NPR

that's more like it. Run it!!

Nice for the Irish wing to gently kick it them the say ‘after you’

Oh vok, that kick.

Touch judge was right imo, it was a knock up with the intention of regathering but didn’t go right.

Cards. I fecking hate them with a passion. Especially for something like that. I have turned over to the tiddlywinks champs

One of the worst kicking displays I have ever seen. I know the wind is a factor.....but jeesh.

Maoris keep kicking. They must run. The Irish play this one very well. Keep it close.

Thor Sedan wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 8:49 am One of the worst kicking displays I have ever seen. I know the wind is a factor.....but jeesh.

Why are they even choosing to kick at this stage. It's like throwing in the towel.

We need more of this matches. Dirt trackers become legends, always did.

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 8:52 am

Thor Sedan wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 8:49 am One of the worst kicking displays I have ever seen. I know the wind is a factor.....but jeesh.

Why are they even choosing to kick at this stage. It's like throwing in the towel.

I guess Ireland defensively are a tough wall to break - and they are very good at the breakdown which maybe means running and going into contact isn't always going to be the best plan.

The Maori team used to be about 'baabaas' rugby - chuck it around - a little razzle dazzle. But they seem to be taking the jersey pretty seriously now - a lot of mana attached to it. Which is fair enough - but if you are going to play a tactical game - make sure you implement effectively.

Well done Ireland, that was an emphatic win.

Irish rugby look in very good shape. The best it was ever.

Has Foster been helping out with the Maori this week? Their performance bears all the hallmarks of his touch.

Ioane should go back to Dunners. He's gone so far backwards under McMillan he's almost in last century, and is currently making even BB look like a master 10.

Every game that goes by further reveals the absurdity of Sowakula being in the ABs and Grace not.

Ioane was quite good under McMillan last week in stark contrast to his usual form, which is diabolical.

He’s faded right out of the picture for NZ 10s over the last couple of years.

Guy Smiley wrote: Sun Jun 19, 2022 1:44 am

Enzedder wrote: Sun Jun 19, 2022 1:23 am

Kiwias wrote: Sat Jun 18, 2022 10:10 am

You really need to stop drinking Enzed's cool-aid.

The funny part is that Ymx posted "evidence" of my assertion straight after you - then realised what he had said and deleted it.

He doesn't know that I can see the post he deleted.

I know you guys will celebrate an ABs loss if it gets rid of Fozzie. I just hope that the Canterblacks don't think like you

So, you're all for blind support of the national team because you claim to support the players but Fuck Canterbury.

Righto.

Enz’s unwavering support aged well.

Enzedder wrote: Sat Jul 09, 2022 10:50 pm

Gumboot wrote: Sat Jul 09, 2022 10:23 pm Well unlike you Dan, I was extremely disappointed with the result, and very concerned that it was our third loss from our last four tests. Simply not good enough.

I don't think I will bother to watch next week. They have lost me.

Much as I despise O'Mahony, his sledge of Kane was pretty good. And frankly, spot on.

Biffer wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 3:43 pm Much as I despise O'Mahony, his sledge of Kane was pretty good. And frankly, spot on.

Cane

Snooze wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 4:32 pm

Biffer wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 3:43 pm Much as I despise O'Mahony, his sledge of Kane was pretty good. And frankly, spot on.

Cane

Maybe he was dissing Harry?

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 6:25 pm

Snooze wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 4:32 pm

Biffer wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 3:43 pm Much as I despise O'Mahony, his sledge of Kane was pretty good. And frankly, spot on.

Cane

Maybe he was dissing Harry?

Big Daddy… not a music fan perhaps

You know something is wrong when Mark Reason keeps speaking sense.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opi ... ks-kickers

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:27 pm You know something is wrong when Mark Reason keeps speaking sense.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opi ... ks-kickers

You got that wrong Grandpa, it should say
You know something wrong when you read Mark Reason, and think he speaks sense . I just don't bother with his articles anymore.

Dan54 wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 8:00 pm

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:27 pm You know something is wrong when Mark Reason keeps speaking sense.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opi ... ks-kickers

You got that wrong Grandpa, it should say
You know something wrong when you read Mark Reason, and think he speaks sense . I just don't bother with his articles anymore.

Isn't that what I said?

