rugby: 2013

Monday, November 25, 2013

You're keeping quiet...

I, like many kiwis, felt he didnt give the ABs a fair game at the breakdown.  The Irish had a great opening 30 with a little luck going their way.  Kearney showed a surprising lack of speed while "scampering" away down the touchline but he couldnt shake Read off and how important was that 2 points that the eightman saved his team?  What I saw as the All Blacks were trying to get back into the game was a combo of 3 things hampering them.  One was ball handling just as they were getting a roll on.  Two was laziness at their own rucks allowing Heaslip etc to come over the top and pressure Smith.  Three what I saw as Owen blowing any and every possible small infringement versus NZ while allowing the Irish to knock on, O'Brien and co play at the ball while prone on the ground, and multiple side entries.  No major catastrophic calls but a lot of little ones hindering the ABs.  Then one bad call that could of put the game out of reach....the penalty for the pulled down maul that from the angles I saw it could only have been Ireland (Healy I think).





Either way...this tour has just added to the legend that this team can get out of any sticky situation.  They don't ever light the stadium on fire like the class of 97 but they play more measured and more consistent.  They still contend justifiably as maybe the greatest ever.  Take a bow Steve Hansen and Graham Henry.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Pieces of Eight

Cant wait to see Read's impact in the Nov internationals.  He has moved on as a player since last meeting any northern oppostion and his wide ranging game, freeing up wingers down the outside lanes is incomparable in today's game.



For those of you who haven't followed AB rugby that long you wouldn't know the story behind the Bring Back Buck campaign.




An inspirational captain who re-entered a game after having a testicle placed back in its scrotum and stitched up, making the list of 7 Most Horrific "Man Injuries" In Sports, only to have some teeth knocked out.  The man who reinvented the All Black Haka unwittingly propelling the brand to greater heights, and who spurred the birth of the Bring Back Buck campaign which lives to this day since his dropping in 1990.




An up and coming #8 in Zinzan Brooke who lacked that raw edge but had all the skills of an outside back.  Rumour has it that Buck was dropped to keep Zinny in the "amateur" game (he had just signed with Manly Sea Eagles before asking Graham Lowe to rip up the contract) by giving him the All Black jersey.  This certainly played a part but the snake in the grass was team mate Gary Whetton who long held aspirations to be the All Black captain, even going as far as to jettison Shelford's role in the French Barbarians match versus the ABs.





However, Zinny went on to become the world's best ever number 8.  A player so competitive he would challenge Grant Fox and company at Auckland to goalkicking contests, and we can all remember his mammoth international drop goals against South Africa and England.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRdo2nsr_b0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0nfYW-wIZ4

My question to you is,....is Kieran Read already the world's best ever eightman?

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Master Class at Ellis Park

Finally.  All the hype, all the expectation, all the discussion.  Baited breath.  A game lived up to its name.  Not ruined by an act of stupidity from player or referee.  Billed as the game of the year and it was all that.  The South Africans wanting revenge for what they saw as a stolen victory in New Zealand must have been deemed at least equal favourites versus a travel weary All Blacks.  Yet a New Zealand team that felt robbed of a respectable win weeks earlier, and excited, not intimidated, by the Ellis Park challenge.  And we knew it was going to be brutal.



Everyone knew tthe Boks were going be at their physical best.  The question was how much aggro, how much push and shove, how much biffo was going to be dished out.  Either way it didn't worry this New Zealand team.  They are the one team that can stand up to the Springbok intimidation test.  All the talk about Ellis park and you just know that this All Black team revel in these situations.  What you saw on Saturday was the result of 6 years of intelligent work by Graham Henry and Steve Hansen.  A team that learnt to change games to take the ref out of the game, a team that has such self-confidence in themselves that no deficit is unreachable.  This raw confidence coupled with a smarter and less legible game plan makes this AB team what they are today.  The way they pick up their game as required shows they always have another gear.  De Villiers try in the 58th minute threatened to completely derail the All Blacks.  A 3 pointer to the Boks would have put them in the box seat, one hand on the trophy and in prime position to turn the screws.  With their bonus point in the bag they could have resoughted to their traditional game and force New Zealand to counter but really 20 minutes was always going to be too long to hold out this NZ team.  In effect 3 minutes was all they needed to wrap up the championship and have the Boks asking questions of themselves as to whether they were up to saving the game.


With whom do you start?  Messam had clearly his best game in a black jersey.  He didn't shy away and let the selectors know that Kaino can't just walk back in.  He finally showed some real muscle but I still question his size and I'm sure that while the coaches were happy they still realize he can't impose himself on the game like his predecessor.  And the added explosiveness when Luatua took the field was very noticeable, though granted, much of the hard work had been done.  But I see Retallick as our enforcer and not Messam.

Savea has become the complete winger.  His improved ability and confidence under the high ball has been evident over the season but now it's the deft little touches that are making the difference.  His subtle move infield to create space for Read to skirt away for his try down the touchline was perfectly executed.  There's a frightening gap between our best wingers and the rest.  Now we just have to sort out that haircut.

The complete package

Aaron Cruden was sublime.  Steady all day with Du Plessis and co rumbling down on him all game long til, face battle-scarred, leaving the field at the hour mark.  Barrett on and imposing himself on the game immediately, first being run over the top of by a very impressive Bok captain and letting in 5 points before 3 minutes later bamboozling the same man and leaving 3 others clutching at air to claim the Rugby Championship with a bonus point try.  Barrett finally stood up defensively, despite the miss on De Villiers that threatened to steal not only a victory but the whole Championship, making a handful of telling tackles with the team going backwards, including one spectacular on le Roux.  But Cruden takes my man of the match.  A Jack amongst giants.

