boyo
Mark Ella (57)
Mark Hammett named Cardiff Blues director of rugby
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27464952
NZ Match Reports
- Thread starter Dismal Pillock
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Mark Hammett named Cardiff Blues director of rugby
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27464952
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Cruden says he's good to go v 'canes this week. They meanwhile are sweating on Barrett's hip injury & lack of a match-ready 10 & goal kicker. I think the 'canes were fucked already, this just makes it more likely.
I see O'D has been cleared of gouging but can't find any update on Deysel, other than that he & Taufua have officially made up. Which is nice, but when does the dirty mofo's case get heard?
I see O'D has been cleared of gouging but can't find any update on Deysel, other than that he & Taufua have officially made up. Which is nice, but when does the dirty mofo's case get heard?
Bairdy
Peter Fenwicke (45)
What happened to the Tasman Makos 10 Marty Banks? Is he injured?
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Over to you, Alama Ieramia:
"That's the issue we have to face this week," Ieremia said yesterday. "We have two specialist first five-eighth's in Marty Banks and James Marshall, but its about asking, do we go with somebody who has played there before and is game hardened in [Tim Bateman]?
"Those discussions we will debate later on today. There are pros and cons both ways."
It's a tricky call that could have huge ramifications for the Hurricanes season.
Bateman is a second five-eighth, has struggled with knee and shoulder injuries, and has been limited in his ability to punt the ball since injuring his knee during the pre-season.
Banks probably started the season as Barrett's backup, but after being used in the opening five matches, hasn't been sighted since having a difficult night at fullback during the loss to the Highlanders in round six.
Marshall too has been out for much of the year with a toe injury and hasn't been used since back to back starts, both at fullback, against the Brumbies and Cheetahs in weeks four and five.
Still no decision one way or t'other, I guess they'll give Bogan as much time as possible & make the call tomorrow.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Tjarks bring back veteran openside Botes:
Sharks – 15 SP Marais, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 S’bura Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, (c) 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Heimar Williams.
Interesting that Botes leapfrogs Kankowski and Daniel.
I think we could see Kanko and Daniel on early in the second half with Alberts moving to lock.
Sharks – 15 SP Marais, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 S’bura Sithole, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Tera Mtembu, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, (c) 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Dale Chadwick, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ryan Kankowski, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Heimar Williams.
Interesting that Botes leapfrogs Kankowski and Daniel.
I think we could see Kanko and Daniel on early in the second half with Alberts moving to lock.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Three key games "back home" this week, if for varying reasons.
First off the Blues can do rugby in general & the Brumbies or Waratahs & Chiefs or Crusaders in particular a huge favour if they're finally able to pull of the Paremoremo jail break @DismalPillock has been promising all season. Almost certainly won't happen but fuck me imagine if it did. Shorks, sadly, by a few.
Even the Dominion-Post's rugby writer must know the 'canes season is over & will admit as much when they lose again. I just hope Bogan's there because his hip is good to go, not because Hammett & Co are deluded enough to think they're still in with a shout. That said, looking forward to Bogan & AC scrapping it out for first shot at the AB #10 shirt. Chiefs by not as many as you'd expect & every chance both will pick up a 4-try BP.
And finally my lot, who should be ashamed of themselves for what transpired at AMI last week, have a chance to make amends. Clan will obviously back themselves at home, esp as Todd's decided to bench his entire starting front tow from last week (Q: if they're better, why haven't they been starting already? A: fucked if I know but we have to be seen to be doing something, Frank's has been average these last few weeks, Flynn's outa here soon anyhow & Crockett has as many flaws as good points so, hey, why not). Heart says my lot by plenty, head says my lot by enough!
First off the Blues can do rugby in general & the Brumbies or Waratahs & Chiefs or Crusaders in particular a huge favour if they're finally able to pull of the Paremoremo jail break @DismalPillock has been promising all season. Almost certainly won't happen but fuck me imagine if it did. Shorks, sadly, by a few.
Even the Dominion-Post's rugby writer must know the 'canes season is over & will admit as much when they lose again. I just hope Bogan's there because his hip is good to go, not because Hammett & Co are deluded enough to think they're still in with a shout. That said, looking forward to Bogan & AC scrapping it out for first shot at the AB #10 shirt. Chiefs by not as many as you'd expect & every chance both will pick up a 4-try BP.
And finally my lot, who should be ashamed of themselves for what transpired at AMI last week, have a chance to make amends. Clan will obviously back themselves at home, esp as Todd's decided to bench his entire starting front tow from last week (Q: if they're better, why haven't they been starting already? A: fucked if I know but we have to be seen to be doing something, Frank's has been average these last few weeks, Flynn's outa here soon anyhow & Crockett has as many flaws as good points so, hey, why not). Heart says my lot by plenty, head says my lot by enough!
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
I'm hoping for option (b) but becoming increasingly worried that it's (a). Kinda reminds me of the premature end to the woulda-been-great Jock Hobbs' career.
teach
Trevor Allan (34)
ACT Crusader
Jim Lenehan (48)
Not under the new engagement protocols. Crockett is far more effective.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Missed that. Here's hoping he's well enough to pass the final concussion test & be available next week. I was a bit surprised to see he's already racked up 61 Tests, if I'd had to guess I'd have thought he had 40-odd, shows how many Tests they play these days & how relatively injury-free KR has been thus far.
This just in:
"Zac Guildford has been cut loose by the Crusaders.
Rarely do Super Rugby franchises cut players mid-season but the Crusaders and Guildford, who has been disgruntled at not getting any game-time for the franchise, have agreed to part ways to allow the international wing to prepare for his move to Clermont.
Guildford signed a two-year deal - with an option of a third - with the French club last summer and was expected to join them after the Super Rugby season ended.
But the Press understands both parties have agreed on a split and it will become official when the New Zealand Rugby Union terminates the former All Black's contract."
Sad end to his NZ career, for now anyway - he's still only 25 so in theory could come back from France at 27 & have a second crack at Super Rugby if he wanted to.
Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
OK. Those young props look the bollocks.
Must say Crocket contorts his body into all sorts of weird shaped angles. Never seen a loosehead who can scrum with his left hip whilst remaining bound.
badabing59
Cyril Towers (30)
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