Don't call it a comeback

[Cameo]

Thoughts on law change? 20 minute red card (then replaced by another player) is an interesting one. Can either be seen as a cop out or just a sensible recognition that it can be a bit of a lottery what gets picked up and there are borderline interpretations so let's not ruin a game over them. The golden point one seems good too.

Australia has gone more all out. I don't have a firm view on whether the 50/22 and the 22/50 are good ideas or not. Theory that they will pull defenders out the line makes sense but we will see. I'd also like to see full backs go for the short kick from their own 22 just over the half way line, get it wrong and face a counter attack with no one back to help them.

[Puja]

I am fascinated to see the 50/22 law in a high level rugby situation. It feels like a very sensible solution to the wall-o-death defences that teams have, as well as an encouragement to a kick that's not a box, but I want to see how it plays out in a real world scenario.

The 20 minute then replacement for a red makes a lot of sense. A red in the 2nd minute currently is a lot more punitive than one in the 60th and, now that you can (rightly) get a red for being careless, it was too much of a lottery (and I think scared refs from giving them). This is much more equitable.

Puja

[Lizard]

I'm gradually coming to terms with the fact that having carefully nurtured (Auckland-born) Lizard Jnr into the proper way of thinking as a Chiefs fan, as a Kiwi dad I'm going to have to take him to a Blues match to see Dan Carter play.

[Mellsblue]

I’ve coughed up for Sky Sports specifically for this. Any players, beyond the usual suspects, I should keep and eye? Blues players would be appreciated as I’ve decided to ‘support’ them due to Carter.

[Puja]

Will there be crowds now that you're officially Corona-free?

Puja

[Puja]

Joe Marchant due to stay with the Blues will the end of your Super rugby, instead of leaving in July as his loan had originally suggested.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england- ... uper-rugby

Puja

[cashead]

Will there be crowds now that you're officially Corona-free?

Puja

Yeah, tickets have gone on sale after the government announced we'll be at a L1 alert from 11:59:59pm on Monday, meaning there are no longer any restrictions on crowds and physical distancing is recommended rather than required.

Joe Marchant due to stay with the Blues will the end of your Super rugby, instead of leaving in July as his loan had originally suggested.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england- ... uper-rugby

Puja

Good. The Blues backline is looking monstrous right now.

[Cameo]

I’ve coughed up for Sky Sports specifically for this. Any players, beyond the usual suspects, I should keep and eye? Blues players would be appreciated as I’ve decided to ‘support’ them due to Carter.

Mark Telea on the wing is one that I hadn't heard of before this season but has been beating defenders for fun. Sitotu at No.8 has also been a bit of a revelation at 8.

For Scottish watchers, Finley Christie, who is a back up scrum half, was born in Peebles and is periodically linked to a move/call up. He was injured for the first few games but is fit again.

Tom Robinson and the props are all fun to watch too.

[cashead]

I’ve coughed up for Sky Sports specifically for this. Any players, beyond the usual suspects, I should keep and eye? Blues players would be appreciated as I’ve decided to ‘support’ them due to Carter.

Karl Tu'inukuafe and Ofa Tu'ungafasi are strong ball-carrying props, while Alex Hodgman is a prop who rates as solid in the required parameters for a prop across the board.

Patrick Tuipulotu salvaged his test career last year, and is another big ball carrying forward, supported usually by Josh Goodhue, the twin brother of Jack.

Dalton Papali'i and Tony Lamborn have been solid, while Tom "Big Red" Robinson has been a high workrate lock/flanker, who probably would have earned an All Blacks call-up last year had it not been a World Cup year.
Blake Gibson has been stuck in the same space that Brad Shields was stuck in for much of his time here before he headed to England. Akira Ioane has added value off the bench, but Hoskins Sotutu has been one of the form mobile 8s in the competition.

Sam Nock has been a revelation at 9, and is benefiting from an extended period as the starting halfback, but fellow St Kents old collegian Finlay Christie is waiting in the wings.

We all know about DC and Beaudy, but Otere Black has been excellent at 10, and despite the presence of DC, will probably feature prominently.

TJ Faiane isn't particularly flashy, but he's been solid as the glue that holds everything together, and has been a great partner to Rieko Ioane in the midfield.

Mark Telea is a broken tackle elemental, and has been excellent as an attacking weapon, and Marchant has been good value, taking turns with Rieko playing out on the wing or in the midfield. Duffie is not really a major attacking player, but few are more reliable than him under the high ball.