A Jack amongst giants

Read continues to raise his game to yet another level.  His wide ranging game, bearing down the outside channels receiving and distributing with all the class of an international centre is unmatched in today's game.  We had Carter, we had McCaw,....now the mantle of World's Best has been passed on.  A very different skill set to Zinzan but at this "early" part of his career already the best ever eightman?

Best ever eightman?

Northern Hemisphere should be scared.






Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Going for the championship

It's either the stupidest plan in the world or a very weak bluff. The Boks havent scored 4 tries vs the ABs in about 9yrs. They either try to grind NZ into submission by dominating setpieces (wont happen) and Steyn kicking 3 points after 3 points, which wont net them 4 tries....or they can try to play open rugby which turns their game to pie whenever against any serious opposition. Could be a great game in the making but end up ABs 50 Boks 30.

I havent seen anything from the Bulls in recent years to suggest they are close to capable of doing this in a tight game. We always get the same tripe rolled out after any game where the opposition had already folded and the Boks manage to run in a couple of tries but when the pressure is on their backplay skill drops below schoolboy level. Very much what we saw last Saturday.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Not all doom and gloom for the Green and Gold


I dont think it's all doom and gloom for the Wallabies after watching that. 2 dubious yellow cards, the first which should of resulted in a reversed penalty. Obviously the original strategy was to play for position but White's kicks werent up to scratch and for a professional team they shouldnt have needed a coach at halftime to tell them to change. I do tire of watching the Boks off the ball, after the whistle play. It's neanderthalish and doesnt really paint a pretty picture of the man from the republic, rather showing a serious lack of IQ. McCalman was good to watch in the 2nd half, getting some good and much missed go forward for the Aussie pack. I dont think the Boks were all ball in hand in the first half, a great break out try perhaps warping people's impressions. I was getting bored midway through the first 40 because of all the kicking from Steyn and co. Take out that woeful 25 minutes in the first half and the Wallabies were right in the game. I would have liked to see Kuridrani smashing it up in midfield more, De Villiers is a weak front on tackler, and Timani added some much needed muscle to the pack.  The Wallabies just seem to be missing that finishing touch at the moment.  The soft underbelly pack is nothing new,...they're beaten all teams in the past while receiving the same criticism.  I'll tip them to beat the Pumas next weekend, they are a very intelligent team.

Folau is proving to be somewhat lacklustre. He had a few, albeit minor, opportunities on Saturday but with all the hype about his one on one ability I expected more. He got caught out badly too 2nd half when he fielded a kick, had time to clear and just shuffled himself to the sideline when he got bundled by 3 Boks into touch. Must have thought he was playing league for a moment there. 
Seen my green jersey anyone?

How hilarious was the Kobus Wiese halftime stats run down? "We took it to them, ball in hand, we will kill them, ball in hand, Australia dont want to play, I repeat we are taking it to them, ball in hand, they dont want to play, we will kill them, I want to stress we are taking it to them,.... etc etc etc...".....Kanye West anyone? Spose I'm asking too much of a Bok forward.

Tip my hat to Peyper for giving Cruden another kick after the laser incident in South America. Whether he gave it for the early charge or not it resulted in a laserless match from there on in. Though must be some questions asked over the TMO who took a ridiculously long time to award Savea's try and seemed to be looking at some totally irrelevant footage.

The Pumas spolied well and Peyper was slow to pick up on lazy rollers out the back of the rucks and combined with a small field the ABs will be more than relieved to get their bonus point.  All bodes well for the Republic.

Saturday, September 14, 2013

ABs vs the Springboks 14 Sept: Just another idiot with a whistle part II

Roman Poite is a twat. Du Plessis shouldnt have even been penalised, there wasn't even an offside (however look at it as karma because he has gotten away with a lot in his career ).  Poite made error after error the whole game and further embarrasses himself with the live audio feed.  The discussion of whether to award a penalty try against Piutau for tackling Lambie in the air when it was never from a kick makes a mockery of the standard of international referees.



Ruined the game but where was this much vaunted new found Springbok attacking flair?  The red card didn't effectively change anything except taking the gloss of what would have been an AB victory regardless.  I don't think I have ever seen one team kick the ball so much over 80 minutes.  NZ now balance their game much more intelligently and choose wisely when and from where to attack.  This Bok tactic of continuous kicks is not going to win a game versus this AB team.  The All Blacks played at a frenetic pace with width and accuracy and looked dangerous the whole game with the players, from 1 to 15, making short work of getting over the gainline.

Shut the critics up

Take a bow Sam Cane....what a huge, huge game.  The sight of him drenched in blood and coming back again and again for more and more must have won over the harshest of critics.  The defensive work all round from the ABs was impressive, as were the lineouts while the scrum needs some polish.  Barrett came on with no little pressure in the biggest game this year and didn't disappoint.  Dangerous ball in hand, taking it to, and through, the line on a number of occasions and shocking most by his tackle count.  My player of the day is hands down Brodie Retallick.  I said he would have a breakout year and he just keeps getting better and better.  I would say this was his best ever outing in a black jersey.  Fearless in defense, busy and physical in the tight, and a real attacking threat in the open.


Surpassed Whitelock as the world's premier 2nd rower?

