Planet Rugby Forum

merlin the happy pig

Yep, even with Jacobson's ability to play all three positions at the pinch and Ardie covers 7 and 8, I don't like it. Finau ain't a lock. Ah Koui must be gutted and testing out another 4/6 would have answered some questions, but I guess Razer has reached his Chiefs quota. Not enough red n black in ...

merlin the happy pig

Seems a bit of overkill having two opensides on the bench. Don’t get it. Yeah, not sure why they brought Ah Koui in... Yep, even with Jacobson's ability to play all three positions at the pinch and Ardie covers 7 and 8, I don't like it. Finau ain't a lock. Ah Koui must be gutted and testing out ano...

merlin the happy pig

The leaked backline. 9. Ratima 10. Dmac 11. Ioane 12. Tupaea 13. ALB 14. Reece 15. Love Bench 21. Hotham 22. Tavatavanawai 23. B.Barrett In an ideal world, I'd have loved to see Hotham start and swapped Love and DMac, but this will do nicely still. Is it too cheeky to ask where you're getting these...

merlin the happy pig

I like Sonny Bill. Not to douche chill levels. I just enjoyed and respected the contributions he made to the ABs in that window of 2015. He was made a valuable, entertaining cameo. He also seems a loyal, decent fella. His attachment to the likes of Quade Cooper and Anthony Mune puzzles me, but seem...

merlin the happy pig

If we are persisting with box kicks and other high kicks, I propose this back three that could dominate the air. 11.Clarke 14.J. Barrett 15.Jordan We finally have specialist test level second fives in Tupaea and Tavatavanawai and Jordie’s versatility can utilised again by shifting to an area of nee...

merlin the happy pig

That the way to keep this country in the “dark” ages, literally and while we’re waiting for renewables to get up to spec we’ll just keep importing coal, as long as someone else is doing the mining, that makes it all ok :roll: Most of our power is in fact effectively from ‘renewables’. Ever heard of...

merlin the happy pig

My best guess now is: 4. Holland 5. Vai'i 6. Finau 7. Kirifi 8. Ardie (C) They have said ideally everyone will get a game, and this is the logical opportunity for Finau. Sounds about right. Who's on the bench for those positions though? Patrick T & Jacobson? Would you leave Vaa'i at 6 and bring in ...

merlin the happy pig

Trump says US must send more weapons to Ukraine, days after ordering pause in deliveries President Donald Trump said Monday the US will have to send more weapons to Ukraine, just days after ordering a pause in critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv. The comments by Trump appeared to be an abrupt chang...

merlin the happy pig

I just watched the whole match again... it was better than I thought... Lio-Willie played quite well and had a number of carries over the advantage line (PP your stats are wrong). DMac played better than I remember. I think we remember a couple of bad things he did.. but he did a lot of good stuff....

merlin the happy pig

Did Razor think that this French side gave him the chance to try a few things selection wise that he might not have done against a more seasoned squad? I hope that is the case. Some experiments worked OK, such as Va'ai to 6. Ioane to wing wasn't a huge failure but you wouldn't call it a success. Ki...

merlin the happy pig

Three disallowed tries, all very close calls, the obstruction one ridiculous. Not quite as close as the scoreboard suggests, but hardly vintage ABs stuff. Centre issue still murky for ABs, Proctor didn't do much. Reiko was ordinary on the wing. Vaa'I at 6 was good, Savea outstanding, Holland also go...

merlin the happy pig

I sent this thread to guy smiley, and while he didn't want to log back in to post, he did send me his list for me to share with you: Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Heads Talking Head...

merlin the happy pig

You do realise that Vaa'i has already been selected to start at 6 against France during the Foster era in the 2023 RWC pool game? For Vaa'i to successfully transition into a test level 6 he needs an extended run in that position. It will be interesting to see if that happens. A backrow of 8. Sititi...

merlin the happy pig

Really looking forward to seeing How Vaa'i goes at 6.
Same build and power as Finau but gets involved more.
Hopefully he gets a few games to cement the spot.

merlin the happy pig

You think its funny but currently the NZRU are bleeding money through mismanagement after a cash injection they got by selling the family jewels. The Warriors and Auckland FC have higher averages attendances than the Blues and more total over the season. In case you didn't notice Wales, a once stro...

merlin the happy pig

Which Blues players should be in this 23? *crickets* AJ Lam Papalii I'd also have Tavatavamawai on the wing instead of Reece. Also think Sotutu played very very well (one bad tackle aside) at the pointy end of the season, and I never once cheered the Blues on this season. Maybe not in the 23 but de...

merlin the happy pig

Ted. wrote: ↑Thu Jul 03, 2025 1:53 am BB better put the aimless kicking in a drawer before he takes the filed.

