The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Shit, bugger and ballocks! I overslept then forgot completely about the rugby! Now I've seen the result and it looks like a cracking game...

Daft Old Plonker...

Yes, it was a good game "Girly No-Knob" Smith missed a couple of sitters which in a one-point match will not be looked back on favourably. That said, NZ missed a couple of kicks themselves - in the dying minutes not even able to take the penalty as McKenzie ran out of time on the "Shot Clock" - absolutely criminal at this level.

NZ looked a bit rusty and didn't truly click, but in all honesty England's Rush Defence was that good, NZ weren't able to at times. There were warning signs though in that using that type of defence, just the one missed tackle can leave you in serious trouble.

The afore mentioned "Girly" had a decent game, Ben Earl was superb (despite missing a tackle which led to a try - see above), and Furbank put in a hell of a display especially in defence. The NZ forwards won the day at the breakdown and scrum (Marler off very early), with Captain Barrett having a cracker as did the Backrow.

NZ need to step-up a gear and England need to make some fixes before Auckland next week - looking forward to that one!!

Next up Australia vs Wales - two very new look sides. Wales looking for a first win in 8 attempts Australia looking to answer their many critics after the RWC.

[PeteC]

I think McKenzie got spoiled, as did all the SuperRugby teams this year. All the games I watched many were late with their kicks, and not once did I see a whistle blow. No, they were not 10 seconds over, but for sure 1 to 5. The refs simply didn't seem to care that much, although plenty of "20 seconds" verbal alerts.

[pharvey]

I think McKenzie got spoiled, as did all the SuperRugby teams this year. All the games I watched many were late with their kicks, and not once did I see a whistle blow. No, they were not 10 seconds over, but for sure 1 to 5. The refs simply didn't seem to care that much, although plenty of "20 seconds" verbal alerts.

There was a comment made by one of the pundits at the time which I agree with - "It's not the referee's job to be a timekeeper for the kicker"...

[PeteC]

McKenzie is also famous for his cameo pre-kick camera close up grin which the fans seem to love. He's been doing it forever right before his run up. He may need to rethink his timing now!

[pharvey]

McKenzie is also famous for his cameo pre-kick camera close up grin which the fans seem to love. He's been doing it forever right before his run up. He may need to rethink his timing now!

His coach certainly wasn't "grinning"!!

[PeteC]

I don't like Robertson, never have. I think a poor pick for The All Blacks regardless of his success with the Crusaders. But, that's what happens I guess when good talent isn't available. I''m not bitter, just don't like the guy or his ego.

[pharvey]

Was looking like an utter hammering for Wales at 20 minutes - might still be... The penalty count was ludicrous, 7 - 1 against, Australia with a far superior scrum, fiercely contesting (and winning) the lineout and then..... At 13-3, Wales have a kickable penalty and decided to go for the corner - stupidity at best IMHO, but came away with a Penalty Try after 3 successive penalties, resulting in 7 points for Wales and a Yellow Card for Australia...

It changed the game in some respects, but I suspect Australia will target Wales even more with their forward power in the 2nd half due to the increasingly wet conditions. Wales need to avoid scrums....

[pharvey]

I suspect Australia will target Wales even more with their forward power in the 2nd half due to the increasingly wet conditions. Wales need to avoid scrums....

My "Gypsy-like" prediction was a tad off - some strange changes by Australia at HT IMHO.

Wales must take some positives from this - their defence was mixed in the first quarter, but much improved thereafter, I thought the Backrow played extremely well and Tshiunza had his moments (although the odd one not beneficial). Thomas was sound at Flyhalf despite only playing 3 (I believe) matches there professionally. The pundits felt Costello did a far better job - I disagree.

Our scrum is a disaster - we can't possibly contest matches at this level at the moment. As such, we have few chances to get our (suspect at times) Backline running. We have zero strength in depth in the Front-row and even those hinting towards a decent career at "Age Group Rugby" are nicked by the Lillywhites with College scholarships and promises of fame and riches (as long as you sign "THAT" contract)..... Sorry, Soapbox moment

Australia looking better, but much still to do. A big hand to the "Lynagh Family" though - Sons of Australian great Michael, Tom gained his first Cap for Australia today, Louis went the other way and chose to play for Italy (both born in Italy, to Italian mother Isabella).

[dtaai-maai]

I've just seen Scotland's summer schedule. While all the other home nations are testing themselves against the best in the world, Scotland beat Canada yesterday and have games coming up against the USA, Chile and Uruguay...

[pharvey]

Well, Rugby galore on again this weekend - at it even avoids that "Other Match" in Berlin! The U20's World Rugby Championship nears its end - in a difference to Senior Rugby, the U20's World Championship has "Placement Games" for all teams that did not qualify for the Semi-Finals. Of course, it's the latter that hold the interest and Sunday's two matches could well be a couple of crackers: -
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U20-Semi-1.JPG (12.06 KiB) Viewed 1204 times

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But then, there's always "SUPER STURDAY"!!
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[pharvey]

Firstly... DM, SET YOUR FECKING ALARM! I shall send a reminder come 8:00 AM......

The "Blackness" vs The "Lillywhites" could be quite the game!! It's been single points or there abouts for a couple now, though playing at Eden Park where the AB's remain unbeaten for 30 years (and 46 matches) will be some undertaking.

I'd love to see NZ lose that record, just not to the "Lillywhites"..

In all seriousness, I thought England played bl**dy well and were truly unlucky in certain aspects in the First Test - That said, NZ didn't truly click and the extra week could well make the diference for them. Nancy Boy at Fly-Half for England missed a couple of sitters, but I don't expext that to be repeated and there are certainly other capable place-kickers. Feyi-wasa-Welshman had his moments but I think NZ will close him down more-so than they did in the 1st Test. Turnovers in the forwards will be key I think...

Australia vs Wales: -

There are changes due to injuries for Wales - the loss of Aaron Wainwright is quite frankly a bloody disaster. Carried further, tackled more and linked passes more than anyone on the field last week!! Yes, we have cover in Botham, but he's not in the same league. Our Front Five were destroyed last week in the 1st Half and will be once again on Saturday - quite possibly in both Halves. Our Centers are simply not working or connecting with our Halfbacks.... And we refuse to change any bloody tactics!!

Truly grateful for what Gatland did for Wales during his first time here and more than willing to give him time to try and rebuild our National Team. BUT, , things are not working and we seem to be going around in circles at best, more likely heading backwards. "Partnerships" , Centers, Halfbacks, 2nd Row.... None seem to be working. Experiments over (players out of position), we need a win!! Wales are now 11th in the IRB Rankings and 1 loss away from equalling our worse record ever - fairly likely this coming weekend.

And BTW - ENGLAND, STOP NICKING OUR FECKING PLAYERS!!

[dtaai-maai]

Firstly... DM, SET YOUR FECKING ALARM! I shall send a reminder come 8:00 AM......

I've got a post-it note on my keyboard. Of course, I wrote 'cricket' originally but never mind...

[pharvey]

Firstly... DM, SET YOUR FECKING ALARM! I shall send a reminder come 8:00 AM......

I've got a post-it note on my keyboard. Of course, I wrote 'cricket' originally but never mind...

Didn't realise "Post-its" could actually wake you up - after all these years, I've just missed so much!! Can you also set the "Alarm Tone"?

[dtaai-maai]

Can you also set the "Alarm Tone"?

Yes, it's Bread of Heaven...

[PeteC]

All Blacks vs England Game #2 starting now on TRUE channel 669.