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

All Blacks vs Springboks Rugby Championsip 2013

A lot of talk but can't see the Boks taking this one.  They certainly won't be short of confidence.  They seldom are and after 3 wins on the trot, albeit 2 versus some dreadul opposition and a close one up against the Pumas in South America, they will no doubt have their tails up.  Credit to them, they truly put the Wallabies to the sword but they were a shadow of themselves, resemblant of a team that was completely lost.  But take out the middle of that 2nd half when every bounce of the ball seemed to go against them, and some bad finishing that cost them at least a couple of tries and the crazy thing is the score would have been quite close.

Missing McCaw and Romano will the selectors bring back Messam to muscle up the pack for this clash?  Hope not...this kid is pretty tough


We will miss McCaw of course. He isnt the ball pilferer he used to be but his physicality would have been more than useful. He has become one of the best ball carriers in the game and he won't shirk any work defensively. If it's a dry track I cant see the Boks being able to stay with them. Their gameplan now is so quick and very low risk and the South African loosies are going to run out of puff. I cant see them being up to bullying this AB pack (though Romano would have been handy) and the much hyped new found ability (dont we hear this every year?) to attack will be sorely tested in a tighter game against the world #1 ranked team. The Boks in the past have talked themselves up but every time it came to the crunch the supposed new ball skills were nowhere to be found.

ABs by ten.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Nonu or not?

Thought maybe it'd be nice to shed some light on this saga.  There's probably no bigger story in NZ rugby currently, including Sonny Bill and Benji.  What you read here it seems most the press don't know in New Zealand.

I imagine most of you by now have been persuaded that the blockbusting 2nd5 does create a problem with "team dynamics".  Reading between the lines you can see that Nonu more than likely belittles younger players or those he feels beneath him.  There are surely dry, sarcastic comments, often muttered half under the breath, aimed at the coach and unquestionably followed up with a little sniggering.  Hammett comes from the best provincial rugby set up in the world and it seems the main thing he wants to instil at the Hurricanes is a team ethic, camaraderie and culture.  Nothing wrong there.  After all, this is what rugby is.
Homeless


Personally I haven't been a fan of him of late.  The show he puts on at Super level seems to say this is all beneath him.  A demonstrated lack of interest injected with moments of petulance that cost 3 points and his team minus one player for 10 minutes.  Add to that the huge wage bill and you have to ask is he worth the hassle?  He's not my cup of tea.
Not my cup of tea


But I will say he was one of my players of the match last week.  A Wallabies side obviously intent on pressuring Aaron Smith's service (which didn't falter) to a young 1st5 coupled with a rushing defence on the #10.  All Taylor had to do was shovel the ball onto Nonu.  With 3 players rushing down on him Nonu makes it look like child's play to take the ball up and I argue there isn't one other inside centre in world rugby that can do that.  All the heat removed off Taylor...and simply.  In the All Black set up he tows the line and definitely performs.

So what is going on with the Super franchises?  Surely someone thinks they can make it work?

Well...here's the inside info.

When Nonu left for the Blues he apparently stipulated to Kirwan that he wouldnt play outside Ainscombe who was subsequently jettisoned to the Chiefs. Then after one season Nonu packed up and left (despite a "gentlemen's agreement" to stay for 2) running afoul of JK. Down at the Highlanders our prize 2nd5 had Jamie Joseph bending over backwards to accommodate him and despite something similar to the Kirwan agreement told Joseph he wouldnt be back (couldnt see why Joseph would want him....he was abysmal this Super season). So now all the talk about how he wants to move back home to the 'Canes. Now a little while ago didnt it seem very much like Hammett was ready to forgive and forget? Then next thing we hear is no chance? Then Barrett taking a long time to make his decision? Word is Barrett told Hammett if Nonu comes back he's off to the Blues and Hammett immediately abandoned the idea of welcoming him back. So....3 seemingly burnt bridges. And 2 other franchises that dont want him (dont forget that Ainscombe was a pivotal part of the Chiefs' winning campaign). The NZRU will have to let him go offshore to get game time. Most seem to think he will rake in some big bucks in Japan or France for a season but I dont know why they dont push for him to join an Australian outfit.  But the $$$ will do the talking and it maybe that the NZRU don't want him playing against NZ teams....though it may be a good way to undermine an Australian squad ;)

With his troublesome ankle may be given a rest this following weekend hopefully Saili can produce something spectacular.  Much of a Crotty fan as I am (he was the form 2nd5 in all Super rugby this season) Hansen doesn't want to break the mould of a blockbusting number 12 and distributor at outside centre.  Of course....Sonny will be back soon, but Benji won't get a look in with Smith at centre.  His only chance is if Sonny Bill has 13 on his back.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

The Love Affair

Isn't it time to end it?  Is the spark still there?  Knowing when to end the relationship and actually being able to do it?  Before it ends up in pieces on the floor with all sides hating each other?  No one seriously thinks the never ending love affair, the romantic handhold between the ABs and the Nonu/Smith pairing will be cut but isn't it time?

How many other players would get the respite that Nonu has over his career?  In form, out of form, in form, out of form.  Having to carry a specialist 2nd5 on the bench in case Nonu is having one of his dream days.  The rest of the team having to give 10% extra because a gone missing Nonu will resurface at some stage in the game with some childlike play resulting from the frustration of not being involved in the game at all.  A player that's petulance threatened to scuttle the whole Hurricanes' franchise.  A player that's subsequent departure to the Blues had the critics speaking of a possible Super Championship contender but whose error-ridden play aided them to be anything but.  A midfielder whose insolence lead him quickly on down to the south where, with other big names, the Highlanders were arguably one of the pre-season's favourites but now can't even hold his spot.  Doesn't an in form player deserve a shot?  Is there any point in hanging around if one player can be so short of form and well below the current standard set by rivals yet still be guaranteed his jersey?

