^ said that at the time 😉 🙂 Made the referees job pretty easy
I'll just leave this here
Nick Phipps at no 3??????? How are those ratings computed then?
He was total pish in the 2nd test. If he'd played like Gareth Edwards in the 1st test then maybe it would average out - but he didn't.
Just watching the U20 semi final.
England thrashing the little Boks. 31-3 at halftime. 😀
Looking like a final against Ireland who hammered Argentina in the first semi.
Ultimately it is meant to be a conversation starter, not a conversation ender.
I think passing a lot and playing quite a few minutes works in Phipps favour with the ranking system they used 😉
I think passing a lot and playing quite a few minutes works in Phipps favour with the ranking system they used
Indeed.
THe computer obviously can't differentiate between a pass to the ankles and a pass over the head.
After an evening of dinner with drinks, a visit to a club, a quick kip then a 4am breakfast with yet more drinks you take a taxi to get your car. A taxi to collect your car. How about a taxi home, get your car much later ?
Desperately sad really
Jeez wrong side of bed Jamba?
I bumped into Danny Cipriani out on the booze in Denver Colorado playing for the Saxons 5/6 years ago. The next day he & a few others were sent home for breaking curfew. He definately needs to sort himself out rapidly.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, George Moala, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Charlie Faumuina, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt).
Replacements: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Luke Romano, Liam Squire, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Lima Sopoaga, Waisake Naholo.
Wales: Rhys Patchell, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Ross Moriarty, Sam Warburton (capt), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Ellis Jenkins, Gareth Davies, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams.
So as we only have 1 decent tighthead prop and we've dropped him to the bench to start the fat sais and have jarvis on the bench too and he is a truly awful tight head who us presumeably covering loosehead.
I suspect Julian Savea will be out to prove a point. No Ardie? He's a fabulous player.
I think the ABs have Highlanders flanker Elliot Dixon at 6 with Kaino dropping out of the 23 as Hansen elects to look at some talent ahead of the RC.
It looks like 11 changes positional/personnel in the 23 but with no appreciable weakening of the side.
Highlights the lack of depth Wales have - a great starting XV but struggling a little once injuries take hold. Still, I think they've actually played really well and it's been nice to see something other than Warrenball. Don't think the third test will be any different but if Wales could hit enough purple patches then anything is possible....
great starting XV but struggling a little once injuries take hold.
Indeed, if all fit we have handy 23
1/2p Williams Davies, Roberts, North, Biggar,Webb, Jenkins, Owens, Lee, Charteris, AWJ, Lydiate, Warbs, Not Toby.
Evans, Baldwin, Francis, Tips/Moriarty, B Davies, G Davies, Priestland/Patchel, Williams
**** all depth at 1 or 8. Lydiates time may have come Moriarty adds a far better balance to the backrow. The rest is ok if we ignore the factvthat Jenkins is about 240 0000 years old.
Surprised to see Roberts playing.
Why do the Lions have to have their kit made by a NZ company? They'll go down there with the subliminal message that NZ stuff is better. Why can't they have kit made by a British or Irish firm?
Likewise for England - their kit is by Canterbury too. Why??
Just because Canterbury presumably offer more money doesn't mean they should make the England shirts. The RFU have more money than the rest put together so it shouldn't matter.
Why do the Lions have to have their kit made by a NZ company? They'll go down there with the subliminal message that NZ stuff is better.
You're over thinking it a bit imo. Ate you Clive Woodward?
Just because Canterbury presumably offer more money doesn't mean they should make the England shirts. The RFU have more money than the rest put together so it shouldn't matter.
It was made by nike previously. All about the money and there are relatively few players. I understand it's substantial.
You're over thinking it a bit imo. Are you Clive Woodward?
That's SIR Clive to you! 😉
All about the money and there are relatively few players. I understand it's substantial.
Yeah - I think it's about £5 million per annum.
Actually, as it turns out, the HQ is now in Stockport - so it's kinda British. 😳
So as we only have 1 decent tighthead prop and we've dropped him to the bench to start the fat sais and have jarvis on the bench too and he is a truly awful tight head who us presumeably covering loosehead.
How long do you give Francis before he runs out off puff? 10 minutes? Perfect player to face the AB's!
J. Savea has been quite out of sorts so far this season, non? Ardie is pretty bloody good! When I first saw him play, the speed and agility of his running had me thinking he was a winger, but he can clearly handle the grunt work too. Quite a thing to opt not to go to the olympics for a chance with the AB's too.
On the shirts and kits, as far as I am aware Adidas absolutely dominate the rugby market. I guess companies like Nike and Canterbury are throwing a ton of money at a few key things to try and change this but it is having little effect
Canterbury in UK is now owned by Pentland who own a whole load of brands includng Speedo, Berghaus etc. They are a UK company. Addidas dominate in New Zealand where they pretty much control all top players kit. Nike have pretty much stepped out of Rugby now.
England the same except Haskell injured. He's been a stand out player, I hope the new bloke is decent.
You will like him. He is a wing forward's wing forward.
Hasn't he played at 8 for a lot of the season? He's more hask-esque than Clifford who is faster and more mobile (more of a traditional open side).
He's a kiwi like the captain too!
His father was English which makes him as well qualified to play for England as George North 🙂
Canterbury make nice kit although it is a bit bizarre to see their Kiwi logo on an England shirt
Should be a proper British sportswear logo on our shirts:
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Rubbish, it should be the original English rugby brand, Gilbert.
Rubbish, it should be the original English rugby brand, Gilbert.
Yeah that would probably be better - doesn't have the same 70s kitsch though....
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Admiral have come back in Cricket and are big in US soccer.
Admiral have come back in Cricket and are big in US soccer.
Yeah I noticed that. Good for them.
The Webb Ellis brand, which started in 2003, seem to be doing really well in Argentina. Bizarrely.
The Webb Ellis brand, which started in 2003, seem to be doing really well in Argentina. Bizarrely.
I have never heard of it but Les Cusworth is very involved in Argentinian rugby - has a Argentinian wife - so I wonder if it is run by a contact/friend of his. It seems to be very West Midlands focused.
So tomorrow is this threads last day!
Come on wales lets end it with a once in 60 years result!
Ardie is pretty bloody good! When I first saw him play, the speed and agility of his running had me thinking he was a winger, but he can clearly handle the grunt work too. Quite a thing to opt not to go to the olympics for a chance with the AB's too.
Lovely player. I just have a major problem with his facial hair and hairdo itself. Fascinating. But maybe that's what distracts the opposition? 😆
I think if you can keep up with him long enough to be distracted by the hairdo then you are doing pretty darn well 🙂 The closest we get is someone like Tips but Ardie has had the full on AB super charging to take it to the next level. Frightening really the player he could become with even more experience
Jeez, Ben Smith is on fire this morning. I always think he looks like an accountant, but is an incredible rugby player.
Him and Dagg are flying !!!
Wales are getting hammered here.
Not really a surprise...
Nope. The only surprise for me was Julian Savea, thought he'd have a better game.
Dag almost apologised to Liam after scoring then!
Is there anywhere to stream the England game?
Legally?
Sky
If you can spoof IP
http://tenplay.com.au/
There will as always be hundreds of pop up filled links if you look
