Super 14 2010

[ripper868]

Reds have resigned Beans (Peter Hynes) to a 2 year contract

 

[Somerset]

Interesting comments from ex-All Black Andy Haden earlier in the week about the Crusaders supposedly having a 'policy' of limiting the number of Maori/Pacific Island players in their squad each year:

"Once they've recruited three, that's it. That's their ceiling. Three darkies... no more," said Haden, who played 117 matches for the All Blacks between 1972-85 including 41 tests.

"In the Crusaders manual, there it is, it's enshrined in their articles, and they've stuck by that. And they know damn well that that's the case. And it's worked."

Andy Haden refuses to resign as ambassador | Stuff.co.nz

I admit that the proportion of Maori and Pacific Islanders has been traditionally lower for the Crusaders than other New Zealand Super 14 franchises, but a policy of a maximum number of these players is where I draw the line and struggle to really get behind such comments.

 

[social]

Bulls

 

[BoyBrumby]

Interesting comments from ex-All Black Andy Haden earlier in the week about the Crusaders supposedly having a 'policy' of limiting the number of Maori/Pacific Island players in their squad each year:

Andy Haden refuses to resign as ambassador | Stuff.co.nz

I admit that the proportion of Maori and Pacific Islanders has been traditionally lower for the Crusaders than other New Zealand Super 14 franchises, but a policy of a maximum number of these players is where I draw the line and struggle to really get behind such comments.

Ha, Jesus. Was Andrew a bit "refreshed" during the interview?

Even if he was using it in a semi-ironic "that's what they called em in my day" kinda way, it's a really thin line to tread.

 

[Smudge]

Nah, Haden's just an attention-seeking ****.

 

[Hurricane]

$5 on the Stormers the TAB has them at good odds.

 

[Hurricane]

Interesting comments from ex-All Black Andy Haden earlier in the week about the Crusaders supposedly having a 'policy' of limiting the number of Maori/Pacific Island players in their squad each year:

Andy Haden refuses to resign as ambassador | Stuff.co.nz

I admit that the proportion of Maori and Pacific Islanders has been traditionally lower for the Crusaders than other New Zealand Super 14 franchises, but a policy of a maximum number of these players is where I draw the line and struggle to really get behind such comments.

When I first heard the darkies comment I thought he was referring to what he thought the Crusaders called people of ethnic origins behind closed doors. And that he didn't personally use the word himself. Now that he has apologized and said the word is regrettable I am thinking that is was his "word". I note that he also helped organise the Cavaliers tour of 1986 that was controversial at the time.
I won't cry into my beer if he loses his ambassadorship.

 

[Somerset]

Who's that Number 10 for the Hurricanes? Never heard of him before. Absolutely woeful kicking, passing, and general play display from him I thought. Luckily though, the Brumbies were shocking in everything they did.

Going into the RWC next year, quite concerned at our lack of depth.

Thought I'd bring up James' post in mid-April, with his opinion on Aaron Cruden - I agreed with his sentiments that Cruden had a poor few games throughout the season, and although showed touches of his talent, generally failed to deliver after being talking up considerably. Well hes now in the All Blacks...

Backs: Dan Carter (Canterbury), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), Zac Guildford (Hawke's Bay), Cory Jane (Wellington), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Benson Stanley (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Wellington.

Forwards: Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Ben Franks (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Richie McCaw (Canterbury, captain), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Adam Thomson (Otago), Brad Thorn (Canterbury), Neemia Tialata (Wellington), Victor Vito (Wellington), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).

Surprised me TBH, though perhaps Donald being ruled out with injury opened the spot for him. No sign of Mike Delany so I guess Piri Weepu's the third option at flyhalf. Very pleased to see Dagg included, and excited that Benson Stanley made the cut - he was a far better option at second five for the Blues this season than Luke McAlister.

Just on the final of the Super 14, credit to the Bulls who were easily the best team in the competition (again). I didn't even watch the final but it bodes well for Springbok rugby to have a South African side win the title for a third time in four seasons.

 

[Somerset]

Week Sixteen Points
BoyBrumby 3
Social 3
Somerset 3
TT Boy 3
Voltman 3
Athlai 0
Ripper868 0
Samuel_Vimes 0

Final Standings
Somerset 74
TT Boy 70
BoyBrumby 69
Samuel_Vimes 69
Athlai 68
Social 67
Voltman 66
Ripper868 64
Simon 57
HeathDavisSpeed 24

 

[Smudge]

Yes, I beat ripper!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Fair play to Somers for the win and for the hard yards on the organisational front.

