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.

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.

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.

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?

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.