The Silver Fern

Probably not enough credit been given to our 4 young props that did the business tonight. Scrum was dominant and lineout was excellent.

Add to that the long time in camp has shed the kilos off DeGroot and Williams. Both look much fitter and slimmer out there.

Having experienced more than enough suicides in my life I really do feel for the family. Those in grief can't help but feel guilty and you always wonder if you could have done something earlier to prevent it.

Mental health is a disease that is only really starting to get the recognition it deserves, and one could argue a lack of media in the past is one of the reasons we have been so slow to act.

I did 10 years in the Cops and never once spoke to a mental health professional, even after my boss hung himself and I was on duty when it happened. I was always surprised I had to be tested each year to carry a firearm yet no checks were done on my mental health to use the thing.

All I can hope are cases like this are used in a way to encourage those with the illness to reach out for help.

Has TAB released odds on the different types of injuries that Blackadder might pick up?

This must be how Wallaby supporters feel.

I have very fond memories of staying at my grandparents house when the All Blacks were playing in the UK. I would sleep on the couch in the lounge, my grandmother would set an alarm, get up, wake me up, put on the TV and then pretend to be interested in the Rugby. She is long dead now but credit to her for letting a young bloke watch his idols in the middle of the night.

@ACT-Crusader said in RWC QF: All Blacks v Ireland:

Scoreboard pressure means something aye!

The fact they needed a try and Jordie had nailed that penalty to get it out to 4 points meant they couldn’t set up for a droppie.

We can’t underestimate how important Aaron Smith was at the end of the game. You can hear him just barking to our boys to get up and realign after each ruck. He would’ve had a point to prove after the YC. Thanks Nuggie, you are an AB legend.

Did you see him yell at Savea to get up out of the ruck when Savea was complaining to the ref. Smith is the heart of this team for sure.

I still feel for Razor, all the dreams and aspirations of being an AB's head coach, get the gig, only for it to backfire horribly and be fired. That has to be tough on any human. Given Foster and now Razor the AB's head coaching gig is starting to turn into the same thing we saw at the Wallabies.

@Steven-Harris said in SF Blues v Brumbies:

@chimoaus i looks pretty daming , yes there may have been other calls that could have gone either way during the game , but you know what a team has time rectify any wrong doings ..but that call could have changed everything ..will take the win as a Blues supporter , but i will say i would have had no issues if the call had gone the other way ..

Every incorrect/marginal call has a sliding doors moment that could heavily impact the outcome. If White was carded for cynical play on the ground or the Brumbies try was disallowed it would have had an impact. The call was 50/50 and the Blues got the rub of the green. If the Brumbies had held onto the ball instead of going for the drop goal they may have got a penalty and won.

Sport will always have these moments and good teams take it out of the hand of the ref and focus on their roles and what they can do next.

I must admit to yelling at the screen when they took the tap instead of kicking for touch and milking the clock. That choice almost cost them the game.

If I get bored of pornhub I’ll just watch that first 20.

I like QT, he needs more time at this level.

At end of the day we won the series 2-0 vs a very strong English team. The key now is if this coaching group can address the obvious issues with personnel and game plan.

I think the big take away from the game should be copying how Australia make so many metres through the close channels and the forwards. Australia really was their own worst enemy with missed touch, penalties etc. When they actually held onto the ball, they really did make it look simple.

According to espn Bridge made 15 runs for 117 metres, most metres by any player, Reece had 11 for 54 but had 8 defenders beaten to Bridges 4. But combined these two young wingers were exceptional.

Fozzie: "Brownie, you up for being my assistant?", Brown: "Sorry Fozzie, Jamie and I are having a crack."
Fozzie: "Jamie, great job with Japan, I still think I'm the better coach so do you want to be my 2IC?", Joseph: "Fuck off Fozzie!"
Fozzie: "Coops Bra, you want to be my 2IC?". Cooper: "Sorry Fozzie, King Country need a new head coach."
Fozzie: "Razor, great job with the Crusaders, I think I need your dance skills", Razor " Fozzie, the backs were shit at the WC, I can do better and I am a forwards coach."
Fozzie: "Hammet, our forwards got smashed, you are the man for the job", Hammet:"When do I start"

Just in case anyone missed his chat with Savea on Youtube earlier in the year, looks like he battled some demons mentally which impacted his rugby. To his credit it appears as if 2020 has been a rebuilding which has led to his start. I hope he goes well.

Perhaps we put too much emphasis on 6 at the lineout? Think of our two recent shit the bed moments in the world cup, playing Scooter at 6 vs England for his lineout ability. Play Vaai for his lineout ability. Both times it backfired, I think maybe the core roles of a 6 should trump the lineout first. That is moving bodies, making metres and just adding some mongrel.

@Chris said in All Blacks v Pumas 1:

Cheika even thinks Robertson is a great coach a piece from the Pumas press conference.

He’d been asked about No 8 Pablo Matera, who helped the Crusaders win a record-extending 13th Super Rugby crown this year, and played a big hand in a superb performance by the Pumas’ loose forwards

“I think that the Crusaders have made a really huge mark, and Scott Robertson has made a really huge mark on Pablo. He came here to learn more about rugby, didn't come here for money or anything like that, and it shows the quality of the franchise and the coaching here, he's come back a heaps better player - mentally and technically.

That is some A level mind games right there, well played Cheika.

I wonder if the English will vote for 20 minutes reds next time.

The ability of Dmac to follow a clear script from the coach was obvious tonight. We have always worried about his inability to do stupid. Tonight he showed exactly how he can play test match footy.