Faintly farcical I ended up level with Samuel in third after spending most of the season proppoing everyone up, but a lot of favourites got up in the last few weeks.

 

[James]

Well done to the Bulls, another commanding performance.

On the topic of the All Blacks squad, does anyone else look at it and think it's the weakest we've been in I don't know how long. In my roughly 10-15 years of following the All Blacks, I don't think I've ever seen a weaker squad than this and one lacking so much experience.

As much as I'd love for us to win the World Cup next year, can anyone honestly see us winning it? Maybe it's a good thing as expectations won't be as high as they usually are.

 

[ripper868]

Yes, I beat ripper!

haha, well played, was my only aim come end of the season as well.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well done to the Bulls, another commanding performance.

On the topic of the All Blacks squad, does anyone else look at it and think it's the weakest we've been in I don't know how long. In my roughly 10-15 years of following the All Blacks, I don't think I've ever seen a weaker squad than this and one lacking so much experience.

As much as I'd love for us to win the World Cup next year, can anyone honestly see us winning it? Maybe it's a good thing as expectations won't be as high as they usually are.

Aren't some of your European exiles returning home this summer (your winter, obv)? Think Hayman is and Jack might've already come back. Mind you so did McAlister and he's not in the squad, I note. Injured?

Think it's between your blokes, SA & les bleus myself.

 

[Somerset]

Aren't some of your European exiles returning home this summer (your winter, obv)? Think Hayman is and Jack might've already come back. Mind you so did McAlister and he's not in the squad, I note. Injured?

Think it's between your blokes, SA & les bleus myself.

McAlister's been struck with a few injuries since his return, in fact he played only the first 40 minutes in a club rugby match yesterday and had to be benched so clearly hes not fully fit for the AB squad. Mind you, even when he was starting for the Blues, Benson Stanley offered a much better alternative IMO. Hayman's staying in Europe. Jack's back and playing for the Crusaders but seems to have been overtaken by the promising Sam Whitelock (brother of George and Adam), and with Brad Thorn also a weekly starter Jack didn't feature particularly prominently this season.

As far as some of the other European based New Zealand players go, Nick Evans would be the one I'd be most keen to see return (alongside Hayman).

 

[Somerset]

Well done to the Bulls, another commanding performance.

On the topic of the All Blacks squad, does anyone else look at it and think it's the weakest we've been in I don't know how long. In my roughly 10-15 years of following the All Blacks, I don't think I've ever seen a weaker squad than this and one lacking so much experience.

As much as I'd love for us to win the World Cup next year, can anyone honestly see us winning it? Maybe it's a good thing as expectations won't be as high as they usually are.

Keep in mind that the likes of Ma'a Nonu, Ali Williams, Andrew Hore, Stephen Donald and Isaia Toeava (amongst others) were all injured and unavailable for selection so it was never going to be a full strength squad. In saying that its difficult to think of too many post-Super 12/14 All Black squads with as much inexperience and freshness as this current lot, particularly in the backline. Regarding the countdown to the World Cup, South Africa's clearly been the form team over the last 12 months (taking aside a poor month in Europe in November) and I'd be hard pressed to not back them at this stage - but with 15 months until the World Cup still to play out, I'm still optimistic of our chances.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

n saying that its difficult to think of too many post-Super 12/14 All Black squads with as much inexperience and freshness as this current lot, particularly in the backline.

Considering how your experienced squad played for most of the tri-Nations last year, that may not be a bad thing

Congrats on the tipping win.

 

[Hurricane]

Cruden - His goal kicking from what I saw of it in the mid season wasn't up to scratch. Did he improve near the end?
The only way I can see him being the All Blacks starting number 10 at any stage in his career is if they give the goal kicking duties to the full back or someone else in the team.
BTW when I grew up the fullback did all the kicking it was just with Grant Fox that the world seemed to turn.

 

[ripper868]

Geerally best kicker does the kickng - See John Eales for reference.

Backing Dagg to be carters kickng backup.

 

[Athlai]

Didn't do so bad considering I only watched 2 matches.