...it was a poor selection of a young man who is not quite ready for this level of footy. Fainga’anuku’s defence was exposed a couple of times in the Super Rugby season, so it was bound to be found out by a top international team.

Pretty much echoes what I said during Supe. Not that I think Clarke's any smarter on D... imho left wing's an issue if they're our best two options there.

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 10:37 pm

...it was a poor selection of a young man who is not quite ready for this level of footy. Fainga’anuku’s defence was exposed a couple of times in the Super Rugby season, so it was bound to be found out by a top international team.

Pretty much echoes what I said during Supe. Not that I think Clarke's any smarter on D... imho left wing's an issue if they're our best two options there.

Uhhhh….

Rieko

Guy Smiley wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 1:33 am

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 10:37 pm

...it was a poor selection of a young man who is not quite ready for this level of footy. Fainga’anuku’s defence was exposed a couple of times in the Super Rugby season, so it was bound to be found out by a top international team.

Pretty much echoes what I said during Supe. Not that I think Clarke's any smarter on D... imho left wing's an issue if they're our best two options there.

Uhhhh….

Rieko

OK, he's our best left wing, but he's also our best centre and that's where he wants to play. I think he's done more than enough to prove he's a test starter in his preferred position, and it would be a mistake to move him now.

Best centre?

Rieko?

Who else?

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:27 pm You know something is wrong when Mark Reason keeps speaking sense.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opi ... ks-kickers

Someone in the comments: "Bring in Tom Robinson."

Niegs wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 2:55 am

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:27 pm You know something is wrong when Mark Reason keeps speaking sense.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opi ... ks-kickers

Someone in the comments: "Bring in Tom Robinson."

Danger, danger Will Robinson!

I wouldn't replace Scott Barrett at 6 with Tom...

Gumboot wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 2:40 amWho else?

You need to ask Guy? Goodhue of course.

You do wonder if the Irish backs would have as much joy if ALB and Goodhue were the defending centres out there. I wonder if playing Goodhue at 12 inside Rieko would help with organisation?

I just wanted to call Gumboot on his somewhat amusing claim…

Id have ALB and Goodhue as better centre options than Rieko, but there’s a slightly larger question to be asked here, and it’s a question for all NZ rugby fans.

Why do we allow ourselves to be so easily convinced that players who dominate in one position can be moved to another and assumed to do the same.

Is it a collective blindness?

Grandpa wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 7:36 am

Gumboot wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 2:40 amWho else?

You need to ask Guy? Goodhue of course.

You do wonder if the Irish backs would have as much joy if ALB and Goodhue were the defending centres out there. I wonder if playing Goodhue at 12 inside Rieko would help with organisation?

Rieko's development at 13 has been a rare positive of Foster's tenure - personally think we'd be mad to move him now. I like Goodhue and hope he gets picked at 12 tomorrow. They'll probably go with Havili though, who I'd much prefer was on the bench.

Guy Smiley wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 8:01 amI just wanted to call Gumboot on his somewhat amusing claim…

Gosh, I consider myself well and truly called, Guy. Admonished, even.

So just to be clear, you're saying you don't rate Rieko as a test centre...merely as a transplanted wing?

I don’t think he’s our best centre, which was your claim.

I do think he’s our best left wing, which you claimed was a problem for us.

Yeah whatever, this is all getting a bit circular tbh... anyway, we'll find out what the selectors think tomorrow.

Pressure on Foster has just stepped up a notch.

Uncle fester wrote: Wed Jul 13, 2022 3:48 pm Pressure on Foster has just stepped up a notch.

Click bait... This implies the NZ Rugby Board is thinking of making a change... when actually it's just the author saying they might!

There are a lot more negative views appearing in the media with some pretty pointed criticsm, which is all fair enough and countered by many who are defending Foster, suggesting the disruption of Covid cases has thrown him a difficult curve ball.

One article I read a few days back (sorry, can't remember where or who wrote it, probably in Stuff) suggested that any move to remove Foster now (very unlikely) would mean the board of NZR, or more specifically whoever signed off on Foster's contract extension, having to admit they got it wrong...

and that ain't likely, folks.

NZ would have to lose on Saturday.. get thrashed twice in the Republic... Lose the Bledisloe to Australia... And lose to Scotland in the autumn.. before Foster is asked to reapply for his position...

Team naming day.

If Whitelock's fit, I'd like to see the same starting XV as the first test, with Scooter at blindside.