Conrad Smith has been a great servant to the All Blacks.  He isn't a rock in midfield, one can think of the odd occasion where he faltered in defense up against big hard-running centres costing the All Blacks games.  Stirling Mortlock comes to mind.  But he is a supreme commander at organising the outside defenses, and a great distributor for New Zealand's classy finishers.  Yet this season he has been made to look very schoolboyish in defence versus fellow NZ contenders for the 13 jersey.  It may be the only thing that keeps him there beyond the current season is the amount of new blood coming in.

 Deserved a spot at least in the wider training group

(I#d like to interrupt this article with some breaking news.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2INd9Cjf1U )



Bring in Ryan Crotty.  He isn't the most damaging 2nd5 in town but he is one smart cookie, capable of orchestrating his own breaks and more than able in D.  I doubt there is a more in form #12 in Super Rugby.  Throw him in outside Carter and you have a great combination ready-made.  To keep with one damaging runner in midfield NZ currently has a swag of blockbusting midfielders to pick from.  Unfortunately big Robbie Freuan has fallen by the wayside after a very strong damaging run through the first half of the championship.  Francis Saili made the initial training squad and has proved a real handful for opposition teams at inside centre but doesn't presently have the ball security required at this level.  In round 16 Highlanders vs Blues in Dunedin....after a woeful 1st half and possession was needed to get back into the game, Saili was the main culprit handing the ball back to the team from the South epitomising the Blues' real problem of years gone by.  JK deserves another knighthood.  Nothing more frustrating as a coach.  But Rene.....Rene Ranger has stood up.  The influx of exciting new youngsters at the Blues gave him an automatic senior role.  Instantly,...gone were the lapses in concentration, the issues with ball retention, defence and general 80 minute involvement.  Not the biggest centre doing the rounds but his performances belie the stats.  A real bulldozer with ball in hand and a devastating tackler.

Just a utility?...our loss

However, one feels Ranger will be consigned to a utility role.  Our loss.  Crotty wasn't even selected in a wider training group.  To my eyes Ben Smith has long been groomed as the successor to Conrad.  Just as adept at feeding his outsides, a great organiser, capable defender but with speed to burn. Something Conrad doesn't have.  Ben can open up a game on his own, an attacking edge Conrad never possessed.  But with Dagg's dip in form he could be about to nail down the fullback spot.  But then again, Dagg almost seems another untouchable when it comes to form affecting your AB jersey.

So....the handholding will continue...regrettably.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Just another idiot with a whistle

What a surprise.  Officiating controversy dominates a high level rugby final.  What a surprise. Wayne Barnes is thereabouts.  Was good to see that he has finally learnt that rugby has an offside law and while there aren't really any referees presently in rugby to write home about there are certain refs that just get your goat.  Wayne Barnes is the English version of that Australian Steve Walsh (Rob Muldoon once said.....if you want to raise the IQ of both countries...."just send another Kiwi over the ditch").

Did Hartley deserve his 11wk ban? Most probably.  Previous record for foul play including eye gouging and biting, definitely no stranger to the judiciary and well known to have control problems, and you have to have some sympathy but any captain should know better.  No small ban and missing a career highlight Lions' tour must hurt but he was warned.  Maybe back to the psychologist for him.

To the actual detonator...a missed penalty in the dying seconds of the 1st half.  Time runs out before the 22 is taken and Barnes repeatedly tells Myler he can't kick the ball directly out(some understanding for Myler here, he didn't disregard Barnes' orders...just clearly misunderstood).  Barnes said the "ball must be played".  Forgive me, ...isn't kicking the ball playing it?  Regardless if the ball is kicked directly into touch it has been "played".  Is it a penalisable offence?  In the normal course of a game the opposition would get the choice....restart or scrum.  So, that being the case, time up when the kick was taken, shouldn't Barnes have blown for halftime?  Or was the better option to get on his high horse, take that PC Plod/school teacher attitude of his, talk down to the players and award a possibly match deciding(in the end, match defining) scrum to the Tigers?  The resulting scrum penalty right in front of the posts was enough to make most players lose their cool, Hartley had no chance.  The Saints battling well to stay in the game til halftime to restrict Tigers to a 13-5 lead suddenly had another thrown 3 on top.  The resultant "You fuckin' cheat!" was clearly aimed at Barnes despite Hartley's insistence it was directed at Tom Youngs (much like his earlier excuse).  Hartley deserves the rap for that.  Barnes deserves the rap for it getting to that.



We aren't talking bout whether Myler's direct kick to touch was cynial or negative, or that Barnes had said he can't do it.  We are talking bout who was wrong and who was right.  I don't know of any rule that says that Myler could not kick that ball directly out.  To me,....Barnes just pulled another one out his arse.  Then again, could be he was right.  But it was clear Myler misunderstood....just have another 22.

For the last few seasons the fishheads in the officiating swivelchair boardrooms have been trying to take match results out of referees' hands....to get away from controversial match deciding, championship losing calls.  They aren't getting anywhere.  And they never will until they use some commonsense when making the rules, and get some whistle blowers who actually have some commonsense when ruling on them.  Even if you fixed problem 1, it wouldn't be enough.  The current match officials aren't up to it.

