Planet Rugby Forum

mrbrownstone

Something I've come across in my writing and research this week: Reiko Ioane is averaging 7 metres per carry so far this series on the wing. No other All Black averages more than 6. These are the top 5 All Blacks by total metres so far (metres/carry in brackets). Ardie Savea (127m, 4.09 metres/carr...

mrbrownstone

1. Because the current structure is seemingly not sustainable 2. Because the game’s popularity seems to be shrinking I agree, but can we not restructure it in a way that complements, rather than cannibalises, Test rugby? You seem to frame it as either/or unless I'm misunderstanding. I actually agre...

mrbrownstone

If only the intention of SR was not merely to prepare All Blacks….. https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/college-football-is-facing-an-existential-crisis-heres-an-out-of-the-box-idea-to-save-it/ I understand the point you're making and do (at least partially) agree, but, looking at it from a purely on-...

mrbrownstone

Something I've come across in my writing and research this week: Reiko Ioane is averaging 7 metres per carry so far this series on the wing. No other All Black averages more than 6. These are the top 5 All Blacks by total metres so far (metres/carry in brackets). Ardie Savea (127m, 4.09 metres/carry...

mrbrownstone

It's so sad that the NPC has become a feeder comp and nothing else. A disgrace. The NZRU should be ashamed of themselves. I grew up watching the NPC and boy was that great. I'd go to Eden Park and watch the boys smash everyone. I still remember when we beat Otago in the final, what a moment that wa...

mrbrownstone

a I might have missed it, yes, but an announcement from CM is not an official AB confirmation. Do you have that for me? No worries, mate. I'll just email Razor and get the official word from the horse's mouth (I'm not going back through them all, but listen to one of his recent team announcement in...

mrbrownstone

BlueThunder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 5:09 am The Crusaders bias is actually getting ridiculous now, I’ve had just about enough of ol’ cyclops Robertson.

Personally, I'm sick of Tauranga-born former-BOP representative Razor favouring his beloved hometown Chiefs.

mrbrownstone

IMO he's now a first choice All Black lock. I didn't expect him to look so comfortable so quickly. I expect he will never cede the starting jersey again throughout his career. I've rarely seen a tight forward so purpose-built for Test rugby from the outset. With the added bonus he has an 80 minute ...

mrbrownstone

Enzedder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:27 am No squad yet but we have a major sponsor signed up which is always a good thing.

Priorities

(It is, of course, a great thing at a time when these unions are struggling to turn a profit).

mrbrownstone

This will be Samisoni Taukieaho’s first Test start at hooker in 670 days, since the World Cup Pool game against Namibia on September 16, 2023. Great to see him back, as he was quietly becoming world-class before that.

mrbrownstone

Yeah it's a well thought out selection given the players we have available. The Chiefs players should bring a strong level of cohesion. All this complaining about Finau being our reserve lock is just the usual posters being alarmist. Our lineout has been exceptional this year, so perhaps we should ...

mrbrownstone

You also missed when Papili'i was officially called in. Don't be a dufus, Mr B, it is unbecoming. Well, no, I didn't, because that actually happened. You may have, though. :lol: https://i.ibb.co/k6zgV5Dx/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at-12-05-19-PM.png Given the subsequent injury to another loose forward, ...

mrbrownstone

I would not be surprised at a stuttering or closer performance, but I'd still be immensely surprised if we lost. I still think this team's ability to generate points and opportunities at home should be several classes clear of the French. My only concern is that last week we made hay while France a...

mrbrownstone

Given the subsequent injury to another loose forward, Vai'i, presumably Papali'i remained as cover once Jacobson was fit again. Can you please point me to a similar announcement for Ah Kuoi? This was the most important one https://chiefs.co.nz/news-item/vibes-versatility-naitoa-ah-kuoi-stays-with-g...

mrbrownstone

BlueThunder wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 3:09 am Hopefully Hotham gets some decent amount of time and him and Ratima are playing off for bench spot.

Would have loved to see him get a start, but that would have wrecked the Chiefs combos. His time will come.

mrbrownstone

I really like what we've done in selecting a 'spine' with an in-built combination. 2/8/9/10/12/13 are all Chiefs. This should help with cohesion in a somewhat experimental team. One thing I might have done is selected Jordan at 14 as an experienced head and calming voice at the back to help Love th...

mrbrownstone

Yeah, not sure why they brought Ah Koui in... He was only ever brought in for training opposition, wasn't officially in squad from my understanding. Neither was Dalton Papalii.... For posters on a rugby forum, some of you pay very little attention. https://i.ibb.co/k6zgV5Dx/Screenshot-2025-07-17-at...

mrbrownstone

Yeah, not sure why they brought Ah Koui in... Did I miss the announcement where he was officially called up? (Not trying to be a dick, genuinely asking.) I though he was always just training cover and they were relatively clear about that? You also missed when Papili'i was officially called in. Don...

mrbrownstone

Are we disrespecting France by selecting a B team? I would not be surprised at all if the team selected loses. I would not be surprised at a stuttering or closer performance, but I'd still be immensely surprised if we lost. I still think this team's ability to generate points and opportunities at h...

mrbrownstone

I really like what we've done in selecting a 'spine' with an in-built combination. 2/8/9/10/12/13 are all Chiefs. This should help with cohesion in a somewhat experimental team. One thing I might have done is selected Jordan at 14 as an experienced head and calming voice at the back to help Love thr...

mrbrownstone

Seems a bit of overkill having two opensides on the bench. Don’t get it. Yeah, not sure why they brought Ah Koui in... Did I miss the announcement where he was officially called up? (Not trying to be a dick, genuinely asking.) I though he was always just training cover and they were relatively clea...

mrbrownstone

UncleFB wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 2:03 am Locks aren't important right?

