54]

"Sam Whitelock To Make Shock Return to NZ Rugby" update:

Whitelock announces retirement from rugby

Sam Whitelock will end his career after the French club season.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Can see him being fast-tracked into AB setup as a specialist coach/ mentor if he's interested in such a role. Or he might just head back to the farm.

Thank god it put to bed, forums and internet were screwing that story somewhat. I said that I had a feeling Sam was having the same thoughts as Anton Oliver when he went, and seems it is case. Just wasn't for him living and playing in France, his agent sent out feelers, Razor apparently spoke to him, said he was welcome back , but no guarantee of AB spot, but Sam thinking it time to call it day!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Da fuq?

Crusaders playmaker Fergus Burke signs three-year deal with Saracens​

Had thought he was a potential AB but as he's England eligible suspect we'll be seeing him in Test footy sooner than expected...

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Roidard gone for year!! Patella tendon ruptures, so 6 months at least. Bugger!!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ plus however long it takes for it to stop being in the back of his mind everytime he wants or needs to put it under stress e.g. sudden acceleration/ deceleration/ change of direction.

 

[Dctarget]

Really unfortunate. Was going to be his season, the AB jersey was all but his.

 

[Wilson]

It's been in the works for a while, but the days of the Adidas balls are officially done:

Gilbert announces deal with New Zealand Rugby

www.nzrugby.co.nz

Gilbert has come onboard as New Zealand's official ball supplier.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Revealed: Ian Foster lands first coaching role after leaving All Blacks

The former All Blacks coach has been out of work since last year's World Cup final.

www.nzherald.co.nz

The Herald understands Foster is expected to rekindle his coaching partnership with Steve fucking Hansen at wealthy Japanese club Toyota Verblitz.

haha, the ONLY person who would give this clueless dipshit a job..... his old mate Steve "supposed to leave in 2017 but massive ego ensured he hung around for 2 more years to fuck up his legacy, then monster sharted his legacy completely by nepo babying a career loser into the AB head coaching job" Hansen.....

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

JBar has re-signed until 2028 but will miss Super Rugby 2025 for a playing sabbatical with Leinster. He's the first player to sign a deal beyond RWC 2027.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

JBar has re-signed until 2028 but will miss Super Rugby 2025 for a playing sabbatical with Leinster. He's the first player to sign a deal beyond RWC 2027.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Good to see he has done it with disussions between NZR/Razor and Leinster club, obviously not wanting a burnt out wreck coming back. Even as a Canes man I happy with this, we got a bit of midfield cover, and can understand JB wanting to do it, have heard him say he wanted to spend a decent time in Ireland after living there as a kid.

 

[zer0]

Can hardly go wrong being coached by Leinster and playing in Europe for six months. Surely more beneficial than farting around in Japan.