The Silver Fern

@MN5 said in Aaron Smith naughty boy?:

@Stargazer said in Aaron Smith naughty boy?:

@taniwharugby said in Aaron Smith naughty boy?:

@Stargazer wtf are you on about? did you watch it, no way would anyone recognize her form the image they posted.

You really are a picky little fluffybunny arent you!

Apparently, bolding the word 'him' is too subtle for you?

I meant Smith. He's a man-slut from all I've heard about him over the years.

Dude, the word is "stud".........how can you not know that ? sounds like someone needs a bit of impromptu toilet action.

Hey old timer, no-one under 35 uses that word anymore.
It's called "skux" these days.

It's funny how people are talking up the Boks defence..

They gave up 6 tries.. If the AB's had a goalkicker, they would have won..

@nepia said in NPC Final - Auckland vs Canterbury (free entry):

@chris-b And there you are - thought you'd been abducted by aliens. Following the same reasoning I am impressed with how Foster built the Chiefs so that Rennie could win with them.

It was also impressive how Vance Stewart set up the Crusaders in 1996 so that Wayne Smith could benefit and eventually win in 1998.

The work that Jed Rowlands and Frank Oliver did in setting up the Blues for Sloane/Henry to win in 2003 was impressive too.

Also, it was great how Hammett got rid of Nonu so that he could rebuild the team for four years of mediocrity and this allowed Boyd to bring Nonu back to get the Canes to the finals and set them up for the win the following year.

Nick White must be pleased with Auckland's win on the weekend. He built that team. Get that man a coaching gig in Ta$man.

@booboo said in Hurricanes v Brumbies:

@Stargazer i disagree entirely.

I'm not saying you shouldn't prefer Lowe if you think he's a better player. But don't pick him coz his cuzzies may be in the stand. Pick him because he's a better player.

I disagree. I side with @Stargazer on this one. It is poor form by the Hurricanes. They need to show more respect for Hawkes Bay. In fact, they should trade Beauden to the Blues for Ihaia West. It would be fitting for the crowd to see one of their favourite sons play.

As long as he is producing results.. I'm happy with him being coach. And so far, he is producing some great results for the ABs.

@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Hurricanes:

Bit sad watching Cory Jane - a shadow of himself in his prime.

His shadow would be better than Goosen atm

No love for Papalii?

@antipodean said in Game of 3 halves: All Blacks v Canterbury v Otago:

@act-crusader said in Game of 3 halves: All Blacks v Canterbury v Otago:

You know the real reason why it’s not being televised....

It's all the new stuff they're implementing and don't want other teams watching and analysing.

They don't want other teams getting more tape of Frizzle to analyse.

@shark said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:

@Nepia said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:

@shark said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:

@pakman said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:

@Nepia Of all the times someone's had the smart idea of playing a player out of position I'm struggling to think of one which worked. Plenty have been disasters though!

Funny how it's "out of position" when we lose notable tests.

I didn't really rate Tana in the midfield TBH. Serviceable at best, and a default option at a time when we really struggled at centre (pre Conrad). Yet his time there is considered a success.

WTF? Are you serious? He was up with the best in the world in his era as a 13.

@Nepia said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:

@shark said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:

@pakman said in All Blacks v BI Lions Test #3:

@Nepia Of all the times someone's had the smart idea of playing a player out of position I'm struggling to think of one which worked. Plenty have been disasters though!

Funny how it's "out of position" when we lose notable tests.

I didn't really rate Tana in the midfield TBH. Serviceable at best, and a default option at a time when we really struggled at centre (pre Conrad). Yet his time there is considered a success.

WTF? Are you serious? He was up with the best in the world in his era as a 13.

Yep 100% serious. Depth was so bad during his era at 13 that Mark Robinson played tests and we shifted Rangi to 13 in 2003. He was there by default and was no great shakes. Not hard to be "up there with the best in the world in his era" given there was Mortlock and then daylight.

I know BOD is pasty white, but it's a bit harsh to call him daylight.

@No-Quarter said in All Black Squad for Rugby Championship:

@mariner4life said in All Black Squad for Rugby Championship:

well, what a huge number of surprises...

So we are effectively blaming Savea for fucking up the Lions series? No accountability

If we're talking about accountability then SBW should be nowhere near this squad.

Why? It's quite clear the AB's couldn't beat the Lions without him..

Thank u Aaron Smith for showing some mercy on Samoa

@gt12 said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@kiwimurph said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@sammyc said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@crucial said in AB Positions up for grabs:

@tim said in AB Positions up for grabs:

The one you've been waiting for, Blindside Flanker.

