Official Rugby Thread

[ohtani's jacket]

Yeah these tours are becoming a bit of a joke really. The WC has way too much influence on the game these days

More like European club rugby.

I hope they drop Thorne for the next All Blacks Test.

 

[BoyBrumby]

FFS. Dire attempt there from Hook.

 

[Craig]

Drop three points to two IMO.

 

[Fiery]

More like European club rugby.

I hope they drop Thorne for the next All Blacks Test.

Yeah I should have mentioned European club rugby to my post, that was an oversight. Agree re Thorne, he's always been a waste of space in a black jersey.

 

[BoyBrumby]

More like European club rugby.

The RFU & our clubs are more-or-less permanently at loggerheads, but it's the arranging of tests directly after European finals that's really bone-headed. Another week could've made all the difference for us.

 

[Craig]

The RFU & our clubs are more-or-less permanently at loggerheads, but it's the arranging of tests directly after European finals that's really bone-headed. Another week could've made all the difference for us.

Why is that - money I assume?

 

[Perm]

I find it weak how people constantly dimsmiss Reuben Thorne as a "waste of space". Obviously hard work is no longer valued by our rugby public...

 

[Fiery]

I find it weak how people constantly dimsmiss Reuben Thorne as a "waste of space". Obviously hard work is no longer valued by our rugby public...

He's a plodder, yeah he works hard but he hasn't got an ounce of flair. The "invisible man" tag he has is there for a reason. He's just a very average rugby player. The ABs have the resources to select better players than him and there are plenty of better No.6's in the country, e.g, Troy Flavell. Collins, even Masoe, Lauaki, or Tuialihi would be better at 6

 

[BoyBrumby]

Why is that - money I assume?

Ultimately, I suppose. Although I personally think the RFU was banking on there being less than 3 English clubs involved in the finals.

Looks a bad one for Czekaj. Wouldn't be surprised if it's ligament damage.

How're the antipodean commentators pronouncing his name, btw?

 

[Perm]

He's a plodder, yeah he works hard but he hasn't got an ounce of flair. The "invisible man" tag he has is there for a reason. He's just a very average rugby player. The ABs have the resources to select better players than him and there are plenty of better No.6's in the country, e.g, Troy Flavell. Collins, even Masoe, Lauaki, or Tuialihi would be better at 6

Haha, to even suggest that Tuiali'i or Lauaki are better players than Reuben Thorne is laughable IMO. I agree with Flavell and Collins, but I think that Chris Masoe is now seen as an Openside or No 8 more than a blindside flanker now. The invisible man tag he has is there because he does the dirty work. He makes tackles, cleans out rucks and puts in the hard yards so that others can benefit.

 

[Johnners]

He has the potential to be the next Larkham IMO. If the Waratahs give him a decent amount of gametime at flyhalf then he'll be able to do it, they need to stop using him on the wing or at inside centre.

Berrick Barnes >>>>>> Norton-Knight. Diabolical decision afaic that Barnes didn't play the 1st test. Huxley is at fullback because Latham is injured, and imo he's the best of the rest. Giteau needs to join Mortlock in the centres, Cordingly or Gregan into scrumhalf. Not so sure about the wingers though....

EDIT: If anyone is definitely not up to test standard it's Adam Ashley-Cooper...

 

[Fiery]

Haha, to even suggest that Tuiali'i or Lauaki are better players than Reuben Thorne is laughable IMO. I agree with Flavell and Collins, but I think that Chris Masoe is now seen as an Openside or No 8 more than a blindside flanker now. The invisible man tag he has is there because he does the dirty work. He makes tackles, cleans out rucks and puts in the hard yards so that others can benefit.

It's the tight 5's job to do most of the dirty work imo. A good No.6 needs to also be useful in the loose. Thorne isn't. I would far rather have Lauaki or Tuiali'i in an AB side despite your laughter. And besides you come from Crusader country so probably wear a patch

 

[Perm]

Berrick Barnes >>>>>> Norton-Knight. Diabolical decision afaic that Barnes didn't play the 1st test. Huxley is at fullback because Latham is injured, and imo he's the best of the rest. Giteau needs to join Mortlock in the centres, Cordingly or Gregan into scrumhalf. Not so sure about the wingers though....

Berrick Barnes is a gun although he's a bit young for Test football. Like you said though, he'd probably be the "best of the rest" with the flyhalfs. Gerrard is a must for the 14 jersey though.

 

[Perm]

It's the tight 5's job to do most of the dirty work imo. A good No.6 needs to also be useful in the loose. Thorne isn't. I would far rather have Lauaki or Tuiali'i in an AB side despite your laughter. And besides you come from Crusader country so probably wear a patch

Lauaki and Tuilali'i have an appaling work ethic and don't have the right attitude to play for the All Blacks IMO. To even suggest I come from Crusader country is an insult, I am in fact from Highlanders country, but not actually a Highlanders fan.

 

[Fiery]

Lauaki and Tuilali'i have an appaling work ethic and don't have the right attitude to play for the All Blacks IMO. To even suggest I come from Crusader country is an insult, I am in fact from Highlanders country, but not actually a Highlanders fan.

Graham Henry is a pretty good man-manager and would be able to get the best out of them I reckon. Lauaki is a must for the WC squad if we wont to win it imo. Apologies for accusing you of being a Crusaders fan, that was a low blow

 

[Perm]

Graham Henry is a pretty good man-manager and would be able to get the best out of them I reckon. Lauaki is a must for the WC squad if we wont to win it imo. Apologies for accusing you of being a Crusaders fan, that was a low blow

Sione Lauaki and Ma'a Nonu are two of the players that could cost us the World Cup IMO.

 

[Johnners]

Berrick Barnes is a gun although he's a bit young for Test football. Like you said though, he'd probably be the "best of the rest" with the flyhalfs. Gerrard is a must for the 14 jersey though.

If you're good enough, you're old enough imo, and afaic Barnes is good enough to be on the bench at least, and if Larkhams not starting, Barnes should be.

EDIT: Digby Ioane is quick....

 

[Fiery]

Sione Lauaki and Ma'a Nonu are two of the players that could cost us the World Cup IMO.

I would take both. I wouldn't play Nonu in the big games but use him in the lead-up games and maybe if we were playing England. Would probably do the same with Lauaki and if he's on fire in the pool games then unleash him off the bench in a semi or final. Both destructive type players that just need to be handled properly

 

[Craig]

Such a scrappy game.

 

[Johnners]

Our backline looks soooooo much better with Giteau at inside centre.