Better than the current crop...

You can't take groups of men that aren't up to playing a certain sport, then give them a whistle and ask them to officiate soemthing they were never capable of playing.  And certain whistlers are bigger than the games they control.  Be interested to know if there was one Super rugby player who thought Steve Walsh was a great guy? "....Gee...can't wait to have a beer with Steve after the match!".....Nope....can't see it.

Wayne Barnes...just another idiot with a whistle.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Who are you rooting for?

Each time one of these NZ derbies rolls round I'm never sure who I'll be cheering for until kickoff arrives.  Sometimes I'm not even sure who I'll be cheering for come halftime. Will it be the Blues?  Will it be the Crusaders?   the Chiefs?  the Hurricanes?  Highlanders? And when I do know who I'm cheering for I don't know why I'm cheering for them....I just find myself doing it.


Was surprised to see the Super format go to double derbies because that's "what the people want".  Must be because I am from outside the big 5 provinces that I don't have that neighbourhood rivalry to get me up for the derbies.  I come from the Crusaders' "catchment", Tasman.  I much prefer to see a NZ team rocking it up versus an Australian or South African counterpart.  That's what gets my blood warm.  But apparently it's these national derbies that put bums on seats, not national pride.  The new format doesn't do NZ any favours, of course.  Look at it this way: the Brumbies may get to skip the Chiefs altogether and play both the Force and Rebels twice, yet the Crusaders would not get the Rebels at all but have to front up twice versus the Chiefs.  Current format big win for the Aussie sides, and last year also the Saffers (not this year....Kings have stood up, and Cheetahs are right up there).

This morning I downloaded the Chiefs-Crusaders(on account of SKYitalia showing the mammoth total of 1 Super game per week)....had no idea who I would be supporting.  Probably about half an hour in I noticed my heart was with the Chiefs.  I enjoyed it when Cruden charged down NZ's pin-up boy, Carter....and I loved it in the dying stages when he skipped round him to help set up the match winning, bonus point stealing, penalty. And this time I knew why.  Everytime I hear the, blight on the NZ game, Canty supporters start coming out of the woodwork with their vitriol and hating anything Auckland (or anyone who doesn't think Toxic Robbie is all that) it really gets my back up.  Henry criticised the refereeing but thank god someone prominent had the balls to do it, ...and he receives a backlash from SANZAR, and every man and his dog in Canterbury.  Ali Williams announces his international retirement and, despite being a great servant of the game, a great AB, AND a 1year Crusader...only manages to squeeze yet more crap out of the grey garden city.

Goodbye to a great


Oh, I will support the Crusaders vs any Aussie or Saffer team....just presently not in any derby.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Across the border into Ridiculous

Are teams ever going to get a fair go at Loftus?  Playing there is like a throw back to 40 years ago.  No, not because of the hick music but because of the seemingly farcical officiating that managed to rob the All Blacks of victories in the republic time and again.

Is there some kind of unofficial quota system in South African officiating, too?  Who could explain the "no clear forward pass" when 29 of the 30 players on field had returned downfield because of what they had seen on the big screen?  You may argue the later call that went against the Bulls evened things out but it was a decision that took the Bulls out to 23-6 at halftime and the horse had more or less bolted.

When Peyper tells Hore it's too many penalties in the opening minutes when the actual count was Bulls 6 Highlanders 4 you know something's amiss.  Rubbing salt in the wound warning of more yellows for tacklers not rolling away when for the 1st hour that's precisely what the Bulls had been doing....in fact that's precisely the Bulls' game.  When they dominated the Bok lineups in seasons past the same thing snuck into the national team.  It took our dreadful officials a whole season to clamp down on it and again it's raising it's ugly head.  This time the Bulls are trying to find that median of rolling around on the ground out the back of rucks just enough to impede arriving cleaners but not enough to earn the wrath of referees...well...not South African ones anyway.

And the water cooler?

Why don't we just give the whistle to Hugh Bladen?


Friday, May 17, 2013

AB Training Squad

Once again the critics come out of every wormhole dissecting another All Black squad.  Let's first remember this is a "training" squad.  There will be, at the end, some players left out who will perhaps never wear the black jersey.  And there could well be some performers who bring it all on in the closing rounds of the Super 15.

There's a good mix of old and new.  Guys like Weepu and Mealamu deserve to be there.  Guys like Hore and Woodcock can probably thank their inclusion to keeping some old heads on board to help the transition to the new breed of youngsters.

Starting up front 6 props included.  Big Charlie Faumuina out injured.  Man mountain Ben Afeaki, yes.  Jeff Toomaga-Allen has shown the continued improvement to suggest he could be a true force at international level. Owen Franks was one of the 1st cabs off the rank but big brother Ben can perhaps count himself a little fortunate.  Maybe trying too hard at the Canes has been his undoing but AB coaches have shown themselves to be very unforgiving with 2 kinds of props.  Lazy ones and ill-disciplined ones.  Ben Franks is probably the most penalised player in the Super 15 to date this season.  I'm a big Wyatt Crockett fan...I truly believe he receives the rough end of the stick from incompetent refs come scrum time.  He is capable of holding his own vs any other front rower in the world.  Woodcock was rated the world's best loosehead but his time is past as is his body.  Surely he can pass on some knowledge before this international season is out.  Unlucky,... Angus Ta'avao.
Massively underrated

Same story for Hore as for Woodcock but Hore can also thank the lack of rising talent at hooker.  Elliott hasn't come on as hoped while Coles has been impressive in the little time he's had in the black jersey.  An injury enforced layoff hasn't hurt Mealamu and he is looking in very good nick.

