Planet Rugby Forum

Murdoch

8 games in 37 days. A game every 4.6 days with lots of travelling cris crossing the country, in and out of altitude. 4 tests in 4 weeks. Travel in between and a long haul flight to London between weeks 3 and 4. We have signed up to a brutal schedule. And are they expected to go on a EOYT 5 weeks af...

Murdoch

I guess it is going to be a very big touring oarty If it's around 53 then it may avoid the impact. Razor can stay in Joburg with 30 players while the 23 go to Cape Town with Holland. 8 games in 37 days. A game every 4.6 days with lots of travelling cris crossing the country, in and out of altitude....

Murdoch

I 'm pleasantly surprised by the team selection. Glad to see lakai starting instead of the under performing Sititi but it does weaken our lineout ,particularly in the absence of Vai'i. The Vaai led lineout that twice put up jumpers on their own 5m line and subsequently conceded two tries to lineout...

Murdoch

I 'm pleasantly surprised by the team selection. Glad to see lakai starting instead of the under performing Sititi but it does weaken our lineout ,particularly in the absence of Vai'i. The Vaai led lineout that twice put up jumpers on their own 5m line and subsequently conceded two tries to lineout...

Murdoch

Reflecting on the game, and the way we used Jordie Barrett in the backfield to strengthen our high kick reception, I'm wondering if this would be a backline worth experimenting with in Perth? 15. Jordie Barrett 14. Will Jordan 13. Billy Proctor 12. Quinn Tupaea 11. Caleb Clarke 10. Damien McKenzie ...

Murdoch

A three match test series with a tour is pretty awesome, not going to lie. I don't think it's a terrible idea to have the RC every second year and use the other year for full tours. Agreed completely. The RC being good this year doesn't guarantee it being good next year. In fact a variable schedule...

Murdoch

Am I right in thinking we want Argentina to win this one by a lot, but from loads of penalties 30-3. Ten penalties to 1 ??? Any Pumas win and any NZ win would secure the trophy for NZ. Of course a Pumas win looks pretty unlikely, especially having sold their home game to Twickenham. Genius move tha...

Murdoch

Am I right in thinking we want Argentina to win this one by a lot, but from loads of penalties 30-3. Ten penalties to 1 ??? Any Pumas win and any NZ win would secure the trophy for NZ. Of course a Pumas win looks pretty unlikely, especially having sold their home game to Twickenham. Genius move that.

Murdoch

What was the reason for the early test time? To piss off AFL fans? At least that's what I gayher from some of the earlier discussion on this thread. ;) It's a bizarre coincidence if unintended... but have they not even said anything about why it's an earlier time? First time it's been early in year...

Murdoch

I whacked a few quid on SA, and I am going to buy a very nice bottle of whisky with the winnings. Then, whenever this game is mentioned, I will think of the 15 year old Glenfarclas I bought, rather than the ABs taking it up the pipe. NZ will probably smack Australia at Eden Park. I would suggest ge...

Murdoch

Had Proctor executed the dummy it would have been an entirely different result. Great view on the camera angle. https://x.com/DummySwitchPod/status/1967497659914092747 Marx was lumbering across, doubtful he might have caught Proctor but even if he did there was still Parker and Carter outside to ge...

Murdoch

sorCrer wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 8:51 am The similarities between Kolbe's intercept in 2018 and 2025 are uncanny:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOlByb8E ... E3Zg%3D%3D

It's great that ALB is in the squad to be able to mentor Proctor and impart his (extremely relevant) experience onto the next guy.

Murdoch

I'm glad that Hotham has replaced Preston, who to be fair to the guy was only a very temporary place holder. However, I would have kept Christie starting and bring on Hotham similar to the use of Preston last week. I'm not sure benching Christie, given his performance last week, is good man-managem...

Murdoch

Will certainly be interesting what happens with the back three. Looks like DMac and Jordan will start how they ended the last test, then possibly Clarke on the left. After watching the Auckland-Tasman game, Clarke wasn't shabby but you could easily make a case for the 3 other wingers in that game ov...

Murdoch

Can't believe there hasn't been an any sort of update on Roigard. What are these journalists paid for?

Clearly the most important and influential member of the NZ backline as it stands.

Murdoch

Rewatched the Vaai yellow card, an absolutely atrocious call. For all the Australian vitriol directed at Doleman, Berry is equally hopeless, possibly worse. What's your issue with it.. looks a deliberate knock on to me trying to intercept the pass? I'd recommend watching a replay. At no point did i...

Murdoch

Diuretics?

Maybe his mum gave it to him?

Murdoch

Rewatched the Vaai yellow card, an absolutely atrocious call. For all the Australian vitriol directed at Doleman, Berry is equally hopeless, possibly worse. Jason Holland needs to be fired, preferably out of a cannon. Back three alignment and high ball diffusal is inept. Ioane is lost most of the ti...

Murdoch

We seem to be happy to bring in new guys to the pack.. but very hesitant in the backs... and it's not as if the backline is a slick machine. Two old wingers who no longer have their youthful zip... both who will be near 30 at the next World Cup... I wonder why they aren't looking seriously at alter...

Murdoch

Excited to see what Parker has to offer. There's been a bit of hype about and he certainly looked the business for the Chiefs. While I've been impressed by the athleticism of Vaai at 6, the one thing he might lack is the sort of enforcer ability that someone like Kaino epitomised. What Parker might ...