Funny way to spell "aren't fit"

mrbrownstone

Is everyone who complained that last week's selections were too conservative satisfied? Or have we found something new to collectively moan about this week? ;) It seems pretty self-explanatory to me that we've named both Papalii and Kirifi on the bench because, with Barrett, Vai'i, and Sititi all in...

mrbrownstone

Loose forward Xavier Saifoloi has extended his contract with the Crusaders, committing to the club through to the 2027 season. "It's pretty awesome to be able to stick around for a few more years," says Saifoloi. "The main driver for me to stay around is how much people care for each other at this ...

mrbrownstone

If only the intention of SR was not merely to prepare All Blacks….. https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/college-football-is-facing-an-existential-crisis-heres-an-out-of-the-box-idea-to-save-it/ I understand the point you're making and do (at least partially) agree, but, looking at it from a purely on-...

mrbrownstone

If only the intention of SR was not merely to prepare All Blacks….. https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/college-football-is-facing-an-existential-crisis-heres-an-out-of-the-box-idea-to-save-it/ I understand the point you're making and do (at least partially) agree, but, looking at it from a purely on-...

mrbrownstone

If only the intention of SR was not merely to prepare All Blacks….. https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/college-football-is-facing-an-existential-crisis-heres-an-out-of-the-box-idea-to-save-it/ I understand the point you're making and do (at least partially) agree, but, looking at it from a purely on-...

mrbrownstone

assfly wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 11:33 am For the love of god, please remove Zimbabwe from the brackets. They're hosts ffs.

I will when they’re actually playing.

mrbrownstone

Clogs wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 10:18 am
Grandpa wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 10:15 am Shame it's not a test series...
Yep and just like the Rugby it would be NZ vs the World Champions.

Too subtle?

Just a shame those players aren’t playing…again.

You’re not sending your best people!

mrbrownstone

Grandpa wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 10:15 am Shame it's not a test series...

Massively. We are playing two against Zimbabwe after this though!

There were rumours of a Test against SA being added to this tour earlier in the year, but they fizzled out.

mrbrownstone

If one were inclined to that sort of thing, they could read my more comprehensive series preview here:https://open.substack.com/pub/beyondcow ... africa-for

First time we’re playing in Africa in 3263 days! Who’d we piss off?

mrbrownstone

Are there still enough kiwis and saffas around for this to be somewhat of a thing? Starts in a little under two hours. SA already won the opening match comfortably against Zimbabwe yesterday. In NZ this is on Three & ThreeNow I believe. In Aus it’s on ICC.tv. If you’re in SA you’d know better than m...

mrbrownstone

Squads are starting to roll in, share them here and I'll update the OP. Canterbury: https://scontent.fbne8-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/520063609_1255634756229692_6567653398591974135_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=833d8c&_nc_ohc=LWK0iIl7q_gQ7kNvwGnLPRk&_nc_oc=Adk_iSDFv0oHsoZg-TlBfqPvuGtNQrhUWPPBS9...

mrbrownstone

Zakar wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 5:18 am How I imagine this thread

Comes up less often than you'd think!

mrbrownstone

I'd have him second choice for all those unions as well. Not 4th and reliant on injuries. He said he didn't want to go but had no option if he wanted to play. If that's the case, this is a massive failure of NZ rugby recruitment and retention. Yeah, that's a major fvck up, reminds me of when Mark R...

mrbrownstone

None of the NZ teams were willing to offer him a contract. Apparently he was only offered part time back up contracts which relied on injuries. This seems utterly insane to me. You mean to tell me he wouldn't be a walk-up starter for the Clan? I like Bell and Taylor, but let's be real. Or that he's...

mrbrownstone

Tabai Matson is pronounced Tambai Matson, because there is a silent M. No there fcuking isn't, you numpty. :lol: Huh? Yes, there is? I expect the man knows how to pronounce his own name. Am I being whooshed? You sure are - there is no M in the spelling but there is a clear M sound in pronunciation-...

mrbrownstone

BlueThunder wrote: ↑Wed Jul 16, 2025 1:20 am Chay Fihaki is actually pronounced “who?”.

mrbrownstone

I hope Nisbo goes out on his own terms some time later this year. Even I, one of his biggest fans, thought some of his misnamings on Saturday were worse than usual. I hope he's not trying to get through to 2027. He'll be about 75-76 by then. That has snuck up on me. I thought he was still in his la...

mrbrownstone

I hope Nisbo goes out on his own terms some time later this year. Even I, one of his biggest fans, thought some of his misnamings on Saturday were worse than usual. I hope he's not trying to get through to 2027. He'll be about 75-76 by then. That has snuck up on me. I thought he was still in his la...

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