Second row Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock are what I deem the world's premier lock forwards.  Ali Williams started well but has perhaps been guilty of trying too hard of late and has been more of a liability.  Still, one very smart cookie and and as he showed against the Boks' formidable duo, very capable at fronting up lineout time.  His knowledge, seniority and humour are vital to the mix.  He will get some game time vs the Frogs.  Dominic Bird has been receiving the big raps all season while sitting on the bench being a part time player.  Young, the only way is up.  Perhaps the next AB hardman?  Romano had his best season last year and the coaches will be expecting more from the man picked to replace Big Bad Brad.
Expect a real breakout season from Retallick

Good to see some new faces arising amongst the loose forwards.  We always cry who will replace Iceman? who will replace Kaino? who will replace McCaw?  Well...someone always turns up.  NZ reknown for producing loosies of the highest quality.  Look at Kieran Read...came out of nowhere and now the world's premier eightman.  Vito is there and Messam is there...they probably won't have their reknown battle to show consistency and claim the blindside spot because Steven Luatua is here.  One feels Shields doesn't have the dynamism to nail down a spot but he will be used vs the hard packs when the others aren't fronting up.  Only Cane at 7,...no Latimer, no Todd, no Braid.  All are playing well but Cane has really stepped it up over the last rounds and the AB selectors will want to give him the jersey to develop his own game before Richie is back.  At #8 Read should be refreshed after his injury break and plenty utility backrowers in the mix for cover.  No one else in the squad considered an out and out 8 but Peter Saili is playing well as is the evergreen Mose Tuali'i.

At the base of the scrum Aaron Smith hasn't had a stellar season to date by any means.  With Weepu, Perenara and Kerr-Barlow all firing surely if the selectors had decided to start with only 3 he'd be the ugly duckling.  His frustration has shown this season but it hasn't all been down to a stuttering Highlanders pack.
Kerr-Barlow....tell me a better 9 in today's game

Who else but Carter of course at pivot with Cruden, though Barrett as back up is worrying.  His defensive frailties are more than wellknown and his tendency to kick away turnover ball robs any NZ team of one of their most deadly weapons.  I think I prefer the Crusaders' Blyendahl.  Though Tom Taylor is having a great season and would be a great utility, from 10 to 15.

At 2nd5 I'd say Ryan Crotty is probably one of the unluckiest players in NZ.  Maybe the form inside centre of the comp yet no one in NZ(or the rugby world) ever doubted the AB selectors love affair with a petulant Nonu would end.  At least there's Francis Saili to keep him honest.  If Nonu doesn't keep it coming then will be refreshing to see an exciting new face at 12.  Something of the same with Conrad Smith...been a great servant and one feels he will be there til he tells the selectors he doesn't want to be but if Ranger can continue to show the maturity he's shown this season....his consistency to organize the outside defence, make his tackles, and break through opposition defensive lines then why not give him a crack?  I feel he will be used as a utility covering wing and centre, #12 at a pinch but that will be our loss.  Really seems to me the selectors have had a long term plan to one day replace C.Smith with B.Smith.  So, do it now.  He brings everything the present day Smith brings to the ABs plus a real counterattacking ability.  Unlucky?...Crotty.  Real unlucky....Richard Kahui.
 Give Rene a chance

Outside your 2 incumbent wingers (with Jane injured) Gear and Savea, late developer Halai putting on pressure & a swag of utilities to back them up.  While at the back Dagg is currently off his game and Piutau is setting the Super comp on fire.  Isn't it time we gave Jane a chance back there?  It's his preferred position, he's a bomb disposal expert, and a much more intelligent player and more of a team player than Dagg will ever be. Unlucky....Leila Masaga.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Chiefs from the Chiefs

Was really hoping to get one out for each NZ SXV team before any AB training squad was named but....

Anyway...something on the Chiefs...

No one would argue against Cruden or Messam being there again, but the Chiefs really is a sum of its parts rather than relying on 2 or 3 outstanding ABs.

Most would think Hika Elliot was always going to be in a larger training squad...too much time invested in him and I would say hooker is a weakness in NZ rugby at present.  No sleight on Elliot...he just isn't a Sean Fitzpatrick or Keven Mealamu.  He is, however, a busy & dynamic hooker. Andrew Hore can count himself a lucky victim of circumstance...some oldhands needed to blood the new fellas. Brendon Leonard was, in my opinion, the best #9 in the game when he first burst onto the international scene.  Unfortunately years and injuries have caught up with him, as well as the new kids on the block.  I'm a big fan but most probably seen the last of his All Black caps.  Richard Kahui comes back from his 6th shoulder op and hits the ground running, arguably 2 games back and already the best looking back in Super Rugby...you always wondered if he was walking on cracked eggs. Hopefully he can come back and round out a couple of seasons earning some good dough in Japan.  Would be well-deserved.  Things havent just been unlucky for him, but rugby fans worldwide have been deprived of seeing this guy for an extended period at international level. Masaga has picked up his game and become not just a menace on attack, now a great defender and confident under the high ball...perhaps a little unlucky to miss out but by all accounts had already signed his name away.

 Ben Tameifuna...where would you tackle this kid?