Murdoch

Tough for them this year. Their depth will be absolutey tested to the limit with the Lions series, then the Boks and then the Argies.

Probably be the walking wounded by the time they get to Auckland. Hard to win under those circumstances at Eden Park.

Murdoch

PSDT is a big loss. Him and Eben are the heart of that pack. Rassie will probably replace Du Toit with Mostert and elevate Kwagga to start. Also I expect Bongi to start and Marx to add some oomph to the bomb squad. Don't think they lose a lot with Kwagga starting but they lose something from the ben...

Murdoch

Seems Slipper, Peitsch and Donaldson all heading home, Stewart, Daugunu and Van Nek called into the squad How about Wilson? Strange that one. He slowed down as he was going into. Don't know whether he slowed down because of the injury or he injured himself by slowing too quickly, iirc the in goal a...

Murdoch

Probably needs a rethink about the vaunted Bok depth.

Murdoch

Calling for Tavatavanawai to be selected over ALB, our best defensive midfielder, who can cover both 12 and 13 equally well, is the epitome of only watching one side of the ball. ALB tackled at 93.3% in SR this year. He's our best defensive midfielder and organiser by a distance. His versatility is...

Murdoch

Yep I can see both sires of argument for picking other players, but at back of my mind I struggle as I keep thinking it's a test match, not a development team. Do you risk games, looking ahead, or do you win comps AND try and make sure you keep ranking high as for WC, as it makes difference which p...

Murdoch

Flockwitt wrote: ↑Thu Aug 14, 2025 8:22 pm I'd prefer Sam Cane over Kirifi against the Argies tbf.

I'd prefer finding out that Kirifi (or Lakai) is up to it now than at the World Cup where Cane will certainly not be available.

Murdoch

Picking both Christie and ALB on the bench is such an incredibly weak move. Safety blankets, much like picking Sam Cane the entire year last year up to and including Italy(!) was a move from someone just terrified of losing.

Murdoch

Stronger team than the one that beat the Lions IMO. I think JOC is better equipped to deal with top level test footy than Lynagh at this stage of their careers. And certainly more of a running threat. 6-2 bench is the right move against the Boks at altitude. Now let's see if Rassie was bluffing abou...

Murdoch

Wallace Sititi is ruled out of the 1st test with his Ankle recovery. So who to start at 8? Could be the right time to give Parker an opportunity. Would be a ballsy decision. Conservative selection would be Kirifi at 7. Lakai at 7 or 8 would be somewhere in the middle. He'd have to find form he hasn...

Murdoch

Can't say I'm really worried about Fainganuku's defense while acting as a mercenary in France. The standards at both the Crusaders and All Blacks are much more stringent and if he has deficiencies he'll either iron them out or not make the cut. And Robertson does look like he's building some good de...

Murdoch

Why would I be? If you mean Mounga should have been punished for breaching team protocol by not revealing his concussion and playing on you are right :thumbup: Both can be true. Is there good footage of it? The wide angle seems to indicate a pretty fair shot but I wouldn't be surprised if a close u...

Murdoch

Conrad Smith debuted in 2004 but didn't become a fixture as starting center until 2008. He did have injury and concussion issues but he wasn't banging the door down with his performances either.

I think Proctor will get there if given time.

Murdoch

Monkey Magic wrote: ↑Wed Aug 06, 2025 9:06 pm Trying to think of a fourth face to scare the kids to go with Meads, Johnson, Bakkies. Maybe Chabal

Scare the kids you say?
Frik du Preez, Willie John McBride, BBBR?

All have something in common but can't put my finger on it.

Murdoch

Aside from Lomu, who I’d expect everyone would pick… Which two wingers since 2000 would you put in an all time ABs team? I’m between Howlett, Rokocoko and Jordan… It's a close one but I think Ben Smith was the better player between him and Jordan. Although Jordan has plenty of time to prove me wron...

Murdoch

Akkerman wrote: ↑Fri Jul 25, 2025 10:31 am English media attacking Schmidt

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/d5fd8ee0a8273eae

former Ireland charges that Andrew Porter, now the Lions hooker

Imagine going on a junket to fly around the world to report on a sport you know nothing about.

fudge the Brits, up the wallabies.

Murdoch

Demilich wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 5:21 am I do enjoy giving advice to young chicken-runner offspring over here: "You're far too nice to be South African - tell people you're from Zimbabwe, so there's a chance they might like you."

Uhhh, might be better off with Namibia

Murdoch

Dan54. wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 8:57 pm Also noted that Lord has been named for the Naki in the shield game tomorrow, so maybe available going forward for RC?

Darry should be fit for Canterbury's warmup against Manawatu Saturday week.

Murdoch

Auckman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 17, 2025 2:09 pm Lions by 30

Oz need a miracle

You would think so. Schmidt is a canny bugger but it's hard to imagine his Caleb Ralph-style selection policy will pay off at all.

Murdoch

The leaked backline. Reece? I thought he was out for a while? Prefer to see another week of Narawa So would I... and both Reece and Jacobson should be given plenty of time to recover from concussions... ridiculous it's only a couple of weeks... Agreed. They need a break from all test football for t...

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