March 21 - Quick Taps...
Some short, sharp dabs down the blindside
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Next AB coach – it’s Razor !!! ; Eden Park still in wrong place but chicken curry in the members still a winner; RWC 2023 draw is a screwup; Ireland and France talking themselves up; Will Christchurch ever get a new stadium?; Women’s NZ Super Rugby comp half arsed.
Guinness 6 Nations:
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Ireland deserved winners and the party probably still rolling in Dublin. But the good thing is that both Farrell and Galthie are talking their sides up big time ……… keep it up fellas – the RWC is a very different beast and respecting that is the first step to winning it.
The Paddys were a bit sloppy early on but an unfortunate red card against the Poms tipped the balance enough but suspect the result would’ve been the same in the end. As for the red, the circumstances were so accidental that surely a yellow would’ve been sufficient. Perhaps now the 6N bosses might adopt the 20 minute red card replacement rule used down South.
As for the Poms, they still look confused as to how to play their game (bit like the NZRU!) and at the moment just look like handy practise for any opponent. Whilst the 6N has confirmed their fall from the top echelon they do have the player depth and resources to be a threat at the RWC but Borthwick does need to decide who is in his 1st XV,
The leekeaters were comfortably beaten by the Frogs and their change of coach hasn’t provided any benefit as yet.
Italy plucky all comp producing some good footie but still unable to lift themselves enough to win games. Still outside the top 10 and unlikely to change that.
The Jocks won 3 games but like the Pizza boys are what they are and unlikely to lift themselves into the top 2.
The Frogs will be ruing a disjointed performance in Dublin in round 1 but were very dominant in their other 4 matches. They have plenty of stars but Dupont is just on another planet – MacGyver in rugby boots !
And 6N sponsored by a brewery – very brave in todays woke world – don’t tell Chloe !!!
Super Rugby – warming up.
The Chiefs still motoring along in the fast lane but probably just need to tighten up their expansive style a tad – some very loose stuff creeping in. The Brumbies also unbeaten but may get a reality check in Christchurch next weekend. At last the Highlanders managed a win but made very hard work of it and their injury toll is very unfortunate in a team that really needs all their guns on deck.
Went to the Garden of Eden for the Blues Crusaders clash and what an enjoyable battle it was. Plenty of tries, lots of too and fro and the result in doubt right to the final whistle. The Blues just couldn’t quite manage a winning try even with a heap of opportunities in the last 10-15 mins – very unlucky but the Crusaders defence was superb. Razor and his mob will be very relieved to avoid a 3rd loss out of 4 but for the Blues still plenty of positives to build on and some props to find !! I expect both teams to steadily improve over the next couple of months.
However, the major talking point in the members bar debrief was the stupid golden oldies scrum rule that removed an additional Blues player after a yellow card removed a Blues prop. Unfortunately the Blues had lost 2 starting props to injury in the first quarter so a yellow to a 3rd meant uncontested scrums.
Now in a rule clearly dreamed up by the Auckland Transport orange road cones idiots, the team causing the need for uncontested scrums is further punished on the basis that they may have done it on purpose. So the theory is that just in case the Blues or any team is getting destroyed in the scrums they somehow find a way to legally remove all their props therefore uncontested scrums result.
Not only is this incredibly far-fetched, cynical and small minded, it’s an over engineered rule safety and ruins a tight contest. As I said, surely safety at all costs Orange Road cone design bullshit.
2 men down for 10 mins in a tight contest is just too tough and the Saders pounced.
Players to watch – Shooter Stevenson making the running game look ridiculously easy, Taukei’aho simply a human wrecking ball. Good to see Blackadder back (what an engine although can see why he breaks), Mark Talea must be coated in grease as that try he scored was unbelievable – he just slips tackles with ease. Roigard and Ratima are a couple of 9s who are shining.
Although I haven’t watched any of the Womens NZ super rugby games, I do notice after only 3 rounds they’re into a final – really NZRU, just 3 rounds plus a finals match. Surely you could’ve at least designed a 6 round home and away comp ????? What have all those women on the Board got to say ???
And at least the NZRU have finalised the AB coaching situation by appointing Razor from 2024 – I for one am pleased its done and we can move on. Whilst the NZRU may have struggled to internally design a selection strategy and communicate it externally I do give them credit for assessing the market and its commercial reality and acting.
…………………..Enough for now – pass it on - comments and opinions very welcome.