Ben Afeaki had all the plaudits and was justifiably included.  A man-mountain who will become one of the most feared international props.  Little bit early yet for Ben Tameifuna but 100% he is on the AB selectors radar.  At 137kg some may think he doesn't have the mobility but he has all that.  If his annual improvement is anything to go by he will be in black next season.  Alongside Sam Whitelock I would judge Brodie Retallick the next best lock in the game,...quite clearly in the form of his life.  I'll be the first to admit I wasn't Sam Cane's greatest fan...but of recent he has stepped it up and dare I say glimpses of one Sir Richie are evident...hope he can keep improving.  Kerr-Barlow...argued bout this kid with some people (who rate Perenara higher) but he is the complete package at 9.  A superstar already made. Nanai Williams' defence and size counts against him....where would the All Blacks play him?...but if you have room for Barrett you have room for this whizz-kid.  I'd say the unfortunate one in the Chiefs is Bundee Aki...midfield injury crisis and he steps up and looks one of the most dangerous outside backs in the comp.  One of the best steps in the game.  Will be hard to overlook him if he is consistent.

Bundee Aki

Friday, May 3, 2013

Blues Bolters

Who's who at the Blues

There are times when you think you could just put this whole team on the paddock and they would come away with a win vs any team in the world.  Then there are times you just want to turn the tv off.

Let's have a look at who is there abouts when the AB selectors come knocking.

Of course there are the stalwarts.  No one could begrudge a fit Piri Weepu his spot as one of 2 All Black no.9s, and captaincy has matured Ali Williams who has proved a great foil for Sir John Kirwan.  Sadly, just as Keven Mealamu is coming back into it, an old problem injury resurfaces.  Not that I'd call big Charlie Faimuina a stalwart but time has been invested in him....and at the same time the AB selectors don't have a lot of patience for unfit props.  There's a lot of talent about at moment, NZ has some very very big boys...the ball is in his court.

At tighthead the Blues have an unspoken hero.  Hardly seen in the early rounds, Angus Ta'avao has become the Blues' version of a Franks brother; a rock in the scrum and throwing himself around the paddock in defence.  Don't be at all surprised if this 23 year old monster is a bolter.  At 1.94m and 124kg he has shown himself more than capable of holding his own vs some big South African packs at scrum time.

I wouldn't even call this a bolter.  This 21yr old is the form #6 in the country, I would say SuperXV, and even challenge people to find a better playing blindside in the world at present.  Doesn't shun any work in the tight and is proving an absolute menace around the field ball in hand.  Steven Luatua has put his hand up for the ABs' problem position of recent years.
Problem 6 position filled

An outside chance to back up Kieran Read at #8, Peter Saili is proving more than consistent this Super season and is a real handful for opposition defences.  Just what you need from a #8....he goes forward.

You could have almost pencilled in Francis Saili until that horror missed tackle on de Villiers that really should have cost the Blues that match.  Four minutes to play and a one on one he got done like a dog's dinner that allowed the Stormers' captain to break 40metres and close the gap to 18-17.  Something that would not have slipped the selectors' eyes.  Still in with a chance but did himself no favours.

Don't let Rene Ranger go!  Handed responsibility to guide a group of talented but raw outside backs has brought another level to Ranger's play.  Gone are the lapses in ball security and gone are the defensive flaws.  The important men in the selectors' box seriously can't ignore the impact this guy is having on games.  A wall (literally) in defence and a real bag of tricks mixed into a bulldozer on attack.  Here is the ABs new super sub....anywhere in midfield or wing.  Our next All Black hero in waiting.
Selectors willing,...our new AB hero

Frank Halai would raise some eyebrows but has done nothing really to suggest he would be out of place.  Would break into any other international team, but he's a little way off the All Blacks at the moment.  If he continues on the upward trend then maybe next year?  A great player to watch, still got some chinks to iron out and an instinct that isn't quite 100% right now, but with a few rounds in Super rugby to go and the incumbents either injured, out of form, or having life problems now could be the time?

Quite probably the best attacking fullback in the game right now.  Israel Dagg is well off his game and one feels that the All Black selectors will, rightly, still see this as primarily an attacking position.  Charles Piutau is your man.  Still not the full package, sometimes option taking errors and a blinker mentality (which never hampered Dagg too much), and not the greatest under the high ball but kick to him at your own peril.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Running out of time

The wheels are threatening to fall off the NZ Super15 wagon.  Seems they are struggling to find that balance between ball security and their natural excitement machine.  Not a lot of rounds left to get it right.
One feels the Blues are still a work in progress....Kirwan has had his hands full curbing calypso instincts and the Hurricanes are the Hurricanes,...NZ rugby's version of the Black Caps....everytime you start to expect big things from them they never fail to disappoint.  Highlanders hopefully will throw the proverbial spanner in some other teams' aspirations. Not really much else to play for except some southern pride.  It really seems all up to the Crusaders, who are showing flashes of themselves and with some simple game plans are showing up the South African teams, and the heady Chiefs, who really do look unstoppable if they are 70% on their game.  A backline that creates from  nothing all game long.  They are a much stronger unit than last year's championship team....fingers crossed they time their finals run right....and that Kerr Barlow will be back soon....