[Mellsblue]

Cheers

[Cameo]

Over 15,000 tickets for the Chiefs Highlanders game sold so far along with over 35,000 for the Blues Hurricanes one. At least for the Blues, they will double their top attendance from last year.

Hopefully the weather will hold up and there are a couple of good games so these kind of attendances aren't just one offs (although I would expect weak one to have the biggest buzz).

Does anyone know if it is straight league or if a final is planned?

[morepork]

Peeps want to see Dan Carter get smashed.

[Cameo]

Barrett at 15. I can see the logic given the lack of options there and that Black has played well but seems a shame.

For English posters, Marchant doesn't seem to have made the squad but no mention of an injury. Thought he would have made the bench but Duffie is there.

p.s. the reason I am lurking on this board so much is just because I've moved to Auckland. Not meaning to take over the SHMB!

[zer0]

Peeps want to see Dan Carter get smashed.

Show some respect.

That's Blues rugby legend Daniel Carter.

[Puja]

p.s. the reason I am lurking on this board so much is just because I've moved to Auckland. Not meaning to take over the SHMB!

Mods, can we get a ban in place here? This poster's showing an interest in rugby and contributing to the board, both of which have got to be bootable offences.

Wonder why Marchant's not in the XXIII? Hopefully it's not on form, although reputation has him as a hard enough worker that he'll grow from the experience if it is.

Puja

[zer0]

I'm guessing they just need someone to cover fullback in Perofeta's absence. As far as I know, neither of the three wingers in the backline can do the job, so if they had Marchant on the bench they'd have to try chuck one of Black or Plummer there if needed. Instead they've gone for the safer option of Duffie.

Personally I'd have Marchant at centre with Rieko competing with Clarke and Telea for a wing berth, but there we go.

[Puja]

I'm guessing they just need someone to cover fullback in Perofeta's absence. As far as I know, neither of the three wingers in the backline can do the job, so if they had Marchant on the bench they'd have to try chuck one of Black or Plummer there if needed. Instead they've gone for the safer option of Duffie.

Personally I'd have Marchant at centre with Rieko competing with Clarke and Telea for a wing berth, but there we go.

It's the problem Marchant's got - he's a 13 through and through (Blues playing him on the wing notwithstanding) and Ioane's currently having a deluded IWant about moving inside and being Tana Umaga. Do you say to him to stop being a prat and that he's clearly a winger and risk him leaving in a sulk? Or do you indulge him for this season at the expense of the guy who's only going to be here for a season?

Puja

[cashead]

Ioane started his representative career as a centre, and was shifted out to the wing.

It's fairly well-established that out-and-out wingers have a fairly short test career in NZ, where there's a seeming conveyor belt of talent - case in point the last 3 world cup cycles (07 to 11, 11 to 15, 15 to 19), where none of the wingers a previous RWC survived through to the next tournament. Ioane's no dummy, and he'd be well aware that he'll be the most vulnerable out of him, Bridge and Reece. He'll be seeing guys like Leicester Fainga'anuku and Will Jordan beginning to earn their keep at the Crusaders and he's seeing Mark Telea own his old spot at the Blues, while Etene Nanai-Seturo is working his way through the levels at the Chiefs.

Shifting back into centre and re-acclimating to the position after an extended period of playing on the wing is a prudent and pragmatic move by Ioane, especially since there's a sudden opening in the midfield that he could fight for.

It's not like Marchant would be getting anything out of this either, since Jones will likely stick around through this cycle as well, taking into account his preference for what he calls "hybrid players," it's just as prudent and pragmatic for him to get as much time as he can out on the wing in New Zealand.

Plus, just because he's not starting right away doesn't mean he's not got a role to play in the competition, so cool your jets before you get too bogged down with your worrywarting.

[Spy]

Fuck, how good is this?

[twitchy]

Just so I am getting my time zones right the match starts in about 35 mins?

[Spy]

It’s done and dusted, mate. 5.30pm kickoff. Blues-Hurricanes tomorrow is a 3.30pm kickoff, NZ time.

Worth a watch, regardless.

[twitchy]

Fuck. Oh well thanks.

[Cameo]

Just coming to half time. Was 7.05pm kickoff

Unless I'm watching on some wierd time delay!??

[Spy]

I must’ve been watching a replay of an old classic. What a spastic.

[Spy]

I got quite invested. What a waste of emotion.