I've seen signs he has improved in this regard.
I even saw him do cross kicks that were 10 m forward instead of flat so the chaser could run onto it. Nearly fell off my chair in surprise and delight.

merlin the happy pig

Excellent footballers without being amazing athletes. All Blacks strength & conditioning guru Nic Gill once described Richie McCaw as "slow and weak". Not every great Rugby player is an amazing athlete. Hence why Conrad Smith is a much better All Black centre than Rieko Ioane. Both attributes are g...

merlin the happy pig

AJ Lam is a wasted talent, he is the ideal test rugby player; big, fast, strong with a very low error rate and subtle kicking and distribution skills. Also versatile. Perhaps he left his move to the midfield too late, what a waste. 100% agree. I've defended ALB quite a bit but I think it's time he ...

merlin the happy pig

Beatles U2 UB40 Bob Marley and the Wailers The Herbs ABBA Metallica Guns and Roses Bon Jovi CCR Dire Straits Bee Gees Queen The Eagles REM The Beach Boys Presuming you mean the NZ reggae band, it's just Herbs - no 'the' I say this as someone who habitually says 'the Pixies' knowing it's incorrect. ...

merlin the happy pig

When I was a lad in the 60s and early 70s, it was never hard to tell the difference between forwards and backs. Our Edinburgh season tickets are beside the away team subs seats. My son (25 and ex TH so played in the modern era) and I play a game trying to work out which of the players we do not rec...

merlin the happy pig

I think at Super rugby having a high workrate is huge. That's why the Blackadder's and Havili's shine, especially in comparison to others who don't have the same skillset or mentality. At test level everyone has a big workrate, the distinction there is more about effectiveness based on physical siz...

merlin the happy pig

Yes he didn't look like he was the fastest player in NZ to me. He scored some good tries but I didn't see him score any real length of the field tries like this: https://youtu.be/bgaQxLWK53s?t=4257 I would have thought Tangitau would be the fastest. Carter should be in the team over Reece if he is ...

merlin the happy pig

Neverwas wrote: ↑Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:14 am Razor has said Leroy Carter is the fastest player in NZ.

So much for those saying he's too slow.

Who said he was slow?
He and Tangitau look to be pretty quick.

merlin the happy pig

There has been 15 backs named and I would say only 4 are big bodies. JB, Ioane, Tavatavanawai and Clarke. The rest are small to mid sized. Fair, they were mainly talking midfield and wing and explaining why Havili was on the outer, and that if Clarke goes down they will be looking at Ioane and Tava...

merlin the happy pig

Pretty happy with that team although think Jacobson is a conservative selection, he's not really a starter so I'd probably have gone Blackadder till he breaks again, or a ball player like Sotutu or Grace. Worrying how weak we are on the wings. Really interested to see what Tavatavanawai can do. He ...

merlin the happy pig

Pretty happy with that team although think Jacobson is a conservative selection, he's not really a starter so I'd probably have gone Blackadder till he breaks again, or a ball player like Sotutu or Grace. Worrying how weak we are on the wings. Really interested to see what Tavatavanawai can do. He ...

merlin the happy pig

Europe coming to the party big time. A whole bunch of initiatives underway with a focus on anti-drone kit like jamming planes, anti-drone drones and so forth with specialised help from NATO to deal with glide bombs. Norway's got a big program to build in Ukraine UM naval drones, 500 million Euros a...

merlin the happy pig

Bit of a shame they could only fit 2 specialist wings in the squad.
Hoped they might take a punt on an out and out finisher like a Carter or Tangitau (if not injured).
Even just to get them in the environment with an eye to the future.

merlin the happy pig

I think Sotutu is unlucky. Haven't been a big fan of his in the past, but at the back end of the season he was one of the very best in a well performing Blues pack. Are they still considering moving Ardie to 7? doesn't seem likely seeing as Sititi and he are quite similar, so I doubt you'd see Sitit...

merlin the happy pig

10 is going to be interesting. Barrett appeared to be actually playing like a 10 in the last few games and McKenzie was below average in the final. Of course a semi final and final are not the same thing, but given he other options are much too green I would be surprised if it's Barrett who gets the...

merlin the happy pig

Crusaders just got stronger and stronger.

merlin the happy pig

Massive forward performance by the Saders in the second half

merlin the happy pig

Chiefs forwards are gassed. Losing the close in battle now

merlin the happy pig

Chiefs need a moment of magic to get out of this

merlin the happy pig

McKenzie's goal kicking not quite as good tonight

merlin the happy pig

Both sides dodging a bullet

merlin the happy pig

Thought that penalty was a big harsh. Looked to be over the ball, player on the ground holdingbon

merlin the happy pig

Ted. wrote: ↑Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:30 am
Magpie26 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:29 am Gardner shat the bed there.

Clearly favouring the Chiefs.
Clearly a no arms tackle. Gus got the call wrong but the correct outcome.

Spot on

merlin the happy pig

Dumb kick by McKenzie.
Surely the kick has to go forward to get the chaser running onto it?

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