Ireland in NZ

[fishfoodie]

Mocker baiting aside lads, we'd bite the hand off for a solitary test win.

End of season all three provinces still in knockout contention ended on a massive downer. Hopefully can keep it competitive.

Yep !

At least they get some more time to recover physically, as they won't be in a final, but the question is if Farrell can get them mentally in the right place,

Should they go balls to the wall in the 1st test, as their best chance ?

[lemonhead]

Makes sense.

We also said that last time against Australia, but it was a far more evenly matched series. This one could go south very quickly with the extra games.

[fishfoodie]

Makes sense.

We also said that last time against Australia, but it was a far more evenly matched series. This one could go south very quickly with the extra games.

Change takes time.

It took us decades to beat NZ; it took us decades to get a win in the SH.

Maybe this time out we shake another monkey off our backs. it's a good time, as we've a good trend of results, & a good set of players, & the opposition are in a bit of a slump; relatively speaking.

I still reckon we'll lose the series, but a win is possible

[Ymx]

Decades?? It was over a century !

[fishfoodie]

Decades?? It was over a century !

ah yeah, but Munster ....

[Snooze]

Decades?? It was over a century !

ah yeah, but Munster ....

As my father-in-law says, "we were fuckin' lucky to get nil'". And the wonderful poster of Colm Tucker (may he RIP) on top of Haden in the Office Bar always made me laugh.

[Guy Smiley]

Decades?? It was over a century !

ah yeah, but Munster ....

[Dan54]

Decades?? It was over a century !

ah yeah, but Munster ....

Ah who could forget the mad men from Munster, and also same as 1973 draw!!
Irish didn't win that, but neither did ABs! And I still remember litening to it on radio!!

[Thor Sedan]

Am I a bad AB's supporter that part of me wants the AB's to get stuffed so pressure on Foster to go ramps up??

[Ymx]

Am I a bad AB's supporter that part of me wants the AB's to get stuffed so pressure on Foster to go ramps up??

I know the exact feeling

[Grandpa]

Well, I think it’s going to be very tough for our team. I hope our boys can handle the overall physicality and intensity you will bring.

I watch the Supe compared to NH rugby and scratch my head as to how most rucks in Supe are basically not contended. And so we often fall over when there’s ferocious disruption to our rucks, and combined with a blitz defence.

We have the worst coaching set up since I can remember. Who knows what records we will achieve this time. Argentina loss recently. Not many teams left who haven’t beaten us. I think Foster will be setting his targets for 22 on biggest ever loss margin. 22 points.

Couldn't agree more. I just hope the Irish aren't too tired.. and Foster gets a false sense of brilliance.

[Slick]

Decades?? It was over a century !

ah yeah, but Munster ....

like that a lot

[Guy Smiley]

Am I a bad AB's supporter that part of me wants the AB's to get stuffed so pressure on Foster to go ramps up??

You're certainly not alone in your views...

and I don't think this makes for a bad supporter. I think it's a reflection of the concerns a lot of us have regarding the direction Foster is taking things. Your post on the team naming articulated things superbly.

My concern extends to the running of the game here generally. The decision to grant an extension to Foster's contract early, with no results to speak of apart from some fumbling along coupled with justifications based on Covid effects was awkward at best. A year of bad results would put the blowtorch under a few comfortable seats... if that's what it takes to shake the board out of an apparent stupor then so be it.

[Enzedder]

It's strange but I notice a trend in the faux ABs fans - they seem to be Crusaders fans.

[fishfoodie]

Decades?? It was over a century !

I apologize to the ladies too; who got that Win, before them men, & on a much bigger stage than Chicago !

[Guy Smiley]

It's strange but I notice a trend in the faux ABs fans - they seem to be Crusaders fans.

Come to my work place in the Waikato and have a chat then. That will show you how strange your perception is. Of course, you could just read the comments sections around the country. I don't recommend that, by the way.

[Enzedder]

Oh, I'm not a Foster fan for a far better reason than you are not - but I still want the ABs to win well.

[Dan54]

Oh, I'm not a Foster fan for a far better reason than you are not - but I still want the ABs to win well.

Yep anyone who wants ABs to lose because they haven't got coach (or players)they want, aren't AB supporters as such, never have been never will be!

[Guy Smiley]

Oh, I'm not a Foster fan for a far better reason than you are not - but I still want the ABs to win well.

Yep anyone who wants ABs to lose because they haven't got coach (or players)they want, aren't AB supporters as such, never have been never will be!

Try reading what I wrote.

It's a lazy, unthinking label to throw at anyone who disagrees with

i) your view

ii) the policy of an organisation (in this case NZR)

as somehow being a false fan. It smacks of 'old man doesn't like differing opinions'. There is widespread concern around the country about where we're headed. It looks as if, and this is an historical pattern, some sort of catastrophic failure is needed to wake things up and get us moving in a better direction.

Do I want to see the ABs lose?

No, of course not. Does a part of me want to see that, as in Thor Sedan's post?

yeah... if that's what it's going to take to bring about improvement, then sadly, yes.

Wake up and smell the roses. No-one wants to lose... but a smart man doesn't support continued failures, either.

[Enzedder]

Far cough - you will jump for joy if the ABs lose and nothing you have written convinces me otherwise.

Having put up with the guy for over a decade, I know that doesn't work so I would rather they win well in spite of him, rather than to spite him

[Kiwias]

It's strange but I notice a trend in the faux ABs fans - they seem to be Crusaders fans.

[Kiwias]

Oh, I'm not a Foster fan for a far better reason than you are not - but I still want the ABs to win well.

Yep anyone who wants ABs to lose because they haven't got coach (or players)they want, aren't AB supporters as such, never have been never will be!

Damn right!!!