With Kaino's career winding down this is a huge season for those wearing the six jersey. His replacements last year were unimpressive to say the least. Neither imposed any presence down the blindside channel on defence, with Fifita's workrate inconsistent, and Squire's non-existent. All Black ruck defence was particularly poor last year, and was exploited twice by Australia. Of the two, Fifita has the most athletic potential, though seems better adapted to power lock play at this stage of his career.

The Contenders:

Jerome Kaino - the greatest of all time, does he have another season left? If well managed he probably has a partial one. Must watch injuries though. Will not play all games, even if his form returns dramatically.

Fifita - excellent athlete learning a difficult position. Reminder that Kaino took several years to grow into the position. So did Luatua. Could be the answer, would help to get more time at six this Super Rugby season.

Squire - good ball carrier, flat-track bully. See his performance against the Crusaders in last year's playoff game. Went missing when up against top notch opposition. Very little physical impact in Brisbane against Australia. Needs a massive improvement in workrate and defensive presence.

Ioane - another outstanding young athlete who is still learning the role. Very strong, hits rucks and gains turnovers, physical defender, excellent ball carrier. Needs to improve decision making and workrate consistency. Will play at eight a lot, but has had his best games at six. Future All Black star. Should be developed for the World Cup. Should benefit from his second season playing XVs exclusively.

Hemopo and Evans are the outsiders. Barrett may get some time there for the ABs.

A potential weakness for the All Blacks.

So @jauzy019 has posted an article from France where Taufua has turned down club contracts in France due to 'Hansen promising to give him a crack'
Even taking that with a pinch of salt it means they have talked to him and given him confidence that he may be in the picture.

Bloody good news. Been one of the crusaders best forwards for a number of years. Would provide more impact off the bench than savea.

Like others I wonder about his lack of size, but that’s not an issue at super rugby.

Mainly I’m just stoked he may be at the crusaders for a bit longer

Maybe that's part of the thinking - have him as a jack of all trades bench loosie covering all 3 spots a bit like Masoe was.

Not convinced by his abilty to be an outright starter at any of the 3 loose forward spots for the ABs but could be worth a shot to see if he can have bench impact.

I thought Dixon might become that player, but Taufua looks a much better bet, s this is good news.

I guess I must be one of the few who doesn't rate Taufua.

@Rembrandt said in All Blacks vs. B&I Lions test #1:

Anyone else got that lingering doubt about an AB team without a power winger? I thought Reiko was great against a fresh-off-the-boat lions side but they are a different beast now as he found out during the Maori game. Jules was very good against an albeit weaker Samoan sude while Naholo is in terrific form. I always feel those British teams really struggle with big powerful outside backs more so than the deft skillful ones. How big is Reiko anyway in comparison?

Rieko is pretty powerful. For fun, he likes to hold up forwards, to try and call for a maul. At Super level this year, he's broken the line more than Jules/Naholo and makes more tackles.
Also heard someone from the All Blacks camp say he's faster than Beauden and Naholo.. Not sure over what distance though.. I found that surprising..

Southee gets motm..
Boult gets man of the series..

But I bet they'll all be buying beers for Sodhi and Wagner

I thought SBW was huge on defence. Saw him make a few cover tackles..
In attack, I was worried every time they passed him the ball

@hooroo said in AB's v Wales:

@jc said in AB's v Wales:

. I'm assuming it was BB, as he seemed to be acting captain. Considering he probably knows less than bugger all about scrumming it was an absolute statement of faith in the undermanned pack and a very, very ballsy demonstration of intent to the Welsh.

Reason #57 why Backs should never be Captain!

Mate, give the player of the year some credit. The guy plays chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

@Stargazer said in All Blacks vs Tonga:

If Josh Ioane is not in the squad - and I don't expect them to pick him - then I'd like TWM to try out the "injured 10" scenario in the second half of this game. So start BB or RM at 10 in this game, and replace him in the game management role by the best playmaker of the non-first fives (I think that's probably Crotty) and make sure you have a good goal kicker on the field (Jordie), and see how that goes. If it's not Crotty, it needs to be another experienced back with excellent organisation and communication skills. To me, that's not Jordie.

Sounds like a job for Michael Collins.

The All Blacks are lucky they're not playing England.. England would've exposed their weaknesses

^^
Someone ban this cursing bastard

Maybe the Blues need to gather into a circle and focus on their breathing after scoring a try