Thursday, April 11, 2013

the AB PACK

Big Ben Afeaki

1 Ben Franks
2 no real stand out, position is up for grabs....at the moment I'd go with Elliott or Flynn.
3 Owen is the incumbent....but look for Ben Afeaki to find some AB game time this season. An absolute monster
4 Sam Whitelock. Clearly the best lock in the world.
5 Ali Williams is busy busy busy. Into everything, not 22 anymore but 1 smart cookie.  Dominic Bird receiving big raps.  Both Retallicks on their game.
6 Steven Luatua....dynamic in the loose without shunning the hard graft.
7 Todd was doing ok but #7s have always stood out in the Canty packs.  Ardie Savea's 'Canes debut was inspirational, perhaps even the motivation behind their dominant performance over Aussie's best pack. Sam Cane will never be more than a Journeyman. Every time it's the same thing....who will replace Jock Hobbs? Who will replace Michael Jones? Josh Kronfield?....we can rest assured that Savea is well and truly on the radar.
8  Kieran Read

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

All that glitters....


All that glitters isn't gold
The truth is the game's rules need a real and PROPER overhaul. I know all the chopping and changing as they strive for the perfect game doesnt help, especially when they get it wrong and some teams take advantage to the detriment of rugby (like a certain recent Bulls team), and the old adage says dont fix what isnt broken. Thing is rugby IS broken. There are still rules that just dont need to be there and a hell of a lot of rules that contradict themselves (you want to be really confused?...study the rules for when the ball is deemed in or out of the field of play).
The rule-makers have tried to do certain things like take match deciding decisions out of the refs' hands (how's that one working out?), and just eliminate unnecessary whistling. One rule springs to mind. A few seasons ago the "tackle-release" law was introduced because tacklers who were still playing at the ball while they were regaining their feet were killing the game's attack and making every ruck a 50/50 penalty call either way (so when you played for the Bulls that meant either 3pts for you or, on account of you always kicking the ball when within 60m of your own goal line, a clearing kick for the opposition). Problem is some idiot ref got it wrong in one of the first games and the rule has become what it wasnt supposed to be. There is no reason at all that a tackler who doesnt go off his feet should have to release. And if the refs were more capable then the bigwigs would see that no rule change was even necessary,....any tackler on the ground isnt allowed to play at the ball anyway.
Easy to gloss over all this when once in awhile there is a great game where the ref HASNT effected the outcome and acting like all that glitters is gold when all the new rugby fans dont actually understand the game enough to question....but as i said...the game is broken.    

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Players get better, refs get worse

Chiefs Highlanders just another example of officialdom mediocracy. The rules need to be improved sure, but still refs who just arent up to it, and commentators who are seemingly clueless in front of millions.
Tell me if i'm wrong here but a charge down is ruled as "carried back"? seriously? Matt Cooper? ex All Black? Obviously if the defending team take the ball back and the charge down occurs in goal it will be attacking ball, but a charge down outside the ingoal that goes over the line is classified as carried back? Thats a new one for me.
Then the Horrell reach for the line...why oh why did the clown with the whistle blow when he wasnt sure if it was a try, when the resulting action of play hadnt finished? The Highlanders had managed to clear the ball downfield yet he blew to go to the tmo instead of waiting for the current play to stop. Result?...no try, and a 5m defensive scrum. No great advantage there. And think if the ball hadnt rolled 3" forward there wouldnt have been a knock on so the ref would have had no play to rule on so no restart option available. Goon.
Then Wilson waxing lyrical about Nonu....oh hes tried so hard all night, the play just hasnt gone his way. What a load of bullshit. He was lazy lazy Nonu. Lazy in attack, lazy in support, lazy in defence, and some terrible terrible passes to boot.

Does no one else see the current state of the game? Incredible athletes taking the game to another level but wk after wk refs, linesmen and tmos getting it oh so wrong.

Current AB backline...

Anytime the Bulls are winning means theres something not right in rugby. Commentators talked bout the possession difference but steyn kicked every ball away. Such a simple gameplan from the crusaders. Passing the ball from side to side with a fatty (normally Franks or Crockett) taking it up in midfield before Ellis quickly redistributed to Carter (who simply doubled round the midfield ruck all game) to continued to feed the ball the same way. Result was side to side play from the crusaders with one ruck centre field each time. That tired out the Bulls' pack, and coupled with a safer game in their own quarter complemented by belief and confidence in their own setpiece took away the bulls' one and only game. Made it look easy. Good to see Carter back on his game, too.


Try pick a nz super backline on current form:

9 dont think anyone in world rugby comes close to kerr-barlow at the moment. Followed by perenara and weepu, weepu would get nod as back up simply because perenara's game too similar to kerr-barlow.
10 before last wkd's games i'd have said cruden perhaps backed up by noakes. Blues backs are nigh on unstoppable so the 1st5 gets credit even though his defence is suspect. Now it's all carter backed up by cruden OR slade (reliable, minimal error rate and trustworthy defender). Barrett doesnt get a look in and never should have in my opinion. And too much of a turnstyle in defence. Maybe with age his time will come but he doesnt merit being called an AB.
12 Dont know bout this one. One option is Cruden at 10, Carter at 2nd. Highlanders' Burleigh looks good as does Blues 2nd5 Saiili. Nonu...lazy lazy lazy.
13 Great as nanai williams has been he will and has been found out vs big centres. Conrad smith has been made to look like a boy defensively on 2 or 3 occasions. Rene Ranger is the go here.
11/14 Watching Gear and Savea battle it out for the AB spots has been great. Gear is hard as nails....and not a small boy. Doubt there's many players that hurt more to tackle than him. Savea has upped his skill level and it's been incredible watching him leap for high balls and including deft chips in his game. Cant look outside these 2.
15 Tell me a better fullback around on current form than Piutau.

Ideas?