[Guy Smiley]

Far cough - you will jump for joy if the ABs lose and nothing you have written convinces me otherwise.

Having put up with the guy for over a decade, I know that doesn't work so I would rather they win well in spite of him, rather than to spite him

Rubbish. I hate losing. I’m looking at this whole fiasco with gritted teeth. I want to see players develop and do well, and I want to see that in a team that supports that happening, regardless of province, colour or gender.

[Thor Sedan]

Oh, I'm not a Foster fan for a far better reason than you are not - but I still want the ABs to win well.

Yep anyone who wants ABs to lose because they haven't got coach (or players)they want, aren't AB supporters as such, never have been never will be!

Hmmmm.....while I understand your point - my desire to have a better coach isn't a sign of my 'faux' fandom.

I have supported the AB's through positive, stratospheric and difficult times.

The one thing I have always thought is that the AB's as a collective have always been in solid hands - quality coaches, inventive playing systems and always an eye on innovation built around a solid base of skills and impact players.

But Foster doesn't offer that......at all. This isn't about me wanting the AB's to lose - it is about a NZ rugby fan failing to see how the current person in charge can move forward with his plan when his plan seems to be 'more of the same'. And this is following arguably the worst season of AB's rugby ever.

Northern Hemisphere teams are seemingly light years ahead with their play at the moment - and I don't reckon Foster is the guy to combat that. The AB's will fall behind if Foster stays......I don't want that as I want them to be the best team in the world - how does that make me less of a fan?

[Harveys]

this must be the AB squad of the lowest quality I have ever seen

Nothing more to be said really.

[Grandpa]

this must be the AB squad of the lowest quality I have ever seen

Nothing more to be said really.

1998 might rival them

[Gumboot]

Josh Lord has blown his ACL and is gone for the year.

[Guy Smiley]

Josh Lord has blown his ACL and is gone for the year.

FFS...

Robinson.

[Gumboot]

Josh Lord has blown his ACL and is gone for the year.

FFS...

Robinson.

They're not replacing him, which is understandable - they still have 4 locks for the 3-test series.

[Guy Smiley]

Fair enough... but you'd think while he might miss this series he's got to come into the frame for the rest of the season.

[Gumboot]

Fair enough... but you'd think while he might miss this series he's got to come into the frame for the rest of the season.

I'm sure he'll be in the frame, as will others like Grace and Frizell who have also played lock for their franchises. Gutted for Lord though - I was looking forward to him getting plenty of game time this year, with an eye to the next RWC and beyond.

[Guy Smiley]

Fair enough... but you'd think while he might miss this series he's got to come into the frame for the rest of the season.

I'm sure he'll be in the frame, as will others like Grace and Frizell who have also played lock for their franchises. Gutted for Lord though - I was looking forward to him getting plenty of game time this year, with an eye to the next RWC and beyond.

Yup, same.

[MungoMan]

All in all, a terrible idea.

The Irish would miss the comforts of home, including quick & easy trips to their euro neighbours.

The Kiwis would wonder what fresh hell had been visited upon them.

[Guy Smiley]

All in all, a terrible idea.

The Irish would miss the comforts of home, including quick & easy trips to their euro neighbours.

The Kiwis would wonder what fresh hell had been visited upon them.

We'd be fine. By now, most of us have either travelled to or lived in Australia.

[Kiwias]

Oh, I'm not a Foster fan for a far better reason than you are not - but I still want the ABs to win well.

Yep anyone who wants ABs to lose because they haven't got coach (or players)they want, aren't AB supporters as such, never have been never will be!

Hmmmm.....while I understand your point - my desire to have a better coach isn't a sign of my 'faux' fandom.

I have supported the AB's through positive, stratospheric and difficult times.

The one thing I have always thought is that the AB's as a collective have always been in solid hands - quality coaches, inventive playing systems and always an eye on innovation built around a solid base of skills and impact players.

But Foster doesn't offer that......at all. This isn't about me wanting the AB's to lose - it is about a NZ rugby fan failing to see how the current person in charge can move forward with his plan when his plan seems to be 'more of the same'. And this is following arguably the worst season of AB's rugby ever.

Northern Hemisphere teams are seemingly light years ahead with their play at the moment - and I don't reckon Foster is the guy to combat that. The AB's will fall behind if Foster stays......I don't want that as I want them to be the best team in the world - how does that make me less of a fan?

Enzed is on a troll mission and best ignored when he is in one of these moods.

[Enzedder]

I'm not trolling - I am pissed at what I see is the lack of support for the players.

The one thing I have always thought is that the AB's as a collective have always been in solid hands - quality coaches,

[cough] John Mitchell [cough]

[Dan54]

I'm not trolling - I am pissed at what I see is the lack of support for the players.

The one thing I have always thought is that the AB's as a collective have always been in solid hands - quality coaches,

[cough] John Mitchell [cough]

And John Hart, Wylie combo were a mess from start, but I never ever wanted the ABs to do anything but win well. Same as when they picked players I didn't agree with, always wanted players that were wrong went well!

[JM2K6]

Well, this is going to be weird. Plenty of us neutrals will be upset if NZ lose, and Guy Smiley and pals will be punching the air in delight. Topsy turvy forumming.

[Kiwias]

I'm not trolling - I am pissed at what I see is the lack of support for the players.

The one thing I have always thought is that the AB's as a collective have always been in solid hands - quality coaches,

[cough] John Mitchell [cough]

Super Rugby over now and the ABs have my total and unwavering support (even with that stupid muppet in charge).

[Guy Smiley]

Well, this is going to be weird. Plenty of us neutrals will be upset if NZ lose, and Guy Smiley and pals will be punching the air in delight. Topsy turvy forumming.

Yeah...

punching

air

delight



yeah.